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.
Expert reviewed
Expert reviewed
This article has been reviewed by a licensed Policygenius expert to ensure that sources, statistics, and claims meet our standard for accurate and unbiased advice.
Ian Bloom, CFP®, RLP®, is a certified financial planner and a member of the Financial Review Council at Policygenius. Previously, he was a financial advisor at MetLife and MassMutual.
We found that Main Street America, a part of the American Family group of companies, has the best cheap car insurance in New York. On average, Main Street America costs $86 per month ($1,033 per year), which is $95 cheaper per month than the state average.
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Progressive is the next-cheapest car insurance in the state of New York. In fact, Progressive only costs about $1 more per month on average than Main Street America. Other cheap companies in New York state include GEICO, Erie, and USAA.
Car insurance rates are determined by many factors, like your location, driving history, and the kind of vehicle you drive.
Since insurance is so expensive in New York, you’ll want to shop around for the best rates before you settle on a policy. The table below shows the five cheapest car insurance companies in New York.
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
The cheapest car insurance company in New York is Main Street America, which costs $86 per month for full coverage. Main Street is $1,139 cheaper per year than average in New York. Main Street America is also the cheapest insurance company in New York for drivers under 21 who get their own policy.
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
Progressive is the second cheapest car insurance company in New York. On average, full-coverage from Progressive is only about $1 more expensive per month than the absolute cheapest option. Progressive also has the best average rates for drivers ages 21 to 30 years old.
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
GEICO is one of the cheapest car insurance companies in New York. Full coverage from GEICO costs New Yorkers $109 per month, $72 per month cheaper than average. But GEICO can be more expensive than competitors for drivers with a speeding ticket, DUI, or at-fault accident.
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.
Erie is a regional company, but rates stack up well versus larger competitors, and it earns top ratings for claims satisfaction. Erie also offers a range of endorsements and perks, like new car replacement and rate lock.
Pros
Cheaper than average rates for drivers with clean records
Policies come with pet injury coverage, travel expenses after a disabled vehicle, and accident forgiveness after three years at no extra cost
Offers extra endorsements and perks, like new car replacement, rate lock, and vanishing deductible
Great reputation for claims satisfaction among customers
Cons
Receives more customer complaints about service and settlements than average
Erie has some of the cheapest car insurance rates in New York. Full coverage from Erie costs $119 per month, which is $749 cheaper per year than average. Erie also has a range of extras that drivers can add to their coverage, like new car replacement or locked-in rates until you change your policy.
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
For drivers who are in the military or part of a military family, USAA is one of the cheapest car insurance companies in New York. For full coverage, USAA costs $120 per month — which is $737 cheaper per year than average in New York.
Company
Average cost
JD Power Rating
Main Street America
$1,033
--
Progressive
$1,039
856
GEICO
$1,303
871
Erie
$1,423
880
USAA
$1,435
890
Cheapest car insurance companies by age in New York
For New Yorkers, age 16 is when a new driver can apply for a driver’s license. Statistics show young, inexperienced drivers are more likely to be in an accident — that’s why their car insurance rates are so expensive. The good news is that as drivers get older and more experienced, costs tend to drop.
Age
Cheapest company
Average cost
16
Main Street America
$3,029
18
Main Street America
$2,370
21
Progressive
$1,626
25
Progressive
$1,130
30
Progressive
$1,076
35
Main Street America
$996
45
Main Street America
$984
55
Progressive
$864
60
Progressive
$873
65
Progressive
$936
70
Progressive
$1,049
Choosing the right car insurance company in New York
With so many factors that determine the price of car insurance, it can be overwhelming to find a company that offers a policy that works for you. Here’s what to look for when choosing a new insurance company:
Customer Service: Does the company have a website? How easy is it to use? Are there offices nearby where you can speak directly with an agent? Do they return phone calls promptly?
Cost: Don’t overpay for car insurance. Ask about discounts and other ways to save on your insurance.
Coverage options: Does the company offer all the types of coverage you need? Can you bundle your home, renters, boat or motorcycle coverage with them too?
Policygenius can help you get quotes and choose the best coverage based on your insurance needs.
Compare rates and shop affordable car insurance today
Car insurance rates for drivers with driving violations in New York
With car insurance rates already so pricey in New York, the last thing you need is a speeding ticket raising your rates. The easiest way to save on your car insurance is to obey posted speed limit signs, obey all traffic laws and never get behind the wheel after you’ve been drinking.
The average rates for New York drivers with speeding tickets or other moving violations are shown below.
Violation
Main Street America
Progressive
GEICO
Erie
USAA
At-fault accident
$1,434
$1,691
$2,039
$2,271
$1,919
DUI
$1,387
$1,132
$3,775
$2,689
$2,164
Suspended license
$1,387
$1,535
$2,671
$2,689
$1,941
Open container
$1,387
$1,116
$1,410
$2,689
$1,524
Expired registration
$1,159
$1,116
$1,279
$1,853
$1,652
Driving without lights
$1,159
$1,116
$1,410
$1,853
$1,524
Not showing documents
$1,159
$1,116
$1,279
$1,853
$1,652
Running a red light
$1,159
$1,116
$1,410
$1,853
$1,652
Failure to yield
$1,159
$1,116
$1,410
$1,853
$1,652
Following too closely
$1,159
$1,116
$1,410
$1,853
$1,652
Hit and run
$1,387
$1,535
$3,775
$2,689
$2,164
Illegal turn
$1,159
$1,116
$1,410
$1,853
$1,652
Improper passing
$1,159
$1,116
$1,410
$1,853
$1,652
Not-at-fault accident
$1,113
$1,084
$1,343
$1,853
$1,652
Passing a school bus
$1,387
$1,116
$1,410
$1,853
$1,652
Racing
$1,387
$1,535
$2,953
$2,689
$2,164
Reckless driving
$1,387
$1,535
$2,671
$1,853
$1,524
Speeding
$1,387
$1,282
$2,039
$1,853
$1,716
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with bad credit in New York
A few late payments are all it takes for some car insurance companies to raise your rates. Insurance companies use your credit score to determine insurance rates, and those late payments can lead to more expensive premiums.
Below are the average rates for drivers in New York with bad credit.
Company
Rates for drivers with bad credit
GEICO
$1,637
Utica National
$2,349
USAA
$2,877
Chubb
$2,897
Preferred Mutual
$3,374
Car insurance costs in New York cities
If you live in New York City, you’re going to pay some of the highest insurance rates in the country. But the cost of insurance is lower in other parts of the state.
Here are the average car insurance rates for the ten largest cities in New York, based on population.
New York City: $4,822
Buffalo: $2,194
Rochester: $1,516
Yonkers: $2,921
Syracuse: $1,653
Albany: $1,593
New Rochelle: $2,394
Cheektowaga: $1,646
Mount Vernon: $3,052
Schenectady: $1,587
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If your vehicle is registered in New York, state law says drivers must meet 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 car insurance company will pay your medical bills whether you caused the accident or not. No-fault insurance, also called PIP, only covers bodily injury and does not pay for auto body repair to your or another party’s damaged vehicle or personal property.
If you want to recoup the costs to repair a damaged or totaled vehicle, you should consider adding additional coverage like comprehensive or collision insurance to your policy. Working with our insurance experts can help you find the coverage you need at the best price.
How to get cheap car insurance in New York
Many insurance companies in New York offer ways to save on your car insurance. Here are some of the discounts most companies offer:
Bundling discount: Combining your home and car insurance policy
Multi-car discount: Having more than one car and driver on your insurance policy
Safe-driver discount: For drivers without any accident claims during a given time frame or for those drivers who take a defensive driving course
Military discount: A discount for active-duty military and their family members
Good student discount: A discount for young drivers who earn good grades
These are just a few of the discounts offered by insurance companies, so be sure and ask about what others may apply to you.
According to our research, Main Street America has the lowest rates in New York state, at $1,033 per year for full coverage.
I have bad credit. Does that affect my car insurance rates?
Having bad credit can increase your rates by more than 50 percent with some companies.
Does my driving history affect my car insurance rates?
A single ticket can raise your car insurance rates in New York by hundreds of dollars. You may be able to lower them slightly by taking a defensive driving class.
I’m almost 25. Will my rates go down?
In many instances, turning 25 can lower your insurance rates. However, your rates may not go down if you have speeding tickets or other infractions on your license.
Methodology
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: 50/100
Property damage liability: $50,000
Uninsured/underinsured motorist: 50/100
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.
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.
