New York car insurance quick facts
Minimum liability requirements
25/50/10
Average annual car insurance cost according to the NAIC
$1,558.66
No-fault state
In no-fault states, each driver pays for their own injury-related expenses after an accident.
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Get the cheapest car insurance in New York for 2022
New York averages $1,558.66 annually or about $130 monthly for standard car insurance coverage, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. The Empire State’s average puts it nearly $400 per year above the nation’s average, which is $1,190 per year.
One reason for New York’s steep car insurance cost is its high minimum coverage requirements. However, the NAIC averages the cost of policies with state minimum coverage alongside those with higher liability limits and add-ons. Since costs vary based on your driving history, car and level of coverage, you could see a different rate from the state average.
State minimum requirements in New York
In New York, each driver is required to have liability coverage, personal injury protection and uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage. You may see the amount of liability coverage required written as 25/50/10. New York also requires a separate, higher liability limit to cover death to one or more people.
Let’s break down what’s covered by New York’s state minimum requirements in detail.
Bodily injury liability
- $25,000 for bodily injuries per person
- $50,000 for injuries to two or more people per accident
- $50,000 for death to one person
- $100,000 for death to multiple people per accident
For bodily injuries that you cause in an accident, New York requires you to carry 25/50, which pays up to $25,000 for injuries to one person and $50,000 total if you injure more than one person.
However, New York goes a step further than other states, requiring up to $50,000 for death to one person and $100,000 total if more than one person dies in an accident that you cause.
New York’s bodily injury coverage pays out for serious injuries or death. That said, it may not apply if the passenger injured is your spouse unless you buy Supplemental Spousal Liability. Otherwise, your spouse can file a claim under personal injury protection coverage.
Property damage liability
- $10,000 in property damage liability
New York requires at least $10,000 to pay out if you damage the other driver’s car or personal property like a smartphone, equipment or a property owner’s fencing. This amount falls at the low end of what other states require for property damage.
Personal injury protection
- $50,000 for personal injury protection
You’ll also need to buy personal injury protection coverage, which pays for your medical bills, lost income or other qualifying expenses if you get hurt by another driver.
New York’s PIP coverage is the highest amount required of any US state. This coverage applies to anyone driving your car, passengers in your car or anyone living in your household.
Your PIP will pay for medical bills as well as 80% of lost income up to $2,000 a month. It also allows $25 per day for qualifying expenses like household help or getting to and from medical appointments. Last, this PIP offers your loved ones a $2,000 death benefit.
Uninsured or underinsured motorist
- $25,000 for uninsured motorist bodily injuries per person
- $50,000 for uninsured motorist bodily injuries to multiple people
New York requires you to carry uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage to apply if you or your passengers get injured by a driver who doesn’t have enough insurance to cover you. It also applies in hit-and-run situations.
You may be able to file a claim under both PIP and uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage if you’re hurt by an underinsured driver. However, the state only requires that this coverage pay out if the accident happens in New York. You’ll need to pay extra for it to apply out of state.
New York’s state minimum coverage isn’t enough
New York has high insurance requirements for drivers. Yet it may not cover all of the damage if you cause an accident, especially if someone files a claim against you for pain and suffering. To make sure you’re well protected, think about buying liability limits above the state’s minimum.
It’s always recommended that you carry enough coverage to protect your current and future assets. If you’re in an accident with a new Mercedes-Benz and only have $10,000 in property damage coverage, you may be in trouble. Having the highest amount of insurance coverage you can afford is the best option.”
7 factors that affect car insurance rates in New York
Factors are characteristics specific to you that car insurance companies use to set how much you’ll pay for car insurance. The less risky each of your factors is the less you pay, the riskier you are the more you’ll pay. We’ll break down New Yorker’s rating factors to keep in mind.
| Factor | How it affects your rates |
|---|---|
 Age | How old you are is a top factor in determining your car insurance rates. With each passing year, you earn more experience on the road. More experience can equal cheaper rates. Teen drivers pay the most, but rates begin to level off around your 20’s with drivers over 50 paying the least. |
 Gender | New York takes gender into account when determining your rates. Our analysis of Quadrant data found that men under 18 pay 17% more for car insurance compared to women of the same age. But, between 31 and 45, women see rates 5% higher than men. After 45, rates differ between men and women by only 1%, with women on the higher end. |
 Location | Where you live affects your rates, including where you park your car. High theft rates, high traffic and a high number of uninsured drivers could mean higher rates. New York vehicle theft rates stand at 101.7 vehicle thefts per 100,000 inhabitants, according to the FBI’s most recent report on vehicle theft rates. That’s well below the national average of 246 vehicle thefts per 100,000 inhabitants and takes 6th place for the least number of vehicle thefts. As for uninsured drivers, 4.1% of New Yorkers on the road are uninsured. That’s less than average for the percent of uninsured drivers in a state according to Insurance Information Institute, with the national average standing at 12.6%. |
 Vehicle and mileage | Your car’s make, model and trim directly affect how much you’ll pay for car insurance. Things like its cost, safety ratings, the likelihood of theft and sportiness all help insurers determine its cost to insure. Safer and cheaper vehicles score the lowest rates, with luxury vehicles with higher repair costs resulting in higher premiums. And, the more you’re on the road, the more at-risk you are to get in an accident, which means higher premiums. However, according to the Bureau of Transportation, New Yorkers drive an average of 30.5 miles per day, that’s below the average across the US of 36.1 miles per day. |
 Credit score | Your credit score is included in your credit-based insurance score which insurers use to help calculate rates. According to the Insurance Information Institute, there is a strong correlation between your insurance score and claims filings. A good credit-based insurance score could mean lower rates. New York drivers have protections under state laws that regulate the use of your credit history when issuing car insurance policies. Credit score can’t be the only factor used to determine your rates. |
 Coverage | The more coverage you get and the higher limits you choose, the more protection you’ll have and the more you’ll pay in monthly premiums. And, if you opt for full coverage car insurance that includes comprehensive and collision, the amount of your deductible weighs into your costs too, higher deductibles mean lower monthly premiums. |
 Driving Record | The better your driving record, the lower your premium. If you’re in an at-fault accident you could see rates increases from 20% to 50%. And DUI’s in New York can increase your rate by around 49%. These types of violations typically stay on your record for about three years. |
Can I get SR-22 insurance in New York?
New York doesn’t require drivers to file an SR-22 to reinstate their license after serious driving convictions. In other states, drivers with offenses such as DUIs or multiple speeding tickets may be required to complete an SR-22 form that proves they meet their state’s minimum insurance requirements to get their license back. However, if you have an SR-22 from another state and are moving to New York, it’s likely that you need to maintain it.
Coverage that we recommend in New York
New York sets a higher standard for its state-required coverage than other states. However, consider add-ons like higher liability limits, collision and comprehensive coverage, based on your driving situation. Types of car insurance coverage you may need:
Higher liability limits
Since New York’s required liability coverage is low protection, think about boosting your liability limits. Damico says, “Most experts recommend carrying at least $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident to avoid having to pay out of pocket after injuring someone in an accident. . . . For example, if three passengers are injured, and their medical expenses cost $25,000 each, you’ve already exceeded your [state minimum] per-accident coverage of $50,000.”
For property damage liability, Damico suggests, “Carrying at least $50,000 in property damage ensures you aren’t paying out of pocket if you damage someone’s property. If you total another driver’s new car, you could owe well over $10,000 as the average cost of a new car is closer to $40,000 right now.”
Collision
Anytime that you’re on the road, there’s a chance that you could cause a car accident. In this case, you need collision coverage if you want your insurance to pay for your car damage.
Remember that liability coverage pays for the other person’s damage when you’re at fault — not for your car repairs.
Consider this coverage if . . .
- Your lender requires it for your car loan.
- You can’t pay out of pocket to repair or replace your car.
- You drive your car regularly for work or errands.
- The coverage costs less than your car’s value.
Comprehensive
When considering comprehensive coverage, think about whether your car could get damaged from natural events like the weather. Damico comments that this coverage “makes sense” for New Yorkers:
“Colliding with deer and other animals is common and often covered under comprehensive insurance. Weather-related damage like hail or wind storms is also covered. Where I live in Buffalo, New York, comprehensive is a must for weather-related damages.”
Consider this coverage if . . .
- It’s required for your car loan.
- You can’t pay to repair or replace your car out of pocket.
- Your area has a high risk of theft, serious storms or animals wandering near the roads.
- Buying coverage costs less than your car’s value.
Gap coverage
If you finance your car, you might want gap insurance if there’s a gap between what you owe on your car loan and your car’s value.
If your car gets totaled in an accident, your insurance company pays for your car’s value minus depreciation. In some cases, the insurance check isn’t enough to pay off your car loan. However, gap insurance can kick in to pay off the rest.
Consider this coverage if . . .
- You have a car loan.
- The balance on your car loan is higher than your car’s depreciated value.
Personal injury protection
While required by New York state, you could get higher protection if you pay a little more per month for extra personal injury protection coverage. Josh Damico from Jerry says, “Purchasing Optional Basic Economic Loss (OBEL) coverage is also recommended. It typically costs a few dollars a month but adds $25,000 of additional coverage for wage loss, physical therapy, or rehabilitation if you exhaust the $50,000 of required PIP coverage.”
Consider this coverage if . . .
- You live in an area where serious accidents are common.
- You don’t have health insurance or have high deductibles.
- You want plenty of coverage to replace your income.
Top 10 auto insurance companies in the USA that serve New York
We pulled the top insurers by market share nationally that also serve New York, according to S&P Global. Compare the companies’ ratings from three top agencies along with our Finder score.
- The Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating scores how a business interacts with its customers, rating insurers as high as A++.
- J.D. Power scores companies based on customer satisfaction with their price, billing, claims and customer support. The agency scores out of 1,000 points.
- The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) complaint index shows how a company’s number of complaints compares to similar companies. Scores lower than 1.00 show that the company sees fewer than the average number of complaints. Scores above 1.00 show more complaints than average.
- Finder’s score rates companies based on their coverage, discounts as well as the BBB, J.D. Power and NAIC ratings.
 | ★★★★★ 4/5 | |||||
 | ★★★★★ 4/5 | |||||
 | ★★★★★ 4/5 | |||||
 | ★★★★★ 4/5 | |||||
 | ★★★★★ 4/5 | |||||
 | ★★★★★ 4/5 | |||||
 | ★★★★★ 4/5 | |||||
 | ★★★★★ 4/5 | |||||
 | ★★★★★ 4/5 | |||||
 | ★★★★★ 3/5 |
Car insurance quotes for New York drivers
To give you an idea of how much you might pay for car insurance, compare sample quotes for drivers living in the state of New York. These rates are for a married driver with good credit wanting great coverage for a newer sedan.
Which city has the cheapest car insurance in New York?
Of New york’s largest cities, Staten Island has the cheapest rates and Brooklyn has the most expensive car insurance rates. Brooklyn drivers could face rates 8 times more than Staten Island drivers.
Location is one of many factors that can affect your insurance rate. For example, a driver who lives and parks their car in downtown Manhattan could pay more to insure their car than someone up in Woodstock. City living comes with some extra risks for vandalism and theft, plus driving in tight traffic more often tends to mean you’re at a greater risk for accidents.
Car insurance quotes in Elmhurst
| Company | Annual car insurance rate |
|---|---|
| Allstate | $1388 |
| Progressive | $2815 |
| Geico | $1496 |
| StateFarm | $4262 |
Car insurance quotes in Ridgewood
| Company | Annual car insurance rate |
|---|---|
| Allstate | $1388 |
| Progressive | $2491 |
| Geico | $1496 |
| StateFarm | $4262 |
Car insurance quotes in Brooklyn
| Company | Annual car insurance rate |
|---|---|
| Allstate | $1343 |
| Progressive | $3470 |
| Geico | $2323 |
| StateFarm | $5446 |
Car insurance quotes in New York
| Company | Annual car insurance rate |
|---|---|
| Allstate | $1418 |
| Progressive | $2405 |
| Geico | $1014 |
| StateFarm | $1804 |
Car insurance quotes in Staten Island
| Company | Annual car insurance rate |
|---|---|
| Allstate | $1100 |
| Progressive | $2366 |
| Geico | $1398 |
| StateFarm | $2939 |
Compare car insurance providers in New York
New York car insurance laws
Know these laws in the Empire State to stay legal on the road and help you decide how much coverage to buy.
Drivers pay for their own injury expenses after an accident
New York is a no-fault state, which means that you pay for your own medical bills, lost income and other injury expenses after an accident, no matter who’s at fault. File a claim under your personal injury protection for these expenses.
However, New York’s no-fault laws don’t apply to property damage like car repairs, according to the legal website Nolo. New York considers whether drivers are partially at fault under a law called pure comparative fault. Under this law, both drivers pay for the percentage of damage that they caused.
For example, if you’re 80% responsible for an accident, your insurance pays 80% of the other driver’s property damage. The other driver’s insurance pays 20% of your property damage.
Distracted driving is a serious offense in New York
In New York, you legally can’t talk, text, read messages or perform other actions while holding your cellphone or another device. If you do, you can get fined $50 to $200 plus another $93 surcharge for a first offense, and up to $450 plus the surcharge for multiple offenses within 18 months.
You’ll also receive five points on your driver’s license per violation. For reference, accumulating 11 points within 18 months can lead to getting your license suspended in New York.
Register your car within 30 days of moving to New York
If you just moved to the state, you need to transfer your out-of-state car registration to a New York registration within 30 days of becoming a resident. Before registering, you must have a New York car insurance policy, bring proof of your identity and make sure that you have any required odometer or damage disclosures.
See what documents your vehicle needs before heading to the Department of Motor Vehicles. Most vehicles will also need to pass safety and emissions inspections within 10 days of registering.
New law aims for more zero-emission vehicles on the road by 2035
On September 8, 2021, Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation to support the state’s goal of reducing greenhouse gases by 85% by 2050. Under the law, all new passenger cars and trucks sold in New York will need to have zero emissions by 2035. The law also sets a goal of zero emissions for all medium- and heavy-duty vehicles by 2045.
Bottom line
Getting the right car insurance could make all the difference when it comes time to filing a claim, and depending on your circumstances, it could mean buying a policy with more coverage than the bare minimum. Shop around and compare your options to find the best value, and work with your provider to build a policy that works for you.
- Average Premiums and Expenditures, NAIC, 2018
- Automobile Financial Responsibility Limits By State, III, October 2021
- Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements Coverage, New York Department of Financial Services
- Motor vehicle theft rate in the United States in 2020, by state, Statista, 08 October 2021
- Top 10 Highest And Lowest States By Estimated Percentage Of Uninsured Motorists, 2019, III
- State Transportation by the Numbers, BTS
- Largest private auto insurers posted combined ratios under 100% in 2020, S&P Global, May 4 2021
- New York Car Accident Laws, Nolo
- New York No-Fault Car Insurance, Nolo
- Cell phone use & texting, New York Department of Motor Vehicles
- Register an out-of-state vehicle, New York DMV
- Register/Title a Vehicle in New York State, New York DMV
- Assembly Bill A4302, New York State Senate, September 8, 2021
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