HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania insurance regulators blocked hundreds of millions of dollars in proposed insurance premium increases last year, saving consumers nearly $228 million and curbing what officials described as unjustified cost hikes across the property and casualty market.
The Pennsylvania Insurance Department said it prevented $227.9 million in proposed premium increases from taking effect in 2025 after reviewing thousands of filings submitted by insurers seeking higher rates for coverage ranging from auto and homeowners policies to title and umbrella insurance.
Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner Michael Humphreys said the savings reflect the department’s year-round rate review process, which is designed to ensure insurance products remain affordable while still allowing companies to operate sustainably.
“Our rate review process is designed to make sure Pennsylvanians have access to quality insurance products at fair prices,” Humphreys said. He added that blocking excessive increases requires constant scrutiny of filings that can run thousands of pages and rely on complex pricing variables. “We won’t stop working to shield Pennsylvanians from unnecessary costs.”
Property and casualty insurance, which includes personal auto, homeowners, renters and flood coverage, protects individuals and businesses against losses tied to property damage, accidents and liability claims. State law requires insurers to submit proposed rate changes to the department before they can be implemented. Each filing is reviewed independently to determine whether the requested increase is justified, accurate and fair to consumers.
According to the department, the 2025 rate review process resulted in consumers avoiding an estimated $103.6 million in title insurance premium increases, $91 million in personal auto hikes, $16 million in homeowners and dwelling fire increases, $11.2 million in personal umbrella premiums, and $6.1 million across other property and casualty products.
The rejection of more than $100 million in proposed title insurance increases is expected to have a lasting effect on housing affordability, department officials said, by helping contain closing costs for homebuyers in a market already strained by rising prices and interest rates.
The department said it frequently works with insurers to revise or resubmit filings, request additional data, or lower proposed increases before approval is considered. Rate filings are submitted throughout the year, making the review process continuous rather than seasonal.
Officials encouraged consumers to periodically review their insurance coverage and shop around, noting that Pennsylvania’s insurance market includes more than 1,200 insurers. Adjusting deductibles, updating coverage to reflect lifestyle changes, or comparing policies can help lower costs, the department said.
Regulators also cautioned that switching policies can take time, with underwriting sometimes requiring up to 60 days after a policy is issued. Consumers are advised to weigh potential savings against the risk of losing certain protections.
Additional information and consumer resources are available through the Pennsylvania Insurance Department at https://www.pa.gov/agencies/insurance. Pennsylvanians with questions or complaints can visit pa.gov/consumer or call 1-866-PA-COMPLAINT (1-866-722-6675).
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