Cheapest Auto Insurance in New York (2025)

The average cost of car insurance in New York is $187 per month, which exceeds the national average of $144. Your location affects how much you pay for coverage. Drivers in densely populated areas, like Manhattan and Brooklyn, pay expensive premiums due to increased risks of car accidents and vehicle theft.

Additionally, New York faces severe winter storms, which may explain why drivers see such high rates throughout the state. Comparing quotes from multiple companies can help you find affordable coverage.

Here’s what you need to know about finding cheap car insurance in New York.

3 of the cheapest car insurance companies in New York

The best car insurance options don’t necessarily come with the lowest rates available for you. When it comes time to buy a car insurance policy, you need to consider more than just price. It’s always a good idea to consider other factors, like the company’s reputation regarding customer experience, customer service, and financial stability.

You also want to choose an auto insurance company that can offer you the right type and amount of coverage. Here are a few of the best options for New York drivers.

CSAA

Safeco

Progressive

How to get the cheapest car insurance in New York

The following tips can help you earn cheaper car insurance premiums in New York:

• Buy a cheaper car. Opt for a budget-friendly vehicle to avoid overspending on both the car itself and its insurance. Non-luxury cars tend to have lower service and repair costs, which leads to cheaper insurance claims and more affordable policy rates.

• Ask for discounts. Don’t forget about potential discounts when talking to insurance agents. Many companies offer discounts for completing defensive driving courses, opting for paperless communication, bundling insurance products, maintaining good academic records, or having multiple drivers in the family.

• Compare a few quotes. Taking the time to research and compare quotes from different auto insurance companies can help you find the cheapest options. By doing so, you can identify the policy that aligns with your financial plan and coverage requirements, ensuring you get the best value for your money.

Low-cost car insurance in New York

New York doesn’t have a low-income insurance program to help drivers find an affordable car insurance plan. The state does offer an assigned risk plan, which can place you with an insurance company if you can’t find coverage in the voluntary market. But, this plan typically translates to higher car insurance costs, as insurers consider drivers in this group a higher risk to insure.

If you live in New York and are looking for cheap, affordable car insurance coverage, compare car insurance quotes from three to five car insurance companies every six months. This allows you to always find the cheapest deal available.

Cheapest liability-only car insurance quotes in New York: Liberty Mutual

In New York, having liability car insurance is a legal requirement. This policy type offers coverage for the other driver’s injuries and property damage in accidents you cause. But it doesn’t cover your vehicle repairs or medical expenses.2 Liability-only coverage makes the most sense for people who drive old or inexpensive vehicles.

On average, a liability-only policy in New York costs $182 per month. For more average monthly quotes from New York car insurance companies, check out the following table.

Cheapest full-coverage car insurance quotes in New York: Erie

Liability-only and full-coverage car insurance policies provide different levels of protection. A full-coverage policy covers not only others but also your own vehicle after theft, accidents, and more. If you own a new or expensive car, you should consider full coverage.

Your lender will likely require you to have full-coverage insurance if you finance or lease your car. On average, full-coverage insurance in New York costs $191 per month.

Below, you can compare average monthly full-coverage quotes from New York insurance companies.

Car insurance requirements in New York

If you fail to meet the minimum coverage requirements mandated by New York law, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) can suspend your driver’s license and vehicle registration. Here are the specific insurance requirements in the state:3

While it’s mandatory to meet the minimum coverage requirements set by the state, you should also consider purchasing additional auto insurance coverages. Common options include the following:

Cheapest car insurance companies in New York by driving record

In addition to your age, insurance companies consider your driving record when determining rates. Drivers with clean records pay the cheapest rates. Drivers with an incident on their record — such as an at-fault accident, speeding ticket, or DUI — have higher rates.

Insurers view drivers with an incident on their record as more likely to have a repeat offense and file a claim.

In New York, drivers with clean records pay an average of $182 per month for liability coverage, and drivers with an incident pay an average of $228 per month.

The table below shows how rates fluctuate by incident.

Car insurance rates across New York cities

New York is a large state, and car insurance rates vary widely depending on where you live. Living in an area with high traffic, high vehicle crime rates, and more extreme weather increases your risk of filing a claim, which in turn increases your car insurance premiums. The table below shows the average car insurance quotes for drivers in New York, based on where they live.