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.
Main Street America, which is a part of American Family, is the cheapest car insurance company in New York City at $133 per month. That makes Main Street America's rates 67% cheaper than average — big savings in one of the most expensive cities for auto insurance.
After Main Street America, the cheapest car insurance companies in New York City are Progressive, GEICO, USAA, and State Farm.
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.
To save money on car insurance, it’s always a good idea to compare quotes and pick the coverage that works best for your insurance needs. Here are the best (and cheapest) car insurance companies in New York City.
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 $133 per month for a full-coverage policy, Main Street America has the lowest rates for car insurance in New York City. Coverage from Main Street America costs $269 less each month than average in the state — that’s a difference of $3,223 each year. Plus, Main Street America offers affordable coverage for New York City drivers who have an accident, DUI, or speeding ticket.
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 $143 per month for a full-coverage policy. With coverage that’s $259 cheaper each month than the city-average, along with a sizable list of discounts, perks, and coverage options, Progressive is one of the best 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 $2,004 per year for a full-coverage policy (that’s $167 a month). With GEICO’s long list of discounts, you could potentially save even more.
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 cheap car insurance for military families living in New York City, whether they’re active-duty or retired. On average, USAA costs for $2,497 for a full-coverage policy, which is 48% less than average 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.
As the country’s biggest car insurance company, State Farm makes it easy for drivers to get coverage, make claims, and stay in contact. Also, State Farm is one of the cheapest insurers for most drivers, and tends to have great customer service.
Pros
Coverage available in nearly every state (along with in-person offices)
Cheap car insurance, including for some high-risk drivers
Consistently high customer service ratings
Some discounts, especially for good drivers
Cons
Doesn’t offer as many coverage options as some competitors
Although State Farm is the fifth-cheapest car insurance company in New York City, the cost of coverage is still 41% cheaper than average — or $165 each month. Plus, good drivers in the city can save more with the company’s Drive Safe and Save program, which offers a discount to those who demonstrate safe driving habits during a short trial period.
Cheapest car insurance rates by ZIP code in New York City, NY
If you live in a neighborhood that has a higher crime rate, chances are you’re paying more for car insurance. ZIP codes are one of the biggest factors used to determine car insurance rates. The more crime and accidents in a given area, the more everyone pays.
Below are the average rates in ZIP codes across New York City.
ZIP code
Average cost
10001
$4,034
10002
$4,073
10003
$4,009
10004
$4,033
10005
$4,055
10006
$4,055
10007
$4,054
10009
$4,058
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
In NYC, a single ticket for racing could increase your rates by $1,800 over three years, and other violations, like a DUI or a hit-and-run, can increase your rates even more.
Below are the average car insurance rates for drivers in New York City with speeding tickets or other moving violations on their driving record.
Violation
Main Street America
Progressive
GEICO
USAA
State Farm
At-fault accident
$2,260
$2,799
$3,117
$3,330
$3,488
DUI
$2,173
$1,830
$5,952
$3,743
$3,189
Suspended license
$2,173
$2,524
$4,133
$3,366
$3,189
Open container
$2,173
$1,808
$2,122
$2,668
$3,189
Expired registration
$1,763
$1,808
$1,921
$2,882
$3,189
Driving without lights
$1,763
$1,808
$2,122
$2,668
$3,189
Not showing documents
$1,763
$1,808
$1,921
$2,882
$3,189
Running a red light
$1,763
$1,808
$2,122
$2,882
$3,189
Failure to yield
$1,763
$1,808
$2,122
$2,882
$3,189
Following too closely
$1,763
$1,808
$2,122
$2,882
$3,189
Hit and run
$2,173
$2,524
$5,952
$3,743
$3,189
Illegal turn
$1,763
$1,808
$2,122
$2,882
$3,189
Improper passing
$1,763
$1,808
$2,122
$2,882
$3,189
Not-at-fault accident
$1,686
$1,744
$2,020
$2,882
$2,889
Passing a school bus
$2,173
$1,808
$2,122
$2,882
$3,189
Racing
$2,173
$2,524
$4,574
$3,743
$3,189
Reckless driving
$2,173
$2,524
$4,133
$2,668
$3,189
Speeding
$2,173
$2,087
$3,117
$2,990
$3,189
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 raise can also go up because insurance companies use your credit score to determine what you pay for insurance.
Below are the cheapest rates in New York City for drivers with bad credit.
Company
Rates for drivers with bad credit
GEICO
$2,468
Chubb
$4,709
USAA
$5,157
Utica National
$5,568
State Farm
$6,131
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 the wreck or not.
State minimum insurance requirements vary by state, but because they only offer basic protection, your vehicle might not be covered if you’re in an accident.
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, Main Street America has the lowest rates in the city, at $1,599 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 average monthly cost of car insurance in New York City is $402 for full coverage. That's more than the average cost in the state of New York.
Is car insurance in New York City expensive?
The average cost of car insurance in New York City make 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 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.
