Buffalo, NY Car Insurance

On average, Buffalo drivers pay a monthly average rate of around $168 for their car insurance. Check out our guide below to find out how much you'll pay.
Map of cities where drivers can find cheaper car insurance
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What rates can residents of Buffalo expect to pay for their car insurance? How do rates in Buffalo measure up compared to neighboring areas, including New York as a whole? Discover the factors that go into calculating the average cost in our writeups and charts below:

How much is car insurance in Buffalo?

Area Average Monthly Car Insurance Premium
Buffalo$168
NY$199
United States$81

Auto insurance coverage in Buffalo is about $31 cheaper than it is in the rest of New York.

Compared to the national average cost of auto coverage, Buffalo has higher rates. The cost of auto coverage in Buffalo is about $87 more expensive than the national average.

While these are the average costs to insure your vehicle in Buffalo, keep in mind that you could end up paying a different amount. There are a number of factors that determine how much insurance companies might charge you to insure your vehicle. Things like gender, vehicle make and model, driving record, age and, in some areas, credit score can all affect your policy's monthly price.

We've analyzed the average rate for Buffalo and broken down the different factors to help you understand what your policy's monthly premium will be. And if you're not sure if you're getting the cheapest rate for your area, simply enter your ZIP below and find out!


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Average Car Insurance Rates by Age

Age Range Average Premium
Under 18Not Enough Data
18-24$243
25-34$133
35-44$140
45-54$143
55-64$122
65+$90

The longer you've been behind the wheel, the more experienced of a driver you are. When it comes to car insurance bills, that experience can help put some change back into your pocket. As you can see, 18-24-year-olds pay two times as much as someone who is retirement aged.

As you get older, you can expect to see a drop in your monthly premium every 10 years. Buffalo drivers may see their rates creep back up a bit once they hit retirement.

Average Car Insurance Rates by Gender

Gender Average
Male$177
Female$151

On average, female drivers pay slightly less for car insurance than their male counterparts. In Buffalo, this difference shakes out to about $26 a month. As you can see in the chart above, car insurance for women in the area typically costs around $151 each month, while men pay $177 on average.

Average Auto Insurance Rates by Driving Record

Infractions Average Monthly Premium
1 Accident$188
Multiple Accidents$201
1 Ticket$160
Multiple Tickets$204

One of the key factors in determining your car insurance rates is your driving record. Drivers who avoid accidents and tickets will pay significantly lower rates than those with infractions. Drivers in Buffalo with a single accident on their record will usually see rates around $188 a month. In addition, drivers with one ticket can expect to pay around $160 a month on average.

When it comes to your monthly bill, accidents, tickets, and other driving infractions can really take a toll. So, if cheaper car insurance is important to you, keep your record clean and drive safe.

Average Insurance Rates by Vehicle

Vehicle Age Average Monthly Premium
Less Than 1 Year$146
2-3 Years$198
4-5 Years$193
6-7 Years$148
8-10 Years$160
11-14 Years$161
15 Years or Older$162

According to the first table above, the cheapest vehicles to insure in Buffalo are by and large trucks and vans, at $140 per month.

Car owners will see a monthly rate of about $177, while SUV owners typically pay around $154 per month.

In addition to vehicle type, you can also expect to see slightly different rates based on your vehicle's age. Generally, newer vehicles are going to be the most expensive to insure. However, if your car is about 5 years old, you can expect to see your rates start dropping back down. The most expensive vehicles to insure in Buffalo are vehicles four-to-five years old.

Average Car Insurance Rates by Relationship Status

Relationship Average Monthly Premium
Single (never married)$175
Married$120
Divorced$90
Widowed$79

Generally speaking, car insurance is slightly cheaper for married policyholders. This oftentimes is a result of owning multiple vehicles that are on the same policy, something some companies will reward with discounts.

At a national level, married drivers usually pay less than single drivers for auto insurance. This holds true for Buffalo as well, where the difference is around $55 a month.

Average Car Insurance Rates by Housing Situation

Housing Status Average Monthly Premium
Own$165
Rent$170
Live with parents$183

Another factor taken into consideration is your living situation. If you rent your home or apartment in Buffalo, expect to pay around $5 a month more than if you own property. But if you live with your parents, your rates will be significantly higher.

Depending on your insurance company, they may offer you a discount if you bundle your home or renters insurance with your auto policy.

Car Insurance Companies in Buffalo, NY

Car insurance rates are frequently changing, so it's in your best interest to understand which way your area is trending before picking an insurance policy.

The rates for auto insurance in Buffalo had been decreasing from 2017-2019, before leveling out in 2020. They dropped again recently, reaching a low of $142 in 2022.

How does Buffalo compare to neighboring areas?

Why are car insurance rates in Buffalo different from other areas?

There are a variety of factors car insurance companies will consider when choosing how much to charge for a monthly rate. Where you live will also have a significant impact on your personal policy. This may include things like:

  • Number of drivers in the region
  • Amount of off-street parking
  • Number of car accidents
  • Crime rates
  • Local regulations

You'll be hard pressed to change any of these factors yourself, but they're worth considering when thinking about the purchase of a new policy or a move. Different towns and cities will all have different average rates, so guides like these are a great place to get started.

How can I find the cheapest car insurance in Buffalo?

Arming yourself with information about the average costs for drivers in your area will better prepare you for the real deal. The only way to know for sure what your rate will be is by asking for a quote from car insurance companies.

Don't worry, Compare.com can handle all of this for you. Just punch in your ZIP Code below, answer a few questions on you and your car, and you'll be quickly comparing the cheapest quotes from a bulk of the car insurance companies offering auto coverage in Buffalo.


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Buffalo Insurance FAQs

What factors affect car insurance quotes in Buffalo?

The factors that car insurance companies take into account when calculating your monthly cost include things you can't control like your age and gender, but also factors like your driving record, address, credit score, marital status, as well as your vehicle's year and make and model.

Why is the cost of car insurance in Buffalo different from other neighboring cities?

Auto insurance companies consider regional factors, such as crime rates, parking situations, and local laws into account when calculating the monthly rate for coverage. Since these can all vary from city to city the rates you may see can differ from neighboring areas.

Which car insurance company will offer me the cheapest rate in Buffalo?

There isn't one company that can guarantee the cheapest rate to everybody, since the rates they charge for coverage are calculated based off of factors that can vary from person to person, such as vehicle make and model, driving record, and number of drivers on the policy. By using sites like Compare.com to compare multiple quotes simultaneously, you can rest assured that you're getting the best price available.

Do I need to change my insurance if I move to Buffalo?

Any time you experience a major life event, whether it's moving to a new area, getting married, finding a new job, or other notable events, it's always a good idea to re-evaluate your current insurance. Certain companies offer cheaper insurance in certain cities, so even if you were getting the cheapest rate at your old address, it doesn't mean it'll still be the cheapest at your new home. That's why it's always good to use services like Compare.com to compare quotes from dozens of companies side-by-side.

Do I need to wait for my policy to expire to switch to a different car insurance company?

No. In fact, you can swap companies at any point, regardless of how much time is left on your current coverage. So, whether you're moving to Buffalo or just curious about rates in your area, why not take 10 minutes to see if Compare.com can save you money?

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