Best car insurance companies in New York
Unfortunately, there is no one company with the best car insurance rates for every New York resident. Car insurance companies use a variety of algorithms to determine your rates, meaning that you will often see different quotes from different providers.
To help motorists find the best provider, Jerry conducted the largest insurance survey in the nation to learn more about insurance companies. We found that while many customers care about price, factors like claim handling and customer service also played a big part in people’s experiences.
In New York, large insurers like State Farm, Geico, Progressive, and Allstate, tend to be popular with city residents. The General is also a popular choice in the city, but let’s take a closer look at which other companies scored top marks for affordability and customer service.
| Insurance company | Monthly minimum coverage cost | Monthly full coverage cost | Cost rating | Overall Jerry rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clearcover | $41 | $108 | N/A | 4.6 |
| Kemper | $74 | $237 | 4.5 | 4.1 |
| State Auto | $88 | $137 | 4.3 | 4.4 |
| Travelers | $89 | $201 | 4.2 | 4.5 |
| National General | $97 | $311 | 4.7 | 4.8 |
How’d we get these scores?
Jerry’s experts conducted one of the largest car insurance surveys in the United States. We surveyed 15,000 policyholders, in all 50 states, over the span of 18 months. These policyholders hold insurance policies with 87 different insurance companies. We surveyed policyholders to gauge their satisfaction with their insurance carriers in: policy cost, customer service, buying and renewal experience, as well as claim experience. These scores were all reported by real customers of the insurance companies.
How to find the cheapest car insurance quotes in New York
New York City drivers pay an average of $261 per month for state minimum liability insurance coverage and $409 per month for full coverage insurance. That makes auto insurance in NYC a whopping 84% more expensive than the state average.
| Coverage type | New York, NY | New York | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| State minimum | $261 | $122 | $77 |
| Full coverage | $409 | $211 | $165 |
Still, the city average might not reflect your final insurance quote. Insurance rates are as unique as everyday drivers, which is why motorists in the city turn to Jerry to compare and buy car insurance efficiently.
Best cheap car insurance quotes in New York
NYC drivers are legally required to carry New York’s state minimum liability coverage, uninsured motorist coverage, and personal injury protection (PIP). New York’s 25/50/10 liability insurance requirements are a great place to start, but it’s a lot safer for you— and your wallet—to carry extra liability coverage.
Cheap minimum liability insurance quotes in New York
New York state law mandates that NYC drivers carry state minimum coverage before they can get behind the wheel. This coverage includes1:
- $10,000 per accident of property damage liability coverage
- $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident of bodily injury liability coverage
- $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident of bodily injury uninsured motorist coverage
- $50,000 of personal injury protection
Below, you’ll find some affordable state minimum insurance rates from top providers.
| Insurance company | Monthly minimum coverage cost |
|---|---|
| Clearcover | $41 |
| Kemper | $74 |
| State Auto | $88 |
Do you need more than minimum coverage in New York?
Compared to other states, New York’s state minimum requirements are relatively high. Despite this, it’s still a good idea to purchase additional protection before you hit the road.
For example, if you’re in an at-fault accident you might find that some of the resulting expenses are higher than your state minimum coverage levels. A totaled car, for example, could cost you $50,000 or more to replace.
In short: Consider adding more coverage to your liability limits, or upgrade to a full coverage policy for maximum protection.
A general rule that I recommend is to carry enough coverage to protect your current and future assets – at least $100,000/$300,000 of liability coverage is recommended, but you may need more coverage depending on your financial situation.
Cheap full coverage car insurance quotes in New York
NY’s state minimum requirements help cover the costs after an accident—but they don’t cover repair or replacement costs to your vehicle. The only way to make sure your property is covered is to purchase full coverage insurance.
With a full coverage policy, you’ll get collision coverage, which pays to repair or replace your vehicle after a collision with another vehicle or a stationary object. You’ll also get comprehensive coverage, which repairs or replaces your vehicle if it’s been damaged by something other than a collision, such as a natural disaster, vandalism, or theft.
If you have a car loan or lease, you’ll probably be required by your lender to purchase full coverage insurance.
Have a look at which providers offer some of the cheapest full coverage rates in NYC.
| Insurance company | Monthly full coverage cost |
|---|---|
| Clearcover | $108 |
| State Auto | $137 |
| Travelers | $201 |
Average cost of car insurance in New York
For state minimum liability insurance coverage, NYC drivers pay an average of $261 per month, or $3,134 per year. For full coverage, drivers in the city pay an average of $409 per month, or $4,908 per year.
A lot of different things can affect the average insurance rates in a particular area. In NYC, rates are particularly high for the following reasons:
- High risk of car theft and vandalism: Vehicle theft and vandalism are both glaring problems in the city. Since 2019, car theft has gone up by 191%, posing a huge risk to insurance companies offering comprehensive coverage.2
- Severe weather: New York City experiences all kinds of extreme weather. Not only does adverse weather create dangerous driving conditions, it damages your vehicle—and providers will charge more as a result.3
- Car accident data: In 2019, NYC saw over 134,000 car accidents and was ranked the fourth worst city for traffic nationwide. But it’s not only the high rate of accidents—distracted driving was also a main sore point among motorists in the city. Insurance providers will always take a city’s road safety into account when determining what drivers there will pay.45
- High state minimum requirements: New York has some of the highest state minimum car insurance rates in the United States, which makes costs higher compared to other states.6
- High population density: In 2022, it was estimated that over eight million people lived in NYC. High population density often means high vehicle density, which increases your chance of an accident and your car insurance rates.7
- Dangerous drivers8: Reckless driving, such as speeding or dangerous behavior on the road, was responsible for nearly one-third of crashes in 2021. The more reckless people are on the road, the more providers compensate by charging more.
Average cost of car insurance in New York by ZIP code
Your rates can vary from one ZIP code to the next, even if you’re in the same city. That’s because different ZIP codes can have different driving and crime risks, leading to varying risks for insurance companies.
Have a look below to see just how much insurance rates can change based on your location.
| ZIP codes | Monthly minimum coverage cost |
|---|---|
| 10271 | $92 |
| 10166 | $124 |
| 10111 | $129 |
| 10037 | $345 |
| 10040 | $357 |
| 10030 | $363 |
Car insurance quotes in New York by rating factors
Providers will use several different rating factors when determining your car insurance coverage, such as:
- Your driving history: Those with clean driving records typically pay far less for an auto insurance policy as they’re deemed safer motorists.
- Your demographics: Things like gender, age, and marital status all have an impact on your car insurance prices.
- Your mileage: When your annual mileage is high, you’ll often see higher insurance rates.
- Your location: If your ZIP code sees high theft or car accident rates, you’ll likely see higher rates.
- Your vehicle: High-performance, sport, and luxury vehicles are often more expensive to repair or replace, meaning they have greater insurance costs.
- Your credit score: If you have excellent credit, you’ll generally see lower rates from your insurance provider.
Cheap car insurance quotes in New York after driving violations
If you have a history of tickets and violations, your provider will often charge more for insurance. Some common driving violations that can increase your premiums include:
- DUIs
- Speeding
- Reckless driving
- At-fault accidents
Cheapest car insurance in New York after a speeding ticket
Not all speeding tickets are created equal. For example, driving 1-5 MPH over the limit will have different consequences than driving 21+ MPH over the limit.
Speeding is considered risky driving behavior, meaning insurers will charge more for your policy after a speeding ticket.
| Violation | Monthly coverage cost | Rate increase (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Speeding | $366 | 20% |
Cheapest car insurance in New York after DUI
Your rates can increase dramatically after a DUI violation. Have a look at the average rate increase in NY after a DUI charge.
| Violation | Monthly coverage cost | Rate increase (%) |
|---|---|---|
| DUI | $504 | 65% |
That said, it doesn’t have to be impossible to find an affordable car insurance policy. Rates change across various providers, so comparing quotes is the first step to finding affordable coverage after a DUI.
Cheapest car insurance in New York after an at-fault accident
Providers look at your claims history to assess potential risk—and after an at-fault accident, you’re considered a much riskier driver.
While New York is a no-fault state, drivers can still be held responsible for damages to another driver’s property. When this happens, you may see your insurance rates increase by as much as 15%.
| Driving record | Monthly coverage cost | Rate increase (%) |
|---|---|---|
| At-fault accident | $373 | 22% |
Cheapest car insurance in New York after other driving violations
Other types of violations, such as reckless driving or driving with a suspended license, can increase your car insurance rates as well.
| Violation | Monthly coverage cost | Rate increase (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Cell phone use | $393 | 29% |
| Driving with a suspended license | $380 | 25% |
| Not wearing a seat belt | $404 | 32% |
Cheap car insurance quotes in New York by age
If you’re under 25 or over the age of 70, you’ll see steeper rates. Between a teen driver’s inexperience on the road and an older driver’s susceptibility to severe injuries in the event of an accident, both groups tend to pay more than the average rates.
Cheapest car insurance in New York for young drivers
Car insurance for teens ages 16 to 19 is more expensive than coverage for any other age group. This is because teenagers are statistically more likely to get into an accident due to their lack of experience. This also means that when buying insurance for a young driver, it’s best to opt for a full coverage policy.
For many teens, it’s also practical to stay on their household policy, especially with how expensive it can be to get insured individually.
| Age | Monthly minimum coverage cost | Monthly full coverage cost |
|---|---|---|
| 18-21 | $908 | $1,200 |
Cheapest car insurance in New York for middle-aged drivers
As drivers gain more experience behind the wheel, their rates lower. Drivers 25-64 see some of the cheapest rates for all age demographics, with rates rising again after motorists turn 65+.
| Age | Monthly minimum coverage cost | Monthly full coverage cost |
|---|---|---|
| 22-25 | $695 | $477 |
| 26-34 | $286 | $423 |
| 35-44 | $272 | $389 |
| 45-54 | $265 | $367 |
While driver premiums are often lower than average for this age group, drivers can still achieve even cheaper costs by looking into car insurance discounts and bundling policies.
Cheapest car insurance in New York for senior drivers
Senior drivers will typically see higher rates as well. Adults aged 70 and up are statistically more likely to get into car accidents. Not only that, they can also sustain more serious injuries in the event of a crash, which leads to higher medical bills.
| Age | Monthly minimum coverage cost | Monthly full coverage cost |
|---|---|---|
| 55-64 | $238 | $332 |
| 65+ | $274 | $338 |
Cheap car insurance quotes in New York based on insurance history
If you have any lapses in coverage, insurance providers will view you as high-risk and charge steeper rates.
| Insurance history | Monthly coverage cost | Rate increase (%) |
|---|---|---|
| With coverage lapses | $436 | 43% |
Cheap car insurance quotes in New York for drivers with poor credit
Statistically speaking9, drivers with fair credit pay 49% more for car insurance than drivers with excellent credit. Drivers with poor credit, on the other hand, pay 115% more than drivers with excellent credit.
Have a look at how much your credit score can impact NYC insurance rates.
| Credit score | Monthly coverage cost |
|---|---|
| < 600 | $360 |
| 601-699 | $261 |
| 700+ | $193 |
Cheap car insurance quotes in New York for popular cars
Vehicles with high theft rates, poor safety ratings, or expensive repair and replacement costs will be more expensive to insure than lower-risk vehicles.
Some popular vehicles in New York City include:
- Nissan Rogue
- Honda CR-V
- Chevy Equinox
- Toyota RAV4
- Dodge RAM 1500
Have a look at how much it costs on average to insure one of these popular models in NYC.
| Vehicle type | Monthly minimum coverage cost |
|---|---|
| Nissan Rogue | $505 |
| Honda CR-V | $537 |
| Chevy Equinox | $238 |
| Toyota RAV4 | $368 |
| Dodge Ram 1500 | $223 |
Learn more: How to get car insurance before buying a car
How to lower car insurance costs in New York
1. Shop around and compare quotes
Because the rules for determining rates differ from company to company, the best way to find an affordable rate is to shop around. Experts recommend you shop for quotes from at least three different companies every six months.
With Jerry, this process is simple and easy. In a matter of minutes, Jerry collects quotes from a pool of top insurance providers to help you find the best rates available. Better still, Jerry provides these quotes for free!
2. Hunt for car insurance discounts
You’ll find discounts from most auto insurance providers, but the available options will differ across companies. Some of the more common options to ask your insurance provider about include:
- Good driver discounts: If you keep your driving record clean, many providers will give a discounted rate.
- Telematics discounts: Using telematics technology to track your driving habits can earn you a discount with many providers. Some companies will even give you a discount just for signing up!
- Good student discounts: If you’re a full-time student in high school or college your provider might offer a discount if you maintain a B average or better.
- Bundling discounts: Many providers will give you a discount if you bundle your home and auto insurance, or your auto and renters insurance.
3. Increase your deductible for comprehensive and collision coverage
If you have full coverage, you can lower your rate by raising your deductible. Just be sure that you can still afford to pay your deductible out-of-pocket in the event of an accident.
FAQ
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How much is car insurance in New York?
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Why is car insurance so expensive in New York?
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What car insurance is the cheapest in NY?
Sources
- https://www.dfs.ny.gov/consumers/auto_insurance/minimum_auto_insurance_requirements ↩︎
- https://nypost.com/2024/01/03/metro/car-thefts-surge-191-in-big-apple-since-2019-nypd-stats/ ↩︎
- https://www.nyc.gov/site/doh/health/health-topics/climate-change-and-public-health.page#:~:text=The%20weather%20in%20New%20York,of%20illness%2C%20injury%20or%20death ↩︎
- https://www.makeroadssafe.org/new-york-city-road-safety-overview/#:~:text=So%2C%20it’s%20not%20surprising%20to,for%20local%20and%20state%20lawmakers ↩︎
- https://jknylaw.com/new-york-car-accident-lawyer/statistics/#:~:text=As%20of%20October%202022%2C%20there,every%20single%20day%20that%20year ↩︎
- https://dmv.ny.gov/insurance/insurance-requirements ↩︎
- https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/newyorkcitynewyork/PST045223 ↩︎
- https://comptroller.nyc.gov/reports/danger-unabated/ ↩︎
- https://consumerfed.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Official-CFA-Credit-Score_2023-FINAL-REPORT.pdf ↩︎
Liz Jenson is an insurance writer who specializes in general automotive and insurance topics. Liz’s mission is to produce informative and useful content to help car owners make smart choices when buying cars and car insurance. Since joining Jerry in 2021, Liz has written nearly 4,000 long- and short-form articles on topics including state-specific insurance recommendations, common car insurance questions, and deep dives into vehicle model details. Before they came to Jerry, Liz was a full-time student at Indiana University, Bloomington working on a double major in English and French.
Maria is an insurance writer with over 10 years of experience as a professional writer. Prior to joining Jerry’s editorial team in 2023, she worked at various online publications like Nimble Media, Factinate.com, and served as editor-in-chief at The Medium. She holds a double major in English and Professional Writing and Communications.
As Vice President of Insurance Operations at Jerry, Josh Damico leads teams across product development, operations and carrier relations, integrating Jerry’s smart and fast car insurance customer experience with that of traditional carriers to help customers find savings and coverage. Josh’s nearly 20 years of insurance-industry experience and knowledge generate partnerships with more than 55 name-brand and specialty insurance partners that enable Jerry to serve customers with all types of vehicle and policy needs.
Previously, Josh held executive roles at Geico, where he had vast regional oversight and leadership opportunities. In his most recent role as director of sales, servicing, and underwriting, Josh developed and executed profit and growth strategy for the New England states and New Jersey.
Josh holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management from Medaille College.
*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.
