Pennsylvania Insurance Department blocks $85.3 million in personal auto premium increases

The Pennsylvania Insurance Department (PID) says that during the first six months of this year, it blocked $210.1 million, including $85.3 million in personal auto, in requested annual property and casualty (P&C) insurance premium increases.

The PID blocked the increases through its rate review process, saving Pennsylvania consumers hundreds of millions of dollars, according to a press release.

“We’re halfway through 2025 and our actuarial staff has already surpassed what they saved consumers throughout the entirety of 2024,” said Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner Michael Humphreys, in the release. “At PID, our review process is tough but fair. We carefully review and evaluate rate increases submitted to our department because we know consumers work hard for their money and that big increases can create big problems for Pennsylvania families.

“At the same time, we recognize that insurers’ costs are increasing as the cost of the products and services that they insure continue to rise and that certain rate requests are justified as a result. PID will never approve rates that are excessive, inadequate or unfairly discriminatory to Pennsylvanians.”

According to the PID, through June, its rate review process has saved consumers:

• • $103.6 million in title insurance premiums;
  • $85.3 million in personal auto premiums;
  • $13.7 million in homeowners premiums;
  • $5.0 million in personal umbrella premiums; and
  • $2.5 million in other types of P&C insurance premiums.

PID reminds Pennsylvanians to periodically check in with their insurance companies or agents to review their coverage.

“Pennsylvania’s property and casualty insurance market is competitive and includes more than 1,200 insurers,” the release says. “PID also encourages consumers to explore their options to lower the cost of their premiums, which includes raising their deductible to lower monthly costs or updating their coverage to reflect their current driving habits.”

In the state, insurers can take up to 60 days to underwrite most new non-business insurance policies and consumers aren’t protected from cancellation during those initial 60 days for many types of insurance, according to the PID.

“PID recommends weighing the pros (like lower costs or better benefits) and cons (like losing some protections) before switching or staying with their current plan,” the release says.

Consumers who have a question about their insurance or need to file a complaint can visit pa.gov/consumer or call 1-866-PA-COMPLAINT for help.

Concerns can also be voiced next week at several collision repair industry meetings that will be held in Philadelphia, including the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) open board meeting on July 22 at the Sonesta Philadelphia Rittenhouse Square. It is held in conjunction with the Collision Industry Conference (CIC) summer meeting, taking place the following day at the same location.

CIC’s meeting, which will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on July 23, will follow a total loss theme, the first time CIC has held a themed meeting. The full meeting agenda is available here.

On Thursday, July 24, SCRS will host its annual Affiliate Leadership Conference, which is an exclusive in-person roundtable for leaders of state and regional affiliate associations. According to the press release, the event is by invitation only and is designed to foster collaboration, idea sharing, and strategic planning among SCRS-affiliated associations.

Other related events include:

• • Monday, July 21 at 1 p.m. — Collision Industry Foundation (CIF) Board of Trustees meeting
  • Tuesday, July 22 at 11 a.m. — Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) 23rd Annual Golf Fundraiser
  • Thursday, July 24 at 8 a.m. — OEM Collision Repair Roundtable, by invitation only

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Featured image: Philadelphia skyline. (Credit: halbergman/iStock)