+120 more){kind=small}
J.J. Starr is an insurance and personal finance expert who has been writing for Compare.com since 2022. Her work has been published across the web, appearing on sites such as Insurify.
Prior to writing for Compare.com, J.J. was a registered banker and life insurance consultant, holding a Series 6, FINRA, and life insurance license. She also earned a master’s degree in writing from New York University.
J.J. has a passion for helping people save money by explaining complex topics like car insurance in a way that is simple and easy to understand.
){kind=small}
10+ years writing and editing insurance content
Published in Washington Post, LA Times, and more
Nick leads Compare.com's editorial team in creating helpful, easy-to-understand content about insurance and personal finance.
){kind=small}
25+ years teaching risk management and insurance
Managing director, Brantley Risk & Insurance Center
An Appalachian State Univ. professor, David teaches risk management/insurance. He's appeared in the NY Times, CNN, and more.
Updated
Erie offers the cheapest state-minimum coverage in New York City at an average of $130 per month.
Average car insurance rates in New York City are more than 25% higher than the statewide average.
A single speeding ticket raises average NYC car insurance premiums by about 20%.
About one-sixth of NYC lies within the present-day 100-year floodplain, exposing roughly 440,000 residents and $250 billion in property value to flooding.[1]
New York City drivers spend an average of $162 per month for state-minimum coverage and $203 for full coverage. That’s more than 50% higher than the New York state average.
Location makes a big difference. Bronx drivers pay an average of $305 per month, while drivers farther north, in Albany, pay an average of just $125. NYC’s population density (nearly 30,000 people per square mile),[2] number of car thefts, and general road conditions likely play a role.
Get personalized quotes from the city’s top insurance companies and save money today.
Erie has the cheapest average liability rate in New York City, at $130 per month, according to Compare.com data. USAA and Travelers offer the next-cheapest rates on average, at $137 and $159 per month, respectively.
This table highlights the cheapest liability-only car insurance rates in New York City, based on our research.
Company | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| Erie | $130 |
| USAA | $137 |
| Travelers | $159 |
| State Farm | $186 |
| GEICO | $212 |
| CSAA | $343 |
| Progressive | $348 |
| Chubb | $363 |
Erie offers the cheapest average full-coverage car insurance in New York City, at $170 per month.
Full coverage can be useful in NYC because comprehensive coverage can reimburse flood damage caused by hurricanes and nor’easters. City officials warn that vehicles are vulnerable in low-lying and frequently flooded areas.
The table below lists the cheapest full-coverage car insurance rates in New York City, according to Compare.com data.
Company | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| Erie | $170 |
| USAA | $177 |
| Travelers | $207 |
| State Farm | $242 |
| GEICO | $276 |
| Chubb | $472 |
| Progressive | $515 |
These insurers made our list based on their average New York City rates, Compare.com Ratings, and verified customer reviews. Several other insurers — including Nationwide, Progressive, and GEICO — may also be worth considering, depending on your coverage needs and eligibility, so use this as a helpful starting point when comparing car insurance in NYC.
| User Reviews | 4.2 |
|---|---|
| Our Rating Compare.com's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The objective formula used in these reviews weighs several important factors to consider when choosing financial products and services, including customer satisfaction ratings, ease of use, and a number of other components. | 4.2 /5 |
| Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $130/mo |
| Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $170/mo |
Erie Insurance's score | Industry average | |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage options | 4.1 | 3.2 |
| Customer service | 4.1 | 3.6 |
| Discounts | 3.6 | 2.9 |
| Policy transparency | 4.0 | 3.1 |
| Value | 4.0 | 2.9 |
JD Power ranks Erie first in New York for claims satisfaction and third for customer satisfaction.[3] And with Erie Auto Plus, drivers can access vanishing deductibles, extended rental car coverage, and a $10K death benefit.
NYC drivers who leave a vehicle unused for at least 90 consecutive days may also qualify for Erie’s reduced-usage discount.
Cheapest average rates for many NYC drivers
Additional coverage options with Erie Auto Plus
New and Better Car Protection unavailable in NY
Rate Lock excludes address and garage changes
| User Reviews | 4.0 |
|---|---|
| Our Rating Compare.com's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The objective formula used in these reviews weighs several important factors to consider when choosing financial products and services, including customer satisfaction ratings, ease of use, and a number of other components. | 4.7 /5 |
| Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $186/mo |
| Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $242/mo |
State Farm's score | Industry average | |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage options | 4.4 | 3.2 |
| Customer service | 4.5 | 3.6 |
| Discounts | 4.4 | 2.9 |
| Policy transparency | 4.3 | 3.1 |
| Value | 4.3 | 2.9 |
Customers appreciate the helpful agents and prompt claim handling, but many are unhappy with the constant rate increases, even for safe drivers. Some also reported poor customer service.
State Farm earns high satisfaction scores from JD Power and a perfect 5.0 Compare.com Rating. Local NYC agents help drivers personalize coverage options and save by leveraging discounts, including for completing an approved accident-prevention course and participating in Drive Safe & Save.
Policyholders rate the mobile app highly, as it allows them to access ID cards and manage policies.
Many local agent offices in NYC
16 car insurance discounts for NYC drivers
Not the cheapest average rates
No accident forgiveness available
| User Reviews | 4.3 |
|---|---|
| Our Rating Compare.com's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The objective formula used in these reviews weighs several important factors to consider when choosing financial products and services, including customer satisfaction ratings, ease of use, and a number of other components. | 4.5 /5 |
| Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $137/mo |
| Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $177/mo |
USAA's score | Industry average | |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage options | 4.9 | 3.2 |
| Customer service | 4.7 | 3.6 |
| Discounts | 4.9 | 2.9 |
| Policy transparency | 4.9 | 3.1 |
| Value | 4.9 | 2.9 |
Customers appreciate the prompt customer service and claims handling but are frustrated by the significant and frequent price increases.
NYC estimates that up to 200,000 veterans live in the city,[4] making USAA a great choice for this group. In addition to low rates, New York drivers get great discounts, like up to 30% at renewal with SafePilot, and additional savings on travel and hotels through the USAA Perks program.
Second-cheapest insurer across driver profiles
Extended gap insurance available for loanholders
No brick-and-mortar locations in NYC
Gap coverage not available for leaseholders
Our editorial team, composed of seasoned editors, insurance experts, and licensed agents, analyzed more than 50 of the state’s top insurers to select the best companies for various New York City drivers. We researched, analyzed, and weighed several categories important to New York City insurance shoppers, including average rates, local customer satisfaction ratings, coverage options, discount offerings, policy features, and more.
Our goal is to provide actionable advice and detailed, personalized analysis that helps New York City drivers find the best auto insurance policy for their unique needs.
New York City’s $182 per month clean-record average is about 50% higher than the statewide average, according to our research.
Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect to pay throughout the city, based on your driving record.
Driving Record | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| Clean driving record | $182 |
| Speeding ticket | $225 |
| At-fault accident | $260 |
| DWI | $344 |
These insurers offer the cheapest liability rates in NYC by driving history.
Cheapest car insurance for NYC drivers with a clean driving record: Erie
Cheapest car insurance for NYC drivers with a speeding ticket: Erie
Cheapest car insurance for NYC drivers with an at-fault accident: Erie
Cheapest car insurance for NYC drivers with a DWI: Erie
About 5.9% of NYC drivers report a ticket, 5.8% an accident, and 2.8% a driving while intoxicated (DWI) conviction, according to Compare.com’s database of millions of real car insurance quotes. Average premiums rise by an average of 20% after a ticket, 45% after an accident, and nearly 90% after a DWI.
No-fault coverage pays your medical expenses and lost wages regardless of fault. But insurers can still increase rates after at-fault accidents and tickets.
Compare quotes from New York City’s most affordable insurers, starting at an average of $170 per month.
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New York City recorded one of its safest years on record in 2025. Traffic deaths fell to 205, down 19% from the previous year.[5] Driver and passenger deaths decreased 40%, motorcyclist deaths decreased 32%, and pedestrian deaths decreased by 9% from the previous year.
Still, driver inattention or distraction remains an issue for New York City drivers. These two traits appeared at around 30% of locations in the NYC Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Q4 serious-injury analysis, more than any other recorded factor.[6] Failure to yield appeared at 16%, and unsafe speed at 12.3%. NYPD also recorded 13,520 auto thefts, down 5%.
NYC drivers with an accident pay an average of $260 per month, nearly 1.5 times the average premiums for clean-record drivers. That said, DWIs raise the average even more, to $344 per month.
Traffic patterns, such as heavy congestion, can increase the likelihood of accidents, which in turn increases insurance costs. NYC DOT reports severe congestion on the Cross Bronx Expressway, while the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway carries 130,000 vehicles daily, more than twice its designed capacity.[7]
NYC recently expanded its red-light camera program and now operates 24/7 speed cameras, which have dramatically reduced overnight and weekend crashes. NYPD policy also allows vehicle checkpoints for DWI and vehicle-safety checks.
Hopefully, this will lead to fewer accidents and claims, which could result in more affordable rates for insurance shoppers over time.
New York City drivers pay an average of $182 per month, about 50% more than the statewide average, according to Compare.com data. Part of the cost reflects New York’s insurance requirements, which include liability, no-fault, and uninsured motorist coverage.
Here’s how New York City’s average rates compare to the rest of the state, according to our data.
Location | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| New York City | $182 |
| All of New York state | $138 |
NYC drivers pay $182 per month on average, versus $199 in nearby Long Beach and $271 in Mount Vernon, according to data from Compare.com.
But remember that location matters, too. Differences in claim frequency and severity can inflate or reduce prices even between nearby neighborhoods.
The next table compares average rates across New York cities, according to our data.
City | Average Monthly Premium: Liability-Only | Average Monthly Premium: Full-Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Ithaca | $56 | $102 |
| Binghamton | $77 | $122 |
| Troy | $85 | $109 |
| Rochester | $89 | $126 |
| Schenectady | $93 | $118 |
| Utica | $96 | $154 |
| Syracuse | $97 | $139 |
| Albany | $104 | $146 |
| Poughkeepsie | $109 | $126 |
| White Plains | $115 | $157 |
| Niagara Falls | $120 | $131 |
| Middletown | $122 | $137 |
| Astoria | $140 | $209 |
| Buffalo | $148 | $176 |
| Newburgh | $149 | $197 |
| New York | $162 | $203 |
| Staten Island | $162 | $235 |
| Long Island City | $164 | $259 |
| Long Beach | $167 | $231 |
| Yonkers | $187 | $245 |
| Valley Stream | $212 | $227 |
| Mount Vernon | $214 | $328 |
| Brooklyn | $220 | $250 |
| Jamaica | $269 | $280 |
| Bronx | $273 | $336 |
We’ve answered the most common questions drivers in NYC ask about getting car insurance to help jump-start your search for lower rates.
Erie offers the cheapest liability car insurance on average in New York City, averaging $130 per month. USAA follows at $137 per month, according to Compare.com data.
Full-coverage car insurance in New York City averages $203 per month, according to Compare.com data. Erie is the cheapest insurer in NYC for full coverage, with an average full-coverage rate of $170 per month.
Not really. A $160 monthly premium is below New York City’s $182 overall average and $203 full-coverage average, according to our research.
For price, young NYC drivers should probably start with Erie, based on Compare.com’s analysis of average rates for young drivers. Full-coverage policies average $303 per month for teens. USAA, Travelers, and several other companies may also offer affordable premiums.
The simplest way to get the cheapest possible car insurance rates is to compare quotes from multiple New York insurers. Erie may boast the lowest average rates across the city, but it won’t be cheapest for every driver. Insurance comparison sites like Compare.com let shoppers compare real quotes from multiple top NYC insurance companies at once.
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.
J.J. Starr is an insurance and personal finance expert who has been writing for Compare.com since 2022. Her work has been published across the web, appearing on sites such as Insurify.
Prior to writing for Compare.com, J.J. was a registered banker and life insurance consultant, holding a Series 6, FINRA, and life insurance license. She also earned a master’s degree in writing from New York University.
J.J. has a passion for helping people save money by explaining complex topics like car insurance in a way that is simple and easy to understand.
10+ years writing and editing insurance content
Published in Washington Post, LA Times, and more
Nick leads Compare.com's editorial team in creating helpful, easy-to-understand content about insurance and personal finance.
25+ years teaching risk management and insurance
Managing director, Brantley Risk & Insurance Center
An Appalachian State Univ. professor, David teaches risk management/insurance. He's appeared in the NY Times, CNN, and more.
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.
While we make money through partnerships with some of the brands we discuss in our articles, our editorial team operates 100% independently, and these partners never influence or affect the topics, reviews, ratings, or recommendations we provide. We never guarantee favorable reviews or mentions in exchange for compensation from any brands or partners, and we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure our content is always independent, truthful, and unbiased.
