The best and cheapest car insurance in New York City
The cheapest car insurance in New York City is Main Street America, which offers coverage for $122 per month.
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Gianetta PalmerGianetta PalmerFreelance contributorGianetta Palmer is a freelance writer who lives in the Georgia mountains. Her writing on health and car insurance, has appeared on numerous sites.&Andrew HurstAndrew 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.
Expert reviewedExpert reviewedThis article has been reviewed by a licensed Policygenius expert to ensure that sources, statistics, and claims meet our standard for accurate and unbiased advice.Learn more about oureditorial review process.
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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.
On average, Kemper is the cheapest car insurance company in New York City at $122 per month. That makes rates from Kemper 68% cheaper than average — big savings in one of the most expensive cities for auto insurance.
After Kemper, the cheapest car insurance companies in New York City are Main Street America, Progressive, GEICO, and USAA. Depending on where in the city you live, your car, your driving history, and more, your cheapest company may vary.
Cheapest car insurance companies in New York City, NY
Car insurance rates are different for everyone. Personal details like the car you drive, the amount of coverage needed, and even whether you’re single or married impacts your rates.
The best way to find which company In the Big Apple is the cheapest for you is by comparing quotes before you buy. Here are the best (and cheapest) car insurance companies in New York City.
Kemper
3.4
Policygenius rating
How we score: Policygenius’ ratings are determined by our editorial team. Our methodology takes multiple factors into account, including pricing, financial ratings, quality of customer service, and other product-specific features.
Kemper is one of the overall cheapest car insurance companies in New York State. It’s also known for offering coverage to drivers who have a history of driving violations and who might have trouble getting insured elsewhere.
Pros
Rates tend to be near the national average
Offers perks like diminishing deductible and accident forgiveness
The cheapest car insurance company in New York City is Kemper, which offers coverage for an average of $122 per month (or $1,464 per year). Despite the high average cost of insurance in New York, Kemper’s rates are $3,070 cheaper than average per year — though exact costs depend on where in the city you live.
Kemper also remains relatively affordable for drivers after a crash or ticket. In fact, Kemper is known for offering coverage to higher-risk drivers who can’t get covered elsewhere.
Main Street America
Part of the American Family group of companies, Main Street America offers cheaper-than-average rates wherever it’s available. Drivers can also choose from lots of coverage add-ons for more protection.
Pros
Lower-than-average rates
Offers affordable coverage to high-risk drivers
Receives fewer complaints than average for its service
Plenty of available endorsements for more-than-basic coverage
At an average of $142 per month for a full-coverage policy, Main Street America has the second-lowest rates for car insurance in New York City. Coverage from Main Street America costs $2,830 less per year than average in the city.
Rates from Main Street America for drivers in New York City who have a past accident or driving violation can be competitive, but aren’t often the cheapest in the city.
How we score: Policygenius’ ratings are determined by our editorial team. Our methodology takes multiple factors into account, including pricing, financial ratings, quality of customer service, and other product-specific features.
Progressive usually offers rates that are around (or cheaper than) average. But drivers with a past driving violation may find that Progressive offers better rates than other companies. Its number of coverage add-ons also sets Progressive apart.
Pros
Rates tend to be around average compared to other companies
Lots of useful endorsements to upgrade a basic policy
Wide range of discounts to help save money
Affordable policies for high-risk and newly-licensed drivers
You can also get cheap car insurance in New York City from Progressive, at $151 per month for a full-coverage policy. With coverage that’s $2,723 cheaper each year than the citywide average, along with a sizable list of discounts, perks, and coverage options, Progressive is one of thebest choices for car insurance in New York City.
How we score: Policygenius’ ratings are determined by our editorial team. Our methodology takes multiple factors into account, including pricing, financial ratings, quality of customer service, and other product-specific features.
GEICO is nationally available and often has some of the cheapest rates. GEICO gets fewer service complaints than average, even though claims satisfaction can be mixed. Drivers can also customize their car insurance from GEICO with a few useful add-ons.
Pros
Available in every state and the District of Columbia
Usually has some of the cheapest rates
Gets fewer complaints than expected for its service
Allows drivers to add different types of useful coverages to a basic policy
On average, GEICO has the third-cheapest car insurance in New York City at $167 per month (or $2,004 per year) for a full-coverage policy. GEICO also has the best insurance rates for drivers in New York City who have poor credit.
USAA
4
Policygenius rating
How we score: Policygenius’ ratings are determined by our editorial team. Our methodology takes multiple factors into account, including pricing, financial ratings, quality of customer service, and other product-specific features.
USAA is one of the most reliably cheap car insurance companies in the country. It also has a long-standing reputation for great customer service. Unlike other providers, USAA is only offered to drivers who are affiliated with the military.
Pros
Offers coverage in every state and the District of Columbia
Usually has some of the cheapest car insurance rates of any company
Drivers can use discounts to lower their rates
Consistently high customer satisfaction
Cons
Limited options for adding extra coverage
Only available to members of the military, veterans, and their families
USAA has cheapcar insurance for military families living in New York City, whether they’re active-duty or retired. On average, USAA costs $208 per month (or $2,497 per year) for a full-coverage policy, which is $2,037 cheaper per year than the average cost in New York City.
Cheapest car insurance rates by ZIP code in New York City, NY
Your location, whether you live in Brooklyn, Queens, or Manhattan is one of the most important factors used to determine car insurance rates. The more crime and accidents in a given area, the more everyone pays.
Choosing the right car insurance company in New York City, NY
With so many factors that determine car insurance price, it can be overwhelming to find a company that offers affordable protection and won’t let you down when you need it the most.
You want a company with experience and customer service that listens to your needs. When it’s time to file a claim, you expect your insurance company to make the process as seamless as possible.
At Policygenius, we can help you see quotes from top companies, so you can choose one that meets all your needs.
Compare rates and shop affordable car insurance today
Car insurance rates for drivers with driving violations in New York City, NY
Car insurance is more expensive for drivers with a history of accidents, speeding tickets, DUIs, and other driving violations. The best way to keep your rates low (especially somewhere like New York City where rates are already high) is by driving safely and obeying traffic laws.
The cheapest car insurance company in New York City for drivers with a driving violation is usually Kemper, Main Street America, or Progressive.
Violation
Kemper
Main Street America
Progressive
GEICO
USAA
State Farm
At-fault accident
$2,253
$2,358
$2,957
$3,117
$3,330
$3,529
DUI
$2,210
$2,271
$1,934
$5,952
$3,743
$3,226
Suspended license
$2,210
$2,271
$2,666
$4,133
$3,366
$3,226
Open container
$1,987
$2,271
$1,911
$2,122
$2,882
$3,226
Expired registration
$1,987
$1,852
$1,911
$1,921
$2,882
$3,226
Driving without lights
$1,987
$1,852
$1,911
$2,122
$2,882
$3,226
Running a red light
$1,987
$1,852
$1,911
$2,122
$2,882
$3,226
Following too closely
$1,987
$1,852
$1,911
$2,122
$2,882
$3,226
Hit and run
$2,210
$2,271
$2,666
$5,952
$3,743
$3,226
Not-at-fault accident
$1,513
$1,771
$1,843
$2,020
$2,882
$2,924
Passing a school bus
$1,987
$2,271
$1,911
$2,122
$2,882
$3,226
Reckless driving
$2,210
$2,271
$2,666
$4,133
$3,743
$3,226
Speeding
$2,210
$2,271
$2,205
$3,117
$2,990
$3,226
Collapse table
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with bad credit in New York City, NY
A bad credit score can affect your life in many ways. Not only is it harder to get credit, but your car insurance costs can also go up if you have poor credit. Sometimes this can cause your rates to spike more than having an accident does.
In New York City, GEICO has the cheapest car insurance for drivers with bad credit.
Company
Rates for drivers with bad credit
GEICO
$2,468
Kemper
$4,042
Chubb
$4,714
USAA
$5,157
Utica National
$5,781
Compare rates and shop affordable car insurance today
The law in New York says 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.
The state of New York is a no-fault state, which means that your insurance provider must pay your medical bills after an accident whether you caused it or not.
Each state has its own minimum insurance requirements, but your vehicle might not be covered if you’re in an accident and you only settled for the lowest possible limits of insurance that you could get.
To better protect yourself and your property before an accident, it’s a good idea to add more coverage such as comprehensive or collision insurance to help defer out-of-pocket expenses.
How to get cheap car insurance in New York City, NY
New York City drivers pay some of the most expensive rates in the country, but there are ways to save:
Safe driver discount - A discount for drivers without moving violations or accidents on their driving record.
Bundling - Combining your car and home insurance policies is a great way to save money on your premiums.
Low mileage discount - NYC drivers pay higher rates, but their commutes are shorter.
Military discount - Typically, military service members and their family members can get a reduced rate on car insurance.
There are other discounts available, ask your insurance company which of them may apply to you.
Compare rates and shop affordable car insurance today
Who has the cheapest car insurance in New York City?
According to our research, Kemper has the lowest rates in the city, at $1,464 per year for full coverage. But insurance rates vary from driver-to-driver, so shop around to find the cheapest rates for you.
How much is car insurance in New York City monthly?
The cost of car insurance in New York City is $378 per month, or $4,534 per year. That’s far more expensive than average in the state of New York.
Is car insurance in New York City expensive?
The average cost of car insurance in New York City makes it one of the most expensive places to get covered in the entire country. This is due to the city's heavily populated roads, which lead to more claims and higher expenses over time.
Do you need full coverage in New York City?
While New York doesn't require you to get full-coverage car insurance, your lender or lessor probably will. Also, it's a good idea to get fully covered even if it's not required. While it's expensive, it's the best way to avoid paying for damage to yourself after an accident.
Methodology
Policygenius found the cheapest car insurance companies in New York City by analyzing rates provided by Quadrant Information Services. The rates we analyzed were from for every ZIP code in all 50 states plus Washington, D.C and were for the following limits:
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
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.
Some carriers may be represented by affiliates or subsidiaries. Rates provided are a sample of costs. Your actual quotes may differ.
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.
