Best Car Insurance in New York
Last Updated on June 2, 2023
New York is one of America’s top 10 most expensive states for car insurance. Auto insurance premiums in New York State are 11% higher, on average, than in the rest of the country. Fortunately, by shopping around and comparing providers, you can obtain the best car insurance rates in New York, whether you’re in Manhattan or on the shores of Lake Ontario.
Key Takeaways:
- New York is one of the top 10 most expensive states for car insurance in the U.S. The average auto insurance premiums in New York State are 11% higher than in the rest of the country. However, by comparing providers, one can obtain the best car insurance rates in the state.
- NY’s best auto insurance companies include USAA, GEICO, Allstate, State Farm, and New York Central Mutual. These companies are ranked based on their average annual premiums, customer service, and claims satisfaction.
- All vehicles registered with the New York Department of Motor Vehicles must maintain certain minimum car insurance requirements. These include bodily injury liability coverage, property damage liability coverage, uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage, and personal injury protection (PIP).
- If caught driving without insurance in New York, one’s license will be revoked for at least one year, and they will need to pay a fine of $150 to $1,500 or spend 15 days in jail. To reinstate the license after the revocation period, a civil penalty of $750 must be paid to the DMV.
- Top 10 Auto Insurance Companies in New York
- New York Insurance Requirements
- Driving Without Insurance in New York
- Cheapest Cars to Insure in New York
- Car Insurance in New York with DUI
- Car Insurance in New York with At-Fault Accidents
- Car Insurance in New York with Speeding Tickets
- Car Insurance in New York for Young Drivers
- Car Insurance in New York with Poor Credit
- SR-22 Insurance in New York
- Conclusion: How to Find the Best Auto Insurance in New York
Top 10 Auto Insurance Companies in New York
Some New York car insurance companies offer cheaper car insurance premiums, better customer service, and better claims satisfaction than others:
1) USAA
If you qualify for membership, then USAA offers the best combination of value and customer service in New York. With average car insurance premiums under $1,500 annually, USAA is known for providing strong customer service and claims satisfaction without breaking the bank.
| USAA | |
|---|---|
| Company Address | 9800 Fredericksburg Road San Antonio, TX 78288 |
| Phone Number | 1-210-531-USAA |
| Website URL | http://www.usaa.com/ |
2) GEICO
GEICO tends to be one of the cheapest car insurance providers in most states. The company is one of America’s largest and cheapest insurers. Today, GEICO offers low prices in New York, with drivers paying roughly $1,634 per year for New York auto insurance, on average.
| GEICO | |
|---|---|
| Company Address | 5260 Western Avenue Chevy Chase, MD 20815 |
| Phone Number | 1-800-861-8380 |
| Website URL | https://www.geico.com/ |
3) Allstate
Allstate is another large and well-known insurance company across the United States. Allstate offers cheap car insurance in New York relative to other providers, with drivers paying around $1,711 per year for full coverage car insurance.
| Allstate | |
|---|---|
| Company Address | 2775 Sanders Road Northbrook, IL 60062 |
| Phone Number | 1-800-255-7828 |
| Website URL | https://www.allstate.com/ |
4) State Farm
Like other large providers on this list, State Farm charges competitive insurance premiums across New York, competing with companies like GEICO, Allstate, and Travelers while charging premiums of around $1,853 per year.
| State Farm | |
|---|---|
| Company Address | 1 State Farm Plaza Bloomington, IL 61701 |
| Phone Number | 1-309-766-2311 |
| Website URL | https://www.statefarm.com/ |
5) New York Central Mutual
While most other companies on this list are available nationwide, New York Central Mutual (NYCM) is exclusively available in New York, where the company charges $1,798 per year, on average, for full coverage car insurance. Approximately 3% of drivers in New York are insured with NYCM.
| New York Central Mutual | |
|---|---|
| Company Address | 1899 Central Plaza E, Edmeston, NY 13335 |
| Phone Number | 1-800-234-6926 |
| Website URL | https://www.nycm.com/ |
6) Travelers
Travelers offers car insurance in all 50 states, and the company offers particularly good value in New York, where drivers pay roughly $1,932 per year for car insurance coverage.
| Travelers | |
|---|---|
| Company Address | 485 Lexington Ave 10th Fl New York, NY 10017 |
| Phone Number | 1-866-218-5589 |
| Website URL | https://www.travelers.com/ |
7) Progressive
Progressive is popular for drivers in urban and rural areas of New York, with drivers paying roughly $2,196 per year for car insurance, on average. Although not as cheap as the top-rated options on our list, Progressive is particularly affordable for drivers with an at-fault crash or DUI in New York.
| Progressive | |
|---|---|
| Company Address | 6300 Wilson Mills Road Mayfield Village, OH 44143 |
| Phone Number | 1-800-776-4737 |
| Website URL | https://www.progressive.com/ |
8) Liberty Mutual
Liberty Mutual has approximately 6% market share in New York, making them the fifth most popular insurance company in New York behind only GEICO (32%), Allstate (14%), State Farm (12%), and Progressive (11%). Liberty Mutual is rarely the cheapest insurance company in any state, although the company emphasizes strong customer service and claims satisfaction as its unique selling features. Liberty Mutual is available throughout New York.
| Liberty Mutual | |
|---|---|
| Company Address | 75 Berkeley Street Boston, MA 02116 |
| Phone Number | 1-888-398-8924 |
| Website URL | https://www.libertymutual.com/ |
9) MetLife
MetLife is an international insurance giant headquartered in New York, so it makes sense the company would offer strong insurance service in its own backyard. MetLife charges drivers in New York premiums of around $2,091 per year, on average. They’re relatively affordable while offering good customer service and claims satisfaction.
| MetLife | |
|---|---|
| Company Address | 200 Park Avenue New York City, NY 10166 |
| Phone Number | 1-800-638-5433 |
| Website URL | https://www.metlife.com/ |
10) The Hartford
The Hartford is frequently ranked among the best car insurance companies in the United States for claims satisfaction and customer service. In recent J.D. Power rankings, The Hartford is frequently within the top 3 insurance companies in many regions. The Hartford is popular with drivers across New York, offering competitive premiums of around $2,106 per year, on average.
| The Hartford | |
|---|---|
| Company Address | One Tower Square Hartford, CT 06183 |
| Phone Number | 1-800-413-8970 |
| Website URL | https://www.thehartford.com/ |
New York Insurance Requirements
All vehicles registered with the New York Department of Motor Vehicles must maintain certain minimum car insurance requirements, including:
- $25,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per person
- $50,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per accident
- $10,000 of property damage liability coverage per accident
- $25,000 of uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage per person and $50,000 per accident
- $50,000 of personal injury protection (PIP)
All numbers above are minimums. Many drivers in New York exceed these minimums for added protection.
New York is one of 12 states in America that uses a no-fault insurance system. Under this system, drivers make a claim through their own insurance company after an accident, regardless of fault. Your insurer covers your own bills. If the other driver was at-fault, then your insurer may negotiate with the at-fault driver’s insurance company for compensation.
Like other no-fault states, New York requires drivers to maintain personal injury protection (PIP). This unique insurance covers medical and rehabilitation expenses, lost wages, death benefits, and certain household expenses if injured in an accident.
Driving Without Insurance in New York
If you are caught driving without insurance in New York, then you will be penalized under Section 319 of the New York Vehicle and Traffic Code. You will receive a citation, and your license will be revoked for at least one year. You also need to pay a fine of $150 to $1,500 or spend 15 days in jail. To reinstate your license after the one-year revocation period, you need to pay a civil penalty of $750 to the DMV.
Overall, New York has some of the strictest penalties against uninsured drivers. The state also has one of the lowest rates of uninsured drivers in the United States. While other states charge a small fine for driving without insurance, New York takes away your license and fines you hundreds of dollars.
Cheapest Cars to Insure in New York
The cost of insurance can vary significantly depending on the make and model of the car. To help you make an informed decision when purchasing a car, we have compiled a list of the “Top 20 Cheapest Cars to Insure in New York”. This list includes the make and model of each car, its size, and the estimated annual and monthly cost of insuring it in New York. Please note that these costs are averages, and the actual cost may vary based on individual factors such as driving history, age, and location within New York.
| Make/Model | Vehicle Size | Annual Cost | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subaru Impreza | Compact | $1,692 | $141 |
| Volkswagen Jetta | Compact | $1,866 | $156 |
| Subaru Legacy | Midsize | $1,884 | $157 |
| Nissan Sentra | Compact | $1,896 | $158 |
| Toyota Corolla | Compact | $1,916 | $160 |
| Volkswagen Golf | Compact | $1,922 | $160 |
| Toyota Prius | Compact | $1,928 | $161 |
| Toyota Camry | Midsize | $1,944 | $162 |
| Mazda 3 | Compact | $1,960 | $163 |
| Kia K5 | Midsize | $1,970 | $164 |
| Chevrolet Malibu | Midsize | $1,988 | $166 |
| Chrysler 300 | Full-size | $1,994 | $166 |
| Honda Civic | Compact | $2,000 | $167 |
| Kia Forte | Compact | $2,004 | $167 |
| Mitsubishi Mirage G4 | Compact | $2,014 | $168 |
| Nissan Leaf | Compact | $2,060 | $172 |
| Honda Accord | Midsize | $2,062 | $172 |
| Toyota Crown | Midsize | $2,076 | $173 |
| Tesla Model 3 | Midsize | $2,090 | $174 |
| Volkswagen Arteon | Midsize | $2,144 | $179 |
Car Insurance in New York with DUI
Drivers in New York face different penalties for driving under the influence, ranging from a $1,000 fine to 5 years in prison. You face different penalties depending on your blood alcohol content (BAC) at the time of the conviction, the presence of drugs in your system, the number of previous convictions, and other factors.
You can expect to pay significantly higher rates for car insurance in New York after receiving a DUI. Fortunately, some companies treat DUIs less seriously than others, only raising rates by 40% compared to normal car insurance:
- Allstate: $1,298 per year
- GEICO: $1,341 per year
- New York Central Mutual: $1,349 per year
- Travelers: $1,612 per year
- Progressive: $1,633 per year
All rates above are based on minimum liability plans. These plans meet minimum New York car insurance requirements without protecting your own vehicle (say, with collision or comprehensive coverage).
Car Insurance in New York with At-Fault Accidents
New York is a no-fault state, although fault still matters after an accident. Based on your number of recent at-fault accidents, you will pay higher rates for car insurance than drivers with a clean record.
Fortunately, car insurance companies charge different rates for at-fault accidents, and some providers are less strict than others:
- GEICO: $1,123 per year
- New York Central Mutual: $1,231 per year
- Travelers: $1,310 per year
- Allstate: $1,326 per year
- Progressive: $1,498 per year
All prices above are based on minimum liability coverage with no collision or comprehensive coverage.
Car Insurance in New York with Speeding Tickets
Some car insurance companies ignore a single speeding ticket, especially if it’s a minor violation. Others take any excuse to charge higher rates, including one or more speeding tickets.
The best insurance companies in New York for drivers with one or more speeding tickets include:
- GEICO: $2,097 per year
- New York Central Mutual: $2,151 per year
- Allstate: $2,201 per year
- Travelers: $2,413 per year
- Progressive: $2,603 per year
The rates above are sample rates for full coverage car insurance (including collision and comprehensive coverage).
Car Insurance in New York for Young Drivers
Drivers in New York already pay costly rates for car insurance, and young drivers pay even higher-than-average rates for insurance. Fortunately, with some shopping around, young drivers in New York can pay low rates for car insurance regardless.
The best car insurance companies for young drivers in New York include:
- GEICO: $1,981 per year
- Allstate: $2,042 per year
- Travelers: $2,167 per year
- Progressive: $2,519 per year
- New York Central Mutual: $2,671 per year
The rates above are based on full coverage car insurance policies (including collision and comprehensive coverage) for a 25-year-old driver with a clean record. If you are younger or have violations on your record, then you’ll pay higher rates.
Car Insurance in New York with Poor Credit
Insurance companies in New York are allowed to use your credit score to determine car insurance premiums. Drivers with bad credit scores pay significantly higher car insurance premiums than drivers with average or good credit scores.
Fortunately, some car insurance companies care less about credit than others:
- GEICO: $2,058 per year
- Allstate: $3,323 per year
- New York Central Mutual: $3,436 per year
- Travelers: $3,561 per year
- Liberty Mutual: $3,801 per year
All estimates above are based on full coverage (including comprehensive and collision coverage) for an average driver.
SR-22 Insurance in New York
New York is one of the few states in America with no SR-22 or FR-44 insurance requirements. In other states, drivers may be required to obtain an SR-22 certificate to verify they meet the minimum required car insurance limits in the state.
Some drivers may need an SR-22 certificate after a DUI or multiple at-fault accidents within a short timeframe, for example. You can obtain SR-22 insurance through any major insurance provider.
Fortunately, none of these SR-22 rules apply to drivers in New York. High-risk drivers still pay higher rates for car insurance in New York, although they do not need to prove financial responsibility with an SR-22 or FR-44 certificate.
Suppose you are a high-risk driver that does not qualify for auto insurance on the regular marketplace. In that case, you might be able to find insurance through the New York Automobile Insurance Plan, which helps riskier drivers maintain legal insurance coverage.
Conclusion: How to Find the Best Auto Insurance in New York
Finding the best auto insurance in New York is easy. By comparing rates among major providers today, you can ensure you pay the best rates for car insurance, even in a relatively expensive state like New York. Request a quote from any of the providers listed above to obtain the best auto insurance in New York.
