How to find the cheapest car insurance quotes in Buffalo

Buffalo is the home of the Bills, the humble chicken wing—and some of the highest car insurance rates in New York State.

That’s right—while New York City takes the crown for the most expensive car insurance in the Empire State, Buffalo isn’t far behind. Local drivers pay around $254 per month for full coverage insurance and $145 per month for state minimum coverage—roughly 20% more than the state average.

Heavy winters and a troubling motor vehicle theft trend contribute to Buffalo’s high car insurance prices—but drivers can combat those risk factors by shopping around for the best rates. Independent brokers like Jerry offer easy access to the cheapest rates on Buffalo car insurance, along with industry knowledge that can help you make the best pick.

The table below shows real quotes that drivers found from Buffalo-area auto insurance companies in the past month using the Jerry app.

Insurance Company	Premium (monthly)	Age	Zip Code	Car	Liability Limits	Has Full Coverage
Progressive	$181	27	14215	Toyota Rav4 Limited	State Minimum	No
Progressive	$273	27	14226	Chrysler Town & Country Touri	State Minimum	Yes
Progressive	$83	43	14218	Honda Civic Lx	State Minimum	No
Progressive	$766	34	14216	Kia Forte Gt Line	50/100	Yes
Progressive	$488	40	14211	Toyota Camry Le	State Minimum	No

Last Updated Dec 17, 2024

Best car insurance companies in Buffalo

No single company has the best rates for every driver in Buffalo—and the price of a policy isn’t the only thing that matters.

To help drivers in Buffalo find the right insurance company, Jerry conducted a nationwide survey of over 15,000 drivers, asking policyholders to rate their insurance company on costs, claims handling, customer service, and the ease of getting and renewing a policy.

We combined the findings of the survey with real quote data from Buffalo-area drivers and found 10 companies that charge less than the citywide average for full coverage while receiving an overall score of 4 stars or higher in our customer survey.

Insurance company	Average annual full coverage rate in Buffalo	Jerry user rating
NYCM Insurance	$2,259	5 stars
Embark General	$1,973	4.6 stars
Aspire Insurance	$2,011	4.6 stars
Assurance America	$2,077	4.6 stars
Travelers	$1,842	4.5 stars
Safeco	$2,170	4.5 stars
National General	$1,460	4.3 stars
Kemper	$1,613	4.2 stars
Nationwide	$2,110	4.2 stars
Allstate	$3,028	4.1 stars

While well-known providers like Allstate and Nationwide received decent ratings, their prices were higher than some smaller local providers—and several big names, like GEICO, USAA, and State Farm, didn’t even make the cut. That doesn’t mean you can’t find good rates and good service from these companies—but our study shows that the cheapest car insurance companies are often the ones you’ve never heard of.

Best cheap car insurance quotes in Buffalo

Drivers in Buffalo are legally required to carry New York’s minimum liability coverage, uninsured motorist coverage, and personal injury protection (PIP)—but you may want to consider full coverage for added financial protection.

At Jerry, our insurance agents recommend an auto insurance policy with full coverage and liability limits of 100k/300k/100k for most Buffalo drivers to account for the risks of winter weather and auto theft.

Cheap minimum liability insurance quotes in Buffalo

As per New York car insurance laws, Buffalo drivers must carry the state’s minimum coverage limits to legally drive on NY roads.

The state’s minimum car insurance coverage includes:

• $25,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per person
• $50,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per accident
• $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident of death benefit coverage
• $10,000 of property damage liability coverage per accident
• $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident of bodily injury uninsured motorist coverage
• $50,000 of personal injury protection¹

As of August 2023, all New York insurers will automatically include supplemental spousal liability insurance in all new car insurance policies unless this coverage is rejected in writing using the Declination Form.²

Do you need more than minimum coverage in Buffalo?

New York’s car insurance requirements are fairly high compared to other states, but extra coverage is still a good idea for Buffalo drivers.

Buffalo winters make full coverage auto insurance a non-negotiable for most drivers. State minimum insurance won’t cover any damage to your car, and unless you can afford to replace your car out of pocket or go without it for a while, a policy with collision and comprehensive coverage is a sound investment.

Cheap full coverage car insurance quotes in Buffalo

ew York’s minimum car insurance requirements are meant to protect drivers from paying out of pocket for repairs and replacements if an accident were to occur. But to protect your vehicle from repairs and replacements, full-coverage car insurance is the way to go.

Full coverage includes comprehensive and collision coverage:

• Collision coverage protects you from costs associated with repairing or replacing your vehicle after an accident
• Comprehensive coverage kicks in if your vehicle is stolen or requires repairs for non-collision damages

Typically, leased or financed vehicles require collision and comprehensive coverage.

Browse the table below to see how Jerry’s agents recently helped Buffalo customers obtain affordable full coverage policies.

Liability Limits	Has Full Coverage	Insurance Company	Premium (monthly)	Age	Zip Code	Car
State Minimum	No	Progressive	$181	27	14215	Toyota Rav4 Limited
State Minimum	Yes	Progressive	$273	27	14226	Chrysler Town & Country Touri
State Minimum	No	Progressive	$83	43	14218	Honda Civic Lx
50/100	Yes	Progressive	$766	34	14216	Kia Forte Gt Line
State Minimum	No	Progressive	$488	40	14211	Toyota Camry Le

Last Updated Dec 17, 2024

Average cost of car insurance in Buffalo

A full coverage car insurance policy in Buffalo costs an average of $254 per month, or $3,043 per year. That’s 20% higher than the state average of $2,533 per year, and 67% higher than the national average of $1,827.

Even state minimum coverage is more expensive in Buffalo, thanks to New York’s steep no-fault requirements. A state minimum policy costs Buffalo drivers an average of $1,745 per year, or $145 per month—over twice the national average for minimum coverage.

With Buffalo’s low overall cost of living, why is auto insurance so expensive? It comes down to two key factors skewing insurance rates in the Queen City: treacherous winters and rising auto theft rates.

Buffalo winters drive up auto insurance costs

Buffalo’s winters are legendary—and not always in a good way. Stephen Vermette, professor of Geography at SUNY Buffalo State & Research Associate for Buffalo Society of Natural Sciences, ran a complete analysis of Buffalo’s snowfall data from 1965 to 2022 and found that:³

• Buffalo sees an average of 94.7 inches of snowfall per year—nearly twice the state average of 55.3 inches.⁴
• From November to March, Buffalo has an average of 70.7 days with at least one inch of snow cover.
• Buffalo averages 6.5 lake effect snow events with at least seven inches of snow per year.

Even though most Buffalo drivers are pros at navigating snowy roads, major snowstorms cause unavoidable threats to property—including your covered auto. Icy roads also increase the risk of car accidents, adding to the cost of both liability and full coverage insurance.

Motor vehicle thefts are on the rise in Buffalo

The past four years have seen a significant increase in auto theft on Buffalo’s streets, driven in part by a viral trend of Hyundai and Kia thefts.⁵ Data from the National Insurance Crime Bureau shows thefts in the Buffalo metropolitan area climbing steadily from 2020 to 2022:⁶

Year	2022	2021	2020
Total motor vehicle thefts	2,840	2,558	2,478

But in 2023, something changed. In May, the Buffalo Police Department reported that auto thefts had tripled from the previous year, with over 1,000 thefts reported in the first five months of the year alone.⁷ In mid-July, the Council on Criminal Justice reported a 135% increase in motor vehicle thefts in Buffalo from the first half of 2022 to the first half of 2023.⁸ And finally, in November, Buffalo police again reported an uptick in Hyundai and Kia thefts.⁹

Experts still don’t understand what’s behind Buffalo’s sudden car theft problem—but insurers are taking note. The high cost of comprehensive insurance in Buffalo reflects insurance companies’ fears of losing money on stolen car claims.

Average cost of car insurance in Buffalo by zip code

The cost of car insurance in Buffalo can greatly differ depending on your specific zip code. Each individual zip code within Buffalo has its own unique driving risks which directly factor into your insurance quotes. Living in a neighborhood notorious for higher rates of car thefts and accidents increases its risk profile, thereby increasing premiums.

In short, the degree of risk tied to your zip code is a key determinant of whether your coverage will come with a higher or lower price tag.

Zip Code	Average State Minimum Coverage Rate	Average Full Coverage Rate
14043	$109	$215
14206	$191	$365
14210	$170	$208
14213	$167	$218
14214	$141	$268
14216	$150	$355
14217	$73	$146
14218	$101	$180
14220	$158	$181
14221	$137	$143
14222	$69	$178
14223	$119	$148
14224	$116	$183
14225	$122	$199
14226	$96	$181
14227	$122	$212

Car insurance quotes in Buffalo by rating factors

Insurance companies in Buffalo use many rating factors when deciding your auto insurance premium:

• Your driving record and claims history: Drivers with a track record of accidents or violations generally face higher premiums than those with a clean record.
• Your demographics: Your age, gender, and marital status can all influence the cost of your insurance rates.
• Your location: City dwellers often encounter higher premiums compared to rural residents due to factors like increased crime rates and higher population density.
• Your mileage: High annual mileage can result in higher insurance costs.
• The make/model of your car: Luxury, sport, and high-performance vehicles typically cost more to insure since replacement parts are more expensive.
• Your credit score: Good credit scores are generally associated with lower insurance rates, even for identical coverage.

Cheap car insurance quotes in Buffalo after driving violations

Your driving history is one of the main factors that impact your insurance rate. You will be quoted higher if insurance carriers observe a history of violations or risky driving. Common driving violations that can raise your rates include:

• Speeding
• DUIs
• At fault accidents
• Reckless driving

Cheapest car insurance in Buffalo after speeding ticket

Speeding is classified as risky—and depending on your speed, reckless—driving behavior, so a speeding ticket will typically increase your car insurance premiums. Despite this, many drivers with varying speeding tickets have used Jerry to save on car insurance.

Speeding Type	Insurance Company	Premium (monthly)	Age	Zip Code	Car	Liability Limits	Has Full Coverage
Speeding Violation-Minor	Progressive	$346	46	14202	Honda Hr-V Ex	State Minimum	Yes
Speeding Violation-Minor	Progressive	$78	31	14207	Subaru Crosstrek Limited	100/300	Yes
Speeding Violation-Minor	Progressive	$374	53	14216	Volvo S60 T5	State Minimum	Yes
Speeding Violation-Minor	Progressive	$365	28	14208	Nissan Juke S	State Minimum	Yes
Speeding Violation-Minor	Progressive	$911	32	14211	Chevrolet Equinox L	50/100	Yes

Last Updated Dec 17, 2024

Cheapest car insurance in Buffalo after DUI

A DUI violation will certainly skyrocket your car insurance rate in Buffalo. New York laws strictly prohibit driving under the influence and a single offense is enough to significantly increase your premiums.

While your rates will inevitably be higher after a DUI, they can still vary from one insurance provider to another. The best way to find the most affordable rate after a DUI is to compare rates from multiple carriers.

Cheapest car insurance in Buffalo after an at-fault accident

Car accidents on your claim history can significantly impact your car insurance rates in Buffalo. This is because insurance providers look at your at-fault accidents to assess the level of risk you pose as a policyholder.

Even though New York is a no-fault state, Buffalo drivers can still be deemed at fault for collisions and held responsible for another driver’s property damages. Having an at-fault accident on your record can lead to as much as 15% higher rates.

Fortunately, Jerry has helped many Buffalo drivers find affordable rates even with at-fault accidents in the recent past.

Accident type	Insurance Company	Premium (monthly)	Age	Zip Code	Car	Liability Limits	Has Full Coverage
Not At Fault	Progressive	$273	27	14226	Chrysler Town & Country Touri	State Minimum	Yes
Not At Fault	Progressive	$766	34	14216	Kia Forte Gt Line	50/100	Yes
Not At Fault	Progressive	$488	40	14211	Toyota Camry Le	State Minimum	No
At Fault With No Injury	Progressive	$107	29	14220	Ford Escape Se	State Minimum	No
Not At Fault	Progressive	$1,428	30	14215	Toyota Avalon Limited	State Minimum	No

Last Updated Dec 17, 2024

Cheapest car insurance in Buffalo after other driving violations

Speeding tickets, DUIs, careless driving, and suspended licenses on your driving record can all lead to rate hikes from any car insurance provider in Buffalo.

Here’s a list of different driving violations and how we’ve helped drivers save on their car insurance expenses after these infractions.

Violation	Insurance Company	Premium (monthly)	Age	Zip Code	Car	Liability Limits	Has Full Coverage
Other Minor	Progressive	$175	32	14216	Honda Cr-V Ex	State Minimum	No
Failure to Obey Signal	Progressive	$167	52	14206	Toyota Rav4 Le	State Minimum	No
Other Minor	Progressive	$450	23	14214	Chrysler Aspen Limited	State Minimum	No
Careless Driving	Bristol West	$231	50	14207	Nissan Versa S	State Minimum	No
Ticket Violation Not Listed	Bristol West	$320	30	14225	Kia Forte Gt Line	15/30	Yes

Last Updated Dec 17, 2024

Cheap car insurance quotes in Buffalo by age group

Young people and seniors generally face the highest insurance rates.

Due to their restricted driving backgrounds, young drivers typically pay more for insurance—especially in New York. Drivers may experience lower rates once they turn 25, but those rates won’t last forever. Seniors also see an increase in their insurance rates once they hit their mid 70s.

Cheapest car insurance in Buffalo for young drivers

Car insurance can be high for everyone in Buffalo, but teen drivers between the ages of 16 to 19 usually receive higher-than-average rates—even if they have a clean driving record.

The likelihood of a teen driver filing an insurance claim can be quite high, as well. To stay well-protected on the roads, teen drivers should be on a policy with full coverage in case an accident occurs. Staying on a parent’s policy is an ideal way to keep those teen car insurance rates lower, too.

Cheapest car insurance in Buffalo for senior drivers

Drivers can expect higher premiums once they reach 70 to 75 years old. These higher rates for senior drivers are supported by statistics that observe seniors as more likely to face accidents and subsequent injuries, incurring medical expenses and additional costs for insurance providers.

Cheap car insurance quotes in Buffalo based on insurance history

Like your driving record and claims history, your insurance history is a significant rating factor in the eyes of insurance companies. Specifically, insurers will consider how long you have been insured and whether you’ve experienced any lapses in coverage.

Cheap car insurance quotes in for drivers with poor credit

Drivers with poor credit scores often face higher insurance costs compared to those with healthier credit ratings. Even though credit scores don’t directly affect how well you drive, insurance companies have observed a relationship between low credit and an increased frequency to file claims.

A recent study by the Consumer Federation of America (CFA) found that New York drivers with bad credit (524-577) pay roughly 187% more for the same coverage compared to drivers with excellent credit (823+).¹⁰ The table below shows real rates that Buffalo drivers in various credit tiers found through Jerry.

Credit Range	Insurance Company	Premium (monthly)	Age	Zip Code	Car	Liability Limits	Has Full Coverage
550-659	Progressive	$273	27	14226	Chrysler Town & Country Touri	State Minimum	Yes
750+	Progressive	$83	43	14218	Honda Civic Lx	State Minimum	No
750+	Progressive	$766	34	14216	Kia Forte Gt Line	50/100	Yes
660-750	Progressive	$488	40	14211	Toyota Camry Le	State Minimum	No
660-750	Progressive	$107	29	14220	Ford Escape Se	State Minimum	No

Last Updated Dec 17, 2024

Cheap car insurance quotes in Buffalo for popular cars

Your insurance rate is based on multiple factors, including the type of car you drive. If your car might require expensive repairs or replacement, attracts high theft rates, or has poor safety ratings, your insurance premiums will likely be higher than if you had a low-risk vehicle.

Popular cars in Buffalo include:

• Nissan Rogue
• Honda CR-V
• Chevy Equinox
• Toyota RAV4
• Dodge RAM 1500

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Learn more: How to get car insurance before buying a car

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Popular Car	Insurance Company	Premium (monthly)	Age	Zip Code	Liability Limits	Has Full Coverage
Toyota Rav4 Limited	Progressive	$181	27	14215	State Minimum	No
Chevrolet Equinox Ls	Progressive	$310	60	14204	50/100	Yes
Chevrolet Equinox Lt	Progressive	$989	28	14214	State Minimum	Yes
Chevrolet Equinox Lt	Progressive	$999	33	14215	50/100	Yes
Toyota Rav4 Le	Progressive	$167	52	14206	State Minimum	No

Last Updated Dec 17, 2024

Cheapest car insurance in Buffalo for new vs. old car

Your vehicle’s make and model aren’t the only things that matter—its age does, too. The cost of insuring a newer car in Buffalo is generally more expensive than that of an older car.

Average insurance rates in Buffalo for vehicles based on age are:

• Vehicles 10 years or older: $204
• Vehicles less than 4 years old: $104

How to lower car insurance costs in Buffalo

1. Shop around and compare quotes

With insurance companies raising rates to combat Buffalo’s major risk factors, the best way to find the lowest rates for car insurance in WNY is to shop around.

Comparison shopping becomes easier if you work with an independent broker. Jerry compares auto insurance quotes from trusted Buffalo-area providers using a single driver profile, giving your insurance search more reach and a higher chance of success. Like most brokers, Jerry doesn’t charge broker fees—you’ll pay the same amount you would if you went directly to the insurance company.

2. Hunt for car insurance discounts

Every insurance company offers a set of discounts, but the exact discount offered varies by company. Some common discounts include:

• Good driver discounts. If you remain accident- and violation-free for a set number of years (typically three to five) you may qualify for a discounted rate from your insurer.
• Telematics discounts. Many companies offer easy-to-win discounts to drivers who use telematics to track their driving habits. You might even get a discount just for signing up!
• Good student discounts. Are you a full-time student in either high school or college? Do you have a B average or better? You probably qualify for a discount from your insurance company.
• Bundling discounts. Bundle your home and auto insurance (or auto and renters) with the same company, and you could get a discount on both policies.

3. Increase your deductible for comprehensive and collision coverage

If you’ve got full coverage car insurance, increasing your deductible is an easy way to keep your monthly expenses low without sacrificing coverage.

Sources

1. https://www.dfs.ny.gov/consumers/auto_insurance/minimum_auto_insurance_requirements ↩︎
2. https://www.dfs.ny.gov/apps_and_licensing/property_insurers/supp_spousal_liability_insurance ↩︎
3. https://www.buffalorising.com/2023/01/is-there-snow-in-buffalos-future/ ↩︎
4. https://nyskiblog.com/directory/weather-data/us/annual-snowfall-map/ ↩︎
5. https://www.wired.com/story/kia-hyundai-car-thefts-us-security-roundup/ ↩︎
6. https://www.nicb.org/news/news-releases/hot-spots-report-shows-vehicle-theft-rates-spiking-different-regions-us ↩︎
7. https://www.wkbw.com/news/local-news/the-follow-up/car-stolen-on-camera-as-buffalo-car-thefts-triple-in-a-year ↩︎
8. https://counciloncj.org/mid-year-2023-crime-trends/ ↩︎
9. https://www.wkbw.com/news/local-news/we-still-have-a-significant-problem-car-thefts-spike-in-november-after-trending-down-for-months ↩︎
10. https://consumerfed.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Official-CFA-Credit-Score_2023-FINAL-REPORT.pdf ↩︎

*Illustration only. For all the pricing information presented in this article (including various tables), please note that not all customers find savings and the information is for illustrative purposes only. Savings depend on type of car, location, policy features, driving history and other factors. Drivers who switch through Jerry save over $70/month on average.