Best car insurance in Rochester, 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 EditorAnna Swartz is a senior managing editor who specializes in home, auto, renters, and disability insurance at Policygenius. Previously, she was a senior staff writer at Mic and a writer at The Dodo. Her work has also appeared in Salon, HuffPost, MSN, AOL, and Heeb.
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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.

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 cost for full coverage car insurance in Rochester is $1,440 per year. Compared to the New York state average of $2,048, Rochester drivers pay more than $600 less than other residents in the state. However, car insurance rates are different for everyone. A single speeding ticket or a collision with another vehicle on an icy road can increase your rates by hundreds.

Ready to shop car insurance?

Comparing policies is the easiest way to find affordable car insurance. Policygenius can help you find quotes from top companies and choose coverage that’s best for you.

Key Takeaways

  • Kemper has the lowest average rates in Rochester at $679 per year for full coverage.

  • Drivers in Rochester pay an average of $1,440 per year, more than $600 less than the state average of $2,048.

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

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: 50/100

  • 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.

Cheapest car insurance companies in Rochester, NY

Even neighbors on the same street in Rochester will have different car insurance rates. This is because insurance rates are determined by many individual factors, including the car you drive, your credit score, and where you live.

That’s why it’s so important to compare rates from multiple companies before you choose coverage. Below are the cheapest car insurance rates by company in Rochester.

Company

Average cost

JD Power Rating

Kemper

$679

798

New York Central Mutual

$749

--

Progressive

$846

861

GEICO

$893

874

Main Street America

$915

--

Cheapest car insurance rates by ZIP code in Rochester, NY

ZIP codes are one of the biggest factors for insurance companies when it comes to calculating insurance rates. If you live in a neighborhood where car thefts are common, you’re probably going to pay more for your insurance. It just isn’t car thefts either; availability of street parking, the number of accidents and the cost of repairs in your area can all contribute to higher rates.

The table below shows the rates by ZIP code in Rochester.

ZIP code

Average cost

14624

$1,342

14625

$1,344

14615

$1,351

14623

$1,355

14616

$1,357

14612

$1,358

14609

$1,376

14620

$1,384

14606

$1,392

14607

$1,394

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Choosing the right car insurance company in Rochester, NY

Choosing the right car insurance can be overwhelming. Nobody wants to overpay for car insurance, but you also want to be sure that the company you’re choosing will be around when it’s time to file a claim. It’s also important to you, as a customer, that your insurance provider won’t raise your rates for no reason.

Our insurance experts at Policygenius can help you see quotes from top companies, so you can choose the coverage that works best for you.

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

With some companies, drivers who have a DUI could see their insurance rates triple, and in some states, they may be required to purchase special insurance or have their insurance canceled. Other violations can also have a big impact on your rates.

Below are the average car insurance rates for drivers in Rochester with a speeding ticket or other moving violations.

Violation

Kemper

New York Central Mutual

Progressive

GEICO

Main Street America

At-fault accident

$1,010

$1,006

$1,402

$1,416

$1,239

DUI

$987

$1,230

$934

$2,620

$1,202

Suspended license

$987

$1,230

$1,273

$1,857

$1,202

Open container

$909

$787

$919

$974

$1,202

Expired registration

$909

$787

$919

$885

$1,027

Driving without lights

$909

$787

$919

$974

$1,027

Running a red light

$909

$787

$919

$974

$1,027

Following too closely

$909

$787

$919

$974

$1,027

Hit and run

$987

$1,230

$1,273

$2,620

$1,202

Not-at-fault accident

$726

$787

$896

$929

$987

Passing a school bus

$909

$787

$919

$974

$1,202

Reckless driving

$987

$1,126

$1,273

$1,857

$1,202

Speeding

$987

$1,006

$1,059

$1,416

$1,202

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

Company

Rates for drivers with DUIs

Progressive

$934

Kemper

$987

Main Street America

$1,202

New York Central Mutual

$1,230

GEICO

$2,620

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

Company

Rates for drivers with speeding tickets

Kemper

$987

New York Central Mutual

$1,006

Progressive

$1,059

Main Street America

$1,202

GEICO

$1,416

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

Your credit score is another significant factor when it comes to establishing car insurance rates. Missed payments, charge-offs, and bankruptcies all contribute to your credit score, and too many of those can make your score lower. 

One of the best ways to improve your credit score is by paying your bills when they are due and avoiding missed payments and charge-offs if possible. Below are the cheapest car insurance rates in Rochester for drivers with bad credit.

Company

Rates for drivers with bad credit

GEICO

$1,128

Utica National

$1,497

Preferred Mutual

$1,703

Kemper

$1,745

New York Central Mutual

$1,771

Ready to shop car insurance?

Buying car insurance in Rochester, NY

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

  • $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

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

  • 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.

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

New York is a no-fault state, which means that your insurer will pay your medical bills whether you caused the wreck or not. No-fault insurance only covers bodily injury and doesn’t pay for damage to your or another party’s damaged vehicle or personal property. 

To help protect yourself against out-of-pocket expenses associated with a wreck, there are additional coverages available:

  • Comprehensive: This protection covers damage from things like falling objects, vandalism, and fire.

  • Collision: This protection pays for repairs to your car if you hit another vehicle or collide with a stationary object.

The best way to save on insurance in Rochester is by comparing online quotes.

How to get cheap car insurance in Rochester, NY

Rochester drivers pay a lot for car insurance, but many companies offer a wide array of discounts. Here are some of the most common:

  • Bundling discount - For combining home and car insurance with the same company.

  • Safe driver discount - For drivers who maintain a good driving record and avoid filing claims

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

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

Discounts vary by company, so be sure and ask your provider about which ones are available.

Frequently asked questions

Who has the cheapest car insurance in Rochester?

According to our research, Kemper has the lowest rates in the city, at $679 per year. But the cheapest car insurance for one driver isn’t always the cheapest for another, so you should still compare rates.

How much is car insurance per month in Rochester, New York?

The average cost of car insurance in Rochester is $120 per month. Compared to the cost of coverage in New York, the average premium in Rochester is significantly cheaper.

Do you need full coverage in Rochester, New York?

While you're not required to get full-coverage car insurance by New York, your lender or lessor likely requires you to get more than the state's minimum amount of coverage.

What happens if you don't have car insurance in Rochester, New York?

If you're caught driving without car insurance in Rochester, you will have to pay a fine of up to $1,500. You'll also have to pay $750 to reinstate your license after it's suspended for driving without insurance coverage.

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 who specializes in home, auto, renters, and disability insurance at Policygenius. Previously, she was a senior staff writer at Mic and a writer at The Dodo. Her work has also appeared in Salon, HuffPost, MSN, AOL, and Heeb.

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