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- New York requires drivers to carry certain levels of property damage liability and bodily injury liability car insurance.
- New York is a “no-fault” state, meaning insured drivers file claims with their own insurer after an accident, regardless of who was at fault.
- New York drivers spent an average of $3,371 on car insurance premiums in 2018, which was higher than the national average of $1,983.
Drivers in the Empire State may pay more than the national average for insurance premiums, but this doesn’t mean it’s impossible to find low-cost New York car insurance. In this article, we’ll recommend the top providers in the state based on price, customer service, and local reputation. We’ll also review state insurance minimums, state penalties for driving without insurance, and other facts about driving in New York.
Our review team has taken a close look at many of the best car insurance companies in the country. While there are differences in average premiums among states, there can be even bigger cost differences among individual drivers. If you’re looking for the cheapest auto insurance in New York, start by comparing free, non-committal quotes using the tool above.
Top New York Car Insurance Companies
To determine the best New York car insurance providers, we took a close look at the best providers nationwide and evaluated local offerings in the Empire State. While many of the top insurers maintain their quality no matter the state, regional reputation and customer service can vary.
In addition to cost, coverage, reliability, and customer service, our review team also considered the results of the J.D. Power 2020 U.S. Auto Insurance Satisfaction StudySM for New York. The study ranked companies out of 1,000 points, and each of our recommended providers performed better than the regional average of 836.
| Best New York Car Insurance | Overall Rating | Coverage | Affordability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Geico | 96% | 95% | 95% |
| 2. State Farm | 95% | 95% | 90% |
| 3. USAA | 96% | 95% | 95% |
| 4. New York Central Mutual | 83% | 90% | 85% |
*Overall Ratings represent our team’s evaluation of auto insurance companies nationwide, while the order of providers in the table reflects recommendations specifically in New York. For this reason, you may see some providers listed above others with higher Overall Ratings. Data was pulled from 2022 information.
#1 Geico: Most Discount Options
Geico offers standard car insurance coverage options as well as mechanical breakdown insurance (MBI). The insurer is a leader in the industry and has a well-established reputation nationwide, including in New York. Geico currently holds an impressive A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and is rated A++ for financial strength by AM Best. This means it works well with customers and has a superior ability to pay out claims.
Geico scored 827 out of 1,000 points in the J.D. Power Satisfaction Study, placing it fourth in the state. This ranking is in line with high Geico customer satisfaction reviews in other parts of the country.
Geico is often one of the cheapest auto insurance options for many drivers. The insurer sets low premiums to begin with, and customers can save even more on New York car insurance by taking advantage of discounts such as:
- Air bag discount
- Military discount
- Multi-policy discount
- New vehicle discount
- Good driver discount
- Multi-vehicle discount
- Good student discount
- Anti-lock brakes discount
- Federal employee discount
- Emergency deployment discount
The Geico claims app makes filing claims simple, and finding a repair shop is easy through the company’s Auto Repair Xpress® program. You can learn more about this insurer by reading our full Geico review.
#2 State Farm: Best Customer Service
We’ve named State Farm the Best for Student Drivers because of the many discounts the company offers to teens and college students.
State Farm received an A++ rating from AM Best, meaning it has the financial strength to handle and pay out customer claims. In addition to standard insurance policies, State Farm customers can purchase specialized coverage such as classic auto insurance and sports car insurance. Local customer satisfaction scores indicate State Farm is a particularly good choice for New York car insurance. In the J.D. Power Satisfaction Study for New York, State Farm ranked first with a total score of 859 out of 1,000 points.
The cost of State Farm can be slightly higher than competitors, however there are many discount opportunities such as:
- Good driver discount
- Accident-free discount
- Good student discount
- Vehicle safety discount
- Driver training discount
- Multiple policies discount
- Multiple vehicles discount
- Anti-theft system discount
- Student away at school discount
- Defensive driving course discount
Learn more about the provider by reading our complete State Farm insurance review.
#3 USAA: Best for Military
USAA scored highest in the J.D. Power Satisfaction Study for the state of New York with 868 out of 1,000 points. The insurer typically holds the highest score for most regions in this study, but it is ineligible for ranking because it is not available to all drivers.
To qualify for USAA insurance, customers must be members of the military or have a spouse or parent with a USAA membership. If you qualify for USAA insurance, it is one of the best car insurance options in any state, including New York.
USAA offers some of the lowest insurance premium rates in the country and sells every standard type of car insurance and even coverage for rideshare drivers. USAA received an A++ financial strength from AM Best and is one of the best-funded insurers nationwide. Learn more by reading our full USAA insurance review.
#4 New York Central Mutual: Best Local Agents
As its name implies, New York Central Mutual (NYCM) is an insurer specifically in the state of New York. As such, it specializes in the needs of New York drivers, connecting people with the best local policies available.
NYCM ranked fifth in the J.D. Power Satisfaction Study, scoring 827 out of 1,000 points. It has an A rating from AM Best and an A+ accredited rating from the BBB. As with many top auto insurance providers, NYCM offers a range of discounts such as:
- Senior discount
- New car discount
- Claim-free discount
- Multi-policy discount
- Homeowner discount
- Good student discount
- Anti-lock brake discount
- Defensive driving discount
- Student away at school discount
- Injury prevention discount program
If you’re looking for a small-scale provider that offers personal customer service, New York Central Mutual is a good bet.
New York Car Insurance Coverage Requirements
New York drivers are required to maintain liability insurance coverage at the following minimum coverage limits in order to apply for vehicle registration:
- $10,000 per accident for property damage liability
- $25,000 per person for bodily injury liability ($50,000 in the event of a death)
- $50,000 per accident for bodily injury liability ($100,000 in the event of a death)
The penalties for driving without New York car insurance can be steep. They include:
- Paying a traffic court fine up to $1,500
- Suspension of license and registration for at least one year
- Paying a DMV civil penalty fee of $750 to reinstate your license
While the limits mentioned above are the legal minimums, it is recommended that drivers purchase full coverage auto insurance to make sure they are fully protected on the road. This means obtaining policies for personal injury protection (PIP), comprehensive coverage, collision coverage, and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage in addition to liability coverage.
New York is a no-fault insurance state. This means that after an accident, New York drivers typically file claims with their own insurance providers, regardless of who is at fault.
Cost of New York Car Insurance
New York auto insurance costs a bit more than coverage in most other states. According to a report recently published by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), New York drivers paid the following average costs for car insurance premiums in 2017:
- Liability: $869.13
- Collision: $437.13
- Comprehensive: $179.31
- Total average expenditure: $1,349.72
The national average for liability premiums in 2017 was only $611.12, which is much lower than what New York drivers paid. One reason New York car insurance may be so expensive is that New York is a no-fault state. No-fault states typically have higher car insurance rates. Another explanation could be the high rate of insurance fraud in New York. Fraud drives up costs for car insurers, which then trickles down to customers in the form of higher insurance premiums.
New York Driving Habits
According to data from the Federal Highway Administration, New York drivers traveled a total of 123,510,000,000 miles in 2018. This averages out to 10,128 miles per licensed driver, a relatively high figure compared to the rest of the country.
However, while New York drivers put in more mileage than drivers in other states, they tend to drive more safely. The rate of accident-related hospitalizations has decreased in New York in the past 20 years, and New York had the second-lowest number of deaths per capita from fatal motor vehicle crashes in 2018.
Conclusion: New York Car Insurance
New York can be a great state in which to drive. The countryside is beautiful year-round, and New York driving is quite safe relative to other areas of the U.S. But before hitting the road in the Empire State, make sure you carry the proper car insurance.
For low-cost protection and high customer satisfaction, New York drivers should consider the following car insurance companies:
- #1 Geico
- #2 State Farm
- #3 USAA
- #4 New York Central Mutual
Of course, the only way to find the lowest-cost provider is to compare auto insurance rates for yourself, which you can do easily using the free tool below.
Our expert review team takes satisfaction in providing accurate and unbiased information. We identified the following rating categories based on consumer survey data and conducted extensive research to formulate rankings of the best car insurance providers.
- Affordability: A variety of factors influence cost, so it can be difficult to compare quotes between providers. Our team considers auto insurance rate estimates generated by Quadrant Information Services and discount opportunities when giving this score.
- Coverage: Because each consumer has unique needs, it’s essential that a car insurance company offers an array of coverage options. We take into account types of insurance available, maximum coverage limits, and add-on policies.
- Industry Standing: Our team considers Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings, financial strength, and years in business when giving this score.
- Availability: Auto insurers with greater state availability and few eligibility requirements are more likely to meet consumer needs.
- Customer Service: Reputable car insurance providers operate with a certain degree of care for consumers. We consider complaints filed with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), J.D. Power claims servicing scores, and customer feedback.
- Online Experience: Insurers with easy-to-use websites and highly rated mobile apps scored best in this category.
