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Danny Smith is a licensed property and casualty insurance agent who has written for Compare.com since 2024. A former insurance editor, he specializes in auto, home, and pet insurance. He works to translate his insurance expertise into digestible, easy-to-understand content for drivers, homeowners, and pet owners alike.
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Lequita Westbrooks is an insurance editor at Compare.com. Her writing and editing experiences span several industries, including insurance, personal finance, higher education, and more. She excels at explaining complex topics like auto insurance in simple, easy-to-understand language and is passionate about helping readers save money. Lequita graduated from the University of South Florida, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in English.
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The average driver in New York pays $390 per month for car insurance, according to Compare.com data. That equates to an average of $339 per month for liability insurance and $441 for full coverage.
All drivers in New York must have car insurance, so it’s important to know what to look for in both a policy and an insurance company. This guide will explore the best and cheapest car insurance companies in New York for all types of drivers, as well as other ways to save in the Empire State.
CSAA is the cheapest car insurance company in New York, with an average monthly rate of only $109.
New York drivers must have liability insurance to legally operate a vehicle in the state.
CSAA is the cheapest car insurance company for senior drivers in New York, offering them an average rate of $97 per month.
The overall average cost of car insurance in New York is $390 per month, according to Compare.com data. But this is just an average — your exact car insurance premium will depend on your unique driving profile.
Check out the table below to see how New York’s car insurance rates compare to the national average.
State | Average Monthly Liability Premium | Average Monthly Full-Coverage Premium | Average Monthly Premium for All Policies |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $339 | $441 | $390 |
| National average | $107 | $197 | $152 |
Drivers in New York state pay an average of $339 per month for liability-only policies and $441 per month for full-coverage car insurance, according to our research. But again, these rates are merely averages — not the best indicator of what you can expect to pay.
Below, we’ll dive into what affects how much you pay for car insurance and how you can keep your rates affordable.
Compare personalized quotes from New York’s top insurers.
Although New York’s average rate is $390 per month, you can still find ways to save money on your car insurance policy. The best way to find affordable rates is to compare quotes from at least three companies before deciding on a policy.
We’ve uncovered the five cheapest insurance companies for New York drivers in the table below, using Compare.com data. Consider the following insurers when starting your car insurance search.
Company ▲▼ | Average Monthly Premium ▲▼ |
|---|---|
| CSAA | $109 |
| Liberty Mutual | $152 |
| Safeco | $168 |
| Progressive | $243 |
| Erie | $328 |
| USAA | $341 |
| Bristol West | $454 |
CSAA offers the cheapest average rates in New York, with an average monthly rate of only $109. That said, it may not be the cheapest car insurance company for you. Every insurer determines rates differently, so it’s a good idea to compare car insurance quotes from multiple companies before buying a policy.
Next, let’s take a look at which insurance companies stand out for different types of New York drivers.
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No single insurance company will be the best option for every driver. And the insurer with the cheapest price isn’t always the best choice. The right company for you depends on factors like your budget and specific insurance needs. Fortunately, you have a wide range of offers to choose from in New York to find the best car insurance rate for you.
We chose the following three insurance companies based on a combination of average rates, customer ratings and reviews, and available discounts and coverage options. Each insurer offers the best available car insurance in New York for a certain type of driver. Take a look at the best car insurance companies New York has to offer.
One of the cheapest average rates in New York
Highly rated roadside assistance
Must have AAA membership
Can’t buy a policy online
CSAA offers one of the cheapest car insurance policies in New York, according to our data. The insurer also earned a strong AM Best rating of A (Excellent), indicating good financial strength and ability to pay out claims. You’ll need to be a member of AAA to buy a policy, but membership starts at only $65 per year and comes with roadside assistance.
Cheap rates for New York seniors
Highly rated telematics program
Not many discounts are available
Higher-than-average number of complaints
Safeco is a great option for senior drivers in New York — it offers them some of the most affordable policies in the state. The insurer earned an A (Excellent) rating from AM Best, which shows good financial strength and a strong ability to pay claim settlements. It’s a good option for senior drivers, but it still has some poor customer reviews.
Offers numerous discounts and products
RightTrack program rewards safe drivers
Higher-than-average number of complaints
Not the cheapest insurer in New York
Liberty Mutual is a great insurance company for New York drivers looking to take advantage of car insurance discounts. It offers many, including multi-policy, multi-car, home insurance and auto insurance bundling, and paperless policy discounts. It also earned an A (Excellent) rating from AM Best. It may not be the cheapest option in New York, but it has its benefits.
Compare personalized quotes from New York’s cheapest companies.
Your coverage level has a major effect on your rates. The more coverage you have, the more expensive your rates will be. Liability-only insurance coverage at the state-minimum limits is the cheapest auto policy available, but it also leaves you vulnerable since it only covers medical bills and property damage of other drivers in an incident, not your own.
The chart below shows the cheapest companies for liability insurance in New York, according to Compare.com data.
Insurance agents typically advise purchasing more coverage because having only minimum coverage leaves you financially vulnerable. If you leased your car or took out a loan to buy it, your lender will likely require you to buy full coverage anyway.
Full-coverage car insurance typically refers to a policy that includes collision and comprehensive coverage in addition to liability insurance. Comprehensive insurance and collision coverage collectively pay for vehicle repairs or replacement after an accident or non-collision event, which makes it more expensive than a liability-only policy.
Full coverage is optional in New York, but if you lease or finance your car, your lender will likely require you to have it.
The table below highlights the cheapest car insurance companies in New York for full coverage, according to Compare.com data.
Insurance companies consider numerous factors when setting rates, including your age, driving record, credit history, and location, so it’s important to find the right company for you.
Let’s take a closer look at how each affects rates in New York.
Your age is one of the most important factors when it comes to your car insurance rates. Insurance companies see younger drivers with less experience as a greater risk than older drivers since they’re more likely to get into car accidents. But once you age and gain more driving experience, your rates typically start to decrease.
Check out the chart below to see how much different age groups pay for auto insurance in New York and the cheapest insurer for each group.
Age Group ▲▼ | Statewide Average Monthly Premium ▲▼ | Cheapest Insurer ▲▼ | Cheapest Insurer’s Average Monthly Premium ▲▼ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teens | $702 | CSAA | $181 |
| 40s | $402 | CSAA | $108 |
| 60s | $420 | CSAA | $97 |
Teens pay the highest car insurance rates by far since they’re more likely to speed and cause accidents. Young drivers have a fatal crash rate almost three times that of drivers older than 20 years of age, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The average teen driver in New York pays $702 per month for car insurance, but several companies offer rates much cheaper. Our research found that CSAA offers the cheapest car insurance rates for teens in New York, with an average premium of $181 per month.
As you get older, you’ll typically pay some of the cheapest car insurance rates. Senior drivers typically have plenty of experience behind the wheel, so insurers offer them lower rates. That said, rates increase again as you reach your 70s — when most drivers begin to experience age-related impairments that make them riskier to insure.
The average New York senior in their 60s pays a monthly rate of $420 for car insurance. But these drivers can find lower rates with CSAA. Its average premium for seniors is only $97 per month.
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Your driving record also affects your car insurance rates because it helps insurance companies understand how you drive. Drivers with clean driving records pay the cheapest rates, while people with infractions pay more.
For example, if you have multiple speeding tickets on your driving record, insurers consider you more likely than safe drivers to get into an accident and file a claim. To account for the increased risk, they’ll charge you higher premiums.
The table below shows how much drivers in New York pay for car insurance based on their driving records, as well as the cheapest insurance company for drivers with different infractions.
Driving Record ▲▼ | Statewide Average Monthly Premium ▲▼ | Cheapest Insurer ▲▼ | Cheapest Insurer’s Average Monthly Premium ▲▼ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clean record | $390 | CSAA | $109 |
| Speeding ticket | $434 | CSAA | $128 |
| At-fault accident | $453 | CSAA | $138 |
| DUI | $475 | CSAA | $139 |
Even just one speeding ticket causes average rates to increase by 27% nationwide, according to Compare.com data. Speeding indicates to insurers that you’re not a safe driver, so they increase your rates to account for the added risk.
Statewide, New York drivers pay an average of $434 per month for car insurance when they have at least one ticket. But CSAA is the cheapest company for drivers in New York with a speeding ticket, at $128 per month, according to our data.
Getting into an at-fault accident almost always results in a rate increase the next time your policy renews. The average amount an insurance company increases rates is 34% nationally, according to Compare.com data. An at-fault car accident shows insurers that you’re risky to insure and more likely to get into accidents in the future, so they increase your rates to account for the added risk.
New York drivers pay an average rate of $453 per month after an accident. We found that CSAA has the lowest average rate for New York drivers with an at-fault accident, at $138 per month.
If you’re caught driving under the influence (DUI), your rates will increase dramatically — more than they would after any other moving violation. It’s a serious offense, and insurance companies don’t want to be liable for someone who drinks and drives. Most charge exorbitant rates to account for the risk.
Rates go up by an average of 50% nationwide after one DUI, according to Compare.com data. That being said, though drivers in New York with a DUI pay a monthly rate of about $475, you don’t have to settle for high rates.CSAA offers rates as low as $139 per month for drivers with a DUI in New York.
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The Empire State requires drivers to have an active auto insurance policy to legally drive. The Department of Motor Vehicles requires you to have a policy with minimum bodily injury and property damage (BI/PD) coverage of 25/50/10, which means:
$25,000 for bodily injury and $50,000 for death per person
$50,000 for bodily injury and $100,000 for death per accident
$10,000 for property damage per accident
You must also purchase supplementary uninsured motorist coverage at the same limits listed above. And because New York doesn’t recognize out-of-state policies, you must buy a policy from an insurer licensed by the state.
You’ll face severe penalties if you drive without insurance or let someone else drive your car without it. Plus, you’ll lose your license and registration for at least one year if you have an accident without coverage. You may also have to pay a fine of up to $1,500 and an additional $750 penalty to get your license back.
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No matter where you’re from or what your driving history looks like, you deserve access to affordable quotes. Consider these tips if you’re looking to save on car insurance in New York:
Bundle your insurance policies: Many insurers offer discounts if you purchase multiple policies, such as bundling car insurance with homeowners or renters insurance.
Maintain a clean driving record: Avoid traffic violations and accidents to lower your insurance rates significantly. It may not happen overnight, but it’s worth it in the long run.
Enroll in a driver safety class: Defensive driving courses can improve your skills and qualify you for discounts with many insurance companies.
Raise your deductible: If you can afford a higher out-of-pocket cost when filing a claim, choose a higher deductible to get lower rates.
Compare quotes: Different companies may offer different discounts or rate structures. Shop for car insurance from multiple companies and compare quotes at least once a year to help find the best rates and save money.
Compare personalized quotes from the cheapest insurers in New York.
If you still have questions about buying car insurance in New York, check out these answers to some of the most commonly asked questions.
company in New York, with an average rate of only $109 per month, according to data from Compare.com.
The average cost of car insurance in New York is $390 per month, according to Compare.com data. Drivers pay an average of $339 per month for liability insurance and $441 per month for full coverage.
Yes, New York car insurance is relatively expensive. The average liability policy in the Empire State costs $47 more per month than the national average rate, according to Compare.com data.
No. New York state doesn’t require SR-22 certificates for high-risk drivers. But if you move to New York from a state that requires you to have an SR-22 certificate, you’ll need to file one in New York, too.
Sources:
New York State Department of Financial Services, “Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements,” accessed November 5, 2024.
J.D. Power, “2023 U.S. Auto Insurance Study,” accessed November 5, 2024.
Insurance Information Institute, “Auto insurance basics—understanding your coverage,” accessed November 5, 2024.
National Association of Insurance Commissioners, “National Complaint Index Report,” accessed November 5, 2024.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Risk Factors for Teen Drivers,” accessed November 5, 2024.
Data scientists at Compare.com analyzed more than 50 million real-time auto insurance quotes from more than 75 partner insurers in order to compile the rates and statistics seen in this article. Compare.com’s auto insurance data includes coverage analysis and details on drivers’ vehicles, driving records, insurance histories, and demographic information.
All the rates listed in this article have been collected from a combination of real Compare.com quotes and external insurance rate data gathered in collaboration with Quadrant Information Services. Compare.com uses these observations to provide readers with insights into how auto insurance companies determine their premiums.
Compare.com's #1 goal is to save you money. We publish resources that are based on hard-hitting data and years of industry experience to help you make more informed decisions with your wallet.
Learn more about us, our team, and what makes us tick.
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Danny Smith is a licensed property and casualty insurance agent who has written for Compare.com since 2024. A former insurance editor, he specializes in auto, home, and pet insurance. He works to translate his insurance expertise into digestible, easy-to-understand content for drivers, homeowners, and pet owners alike.
Lequita Westbrooks is an insurance editor at Compare.com. Her writing and editing experiences span several industries, including insurance, personal finance, higher education, and more. She excels at explaining complex topics like auto insurance in simple, easy-to-understand language and is passionate about helping readers save money. Lequita graduated from the University of South Florida, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in English.
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