The Cheapest Auto Insurance in New York in 2023

New York is among the most expensive states for auto insurance in the U.S., with the average driver paying $306 per month for coverage. The high rates can make the cheapest car insurance in New York hard to find — but that doesn’t mean you have to overpay.

Whether you’re a new or seasoned driver, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll uncover the reasons behind fluctuating premiums and give valuable tips to help you find the most affordable auto coverage without compromising quality.

Key Takeaways:

• NGM Insurance offers the cheapest auto insurance in New York, with average premiums of $85 per month.
• Plattsburgh has the lowest car insurance rates of any city in New York, at $67 per month.
• Out-of-state drivers with an SR-22 requirement must also file one in New York, but SR-22s aren’t required for residents.

New York’s Cheapest Car Insurance Companies

The average New York driver forks over $306 every month for car insurance. But you aren’t stuck with high rates — there are still ways to save if your car insurance premiums go up.

Let’s look at the average premiums from a few of the cheapest insurance companies in the Empire State.

NGM Insurance has the cheapest car insurance in New York. At $85 per month, its average rates are 53% lower than the next closest company. Despite NGM’s competitive rates, the amount you pay can vary quite a bit.

“It depends on the company and the type of driver it wants to insure,” says Marilyn Attia, founder of Ariston Brokerage Corp in Brooklyn, New York. “For example, if you’re under 25, have an accident or violation, and your credit score is less than good, your quote may come back extremely high even though the company is known for having great rates.”

Let’s examine how coverage level, age, driving history, and location affect the cheapest auto insurance companies for your situation.

The Average Cost of New York Car Insurance

The state’s population density (the number of people who live in a specific area, like a city or neighborhood) plays a role in insurance costs. Densely populated urban areas — such as New York City — often experience higher rates of accidents and theft, which drives up insurance costs.

The following table shows the average costs in New York state and how they compare to rates in neighboring states.

As you can see, the average monthly cost for car insurance in New York is $306, making it the most expensive state for auto coverage.

Insurance costs in the U.S. average $129, and even neighboring states are significantly lower. Vermont is the cheapest, with an average rate of $65 per month, while New Jersey is the most expensive, at $223.

Cheapest Car Insurance Rates for State-Minimum Insurance: NGM

Your car insurance coverage levels drive premiums up and down. Minimum coverage is often the cheapest, but it comes with fewer protections. For instance, liability insurance covers medical bills but doesn’t pay to repair your vehicle if it’s damaged in an accident.

Here are New York’s five cheapest companies for minimum liability coverage, sorted by their average premiums.

Rates can vary significantly from one insurer to the next. NGM Insurance is one of the best car insurance companies for minimum coverage, with costs $244 less per month than the state average. NGM offers flexible policy options and a lot of discounts to help keep costs down for New York drivers.

Cheapest Car Insurance Rates for Full-Coverage Insurance: NGM

Full coverage typically includes liability, comprehensive, and collision coverages. It covers your vehicle if you have an accident or “non-collision incident,” such as vandalism, theft, fire, or hitting an animal.

However, that added protection means it’s more expensive than simple liability coverage.

The following table shows the five cheapest companies in New York of full coverage, with the cheapest listed first.

New York drivers often find the best rates with NGM Insurance. At $108 per month, it’s the cheapest car insurance company for full coverage in the state. Policies include new-car replacement and original parts replacement, making NGM a great choice if you want enhanced coverage.

Comparing New York Auto Insurance Rates by Age

Age is a critical factor in New York auto insurance rates. Insurance companies consider age a reliable indicator of driving experience and its associated risk.

Younger drivers typically face higher premiums because they don’t have much driving history and are statistically more likely to cause a collision.

Let’s explore how rates vary for different age brackets and which insurer offers the best rates for each group.

Cheapest car insurance for New York teens: NGM

Young drivers are the most expensive to insure. “For teens to get cheaper insurance, they must be at least 19, be listed on their parents’ policy for at least six months, be licensed for a minimum of one year, and have a clean driving record,” says Attia.

Here’s a look at the cheapest New York insurers offering full coverage for young drivers, sorted by liability-only rates.

If you’re a parent of a young driver or a teen yourself, look at NGM Insurance for cheap full coverage in New York.

Keeping a teen on a parents’ policy can help drive costs down if you want to save even more. You can also lower your quote by asking about a good student discount.

Cheapest car insurance for New York seniors: NGM

Seniors tend to save the most on car insurance. In addition to typically driving less, older drivers have plenty of experience behind the wheel and cause fewer accidents.

Rates tend to remain low until around age 70, when the fatal accident rate starts to climb, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Let’s take a look at the cheapest insurers for seniors in New York. The table below is sorted by liability rates.

Based on average costs for 65-year-old drivers, NGM Insurance has the most competitive rates for liability-only and full-coverage car insurance. The company also offers auto insurance discounts for seniors, such as a loyalty discount and savings if you insure your car and home together.

Compare New York Auto Insurance Rates by Driving Record

Your driving record is one of the most significant factors that influence auto insurance rates. Different driving histories can result in different premiums.

In the following sections, you’ll see the cheapest car insurance companies for different driving records, including good drivers, drivers with a speeding ticket, those with an at-fault accident, and drivers with a DUI conviction.

Cheapest car insurance for good drivers in New York: NGM

Good drivers enjoy the best rates. A clean driving record, free from accidents or tickets, qualifies you for some of the lowest quotes and safe driver discounts.

You’ll see some of the best prices for New York drivers with a clean driving record in the table below.

NGM Insurance has the cheapest average rates for good drivers in New York, according to Compare.com data for drivers with no accidents or tickets. It charges an average of $62 per month for liability and $108 for full coverage.

NGM also offers accident forgiveness and discounts if you don’t have any violations, to help further cut costs.

Cheapest car insurance in New York after a ticket: NGM

A ticket can increase your car insurance quote by just a few bucks to 30% or more. It ultimately depends on the company and the circumstances leading up to your ticket.

The table below shows the cheapest companies in New York for drivers with a recent ticket on their record.

NGM Insurance is (yet again) the most affordable car insurance if you have a speeding ticket. Its average cost for drivers with a ticket is $79 per month for liability-only policies and $139 for full coverage.

If you’re looking to save even more, you may qualify for a discount by taking a defensive driver course.

Cheapest car insurance in New York after an accident: NGM

Accidents can make your car insurance quotes jump, especially if you’re at fault. Insurers will likely charge around 35% more after an accident, according to Compare.com data.

The table below shows the five companies offering the best policy rates for drivers with a recent accident in New York.

NGM Insurance has the most competitive prices for drivers with one at-fault accident, on average. However, Progressive and Travelers’ average rates are the same whether a driver has a clean record or a car accident.

But if you’re already with NGM, you may want to stick with it to avoid losing your loyalty discount. Instead, ask about enrolling in a defensive driving course to potentially reduce your ratesfurther.

Cheapest car insurance in New York after a DUI: NGM

“Getting a DUI will make getting insurance very difficult and expensive,” says Attia. “Your only option is the state’s assigned risk program.”

The New York Automobile Insurance Plan (NYAIP) connects you with car insurance coverage if you can’t find an insurer willing to offer you a policy.

But if you’re still looking for affordable coverage after a DUI, check out rates from the companies listed in the below table.

With the average cost of a liability policy at just $79 per month, NGM Insurance is your best bet for cheap car insurance after a DUI.

The Cheapest Cities for Car Insurance in New York

Citizens of New York already pay a lot for car insurance. Population density, traffic volume, crime, and the number of accidents influence car insurance premiums, and each factor can vary from one city or ZIP code to the next.

Here’s a look at how rates can swing high or low depending on your address. The table below shows the 10 cheapest cities for auto insurance in New York.

Cities in the northeast part of the state have the lowest costs, with Plattsburg among the cheapest cities for car insurance in New York. It’s no surprise, considering the northeastern areas have the lowest population density and low crime rates — especially when compared to New York City.

5 Ways to Get Cheap Car Insurance in New York

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:

• Bundle 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.
• Enroll in defensive driving courses: 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 in the event of an accident, select a higher deductible to get lower rates.
• Compare quotes: Different companies may offer different discounts or rate structures. Shop for car insurance at least once a year to help find the best rates and save money.

New York Auto Insurance Requirements

The Empire State requires drivers to carry auto insurance to legally operate a vehicle. 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

And because New York doesn’t recognize out-of-state policies, you must buy a policy from an insurer licensed by the state.

Penalties for driving without auto insurance in New York

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.

SR-22 auto insurance in New York

Most states require an SR-22 form as proof of insurance after a severe violation, such as multiple accidents or a DUI. New York is one of six states where it isn’t required.

However, it’s important to note that if you move to New York from a state that requires you to file an SR-22, you’ll have to file one in New York, as well.

New York Auto Insurance FAQs

Here are answers to some of the most common questions about auto insurance in New York.

Who is the cheapest auto insurance company in New York?

NGM Insurance is the cheapest auto insurance company in New York. Drivers pay an average monthly premium of $62 for liability-only coverage and $108 for full coverage.

How much is car insurance in New York?

The average monthly cost for car insurance in New York is $306. Rates are 137% higher than the national average, making it the most expensive state for auto coverage.

Which city has the cheapest car insurance in New York?

Plattsburgh has the cheapest cost of car insurance in New York, with an average liability premium of just $67 per month. Saratoga Springs and Liverpool also have average rates below $80 per month.

How much car insurance is required in New York?

New York requires drivers to have minimum liability coverage of $25,000 for bodily injury and $50,000 for death per person, as well as $50,000 for bodily injury and $100,000 for death per accident. Additionally, drivers must have $10,000 in property damage coverage.

What happens if you get caught driving without insurance in New York?

Driving without insurance in New York can result in severe penalties, including losing your license and registration for at least one year, paying fines up to $1,500, and an additional $750 penalty to reinstate your license.

Methodology

Data scientists at Compare.com analyzed more than 50 million real-time auto insurance rates from more than 75 partner insurance providers in order to compile the quotes 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 of the quotes listed in this article have been gathered 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 drivers with insight into how auto insurance companies determine their premiums.

Sources

1. U.S. Census Bureau, “Population Density of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico: 1910 to 2020,” Accessed July 8, 2023
2. Indiana University IU News Room, “SPEA study shows links between land use and violent crime rates,” Accessed July 8, 2023
3. Main Street America Insurance, “Protect your ride with quality coverage,” Accessed July 8, 2023
4. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, “Fatality Facts 2021, Older people,” Accessed July 8, 2023
5. New York State, “Shopping for Auto Insurance,” Accessed July 8, 2023
6. New York State Department of Health, “Table 2: Population, Land Area, and Population Density by County, New York State – 2018,” Accessed July 9, 2023
7. New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services, “County Crime Rates: 2021,” Accessed July 9, 2023
8. New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, “New York State Insurance Requirements,” Accessed July 9, 2023
9. New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, “Auto Liability Insurance,” Accessed July 9, 2023