Best car insurance in Syracuse, NY (2024)

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Nicole WakelinAutomotive journalistNicole Wakelin is an automotive journalist who has covered the industry for over a decade. She’s always loved cars and the fact that they regularly hand her the keys to shiny new automobiles so she can write about them is a constant source of amazement. She covers breaking news, writes reviews, and attends auto shows and new vehicle launches across the country. Her work has appeared in a wide range of publications both online and in print. These include U.S. News & World Report, The Boston Globe, TrueCar, Kelley Blue Book, and Autobytel. In addition, she speaks to all things automotive at conferences, on the radio, and on podcasts, including co-hosting the weekly Wheel Bearings Podcast. Nicole is a current member and former Vice President of the New England Motor Press Association. She is also a juror for both the Women’s World Car of the Year and the North American Car, Truck and Utility of the Year.&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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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|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 of a full coverage car insurance policy in Syracuse is $1,545 per year. That’s $503 less than the New York state average of $2,048 — but that doesn’t mean Syracuse drivers can’t save even more with savvy shopping.

Ready to shop car insurance?

If you’re looking to get the lowest possible rate on car insurance, shop around and get quotes from multiple companies. Policygenius can help you figure out which companies have the cheapest rates so you can compare coverage and find the right policy for you.

Key Takeaways

  • NYCM has the lowest average rate for full coverage car insurance in Syracuse at $696 per year

  • The average cost of car insurance in Syracuse is $1,545 per year

  • New York State minimum liability requirements are $10,000 for property damage liability per accident, $25,000 for bodily injury and $50,000 for death for a person involved in an accident, and $50,000 for bodily injury and $100,000 for death of two or more people in an accident

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: $50,000 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

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 Syracuse, NY

Insurance costs vary based on where you live, your age, your driving history, and the kind of car you drive. Each insurance company uses its own formula for determining rates, so you can get very different rates from two companies for the same coverage. 

Even within the same city, different ZIP codes can result in different rates. The table below shows the five cheapest car insurance companies in Syracuse along with their J.D. Power score.

Company

Average cost

JD Power Rating

New York Central Mutual

$696

--

Kemper

$797

798

Progressive

$935

861

Main Street America

$964

--

Erie

$1,038

893

Cheapest car insurance rates by ZIP code in Syracuse, NY

Exactly where you live in a city can have a big impact on your car insurance rates. Insurance companies look at your ZIP code to assess risk factors in your neighborhood. These include the availability of secure parking or street parking, reports of thefts and vandalism, and even the number of accidents and traffic tickets issued. Below are the car insurance rates for ZIP codes in Syracuse.

ZIP code

Average cost

13212

$1,391

13214

$1,434

13215

$1,437

13206

$1,548

13290

$1,558

13224

$1,559

13207

$1,565

13208

$1,567

13210

$1,577

13203

$1,578

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Choosing the right car insurance company in Syracuse, NY

Choosing the right car insurance company may seem like a difficult task, but it’s easier than you might think. Consider the following factors:

  • Cost: To avoid overpaying, get quotes from multiple companies and compare options

  • Coverage: Choose a policy with coverage that protects you, but don’t purchase more coverage than you need

  • Customer service: Check third-party ratings to make sure the company you’re choosing is well-liked by current customers

Policygenius can help you see how much you’ll pay for various levels of coverage so you can make an informed decision.

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

Your driving history can have a positive or negative impact on how much you pay for car insurance. Any tickets will increase your rates, and accidents will increase them even more, especially if you’re determined to be at-fault after a crash. The more violations you have on your driving record, the more you’ll pay for car insurance coverage.

The table below shows the average annual car insurance rates in Syracuse for drivers with a variety of violations for NYCM, Kemper, Progressive, Main Street America, and Erie.

New York Central Mutual

Kemper

Progressive

Main Street America

Erie

At-fault accident

$951

$1,193

$1,549

$1,322

$1,670

DUI

$1,166

$1,170

$1,030

$1,280

$1,777

Suspended license

$1,166

$1,170

$1,406

$1,280

$1,777

Open container

$737

$1,074

$1,012

$1,280

$1,777

Expired registration

$737

$1,074

$1,012

$1,080

$1,349

Driving without lights

$737

$1,074

$1,012

$1,080

$1,349

Running a red light

$737

$1,074

$1,012

$1,080

$1,349

Following too closely

$737

$1,074

$1,012

$1,080

$1,349

Hit and run

$1,166

$1,170

$1,406

$1,280

$1,777

Not-at-fault accident

$737

$846

$987

$1,038

$1,349

Passing a school bus

$737

$1,074

$1,012

$1,280

$1,349

Reckless driving

$1,066

$1,170

$1,406

$1,280

$1,349

Speeding

$951

$1,170

$1,169

$1,280

$1,349

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

Company

Rates for drivers with DUIs

Progressive

$1,030

New York Central Mutual

$1,166

Kemper

$1,170

Main Street America

$1,280

Erie

$1,777

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

Company

Rates for drivers with speeding tickets

New York Central Mutual

$951

Progressive

$1,169

Kemper

$1,170

Main Street America

$1,280

Erie

$1,349

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

Most insurance companies consider your credit score when determining your car insurance rates. The following table shows the five cheapest car insurance companies in Syracuse for drivers with bad credit.

Company

Rates for drivers with bad credit

GEICO

$1,420

New York Central Mutual

$1,667

Preferred Mutual

$1,795

Utica National

$1,807

USAA

$2,091

Ready to shop car insurance?

Buying car insurance in Syracuse, NY

The State of New York requires car insurance to register a vehicle. Every registered vehicle must have at least:

  • $10,000 for property damage liability per 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 of two or more people in an accident

Insurance coverage has to be in effect throughout the time your vehicle is registered, even if you’re not driving it every day. The policy must also be issued under the same name as the vehicle registrant. Two registrants may be listed, but both need to be on the insurance policy and provide proof of identity.

When you get insurance, the company will give you either printed or electronic ID cards. It will also send an electronic notice of insurance coverage to the DMV. Both of these are required in order to register your vehicle.

Additionally, the coverage must be issued by a company licensed by the NY State Department of Financial Services and certified by the NY State DMV. You may not have insurance from out of state. If you move to New York and have existing insurance in another state, inquire with your agent about transferring your policy or obtaining a new policy. 

How to get cheap car insurance in Syracuse, NY

There are multiple ways to get cheap car insurance in Syracuse, including:

  • Driving record: Avoid accidents and moving violations (including speeding tickets) to keep your rates low.

  • Watch your credit: Good credit will help you get a good car insurance rate while bad credit can raise your rates.

  • Shop around: Compare rates from multiple insurance companies to see which offers the best rates

  • Look for discounts: Car insurance companies offer a wide range of discounts including low mileage discounts, safe driver discounts, good student discounts, and even professional discounts for groups including firefighters and teachers.

  • Bundle your insurance: Consider getting policies for rental or homeowners insurance through the same carrier. This may get you a reduced rate on both policies.

Frequently asked questions

Who has the cheapest car insurance rates in Syracuse?

According to our data, the cheapest car insurance company in Syracuse is New York Central Mutual. NYCM has an average rate that's $696 per year.

How can I save on my car insurance in Syracuse?

There are a few things you can do to save on car insurance costs. Avoid accidents and violations, keep a good credit score, and get quotes from multiple companies to get the best rates.

Is car insurance required in Syracuse?

Yes, in Syracuse (and the rest of New York) all drivers must have limits of 10,000 for property damage liability per accident, $25,000 for bodily injury and $50,000 for death for a person involved in an accident, and $50,000 for bodily injury and $100,000 for death of two or more people in an accident.

Is New York a no-fault state?

Yes, New York is a no-fault state. This means that every driver must seek compensation for injuries from their own car insurance company, not from the other driver’s car insurance company.

Authors

Nicole Wakelin is an automotive journalist who has covered the industry for over a decade. She’s always loved cars and the fact that they regularly hand her the keys to shiny new automobiles so she can write about them is a constant source of amazement. She covers breaking news, writes reviews, and attends auto shows and new vehicle launches across the country.

Her work has appeared in a wide range of publications both online and in print. These include U.S. News & World Report, The Boston Globe, TrueCar, Kelley Blue Book, and Autobytel. In addition, she speaks to all things automotive at conferences, on the radio, and on podcasts, including co-hosting the weekly Wheel Bearings Podcast.

Nicole is a current member and former Vice President of the New England Motor Press Association. She is also a juror for both the Women’s World Car of the Year and the North American Car, Truck and Utility of the Year.

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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