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
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.
State Farm topped J.D. Power's list of highest-ranking auto insurance carriers in New York for the second year in a row.
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.
- 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.
The cheapest rates are from Progressive at $1,460 annually, or $121 per month.
Rates for GEICO come in at $2,126 annually, or about $177 per month.
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 |
Dynamic auto insurance data methodology
Methodology: The auto insurance rates displayed above and throughout this page are dynamic, meaning the data will refresh when the most recent information is made available. Rates are based on a sample driver profile — a 30-year-old single male driver with a Honda Accord and full coverage. This profile was adjusted based on common pricing factors used by major car insurance companies, like age, coverage level, driving record and others.
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%.
For the legal minimum coverage level in New York, expect to pay about $743 per year.
State minimum coverage
In order to drive legally in the state of New York, you must carry at least the minimum 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) (required since NY is considered a no-fault state)
- $50,000 per person
Optional coverage in New York (varies by carrier):
- Comprehensive
- 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)
If you opt for better coverage, you can choose a policy with comprehensive and collision, which will protect against the costs of car 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 liability-only car insurance. For a comprehensive policy with a $500 deductible, expect to pay 115% more than you would for basic coverage.
In New York, a comprehensive insurance policy with a $1,000 deductible costs $1,456, 96% more than liability-only car insurance
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.
Compare car insurance rates from California's best companies.
New York car insurance premiums by rating factor
Your rates are determined by a number of individual factors, including your coverage level, 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 liability-only 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| One Med/PIP claim | $2,171 | 0% | $0 |
| None | $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 |
| Wrong way/wrong lane | $2,309 | 6% | $137 |
| Texting while driving | $2,309 | 6% | $137 |
| Cell phone violation | $2,309 | 6% | $137 |
| Failure to stop at a red light | $2,309 | 6% | $137 |
| Following too closely | $2,309 | 6% | $137 |
| Failure to yield | $2,309 | 6% | $137 |
| Illegal turn | $2,309 | 6% | $138 |
| Improper passing | $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 inexpensive DUI car insurance. The recommended way to save in the wake of a DUI citation is to shop around.
Compare and buy car insurance online or reach out to an insurance agent to assess your choices and find a cost-effective policy.
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.
Learn more about SR-22 certificate requirements and how they impact insurance premiums.
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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.
| 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.
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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 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.