Looking for Cheap Car Insurance in New York?
New York City and the surrounding areas are notorious for crowded roads, high traffic, and a bustling way of life. Also, New York has a reputation for being one of the most expensive states in America. No wonder the cost of living in the Empire State is sky-high, and New York car insurance can be especially steep.
Your zip code is just one of several factors that determine your auto insurance rate. Although you may live in Albany to Queens, shopping around for car insurance is still worth it. And Carlay is here to help you with car insurance now.
Using Carlay is as simple as answering a few short questions and choosing competitive rates from one of many top providers. You can also choose to have your policy tailored to meet your specific needs. After you make your pick, Carlay takes care of the rest—switching you to your new policy, helping to cancel your old one, and sending you new quotes before every renewal.
Carlay customers in New York often save money on deals. Here are quotes from real Carlay customers in New York:
How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in New York?
The average cost of basic liability car insurance in New York is $3,015 per year. For full-coverage insurance, you'll be looking at an average cost of $3,562 per year.
Thankfully, the national average annual insurance premium is only $1,783 for basic liability protection and $2,485 for full coverage.
What contributes to the insurance rates in New York?
Here are some things that could affect the cost of your car insurance in New York:
- High population density
If you live in the city of New York, your nearest neighbor maybe just a few feet away. With so many people packed into one area, accidents are more frequent, and that can increase your car insurance rates.
- Severe weather
New York car insurance premiums are influenced by many factors, including the likelihood of severe weather in the region. New York winters are cold, snowy, and windy, but because flooding is also a concern, collision coverage is especially important to help cover repairs if your vehicle is damaged in an accident.
- Tourism
It's no secret that New York City sees an influx of tourists each year. Whether they're visiting Times Square, the Empire State Building, or the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, these sightseers are also creating traffic and congestion on roadways.
Here's how Carlay's savings on auto insurance compare to the national average:
| All Coverage Before Carlay | All Coverage After Carlay | Minimum Coverage Before Carlay | Minimum Coverage After Carlay | Full Coverage Before Carlay | Full Coverage After Carlay | |
| NY | $3,763 | $2,608 | $4,169 | $2,759 | $3,903 | $2,869 |
| National Average | $2,489 | $1,671 | $2,360 | $1,390 | $2,761 | $1,963 |
| NY | National Average | |
| All Coverage Before Carlay | $3,763 | $2,489 |
| All Coverage After Carlay | $2,608 | $1,671 |
| Minimum Coverage Before Carlay | $4,169 | $2,360 |
| Minimum Coverage After Carlay | $2,759 | $1,390 |
| Full Coverage Before Carlay | $3,903 | $2,761 |
| Full Coverage After Carlay | $2,869 | $1,963 |
Top auto insurance providers in New York
Various companies in New York offer insurance policies, including State Farm, Liberty Mutual, and Metlife.
Finding the right insurance company for you might take a little time and effort, and there's more than one way to go about it. Because the different insurance companies calculate their premiums in different ways, getting quotes from four or more companies could result in you paying quadruple the amount you think you're paying.
Key factors such as age, driving history, and location all influence your annual premium. But the type of car also has an impact on your premiums. When shopping for car insurance, you will probably be quoted a higher premium for full coverage on a BMW 3-series than on a Honda Civic because more expensive cars are more costly to insure.
Carlay customers have found some great deals with various insurance companies—take a look!
| Insurance Company | Average Cost | Annual Savings with Carlay | |
| State Auto | $4,560 | $2,035 | Compare Prices |
| Dairyland | $4,800 | $1,836 | Compare Prices |
| Allstate | $4,600 | $1,312 | Compare Prices |
| Nationwide | $3,015 | $1,232 | Compare Prices |
| Safeco | $3,910 | $1,179 | Compare Prices |
| National General | $4,262 | $1,123 | Compare Prices |
| Travelers | $4,079 | $1,056 | Compare Prices |
| Kemper | $2,288 | $850 | Compare Prices |
What Car Insurance Do You Need in New York?
In all but two states, you must meet minimum insurance requirements to legally operate a vehicle. In the state of New York, drivers must meet the following requirements to legally get behind the wheel:
| Coverage | Amount | Description |
| Bodily injury liability | $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident | Covers the costs associated with injuries you cause to others |
| Property damage liability | $10,000 per accident | Covers the costs associated with the damage you cause to other people's vehicles or property |
Driving without the mandatory minimums could result in the following penalties:
- Fine of up to $1,500
- Suspension of license + reinstatement fee of up to $750
- Potential jail time
- Vehicle impoundment
- Financial liability in the event of an accident
To make sure you're adequately protected, buy as much insurance as you can afford. Here are some good options:
| Coverage | Description |
| Collision insurance | Covers damages that are the result of a collision with a vehicle or stationary object |
| Comprehensive insurance | Covers damages that aren't the result of a collision, such as vandalism, theft, or a natural disaster |
| Uninsured motorist coverage | Reimburses you for your expenses from an accident caused by an uninsured driver |
| Personal injury protection | Covers medical expenses, lost wages, and rehabilitation costs after an accident |
| Rental reimbursement | Reimburses you for your rental car expenses while your car is being repaired after a claimable accident |
If you're ready to go shopping, Carlay is a good choice for you. After you enter in your information, Carlay compares quotes from dozens of providers, including Travelers and Safeco, to give you the best deal. Carlay handles all the complexities of switching so that you have time to think about anything but insurance.
Now that you're familiar with the types of car insurance you need let's talk about the factors that impact your insurance rate.
How is Your Cost of Car Insurance Determined in New York?
To determine your insurance rates, many factors are considered, including your age, driving record, location, and the type of vehicle you drive.
- Cost to insure your car in New York by age
Insurance companies value drivers with experience, who are less likely to have accidents. Unfortunately for young drivers, a lack of experience combined with risky behaviors and a high likelihood of accidents means very high insurance rates.
What young drivers in New York need to know
- New York offers a 10% discount on auto insurance for three years to drivers aged 25 and younger who complete a
state-approved, six-hour driver's education course.
- Students who maintain a B average qualify for a good student discount on their car insurance.
As a young driver, you can save money on your car insurance by shopping around and maintaining a clean driving record.
Comparison shopping with Carlay is the best way to get great rates from one of our Insurance Agents. Here are a few average rates for drivers by age:
| Age Group | Average Cost | Annual Savings with Carlay |
| 18-20 | $2,928 | $877 |
| 21-24 | $2,995 | $981 |
| 25-34 | $2,826 | $924 |
| 35-44 | $2,786 | $882 |
| 45-54 | $2,834 | $1,006 |
| 55-64 | $2,568 | $895 |
| 65+ | $2,563 | $875 |
- Cost to insure your car in New York with a poor driving record
Your driving record is also taken into account when you apply for insurance. When you have a record of accidents, speeding tickets, and serious offenses like DUIs, your New York car insurance rates will be higher for at least four years.
You can save money on car insurance if you have driving violations, and Carlay is the easiest way to find an affordable rate. Carlay customers with spotty driving records have saved a lot off their car insurance by switching to Carlay:
| Driving Violation | Average Cost | Annual Savings with Carlay |
| Clean Record | $4,066 | $1,184 |
| Leaving scene of an Accident/Hit and Run | $7,437 | $4,175 |
| Open Container | $5,280 | $3,696 |
| Cell Phone | $6,780 | $3,183 |
| Seat Belt | $7,035 | $2,642 |
| Defective Equipment | $4,419 | $1,711 |
| Driving on Sus. License | $5,266 | $1,689 |
| Failure to Obey Traffic Sign | $4,966 | $1,588 |
| Illegal Turn | $4,566 | $1,445 |
| Speeding under 15 | $4,529 | $1,420 |
- Cost to insure your car in New York based on where you live
The city of New York is home to almost 19.5 million people and has a population density of about 416 people per square mile, which is not very dense at all compared to the rest of the city. Residents of the state are also no strangers to dangerous weather phenomena, including hurricanes and tornadoes.
Due to increasing living costs, more and more people are choosing to drive uninsured or underinsured, which raises the risk that everyone else must take. As a result, drivers in New York pay more for auto insurance than those in rural areas since urban centers have higher rates of accidents, thefts, and claims.
Here are the cheapest car insurance cities in New York:
| City | Average Cost | Annual Savings with Carlay |
| Bronx | $3,120 | $840 |
| Brooklyn | $3,442 | $932 |
| Buffalo | $2,873 | $943 |
| New York | $2,862 | $777 |
| Queens | $3,303 | $815 |
| Rochester | $2,341 | $824 |
| Staten Island | $3,403 | $837 |
| Syracuse | $2,518 | $775 |
| Yonkers | $3,202 | $910 |
- Cost to insure your car in New York based on the type of car you drive
Your choice of vehicle matters when it comes to deciding auto insurance. Driving a car like a Honda Civic or Saturn Vue will get you a good deal on your insurance. It is cheaper to insure a more economical vehicle because it is less expensive to repair or replace if you get into an accident. And driving less can save money since you're less likely to be in a car accident. But driving a pricier vehicle like a Volvo V60 or Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG will increase your car insurance premiums.
Here's how much you would pay to insure some popular makes and models with and without Carlay:
How to Save Money On Car Insurance in New York?
In New York, insurance rates usually run high. Here's how to save money on car insurance.
- Shop around for quotes
Shopping around for the best deals requires patience, but it's worth the extra effort. Using an app like Carlay makes it easy to compare rates at different banks and choose the lowest one.
Carlay is the super app that helps you save time and money on your car insurance—and without all the hassle. All you need to do is sign up and answer a few questions, and Carlay will connect you with dozens of insurance companies in your region. And once you pick a policy, Carlay will handle canceling your old one. A Carlay policyholder saves an average of $879 per year on car insurance!
- Look for discounts
Many automobile insurance companies have a wealth of discounts available to policyholders. And if you qualify for more than one, they might even let you stack them for increased savings.
| Discount type | Who is eligible? |
| Good driver discounts | Good driver discounts are typically for New York drivers who have had a valid driver's license for the past three consecutive years and have a clean driving record. This discount can usually save you up to 20% on your premium. |
| Defensive driving discounts | A defensive driving course can help reduce your premium by 10% for three years thanks to a state law that helps young drivers find more affordable insurance. |
| Good student discounts | Good student discounts can help reduce insurance premiums for young drivers, who typically have high rates until they turn 25. Full-time students who maintain a B average may qualify for savings up to 25% through their insurer. |
| Multi-car and bundling discounts | The more products you insure with a single company, the more you're likely to save. Insuring multiple cars or bundling policies (like home and auto) together can net you savings up to 25%. |
- Increase your deductible
Your deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket each time you have an accident. Raising your deductible can lower your annual insurance premium, but it's important to make sure you can afford to pay the deductible if and when you need to.
Registering Your Car in New York
Before you can register your car in New York, you'll need to bring these items to your local DMV:
- Valid driver's license or ID card
- Proof of insurance
- Proof of sales tax payment
- Car title or signed lease agreement
- Smog check certificate
- Safety inspection certificate
New York drivers must renew their vehicle registrations annually.