Living in Scranton, the Electric City and proud seat of Lackawanna County, means you're part of a community with deep roots and unique character. Whether you're a longtime resident or you just moved to town, understanding your insurance options isn't just smart—it's essential. Between Pennsylvania's specific insurance requirements, Scranton's flood risks, and the rising costs affecting homeowners statewide, there's a lot to navigate. Let's break down what you actually need to protect yourself and your property in Scranton.
Auto Insurance in Pennsylvania: What Scranton Drivers Need
Pennsylvania has been a no-fault state since 1990, which affects how your auto insurance works. You're required to carry 15/30/5 liability coverage—that's $15,000 per person for bodily injury, $30,000 total per accident, and $5,000 for property damage. You also need first-party medical benefits coverage, similar to what other states call PIP or personal injury protection.
Here's what those minimums actually mean in practice: if you cause an accident that seriously injures someone, $15,000 doesn't go very far when you're looking at emergency room visits, surgery, and rehabilitation. That's why most insurance experts recommend carrying higher liability limits—think 100/300/100 or even 250/500/100 if you can afford it. The difference in premium is usually modest compared to the financial catastrophe you'd face if you're underinsured.
The good news? Auto insurance rates in Scranton are more reasonable than in other Pennsylvania cities. While Philadelphia drivers pay around $648 annually for minimum coverage, Scranton residents typically see lower rates. The average full coverage policy in Pennsylvania costs about $203 per month as of 2025, though your actual rate depends on your driving record, age, vehicle, and credit score.
Home Insurance: Protecting Your Scranton Property
Homeowners insurance in Scranton runs about $857 annually on average—significantly below the Pennsylvania state average of $1,880. That's one of the perks of living in a more affordable housing market. But before you celebrate those lower premiums, you need to understand what's not covered by your standard policy.
Your typical homeowners policy covers damage from fire, wind, hail, vandalism, and theft. It includes liability protection if someone gets hurt on your property. What it doesn't cover? Flood damage. And that's critical in Scranton, because 22% of properties in the area face severe flood risk over the next 30 years. If you're near the Lackawanna River or in certain neighborhoods with elevation concerns, flood insurance isn't optional—it's essential.
Pennsylvania saw a 13.5% jump in home insurance rates in 2024, driven largely by severe weather events like Tropical Storm Debby. The state paid out more than $15.6 million in flood claims through the National Flood Insurance Program in 2024 alone. Those aren't abstract statistics—they're your neighbors filing claims after basements flooded and properties sustained water damage. Check your FEMA flood zone designation using the PA Flood Risk Assessment Tool. If your mortgage lender requires flood insurance, you'll know it. But even if it's not required, consider whether you could afford to rebuild after catastrophic flooding without it.
Flood Insurance: A Special Concern for Lackawanna County
Let's talk about flood insurance specifically, because this is where many Scranton homeowners get caught off guard. Flood coverage costs an average of $1,386 annually in Pennsylvania—higher than the national average of $898. That might seem steep, but consider what you're protecting against. A flooded basement can easily cause $20,000 to $50,000 in damage between structural repairs, mold remediation, and replacing ruined belongings.
Scranton has specific FEMA-designated flood zones that determine your risk level and insurance requirements. Use the City of Scranton's FEMA Flood Zones map to see where your property stands. If you're in a Special Flood Hazard Area and have a federally backed mortgage, flood insurance is mandatory. But here's what surprises people: about 25% of flood claims come from properties outside high-risk zones. That's because flash flooding, storm surge, and heavy rainfall don't respect FEMA boundary lines.
Pennsylvania's Act 22, passed in late 2023, established a Flood Insurance Premium Assistance Task Force that delivered recommendations in 2024 to improve affordability and access. This legislative attention reflects growing recognition that flood insurance is becoming a bigger issue for Pennsylvania homeowners. The state is working on solutions, but in the meantime, you need to protect yourself.
Renters Insurance: Don't Skip This One
If you're renting in Scranton—whether it's an apartment downtown or a house in one of the residential neighborhoods—your landlord's insurance doesn't cover your stuff. At all. Their policy protects the building structure. Your belongings, liability if someone gets hurt in your space, and additional living expenses if you have to move out temporarily after a covered loss? That's on you unless you have renters insurance.
The good news is renters insurance is remarkably affordable, often between $15 and $30 per month for solid coverage. For that modest cost, you're protecting against theft, fire damage to your belongings, liability if your dog bites someone or a guest slips on your icy steps, and hotel costs if your apartment becomes uninhabitable. Many landlords now require renters insurance as a lease condition, and honestly, it's money well spent even if they don't.
Getting Started: Your Next Steps
Start by taking inventory of what you actually need. If you're a homeowner, get quotes from at least three insurance companies for both homeowners and flood coverage—they often come from different insurers. Check your FEMA flood zone status first so you know what you're dealing with. For auto insurance, don't just accept the state minimums. Calculate what you could actually afford to pay out of pocket after a serious accident, and insure accordingly.
Bundle policies when possible—most insurers offer substantial discounts when you combine auto and home coverage. Ask about other discounts too: good student rates, multi-car discounts, home security system credits, and claims-free discounts. These can add up to hundreds of dollars in annual savings. And review your coverage annually. With rates rising across Pennsylvania, it pays to shop around regularly rather than letting your policy auto-renew without comparison.
Living in Scranton means being part of a resilient community that's weathered economic changes, literal storms, and everything in between. Proper insurance coverage isn't about pessimism—it's about protecting what you've built so you can recover when life throws you a curveball. Take the time to get your coverage right, and you'll have genuine peace of mind knowing you and your family are protected.
