Compare car insurance in New York

It pays to know what’s required to drive in New York when it comes to auto insurance. Compare average car insurance costs, state laws and shop around to find the best rates in the state of New York.

Most popular New York auto insurance companies list

Average car insurance costs in New York

New York averages $1,350 annually for standard car insurance coverage, which puts it slightly above the national average of approximately $1,300. Costs vary within the state based on your driving history, vehicle and level of coverage.

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 for New York drivers

While the state average is in the $1,300 range, you could pay more or less depending on your situation. 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.

• Elmhurst
• Ridgewood
• Brooklyn
• New York
• Staten Island

State minimum requirements in New York

• Bodily injury minimum: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident; $50,000 per death to one person / $100,000 per death to multiple people
• Property damage minimum: $10,000 per accident
• Uninsured/underinsured bodily injury minimum: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
• Basic personal injury protection minimum: $50,000

When shopping for car insurance, you’ll sometimes see this written as 25/50/10.

Some states, including New York, require you to purchase uninsured or underinsured motorists coverage (UM/UIM coverage), which protects you in an accident with someone without proper insurance coverage. New York’s laws require a UM/UIM minimum equal to that of the regular liability coverage.

Can I get SR-22 insurance in New York?

Unlike other states, New York doesn’t require drivers with DUI convictions to file SR-22 insurance — a certificate that tells the state you have the minimum coverage required to get behind the wheel. If a driver is required to file one, they’ll be notified by the state.

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.

Frequently asked questions about New York car insurance

• Is my out-of-state policy acceptable in New York?

  No, if you’re a resident of New York, you must change your insurance policy to match your new address.

• Does my insurance cover me if I'm driving someone else's car?

  Generally speaking, the car insurance covers the car. So if you got into an accident with someone else’s car, the owner’s insurance would go toward damages first; your insurance would probably only come into play if the car owner’s own coverage was maxed out.

• Am I covered if I rent a car?

  Car rental companies charge daily fees to use their insurance, meaning any and all damages covered in the rental agreement are covered by the company. To find out what your own provider will cover if your damages don’t fall under the rental agreement, it might help to call your insurer and speak to an agent.