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Finding affordable car insurance in Rochester, New York, can be challenging, but several companies offer competitive rates. The citywide average for car insurance is $120 per month, but many drivers can find lower rates by shopping around and comparing quotes.
Among the cheapest options, Erie, USAA, and Travelers consistently offer the lowest prices, according to our data. The most affordable liability-only rates come from Erie, at just $78 — making it a great choice for budget-conscious drivers.
While price is a key component, it’s important to consider personal factors like your driving history, vehicle type, and coverage needs when selecting a policy.[1]
In this guide, we’ll cover Rochester’s cheapest insurance companies for different driver profiles, how to choose the best company for your needs, and tips for saving on your premium.
Liability coverage in Rochester costs around $96 per month, while full coverage runs $144.
Drivers in New York must have liability insurance that meets the 25/50/10 state-mandated limits.
You can save on car insurance by comparing quotes, maintaining a clean driving record, and taking advantage of discounts like bundling or safe driver programs.[2]
Although Rochester’s average car insurance rates may seem high, several insurers offer policies well below the city’s average. Comparing personalized quotes is the easiest way to find the best rates for you, but the table below will get you started. It highlights the most affordable insurance companies in Rochester, according to Compare.com data.
Company  | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| Erie | $78 |
| USAA | $81 |
| Travelers | $95 |
| State Farm | $111 |
| Allstate | $117 |
| Nationwide | $119 |
| GEICO | $124 |
| Progressive | $214 |
| Chubb | $217 |
| Bristol West | $301 |
Erie offers the lowest average rates in Rochester, with an average monthly premium of $78. That said, rates can vary widely based on personal factors like driving history, location, and vehicle type.
Next, we’ll break down the cheapest options for different driver types, including teens, seniors, and drivers with traffic violations. Keep reading to find the best insurer for your needs and budget.
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The insurers listed above offer low rates on average, but your specific price depends on several personal factors, including age, driving history, and the type of coverage you choose.
The table below highlights the cheapest companies in Rochester for various driver profiles and coverage types, according to Compare.com data.
Driver/Coverage Type | Cheapest Insurer | Insurer’s Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|
| State-minimum coverage | Erie | $78 |
| Full coverage | Erie | $112 |
| Teens | Erie | $134 |
| Seniors | Erie | $53 |
| Drivers with a speeding ticket | Erie | $105 |
| Drivers with an at-fault accident | Erie | $108 |
| Drivers with a DUI | Erie | $126 |
| Drivers with excellent credit | Erie | $59 |
| Drivers with poor credit | Erie | $110 |
While these companies offer the lowest rates for different groups, the best insurer for you depends on your specific situation. In the next sections, we’ll break down the cheapest options for each driver type in more detail.
Basic liability coverage with the state’s minimum limits is the cheapest policy you can buy in New York, but it comes with drawbacks. New York’s state-minimum car insurance includes liability coverage for injuries and property damage, as well as uninsured motorist coverage and personal injury protection (PIP).[3]
These requirements help cover medical bills and damages if you cause an accident. That said, most experts recommend purchasing more than the minimum required coverage to ensure you’re fully protected if you’re in an accident.[4]
The average rate for state-minimum car insurance in Rochester is $96 per month, according to Compare.com data.
If you need basic coverage, the chart below highlights the five cheapest insurance companies in Rochester for state-minimum coverage, based on our data.
Company | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| Erie | $78 |
| USAA | $81 |
| Travelers | $95 |
| State Farm | $111 |
| Allstate | $117 |
| Nationwide | $119 |
| GEICO | $124 |
| Progressive | $214 |
| Chubb | $217 |
| Bristol West | $301 |
Most experts recommend considering full coverage because it provides additional protection beyond liability insurance. A full-coverage policy typically includes collision and comprehensive insurance in addition to liability insurance. These additional coverages help pay for repairs or replacement if an accident, theft, or natural disaster damages your car.
Plus, lenders and leasing companies often require full coverage if you finance or lease your vehicle.[5]
Our research found that the average Rochester driver pays around $144 per month for full coverage. That said, many insurers offer far lower average rates.
The chart below highlights the five cheapest insurance companies in Rochester for full coverage, according to Compare.com data.
Company | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| Erie | $112 |
| USAA | $116 |
| Travelers | $136 |
| State Farm | $160 |
| Allstate | $168 |
| Nationwide | $170 |
| CSAA | $174 |
| GEICO | $179 |
| Chubb | $310 |
| Progressive | $321 |
| Bristol West | $393 |
Teen drivers typically pay the highest car insurance rates of any age group due to their lack of driving experience. In fact, teens aged 16–19 are nearly three times as likely to have a fatal crash as drivers aged 20 and older, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).[6]
Our research found that nationwide, teen drivers pay nearly double what drivers in their 20s pay, making it crucial for young drivers to find affordable coverage.
The average cost for teen car insurance in Rochester is $189 per month, according to our data.
The chart below highlights the five cheapest insurance companies in Rochester for teen drivers, based on our research.
Company | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| Erie | $134 |
| USAA | $140 |
| Travelers | $186 |
| State Farm | $202 |
| GEICO | $207 |
| Allstate | $218 |
| Nationwide | $219 |
| Progressive | $337 |
| Chubb | $423 |
| Bristol West | $502 |
Senior drivers tend to pay lower rates than younger drivers because they have more experience behind the wheel and often drive fewer miles, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).[7] The average cost for senior car insurance in Rochester is $84 per month, according to our data. But savvy shoppers can still find ways to pay even less.
The chart below highlights the five cheapest insurance companies in Rochester for seniors, according to Compare.com data.
Company | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| Erie | $53 |
| USAA | $59 |
| Travelers | $68 |
| State Farm | $78 |
| Nationwide | $81 |
| Allstate | $85 |
| GEICO | $88 |
| Chubb | $146 |
| Progressive | $149 |
| Bristol West | $226 |
A speeding ticket can raise your car insurance rates significantly when your policy renews because insurers see speeding as an increased risk for accidents and claims.[8] Our research shows that a single ticket increases rates by an average of 28% nationwide.
The average rate for drivers with a recent ticket in Rochester is $126 per month, according to our data.
But the chart below highlights the five cheapest insurance companies in Rochester for drivers with a recent speeding ticket, according to Compare.com research.
Company | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| Erie | $105 |
| USAA | $107 |
| Travelers | $126 |
| State Farm | $144 |
| Allstate | $156 |
| Nationwide | $158 |
| GEICO | $165 |
| Progressive | $280 |
| Chubb | $282 |
| Bristol West | $387 |
Causing an accident can also lead to a sharp increase in your car insurance premiums. Our research shows that a single at-fault accident raises rates by an average of 33% nationwide.
The average rate for drivers with a recent accident in Rochester is $137 per month, according to Compare.com data. But you can still find plenty of ways to save — especially by choosing the right insurer.
The chart below highlights the five cheapest insurance companies in Rochester for drivers with an at-fault accident, based on our research.
Company | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| Erie | $108 |
| USAA | $113 |
| Travelers | $133 |
| State Farm | $153 |
| Allstate | $163 |
| Nationwide | $166 |
| GEICO | $168 |
| Chubb | $299 |
| Progressive | $306 |
| Bristol West | $412 |
A DWI conviction has the greatest effect on car insurance rates, as insurers consider it a serious risk factor that leads to more accidents and increased claims payouts. In fact, a single DWI conviction could lead to difficulties finding coverage altogether.[9] Our research shows that average rates increase by 59% nationwide after a DWI conviction.
The average rate for drivers with a DWI in Rochester is $169 per month, according to our research. But don’t worry — you’re not necessarily stuck paying sky-high rates.
The chart below highlights the five cheapest insurance companies in Rochester for drivers with a DWI, based on our data.
Company | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| Erie | $126 |
| USAA | $131 |
| Travelers | $154 |
| State Farm | $180 |
| Allstate | $190 |
| Nationwide | $193 |
| GEICO | $199 |
| Chubb | $352 |
| Progressive | $376 |
| Bristol West | $488 |
Some insurance companies use your credit history as a factor when determining rates. That’s because they believe your credit history is a good indicator of how you manage risks and that drivers with a poor credit history are riskier to insure.[10] Our research shows that, on average, drivers with poor credit pay 40% more than those with excellent credit scores.
The average rate for drivers with poor credit in Rochester is $109 per month, while people with excellent credit pay a much more affordable $80.
The chart below highlights the five cheapest insurance companies in Rochester for drivers with poor credit, according to our data.
Company | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| USAA | $94 |
| Erie | $110 |
| Travelers | $112 |
| Allstate | $137 |
| Nationwide | $140 |
| GEICO | $146 |
| State Farm | $153 |
| Progressive | $243 |
| Chubb | $335 |
| Bristol West | $353 |
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New York, like nearly every state, requires all drivers to have car insurance. To legally drive in the state, your policy must include at least the following minimum coverage amounts:[11]
Bodily injury liability per person: $25,000 for injuries and $50,000 for death
Bodily injury liability per accident: $50,000 for injuries and $100,000 for death
Property damage liability per accident: $10,000
Uninsured motorist bodily injury: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident
Personal injury protection (PIP): $50,000 per person
These coverage limits ensure financial protection in case of an accident but may not be enough to fully cover damages or injuries after a serious crash.
State-minimum insurance meets legal requirements, but it may not provide enough coverage in a serious accident. If damages exceed your policy limits, you could be responsible for paying the difference out of pocket.
If you lease or finance your vehicle, your lender will likely require full coverage, which includes collision and comprehensive insurance. Additionally, increasing your liability limits or adding optional coverages like underinsured motorist protection can help protect your finances.
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Many Rochester drivers have questions about car insurance rates, requirements, and finding the best coverage. Below are answers to some of the most common questions.
The cheapest car insurance company in Rochester is Erie, with an average liability-only rate of just $78 per month, according to Compare.com data.
The average car insurance premium in Rochester is $96 per month, while full coverage averages $144 per month, according to Compare.com data.
The best car insurance company in New York depends on what you’re looking for. J.D. Power ranks Travelers, State Farm, and NYCM as the top-rated insurers for customer satisfaction.[12] On the other hand, Erie, USAA, and Travelers offer the cheapest rates for many drivers, according to our research.
Yes, New York has some of the highest car insurance rates in the country, according to our research. This is due to factors like high population density,[13] frequent accidents,[14]and rising no-fault insurance fraud[15] — all of which increase overall costs.
New York law requires drivers to have at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability, $10,000 in property damage liability, $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in uninsured motorist bodily injury, and $50,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) coverage.
Our editorial team used highly trained generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist with the first draft of this article before multiple insurance experts — including at least one licensed agent — rigorously reviewed, fact-checked, and edited every word and data point you see here.
We research, write, edit, and review all content on Compare.com in accordance with our strict editorial standards to ensure accuracy, clarity, and helpfulness. Learn more about our editorial process here.
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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