Fact CheckedWhile NYCM has the cheapest full coverage, it won’t have the best rates for everyone. What you or anyone else pays for car insurance depends on the coverage you get and a long list of personal factors related to your driving history, age and location. To get an idea of what the cheapest insurance company is in your part of New York, shop around for quotes before buying a policy.
The cheapest car insurance companies in New York, at a glance
NerdWallet analyzed rates for 18 insurers to find the cheapest auto insurance for different types of drivers in New York.
Coverage type
Full coverage | NYCM, $1,384 per year
Minimum coverage | Progressive, $343 per year
Driving record
Speeding ticket | Progressive, $1,572 per year
At-fault accident | NYCM, $1,654 per year
DUI | Progressive, $1,554 per year
Driver age
Young drivers | NYCM, $2,042 per year
Millennial drivers | Progressive, $1,463 per year
Gen X drivers | Progressive, $1,156 per year
Senior drivers | Progressive, $1,046 per year
Credit-based insurance score
Poor credit | Preferred Mutual, $2,180 per year
Good credit | NYCM, $1,384 per year
These are median rates. Our base profile is a full coverage policy for a 35-year-old with a clean driving record and good credit.
Why trust NerdWallet
Strict editorial guidelines to ensure fairness and accuracy in our coverage.
Thorough rating guidelines for evaluating auto insurance companies.
More than 270 million rates analyzed by our team of specialists.
More than 50 insurance companies analyzed in all 50 states and Washington D.C.
You can trust the prices we show you because our data analysts take rigorous measures to eliminate outliers and inaccuracies in pricing data, which includes rates from every locale in the state where coverage is offered and data is available. When comparing rates for different coverage amounts, ages and backgrounds, we change only one variable at a time, so you can easily see how each factor affects pricing.
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Cheapest car insurance in New York by coverage type
The cheapest car insurance that someone can get is a policy that has just the minimum amount of liability insurance, plus any other coverage that New York requires. While the relatively low cost of minimum coverage might catch your eye, it isn’t really an option for many people.
If you have a car loan or lease, your lender will likely require full coverage — a policy that includes comprehensive and collision insurance and covers most types of damage to your vehicle.
Full coverage is worth it even if you own your car outright. If you had to rely on minimum coverage and caused a serious crash, you might have to pay for your car’s damage, as well as damage to the other person's car and their medical bills.
NYCM has the cheapest full coverage in New York, with an average cost of $1,384 per year or $115 per month.
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| NYCM | $1,384 | $115 |
| Progressive | $1,391 | $116 |
| Erie | $1,469 | $122 |
| Preferred Mutual | $1,729 | $144 |
| Travelers | $1,751 | $146 |
Progressive has the cheapest minimum coverage in New York, with an average cost of $343 per year or $29 per month.
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Progressive | $343 | $29 |
| NYCM | $421 | $35 |
| Preferred Mutual | $549 | $46 |
| Sterling Insurance | $607 | $51 |
| Erie | $611 | $51 |
These are median rates for 35-year-old drivers, according to our January 2026 analysis.
- Minimum requirements for car insurance in New York
New York auto insurance laws require car owners to carry liability insurance, personal injury protection (PIP) and uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage (UMBI).
The minimum coverage limits in New York are:
$25,000 bodily injury liability per person.
$50,000 bodily injury liability per accident.
$50,000 liability for death per person.
$100,000 liability for death per accident.
$10,000 property damage liability per accident.
$50,000 PIP.
$25,000 UMBI per person.
$50,000 UMBI per accident.
Liability car insurance covers the cost of any damage, injuries or deaths you cause in a car accident, up to your policy’s predefined limits.
Personal injury protection will cover your medical bills and expenses if you’re injured in a car crash, up to your policy limits, no matter whose fault it was. Depending on your state, PIP may also pay for:
Lost wages if you’re unable to work due to injuries from an accident.
Services you can no longer perform, like house cleaning or child care, because of your injuries.
Funeral costs if an accident-related injury leads to death.
A small death benefit as a cash payout.
Uninsured motorist coverage will cover expenses from injuries or damage after an accident with a driver who doesn’t have car insurance. Underinsured motorist coverage will cover the same expenses if you’re hit by a driver with some car insurance, but not enough to cover all costs from the crash.
For the best financial protection, consider buying more than the bare minimum coverage. Any costs that surpass your coverage limits would have to come out of your own pocket, so with these minimums, a serious accident could easily leave you owing more than, say, $10,000 to repair another driver's car.
Why does car insurance keep getting more expensive in New York — and what can you do about it?
Your car insurance rates might have gone up for reasons outside your control. Factors like the number of accidents in your area and pricier claims have led to higher insurance costs for drivers across the country.
Higher rates are probably here to stay, but one reliable way to make sure you don’t pay more than you have to for car insurance is by comparing quotes from a few insurers before buying or renewing a policy. You may find other ways to get lower rates, like raising deductibles, reducing coverage levels on older cars or switching to per-mile insurance policies.
Cheap car insurance in New York from top companies
You likely give a lot of attention to price when deciding which insurance company to choose, but there are other factors to check before buying car insurance. If you want cheap full coverage insurance and high-quality service, compare the average rates for car insurance from the companies that our editorial team has awarded a 4.5- or 5-star rating in New York.
GEICO: $2,888 per year
State Farm: $2,800 per year.
Travelers: $1,751 per year.
USAA: $1,847 per year. (USAA is available only to active duty military, veterans and their families, and some federal employees.)
» MORE: Best car insurance in New York
Cheapest car insurance in large New York cities
You’re more likely to make a claim if you live in a city than you are in a small town or rural area. Cities have busier roads (and more accidents), and crime happens more frequently. For these reasons, car insurance is more expensive in cities than rural parts of New York. Location is so important that even moving across town can cause your rates to get higher.
Before you move, estimate what your rates could be. This could help you avoid being surprised by a larger insurance bill.
- Buffalo
Below are the cheapest insurers we found in Buffalo. To see the full list, read NerdWallet's analysis of car insurance in Buffalo.
Category Cheapest Company Median annual rate Clean driving history Progressive $1,293 After a DUI Progressive $1,485 After an accident Progressive $1,626 After a speeding ticket Progressive $1,509 Having poor credit Preferred Mutual $2,703 Category Cheapest Company Median annual rate Clean driving history Progressive $468 After a DUI Progressive $504 After an accident Progressive $569 After a speeding ticket Progressive $539 Having poor credit Utica National $948 These are median rates for 35-year-old drivers in Buffalo, according to our January 2026 analysis.
- New York City
Below are the cheapest insurers we found in New York City. To see the full list, read NerdWallet's analysis of car insurance in New York City.
Category Cheapest Company Median annual rate Clean driving history Progressive $1,935 After a DUI Progressive $2,236 After an accident Progressive $2,474 After a speeding ticket Progressive $2,270 Having poor credit GEICO $5,374 Category Cheapest Company Median annual rate Clean driving history Progressive $882 After a DUI Progressive $940 After an accident Progressive $1,086 After a speeding ticket Progressive $1,007 Having poor credit Sterling Insurance $1,222 These are median rates for 35-year-old drivers in New York City, according to our January 2026 analysis.
Cheapest car insurance in New York by age
Your age can give insurers an idea of how likely you are to be in an accident. Rates are often highest for younger drivers, who have spent less time behind the wheel than older drivers.
As you get older, you could get cheaper rates by shopping around for car insurance at least once a year. The company that was cheapest when you were a young driver might quickly become one of the more expensive options when you’re older.
- Cheapest for young drivers
NYCM has the cheapest car insurance for young drivers in New York, with an average cost of $2,042 per year or $170 per month for full coverage.
Young drivers may have to get lots of quotes to find the best auto insurer for cheap coverage. Still, some companies often have more affordable rates for young drivers, so it's best to shop around to find them. The good news is that finding cheaper rates gets easier as you get older, as long as your driving record stays clean.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate NYCM $2,042 $170 Progressive $2,207 $184 Erie $2,813 $234 Travelers $3,952 $329 Sterling Insurance $4,497 $375 Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate NYCM $603 $50 Progressive $725 $60 Erie $1,156 $96 Preferred Mutual $1,303 $109 Farmers $1,365 $114 These are median rates for 20-year-old drivers who have their own standalone policy, according to our January 2026 analysis. A driver who’s added to an existing policy may have cheaper rates.
- Cheapest for millennial drivers
Progressive has the cheapest car insurance for millennial drivers in New York, with an average cost of $1,463 per year or $122 per month for full coverage.
Once you’re in your 30s and 40s, car insurance will be much cheaper than it was when you just started driving. That said, your rates may be higher if you don’t have a clean driving record or you have a gap in your insurance history.
Keep an eye out for discounts that fit your lifestyle. As an example, insurers may offer a discount on your coverage if you bundle your auto insurance with a homeowners policy, or if you don’t drive much.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Progressive $1,463 $122 NYCM $1,515 $126 Erie $1,529 $127 Preferred Mutual $1,729 $144 Travelers $1,806 $151 Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Progressive $365 $30 NYCM $458 $38 Preferred Mutual $549 $46 Sterling Insurance $607 $51 Erie $630 $52 These are median rates for 30-year-old drivers, according to our January 2026 analysis.
- Cheapest for Gen X drivers
Progressive has the cheapest car insurance for Gen X drivers in New York, with an average cost of $1,156 per year or $96 per month for full coverage.
Once you’re in your late 40s and 50s, you’ll probably have more than a couple of insurers offering cheap car insurance to choose from. At this age, it might make sense to reconsider the amount of car insurance you need, and drop some coverage on a car you’ve paid off. Doing this can cause your rates to go down, but it’s not the best option if you couldn’t afford to replace a vehicle on your own.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Progressive $1,156 $96 NYCM $1,234 $103 Erie $1,351 $113 Preferred Mutual $1,398 $117 Travelers $1,562 $130 Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Progressive $291 $24 NYCM $421 $35 Preferred Mutual $450 $38 Sterling Insurance $501 $42 Erie $577 $48 These are median rates for 50-year-old drivers, according to our January 2026 analysis.
- Cheapest for senior-aged drivers
Progressive has the cheapest car insurance for senior-age drivers in New York, with an average cost of $1,046 per year or $87 per month for full coverage.
We found that older drivers with good credit and a clean driving history might enjoy some of the cheapest auto insurance rates of any group. While car insurance for senior-age drivers is relatively cheap, rates usually start to get a little more expensive each year once you’re in your 70s.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Progressive $1,046 $87 Erie $1,390 $116 NYCM $1,532 $128 Preferred Mutual $1,563 $130 Travelers $1,674 $140 Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Progressive $300 $25 Preferred Mutual $510 $43 Sterling Insurance $528 $44 NYCM $543 $45 Erie $595 $50 These are median rates for 70-year-old drivers, according to our January 2026 analysis.
More Nerdy Perspective
New York State doesn't require uninsured motorist property damage coverage. This means if your car is damaged by a driver who didn't share their insurance information with you, a minimum coverage policy won't pay for repairs. To anyone driving in the city, it might be worth considering full coverage car insurance that would pay to repair such damage — I've seen one too many dangling side mirrors on parallel parked cars to think otherwise!
Cheapest car insurance in New York by driving record
While you’ll likely see a rate increase after an accident or ticket, how much more you’ll pay depends on the type of violation, how serious it was and your insurer.
It’s not impossible to find cheap car insurance after an accident or speeding ticket. Consider starting with some of the best high-risk car insurance companies. These insurers are known for offering lower rates to people even if they don’t have spotless driving records.
- Cheapest after a speeding ticket
Progressive has the cheapest car insurance after a speeding ticket in New York, with an average cost of $1,572 per year or $131 per month for full coverage.
In most cases, a speeding ticket affects the cost of car insurance, but not always. Insurers use different equations to calculate prices, so, if your rates went up after a recent ticket, you may still be able to get cheaper coverage by shopping around.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Progressive $1,572 $131 Erie $1,636 $136 NYCM $1,641 $137 Travelers $1,751 $146 Sterling Insurance $2,485 $207 Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Progressive $397 $33 NYCM $511 $43 Preferred Mutual $549 $46 Erie $657 $55 Sterling Insurance $669 $56 These are median rates for 35-year-old drivers with a speeding ticket, according to our January 2026 analysis.
- Cheapest after an at-fault accident
NYCM has the cheapest car insurance after an at-fault accident in New York, with an average cost of $1,654 per year or $138 per month for full coverage.
An accident can cause your rates to be higher for three or more years. While it’s hard to predict how much insurance will increase after an accident, shopping around can usually help you find cheaper options.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate NYCM $1,654 $138 Progressive $1,664 $139 Erie $1,835 $153 Sterling Insurance $2,810 $234 Travelers $3,078 $257 Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Progressive $420 $35 NYCM $511 $43 Preferred Mutual $732 $61 Erie $753 $63 Sterling Insurance $817 $68 These are median rates for 35-year-old drivers with an at-fault accident on their record, according to our January 2026 analysis.
- Cheapest after a DUI
Progressive has the cheapest car insurance after a DUI in New York, with an average cost of $1,554 per year or $130 per month for full coverage.
A DUI can increase what you pay for car insurance by a significant amount. We found that someone in New York with a clean driving history could get full coverage insurance for $1,384 per year, on average. But that driver could pay $1,554 for the same coverage after a DUI. Not shopping for car insurance after a DUI could mean overpaying hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars each year.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Progressive $1,554 $130 NYCM $1,979 $165 Erie $2,326 $194 Travelers $3,091 $258 Allstate $3,845 $320 Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Progressive $370 $31 NYCM $662 $55 Erie $988 $82 Preferred Mutual $1,239 $103 Travelers $1,302 $109 These are median rates for 35-year-old drivers after a DUI, according to our January 2026 analysis.
If car insurance companies won't offer you coverage because of your driving record, you could qualify for a policy through the New York Automobile Insurance Plan (NYAIP). This program was started by the state to match drivers with insurers in New York.
Cheapest car insurance in New York by credit history
Your credit history can affect your auto insurance rates in New York. Insurers use a credit-based insurance score, which is different from your regular credit score, to determine the likelihood you’ll file a claim.
Car insurance costs an average of $2,599 per year for someone with good credit in New York, but an average of $4,665 for a driver who has poor credit.
- Poor credit
Preferred Mutual has the cheapest car insurance in New York for someone who has poor credit, with an average cost of $2,180 per year or $182 per month for full coverage.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Preferred Mutual $2,180 $182 Utica National $2,481 $207 Erie $2,966 $247 NYCM $3,413 $284 Sterling Insurance $3,439 $287 These are median rates for 35-year-old drivers who have a poor credit-based insurance score, according to our January 2026 analysis.
- Good credit
NYCM has the cheapest car insurance in New York for someone who has good credit, with an average cost of $1,384 per year or $115 per month for full coverage.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate NYCM $1,384 $115 Progressive $1,391 $116 Erie $1,469 $122 Preferred Mutual $1,729 $144 Travelers $1,751 $146 Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Progressive $343 $29 NYCM $421 $35 Preferred Mutual $549 $46 Sterling Insurance $607 $51 Erie $611 $51 These are median rates for 35-year-old drivers who have a good credit-based insurance score, according to our January 2026 analysis.
See what you could save on car insurance
Easily compare personalized rates to see how much switching car insurance could save you.
Methodology
NerdWallet averaged rates based on public filings obtained by pricing analytics company Quadrant Information Services. We examined rates for 35-year-old men and women for all ZIP codes in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
Unless otherwise stated, our analysis was based on our base driver profile, which has the following characteristics and coverage levels:
35 years old
Single. Male or female.
2023 Toyota Camry LE
12,000 annual miles driven.
Good driving record and credit
No moving violations.
"Good driving" discount applied.
Good credit-based insurance score.
Bodily injury liability coverage
$100,000 per person. $300,000 per crash.
Property damage liability coverage
$50,000 per crash.
Uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage
$100,000 per person. $300,000 per crash.
Collision coverage
With a $1,000 deductible.
Comprehensive coverage
With a $1,000 deductible.
- See characteristics for other driver profiles
For all other driver profiles, we used the same assumptions, with the following exceptions:
We changed the credit tier from “good” to “poor,” as reported to the insurer, to see rates for drivers with poor credit. These rates are based on credit score approximations and do not account for proprietary scoring criteria used by insurance providers.
For drivers with one at-fault crash, we added a single at-fault crash that happened six months ago, resulting in $10,000 in property damage and no bodily injury claim.
For drivers with a DUI, we added a single drunken driving violation that happened six months ago.
For drivers with a ticket, we added a single speeding violation for driving 16 mph over the speed limit.
For young drivers, we considered 20-year-olds with good credit and no driving violations.
For millennial drivers, we considered 40-year-olds with good credit and no driving violations.
For senior drivers, we considered 70-year-olds with good credit and no driving violations.
These are median rates, and your rate will vary based on your personal details, state and insurance provider. Sample drivers had the minimum required coverage by law in each state. Some policies include additional coverage at the insurer’s discretion.
Although it’s one of the largest insurers in the country, Liberty Mutual is not included in our rates analysis due to a lack of publicly available information.
