What Is the Average Car Insurance in New York (2024)?
Full coverage car insurance costs an average of $3,153 per year in New York—significantly higher than the national average.
Written by Andrea Barrett
Edited by Kianna Walpole
Full coverage car insurance
costs New York drivers an average of $263 per month, or $3,153 per year, while drivers who opt for only the state minimum coverage pay an average of $2,892 per year. Compared to the national average, New York
car insurance is quite a bit more expensive. - On average, New York drivers pay between $241 and $263 per month for car insurance.
- The average rates for New York car insurance are significantly higher than the national average of $1,526 and $2,264 respectively.
- Inflation is a big contributor to rising car insurance rates, along with New York’s new supplemental spousal liability coverage.
- Young drivers, drivers in big cities, and drivers with violations pay the most for car insurance in New York.
- Shopping around and comparing car insurance rates from multiple providers is the best way to save on New York insurance costs.
- On average, New York drivers pay between $241 and $263 per month for car insurance.
- The average rates for New York car insurance are significantly higher than the national average of $1,526 and $2,264 respectively.
- Inflation is a big contributor to rising car insurance rates, along with New York’s new supplemental spousal liability coverage.
- Young drivers, drivers in big cities, and drivers with violations pay the most for car insurance in New York.
- Shopping around and comparingcar insurance ratesfrom multiple providers is the best way to save on New York insurance costs.
Methodology
Jerry’s data analysts spent more than 200 hours analyzing millions of real car insurance quotes from New York auto insurance companies in the past year to find the average cost of car insurance in New York.
The average cost of car insurance in New York
New York
car insurance
is significantly more expensive than the national average, with a state average rate of $3,153 per year for a full coverage policy and $2,892 for minimum coverage. Expensive healthcare, high population densities, and higher minimum car insurance requirements all contribute to higher-than-average insurance premiums in New York.
Compare average rates for New York drivers
Here’s how New York car insurance rates change based on your age, driving history, and vehicle type. We’ve taken four common driver profiles to show you the range of average insurance costs across New York state.
The average New York driver
The average New York driver
An average driver over age 25 with a clean driving record in New York pays about:
- $3,153 per year for full coverage
- $2,892 per year for state minimum coverage
The New York teen driver
The New York teen driver
An average new driver in New York pays about:
- $4,477 per year for full coverage
- $4,106 per year for minimum coverage
Why did my insurance go up in New York?
New York has some of the highest car insurance premiums in the country. Inflation, supply chain issues, and labor shortages have caused auto repair costs to increase by approximately 50% in the past few years—meaning insurance providers are losing money.
In New York, specifically, insurance companies are regulated by the State Department of Financial Services. They are responsible for approving rate increases, but they also don’t let insurers drop prices.
Additionally, New York implemented a new law starting August 1 that automatically enrolls drivers in supplemental spousal liability coverage. This coverage is for when a married couple is involved in a car accident. Before August, a spouse could not sue their husband or wife to recover money from the partner's insurance company unless they chose to have this liability insurance on their policy.
Under new state law, an individual can sue their spouse to recover losses from the partner’s insurance company. And whether you’re married or not, you’ll have to pay a fee.
The result? Car insurance rates climb. From 2022 to 2023, car insurance rates have increased by 14%, and it just got worse for New Yorkers with already unaffordable insurance.
Why your rate went up: Your annual car insurance premium might have increased due to inflation, but it could have also increased due to a change in your driving record or the inclusion of supplemental spousal liability coverage. If unsure, check with your insurance agent, shop around, and compare new quotes from other carriers.
How you can navigate the crisis: Shopping with Jerry helps you find real quotes from the best insurance companies in New York. Whether you’re trying to find cheap minimum liability coverage or an affordable full coverage policy,
Jerry
helps you find and compare New York car insurance rates to find the cheapest car insurance
for your driving profile. Who pays the most for car insurance in New York?
Many factors are considered when insurers
calculate car insurance rates
, but age is a biggie. If you’re over 25 with a clean driving record
, good credit score, and live outside the city, you’re likely paying rates on the lower end of the New York auto insurance rate spectrum. However, young drivers, drivers with violations or bad credit/poor credit, and drivers in big cities tend to pay higher rates for the same coverage—and surprisingly, women pay slightly more than men. Check out the tables below to see how much more you might pay if you belong to one of those groups.
Teen drivers pay the highest rates of any age group
| Age | Average annual premium |
|---|---|
| 21 | $4,622 |
| 24 | $3,256 |
| 23 | $3,211 |
| 22 | $2,691 |
High-risk drivers with DUIs pay more
| Violation | Average annual coverage |
|---|---|
| Seat Belt | $4,497 |
| Improper Passing | $3,909 |
| Illegal Turn | $3,639 |
| Cell Phone | $3,607 |
| Suspension | $3,465 |
| Speeding under 15 | $3,119 |
| Failure to Obey Traffic Sign | $3,097 |
| Other | $3,090 |
| Speeding over 15 | $3,081 |
| Driving on Sus. License | $3,034 |
| DUI | $3,007 |
| Passing School Bus | $2,756 |
| Defective Equipment | $2,039 |
Urban drivers pay more than in small towns and rural areas
| City | Average annual coverage |
|---|---|
| Bronx | $3,953 |
| New York | $3,807 |
| Riverhead | $3,213 |
| Islip | $3,476 |
| Buffalo | $2,035 |
| Smithtown | $2,035 |
| Town | Average annual coverage |
|---|---|
| Beacon | $1,893 |
| Saratoga Springs | $1,415 |
| New Paltz | $2,621 |
| Ithaca | $1,897 |
| Lake Placid | $2,035 |
| Cold Spring | $2,035 |
How to keep car insurance rates low in New York
Whether you’re a
high-risk driver
or fall into one of the low-risk categories, finding cheap car insurance in New York can be tricky—but it is doable. Here are a few of our best tips to help you find the lowest annual rates for car insurance in the Empire State: 1. Look for discounts
Most insurers offer discounts on your auto insurance policy based on various categories, such as vehicle safety, payment options, driving habits, and more. Below is a list of some of the best
car insurance discounts
in New York: - Progressiveoffers average savings of 12% to policyholders who insure multiple cars on a single policy.
- Travelersoffers an average savings of 10% for bundling your home/condo insurance and other insurance policies through Travelers.
- USAA SafePilotprogram can help you save up to 30% on your car insurance premium by being a safe driver.
- State FarmSteer Clear offers drivers under 25 the opportunity to save up on their car insurance policy if they’ve been at-fault accident or moving violation-free for the past 3 years.
- Allstate’s Milewisepay-per-mile program reduces coverage costs to an average of $2.22 per day.
- Erieoffers First Accident Forgiveness for customers of three or more years to avoid a surcharge after your first at-fault accident
2. Don’t buy a new car
New might be eye-catching if you’re replacing your current vehicle, but it’s not always wallet-friendly. Consider looking at used models instead of brand-new ones. The
average car insurance
rate drops by 3.4% for every year your vehicle ages, meaning you could save up to 15% on insurance costs by choosing a vehicle that’s five model years old.3. Follow all New York traffic laws—and consider a defensive driving course
Staying violation-free is one of the easiest ways to keep affordable car insurance coverage in New York—and it starts with reviewing
New York’s traffic laws
. Knowing the rules of the road can help you avoid violations, or potential speeding tickets. Enrolling in a
telematics
program that tracks driving habits and rewards good drivers can also help you save on insurance— the safer you drive, the more you save. But be careful, some programs increase rates for unsafe driving behaviors.4. Choose a full coverage policy with moderate liability limits and a high deductible
New York car insurance laws
only require drivers to carry 25/50/15 coverage limits—$25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident of bodily injury liability coverage
and $15,000 of property damage liability coverage
. Drivers must also have $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident of uninsured motorist coverage
and $50,000 personal injury protection (PIP)
.Although New York’s car insurance requirements are steeper than most states, they don’t always provide enough financial protection if you’re actually involved in an accident—but you don’t need to go crazy purchasing every
type of car insurance
. To stay protected without breaking the bank, here is what we recommend:
- At least $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident of bodily injury liability insurance
- At least $50,000 of property damage liability insurance
- Enough collision coverage and comprehensive coverage to cover the total cost of replacing your vehicle
To help reduce monthly payments, opt for increasing your deductible to the highest amount you can realistically afford to pay in case of a covered loss. Other coverage options in addition to New York requirements may offer more protection—but you’ll also pay more.
5. Compare quotes (more than once!)
Auto insurance rates vary dramatically between providers (even for the same driving profile), so it’s a good idea to compare quotes from multiple providers to avoid overpaying and find the best rates on New York car insurance.
With the Jerry app, you can find real insurance quotes from some of the
best car insurance companies in New York
and select the right coverage and rate in seconds. But don’t settle on the first time—compare quotes several times before you commit. To help maximize your savings, Jerry automatically re-shops for quotes when your policy is up for renewal, giving you the best chance to pocket extra savings and avoid overpaying for your coverage.
FAQs
How much is car insurance for a 22 year old in New York City?
Young drivers tend to pay more for insurance no matter where they live, whereas more senior drivers often pay some of the cheapest rates. For a 22-year old in New York City, car insurance rates can vary depending on if you’re on your parent’s policy, or your own, with most drivers paying up to $4,000-$5,500 per year.
Is car insurance mandatory in NY?
Yes, car insurance is required in the state of New York.
Driving without insurance
can lead to charges up to $1,500 with an additional civil penalty of $750 for a license reinstatement. Not to mention, you won’t be covered for medical bills or property damage in the event of an accident.Who has some of the cheapest car insurance in New York?
Some of the cheapest car insurance companies in New York are Kemper, Travelers, Progressive, and Safeco. Other options include GEICO and Nationwide. However, quotes from each of these companies will vary depending on your specific driving profile.
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