INSURANCE - CAR INSURANCE

Best Car Insurance in New York for 2024

Updated Jan. 9, 2024
Fact checked
Progressive generally has the lowest cost of full coverage car insurance in New York.

Compare car insurance rates in your area!

See if you qualify for a lower rate in less than 2 minutes

By clicking the button below I understand and agree that this site uses site visit recording technology (provided by Trusted Form, Jornaya, and Microsoft Clarity) Privacy Policy

Check Rates

FAST, EASY & FREE

We receive compensation from the products and services mentioned in this story, but the opinions are the author's own. Compensation may impact where offers appear. We have not included all available products or offers. Learn more about how we make money and our editorial policies.

While driving in New York City is no picnic, the rest of New York State has historic towns and natural beauty perfect for exploring. Unfortunately, the high cost of car insurance in The Empire State, especially if you’re a high-risk or new driver, might make you think twice about hitting the road.

In this article

Key takeaways

  • The best car insurance in New York by customer satisfaction is USAA, which costs $1,880 yearly for comprehensive coverage.
  • Drivers with a clean driving record pay an average of $219 per month in New York.
  • Progressive has the cheapest full coverage insurance, an average of $1,198 annually.

Best car insurance companies in New York

Drivers in New York pay an average of $2,634 a year for full coverage car insurance and $1,615 for the state’s minimum coverage. Progressive had the cheapest average full coverage on our list, but GEICO had the lowest cost minimum liability insurance. Nationwide had the highest annual full and minimum coverage options, averaging $3,093 and $1,736, respectively.

Provider J.D. Power customer satisfaction rating Estimated annual full coverage Estimated annual minimum liability coverage
USAA 879/1,000 $1,880/year $939/year
State Farm 826/1,000 $1,994/year $1,426/year
GEICO 821/1,000 $1,615/year $930/year
Allstate 819/1,000 $2,405/year $1,422/year
Progressive 818/1,000 $1,198/year $1,051/year
Nationwide 800/1,000 $3,093/year $1,736/year

Get rates, offers & more from top rated insurance providers!

By clicking the button below I understand and agree that this site uses site visit recording technology (provided by Trusted Form, Jornaya, and Microsoft Clarity) Privacy Policy

Check Rates

USAA: Highest customer satisfaction

USAA earned the highest customer satisfaction rating in New York but is not the state’s most affordable coverage provider. While only current and former military members and their families are eligible for a policy, USAA offers a good mix of standard coverage and discounts if you qualify.

Pros
  •  USAA had the highest customer satisfaction rating in New York
  •  It offers various discounts, including insuring more than one vehicle with USAA
Cons
  •  USAA policies are not available to everyone
  •  You may find more cost-effective options with a competitor

Get a quote now | USAA review

State Farm: Best for new drivers

State Farm had relatively high costs for average full coverage insurance, an average of $1,994 per year. However, it earned the second-highest customer satisfaction score in New York and offers a discount of up to 25% for new drivers.

Pros
  • It offers a discount of up to 25% for new drivers 
  • State Farm earned a high customer satisfaction score
Cons
  •  State Farm had the second-highest cost for minimum coverage in New York
  •  It does not offer accident forgiveness coverage

Get a quote now | State Farm review

GEICO: Best for high-risk drivers

High-risk drivers in New York pay an average of $3,280 yearly for car insurance. GEICO may be a good option for those with DUIs or at-fault accidents since it might offer better rates to high-risk drivers. It also had the lowest minimum coverage in New York but earned average customer service scores.

Pros
  •  GEICO has the lowest average cost of minimum liability coverage in New York
  •  It has multiple discounts that can help you lower your insurance premiums
Cons
  •  GEICO does not have some coverage options like vanishing deductible
  •  You may find lower-cost options for full coverage insurance with a competitor

Get a quote now | GEICO review

Allstate: Best for new cars

Allstate is generally a more expensive option in New York, costing an average of $2,405 yearly for full coverage. However, it may be worth it for those who just purchased or leased a new vehicle. Allstate’s gap coverage can help you avoid a financial mess if your new car is stolen or in an accident while paying it off.

Pros
  •  Allstate offers multiple policy options, including a vanishing deductible
  •  It has multiple discount options that could help you save some money
Cons
  •  Allstate had below-average customer service scores in New York
  •  It had the second most expensive full coverage in the state

Get a quote now | Allstate review

Progressive: Most affordable coverage

Progressive is the lowest-cost option for full coverage car insurance in New York. Customers pay an average of $1,198 yearly for full coverage, compared to the state average of $2,634. Its minimum coverage was the third lowest on our list, costing an average of $1,051 annually. However, Progressive earned the second-lowest customer satisfaction score on our list of the best car insurance companies.

Pros
  •  Progressive had the lowest cost full coverage car insurance in New York
  •  It has some specialty options, including a vanishing deductible program
Cons
  •  Progressive earned the second-lowest customer satisfaction score in New York
  •  You’ll likely find lower minimum coverage costs with some competitors

Get a quote now | Progressive review

New York auto insurance requirements

Like many states in the U.S., New York drivers are required to carry minimum levels of insurance to drive legally:

  • $10,000 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 the death of two or more people in an accident

How to choose a car insurance provider in New York

Finding reasonably priced car insurance in New York may take some work. If you’re looking for a new insurance provider, consider the following:

  • Compare quotes: Get quotes from multiple companies and compare them to ensure policy amounts, coverage options, and discounts are the same or similar.
  • Research the company: Before starting a policy, research the carrier’s financial stability on a website like Standard & Poor’s or AM Best. It’s also wise to check with the New York State Department of Financial Services or the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) to confirm a company is licensed in New York.
  • Look at reviews: Check review websites like the Better Business Bureau or talk to family and friends to see what existing customers say.

How much does car insurance cost in New York?

The average cost of car insurance in New York is $2,634 a year for full coverage, compared to the national average of $1,582. Minimum coverage in New York costs an average of $1,615 annually.

Drivers in the Big Apple are likely to pay the most, an average of $3,430 a year for full coverage, while Rochester residents pay the least, an average of $1,566 yearly.

New York car insurance rates by city

Your city's population is one factor that may result in higher insurance rates since more people on the road can increase the probability of accidents. Syracuse, for example, currently has a population of 146,103, and residents spend an average of $1,734 yearly for car insurance. However, Yonkers has a population of 209,530, and residents pay almost double for their car insurance ($3,006 annually).

City Avg. annual full-coverage premium
New York $3,430/year
Yonkers $3,006/year
Buffalo $2,150/year
Albany $1,838/year
Syracuse $1,734/year
Rochester $1,566/year

Methodology

Our analysis was conducted using six different auto insurance marketplaces to determine the best auto insurance in each state. The data we analyzed included coverage premiums from up to 10 different insurance providers. We looked at rates by city, driver profile, and credit score, as well as factored in the impact of driving violations. This data is for comparative purposes only. Your actual quote may be different.

FAQs about car insurance costs in New York

What are the minimum car insurance coverage requirements in New York?

Drivers in New York must carry at least $10,000 for property damage in a single accident and $25,000 for bodily injury ($50,000 for death) to a person involved in an accident. They must also carry $50,000 for bodily injury ($100,000 for death) of two or more people in an accident.

How much does car insurance cost in New York?

Car insurance in New York costs an average of $2,634 yearly for full coverage insurance and $1,615 annually for minimum coverage. 

Which car insurance companies cover New York?

Many nationally recognized car insurance companies cover New York, including USAA, Progressive, State Farm, Allstate, Nationwide, and GEICO. 

What is the cheapest car insurance company in New York?

The cheapest full coverage car insurance in New York is Progressive, with an average of $1,198 annually. The most affordable minimum coverage in New York is GEICO, which costs $930 annually.

  • You could save up to $600 with some companies
  • Compare dozens of providers in under 5 minutes
  • Fast, free and easy way to shop for insurance
  • Quickly find the perfect rate for you

Author Details

Kate Daugherty Kate Daugherty is a professional writer with a passion for providing others the head start they deserve on their financial journeys. Largely self-taught, Kate relied on books, blogs, and trial-and-error to learn how to budget and save for the future, all while working to pay back about $15,000 in student loans.