Every Pennsylvania driver chooses between limited tort and full tort, and that choice affects your right to sue after an accident. It is one of the most misunderstood checkboxes on the application.
With limited tort, you can still recover medical bills and lost wages from an at-fault driver. What you give up is the right to sue for pain and suffering unless your injury meets the state's definition of a serious injury. Limited tort usually costs less, which is why many people choose it without realizing what they waived.
Full tort lets you seek compensation for pain and suffering without meeting a specific injury threshold. That matters for injuries like whiplash, a broken wrist, or a concussion that heals but disrupts your life for months. These injuries often fall short of "serious" under limited tort rules.
A quick comparison:
- Limited tort: lower premium, pain and suffering claims only for serious injuries
- Full tort: higher premium, full right to sue for pain and suffering
- Who chooses it: the selection usually applies to everyone covered under your policy, including family members
If you aren't sure which one you picked, look at your declarations page. People are often surprised to find limited tort selected years ago by default.
| Coverage | What It Pays For | Typical PA Limit Example |
|---|---|---|
| Dwelling (A) | Rebuilding the house itself | $300,000 (full rebuild cost) |
| Other Structures (B) | Detached garage, fence, shed | 10% of dwelling: $30,000 |
| Personal Property (C) | Furniture, clothes, electronics | 50% to 70% of dwelling: $150,000 to $210,000 |
| Loss of Use (D) | Hotel and meals while displaced | 20% to 30% of dwelling: $60,000 to $90,000 |
| Personal Liability (E) | Injuries or damage you cause others | $300,000 to $500,000 |
| Medical Payments (F) | Minor guest injuries, regardless of fault | $1,000 to $5,000 |
Every carrier licensed in Pennsylvania must meet the same 15/30/5 liability and $5,000 first party benefit minimums, but they differ in how they price coverage, package options, and handle tort selection. That's why comparing carriers matters more than comparing the minimum itself.
Erie has deep roots in Pennsylvania and tends to bundle auto with home coverage in ways that appeal to families. Progressive offers a wide range of options and is often a fit for drivers with a varied record or those who want to adjust coverage online. Westfield, a regional carrier, works through independent agents and frequently fits households looking for solid auto and home packages. None is right for everyone. Your driving history, vehicle, zip code, and credit-based insurance factors all shift which carrier comes in more favorably.
MVP Insurance's independent agents work with carriers like Erie, Progressive, and Westfield to find policies that meet Pennsylvania's state mandates and fit your situation. As an independent agency, MVP works with these carriers on your behalf rather than acting as the carrier itself. That means one conversation can produce several quotes to compare side by side, including how each handles first party benefits, tort options, and higher liability limits.
A few things worth asking any agent when you review quotes:
- What does it cost to raise liability to 100/300/100 compared with the minimum?
- How much more is full tort on this policy?
- What would $25,000 in first party benefits add?
- Does the carrier offer uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage at matching limits?
That last question is important. Plenty of drivers on Pennsylvania roads carry only the minimum, or nothing at all. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage protects you when the other driver can't pay. For a deeper look at coverage options across the state, see our guide to pennsylvania car insurance.
Meeting the state's minimum car insurance requirements is the starting line, not the finish. Liability at 15/30/5, $5,000 in medical benefits, a current ID card, and no lapses will keep you legal. Whether that is enough protection is a separate question, and for most households with a home, savings, or a steady paycheck, the answer is no.
If you'd like a second set of eyes on your current policy or want to compare options from several carriers at once, you can start your quote here with MVP Insurance. The team has offices in Zelienople, PA and New Springfield, OH, and serves drivers across both states. MVP Insurance is licensed in Ohio (license #37714) and Pennsylvania (license #519263), NPN 10588293.
Most Pennsylvanians enrolling in Medigap today pay somewhere between $100 and $300 a month. Where you land in that range depends on three things you control, one you don't (your age), and the pricing method buried in the policy's fine print.
How Much Is Medicare Supplement Insurance in Pennsylvania?
Medicare Supplement insurance in Pennsylvania typically costs $100 to $300 per month as of this writing. Your exact premium depends on your age, your ZIP code, tobacco use, and whether you choose Plan G or Plan N. A 65-year-old in suburban Pittsburgh will usually pay less than a 78-year-old in Philadelphia.
That premium sits on top of what you already pay Medicare. The standard Part B premium for 2026 is $202.90 a month, so a couple buying Plan G could easily be spending $700 or more monthly before prescription coverage. Budget for both pieces together, not just the supplement.
Location matters more than most people expect. Carriers set rates by region, and the spread between the lowest and highest quote for the same standardized plan can be over $100 a month. Because every Plan G pays the same benefits no matter who sells it, that gap is pure price difference, not better coverage. Pennsylvania's own regulators note the state is fortunate to have a competitive marketplace with many plan options, and that competition shows up in Medigap quotes too.
Plan G and Plan N Premiums by Age
Plan G costs more because it covers nearly everything Original Medicare leaves behind. After you pay the annual Part B deductible, Plan G picks up the rest of your Medicare-approved costs. Plan N trims the premium in exchange for small copays at some doctor and emergency room visits, and it skips Part B excess charges.
Here's how that plays out in real numbers. As of this writing, Plan N for a 65-year-old non-tobacco woman in Pennsylvania runs roughly $118.74 to $228.18 a month depending on the carrier. In the Pittsburgh market, 2026 Plan G quotes for the same profile commonly fall in the $145 to $165 range. By your mid-70s, expect both plans to cost noticeably more on attained-age policies.
The common mistake we see is choosing Plan N to save $30 a month, then visiting specialists every few weeks. Those copays add up fast. Plan N tends to fit healthy retirees who see a doctor a few times a year; frequent visitors usually come out ahead on Plan G.
Pennsylvania Plan Comparison Table
| Coverage Feature | Plan G | Plan N |
|---|---|---|
| Part A coinsurance and hospital costs | Covered 100% | Covered 100% |
| Part A deductible | Covered | Covered |
| Part B deductible | You pay | You pay |
| Part B coinsurance | Covered 100% | Covered, minus office and ER copays |
| Part B excess charges | Covered | Not covered |
| Skilled nursing coinsurance | Covered | Covered |
| Foreign travel emergency | Covered (up to plan limits) | Covered (up to plan limits) |
| Monthly premium | Higher | Lower |
How Pricing Methods Differ
Carriers price Medigap policies in one of three ways, and the method affects your costs for decades. Most Pennsylvania plans use attained-age pricing, where premiums climb as you get older. Knowing which method a policy uses tells you more about long-term cost than the first-year quote does.
- Community-rated: Everyone in the area pays the same premium regardless of age. Rates can still rise for inflation, but not because you had a birthday. These policies often look pricier at 65 and become a better value later.
- Issue-age-rated: Your premium is based on the age at which you first bought the policy. Buy at 65 and you keep 65-year-old pricing, though inflation increases still apply.
- Attained-age-rated: Your premium is tied to your current age and rises as you get older. These usually offer the lowest starting price, which is why they dominate quote comparisons.
That low entry price is the trap. An attained-age policy that beats a competitor by $20 a month at 65 can cost more by 72, and switching later usually means passing medical underwriting.
Why Rates Rise Over Time
Medigap rates rise for two main reasons: medical inflation and aging. Each year, carriers review claims, and when hospital and physician costs go up, premiums follow. On attained-age policies, your birthday adds a second increase on top of the inflation adjustment.
Some years hit harder than others. In 2026, several major carriers pushed double-digit increases, including one 19% increase request and another 15% hike. A retiree paying $160 a month who absorbs a 15% jump suddenly pays $184, and that higher base compounds the following year.
Your health also affects whether you can escape a rising rate. In Pennsylvania, switching Medigap carriers outside your initial enrollment window generally requires answering health questions, so a diabetes or heart diagnosis can lock you in. Proposed legislation in the current General Assembly would create a "Birthday Rule" window to switch to a plan of equal or lesser benefits without underwriting, but as of this writing it has not become law.
That's where an independent agency like MVP Insurance earns its keep. Because we work for you rather than any one carrier, we can compare rate histories across companies and flag insurers with a pattern of steep increases before you commit. Reviewing your options while you're healthy gives you room to move.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pennsylvania Medigap
Is Plan G or Plan N cheaper in Pennsylvania? Plan N usually has the lower monthly premium. You trade that savings for small copays at some visits and no protection against Part B excess charges.
Does my Medigap premium go up every year? Most Pennsylvania policies are attained-age rated, so premiums typically rise with age and with medical inflation. Community-rated and issue-age policies avoid age-based increases but can still rise for inflation.
Can I change Medigap plans whenever I want in Pennsylvania? You can apply anytime, but outside your initial enrollment period carriers can generally use medical underwriting to approve or deny you. A proposed Birthday Rule bill would loosen this, though it isn't law as of this writing.
The pattern holds across nearly every Pennsylvania case: the first-year quote matters less than the pricing method and the carrier's track record on increases. Plan G suits people who want predictable costs, while Plan N rewards healthy, low-use retirees. You can compare coverage details on our page for pennsylvania medicare supplement plans.
If you'd like side-by-side numbers for your age and ZIP code, MVP Insurance, with offices in Zelienople, PA and New Springfield, OH, can shop multiple carriers for you. Start your quote and we'll handle the comparison work. MVP Insurance is licensed in Ohio (#37714) and Pennsylvania (#519263), NPN 10588293.
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MVP Insurance is a local, independent agency, licensed to serve individuals and businesses across Ohio and Pennsylvania.
We serve clients from our offices in New Springfield, Ohio and Zelienople, Pennsylvania and throughout Northeast Ohio and Western Pennsylvania, working with multiple carriers to help contractors, landlords and real estate investors, restaurants, retail shops, auto repair shops, professional offices and many other personal and commercial clients find coverage that fits.
Our Owners
Two friends who started an agency
Owner
Joshua Medure
I am a Penn State marketing graduate with more than ten years in insurance. My childhood friend David and I started MVP Insurance in Northeast Ohio because we wanted the people around us to have an agency that gives honest advice, real choices and someone who picks up the phone. I lead the agency’s insurance strategy, which means I read the policies so our clients do not have to. Away from the office, I coach youth football.
About the Author
David Varrati
Owner, MVP Insurance
I started MVP Insurance with my childhood friend Josh because we wanted people in Northeast Ohio and Western Pennsylvania to have an agency that explains things plainly and picks up the phone. I studied Political Science at Slippery Rock University and have spent more than ten years helping families and individuals protect what matters to them. When I am not in the office, you will find me coaching youth sports.