Best car insurance in New York City (2024)

The cheapest car insurance company in New York City is Kemper, followed by Main Street America, Progressive, GEICO, and USAA — though rates depend on many personal factors.

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By

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.
|

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|4 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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On average, Kemper is the cheapest car insurance company in New York City at $122 per month. After Kemper, the cheapest car insurance companies in New York City are Main Street America, Progressive, GEICO, and USAA.

Compare rates and shop affordable car insurance today

We don't sell your information to third parties.

Depending on where in the city you live, along with details like your age and driving history, your cheapest company may vary. You should compare quotes before you buy car insurance to be sure you find your best rates.

Company

Average cost

Kemper

$122

Main Street America

$142

Progressive

$151

GEICO

$167

USAA

$208

Methodology & why you can trust our rates

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.

Cheapest car insurance companies in New York City, NY

Kemper

Kemper logo

Policygenius rating 

Our proprietary rating methodology takes multiple factors into account, including customer satisfaction, cost, financial strength, and policy offerings. See the "methodology" section for more details.

Full orange starFull orange starFull orange starHalf orange starEmpty gray star

3.9

AM Best rating 

AM Best is a global credit rating agency that scores the financial strength of insurance companies on a scale from A++ (Superior) to D (Poor).

A-

Cost 

Using a mix of internal and external rate data, we grade the cost of each insurance company's premiums on a scale from least expensive ($) to most expensive ($$$$$).

NA

Mobile app

Bundle home & auto

Good student discount

Offers gap coverage

Accident forgiveness

Why we chose itchevron icon

Kemper has cheaper-than-average rates in New York City, including for drivers who might have a hard time finding affordable coverage with other companies.

Pros and conschevron icon

Pros

  • Offers perks like diminishing deductible and accident forgiveness

  • Has new car replacement and gap insurance

  • Known for insuring high-risk drivers

Cons

  • Lower claims satisfaction scores than competitors

More detailschevron icon

Why we chose Kemper:

Kemper is the cheapest car insurance company in New York City, especially if your driving record makes it hard to find coverage elsewhere. Kemper rates may be affordable even if you have an accident, DUI, or speeding ticket on your record, or if your credit score is low.

In addition to low rates, Kemper offers a few types of extra coverage add-ons, like new car replacement coverage, gap insurance, and perks like accident forgiveness and diminishing deductible.

How does the cost of car insurance from Kemper compare to average in New York City?

The average cost of car insurance from Kemper in New York City is $122 a month or $1,464 per year, which is 68% cheaper than the citywide average.

Main Street America

a logo of the main street america insurance company

Policygenius rating 

Our proprietary rating methodology takes multiple factors into account, including customer satisfaction, cost, financial strength, and policy offerings. See the "methodology" section for more details.

Full orange starFull orange starFull orange starFull orange starHalf orange star

4.3

AM Best rating 

AM Best is a global credit rating agency that scores the financial strength of insurance companies on a scale from A++ (Superior) to D (Poor).

A

Cost 

Using a mix of internal and external rate data, we grade the cost of each insurance company's premiums on a scale from least expensive ($) to most expensive ($$$$$).

$

$

$

$

$

Bundle home & auto

Good student discount

Accident forgiveness

Offers gap coverage

Why we chose itchevron icon

Part of the American Family group of companies, Main Street America offers cheaper-than-average rates in the Big Apple and lots of coverage options to choose from.

Pros and conschevron icon

Pros

  • Lower-than-average rates

  • Offers affordable coverage to high-risk drivers

  • Receives fewer complaints than average for its service

Cons

  • Coverage isn’t available in every state

More detailschevron icon

Why we chose Main Street America:

Main Street America, which is a part of American Family’s group of insurance companies, is the second-cheapest company for car insurance in New York City. It also offers a few discounts.

You can upgrade a basic Main Street America policy with a range of add-ons that some larger companies don’t offer, including gap insurance, new car replacement coverage, OEM parts replacement, and personal belongings coverage.

How does the cost of car insurance from Main Street America compare to average in New York City?

The average cost of car insurance from Main Street America in New York City is $142 a month or $1,704 per year, which is 62% cheaper than the citywide average.

Progressive

Progressive

Policygenius rating 

Our proprietary rating methodology takes multiple factors into account, including customer satisfaction, cost, financial strength, and policy offerings. See the "methodology" section for more details.

Full orange starFull orange starFull orange starFull orange starHalf orange star

4.3

AM Best rating 

AM Best is a global credit rating agency that scores the financial strength of insurance companies on a scale from A++ (Superior) to D (Poor).

A+

Cost 

Using a mix of internal and external rate data, we grade the cost of each insurance company's premiums on a scale from least expensive ($) to most expensive ($$$$$).

$

$

$

$

$

All 50 states

Good student discount

Mobile app

Offers gap coverage

Offers motorcycle insurance

Usage-based discount

Coverage for rideshare drivers

Why we chose itchevron icon

Progressive has cheaper-than-average car insurance rates in New York City, even if you have driving violations on your record. It also has a range of coverage options to add to a basic policy.

Pros and conschevron icon

Pros

  • Rewards safe drivers

  • Offers rideshare insurance and other less-common coverages

  • Variety of discounts and ways to save

Cons

  • Premiums are above industry average

More detailschevron icon

Why we chose Progressive:

Like most companies, Progressive’s rates are cheaper if you have a good driving record, but you can also still get affordable coverage if you have an accident, DUI, or another violation on your record.

Progressive also offers a range of add-ons, including gap insurance (which may be required if you have a loan or lease on your car), custom parts coverage, and pet coverage in case your furry companion is injured in a car accident.

How does the cost of car insurance from Progressive compare to average in New York City?

The average cost of car insurance from Progressive in New York City is $151 a month or $1,812 per year, which is 60% cheaper than the citywide average.

GEICO

Logo for GEICO insurance company

Policygenius rating 

Our proprietary rating methodology takes multiple factors into account, including customer satisfaction, cost, financial strength, and policy offerings. See the "methodology" section for more details.

Full orange starFull orange starFull orange starFull orange starHalf orange star

4.7

AM Best rating 

AM Best is a global credit rating agency that scores the financial strength of insurance companies on a scale from A++ (Superior) to D (Poor).

A++

Cost 

Using a mix of internal and external rate data, we grade the cost of each insurance company's premiums on a scale from least expensive ($) to most expensive ($$$$$).

$

$

$

$

$

Offers classic car insurance

All 50 states

Offers motorcycle insurance

Good student discount

Mobile app

Usage-based discount

Why we chose itchevron icon

GEICO is among the cheapest auto insurance companies in New York City, even if you have poor credit. We also like GEICO’s convenient mobile app and solid customer service.

Pros and conschevron icon

Pros

  • Available in all 50 states

  • Easy-to-use digital tools

  • Plenty of discounts

Cons

  • Only sells through GEICO agents

  • Doesn’t underwrite its other products

More detailschevron icon

Why we chose GEICO

GEICO is one of the best car insurance companies in New York City, and has cheap average rates even for drivers with bad credit or a newly licensed driver at home.

We also like GEICO’s convenient mobile app, which lets you estimate what repairs to your vehicle might cost after an accident. Even though it’s one of the largest insurance companies in the country, GEICO gets fewer complaints from its customers than expected.

How does the cost of car insurance from GEICO compare to average in New York City?

The average cost of car insurance from GEICO in New York City is $167 a month or $2,004 per year, which is 56% cheaper than the citywide average.

USAA

USAA logo

Policygenius rating 

Our proprietary rating methodology takes multiple factors into account, including customer satisfaction, cost, financial strength, and policy offerings. See the "methodology" section for more details.

Full orange starFull orange starFull orange starFull orange starFull orange star

5.0

AM Best rating 

AM Best is a global credit rating agency that scores the financial strength of insurance companies on a scale from A++ (Superior) to D (Poor).

A++

Cost 

Using a mix of internal and external rate data, we grade the cost of each insurance company's premiums on a scale from least expensive ($) to most expensive ($$$$$).

$

$

$

$

$

All 50 states

Bundle home & auto

Coverage for rideshare drivers

Good student discount

Usage-based discount

Offers classic car insurance

Mobile app

Offers motorcycle insurance

Why we chose itchevron icon

USAA, which is only available to drivers affiliated with the military, has some of the best car insurance rates and customer service ratings in New York City. Add-ons include gap insurance and roadside assistance coverage.

Pros and conschevron icon

Pros

  • Low rates

  • Available nationwide

  • High customer service ratings

Cons

  • Only available to military members and their families

More detailschevron icon

Why we chose USAA:

If you’re an active or retired member of the military or a part of a military family, USAA has some of the best car insurance in New York City. USAA also offers gap coverage, which isn’t available at every company.

We also like that USAA earns top scores from J.D. Power for claims satisfaction. It also receives about an average number of complaints for the industry, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

How does the cost of car insurance from USAA compare to average in New York City?

The average cost of car insurance from USAA in New York City is $208 a month or $2,496 per year, which is 45% cheaper than the citywide average.

Best car insurance companies in New York City

USAA is the best car insurance company in New York City, according to the 2023 J.D. Power Auto Insurance Study which measures how policyholders in New York feel about their insurance company’s overall price, coverage, and claims service. [1]

The best-rated car insurance company in New York City for the general public is New York Central Mutual.

Rank

Company

Score

1

USAA

879

2

New York Central Mutual

842

3

State Farm

826

4

GEICO

821

4

Travelers

821

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.

Below are the average rates in ZIP codes across New York City.

ZIP code

Average cost

11005

$3,431

11426

$3,472

10021

$3,605

10023

$3,608

10024

$3,609

10010

$3,612

10028

$3,614

10022

$3,615

10016

$3,618

10019

$3,619

Collapse table

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

We don't sell your information to third parties.

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.

A bar graph showing the cheapest car insurance companies in New York; Kemper has the best rates.

Kemper

Main Street America

Progressive

GEICO

USAA

State Farm

At-fault accident

$2,253

$2,358

$2,957

$3,117

$3,330

$3,529

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

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Cheapest car insurance after an accident in New York City

The cheapest car insurance company in New York City after an at-fault accident is Kemper. On average, car insurance from Kemper costs $188 a month, or $2,253 a year for drivers with an at-fault accident.

Rates for drivers with an at-fault accident

Kemper

$2,253

Main Street America

$2,358

Progressive

$2,957

GEICO

$3,117

USAA

$3,330

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI in New York, NY

A DUI can have a serious impact on your car insurance rates in New York City. New York drivers with a DUI pay an average of $3,396 per year for year insurance, and rates can be even higher than that.

That makes it all the more important for New York City drivers with a DUI on their records to shop around and find the best rates for their record — we found that Progressive, Kemper, and Main Street America were all among the cheapest car insurance companies in New York City for drivers with a DUI.

Rates for drivers with DUIs

Progressive

$1,934

Kemper

$2,210

Main Street America

$2,271

State Farm

$3,226

USAA

$3,743

GEICO

$5,952

Collapse table

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

A speeding ticket can also have a big impact on your rates in New York City. We found that the average cost of car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket in New York is $2,656 a year, but rates can be significantly higher in New York City.

According to our analysis, Progressive, Kemper, and Main Street America had the cheapest average rates for car insurance after a speeding ticket in New York City.

Rates for drivers with speeding tickets

Progressive

$2,205

Kemper

$2,210

Main Street America

$2,271

USAA

$2,990

GEICO

$3,117

State Farm

$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.

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

We don't sell your information to third parties.

Cheapest car insurance in New York City by borough

Car insurance rates in New York City vary by ZIP code and neighborhood, but when we looked at the cheapest car insurance companies in the city by borough, there were two clear winners.

Cheapest company

Average yearly rate for the cheapest company

Borough average

Brooklyn

Main Street America

$1,640

$6,148

Manhattan

Main Street America

$1,301

$3,865

Queens

Kemper

$1,483

$4,076

Staten Island

Main Street America

$1,487

$4,144

The Bronx

Kemper

$1,507

$4,940

Analysis of car insurance rates from every ZIP code in each borough.

Buying car insurance in New York City, NY

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

We don't sell your information to third parties.

Frequently asked questions

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.

References

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Policygenius uses external sources, including government data, industry studies, and reputable news organizations to supplement proprietary marketplace data and internal expertise. Learn more about how we use and vet external sources as part of oureditorial standards.

  1. J.D. Power

    . "

    Auto Insurance Customer Satisfaction Plummets as Rates Continue to Surge, J.D. Power Finds

    ." Accessed September 23, 2023.

Author

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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