Luzerne County

Luzerne County - Driving Statistics and Analysis

An approximate 272,744 personal and business use automobiles consider the highways of Luzerne County their home. This amounts to around 2.5% of all the registered vehicles in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Nearly 8 out of 10 daily commuters in Luzerne County travel to work by themselves, and around 26% of these trips last for more than half an hour.

Motor Vehicle Crashes in Luzerne County

In Luzerne County, traffic-related fatalities happen at a rate of 10 for every 100,000 automobiles on the road, resulting in an average of 27 deadly crashes each year.

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), there were 3,382 crashes in Luzerne County in 2021; around 41 resulted in fatalities. Drunk driving accounts for around 23% of deaths in Luzerne County.

Auto Insurance Analysis

1. Over 270 thousand registered automobiles in Luzerne County need insurance coverage. Property Damage and Bodily Injury Liability are coverages mandated by Pennsylvania law for all vehicles on the road. Depending on the type of vehicle and its use (commercial or private), the additional required insurance may be Commercial Auto, Private Auto, Comprehensive Coverage, Non-owners car insurance, Commercial Transportation, Inland Marine, Gap, Ride-sharing, Short-term car insurance, and so on.

2. Although Pennsylvania is a “no-fault” state where each insured's own coverage pays for bodily injury, the "choice no-fault" provision allows drivers to opt out of "no-fault" coverage. Furthermore, Pennsylvania's modified comparative negligence law indicates that the amount of damage an insurer must pay is proportional to the degree of fault of each party in an accident.

3. The amount of cars on the roads of Luzerne County increases annually. While the percentage of uninsured drivers in Pennsylvania remains around 7%, the mere presence of a great number of vehicles on congested roads highlights the need for Uninsured Motorist coverage. You can’t tell what kind of coverage everyone around you has, until you’ve had an accident with them.

To evaluate your auto insurance requirements and to find affordable car insurance in Luzerne County, contact a knowledgeable Property & Casualty (P&C) insurance agent licensed in the state of Pennsylvania.

Luzerne County - Housing Statistics and Analysis

In Luzerne County, homeowners occupy around 68% of the total housing units (≈151,189), compared to 32% for renters. This owner-occupied rate is close to the statewide average of 69%. Looking at Luzerne County’s neighbors, Sullivan County posts the highest owner-occupied rate, while Lackawanna County has the highest proportion of renters.

Across Pennsylvania, the highest owner-occupied rate is in Pike County, at 84%, while Philadelphia County is the Commonwealth leader with the highest percentage of its dwelling units for rent (47%).

About 13% of housing units in Luzerne County are plagued by housing problems such as substandard plumbing, kitchen issues, or overcrowding. In 1 out of 8 dwellings, residents spend more than half of their income on housing alone.

Housing Insurance Analysis

1. Over 150 thousand housing units in Luzerne County need insurance coverage. All owners of these properties should have at least Homeowners, Condo insurance, and/or Business property insurance (for multi-housing units), to safeguard the underlying financial investment from potential damage or loss.

2. In Luzerne County, where 48 thousand homes are rentals, landlords acquire Landlord Insurance to protect their property against tenant's and guest's liability claims.

3. Renters Insurance Wilkes-Barre: Tenants obtain Renters Insurance to protect their properties from potential theft or damage while residing in a rented space. Standard renters' insurance is inexpensive and usually protects a tenant's belongings against theft and damages from fire, smoke, water, and vandalism. Landlords may require renters insurance as part of the lease agreement in Luzerne County.

4. Pennsylvania is one of the most flood-prone Commonwealths in the US, and frequent flooding is expected to continue for decades. In addition, Luzerne County is in close proximity to the Susquehanna River which increases the probability of flooding.

All homeowners, landlords, and renters in the flood-prone areas of Luzerne County should maintain appropriate insurance coverage to protect their property. Discuss your needs with a professional.

For consultation and to get a quote on Homeowners, Renters, Condo, Flood, and other types of insurance in Luzerne County, contact a Property & Casualty (P&C) insurance agent licensed by the state of Pennsylvania.

A Pennsylvania P&C insurance agent:

• analyzes your needs and restrictions,

• reviews your current policy to make sure that the coverages are reflective of the current needs and housing market - helps to update, if needed,

• researches the locally available plans that fit your needs and is usually able to find a better deal than a consumer can find on their own,

• checks for available savings and bundling discounts,

• provides you with the available options of coverage,

• explains how the differences between the options affect you once you start using each insurance product,

• assists you with the application process.

Luzerne County - Health Statistics and Analysis

Nearly 9% of adults under the age of 65 in Luzerne County do not have health insurance, which is slightly higher than the average in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (8%). Luzerne County, together with Monroe County and Sullivan County, is tied for the highest uninsured adult rate within the region, while Wyoming County has the lowest uninsured adult rate.

The highest uninsured adult rate statewide is in Juniata County, with nearly 12%, while the lowest rate is observed in Butler County, at around 5% of the adult residents.

Approximately one-fifth of Luzerne County's population report health concerns. In addition, approximately 31% of inhabitants do not engage in physical activity, which may explain why 33% of residents are considered obese (with a BMI of 30 or more). The obesity rate in Luzerne County is the lowest among its immediate neighbors, with Monroe County having the highest at nearly 36%.

In 2022, 74,882 residents of Luzerne County were enrolled in Medicare, with the following utilization:

In 2022, there were 13 health insurers in Luzerne County, offering cost-effective and frequently subsidized ACA health insurance on the Pennie, Pennsylvania’s Health Insurance Exchange.

Health Insurance Analysis

1. Health Insurance is the most important insurance coverage, and over 24 thousand residents of Luzerne County do not have this necessity.

2. Pennsylvania is one of the states that allow the sale of multiple types of health insurance and supplemental health insurance. This means Luzerne County residents can easily choose the coverage that fits their specific needs (both medically and financially): Group or Individual Marketplace ACA health insurance, various types of Short Term insurance (up to 3 years in coverage), Hospital Indemnity Insurance, Accident & Health insurance, etc.

3. Low-income health insurance: Low-income residents of Luzerne County who cannot purchase health insurance due to unaffordability are generally advised to apply for government-funded health insurance subsidies, which can lower the cost of health insurance.

4. Short - term health insurance may provide an alternative saving path if you do not have pre-existing conditions. (* Some Pennsylvania multi-year short-term health insurance plans may cover certain pre-existing conditions after a year or more of coverage).

Talk about your health insurance needs with a knowledgeable, state-licensed health insurance professional in Pennsylvania who has access to a variety of health insurance plans available to residents of Luzerne County. The availability and cost of health insurance coverage may vary between zip codes.

A Pennsylvania health insurance agent: analyzes your health needs and restrictions, researches the locally available plans that fit your needs, provides you with the available options of coverage, and explains how the differences between the options affect you once you start using each insurance product. The agent researches the available discounts and bundling options, assists you with the application process, and at any time you need to make a change to the policy or shop for replacement coverage.

Luzerne County - End of Life Statistics and Analysis

The average lifespan in Luzerne County is around 75.7 years, which is shorter than the average of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (78 years). Compared to Luzerne County’s neighbors, Columbia County has the longest average life expectancy in the region, while the shortest is reported in Schuylkill County.

The longest average life expectancy in the state of Pennsylvania is observed in Centre County, at over 82 years, while the shortest average is seen in Fayette County, at under 75 years old.

In 2022, roughly 64,456 seniors (65 and older) were residing in Luzerne County.

Life Insurance Facts

1. In 2022, 47% of Americans did not have an active life insurance policy of any type.

2. A person's life insurance premiums are decided (among other criteria) by age at the start of the policy. Therefore, if you purchase it at a younger age, you will save more on premiums over the duration of the policy.

3. Approximately 22% of adults in Luzerne County are smokers. This habit can quadruple the cost of life insurance for around 56 thousand persons compared to non-smokers. A smoker's lifespan is deemed shorter, placing them in greater danger than non-smokers.

4. Aside from the death benefit, Cash Value life insurance can be used for Living Benefits by the insured while they are still alive, as collateral for the loan, or even used as a source of tax-free retirement income.

Luzerne County - Funeral Expenses Statistics and Analysis

In Luzerne County, the average funeral cost is around $4,800, which is lower than the Pennsylvania state average of $6,700, and much more cost-effective compared to its nearby counties. Among its neighbors, Schuylkill County has the highest average funeral expense, at $7,300, followed by Monroe County with $6,900.

Across Pennsylvania, Bucks County reports the highest average funeral cost of $11,700, while the most affordable funeral is seen in Clinton County, at under $4,700.

Life Insurance Analysis

1. Around 46% of Americans die with less than $10,000 in savings. This means that nearly 30 thousand senior residents of Luzerne County could be placing their families and loved ones in a difficult financial situation. In addition to planning and organizing the funeral while grieving, the family is sometimes responsible for the funeral costs.

2. Aside from the burial cost, the deceased may sometimes leave taxes and other debts for the family to take care of. Discuss your senior life insurance options with a licensed Pennsylvania life insurance professional.

3. Indexed Universal Life (IUL) is the most preferred life insurance policy to use for its living benefits and retirement financing.

4. The most frequently used life insurance policies to cover “final expenses” up to $50,000 are: Term Life Insurance and Final Expense (also known as Burial insurance).

5. The most frequently used life insurance policies to leave money to the family are the variations of: Term Life Insurance and Cash Value insurance, such as Whole Life insurance, Final Expense (FE), and multiple Universal Life insurance policies.

To learn more about life insurance alternatives and to get life insurance quotes in Luzerne County, consult with a knowledgeable state-licensed, experienced, and qualified life insurance professional who has access to several insurers and plan types for comparison.

Luzerne County - Business

Luzerne County's over 7 thousand business establishments each have their own commercial insurance needs. The four largest job-creating sectors, accounting for around 54% of all employment in the county in 2022 were:

• Health Care & Social Assistance - 17.3%

• Transportation and Warehousing - 13.7%

• Manufacturing - 11.6%

• Retail Trade - 11.6%

Commercial Insurance Analysis

1. Every business in Luzerne County needs insurance based on what it does and the number of people it employs. The coverage mostly falls into:

   • Commercial Property,

   • Business Liability, and

   • Employee Protection and Benefits.

2. Health care professionals can benefit from Medical malpractice coverage, which protects both the patients and the insured medical professionals.

3. Manufacturing enterprises need insurance to protect their production facilities and employees, as well as product liability coverage to protect the company if their product causes injury to a third party.

4. At a minimum, Retail establishments in Luzerne County typically get Property insurance, Business liability, Business income, and Workers’ compensation insurance.

To assess your business insurance needs in Luzerne County and to get a commercial insurance quote, speak with a knowledgeable Pennsylvania-licensed commercial insurance agent with access to multiple insurers and premium finance options. Always try to compare at least 2 or 3 options before deciding on the coverage.