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Renata Balasco

Senior Content Strategist

Credentials
  • Licensed Insurance Agent — Property and Casualty

Renata joined The Zebra in 2020 as a Customer Experience Agent. Since 2021, she has worked as licensed insurance professional and content strategist.…

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Jean Lucey, CPCU

Faculty, IIAA Virtual University

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  • CPCU, Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter

Jean Lucey has researched and written about insurance matters for well over 30 years. A current member of The Zebra's Insurance Expert Review Bo…

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Kristine Lee

Insurance Analyst

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  • Licensed Insurance Agent — Property and Casualty
  • 4+ years of Experience in the Insurance Industry

Kristine is a licensed insurance agent who joined The Zebra in 2019 as an in-house content researcher and writer. Before joining The Zebra, she was a…

Here's what you need to know when driving in New York

Across the Empire State, there are 242,769 miles of road just waiting to be driven. We’ll get you prepped with the best and cheapest insurance, then you take the wheel. The average car insurance rate in New York is $1,600 per year — 5% more than the U.S. average. Car insurance rates are impacted by more than just your location. Auto insurance rates comprise many factors, including a driver's age and driving history. The Zebra's experts analyzed average New York car insurance rates for these rating factors in an effort to help you find an affordable policy.

Read on to learn how much auto insurance costs in New York based on these variables, or submit your ZIP code above to receive personalized quotes from top insurers.

The best car insurance companies in New York

1st place medal
USAA

Along with topping The Zebra's Customer Satisfaction Survey, USAA received a score of 868 (out of 1,000) in J.D. Powers' 2021 U.S. Auto Insurance Study for the state of New York.

2nd place medal
State Farm

State Farm topped J.D. Power's list of highest-ranking auto insurance carriers in New York for the second year in a row. 

3rd place medal
Travelers

Travelers insurance placed second in New York in J.D. Power's 2021 Auto Insurance Study and recieved 4.3 stars out of 5 in The Zebra's Customer Satisfaction Survey.

Key takeaways
Key takeaways
  • Residents of New York City pay about 5% more for car insurance on average
  • The cheapest major car insurance company in New York is Progressive.

The cheapest car insurance companies in New York

These companies offer the cheapest rates in the following scenarios.

Progressive
Cheapest for full coverage: Progressive

The cheapest rates are from Progressive at $1,460 annually, or $121 per month.

medal for most affordable
Cheapest for bad credit — GEICO

Rates for GEICO come in at $2,126 annually, or about $177 per month.

Most affordable medal
Cheapest for young drivers — Progressive

Young drivers should look into Progressive for coverage, with the average being $3,694.

Company Avg. Annual Premium
Progressive $1,460
Erie $1,633
GEICO $1,746
USAA $1,999
Travelers $2,084
Allstate $2,416
State Farm $2,482

The Zebra’s Dynamic Insurance Rating Tool data methodology

The Zebra’s Dynamic Insurance Rating Tool for home and auto insurance rates utilizes the latest ZIP code-level rate filings from across the U.S., sourced from Quadrant Information Services and S&P Global. These filings, typically updated annually or biennially by insurers, are verified through Quadrant’s QA process and then integrated into The Zebra’s estimator.

The displayed rates are based on a dynamic home and auto profile designed to reflect the content of the page. This profile is tailored to match specific factors such as age, location, and coverage level, which are adjusted based on the page content to show how these variables can impact premiums.

For a comprehensive understanding, see our detailed methodology.


New York auto insurance laws

Car insurance is mandatory in almost every state, including New York. If you choose the legal minimum coverage level in New York, expect to pay an average of $743 annually. This expenditure is more expensive than the nationwide average by 38%. 

State minimum coverage

In order to drive legally in the state of New York, you must carry at least the minimum coverages and liability limits listed below:

Liability
  • Bodily Injury $25,000 per person
  • Bodily Injury $50,000 per accident
  • Property Damage $10,000 per accident
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist
  • Bodily Injury $25,000 per person
  • Bodily Injury $50,000 per accident
Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
  • $50,000 per person (required since NY is considered a no-fault state)

Optional coverage in New York (varies by carrier):

  • Comprehensive (other than collision)
  • Collision
  • Loan/Lease Payoff
  • Medical Payments
  • Rental Car Reimbursement
  • Roadside Assistance
  • Supplemental Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury (SUM)
  • Additional Personal Injury Protection (APIP)
  • Optional Basic Economic Loss (OBEL)
car with blue windshield

If you opt for better coverage, you can choose a policy with comprehensive and collision, which will protect against the costs related to physical damage or loss of an insured auto due to accidents, theft, vandalism, or weather incidents. But better coverage comes with a cost: in New York, a comprehensive insurance policy with a $1,000 deductible costs $1,456, 96% more than the cost of mandatory-only coverage. For a comprehensive policy with a $500 deductible, expect to pay 115% more than you would for mandatory-only coverage. 

The Zebra's guide to New York car insurance laws


Learn more about car insurance requirements in the state of New York with our helpful guide.


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New York car insurance premiums by rating factor

Your rates are determined by a number of individual factors, including your driving history, location, and more. Explore average premium costs by rating factor below to get a better sense of how much you should be paying for auto insurance in New York.

Cheap auto insurance in New York for minimum coverage

Forgoing full coverage for mandatory-only coverage at the state minimum level will make your car insurance significantly cheaper. In New York, the average cost for minimum coverage is $62 per month, or $743 yearly — a savings of $857 compared to full coverage.

Company Avg. Annual Premium
GEICO $708
Erie $743
Progressive $775
USAA $865
Allstate $1,259
Travelers $1,276
State Farm $1,309

Cheap auto insurance in New York with bad credit

Your credit history is an important factor in determining your car insurance rates. Many carriers see those with a poor credit score as being higher risk, meaning you could pay more for your policy. On average, New York drivers with poor credit pay 67% more per year than those with exceptional credit. Have a look at some common rates by credit tier below.

Company Avg. Annual Premium
GEICO $2,126
Erie $3,389
Travelers $3,671
USAA $3,807
Allstate $4,408
State Farm $5,421
Progressive $10,586

Cheap auto insurance in New York with an at-fault accident

Your driving history plays a big part in how much you pay. Insurance companies look for previous accidents for which you have been at fault to gauge the level of risk you pose as a customer. An at-fault accident in recent years could see your car insurance rates increase by as much as $580 per year.

Safe driver discounts

In addition to having a cheaper premium, some companies offer a safe driving discount. While the amount varies based on your company, it can range between 5 and 10%.

Company Avg. Annual Premium
Progressive $1,924
Travelers $2,462
GEICO $2,471
Erie $2,474
USAA $2,530
Allstate $3,259
State Farm $3,378

Cheap auto insurance for young drivers in New York

Young drivers — aged between 16 and 25 — pay very high car insurance rates, with those aged 16 to 19 paying the most expensive premiums of all. Because of the risk presented by inexperienced drivers, teen drivers pay more than three times the national average for car insurance. In New York, teen drivers pay especially high rates: $5,003 per year — that's 4% more than the nationwide average and over twice as much as a typical New York driver.

Company Avg. Annual Premium
Progressive $3,694
Erie $4,014
Travelers $4,937
GEICO $5,828
USAA $7,935
State Farm $8,967
Allstate $12,122

New York auto insurance rate by violation

When you receive a ticket your auto insurance premiums will probably rise. How much your rates rise depends on the violation's severity, your insurer's pricing standards, and differing local insurance regulations and risks. That's why tickets may have a different impact on insurance in your state compared to the national average.

Below is a snapshot of typical auto insurance rates in New York after a few common citations.

Accident/Violation Avg. Annual Premium % Rate Increase $ Rate Increase
None $2,171 0% $0
One Med/PIP claim $2,171 0% $0
One comp claim $2,194 1% $23
Two Med/PIP claims $2,208 2% $37
Not-at-fault accident $2,221 2% $50
Two comp claims $2,222 2% $50
Failure to show documents $2,240 3% $69
Failure to wear a seat belt $2,248 4% $77
Child safety restraint $2,270 5% $99
Driving without lights $2,270 5% $99
Driving with expired registration $2,276 5% $105
At-fault accident - less than $1000 $2,308 6% $137
Texting while driving $2,309 6% $137
Cell phone violation $2,309 6% $137
Failure to yield $2,309 6% $137
Failure to stop at a red light $2,309 6% $137
Wrong way/wrong lane $2,309 6% $137
Following too closely $2,309 6% $137
Improper passing $2,309 6% $138
Illegal turn $2,309 6% $138
Passing school bus $2,316 7% $145
Driving too slowly $2,340 8% $169
At-fault accident - $1000-$2000 $2,343 8% $172
Speeding in school zone $2,355 8% $184
Speeding 6 - 10 MPH over limit $2,392 10% $221
Speeding 11 - 15 MPH over limit $2,392 10% $221
Operating a vehicle without permission $2,486 14% $314
Open container $2,513 16% $342
In 65 MPH zone $2,535 17% $363
Speeding 16 - 20 MPH over limit $2,618 21% $446
Speeding 21 - 25 MPH over limit $2,696 24% $525
At-fault accident - greater than $2000 $2,949 36% $778
Reckless driving $3,158 45% $986
Racing $3,178 46% $1,006
Driving with a suspended license $3,344 54% $1,173
Leaving scene of an accident/hit and run $3,511 62% $1,339
Refusal to submit to a chemical test $3,514 62% $1,342
DUI $3,535 63% $1,364

New York DUI laws

In Texas, a DUI offense can increase your annual car insurance premium by an average of $1,093. That’s 8% more than the national average rate hike after a DUI. Finding affordable auto insurance in the wake of a DUI violation isn’t simple. In fact, a DUI often brings about a bigger premium increase than any single road violation — more than an at-fault accident, racing, or reckless driving.

 
Low-cost car insurance after a DUI in New York

If you're convicted of a DUI or DWI violation in New York, it’s key to mull over each of your insurance choices carefully. Auto insurance premiums following a DUI can vary substantially by insurer. For example, the least expensive car insurance company with a DUI in New York, Progressive, advertises annual rates 44% less than the statewide average insurance rate with a DUI. The second-cheapest insurer for auto insurance after a DUI in New York is Travelers, while the priciest firm is State Farm, with prices 59% above average.

Company Avg. Annual Premium
Progressive $1,501
Travelers $2,469
Erie $2,707
USAA $2,861
Allstate $3,110
GEICO $3,935
State Farm $4,248

There is no car insurer in particular that offers cheap DUI car insurance. The recommended way to save in the wake of a DUI citation is to shop around.

New York SR-22 insurance

An SR-22 is a routine legal requirement triggered by a violation such as a DUI conviction, a ticket for driving without insurance, an at-fault collision, driving with a suspended license, or accumulating too many points on your license. It is not a type of insurance policy, but a form issued by your insurance company to ensure that you remain insured. Most states require an SR-22, but New York is one exception. The state of New York does not require you to file an SR-22 in order to apply for insurance. 

If you move from a state that requires an SR-22 to a state that does not, you will typically still need to follow the requirements of the state that first required you to file an SR-22.

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Rates by city

Car insurance companies calculate your rate based on many factors, the location of the vehicle being an important one. The cheapest car insurance is found in Horseheads North, New York, and the most expensive in Brooklyn, New York.

Have a look at the table below to see average car insurance costs in some of New York biggest cities.

City Avg. Annual Premium
Rochester $1,567
Syracuse $1,685
Buffalo $2,222
Yonkers $2,999
New York City $4,545

Car insurance price trends in New York

In New York, average annual auto insurance costs decreased by $93 in the past year. A typical New York driver pays an average of $1,600 per year.

Year over year price trends in New York have been fairly consistent in the last four years, with a steady decrease in premiums after 2018. The steepest decrease occurred from 2015 to 2016, while the highest surge took place from 2016 to 2017. In recent years, premiums in New York have somewhat stabilized.

New York Car Insurance Rate Trends
Year Avg, Annual Premium — New York Yearly change — New York Avg. Annual Premium — U.S. Yearly change — U.S,
2021 $1,600 -$93 $1,529 $46
2020 $1,693 -$55 $1,483 -$61
2019 $1,748 -$1 $1,544 $23
2018 $1,749 $31 $1,521 $84
2017 $1,796 $234 $1,437 $69
2016 $1,562 -$323 $1,368 $88
2015 $1,885 $216 $1,280 $51
2014 $1,669 $155 $1,229 $34
2013 $1,514 -$63 $1,195 -$80
2012 $1,577 $323 $1,276 $82

If your rates are rising faster than the average in your state, compare quotes and find a better deal. The Zebra's car insurance comparison engine furnishes quotes based on your specific profile — enter your ZIP below to get started.


New York car insurance FAQs

Below you'll find answers to some of the most commonly asked questions regarding New York auto insurance.

Progressive has the cheapest rates in New York at $1,460 for a full coverage policy. Erie and GEICO also have cheap rates. Get started to see options for all the top companies in NY.

Our data showed the average for car insurance in NY was $1,600 per policy period, or about $133 per month.

Car insurance in New York is about 4% more expensive than average. This is due to population size, number of uninsured drivers, and insurance companies' revenue loss via claims.

Save money on your next car insurance policy!

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About The Zebra

The Zebra is not an insurance company. We publish data-backed, expert-reviewed resources to help consumers make more informed insurance decisions.

  • The Zebra’s insurance content is written and reviewed for accuracy by licensed insurance agents.
  • The Zebra’s insurance editorial content is not subject to review or alteration by insurance companies or partners.
  • The Zebra’s editorial team operates independently of the company’s partnerships and commercialization interests, publishing unbiased information for consumer benefit.
  • The auto insurance rates published on The Zebra’s pages are based on a comprehensive analysis of car insurance pricing data, evaluating more than 83 million insurance rates from across the United States.