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Professor of Risk Management
25+ years in insurance
Former commercial lines underwriter
Updated
The average cost of car insurance in Buffalo, New York, is $192 per month, according to Compare.com data. Fortunately, Buffalo is home to many insurers that offer rates well below the statewide average, with Erie, USAA, and Travelers offering the cheapest average rates.
This guide covers everything you need to know to get cheap car insurance in Buffalo, including how to save money and the best insurers for different types of drivers.
Buffalo drivers pay an average monthly rate of $165 for liability-only coverage and $219 for full coverage.
Erie offers the cheapest average rates in Buffalo, with an average monthly rate of $125.
Applying for discounts, keeping a clean driving record, and comparing quotes are the best ways to save money on car insurance.
Regardless of Buffalo’s average rates, you can still find plenty of ways to save on your policy. Several companies offer rates below the city’s average.
The table below highlights the cheapest car insurance companies in Buffalo, according to Compare.com data. This is a good place to start your car insurance search.
Company  | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| Erie | $125 |
| USAA | $130 |
| Travelers | $152 |
| State Farm | $178 |
| Allstate | $187 |
| Nationwide | $190 |
| GEICO | $199 |
| Chubb | $347 |
Erie is the cheapest company in Buffalo, with an average monthly rate of $125. But this is just an average, and different rating factors affect how much you’ll pay.
In the following sections, we break down the cheapest companies for various types of drivers and coverage types.
Compare personalized quotes from Buffalo’s top insurers.
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The insurance companies above are a great starting point for any driver looking for new coverage in Buffalo. But remember, your personal rates can vary drastically based on various factors.
Below, we break down the cheapest company and its average monthly premium for certain coverages, ages, driving records, and credit history, according to Compare.com data.
Driver/Coverage Type | Cheapest Insurer | Insurer’s Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|
| State-minimum coverage | Erie | $125 |
| Full coverage | Erie | $179 |
| Teens | Erie | $214 |
| Seniors | Erie | $85 |
| Drivers with a speeding ticket | Erie | $169 |
| Drivers with an at-fault accident | Erie | $173 |
| Drivers with a DUI | Erie | $202 |
| Drivers with excellent credit | Erie | $95 |
| Drivers with poor credit | Erie | $176 |
Below, you’ll find more detailed breakdowns of the best insurers for each type of coverage, driver type, and driving history.
The average cost of state-minimum car insurance coverage in Buffalo is $165, according to Compare.com data.
While liability coverage is all New York state requires for you to legally drive, most insurance experts recommend buying additional coverage. Liability coverage leaves you vulnerable to additional expenses that can add up very quickly, so, in most cases, it’s a good idea to purchase full coverage.
The chart below shows the five cheapest car insurance companies in Buffalo for state-minimum coverage, according to Compare.com data.
Company | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| Erie | $125 |
| USAA | $130 |
| Travelers | $152 |
| State Farm | $178 |
| Allstate | $187 |
| Nationwide | $190 |
| GEICO | $199 |
| Chubb | $347 |
Most drivers should buy full-coverage car insurance, as it offers much more protection than just liability coverage. Though full coverage is generally optional, if you lease or have a car loan, your lender will likely require you to purchase a full-coverage policy.
Full coverage includes state-minimum liability insurance, along with collision coverage and comprehensive coverage. Collision insurance covers accidents with other cars or objects, such as a tree, fence, or telephone pole. Comprehensive insurance covers non-collision incidents, such as vandalism, severe weather, or a falling tree branch.
The average monthly cost of full-coverage car insurance in Buffalo is $219. The chart below highlights the five cheapest car insurance companies in Buffalo for full coverage, according to Compare.com data.
Company | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| Erie | $179 |
| USAA | $186 |
| Travelers | $218 |
| State Farm | $255 |
| Allstate | $268 |
| Nationwide | $272 |
| CSAA | $279 |
| GEICO | $286 |
| Chubb | $496 |
Teens have some of the most expensive car insurance rates of any age group, both in Buffalo and across the country. This is due primarily to their lack of experience behind the wheel, which increases an insurer’s risk, so companies increase rates to account for the extra risk.
In fact, teen drivers are nearly four times as likely to get into a car accident than drivers age 20 and older, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).[1]
The average cost of car insurance for teen drivers in Buffalo is $303 per month, according to Compare.com data. The chart below showcases the five cheapest car insurance companies for teens in Buffalo.
Company | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| Erie | $214 |
| USAA | $225 |
| Travelers | $298 |
| State Farm | $324 |
| GEICO | $332 |
| Allstate | $348 |
| Nationwide | $349 |
| Chubb | $677 |
Senior drivers tend to enjoy some of the most affordable rates of any age group, primarily due to their experience behind the wheel. With decades of driving experience, seniors present a lower risk to insurers. Their premiums are almost always lower, provided they don’t have numerous infractions on their records.
The average cost of car insurance for senior drivers in Buffalo is $134 per month, according to Compare.com data. The chart below highlights the five cheapest car insurance companies for seniors in Buffalo.
Company | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| Erie | $85 |
| USAA | $95 |
| Travelers | $109 |
| State Farm | $125 |
| Nationwide | $130 |
| Allstate | $136 |
| GEICO | $142 |
| Chubb | $233 |
Drivers with clean driving records almost always pay the cheapest rates. If you get a ticket, you can expect to see your rates increase, as insurers consider you more likely to file a claim. In fact, our research shows that even a single speeding ticket causes average rates to increase by 28% nationwide.
The average rate for drivers with a recent ticket in Buffalo is $251 per month, according to Compare.com data. The chart below shows Buffalo’s five cheapest car insurance companies for drivers with a recent ticket.
Company | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| Erie | $169 |
| USAA | $172 |
| Travelers | $202 |
| State Farm | $231 |
| Allstate | $249 |
| Nationwide | $252 |
| GEICO | $266 |
| Chubb | $451 |
Causing a car accident can increase your car insurance rates by quite a bit, as it shows insurers that you’re more likely to file a claim in the future. Our research shows that an at-fault accident causes average rates to increase by 33% nationwide.
The average rate for drivers with an at-fault accident in Buffalo is $275 per month, according to Compare.com data. The chart below shows the cheapest companies for drivers with an at-fault accident in Buffalo.
Company | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| Erie | $173 |
| USAA | $181 |
| Travelers | $213 |
| State Farm | $245 |
| Allstate | $261 |
| Nationwide | $266 |
| GEICO | $270 |
| Chubb | $479 |
Driving under the influence (DUI) causes the highest increase in car insurance rates of any violation, as it’s by far the most dangerous. Our data shows that rates increase by an average of 59% nationwide for drivers after a DUI offense. Insurers take DUIs seriously, and some may even refuse to insure you.
The average cost of car insurance for drivers with a DUI conviction in Buffalo is $337 per month, according to Compare.com data. The chart below shows the cheapest car insurance companies for drivers with a DUI in Buffalo.
Company | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| Erie | $202 |
| USAA | $211 |
| Travelers | $247 |
| State Farm | $289 |
| Allstate | $303 |
| Nationwide | $308 |
| GEICO | $319 |
| Chubb | $563 |
Insurance companies even consider your credit history when determining your rates. Some insurers use your credit-based insurance score to determine how well you manage risk and debt.[2] Drivers with low credit pay an average of 40% more for car insurance than drivers with excellent credit, according to Compare.com data.
The average rate for Buffalo drivers with bad credit is $218 per month, according to Compare.com data. The chart below shows the five cheapest car insurance companies in Buffalo for drivers with bad credit.
Company | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| Erie | $202 |
| USAA | $211 |
| Travelers | $247 |
| State Farm | $289 |
| Allstate | $303 |
| Nationwide | $308 |
| GEICO | $319 |
| Chubb | $563 |
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Like nearly every U.S. state, New York requires all drivers to have car insurance. The Empire State’s minimum requirements are:
$25,000 in bodily injury liability and $50,000 for death per person
$50,000 in bodily injury coverage and $100,000 for death per person
$10,000 in property damage liability per accident
You must have these coverages as long as you have a valid registration — even if you don’t drive your vehicle. New York doesn’t accept out-of-state car insurance, so drivers must purchase coverage through an insurer licensed by the New York State Department of Financial Services and certified by the New York State DMV.[3]
While Buffalo’s minimum coverage meets its requirements, most insurance experts recommend buying additional coverage above the state’s minimum limits. Experts typically recommend a full-coverage policy, which includes liability insurance along with collision and comprehensive coverage for the greatest protection. Lenders generally require drivers who lease or finance their cars to purchase full coverage.
Compare personalized quotes and get cheaper rates in minutes.
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Take a look at these answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about Buffalo auto insurance to make sure you buy the right policy for your needs.
Erie is the cheapest auto insurance company in Buffalo, with an average liability rate of $125 per month, according to Compare.com data.
Car insurance in Buffalo costs an average of $192 per month, according to Compare.com data. Buffalo drivers pay an average of 125 per month for liability coverage and $179 for full coverage.
The best car insurance company in Buffalo, New York, is CSAA, according to our research. The insurer offers affordable monthly rates, above-average claims satisfaction, and numerous discounts. But your driving profile is unique, and other insurers may offer you better rates. Always compare car insurance quotes from multiple insurers before buying a policy.
With insurance costs nationwide averaging $136 per month, $200 per month is higher than average. Whether $200 per month is a lot for car insurance in New York depends on where you live in the state. For example, average rates in Buffalo are $192 per month. Shopping around and comparing rates is the best way to get the cheapest coverage.
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.
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Compare.com's #1 goal is to save you money. We publish resources that are based on hard-hitting data and years of industry experience to help you make more informed decisions with your wallet.
Learn more about us, our team, and what makes us tick.
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Professor of Risk Management
25+ years in insurance
Former commercial lines underwriter
At Compare.com, it’s our mission to give you the tools to find the best (and most affordable) insurance for your unique needs and budget. We strive to provide information that’s helpful, clear, and unbiased, and we believe that comparing insurance companies should never put you at risk of spam. Our editorial team — which is made up of experienced writers, editors, insurance agents, and data analysts — has spent thousands of hours researching and creating the coverage overviews, side-by-side comparisons, and detailed reviews you see across our site.
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