Cheap Car Insurance in New York

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is car insurance in New York?

NerdWallet’s August 2026 analysis estimates the average cost of car insurance in New York at $2,676 per year, or about $223 per month, for full coverage and $1,027 per year, or about $86 per month, for minimum required coverage for a 35-year-old driver with good credit and a clean driving record. Your actual New York car insurance cost can vary significantly by rating territory, ZIP code, driving history, age, vehicle, mileage, coverage, deductibles, prior insurance, and company.

What is the minimum auto insurance coverage in New York?

New York requires at least 25/50/10 liability insurance: $25,000 bodily injury liability per person, $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident, and $10,000 property damage liability per accident. New York also requires $50,000 per person of basic No-Fault or PIP coverage and at least $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident of uninsured motorists bodily injury coverage. Separate higher death-liability minimums of $50,000 for one person and $100,000 for two or more people also apply.

How much car insurance do I need in New York?

The legal minimum is 25/50/10 liability plus $50,000 of basic No-Fault coverage and 25/50 uninsured motorists protection, but minimum insurance may not be enough for every driver. New York DFS encourages consumers to consider higher bodily injury and property damage limits because serious injuries, lawsuits, vehicle repairs, and replacement costs can exceed the statutory minimums. Drivers may also consider collision, comprehensive, additional PIP, and Supplementary Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage depending on their vehicle, assets, and risk tolerance.

Are PIP and uninsured motorist coverage required in New York?

Yes. New York requires $50,000 per person in basic Personal Injury Protection, also called No-Fault coverage, as well as uninsured motorists bodily injury protection of at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. Basic UM primarily protects against bodily injuries caused by an uninsured or hit-and-run vehicle in New York State and does not pay for damage to your car.

What is SUM coverage in New York?

Supplementary Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage, commonly called SUM, expands on New York’s basic uninsured-motorist protection. It can provide protection when an at-fault driver has no insurance or does not have enough bodily injury liability insurance, and it can extend protection to qualifying accidents outside New York. SUM limits cannot exceed the bodily injury liability limits on your own policy. When initially purchasing a New York auto policy, SUM is generally included up to your bodily injury limits unless you decline it or select lower limits through the required waiver process.

What is full coverage car insurance in New York?

“Full coverage” is not a specific insurance policy defined by New York law. The term usually describes a policy containing New York’s required liability, No-Fault and uninsured-motorist coverages together with collision and comprehensive coverage for your own vehicle. Lenders and leasing companies commonly require collision and comprehensive while a vehicle is financed or leased. Compare the actual coverages, limits, and deductibles rather than relying only on the phrase “full coverage.”

How can I find cheap car insurance in New York?

There is no single cheapest car insurance company in New York for every driver. Rates vary by rating territory, driving record, age, vehicle, mileage, prior coverage, selected limits, deductibles, discounts, and insurer. Compare several New York car insurance quotes using identical coverage, check mandatory and voluntary discounts, maintain continuous insurance, and review your policy before renewal. Choosing only minimum coverage can reduce the premium but can also leave you with substantially greater financial exposure after a serious accident.

How should I compare auto insurance quotes in New York?

Compare New York auto insurance quotes using the same liability limits, No-Fault options, uninsured or SUM limits, collision and comprehensive deductibles, drivers, and vehicles. A lower quote may simply contain less coverage or higher deductibles. Also check whether each insurer has applied mandatory New York safety discounts and any voluntary discounts for which you qualify.

What is the best car insurance in New York?

There is no single best auto insurance company in New York for every driver. The right insurer depends on the rate offered for your individual profile, the coverage and limits you need, available discounts, claims service, financial strength, and policy features. Market share shows how much business a company writes but does not determine which insurer will be cheapest or best for you.

What are the largest auto insurance companies in New York?

According to the NAIC 2024 total private passenger auto market-share report, New York’s five largest insurance groups by direct written premium were Berkshire Hathaway Group, which includes GEICO, at 29.05%; State Farm at 16.86%; Allstate at 14.97%; Progressive at 11.38%; and Liberty Mutual at 4.78%. Market share measures premium volume and is not a ranking of price, service, or overall quality.

Why is car insurance so expensive in New York?

New York insurance rates reflect several factors, including the number and severity of claims in each rating territory, traffic patterns, local repair and service costs, driving history, age, vehicle, mileage, prior coverage, and selected limits. New York also requires $50,000 of basic No-Fault coverage and uninsured-motorist protection in addition to liability insurance. NerdWallet’s August 2026 analysis puts New York’s statewide averages above the national averages for both full and minimum coverage, although rates vary greatly across the state.

What if I cannot get car insurance from a regular insurer in New York?

Drivers who cannot obtain required auto insurance through New York’s voluntary market may be eligible for the New York Automobile Insurance Plan, commonly called NYAIP, the Auto Plan, or the Assigned Risk Plan. New York created the plan to make required coverage available when a driver cannot find an insurer willing to write the policy voluntarily. Drivers should continue comparing voluntary-market options because they may find more competitive coverage outside the Auto Plan.

Does New York require SR-22 insurance?

New York DMV and Department of Financial Services guidance reviewed for this page does not list SR-22 as the state’s standard proof-of-insurance filing. New York normally verifies coverage through New York-issued insurance identification cards and electronic reporting by insurers. If an out-of-state agency, court, or specific suspension notice requires an SR-22, confirm the filing instructions with that authority and your insurer rather than assuming ordinary New York insurance satisfies the requirement.

Can I get same-day car insurance in New York?

Some insurers can issue a New York auto policy with a same-day effective date after the application, underwriting requirements, and payment are completed. Confirm the exact effective date and time before driving or registering the vehicle, and do not cancel existing insurance until the replacement policy is active.

How can New York drivers lower their car insurance cost?

Compare New York car insurance quotes regularly and make sure your insurer applies every discount for which you qualify. New York requires discounts for certain approved accident-prevention courses and qualifying vehicle safety or anti-theft features. An eligible driver who completes a DMV-approved Point and Insurance Reduction Program course can receive at least a 10% reduction in base liability and collision premiums for three years. Insurers may also offer multi-car, multi-policy, driver-training, safe-driver, low-mileage, telematics, and other discounts.