Best car insurance in Albany, NY (2024)

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Gianetta PalmerContributing WriterGianetta Palmer is a contributing writer at Policygenius, where she covers life insurance, home insurance, and auto insurance. Her writing has also appeared in TIME, Readers Digest, Healthline, and elsewhere.&Andrew HurstSenior Editor & Licensed Auto Insurance ExpertAndrew Hurst is a senior editor and a licensed auto insurance expert at Policygenius. His work has also been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, USA Today, NPR, Mic, Insurance Business Magazine, ValuePenguin, and Property Casualty 360.

Edited by

Anna SwartzAnna SwartzSenior Managing Editor & Auto Insurance ExpertAnna Swartz is a senior managing editor and auto insurance expert at Policygenius, where she oversees our car insurance coverage. Previously, she was a senior staff writer at Mic.com, as well as an associate writer at The Dodo.
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Reviewed by

Maria FilindrasMaria FilindrasFinancial AdvisorMaria Filindras is a financial advisor, a licensed Life & Health insurance agent in California, and a member of the Financial Review Council at Policygenius.

Updated|3 min read

Expert reviewedExpert reviewedThis article has been reviewed by a member of ourFinancial Review Council to ensure all sources, statistics, and claims meet the highest standard for accurate and unbiased advice.Learn more about oureditorial review process.

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The average rate for full coverage car insurance in Albany is $1,503 per year. That's $545 cheaper per year than the statewide average annual cost in New York, which is $2,048.

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The best way to save even more money on your car insurance is by comparing rates between top insurers in the Albany area. Policygenius can help you see quotes from top carriers so you can choose the coverage that works best for you.

Key Takeaways

  • NYCM has the lowest average rates at $762 per year for full coverage

  • On average, GEICO has the cheapest car insurance for Albany drivers who have bad credit

  • The minimum liability car insurance requirements in New York are $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability and $10,000 in property damage liability per accident

Methodology & why you can trust our rates

Policygenius has analyzed car insurance rates provided by Quadrant Information Services for every ZIP code in all 50 states plus Washington, D.C. For full coverage policies, the following coverage limits were used:

  • Bodily injury liability: $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident

  • Property damage liability: $50,000

  • Uninsured/underinsured motorist: $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident

  • Comprehensive: $500 deductible

  • Collision: $500 deductible

In some cases, additional coverages were added where required by state or insurer.

Rates for overall average rate, rates by ZIP code, and cheapest companies determined using averages for single drivers ages 30, 35, and 45. Our sample vehicle was a 2017 Toyota Camry LE driven 10,000 miles/year.

Rates for driving violations and “Poor” credit determined using average rates for a single male 30-year-old driver with a credit score under 578.

Some carriers may be represented by affiliates or subsidiaries. Rates provided are a sample of costs. Your actual quotes may differ.

Cheapest car insurance companies in Albany, NY

Car insurance premiums are determined by many factors, such as your age, driving record, and credit score. The car you drive and your daily commute impacts rates, too, because the more you drive, the more likely you are to be in an accident.

Below are the cheapest car insurance rates by company in Albany.

Company

Average cost

JD Power Rating

New York Central Mutual

$762

--

Progressive

$860

861

Kemper

$871

798

Main Street America

$937

--

GEICO

$1,037

874

Cheapest car insurance rates by ZIP code in Albany, NY

Did you know drivers in North Albany pay different car insurance rates than those in the Cherry Hills neighborhood? No two neighborhoods are the same, and that’s why your ZIP code is one of the biggest factors in determining insurance rates. 

Below are the average rates for ZIP codes across Albany.

ZIP code

Average cost

12205

$1,461

12211

$1,462

12203

$1,472

12208

$1,484

12209

$1,490

12226

$1,490

12223

$1,510

12207

$1,511

12260

$1,516

12210

$1,523

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Choosing the right car insurance company in Albany, NY

It can be hard to find the right coverage when so many factors determine the price of car insurance. It’s important to consider not only cost, but also coverage options, customer service and claims satisfaction.

Our insurance experts here at Policygenius can help you compare quotes from top providers and find the best coverage at the right price.

Car insurance rates for drivers with driving violations in Albany, NY

A single speeding ticket might not seem like a big deal, but with some companies, your rates could increase by several hundred dollars after just one violation. Many states have a points system to track drivers. Too many points in a specific time frame could lead to increased insurance rates as well as suspension of your license.

Below are the average car insurance rates for drivers in Albany with a ticket or other moving violations on their driving record.

Violation

New York Central Mutual

Progressive

Kemper

Main Street America

GEICO

At-fault accident

$1,034

$1,442

$1,307

$1,284

$1,659

DUI

$1,273

$950

$1,281

$1,245

$3,103

Suspended license

$1,273

$1,306

$1,281

$1,245

$2,190

Open container

$802

$934

$1,176

$1,245

$1,129

Expired registration

$802

$934

$1,176

$1,053

$1,025

Driving without lights

$802

$934

$1,176

$1,053

$1,129

Running a red light

$802

$934

$1,176

$1,053

$1,129

Following too closely

$802

$934

$1,176

$1,053

$1,129

Hit and run

$1,273

$1,306

$1,281

$1,245

$3,103

Not-at-fault accident

$802

$909

$923

$1,013

$1,076

Passing a school bus

$802

$934

$1,176

$1,245

$1,129

Reckless driving

$1,162

$1,306

$1,281

$1,245

$2,190

Speeding

$1,034

$1,083

$1,281

$1,245

$1,659

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Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI in Albany, NY

Company

Rates for drivers with DUIs

Progressive

$950

Main Street America

$1,245

New York Central Mutual

$1,273

Kemper

$1,281

GEICO

$3,103

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket in Albany, NY

Company

Rates for drivers with speeding tickets

New York Central Mutual

$1,034

Progressive

$1,083

Main Street America

$1,245

Kemper

$1,281

GEICO

$1,659

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with bad credit in Albany, NY

Your credit score impacts the interest you pay on credit cards, your ability to get a mortgage, and the price you pay for car insurance. Drivers with bad credit can expect to pay hundreds or even thousands more for their car insurance, but some companies offer cheaper rates to drivers with poor credit.

Below are the cheapest rates in Albany for drivers with bad credit.

Company

Rates for drivers with bad credit

GEICO

$1,309

Utica National

$1,662

New York Central Mutual

$1,821

Preferred Mutual

$1,999

USAA

$2,168

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Buying car insurance in Albany, NY

To be legally insured in the state of New York, drivers must have the following minimum liability insurance requirements:

  • $10,000 for property damage for a single accident

  • $25,000 for bodily injury and $50,000 for death for a person involved in an accident

  • $50,000 for bodily injury and $100,000 for death for two or more people in an accident

  • Have continuous coverage on a vehicle even if it is inoperable or not being driven.

  • The insurance must be issued by a company licensed by the New York State Department of Financial Services and certified by the NY State DMV.

New York is a no-fault state, which means that your insurance carrier will pay your medical bills whether you caused the accident or not. No-fault insurance only covers bodily injury and does not pay for auto body repair to your or another party’s damaged vehicle or personal property. 

To help protect yourself against the out-of-pocket expenses associated with an accident, there are additional coverages available:

  • Collision: This coverage helps pay for the cost of repairs to your vehicle if it’s hit by another vehicle or if you collide with a stationary object, like a telephone pole

  • Comprehensive: This coverage typically covers damage from events such as fire, vandalism, weather, and falling objects

The easiest way to save money on the minimum insurance requirements in New York is by comparing quotes from top companies.

How to get cheap car insurance in Albany, NY

Car insurance can be expensive in Albany, but there are discounts available:

  • Bundling - Bundling your car and home insurance is a great way to save money on your premiums.

  • Safe driver discount - Many companies offer a safe driver discount, so obey posted speed limit signs and avoid getting tickets.

  • Good student discount - Many companies offer young drivers a discount for maintaining a B average or better.

  • Military discount - A discount for active-duty military members and their families

There are other discounts available, so be sure and ask your provider about them.

Frequently asked questions

Who has the cheapest car insurance in Albany?

According to our research, NYCM has the lowest rates in the city, at $762 per year for full coverage. But the best way to find cheap rates is to compare multiple quotes before settling on a policy.

How much is car insurance in Albany, New York, monthly?

On average, the cost of car insurance in Albany, New York, is $125 per month. That comes to $1,503 per year.

How much is car registration in Albany, New York?

For your vehicle's original registration, you'll pay a fee that depends on your car's weight, plus your county's tax. You'll also pay plate fees ($25), a title certificate fee ($50), and sales tax. Then every two years you'll pay another registration fee.

Is car insurance cheaper in Upstate New York?

Yes, car insurance in New York City is not only more expensive than it is in the rest of the state, but it's also one of the costliest places to get insured in the country. Upstate, the cost of insurance is far cheaper.

Authors

Gianetta Palmer is a contributing writer at Policygenius, where she covers life insurance, home insurance, and auto insurance. Her writing has also appeared in TIME, Readers Digest, Healthline, and elsewhere.

Andrew Hurst is a senior editor and a licensed auto insurance expert at Policygenius. His work has also been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, USA Today, NPR, Mic, Insurance Business Magazine, ValuePenguin, and Property Casualty 360.

Editor

Anna Swartz is a senior managing editor and auto insurance expert at Policygenius, where she oversees our car insurance coverage. Previously, she was a senior staff writer at Mic.com, as well as an associate writer at The Dodo.

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