The Cheapest Auto Insurance in Long Island in 2024

Drivers in Long Island pay an average of $408 per month for car insurance — much more than the statewide average of $170 per month, according to Compare.com data. The average Long Island driver pays $305 per month for liability coverage and $511 for full coverage.

Long Island is a densely populated place, and its heavy traffic contributes to its unusually high car insurance rates. This guide takes a look at the best and cheapest car insurance companies in Long Island for all kinds of drivers.

Key Takeaways:

• AAA is the cheapest car insurance company in Long Island, with average rates of $215 per month.
• Long Island drivers must have liability insurance to drive in the state.
• Safeco has the cheapest auto insurance policies for seniors in Long Island.

In This Article

• Average Price for Car Insurance in Long Island
• Cheapest Long Island Car Insurance Companies
• Best Long Island Car Insurance Companies of 2024
• Long Island Rate Breakdowns by Driver and Coverage Type
• New York Auto Insurance Requirements
• Frequently Asked Questions

How Much Is Car Insurance in Long Island?

The average cost of car insurance in Long Island is $408 per month, according to Compare.com data. Drivers pay $305 per month for liability-only policies and $511 per month for full-coverage car insurance.

Remember, these are just averages — your car insurance premium will depend on your driving history, location, and other factors. That’s why it’s so important to compare car insurance quotes from multiple companies before choosing an auto policy.

Below, we’ll highlight the top companies offering the cheapest car insurance in Long Island and how they differ.

Long Island’s Cheapest Car Insurance Companies

Even though the average car insurance rate in Long Island is $408 per month, you still have plenty of opportunities to save on your policy. Before buying a policy, make sure you compare quotes from multiple companies, understand available discounts, and find one that has the coverage you need.

The table below is a good place to start when looking for cheap car insurance companies. It highlights the three insurers with the cheapest average monthly premiums in Long Island, according to Compare.com data.

We found that the cheapest car insurance company in Long Island is AAA, with an average monthly premium of $215. That said, it might not be the company for you since insurance rates depend on many different factors.

Below, we’ll look at the top insurance companies based on the most significant rating factors.

Top 3 Best Long Island Insurance Companies of 2024

One insurance company won’t be the best auto insurer for everybody — and the company with the cheapest rates isn’t always the best option. The right insurer for you will depend on your coverage needs, budget, and numerous other factors. Fortunately, you have plenty of good coverage options to choose from in Long Island.

We chose the following three insurance companies based on a combination of average rates, available coverages, discounts, and customer ratings. Each insurer has the best car insurance in Long Island for a certain type of driver.

Best for Long Islanders on a budget: AAA

• Average premium: $215 per month
• Compare.com Rating: 4.28 out of 5

Pros:

• Some of the cheapest average rates in Long Island
• Excellent roadside assistance program

Cons:

• Must have a AAA membership
• Policies not available online

AAA has some of the cheapest car insurance rates in Long Island, according to Compare.com data. It also has an AM Best rating of A (Excellent), indicating reliable financial strength and the ability to pay claims consistently.

You need to be an existing AAA member to get a policy, though. Membership starts at $65 per year and includes roadside assistance.

Best for Long Island seniors: Safeco

• Average premium: $222 per month
• Compare.com Rating: 4.59 out of 5

Pros:

• Affordable rates for Long Island seniors
• Highly rated telematics program

Cons:

• Few available discounts
• More complaints than average

Safeco is one of the best insurance companies for senior drivers in Long Island, with average rates of $152 per month. It earned an A (Excellent) rating from AM Best, highlighting its financial strength and capability to pay claims.

But while it’s an affordable option for senior drivers, it does have numerous customer service complaints.

Best for discounts: Liberty Mutual

• Average premium: $298 per month
• Compare.com Rating: 4.62 out of 5

Pros:

• Plenty of discounts and insurance products
• RightTrack program rewards safe drivers

Cons:

• Higher-than-average number of complaints
• Not the cheapest insurer in Long Island

Liberty Mutual is one of the best car insurance companies for Long Island drivers looking for car insurance discounts. It offers a wide variety of discounts, such as multi-policy, multi-car, and paperless discounts. The insurance company also earned an A (Excellent) financial strength rating from AM Best.

Liberty Mutual has many benefits, but it may not be the cheapest option in Long Island. It also doesn’t have the most favorable customer satisfaction scores.

Cheapest Basic Liability Coverage: AAA

Your coverage level has a significant effect on your car insurance premium. The higher your coverage limits are, the higher your rates will be. Liability insurance coverage at the state-minimum limits is the cheapest policy available.

While liability-only policies are one of the most affordable options, they also leave you vulnerable — they cover only medical expenses and property damage of other drivers if you cause a car accident, not your own.

The table below breaks down the cheapest insurance companies for liability insurance in Long Island, according to Compare.com data.

AAA is the cheapest car insurance company in Long Island for liability insurance, with an average monthly rate of only $177, according to our research. If you want a policy with more thorough coverage, you should consider full coverage. We’ll cover this type of policy in more detail below.

Cheapest Full-Coverage Insurance: AAA

Full-coverage car insurance offers more protection than liability policies. In addition to liability insurance, it includes collision coverage and comprehensive coverage, which pay for vehicle repairs or replacement after an accident or non-collision incident. For that reason, it’s more expensive than liability coverage.

Generally, full-coverage car insurance is optional, but if you finance or lease your car, your lender will likely require you to buy it.

The table below highlights the cheapest car insurance companies in Long Island for full-coverage policies, according to our analysis.

AAA is the cheapest car insurance company in Long Island for full-coverage car insurance, with an average monthly premium of $251.

Compare Long Island Auto Insurance Rates by Age

Your age is one of the most important factors affecting your auto insurance rates. Insurers consider younger drivers more risky since they have less experience than older drivers and are more likely to get into car accidents. Thankfully, rates typically decrease as you age.

The table below highlights how much different age groups pay for car insurance in Long Island and the cheapest insurance company for each group, according to Compare.com data.

Below, we’ll discuss the average cost of car insurance for teens and seniors in Long Island.

Cheapest for Long Island teens: AAA

Car insurance is most expensive for teens because they’re the most likely age group to drive dangerously. In fact, young drivers have a fatal crash rate nearly three times as high as drivers above the age of 20, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The average Long Island teen pays $549 per month for car insurance coverage, but some insurance companies offer more affordable rates. AAA leads the pack for the cheapest average car insurance rates for teens in Long Island, at $376 per month, according to our data.

Cheapest for Long Island seniors: Safeco

As you age, you’ll likely see cheaper car insurance rates. Senior drivers tend to pay less because they have more driving experience and practice safer driving habits. Insurance companies consider seniors lower-risk and less likely to file a claim, so they offer older drivers more affordable auto insurance rates.

We found that the average cost of car insurance for senior drivers in Long Island is $228 per month. AAA offers the cheapest rates for drivers in their 60s, at $169 per month, but Safeco offers the cheapest rates for drivers in their 70s, at $190.

Compare Long Island Auto Insurance Rates by Driving Record

Your driving record has the most significant effect on your car insurance rates. It helps car insurance companies determine the type of driver you are — and people with clean driving records almost always pay the cheapest rates.

But if you have a recent driving infraction on your record, such as an at-fault accident, insurance companies will charge you higher premiums. An auto accident tells them you’re more likely to get into another accident and file a claim, so companies will charge you more to account for the increased risk.

The table below shows how much drivers in Long Island pay for car insurance based on their driving history, as well as the cheapest insurer for each type of driver, according to Compare.com data.

Let’s look at how different driving infractions affect your car insurance rates.

Cheapest insurer in Long Island after a ticket: AAA

Speeding and other traffic violations indicate to insurance companies that you’re a risky driver. This causes insurance companies to increase your rates to make up for extra risk. Even one speeding ticket increases average rates by 27% nationwide, according to Compare.com data.

Long Island drivers pay an average of $343 per month after a single speeding ticket, according to our research. But AAA has the lowest average premium for drivers in Long Island with speeding tickets, at $262 per month.

Cheapest insurer in Long Island after an accident: AAA

An at-fault accident almost always results in your insurance company increasing your premiums. Accidents tell insurance companies that you’re not a safe driver and are at increased risk of getting into further accidents, so they increase your rates to account for the risk. In fact, premiums increase by 34% nationally, according to Compare.com data.

The average for car insurance after an accident is $342 per month in Long Island, but AAA offers the cheapest average rate for Long Island drivers with an at-fault accident, at $278 per month.

Cheapest insurer in Long Island after a DUI: AAA

Driving under the influence (DUI) is a serious traffic violation that always leads to increased rates. It also typically leads to a license suspension, and in some cases, your insurer may even refuse to continue covering you. Insurance rates increase by an average of 50% nationally after a DUI, according to Compare.com data — more than any other infraction.

The average Long Island driver pays $403 per month after a DUI, but some insurers offer more affordable rates. Long Island drivers with a DUI can find the cheapest rates with AAA. Its average monthly premium is $318.

New York Auto Insurance Requirements

New York state law requires drivers to have a minimum amount of liability insurance before getting behind the wheel. Every driver in the Empire State must have at least the following car insurance coverage limits:

• $25,000 in bodily injury liability (BI) insurance per person and $50,000 for an injury that results in death
• $50,000 in BI insurance per accident and $100,000 for an injury that results in death
• $10,000 in property damage liability insurance per accident
• $25,000 in uninsured motorist (UM) coverage per person
• $50,000 in UM coverage per accident

You can learn more about New York’s auto insurance requirements on the New York Department of Financial Services website.

How to Get Cheaper Car Insurance in Long Island

You don’t have to settle for the first rate you see — after all, there are numerous ways to save money on car insurance. Take a look at the following tips on how to save on your auto premiums in Long Island.

• Take advantage of discounts. Just about every insurance company offers car insurance discounts. Ask your insurance agent which discounts you qualify for — adding even one to your policy could save you a lot of money.
• Bundle policies. Consider bundling home and auto insurance with the same insurer. Some companies offer hefty discounts for these packages.
• Increase your deductible. Consider raising your deductible if you can afford to — it can save you money on your premiums. But keep in mind that you’ll pay more money out of pocket if you file a claim.
• Compare car insurance quotes. Always compare quotes from multiple car insurance companies before choosing a policy. It’s one of the best ways to save money on your auto insurance.

Long Island Auto Insurance FAQs

If you still want to learn more about car insurance in Long Island, check out the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions below to find the best insurer.

Which company has the cheapest car insurance in Long Island?

AAA has the cheapest car insurance in Long Island, with an average rate of $215 per month, according to Compare.com data.

How much is car insurance in Long Island?

The average cost of car insurance in Long Island is $408 per month, according to Compare.com data. Drivers in Long Island pay an average of $305 per month for liability coverage and $511 per month for full coverage.

How much car insurance coverage does New York require?

New York drivers must buy $25,000 in bodily injury liability insurance per person, $50,000 in bodily injury liability per accident, and $10,000 in property damage liability per accident. They also must buy $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in uninsured motorist coverage.

What happens if you drive without insurance in Long Island?

Driving without insurance in Long Island can lead to various penalties. If you get into a crash without insurance, the DMV will suspend your license and registration for a year and may fine you up to $1,500. To get your license back, you’ll have to pay the DMV a $750 fee.

Why is car insurance so expensive in Long Island?

Car insurance is expensive in Long Island partly because of its population density and heavy traffic rates. This results in more frequent accidents and claims, so auto insurance companies charge higher rates to manage the risk.

Data Methodology:

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.

Sources:

1. AM Best, “AM Best Rating Services,” accessed August 12, 2024.
2. New York State Department of Financial Services, “Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements,” accessed August 12, 2024.
3. Insurance Information Institute, “Auto insurance basics—understanding your coverage,” accessed August 12, 2024.
4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Risk Factors for Teen Drivers,” accessed August 12, 2024.
5. New York DMV, “Auto Liability Insurance,” accessed August 12, 2024.