Nerdy takeaways
Sterling Insurance offers the cheapest minimum coverage in New York, with an average rate of $993 per year according to NerdWallet's September 2025 analysis.
The average cost of full coverage car insurance in the Big Apple is $5,263 per year, higher than the average in New York state.
After an accident, Progressive has the cheapest rates for full coverage in the city, at an average cost of $4,191 per year.
NerdWallet analyzed rates from 18 insurers to find the cheapest car insurance companies in New York City. What you pay for car insurance depends on personal details, such as your age, driving history, location and the amount of coverage you have. Your exact rates won’t be the same as ours, which we calculated using multiple driver profiles from ZIP codes across the city. For this reason, it’s a good idea to compare rates to find which options are most affordable for you.
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Cheap car insurance companies in New York City by coverage level
Your car insurance rates depend partly on how much insurance you get. More coverage means higher rates. Progressive is the cheapest car insurance company for a full coverage policy, which covers damage to your own car after many scenarios that are common to life in the city, such as rats and other animals, downpours and theft.
A minimum coverage policy will be cheaper but have less protection. Sterling Insurance has the cheapest minimum coverage car insurance in New York City, with an average cost of $993 per year.
| Company | Median annual rate |
|---|---|
| Progressive | $3,172 |
| Erie | $3,326 |
| State Farm | $3,606 |
| Travelers | $4,201 |
| NYCM | $4,358 |
| USAA* | $3,306 |
*USAA is only available to military, veterans and their families.
Rates refreshed September 2025
- Minimum car insurance requirements in New York City
New York drivers need to meet New York state's auto insurance coverage requirements.
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.
Is there anything wrong with getting a minimum coverage policy?
Most drivers need more insurance than the minimum amount that New York requires. One reason is that having full coverage is a condition of most loans and leases. Another reason is that it’s unlikely a policy with minimum coverage would cover the damage done by a serious accident. With a bare-bones policy, you could be on the hook for medical bills and property damage worth potentially thousands of dollars.
» MORE: Best car insurance in New York
Cheap car insurance in New York City by age
Age has a big effect on your car insurance rates. Younger drivers, for example, usually pay more than older drivers with similar driving histories due to having less experience on the road. Make sure to continue shopping around for cheap car insurance as you age and gain more experience driving. This way, you can check to make sure that you’re not paying more than you have to for someone who’s your age.
- Cheapest for young drivers
The cheapest full coverage car insurance for young drivers in New York City is Progressive. While rates are high for teenagers and drivers in their 20s, the good news for these drivers (and their parents) is that it’s much cheaper to add a young driver to an existing policy than to buy a standalone policy for them.
Company Median annual rate Progressive $5,479 The Hanover $6,235 Erie $6,588 NYCM $6,650 Travelers $8,060 USAA* $7,746 *USAA is only available to military, veterans and their families.
Rates refreshed September 2025
Company Median annual rate NYCM $1,748 Sterling Insurance $2,257 The Hanover $2,737 GEICO $2,945 Central Insurance $2,992 USAA* $3,295 *USAA is only available to military, veterans and their families.
Rates refreshed September 2025
- Cheapest for millennial drivers
Progressive has the best full coverage car insurance rates for millennial drivers. Prices are much more in line with average for the city once you’re in your 30s and 40s. However, it’s still worth comparing rates in this age group. You could earn a car insurance discount for a big life event, such as a new home or vehicle, or even a move to a cheaper neighborhood or borough.
Company Median annual rate Progressive $3,127 Erie $3,487 State Farm $3,675 Travelers $4,351 GEICO $4,644 USAA* $3,483 *USAA is only available to military, veterans and their families.
Rates refreshed September 2025
- Cheapest for Gen X drivers
In New York City, the cheapest full coverage car insurance for Gen X drivers is Progressive. On average, the cost of car insurance continues to get more affordable throughout your late 40s and into your 50s. If you have a history of safe driving, you might check to see if you can get even cheaper rates with a usage-based insurance policy that partially prices your policy based on how you drive.
Company Median annual rate Progressive $2,817 Erie $3,036 State Farm $3,416 Travelers $3,725 NYCM $3,731 USAA* $2,950 *USAA is only available to military, veterans and their families.
Rates refreshed September 2025
- Cheapest for senior-aged drivers
Progressive has the best full coverage car insurance rates for seniors in New York City. During your 60s, your rates are about as low as they're going to get if your driving history is clean. But once you’re into your 70s, the cost of car insurance will start getting more expensive over time.
Company Median annual rate Progressive $2,756 Erie $2,910 State Farm $3,123 Travelers $3,494 NYCM $3,642 USAA* $2,783 *USAA is only available to military, veterans and their families.
Rates refreshed September 2025
Cheap car insurance in New York City by driving record
Drivers who have clean records usually pay less than those with driving violations. The good news is that higher rates aren’t permanent.
Some insurance companies may be more likely to offer affordable insurance to people with spotty driving records. If you’re having a tough time finding cheap rates because of your driving history, then one of these high-risk insurers might be an option.
- Cheapest after a speeding ticket
Progressive is the cheapest car insurance company in New York City for full coverage after a speeding ticket. The cost of being convicted of speeding usually doesn’t stop at the ticket you have to pay. Many, though not all, car insurance companies increase rates for drivers with recent speeding tickets, especially after more than one ticket.
Company Median annual rate Progressive $3,640 Erie $3,735 State Farm $4,100 Travelers $4,201 NYCM $5,254 USAA* $3,712 *USAA is only available to military, veterans and their families.
Rates refreshed September 2025
- Cheapest after an at-fault accident
After an at-fault accident, the cheapest full coverage car insurance in New York City is from Progressive. An accident will almost always make your rates more expensive. Insurers may ask for details about the accident to adjust your rate — a more severe accident could mean even higher rates.
Company Median annual rate Progressive $4,191 Erie $4,306 State Farm $4,795 NYCM $5,254 Travelers $5,568 USAA* $4,186 *USAA is only available to military, veterans and their families.
Rates refreshed September 2025
- Cheapest for after a DUI
Progressive has the cheapest full coverage car insurance after a DUI. Having a DUI on your record can make it very difficult to find cheap car insurance, and the difference between the least and most expensive insurer in your area could be thousands of dollars per year — so be sure to shop around before buying a policy.
Company Median annual rate Progressive $3,289 Erie $5,401 Travelers $5,582 State Farm $6,061 The Hanover $6,129 USAA* $4,659 *USAA is only available to military, veterans and their families.
Rates refreshed September 2025
Company Median annual rate NYCM $1,933 Progressive $2,149 Sterling Insurance $2,623 Erie $2,783 Utica National $2,957 USAA* $1,970 *USAA is only available to military, veterans and their families.
Rates refreshed September 2025
Cheap car insurance in New York City for poor credit
GEICO has the cheapest full coverage car insurance in New York City for drivers with poor credit. Like in many states, insurers in New York consider credit-based insurance scores when setting rates. Your credit-based insurance score — which is likely similar to your regular credit score — tells a company how likely you are to file a claim. If you can improve your credit score, it may get easier to get cheaper car insurance.
Average car insurance cost in New York City and New York state
Rates in New York City are more expensive than average in the state of New York because of factors like the number of drivers on the road, number of accidents, crime and thefts that increase the risk of damage. Since New York City is busier and more chaotic than most of New York state, so it's no surprise that it has higher insurance costs.
According to NerdWallet’s most recent analysis, the average rate for full coverage in New York is $2,586 per year, while in New York City it's $5,263.
| Median City Rate | Median State Rate |
|---|---|
| $5,263 | $2,586 |
Average cost of car insurance in New York City’s largest ZIP codes
The cost of auto insurance also changes depending on where in the city you live, even from one neighborhood to the next. NerdWallet found the average cost of car insurance in each of New York City’s most populated neighborhoods — so if you’re thinking about moving, you could pay for more than just a rent increase.
| ZIP | Median Rate |
|---|---|
| 10025 | $6,383 |
| 10002 | $5,649 |
| 10029 | $6,726 |
| 10023 | $5,290 |
| 10128 | $5,290 |
| 10027 | $6,780 |
| 10016 | $5,290 |
| 10024 | $5,290 |
| 10009 | $5,452 |
| 10003 | $5,452 |
How to get cheap car insurance in New York
If you’re wondering how to get cheap car insurance, here are six things you can try:
Compare quotes from multiple insurers. Use NerdWallet’s car insurance comparison tool to easily shop for cheap auto insurance online. You may find that you already have the best car insurance deal, but prices can change, so check roughly once a year.
Consider dropping coverage that you don’t need. If you finish paying off your car loan, you may be able to lower your rates by getting rid of comprehensive and collision coverage. However, this should only be an option if you could afford to replace your car yourself if it were totaled.
Ask for discounts. You could save money from car insurance discounts you’re not taking advantage of. For example, maybe you work from home and don’t drive much. Mention that and you might get a low-mileage discount. Other common discounts are given for bundling car insurance with homeowners insurance, insuring multiple cars on the same policy and being a student.
Cash in on major life changes. Certain life events could translate to cheaper car insurance, so shop for quotes whenever something major changes in your life. For instance, many companies offer a lower rate for married couples or domestic partners. Or perhaps you moved to a suburb with lower accident and crime rates. Even if you moved to a more expensive area for car insurance, shopping around can help you get cheaper coverage.
Raise your deductible. The higher your car insurance deductible, the more you pay out of pocket before insurance pays for a covered claim. The upside is that by raising your deductible, you’ll usually be able to lower your premium. Just make sure you have enough money set aside to cover the higher deductible if you ever get in an accident.
Revisit quotes after your driving record improves. Shop for cheap auto insurance quotes online three to five years after any accidents, tickets or moving violations. They may have dropped off your driving record.
Reconsider the car you drive. The type of car you drive affects how much you pay for auto insurance. For example, new and expensive cars tend to cost more to insure than older or less expensive cars, among other factors. Check out NerdWallet’s analysis of the cheapest cars to insure to see if your vehicle made the list.
METHODOLOGY
For our “good driver” profile, NerdWallet averaged insurance estimates for single male and female drivers with good credit and no tickets or violations. The analysis included 5-10 of the largest insurance companies in each state; smaller insurers were also included when rates were available. Liberty Mutual and its subsidiaries were excluded from our analysis as rates were not available.
For full coverage policies, we used the following coverage limits:
$100,000 bodily injury liability per person.
$300,000 bodily injury liability per accident.
$50,000 property damage liability per accident.
$100,000 uninsured motorist coverage per person.
$300,000 uninsured motorist coverage per accident.
Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible.
Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible.
In states where required, minimum additional coverages were added. Some policies include additional coverages at the insurer’s discretion.
We used a 2022 Toyota Camry LE for all drivers and assumed 12,000 annual miles driven.
We analyzed rates for drivers 20 to 70 years old in 10-year increments. For the average cost of full and minimum coverage in each state, we looked at 35-year-old drivers.
We used the same assumptions for all other driver profiles, with the following exceptions:
For drivers with minimum coverage, we adjusted the numbers above to reflect the minimum required coverage by law in the state.
We changed the credit tier from “good” to “poor” as reported to the insurer to see rates for drivers with poor credit.
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.
We looked at 35-year-old drivers to find the cheapest company overall, the cheapest company for minimum coverage and the cheapest company for drivers with poor credit in states where credit history is used to price rates. We looked at 20-year-old drivers to find the cheapest company for young drivers.
These are rates generated through Quadrant Information Services. Your own rates will be different. Some insurance companies included in this article may have made changes in their underwriting practices and no longer issue new policies in your state.
