Cheap Auto Insurance in Rochester, New York (2025)

Rochester drivers pay an average of $172 per month for full-coverage car insurance, which is lower than the New York state average of $191 per month, and significantly less than the national average of $184.

On the southern shore of Lake Ontario, Rochester has an extensive network of highways that reduces traffic in the city. This lack of gridlock may contribute to the city’s reasonable auto insurance rates.

Learn more about the cheapest car insurance options in Rochester and how to find the best rate for your unique driving profile.

Best car insurance companies in Rochester

Before choosing a car insurance company, you should consider your budget and specific coverage needs. The right insurer for you might look different than the best insurer for another driver.

The three car insurance companies below offer Rochester drivers a unique combination of low prices and high customer satisfaction ratings.

Best insurer for cheap rates: CSAA

Best insurer for classic car owners: Safeco

Best insurer for teen drivers: Erie

How to get the cheapest car insurance in Rochester

Rochester drivers pay 18% more than the national average for car insurance. You can find the best deal in the area for you by using these strategies:

• Raise your deductible. Your deductible describes the amount you need to pay out of pocket on a claim before your insurance kicks in. Higher deductibles generally lead to lower monthly premiums.

• Choose the right car. Choosing a car with a strong safety record and advanced safety features is a good idea if you’re looking for cheap auto insurance.

• Bundle home and auto. Purchasing car insurance and home insurance from the same company may qualify you for a bundling discount. The same applies to other insurance products, like renters and life insurance.

• Shop around and compare quotes. Companies offer different rates on auto insurance coverage. Receiving quotes from at least three companies and comparing them side by side is the best way to find the cheapest car insurance rates.

Cheapest liability-only car insurance in Rochester: Liberty Mutual

Liability insurance covers the other driver’s repair costs and medical bills if you have an accident. However, a liability-only policy won’t cover your medical expenses or vehicle damage.3 This coverage can work well for drivers of inexpensive or older vehicles with lots of mileage. Otherwise, you may want to purchase additional coverage for more protection.

On average, liability-only policies cost $126 per monthly in Rochester. Here are the cheapest companies in Rochester for liability-only car insurance.

Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Rochester: CSAA

Full-coverage insurance policies provide more protection than liability-only policies by including collision coverage, which covers your vehicle repairs after an accident regardless of fault, and comprehensive coverage, which covers damage from non-collision events like fire, vandalism, or severe weather.

Because full-coverage insurance offers more robust vehicle and financial protection, it’s more expensive than a liability-only policy. Drivers of new or high-value cars should consider purchasing this coverage. If you finance or lease your vehicle, your auto lender may require you to have this coverage.

Rochester drivers see average full-coverage rates of $172 per month, according to Insurify data. Here are the cheapest car insurance options for full-coverage policies in Rochester.

Car insurance requirements in New York

New York drivers must carry a minimum amount of liability insurance to drive legally in the state. Because New York is a no-fault state, both drivers must file claims with their auto insurer after an accident, regardless of fault.4 Drivers also need to purchase personal injury protection (PIP) coverage, which kicks in to pay for medical expenses, lost wages, and more.

You could face license and registration suspension if you fail to maintain the required car insurance in New York.5 Find the specific requirements for liability and no-fault coverage in New York below.

Beyond liability and PIP coverage, drivers in New York can also purchase the following optional coverages:

Cheapest car insurance for Rochester drivers with an incident

Drivers with incidents on their driving record — such as a speeding ticket, driving under the influence charge, or at-fault accident — pay higher average rates for car insurance. Auto insurers see you as riskier to insure after an incident, so they charge higher premiums to offset that risk. How much a Rochester driver’s rate increases varies by the severity of the incident.6

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket: Liberty Mutual

Receiving a speeding ticket will typically increase your car insurance rates. Drivers in Rochester with one or more tickets may have to search a bit harder to find affordable rates. However, a single speeding ticket shouldn’t increase your premium by a significant amount.

A speeding ticket pushes the average cost of car insurance in Rochester to $230 monthly for full coverage and $169 for minimum coverage. Here's how a speeding ticket affects liability car insurance rates from some top insurers for Rochester drivers.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident: Liberty Mutual

Filing a claim after an at-fault accident will typically result in an increase in your insurance rates. The severity of the rate increase will vary by company, but you can expect to deal with higher premiums after an accident for about three years.7

Rochester drivers with at-fault accidents face average car insurance costs of $246 per month for full coverage and $180 for liability-only policies. Here are the Rochester auto insurers offering the cheapest liability rates to drivers with an at-fault accident.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI: Liberty Mutual

A DUI is the most serious violation a driver can receive and will often result in the steepest increase in car insurance rates. A car insurance company may even choose not to renew your policy if you receive a DUI.

A DUI in Rochester significantly affects monthly rates, pushing liability coverage to an average of $196 per month and full coverage to $268. The following insurance companies offer the lowest average liability-only rates for Rochester drivers with a DUI on their record.

Cheapest car insurance for Rochester seniors: Liberty Mutual

Though young people tend to deal with high insurance costs, rates typically decrease steadily between your 30s and early 70s. But senior drivers may see their rates increase again after age 75 because insurers see drivers in that age group as higher risk. Senior drivers typically pay more than middle-aged drivers but much less than drivers younger than 30.

The average monthly cost of car insurance for Rochester seniors is $123 for full coverage and $90 for minimum coverage. Here are the cheapest insurance companies for older drivers in Rochester.

Cheapest car insurance for Rochester teens: Liberty Mutual

Teen drivers have a much higher accident rate than drivers 20 and older, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).8 Insurance companies typically view teenagers as high-risk drivers and charge them higher rates to offset this risk. Teens can lower their rates by joining their parents’ insurance policy, driving a safe car, and earning a good student discount.

Teen drivers in Rochester will find average rates of $288 per month for full coverage and $90 for minimum coverage. Certain car insurance companies also offer more affordable rates to teen drivers. Here are the cheapest auto insurance companies in Rochester for teens.

Rochester car insurance quotes by credit tier

Consumer advocates in New York have recently pushed lawmakers to block insurers from using credit information to determine car insurance rates. But credit is still a factor when it comes to insurance coverage in the Empire State. As the chart below shows, drivers with excellent or good credit pay less than drivers with poor credit.

Is car insurance more expensive in Rochester?

Rochester drivers pay, on average, $172 per month for full-coverage car insurance, and $126 for minimum coverage. These rates are lower than both the New York state and national averages. Car insurance rates vary by city due to a variety of factors. Local property values, repair costs, weather patterns, and crime rates all influence a given ZIP code’s average rates. More expensive cities usually have higher car insurance rates.

More cities in New York

Car insurance rates in Rochester are lower than average premiums in New York City, Buffalo, Staten Island, and more. Drivers in Albany or Schenectady pay even lower rates.

The table below shows average monthly quotes in other New York cities.