Brooklyn is the most populous borough in New York City, with around 2.7 million residents living across 70 neighborhoods. Brooklyn drivers pay an overall average of $334 per month for car insurance, which is significantly higher than the nationwide average of $144 per month.
In June 2023, 2,618 motor vehicle collisions occurred in Brooklyn. This figure surpasses the collision rates in other boroughs, such as Manhattan (1,351), the Bronx (1,204), and Queens (2,148).1 The population density and higher frequency of accidents in Brooklyn may contribute to its elevated car insurance costs.
Here’s what to know about finding cheap car insurance in Brooklyn, New York.
6 of the cheapest car insurance companies in Brooklyn
Car insurance companies set rates based on various factors, such as your ZIP code, age, driving history, and the year, make, and model of your vehicle.
The best auto insurers in Brooklyn offer policies with a good balance of affordability and protection, providing coverage options to meet your unique needs. In other words, when it comes to car insurance, a cheap price shouldn’t be the only motivating factor.
Here are some of the most affordable car insurance companies in Brooklyn.
Best insurer overall: Travelers
Best insurer for safe drivers: Safeco
Best insurer for drivers with an at-fault accident: Progressive
How to get the cheapest car insurance in Brooklyn
Getting cheap car insurance in Brooklyn can be challenging, but you have ways to find lower rates:
Shop around. Comparing quotes from multiple insurers is important because average costs and coverage options can vary significantly by auto insurance company. Though it may take more work up front, finding the right policy for your needs is worth it.
Take advantage of discounts. One of the most common ways to save money on your insurance premium is with discounts. Ask your insurance agent which discounts you might be eligible for to help lower your coverage costs.
Raise your deductible. Your deductible is the amount of money you agree to pay out of pocket when you file a claim before your insurer pays. By increasing your deductible, you agree to take on more financial responsibility in the event of an accident. In exchange, insurers typically lower your rates. But don’t set your deductible so high that you can’t afford to pay it out of pocket if you need to file a claim.
Practice safe driving habits. Keep a clean driving record by driving safely. Always use seat belts, obey traffic laws, observe speed limits, and avoid distractions such as texting or talking on the phone while driving.
Cheapest liability-only car insurance in Brooklyn: CSAA
Liability-only car insurance provides coverage for third-party damages and injuries resulting from a car accident that you cause. It’s important to note that liability-only insurance doesn’t provide protection for you or your vehicle.
Brooklyn drivers pay an average of $313 per month for liability coverage.
Liability-only insurance may make sense if you drive an older vehicle and can afford to repair or replace it on your own in the event of an accident. Liability insurance may appeal to drivers looking to save money, as it’s usually cheaper than other types of insurance coverage.
Here are the cheapest car insurance companies in Brooklyn for liability-only insurance.
Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Brooklyn: CSAA
Full-coverage car insurance provides protection over and above the bare-minimum coverage requirements and also includes collision and comprehensive coverages. Full-coverage car insurance is typically more expensive than liability insurance since it offers greater protection.
Full-coverage policies in Brooklyn cost $356 per month, on average.
Though it’s pricier coverage, it helps limit out-of-pocket costs in the event of a car accident. And if you finance or lease your car, your lender or leasing company will likely require you to carry full coverage.
Here are the cheapest car insurance companies in Brooklyn for full-coverage insurance.
Car insurance requirements in New York
Drivers in the state of New York must meet certain requirements for car insurance. New York is a no-fault state, meaning your coverage pays for your medical bills and other losses after an accident, regardless of who’s at fault for the crash.
Here are the minimum car insurance requirements for New York drivers:2
For more robust protection, you can purchase additional optional coverage, such as:
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident
Driving incidents — like at-fault accidents, speeding tickets, and DUIs — are a red flag to insurers and often result in higher rates. When you have a car accident on your record, insurers may view you as a higher insurance risk and adjust your rate accordingly.
Generally, when you file a claim against your insurance policy above a specific amount because of an incident that’s primarily your fault, insurers will increase your premium by a certain percentage, according to the Insurance Information Institute.3 The exact amount of the increase varies by company and the severity of the incident.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket: CSAA
Depending on your state’s laws and the policies of your insurance company, receiving a speeding ticket may raise your insurance premium. Speeding tickets generally stay on your driving record for three to five years, though the exact timeline varies by state.
Here are the cheapest car insurance companies in Brooklyn for drivers with a speeding ticket.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident: CSAA
Being involved in an at-fault accident signals to an insurer that you may pose a higher risk of future accidents. Therefore, insurers adjust your auto insurance rate to account for the added risk.
The amount of the rate hike varies by insurance company. Comparing quotes from multiple companies is key to finding cheaper car insurance after an at-fault accident.
Here are the cheapest car insurance companies for Brooklyn residents with an at-fault accident.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI: CSAA
Getting a DUI will likely increase your insurance premiums. In New York, driving under the influence can lead to losing your license, fines, and even jail time.
In New York, the severity of the consequences of a DUI depends on several factors, such as your blood alcohol level when you’re pulled over and whether it’s a first or repeat offense.4
Here are the cheapest car insurance companies in Brooklyn for drivers with a DUI.
Cheapest car insurance for seniors: CSAA
Senior drivers generally have some of the cheapest car insurance rates of any age group. But your rates may start to rise around age 70. Older adults can be more likely to have health issues that affect their driving ability or be seriously injured in a car accident.
Finding cheap car insurance for seniors can be challenging, but shopping around can help you lock down a reasonable rate. You can also consider pay-per-mile insurance or take a defensive driving course to lower your car insurance costs.
Here are the cheapest car insurance companies in Brooklyn for seniors.
Cheapest car insurance for teens: CSAA
Young drivers, particularly teens, pay the most for car insurance because insurers consider them high-risk drivers. Statistics show that teens are more likely to be involved in car accidents than other age groups.5 Since teens present a higher risk, insurers charge higher premiums to offset the potential costs.
Finding cheap car insurance for teens can take time. Some ways to find cheap rates include staying on your parents’ insurance policy and asking your insurer about good student and driver’s education discounts.
Here are the cheapest car insurance companies in Brooklyn for teens.
Brooklyn car insurance quotes by credit tier
New York allows insurers to consider a driver’s credit history when calculating insurance rates. In states where it’s allowed, insurance companies can use your credit history to generate a credit-based insurance score, which predicts how likely you are to file a claim.
Generally, drivers with excellent or good credit receive the best rates, while drivers with poor credit pay higher premiums.
Here are the average monthly rates in Brooklyn for each of the following credit tiers:
Is car insurance more expensive in Brooklyn?
Brooklyn is one of the most expensive areas in New York for car insurance. The average monthly premium is higher in Brooklyn than any other area in New York — including New York City as a whole and the Bronx — according to Insurify data.
The average full-coverage car insurance rate in Brooklyn is $356 per month, which is higher than the New York state average of $191 per month. It’s also significantly higher than the national average of $184 per month.
More cities in New York
Here are some of the average monthly rates in different cities in New York and how they compare to Brooklyn.