Best Cheap New York Car Insurance In (2022)

Find the best rates for car insurance in New York.

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Are you looking for the best car insurance in New York for both your car and your wallet? We’ve researched the best car insurance in the state and found that Progressive, USAA, and Geico are among the most affordable options. 

To find cheap car insurance in New York, we recommend comparing quotes from multiple providers so you can get the best coverage and rates. In addition to the insurance company you choose, factors such as your age, vehicle make and model, and driving history can affect your car insurance premium. The best car insurance in New York for your neighbor might not be best for you.

Use our tool to start comparing personalized car insurance quotes.

In this article:

What Is The Cheapest Car Insurance In New York?

According to our rate estimates for car insurance in New York, Progressive offers the cheapest full coverage rates for good drivers at $1,310 per year on average. USAA and Geico also offer affordable rates compared to the competition. 

What Is The Average Cost Of Car Insurance In New York?

According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), the average annual insurance rate in New York was $1,425 in 2018, which made it 35 percent more expensive than the national average.

Experts say car insurance in New York is expensive because the state has a high population density and relatively high median income. Below is a breakdown of average car insurance coverage costs for New York car insurance that year. These rates include both minimum liability insurance and full coverage policies.

*Most drivers carry liability coverage but not necessarily other types of auto insurance. Total average annual expenditure measures what New York drivers actually spent on auto insurance in 2018.

These rates are even higher in New York City, which is the most populated city in the nation. As a result, NYC auto insurance rates are also some of the highest among cities across the nation. In dense areas like New York City and Long Island drivers can pay as much as $4,000 or more for insurance per year.

Cheapest New York Car Insurance: Young Drivers

According to our rate estimates, a 24-year-old may pay 35 percent more for full coverage in New York than a 35-year-old. Here are the cheapest companies for young drivers with full coverage car insurance policies.

Cheapest New York Car Insurance: Speeding Tickets

Having a speeding ticket on your record can raise your car insurance quotes in New York. Here are the most affordable providers for cheap car insurance if you have a speeding ticket.

Cheapest New York Car Insurance: Recent Accidents

According to our estimates, having an accident on your record can raise your rates by about 30 percent. If you have an accident on your record, check out the providers below for cheaper car insurance in New York.

Cheapest New York Car Insurance: Bad Credit

Your credit score can really impact your rates for car insurance in New York. According to our estimates, having a fair score can increase your rates by 28 percent, while a poor score can increase your rates by a whopping 129 percent. 

Factors That Affect New York Car Insurance Quotes

When you’re shopping for cheap New York car insurance quotes, your rates probably won’t be the same as your friends or family members. That’s because the amount you pay for car insurance depends on many factors.

• Your age, gender, marital status, and other demographic factors
• Your driving record
• Vehicle’s year, make, and model
• Your credit score/insurance score
• Your location
• Annual mileage

How Much Is Full Coverage Car Insurance In NYC?

According to our rate estimates, full coverage car insurance in New York City is about $5,687 per year or $489 per month. This is over twice as expensive as the national average of $1,732 per year. Paying for car insurance is just one part of what makes living in NYC expensive.

5 Best New York Car Insurance Companies

With over 50 choices for your New York car insurance, it’s hard to know which company will provide you with the best coverage and cheapest car insurance rates. However, we recently researched many of the best car insurance companies across the nation. Let’s take a closer look at our top five picks.

*You may notice that some car insurance companies are listed above those with higher star ratings. This is because our ratings take into account nationwide factors, while our ranking for this article looks specifically at what insurance providers are best for car insurance in New York.

#1 Progressive Car Insurance

Progressive is our top pick for car insurance in New York for its low prices and variety of coverage options. The company is also known for providing affordable insurance for high-risk drivers. Getting a quote could be worth considering if you:

• Want large or small accident forgiveness
• Want access to insurance tools that could help you save money
• Have a history of high-risk driving behavior

Here are some of the coverage perks available with Progressive:

• Small accident forgiveness: Forgives claims that cost less than $500 for customers who’ve been with the company for over five years and claim-free for at least three
• Large accident forgiveness: Forgives accidents without a maximum cost limit
• Name Your Price^® tool: Matches you with Progressive policies that fit your budget
• Snapshot^® program: Operates through an app on your phone to monitor safe driving habits
• Deductible savings bank: $50 off your collision and comprehensive deductible for every claim-free period

Read more about the provider in our in-depth Progressive insurance review.

#2 Geico Car Insurance

Geico’s well-known slogan – “15 minutes could save you 15 percent or more on car insurance” – can prove true for New York drivers. In our research, we found that Geico car insurance rates are some of the lowest in the state.

In addition to saving drivers money, Geico provides 24/7 customer service through its smartphone app and website. This can be great for drivers in the Empire State who find themselves needing to file a claim or access their coverage on late nights or weekends.

In terms of coverage, Geico offers standard types of car insurance such as:

• Bodily injury and property damage liability
• Collision and comprehensive car insurance
• Uninsured and underinsured motorist protection
• Medical payments and personal injury protection
• Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP) insurance
• Rideshare insurance

Geico insurance policies come with benefits including emergency road services and rental car reimbursement. The company is also the leading insurance provider for mechanical breakdown insurance (MBI). This type of coverage is not an insurance policy. It’s closer to a basic car warranty that protects vital car parts in the event of a mechanical breakdown.

Geico also has a variety of discounts that could help the following drivers save money on the cost of Geico car insurance:

• Federal employees and members of select professional and alumni organizations
• Active-duty military and veterans
• Safe drivers and drivers of safe vehicles
• Homeowners with Geico home insurance
• And more

Geico has high ratings across the board from professional agencies. It maintains an A+ rating from the BBB and an A++ rating in financial strength from AM Best.

To learn more about the car insurance provider, check out our Geico review.

#3 USAA Insurance

USAA provides affordable car insurance in New York, and it can be a good idea to get a quote if you qualify. USAA is available to military members, veterans, and military family members. With USAA, you can get extra options like:

• Rideshare insurance: For drivers of Uber or Lyft
• Classic car insurance (through American Collectors): Best for drivers of classic, antique, exotic, and custom vehicles
• Gap insurance: Covers the difference between your loan and your car’s value in the event of a total loss

USAA frequently performs well on industry surveys by J.D. Power. It scored high marks on the following studies:

• 2021 U.S. Auto Insurance Study^SM
• 2021 U.S. Insurance Shopping Study^SM
• 2020 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study^SM

Overall, the vast majority of customers have positive experiences with USAA whether they are shopping for coverage, interacting with an agent, or filing a claim. USAA also has an A+ rating from the BBB and an A++ financial strength rating from AM Best.

To learn more about Allstate, read our complete USAA insurance review and check out some pros and cons of the provider below:

#4 Travelers Car Insurance

Travelers may not be as well known as the other names on this list, but the company is a big player in the car insurance industry. Like its competition, it has an A rating from the BBB and an A+ rating from AM Best.

J.D. Power reports low overall customer satisfaction with Travelers in regions like the Mid-Atlantic and Florida, but New York customers in the same study gave the provider a rating of 4.0 out of 5.0 – so it would seem that location is an important factor when going with this company.

Along with basic coverage, you can receive the following through Travelers:

• Roadside assistance
• Rental car reimbursement
• Gap insurance
• New car replacement
• Accident forgiveness

Quotes are available online and by phone, but Travelers primarily works through independent agents. That can be a perk for drivers who want to form a personal connection with one agent.

To learn more about the car insurance provider, check out our review of Travelers car insurance.

#5 State Farm Car Insurance

State Farm has been around since 1922. Today, the provider is a national leader for auto and other insurance needs, and its reputation speaks for itself.

For car insurance coverage, State Farm offers all basic types of coverage, plus rideshare insurance in most states. Although State Farm’s rates might not be as low as Progressive’s, the company has a wide variety of discounts available to customers and great perks. A well-designed mobile app provides 24/7 access to your policy.

State Farm has an A+ BBB rating and an A++ rating in financial strength from AM Best.

To learn more about the car insurance provider, check out our State Farm insurance review.

To see how your specific location in New York will compare to the state average, use the tool below.

New York State Minimum Coverage

New York and a handful of other states follow a no-fault system for car accidents. Essentially, this means that your insurance company covers your damages in the case of an auto accident, regardless of who is at fault. There are some exceptions in cases of serious injury, but for the most part, each driver’s insurance pays for their injuries and damages.

Because of the no-fault system and other laws in New York, drivers must carry liability, personal injury protection, and uninsured motorist coverage in the following amounts:

What If I Can’t Afford The New York Minimum Insurance?

Car insurance is required for all drivers in New York. If you’re caught driving without proof of insurance, you could face serious penalties like:

• Fines ranging from $150 to $1,500
• Vehicle impoundment
• Up to 15 days in jail
• Revoked license and registration
• $750 fee to get your license and registration reinstated

In addition, if your car is uninsured for more than 91 days, or if you are caught without insurance more than once in three years, your license and registration could be revoked without the option to pay to get them back. Instead, you would have to wait until the suspension period is over to get your license and registration back from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

What To Know About Driving In New York

Although population plays a major role in auto insurance rates, here are some other things that impact prices:

• Time in congested traffic: New York drivers may only average 11,871 miles on the road per year, but they spend an average of 92 hours in traffic per year. In fact, New Yorkers have the fourth-longest commute times in the country based on duration in hours.
• High accident rates: New York City drivers are 20 percent more likely to end up in an auto accident than the national average.
• Weather conditions: New York’s climate and average weather conditions play a major part in road conditions and, therefore, impact car insurance rates. It rains and snows often in New York, with an average of 121 days of precipitation per year, according to United States Climate Data.
• Road conditions: According to a study by TRIP, 46 percent of major locally and state-maintained roads in the New York/Newark/Jersey City area are in poor condition, and another 23 percent are in mediocre condition. These roads can cost drivers extra vehicle operating costs and higher insurance rates.

Non-Insured Motorist Penalties In New York

Due to New York’s no-fault laws, it’s illegal for New York residents to drive without insurance or even have somebody else operate their vehicle without insurance. Penalties for driving without New York auto insurance include:

• Revocation of your driver’s license and vehicle registration for at least one year
• A $750 civil penalty that must be paid to the DMV
• Traffic court fines of as much as $1,500

Final Thoughts On New York Car Insurance

Although the Empire State has some of the highest insurance rates in the country, safe drivers who are willing to shop around can obtain quotes that will help them get cheap car insurance in New York. We found that Progressive, USAA, and Geico are some of the cheapest options in the state. 

Enter your zip code in our tool below to start comparing auto insurance quotes.

FAQ: Car Insurance In New York

What is the average cost of car insurance in New York?

Per the NAIC, the average auto insurance policy expenditure in New York was $1,425 in 2018, much higher than the national average of $1,056. The Insurance Information Institute (III) ranks New York as one of the most expensive states for auto insurance.

Who has the lowest car insurance in New York?

Rate estimates our warranty experts obtained show that Progressive has some of the cheapest car insurance rates in the state at an average of $1,310 per year. In terms of average rates, Progressive came in at almost $1,000 less than other providers like Geico and USAA.

What kind of car insurance do I need in NYC?

New York drivers need bodily injury liability, personal property liability, uninsured motorist coverage, and personal injury protection. These requirements apply to the state of New York, including NYC.

How much is car insurance in New York per month?

According to our rate estimates, New York drivers pay about $337 per month for full coverage insurance. Your cost will depend on a variety of factors including your vehicle and location.

How much is car insurance in New York for new drivers?

Younger drivers or people without driving experience tend to pay more for insurance coverage regardless of location. Our estimates found that 24-year-old drivers in New York pay around $5,007 per year.

Methodology

In an effort to provide accurate and unbiased information to consumers, our expert review team collects data from dozens of auto insurance providers to formulate rankings of the best insurers. Companies receive a score in each of the following categories, as well as an overall weighted score out of 5.0 stars.

• Industry Standing: Insurers with strong financial ratings and customer-first business practices receive the highest scores in this category.
• Availability: We consider availability by state as well as exclusions for specific groups of drivers.
• Coverage: This rating is based on types of insurance available, maximum coverage limits, and add-on policies.
• Cost and Discounts: Our research team reviews auto insurance rate estimates generated by Quadrant Information Services for a variety of drivers in every state. Companies with lower prices and many car insurance discount opportunities receive the best scores.
• Customer Service: We comb through customer reviews and consumer feedback studies from experts like J.D. Power.
• Technology: Auto insurers with mobile apps, advanced online services and telematics are more likely to meet consumer needs.

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