After a car accident in Pennsylvania, your insurer has 10 working days to acknowledge your claim and generally 30 days to finish investigating. If the company cancels or won't renew your policy, the Insurance Department must receive your written appeal within 30 days of the date the notice was mailed. Miss that and the appeal's gone.

What should you do right after the accident?

The Insurance Department's auto guide gives a simple list. Exchange information with the other driver and call 911 if anyone's hurt. Then write down:

• each driver's name, insurance company and phone number, or their license plate if you can't get it;
• the year, make and model of every car involved;
• witness names and contact information;
• the officer's name, badge number and police report number, if police came.

Also note the date, time and place, take photos if you can, and write a short account of what happened while it's fresh. Then call the number on your proof-of-insurance card as soon as possible. Your insurer assigns an adjuster. Keep notes on every conversation with dates.

How fast does the insurer have to move?

Pennsylvania law says insurers must investigate claims fairly and promptly. The Department lists the timeline:

• 10 working days to acknowledge that it got notice of your claim, unless it pays within those 10 days.
• 15 working days after it gets properly completed proofs of loss on a claim with your own insurer to tell you whether it accepts or denies the claim, or explain in writing why it needs more time.
• 30 days from notice of the claim to finish the investigation, unless it can't reasonably be done in that time.
• Every 45 days after that, if the investigation is still open, a written explanation of the delay and when you can expect a decision.

If those dates slide by with silence, write to the adjuster, cite the timeline, and keep a copy. That record helps if you end up filing a complaint.

Who picks the body shop?

You do. The Department says the choice of repair shop is up to you. A few things it suggests asking a shop: how long it's been in business, its reputation, whether it offers a lifetime warranty, and whether it's worked with your insurer.

Watch the money side, though. If you pick a shop that charges more than the appraised amount, you may have to pay the difference. Ask the shop and the adjuster to agree on the estimate before work starts.

On parts, Pennsylvania allows aftermarket parts, but the law says the vehicle's operational safety comes first, especially for the drive train, steering, suspension, brakes and tires. If an appraisal uses aftermarket crash parts, it has to say so, note that using them voids the existing warranty on the part being replaced, and the aftermarket part needs a warranty at least as good as what's left of the original.

What if the car is totaled?

A car is a total loss when fixing it costs more than it's worth, or it's too damaged to repair. The insurer pays its actual cash value. If you owe more on the loan than that, you could be on the hook for the gap. GAP coverage, usually bought with the car, generally pays that difference. It doesn't cover deductibles, missed payments or late fees, and it often has a cap.

What can you do if your policy is canceled or not renewed?

Start with your agent or the company to get the specific reason. Pennsylvania lets insurers cancel or non-renew for certain reasons, not any reason. If you're still not satisfied, send the Insurance Department a written statement explaining why you disagree.

The deadline is strict. To keep your appeal rights, the Department has to receive your statement within 30 days of the date the company mailed the notice. Mailed, not received by you. So don't sit on the letter.

A few related rules worth knowing:

• An insurer can only non-renew on the annual anniversary of when the policy was first written, even if your policy term is shorter than 12 months.
• There's no required grace period for premium payments. A late payment can lead to cancellation.
• If no company will write you because of your driving history, Pennsylvania's Assigned Risk Plan offers coverage. All auto insurers in the state have to participate. You can reach the plan at 1-800-477-6146 or aipso.com.

Your coverage limits matter as much as these timelines. See Pennsylvania car insurance minimums.

FAQ

How long does a Pennsylvania insurer have to acknowledge my claim?

10 working days, unless it pays the claim within that time.

How long can a claim investigation take?

Generally 30 days. If it takes longer, the insurer must explain the delay in writing every 45 days and say when to expect a decision.

How long do I have to appeal a cancellation?

The Insurance Department must receive your written statement within 30 days of the date the company mailed the notice.

Can I choose my own body shop?

Yes. But if the shop charges more than the appraised amount, you may have to pay the difference.

How do I reach the Insurance Department?

Call the Bureau of Consumer Services toll-free at 1-877-881-6388, or use the consumer services pages at insurance.pa.gov.

Next step

If you get a cancellation or non-renewal letter, call a licensed local agent the same day. They can explain the reason, help you draft a statement for the Department within the 30 days, and shop replacement coverage so there's no gap.

Sources: Pennsylvania Insurance Department, Automobile Insurance Guide.

Pennsylvania requires every registered car to carry $5,000 in medical benefits, bodily injury liability of $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident, and $5,000 in property damage liability. That's the legal floor. The Insurance Department says there's no such thing as a "full coverage" policy, so it pays to know what the floor buys.

What do the three required coverages actually pay?

Each one covers a different person and a different kind of loss. Mixing them up is how people end up surprised after a crash.

• Medical benefits ($5,000 minimum). This pays medical bills for you and others covered by your policy, no matter who caused the accident. It's your own coverage, paid by your own insurer.
• Bodily injury liability ($15,000/$30,000 minimum). If you injure someone and you're liable, this pays their damages, such as medical and rehabilitation costs. The $15,000 is the most for one injured person. The $30,000 is the most for everyone hurt in one accident.
• Property damage liability ($5,000 minimum). If you're at fault and damage someone else's property, like their car, this pays to fix it.

Some insurers sell a combined single limit of $35,000 instead of split limits. The Department says that meets both the bodily injury and property damage minimums.

Is $5,000 of property damage enough?

Probably not, and that's an opinion, not a rule. The minimum hasn't moved in a long time, while the cars you might hit have gotten a lot pricier to repair. If you rear-end a newer SUV, the repair bill can blow past $5,000 quickly.

The Department's guide puts the risk plainly: if you don't carry enough liability coverage and you're found at fault, you may have to pay whatever your insurance doesn't cover. That's your savings, not the insurer's. Higher limits are available on every required coverage, and asking for a quote at two or three levels is the easiest way to see what the extra protection really costs.

What happens if your coverage lapses?

Pennsylvania calls this keeping "financial responsibility" on your vehicle, and the state checks. Insurers have to report policy terminations to PennDOT.

The Department lists these consequences for driving without the required insurance:

• A fine.
• Suspension of your driver's license.
• Suspension of your vehicle registration.
• Losing your license plate and registration sticker.

To get registration or driving privileges back, you pay restoration fees and show proof of insurance. You're also responsible for proving continuous coverage. If you're switching insurers, line up the new policy before the old one ends so there's no gap at all.

One more detail that catches people: Pennsylvania law doesn't require insurers to give a grace period on premium payments. If the payment isn't received by the due date, the company can cancel. Autopay or a calendar reminder is cheap insurance on your insurance.

Which optional coverages are worth asking about?

Pennsylvania policies offer a long menu. A few stand out because the defaults work differently here than people expect.

• Uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM). These protect you and your household if an at-fault driver has no insurance or not enough. They don't cover property damage.
• Stacking. By law, stacked UM/UIM coverage applies unless you reject it. Stacking multiplies your limit by the number of vehicles on the policy. Rejecting it lowers your premium, but it also lowers what you can collect.
• Collision. Under Pennsylvania law, the insurer applies a $500 deductible unless you ask for a lower one. Lenders usually require collision on a financed car.
• Comprehensive. Covers theft and damage from things like fire, flood, vandalism and hitting an animal. Deer season makes this one worth a look.
• Extraordinary medical benefits. Pays medical and rehab costs above $100,000, up to $1.1 million.
• Income loss and funeral benefits. These pay part of lost wages and funeral costs after a crash, regardless of fault.

The Department also notes it may not be cost-effective to keep comprehensive or collision on a car worth less than $1,000.

There's also a choice every Pennsylvania driver makes, whether they notice it or not: limited tort or full tort. It changes your right to sue for pain and suffering, and it deserves its own read. See limited tort or full tort.

How do you check what you have now?

Pull up your declarations page. It lists the insurer, the policy number, your vehicles, each coverage, its limit and deductible, the premium and the policy dates.

Look for these lines:

• Medical benefits at $5,000 or higher.
• Bodily injury liability written as two numbers, like 15/30 or 100/300.
• Property damage liability.
• UM and UIM, and whether they're stacked.
• Your tort option.
• Collision and comprehensive deductibles.

If something looks off, call your agent or the company first. If you still have questions, the Department's Bureau of Consumer Services takes calls at 1-877-881-6388.

FAQ

What is the minimum car insurance in Pennsylvania?

$5,000 in medical benefits, $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident in bodily injury liability, and $5,000 in property damage liability.

Does a $35,000 combined single limit meet the requirement?

Yes. The Insurance Department says a $35,000 combined single limit meets the bodily injury and property damage liability minimums.

Is uninsured motorist coverage required in Pennsylvania?

No. UM and UIM are optional coverages, but stacking applies by law unless you reject it in writing.

What is the default collision deductible?

$500, unless you ask your insurer for a lower amount.

What happens if I drive without insurance in Pennsylvania?

You can face a fine, license and registration suspension, and loss of your plate and registration sticker. Getting them back requires restoration fees and proof of insurance.

Next step

Before your next renewal, sit down with a licensed local agent and walk through your declarations page line by line. Ask what 50/100 or 100/300 liability would cost compared with the minimum, and whether your stacking choice still fits your household.

Sources: Pennsylvania Insurance Department, Automobile Insurance Guide.

Standard homeowners and renters policies in Pennsylvania don't cover flood damage, so you need a separate flood policy. You can buy one through FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program, a private insurer or a surplus lines insurer. NFIP policies usually take 30 days to start, so the time to buy is well before the forecast turns.

Do you need flood insurance if you're not in a floodplain?

Quite possibly. The Pennsylvania Insurance Department calls flooding the state's most common natural disaster, and it gives two numbers worth remembering:

• all 67 counties have seen destructive flooding;
• over 40% of flood insurance claims are outside high-risk areas.

You can buy flood insurance even if your home isn't in a floodplain. If you are in a high-risk area, federal law may require it to get a mortgage.

FEMA's Flood Map Service Center lets you look up your address. A private insurer may make its own risk call that differs from FEMA's map, so you might get different answers from different companies.

What are your three options?

The Department sorts flood coverage into three kinds of insurers. They aren't interchangeable.

NFIP. The federal program run by FEMA.

• If your community participates, you can't be denied coverage, whatever your flood risk.
• Policies are federally backed and rarely canceled.
• Annual rate increases are capped by law.
• The downside is standardized terms and limits that can't be raised or changed, and generally less extensive coverage than private policies.

Private flood insurance. A licensed company that writes and backs its own policies.

• Higher limits and more ways to tailor the policy, like basement contents, replacement cost for belongings and temporary living expenses.
• Licensed and regulated by Pennsylvania, with Guaranty Fund protection if the insurer can't pay claims.
• The catches: not every private policy meets federal standards, so your lender may not accept it. Private insurers can choose not to renew, or even cancel mid-term. And if you leave the NFIP and later want to go back, your premium could rise sharply.

Surplus lines insurance. Specialty private insurers for high-risk or unusual properties.

• Can cover homes other insurers won't.
• Typically pricier, with terms that vary widely.
• Not directly licensed by the state and not backed by guaranty funds. That's a real risk if the company can't pay.

My take: if the NFIP's limits cover your home and belongings, its stability is hard to beat. Private coverage makes sense when you need higher limits or features the NFIP doesn't offer, but read the cancellation terms first.

Why does the waiting period matter so much?

Because a policy bought when the river's already rising usually won't help. The Department explains the timing this way:

• NFIP policies usually have a 30-day waiting period.
• Exceptions include buying the policy at the same time you buy a home, or a flood map being redrawn. In those cases coverage may start sooner.
• Private policies typically wait less, like 10 to 14 days, though it varies.

Ask your agent to confirm the start date in writing. If you're buying a home, line up the flood policy with your closing date so coverage starts the day you take ownership.

What coverage details should you compare?

Two choices drive what you actually get paid.

Dwelling vs. contents. Dwelling coverage pays for the structure and sometimes installed equipment like a water heater or furnace. Contents coverage pays for your belongings. They're separate, so a renter needs contents coverage and a homeowner usually wants both.

Replacement cost vs. actual cash value.

• Replacement cost pays to replace damaged property with new items of like kind and quality. It pays more and costs more.
• Actual cash value subtracts depreciation for age and wear. It pays less and costs less.

Sometimes the payout method depends on eligibility rules. Other times it's part of the policy you choose. Ask which applies to you.

If your home is worth more than your primary policy's limits, excess flood insurance covers the part of a loss above them. The Department says it's only sold by private insurers.

And look past the premium. The Department's advice is that the cheapest policy isn't a savings if it doesn't cover what you need, so compare exclusions and deductibles too.

If you're buying a home, Pennsylvania is also adding a flood insurance notice to seller disclosures. See the new flood disclosure for home sales.

FAQ

Does homeowners insurance cover flooding in Pennsylvania?

No. The Insurance Department says standard homeowners and renters policies don't cover flood damage.

How long is the waiting period for flood insurance?

NFIP policies usually wait 30 days, with exceptions such as buying at the same time as a home purchase. Private policies often wait 10 to 14 days.

Can I buy flood insurance outside a floodplain?

Yes. You can buy it anywhere, and over 40% of flood claims in Pennsylvania come from outside high-risk areas.

Will my lender accept a private flood policy?

Not always. Some private policies don't meet federal standards, so check with your lender before you switch.

What's the risk with a surplus lines flood policy?

Surplus lines insurers aren't directly licensed by the state and aren't backed by guaranty funds, so there's more risk if the company can't pay.

Next step

Look up your address on FEMA's flood map, then ask a licensed local agent to quote an NFIP policy and at least one private policy for the same home. Compare the limits, deductibles, payout method and waiting period side by side.

Sources: Pennsylvania Insurance Department, Learn About Flood Insurance; FEMA Flood Map Service Center.

In Pennsylvania, limited tort lowers your car insurance premium, but you and your household give up the right to sue another driver for pain and suffering unless the injury is serious or a legal exception applies. Full tort costs more and keeps that right with no restriction. You still recover medical bills and other out-of-pocket losses under either one.

What does limited tort actually take away?

The difference is about two kinds of damages.

• Economic loss. Medical bills, lost wages and other out-of-pocket costs. Under 75 Pa.C.S. 1705, you can seek these from an at-fault driver under either option.
• Noneconomic loss. Pain and suffering and other "nonmonetary" damages. With limited tort, you can't sue for these unless the injury is a "serious injury" or an exception applies.

Pennsylvania's motor vehicle law defines serious injury as a personal injury resulting in death, serious impairment of body function, or permanent serious disfigurement. Whether a particular injury meets that bar is often the fight in a limited tort case. That uncertainty is the real cost of the cheaper option, and it's a cost you only find out about after a crash.

What happens if you never pick one?

You get full tort. The law is very specific about this.

• Your insurer has to send you a notice describing both options, with the premium for each.
• If you don't respond within 20 days, the insurer sends a second and final notice.
• If you still haven't responded 10 days before the renewal date, you're conclusively presumed to have chosen full tort.

So if you want limited tort, you have to sign and return the form. Doing nothing means paying the full tort premium.

There's one twist. If you own a registered private passenger car and you don't have insurance on it, the law says you're deemed to have chosen limited tort. Letting coverage lapse doesn't only risk your registration. It can also cut your right to sue.

When does a limited tort driver keep full tort rights?

The statute lists exceptions. If one applies, you can recover as if you'd chosen full tort without having to prove a serious injury.

You keep full tort rights against the at-fault person when that person:

• is convicted, or accepts Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD), for driving under the influence in that accident;
• is driving a vehicle registered in another state;
• intended to injure himself or another person;
• didn't have the required insurance.

You also keep full tort rights:

• against a business that designed, made, repaired or serviced the vehicle, for a defect it caused or didn't fix;
• if you were hurt while riding in something other than a private passenger vehicle, such as a bus or a commercial vehicle.

These exceptions are narrow. Most fender-benders involve an insured, sober, Pennsylvania-registered driver, which means none of them help.

Who in your household does your choice cover?

More people than you might think. The option the named insured picks applies to everyone insured under that policy who isn't a named insured on a different car policy. In the statute, that means a spouse or other relative living in your household, or a minor in your or a relative's custody.

If two named insureds share a policy, either one can make the tort choice for both. And when someone is covered by two policies with conflicting choices, the law uses the policy on the car they were riding in if they're insured on it, and full tort otherwise.

If you're a teenager's parent, this matters. Their right to sue for pain and suffering after a crash is tied to a form you signed.

Can an insurer punish you for choosing full tort?

No. Section 1705(e) says no insurer can cancel, refuse to write or refuse to renew a policy based on your tort election. Doing so counts as a violation of Pennsylvania's auto insurance policy law.

How do you switch from one to the other?

Your election stays in force through renewals and replacement policies with the same insurer until the company receives a signed form electing the other option. Call your agent or company and ask for the tort election form, sign it, and keep a copy. Then check your next declarations page, which should list the tort option you're on.

A practical way to decide: ask for both premiums side by side. The Insurance Department says limited tort offers significant savings, but the size of that saving varies. If the gap is small, many people decide full tort is worth it. If money's tight, limited tort may be the right call, as long as you understand the trade.

Your tort choice works alongside your liability limits and medical benefits. For those numbers, see Pennsylvania car insurance minimums.

FAQ

Is full tort the default in Pennsylvania?

Yes. If you don't sign and return the limited tort election, the law presumes you chose full tort and you're charged the full tort premium.

Can I still get my medical bills paid with limited tort?

Yes. Limited tort keeps your right to recover medical and other out-of-pocket expenses. It limits claims for pain and suffering.

What counts as a serious injury?

Pennsylvania defines it as a personal injury resulting in death, serious impairment of body function, or permanent serious disfigurement.

Does limited tort apply if a drunk driver hits me?

If the at-fault driver is convicted of or accepts ARD for DUI in that accident, you can recover as if you had full tort.

What if I drive without insurance?

An owner of a registered private passenger car without the required insurance is deemed to have chosen limited tort.

Next step

Ask a licensed local agent to quote your policy both ways and show you the dollar difference. Then decide with your household, since your choice applies to the relatives living with you.

Sources: 75 Pa.C.S. 1705, Election of tort options; 75 Pa.C.S. 1702, Definitions; Pennsylvania Insurance Department, Automobile Insurance Guide.

If your Pennsylvania home sits over an old coal or clay mine, your homeowners policy almost certainly won't pay if the ground drops out from under it. The state's Department of Environmental Protection sells separate Mine Subsidence Insurance for that risk. Residential coverage runs about 27 cents per $1,000, so $150,000 of coverage costs $41.25 a year.

What is mine subsidence, and who's at risk?

DEP defines it as movement of the ground surface because underground coal or clay mine workings collapse. The state's 2021 brochure says there are coal deposits and abandoned mines in 43 of Pennsylvania's 67 counties. That's well beyond the places people think of as coal country.

Damage tends to show up as:

• foundations that crack or tilt out of level;
• cracked walls, floors and ceilings;
• doors and windows that jam;
• roofs and chimneys that crack and pull apart.

DEP says it's hard to predict if or when an abandoned mine will fail, and some collapse decades after mining ends. In bad cases the whole building has to be rebuilt.

Doesn't homeowners insurance cover ground movement?

Usually not. DEP's own page says homeowners insurance usually doesn't include mine subsidence, and that's why the state offers the coverage. Earth movement exclusions are common in standard policies. Pull out your policy and read the exclusions section, or ask your agent to point to the wording.

One distinction matters a lot here. DEP says Mine Subsidence Insurance doesn't apply to sinkholes caused by limestone weathering. Those are a different geologic problem, common in parts of central and eastern Pennsylvania. If that's your concern, ask your agent separately about what your homeowners policy does or doesn't say about sinkholes.

How do you find out if your house is over a mine?

DEP runs an interactive MSI Risk map. You enter an address, coordinates or a municipality, and it shows the mining status and whether coverage is recommended. For a deeper answer, DEP also takes site-specific requests about underground mining at a location.

Some buildings in areas with known past problems need an inspection before DEP will sell a policy. A fund representative contacts you if that's the case.

What does the policy pay for?

The coverage is narrower than a homeowners policy, so it helps to know the edges.

• Buildings. Complete buildings and buildings under construction. Each building needs its own policy, so a detached garage isn't covered by the house's policy.
• Appurtenances. Fences, retaining walls, patios, walks, driveways and in-ground pools that are attached to the land and used with the house. These are capped at 10% of your coverage amount and are only paid if the house itself is damaged in the same event.
• Incidental costs. Temporary relocation, higher utilities and living costs, lost income and security for the building. Policies created or renewed after December 11, 2013 pay between $600 and $7,000 for these, depending on the loss. That money comes out of your coverage amount, not on top of it.
• Mine water blowouts. Damage from ground movement caused by a sudden discharge of water from an abandoned mine.

Contents aren't covered. DEP notes that personal belongings usually aren't damaged and can be recovered.

How much coverage should you buy, and what does it cost?

Coverage runs from $5,000 to $1,000,000. DEP's advice is to insure your home for its replacement value plus 20%, which leaves room for appurtenances and incidental costs inside the limit.

On price, DEP's numbers are about 27 cents per $1,000 of residential coverage, with $150,000 of coverage at $41.25 a year. Homeowners 65 or older by the premium due date get 10% off on their primary residence, plus 10% off policies for outbuildings at that address.

DEP says the program has paid over $47 million in homeowner claims since 1961. Claim payments are based on the actual cost to repair or replace covered damage, capped at the coverage amount or the building's replacement cost, whichever is less.

When should a buyer apply?

Earlier than you'd think. DEP says to apply when you have an agreement to purchase or when you make your mortgage application. Coverage becomes effective at closing, as long as a required inspection doesn't turn up damage that needs fixing.

Don't count on the seller's policy. DEP says the new owners can't take over an existing policy and need to apply for their own. The seller can ask for a refund of unused premium. If they notify DEP within 30 days of the sale, the refund goes back to the closing date.

If you escrow insurance, forward the MSI bill to your lender. DEP doesn't bill lenders directly.

For other coverage your homeowners policy may leave out, see flood insurance in Pennsylvania.

FAQ

How much does mine subsidence insurance cost in Pennsylvania?

DEP says residential coverage costs about 27 cents per $1,000, and $150,000 of coverage costs $41.25 a year.

Does mine subsidence insurance cover sinkholes?

Only those caused by collapsing coal or clay mines. DEP says it doesn't apply to sinkholes from limestone weathering.

Is my detached garage covered?

No. Each building needs its own policy, so a detached garage needs a separate one.

Can I transfer my policy to the person buying my house?

No. The buyer has to apply for a new policy, and you can ask DEP to refund your unused premium.

Who do I call to file a claim?

DEP's claims line is 1-800-922-1678. Billing questions go to 1-888-357-2674.

Next step

Look up your address on DEP's MSI Risk map, then ask a licensed local agent to read your homeowners exclusions with you. If the map recommends coverage, your agent can help you apply and size the limit at replacement value plus 20%.

Sources: Pennsylvania DEP, Mine Subsidence Insurance; DEP Mine Subsidence Insurance brochure (2021).

Pennie, Pennsylvania's health insurance marketplace, runs open enrollment for 2027 coverage from November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027. Pick a plan by December 15 and coverage starts January 1. Enroll between December 16 and January 15 and it starts February 1. Outside that window you'll generally need a qualifying life event.

What are the key dates?

Put these on the calendar now.

• November 1, 2026. Open enrollment opens.
• December 15, 2026. Last day to enroll for coverage that starts January 1, 2027.
• December 16 to January 15. Enrolling in this stretch means coverage starts February 1, 2027.
• January 15, 2027. Open enrollment closes.

If you already have a Pennie plan, don't assume last year's plan is still your best one. Premiums, networks and the financial help you qualify for can all change from year to year. Log in, update your income and household, and compare.

You can enroll at pennie.com or by phone at 1-844-844-8040.

What if you miss open enrollment?

You'll usually need a special enrollment period. Pennie gives you 60 days after a qualifying life event to sign up or change plans. Common ones include:

• losing other health coverage, like a job-based plan;
• getting married, or having or adopting a child;
• moving to Pennsylvania or to a new coverage area within the state;
• a change in income that affects what financial help you can get.

That 60-day clock is easy to burn through after a move or a job change. Start the application as soon as the event happens.

How do the plan levels differ?

Pennie plans come in metal tiers. The tier tells you how you and the plan split costs, not how good the care is.

• Bronze. Lowest premiums, highest costs when you get care.
• Silver. In the middle. If your income qualifies for cost-sharing reductions, those extra savings only come with Silver plans.
• Gold. Higher premiums, lower costs when you get care.
• Platinum. Highest premiums and lowest costs when you get care. These are only offered in some regions.
• Catastrophic. Very low premiums and very high deductibles, generally for people under 30 or those with a hardship exemption. You can't use Pennie's financial savings with them.

A practical tip: if you see doctors regularly or take ongoing prescriptions, run the numbers on a Gold or Silver plan rather than picking the cheapest premium. And check that your doctors are in the network before you pick.

What changed for 2027?

Some lawfully present immigrants lose eligibility for federal premium tax credits starting in 2027, under the federal law known as H.R. 1. Pennie says that from 2027, the lawfully present non-citizens who stay eligible for tax credits are:

• lawful permanent residents (green card holders);
• certain Cuban and Haitian entrants;
• people living in the U.S. under the Compacts of Free Association with Micronesia, the Marshall Islands or Palau.

Other lawfully present immigrants can generally still buy a Pennie plan, but at full price. If this affects your household, look at the 2027 numbers carefully before January 1. A plan that was affordable with tax credits may cost far more without them.

How do you avoid a surprise at tax time?

Tax credits are based on the income you estimate when you apply. If your actual income ends up different, the IRS settles up when you file.

• Pennie asks you to report changes like income, household size or address within 30 days.
• You'll get Form 1095-A from Pennie after the year ends.
• You use it to file Form 8962 with your federal return and reconcile the credit.

If you took more credit than you qualified for, you may owe some back. Updating your income during the year is the easiest way to keep that number small.

If you're moving to Pennsylvania, health coverage is one of several deadlines to handle. See moving to Pennsylvania: what to do and when.

What should you compare before you pick a plan?

The premium is only one number. Before you choose, look at:

• Your doctors and hospitals. Make sure they're in the plan's network.
• Your prescriptions. Check that each drug is covered and what tier it's on.
• The deductible. That's what you pay before the plan starts sharing most costs.
• The out-of-pocket maximum. The most you'd pay in a bad year for covered care.
• Your total yearly cost. Twelve months of premiums plus a realistic guess at care you'll use.
• HSA eligibility. Some plans can be paired with a health savings account. Pennie's FAQ explains how they work.

Pennie also notes that plans may not be available in every area of the state. So a plan a friend in Pittsburgh likes may not exist in your county.

Don't forget the first premium. Pennie's enrollment steps end with paying your first month's premium. Your coverage isn't final until you do.

FAQ

When is Pennie open enrollment for 2027?

November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027.

What's the deadline for coverage starting January 1?

December 15, 2026. Enrolling from December 16 to January 15 starts coverage February 1.

How long do I have after a life event?

Pennie generally gives you 60 days after a qualifying life event to enroll or change plans.

Who can still get tax credits as a lawfully present immigrant in 2027?

Pennie says lawful permanent residents, certain Cuban and Haitian entrants, and COFA residents from Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and Palau.

How do I contact Pennie?

Call 1-844-844-8040 or apply at pennie.com.

Next step

Before December 15, sit down with a licensed local agent or a Pennie-certified assister and compare 2027 plans side by side. Bring your expected 2027 income, your doctors' names and your prescription list.

Sources: Pennie, Frequently Asked Questions; Pennie Help, Coverage for lawfully present immigrants; Pennie, 2027 open enrollment.