Brooklyn, NY Car Insurance

How much does car insurance cost in Brooklyn?

New York City's most populous borough, Brooklyn is home to beautiful brownstones, a diverse collection of ethnic enclaves, world-class dining and arts scenes, and very expensive car insurance.

The average auto insurance premium in Brooklyn is more than twice as expensive as those paid across the rest of New York State. In fact, Brooklyn drivers pay about 174% more than do drivers in the rest of the state and 238% more than the typical U.S. driver. 

Average Brooklyn insurance rates by company

Car insurance rates for Brooklyn are about 174% higher than the average premium in New York State and 238% more expensive than the U.S. average. This has to do with the way insurance companies predict losses in this area. Based on claims history, traffic and the likelihood a vehicle will be damaged in a collision, insurance companies see Brooklyn as a risky place to insure clients. Insurance companies protect themselves against risk through higher premiums.

We surveyed average car insurance premiums from popular insurance companies:

Based on a consistent driver profile, we discovered Progressive was the cheapest company for auto insurance. With an average monthly car insurance rate of $239, Progressive's policies were substantially cheaper than other options in the borough.

How to find very cheap car insurance in Brooklyn

Because living in Brooklyn is expensive, it’s important to save money whenever possible. Here are some ways to save on auto insurance.

Discounts

Discounts such as the good driver or the safety equipment discount are built into your user profile (through your VIN or driving record), but you still want to make sure you’re getting all the discounts you’re qualified for. Here are some common discounts:

• Good driver/Safe Driver
• Safe equipment discount
• Paid in full
• Payment via bank
• Electronic signature
• Good student
• Bundling (auto/renters or home/auto)

These discounts might not seem like a lot, but when you’re paying more than twice the state’s average, every penny counts.

Drive safely

Drive safely is a good idea, no matter where you live. But in Brooklyn, avoiding reckless and dangerous driving can save you thousands a year on auto insurance. Here are some common violations and how much it will raise your premium.

Maintain your credit score

While maintaining a good credit score is pivotal for your financial health, it can also be pretty impactful on your insurance premium. Looking at the average premiums for Brooklyn below, the difference in premiums between a very poor credit score (300-579) and excellent (800-850) is nearly $5,000 every six months. On average, moving from one credit tier to another can save you an average of $685 every six months. If your credit score has recently improved, you should consider that a good time to shop for car insurance. As you can see from the data below, there is a lot of variation between credit scores.

Bundle any and all policies

Bundling, meaning putting all your insurance eggs in one basket, can save you between $117 and $190 a year on your auto insurance. The reason is pretty simple — insurance companies want more lines of revenue and thus offer you an incentive. Here are some typical savings you can see across Brooklyn.

Be smart with your coverage

By this, we are referring to the simple truth that most vehicles do not grow in value over time but depreciate. In terms of insurance, this could mean the coverage you have for your vehicle is no longer necessary. Here's how to find out if you still need full coverage. Typically, if your vehicle is 10 years or older and/or is worth less than $4,000, you do not need comprehensive or collision coverage. Although not required by law, these coverages are designed to protect your vehicle after an accident. But if your vehicle isn't worth much, you might be paying for coverage you do not need. 

If you're unsure of the value of your vehicle, we recommend using Kelley Blue Book and NADA online. If you decide to drop collision and comprehensive, consider adding uninsured motorist property damage coverage. This will protect your vehicle if it's damaged by an uninsured driver or after a hit-and-run.

Be smart with your claims

Being smart with your claims means using your collision lightly and sparingly to avoid future rate increases. As collision claims are generally considered to be "at-fault" accidents by insurance companies, you can expect your rate to increase at your renewal. For most violations, your rate will be increased for 3 years. You should consider if the amount you would save by filing a claim is worth the value of your premium increase. In Brooklyn, the average increase for an at-fault accident was $1,019 for your first year. As we stated, you should expect this surcharge to stay on your premium for 3 years. Meaning, your total increase on average will amount to well over $3,000. 

If you're unsure of whether or not to file a claim after an at-fault collision-type accident, consider our suggestions:

• Get an estimate at a local repair shop in Brooklyn.
• Consider if the value of damages is greater than $3,263 plus your deductible — if it is less than the total out-of-pocket expenses, it may make sense to file a claim. 

Compare quotes

Your absolute best bet for saving on auto insurance is to compare options from as many companies as possible. Because our user profile most likely doesn’t match you, it’s important to see our data as a starting point — where you should begin, but not end, your search for the best auto insurance. Use our comparison app below to see how much you could be saving on car insurance.