The cheapest car insurance in New York, at a glance
NYCM offers the cheapest full coverage in New York, with an average monthly rate of $113, according to NerdWallet's July 2025 analysis.
NYCM offers the cheapest liability coverage in New York, with an average monthly rate of $31.
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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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The average cost of full coverage car insurance in New York is $2,897 per year, or $241 per month, according to our analysis. Minimum coverage in New York costs an average of $943 per year, or $79 per month.
Cheapest car insurance in New York for July 2025
NerdWallet analyzed rates for 18 insurers to find the cheapest auto insurance in New York. We reviewed rates for drivers of different ages, with different driving histories and coverage types, to find the companies offering the best deals for a variety of driver profiles.
Be aware that your rates will probably be different because of personal characteristics like your age, driving record, car and ZIP code. We recommend getting quotes from several of the companies below to find out which insurer will actually be the cheapest for you.
Full coverage insurance will help pay for repairs to your own vehicle after an at-fault accident, as well as damage and injuries you cause to others. If you have a car loan or lease, your lender will likely require you to carry full coverage, which includes comprehensive and collision insurance. These coverage types pay you if your car is stolen or damaged in an accident you cause, among other scenarios.
These rates are based on a 35-year-old driver with good credit and a clean driving history.
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| NYCM | $1,356 | $113 |
| Erie | $1,529 | $127 |
| Progressive | $1,535 | $128 |
| Travelers | $1,911 | $159 |
| Preferred Mutual | $2,052 | $171 |
Liability coverage pays only for damage you cause to others, so you’ll have to pay for your own repairs yourself if you don’t have full coverage. New York requires drivers to have a minimum amount of liability insurance, which covers others’ injuries and property damage if you are the at-fault driver in an accident. See New York's minimum coverage requirements.
The rates below are based on a 35-year-old driver with good credit and a clean driving history.
| Company | Median annual rate | Median monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| NYCM | $369 | $31 |
| Erie | $518 | $43 |
| Preferred Mutual | $525 | $44 |
| Travelers | $581 | $48 |
| Sterling Insurance | $607 | $51 |
Having a DUI or at-fault accident on your record will cause your rates to go up — or even double. But each car insurer prices these incidents a little differently, so it’s worth shopping around for the best rates.
The rates below are for 35-year-old drivers with full coverage.
| Category | Cheapest company | Median annual rate |
|---|---|---|
| Clean driving history | NYCM | $1,356 |
| After a DUI | Progressive | $1,578 |
| After an accident | NYCM | $1,664 |
| After a speeding ticket | NYCM | $1,601 |
| Having poor credit | Preferred Mutual | $2,552 |
Rates refreshed July 2025.
Risks of liability car insurance
Liability coverage is typically the cheapest car insurance available, and that usually means getting the barest coverage required by law in your state. But state requirements can be quite low and leave you financially vulnerable if you’re in a serious accident.
Getting the cheapest car insurance possible might also mean missing out on optional coverage types that can help cover your own injuries or property damage — for example, when you’re injured in an accident or if your car is banged up after a bad storm or a hit-and-run. To find cheap car insurance with more coverage, check out NerdWallet’s list of cheap full coverage insurance.
» MORE: Best car insurance in New York
Cheapest car insurance in large New York cities
NerdWallet analyzed rates for 35-year-old drivers with a range of driving histories in some of the largest cities in New York.
- 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 $1,732 After a DUI Progressive $1,784 After an accident NYCM $2,208 After a speeding ticket Progressive $2,001 Having poor credit Preferred Mutual $3,100 Category Cheapest Company Median annual rate Clean driving history NYCM $576 After a DUI Progressive $845 After an accident NYCM $708 After a speeding ticket NYCM $708 Having poor credit Utica National $948 Rates refreshed July 2025.
- 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 $3,128 After a DUI Progressive $3,235 After an accident Erie $4,185 After a speeding ticket Progressive $3,625 Having poor credit GEICO $5,281 Category Cheapest Company Median annual rate Clean driving history Sterling Insurance $993 After a DUI Progressive $1,924 After an accident Sterling Insurance $1,354 After a speeding ticket Sterling Insurance $1,103 Having poor credit Sterling Insurance $1,222 Rates refreshed July 2025.
Cheapest auto insurance in New York by age
Your age can have a big impact on your car insurance rates. Teens pay the most, with rates typically decreasing once you hit your 30s and going up again in your 70s.
All rates are for drivers with clean driving records and good credit.
- For 20-year-old drivers
Young drivers may have to get a lot of quotes to find the best cheap car insurance. Prices can be high in your 20s, but tend to come down as you get more experience on the road. Still, some companies routinely have better insurance rates for young drivers, so it's best to shop around to find them.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate NYCM $2,001 $167 Progressive $2,746 $229 Erie $2,924 $244 Travelers $4,347 $362 Central Insurance $5,136 $428 Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate NYCM $531 $44 Erie $970 $81 Progressive $1,082 $90 Preferred Mutual $1,245 $104 Farmers $1,365 $114 Rates refreshed July 2025.
- For 30-year-old drivers
By the time they reach their 30s, most drivers will enjoy cheaper car insurance rates than in their teens and 20s. Still, factors like a person’s driving record and car make and model can increase prices. Drivers in their 30s can get lower rates by shopping around and taking advantage of any car insurance discounts.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate NYCM $1,489 $124 Progressive $1,573 $131 Erie $1,600 $133 Travelers $1,977 $165 Preferred Mutual $2,052 $171 Rates refreshed July 2025.
- For 40-year-old drivers
While insurance rates vary by age and gender, drivers in their 40s can often expect to get cheap insurance rates from most companies. You may find even cheaper rates from smaller or regional insurers.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate NYCM $1,284 $107 Progressive $1,460 $122 Erie $1,495 $125 Travelers $1,868 $156 Preferred Mutual $2,052 $171 Rates refreshed July 2025.
- For 60-year-old drivers
Car insurance costs may start to rise for older drivers, so it’s wise to shop around for the cheapest rates. You can also check for senior discounts. For example, some insurers offer discounts to senior drivers who take a defensive driving course.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate NYCM $1,133 $94 Progressive $1,359 $113 Erie $1,367 $114 Travelers $1,598 $133 Preferred Mutual $1,635 $136 Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate NYCM $356 $30 Preferred Mutual $436 $36 Erie $484 $40 Sterling Insurance $501 $42 Progressive $575 $48 Rates refreshed July 2025.
- For 70-year-old drivers
Our analysis shows that older drivers with good credit and a clean driving history enjoy some of the cheapest auto insurance rates, but car insurance rates for senior drivers start to creep up once you reach your 70s.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Erie $1,425 $119 NYCM $1,501 $125 Progressive $1,504 $125 Travelers $1,767 $147 Preferred Mutual $1,810 $151 Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate NYCM $481 $40 Preferred Mutual $494 $41 Erie $508 $42 Sterling Insurance $528 $44 Central Insurance $639 $53 Rates refreshed July 2025.
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
Having a driving violation on your record is likely to increase your car insurance premium. How much more you’ll pay depends on the type of violation, your car insurance carrier and your other personal characteristics.
NerdWallet found the companies offering the lowest car insurance rates for 35-year-old drivers with different driving records. If you have multiple violations on your record, consider looking into the best high-risk car insurance companies.
- After a speeding ticket
In most cases, a speeding ticket affects the cost of car insurance, but insurers use different equations to calculate prices. So, if your rates rose after a recent ticket, you may still be able to get cheaper coverage by shopping around.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate NYCM $1,601 $133 Erie $1,728 $144 Progressive $1,769 $147 Travelers $1,911 $159 Sterling Insurance $2,926 $244 Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate NYCM $447 $37 Preferred Mutual $525 $44 Erie $553 $46 Sterling Insurance $669 $56 Progressive $725 $60 Rates refreshed July 2025.
- After one at-fault accident
An accident can affect your car insurance costs for up to three years, depending on your location and your insurer. But not all insurance companies use the same pricing model, so it can be hard to predict how much insurance will increase after an accident. If your insurance went up after a recent crash, you might find cheaper options by shopping around.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate NYCM $1,664 $139 Erie $1,911 $159 Progressive $2,058 $171 Sterling Insurance $3,288 $274 Travelers $3,512 $293 Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate NYCM $447 $37 Erie $632 $53 Preferred Mutual $700 $58 Progressive $802 $67 Sterling Insurance $817 $68 Rates refreshed July 2025.
- After a DUI
A DUI on your driving record can significantly increase the cost of car insurance. Our analysis showed that a 35-year-old in New York with a clean driving history could get full coverage insurance for $113 a month, on average, while that same driver could pay $132 for the same coverage after a DUI. This makes it especially valuable to shop for cheap car insurance after a DUI.
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Progressive $1,578 $132 NYCM $1,919 $160 Erie $2,360 $197 Travelers $3,546 $296 Allstate $4,465 $372 Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate NYCM $579 $48 Progressive $656 $55 Erie $829 $69 Preferred Mutual $1,183 $99 Nationwide $1,439 $120 Rates refreshed July 2025.
If car insurance companies are declining to offer you coverage due to DUIs, crashes or other factors, you could qualify for car insurance through the New York Automobile Insurance Plan (NYAIP).
» MORE: Getting an SR22 in New York
Cheapest car insurance in New York by credit history
Your credit history can impact 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.
NerdWallet found the companies offering the lowest car insurance rates for 35-year-old New York drivers with poor credit.
- Poor credit
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Preferred Mutual $2,552 $213 Utica National $2,758 $230 NYCM $3,072 $256 Erie $3,120 $260 Travelers $3,510 $293 Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate Preferred Mutual $617 $51 Utica National $717 $60 Sterling Insurance $739 $62 NYCM $859 $72 Farmers $868 $72 Rates refreshed July 2025.
- Good credit
Company Median annual rate Median monthly rate NYCM $1,356 $113 Erie $1,529 $127 Progressive $1,535 $128 Travelers $1,911 $159 Preferred Mutual $2,052 $171 Rates refreshed July 2025.
Cheapest car insurance in New York for military families
USAA
- High customer satisfaction ratings.
- One-stop shop for insurance as well as banking and investing products.
- Policies available in all states and Washington, D.C.
- Available to active military, veterans and their families only.
If you're an active member of the military or a veteran — or you have an immediate family member who is — chances are you'll get a relatively cheap rate with USAA, a company that isn't available to the general public.
Because of that restriction, USAA isn't ranked with the others, but it was among the cheapest five auto insurance options for 36 of the 70 driver profiles we examined. Read our USAA auto insurance review.
See what you could save on car insurance
Easily compare personalized rates to see how much switching car insurance could save you.
Minimum auto insurance limits 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.
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.
2022 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.
