Cheap Car Insurance in Altoona, PA

A historic city in an even more historic state, Altoona is located within the heart of Pennsylvania. Its location made it a central stop for the Pennsylvania Railroad, and the Horseshoe Curve remains a central spot for tourists and railroad enthusiasts.

But frequent traffic from commuters and tourists alike, along with a mountainous terrain, can make some roads treacherous to traverse.

From Interstate Route 99 to state routes 22 and 36, and all the way into the historic downtown, your auto insurance has to cover everything you might encounter when on the road in Altoona. Pennsylvania car insurance can help protect you when road conditions, traffic, and other hazards may otherwise endanger your health and property.

On average, drivers with cars registered in Altoona pay a monthly premium of $27 per month for the minimum liability car insurance required by the State of Pennsylvania. That’s $18 less than the Pennsylvania average of $45 per month, and $35 less than the national average of $62 for minimum liability insurance.

Full car insurance coverage for Altoona residents is $106 per month—which is $99 lower than the state average of $205, and $106 lower than the $212 national average.

Why is Car Insurance so Cheap in Pennsylvania?

The primary reason for car insurance being so low in Pennsylvania, and Altoona in particular, is its rural terrain. Altoona is the #22 city in the state by population, and its low number of car accidents and accident-related injuries or property damage compares favorably to larger cities like Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.

At the same time, full coverage in Pennsylvania is closer to the national average because the Commonwealth is a “no-fault state:” Each driver’s auto insurance will cover the cost of car accidents regardless of who is at fault, including medical expenses. This drives up full coverage rates because increases the likelihood that the insurance will need to pay after an accident, and explains why full coverage is comparatively less cheap than minimum liability insurance.

How Many Fatal Accidents Happen in Altoona?

Due to low congestion and relatively low traffic, fatal accidents are rare in Altoona. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports only one to two accidents resulting in death per year. This is out of a total of 1,034 vehicle accidents requiring at least some level of investigation according to the City of Altoona Police Department.

How Are the Road Infrastructure and Bridges in Altoona?

The Public Works Department of the City of Altoona maintains all 360 miles of roads and bridges within the city. Within the Public Works Department, the Engineering Division oversees all construction and inspections of roads, the Electrical Division maintains street lights and traffic signals, and the Highway Division oversees summer and winter maintenance. The Public Works Department works closely with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and the Blair County Highway Department on maintaining roads and bridges around the city.

According to Pennsylvania law, all vehicle owners in the Commonwealth need to maintain liability insurance as long as the vehicle carries an active registration. The minimum requirements for insurance are:

Driving without car insurance in Altoona will result in a few penalties that all drivers will need to keep in mind. If you are stopped and found to be operating your vehicle without insurance, you can expect:

As in most states and cities, car insurance rates in Altoona are highest for new drivers. Teenagers in particular pay high premiums, $175 per month for minimum state-required liability insurance and $534 per month for full coverage. These rates decline steadily every year as long as the driving record remains clear, arriving at a low point for drivers in their 50s who tend to have the best combination of variables influencing rates listed above.

The relationship between car insurance rates and age is not linear. Drivers will see their rates rise slightly again starting in their late 60s and into their 70s, when according to research they become more likely to be involved in accidents again. However, rates never reach the high levels of teenagers and other young drivers.

Beyond the standard monthly premiums, vehicle owners can benefit from a few different types of discounts that put money back in their pockets. Each of the below discounts can overlap, adding to each other to lower your premium even further if multiple options apply to you:

Some insurance carriers may offer other, more unique discounts as well. Always check about what’s available to make sure that you can get the best possible price on car insurance.