Pennsylvania's insurance department needs to do a better job helping consumers choose the best insurance for their cars and homes, the Consumer Federation of America said in a report released today.

The consumer watchdog analyzed the insurance department Web sites of all 50 states and Washington, D.C., giving Pennsylvania a "fair" rating. Thirteen other states and the District of Columbia also received a fair rating.

Six states were rated "excellent" -- California, Georgia, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas and Utah. Twelve states received a "good" grade, while 18 were rated "inadequate."

A spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Department of Insurance had no immediate comment.

The CFA is sending letters to the 45 insurance departments whose sites weren't rated excellent, urging them to make improvements using the exemplary states as a model.