Car Insurance for High-Risk Drivers in New York (2025)

Car insurance for high-risk drivers in New York state is generally more expensive, but it’s still possible to find an affordable policy.

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Past driving incidents can affect car insurance costs for New York drivers. A spotty driving record generally means rate increases, with drivers paying a monthly average of $223 for liability car insurance. People with a clean driving record pay a monthly average of $178 for a liability policy.

Car insurance may be more expensive if the insurance company considers you a high-risk driver, but you’ll still need to meet the state-minimum liability coverage required by law. This can be challenging, though, as some insurers don’t offer coverage for high-risk drivers.

Here’s what you need to know if you’re a high-risk driver shopping for a car insurance policy in New York.

Quick Facts
  • Your insurance company may deem you a high-risk New York driver if you have a past at-fault accident, speeding ticket, or DUI conviction.

  • CSAA offers the cheapest average rates for high-risk drivers, but it’s important to get multiple car insurance quotes.

  • Taking a defensive driving course, getting legal help for infractions, and maintaining a safe record could help reduce your costs.

Who is a high-risk driver in New York?

Your insurance company may deem you a high-risk driver if you have past incidents on your record, such as speeding tickets, a driving under the influence (DUI) conviction, or at-fault accidents. 

New York state also has a points system, in which drivers may be subject to fines and license suspensions for certain driving infractions. If you accumulate six points within 18 months, you’ll be fined, and if you accumulate 11 points within the same time period, the state will suspend your license.1 

Best New York auto insurance companies for high-risk drivers

If you’re a high-risk driver, the cost of your car insurance can vary depending on your driving infractions, so it’s important to shop around. Here are some of the best insurers if you’re currently seeking new coverage.

CSAA: Best for affordable coverage

USAA: Best for customer satisfaction

Progressive: Best for financial stability

  • When choosing the best car insurance companies for high-risk drivers, we compared factors like costs for drivers with an incident, available discounts, customer service options, customer satisfaction ratings, and overall financial stability.

    The companies we’ve listed above offer competitive rates, a range of discounts, accessible customer service teams, and high customer satisfaction and financial stability ratings.

Cheapest car insurance in New York with an at-fault accident

Car accidents happen, but if you’re found responsible, you’ll pay higher car insurance premiums than someone with a clean driving record. This is true whether you live in New York or elsewhere in the country. Insurers may view you as more likely to have future accidents and a higher risk to insure.2

The table below shows some of the cheapest car insurance companies for New York drivers with an at-fault accident.

Cheapest car insurance in New York with a DUI

A DUI conviction will also increase your auto insurance rates in New York. This type of driving incident typically results in the highest increase, as it’s often the highest risk in the eyes of your insurer.

Still, it’s worth comparing coverage from different car insurance companies, as some may offer more affordable policies for drivers with a DUI than others.

Cheapest auto insurance in New York with a speeding ticket

Your car insurance costs will increase after a speeding ticket, but generally not by as much as they would with a DUI charge.

In the table below, you can see average monthly costs for drivers in New York with a speeding ticket on their record.

How to find cheaper car insurance for high-risk drivers in New York

While car insurance is relatively expensive for high-risk drivers in New York, some insurers offer cheaper auto insurance rates than others. Here are some strategies that could reduce your car insurance costs:3

  • Seek out discounts. Most car insurance companies offer discounts to help drivers save, such as bundling, good student, and loyalty discounts. Ask your insurance agent which discounts you qualify for.

  • Work with an independent agent. Independent agents have the knowledge and expertise you need to find cheap coverage if you’re a high-risk driver. They can compare car insurance policies across several companies to find you the lowest rates.

  • Compare quotes. The best way to find cheap car insurance coverage is to compare quotes from different insurers to make sure you’re getting the best policy for your needs.

How to improve your driving record in New York

If your insurance company has deemed you a high-risk driver, you can take a few steps to reduce the cost of your car insurance:

New York high-risk drivers insurance FAQs

If you’re still wondering about high-risk drivers insurance in New York, check out the additional information below.

  • Which driver is considered high-risk in New York?

    Insurance companies may consider drivers to be high risk if they have past speeding tickets, DUIs, or at-fault accidents. The amount by which your insurance will increase depends on several factors, including the type of offense, your insurance company, where you live, and more.

  • How do auto insurance companies calculate risk in New York?

    Auto insurance companies calculate someone’s insurance risk by looking at their driving record, age, gender, ZIP code, and other demographic factors.

  • What is the cheapest insurance company for New York high-risk drivers?

    CSAA offers the cheapest auto insurance rates, on average, for New York high-risk drivers. But your insurance rates will vary based on your individual situation.

  • How much does high-risk auto insurance cost in New York?

    A high-risk auto insurance policy is generally more expensive than a policy for a driver with a clean record. For example, New York drivers with an incident on their record pay an average of $223 per month for liability insurance, while drivers with a clean record pay a monthly average of $178 for liability coverage.

  • What is the best insurance company for high-risk drivers?

    There’s no single best insurance company for high-risk drivers. But CSAA, USAA, and Progressive are a few of the best companies for high-risk drivers in New York.

Jess Ullrich
Jess UllrichInsurance Writer

Jess is a personal finance writer who's been creating financial and business content for over a decade. Her work is published on Investopedia, MoneyWise, NextAdvisor, The HuffPost, and more. Prior to freelancing full-time, Jess was an editor at Investopedia, The Balance, and FinanceBuzz. Connect with her on LinkedIn.

Jess has been a contributor at Insurify since September 2022.

Car Insurance for High-Risk Drivers in New York (2025) | Insurify