Car insurance in New York is pricier than almost anywhere in the U.S.: Drivers were paying an average of $4,095 a year for full coverage in 2025, according to Bankrate, and $1,774 a year for a minimum coverage policy.
That's compared to a nationwide average of $2,692 for full coverage and $808 for minimum coverage.
But whether you're up in Buffalo or down in the heart of Brooklyn, you can find a policy that fits your budget without sacrificing coverage or customer service.
CNBC Select has picked the best car insurance companies in New York, based on price, coverage options, customer service and other factors. (See our methodology for more on how we made our picks.)
Best for affordability: Progressive
- Small-accident forgiveness included with all policies — Accidents with claims of $500 or less will not affect your rates.
- Large accident forgiveness also available
- Non-owner car insurance and SR-22 certificates available
- Offers decreasing deductibles for each year you're accident-free
- Below-average customer satisfaction ratings from J.D. Power
- Above-average number of complaints
- Snapshot safe-driving discount program could result in rate increase
Who's this for? Progressive is a great option for saving money, even if your driving record isn't perfect: It has some of the lowest rates we've found for high-risk drivers in New York, including for those with DUIs or multiple accidents.
Standout benefits: Progressive's accident forgiveness plan means your rate won't rise for claims under $500. If you've been accident-free for five years, even a larger accident won't raise your premiums. Progressive guarantees repairs made by partner auto shops for as long as you own or lease your car.
[ Click here for more details on Progressive car insurance ]
Best for discounts: New York Central Mutual Insurance
New York Central Mutual Insurance
Cost
The best way to estimate your costs is to request a quote.
App available
Yes
Policy highlights
NYCM provides bodily injury and property damage liability, as well as personal injury protection, which is required by New York state law. Add-ons include supplemental income replacement and three tiers of roadside assistance.
Terms apply.
Pros
- Discounts can cut premiums by up to 55%
- Highly rated for customer service by JD Power
- Low volume of complaints
Cons
- Only available in New York state
- Limited number of optional add-ons
- Must work with agent to buy policy or make changes
Who's this for? New York Central Mutual (NYCM) boasts that drivers who stack discounts can save up to 55% on their premiums.
Standout benefits: Combine NYCM auto and home policies and you could earn a bundling discount worth up to 25% off. There are also reductions for having anti-theft devices or a kid on your policy who leaves their car behind when they go to college.
Best for customer service: Travelers
- Lower rates
- Discount for hybrids/EVs
- Not available in all states
- Some discounts not available in every state
- Below-average customer satisfaction scores
Who's this for? Travelers was rated No. 1 for customer satisfaction with auto insurance in J.D. Power's 2024 survey and had the fewest number of complaints in the state, according to the NAIC's complaint index. While there are over 2,000 agents available in the Empire State, Travelers also offers the option to get rate quotes and buy auto policies online.
Standout benefits: Travelers offers gap insurance, which can cover the difference between what your car is worth and what your insurer will pay out if the vehicle is stolen or totaled. Enrolling in Travelers' IntelliDrive telematics program can save you up to 30% for practicing safe driving habits
Best for minimum coverage: Utica National
Utica National Auto Insurance
Policy highlights
Utica National offers both personal and commercial auto insurance, with add-ons for rideshare insurance and pet coverage and phone and online claims reporting available 24/7.
Discounts
Discounts for bundling, insuring multiple vehicles, paying premiums upfront, safety and security features
Availability
Available in all 50 U.S. states and Washington, D.C.
Pros
- Low rates for minimum coverage insurance
- Available in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
- Covers vet bills if pet is injured in car accident
- Claims filing and customer service available 24/7
Cons
- Must buy policy through an agent
- Rates for full coverage are not as competitive
Who's this for? Utica National has the lowest rates we found in New York for liability policies. While most drivers opt for full coverage, you're only legally responsible for someone else's injuries or property damage.
Standout benefits: If your pet is injured in an auto accident, Utica National can cover up to $750 in veterinary bills.
Best for families with young drivers: Geico
- 16 discounts are available to lower premiums
- Easily purchase and manage policy online
- Policy add-ons can include roadside assistance and mechanical breakdown insurance
- No gap insurance
- Few branches for in-person services
- Ranks below average for customer service and claims on J.D. Power surveys
Who's this for? Geico has affordable rates for young drivers, making it a no-brainer if you're a parent with a teen or college student on your policy.
Standout benefits: Several of Geico's discounts benefit families, including up to 15% off for students with a B or better grade average and up to 25% for families with more than one car.
Best for seniors: Erie Insurance
- Affordable premiums
- High customer satisfaction scores from J.D. Power
- Quotes available online
- Only available in 12 states and Washington, D.C.
- Can't buy a policy online
- Fewer discounts than competitors
Who's this for? Erie has great rates for seniors, plus a rate lock option that keeps your premiums from rising year after year.
Standout benefits: Full coverage insurance with Erie includes up to $350 for personal items and up to $500 for pets injured in a collision. The diminishing deductible lowers your out-of-pocket costs each year you're accident-free and, if you have comprehensive coverage, the deductible for glass repair can be waived.
Best for military and veterans: USAA
- Cheapest insurer for liability policies
- Stellar customer satisfaction scores
- Available in all 50 states
- Limited to military families and veterans
- No physical branches
- Customer service not available 24/7
- Safe-driver discount not available in every state
Who's this for? Active service members, veterans and their families can take advantage of USAA's affordable auto insurance rates and superior customer satisfaction.
Standout benefits: USAA offers discounts for keeping your car on base and for not using it while deployed. And, with USAA's nationwide availability, you won't have to shop for a new provider if you relocate.
How much is car insurance in New York?
New York drivers were paying an average of $4,095 a year for full coverage in 2025, or about $341 a month. A minimum coverage policy averaged $1,774 a year, or nearly $148 a month.
Those are among the highest rates in the U.S. In part, that's because the state requires car owners to carry personal injury protection and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. There's also a higher number of thefts, auto-related fatalities and severe weather incidents, all of which are factors when setting insurance rates.
How to get cheaper car insurance in New York
Whether you are looking for replacement coverage or a new policy, follow these steps to lower your premiums.
1. Take advantage of discounts
Insurance companies offer a variety of discounts that can lower your rates. One of the biggest is for bundling your car insurance with your homeowners policy from the same provider. You can also save up to 40% with a safe-driving app: If you let your insurer track your behavior behind the wheel, you can be rewarded with a lower rate.
2. Pay your annual premium upfront
Many insurers charge a fee for paying your premium month by month. Paying it all up front could save you as much as 12%, according to car insurance comparison site The Zebra.
3. Look into pay-per-mile insurance
If you work remotely or otherwise don't drive often, a pay-per-mile policy could save you up to 40% over traditional insurance. Drivers are charged a flat daily rate with an added per-mile surcharge of a few cents per mile. SmartMiles from Nationwide is available in 44 states and only charges you for the 250 miles driven in a day.
4. Improve your credit
In New York, your credit history affects the price you pay for car insurance. You can boost your credit by making on-time payments on your credit card, keeping older accounts open and limiting how many new credit applications you fill out.
5. Ask for a higher deductible
Your deductible is the amount you're responsible for before your insurance company covers anything. Typically, the higher the deductible, the lower your premium will be.
Increasing your deductible from $200 to $500 could reduce the cost of collision and comprehensive coverage by as much as 30%, according to the Insurance Information Institute. Upping it to $1,000 could save you 40% or more. Be sure you'll have the funds to meet the new higher deductible.
Car insurance requirements in New York
Vehicles registered in New York must carry bodily injury and property damage liability insurance, as well as uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
New York is also a no-fault state, so drivers must have personal injury protection (PIP) to pay for their medical bills, lost wages and other expenses, regardless of who is at fault.
| Coverage | Required minimum |
|---|---|
| bodily injury (per person) | $25,000 (or $50,000 in case of death) |
| Bodily injury (per accident) | $50,000 (or $100,000 in case of death) |
| Property damage | $10,000 |
| Personal injury protection | $50,000 |
| Uninsured motorist protection (per person) | $25,000 |
| Uninsured motorist protection (per accident) | $50,000 |
If you want to protect yourself, your passengers or your vehicle, you'll need full coverage car insurance, which includes comprehensive and collision coverage. If you are leasing or financing your car, you're probably required to have full coverage.
More on the best New York car insurance companies
Progressive
Progressive combines affordable pricing with an easy-to-use online experience that lets you skip working with an agent. It's one of our top picks for both liability-only insurance and for high-risk drivers.
J.D. Power U.S. Auto Insurance Study ranking: Below average
Better Business Bureau grade: A
NAIC complaint index: Fewer complaints than expected
New York Central Mutual
New York Central Mutual only sells car insurance in New York, which means it's focused on the needs of local drivers. Additional coverage options are limited, but NYCM scored highly for customer satisfaction in J.D. Power's 2024 auto insurance study.
J.D. Power U.S. Auto Insurance Study ranking: Above average
Better Business Bureau grade: A+
NAIC complaint index: Far fewer complaints than expected
Travelers
Founded in 1864, Travelers is one of the largest auto insurance providers in the U.S., with direct premiums totaling $7.18 billion in 2024, up from $6.58 billion in 2023. Policies are sold by more than 15,000 independent agents nationwide.
J.D. Power U.S. Auto Insurance Study ranking: No. 1
Better Business Bureau grade: A+
NAIC complaint index: Far fewer complaints than expected
Utica National
Founded in 1914, New Hartford, New York-based Utica National offers both personal and commercial auto insurance, with discounts for paying in full upfront, having anti-lock brakes, airbags and other safety features, paying your premiums with autopay and having more than one car on your policy. Customer service is available 24/7 and policyholders can pay bills and manage claims online or over the phone.
J.D. Power U.S. Auto Insurance Study ranking: Not ranked
Better Business Bureau grade: A+
NAIC complaint index: Average number of complaints
Geico
Geico is a frontrunner in the insurance space, pairing some of the lowest rates in the market with ample discounts and nationwide availability. Drivers in New York can take advantage of the DriveEasy program, which monitors driving habits and rewards safe drivers with lower rates.
J.D. Power U.S. Auto Insurance Study ranking: Below average
Better Business Bureau grade: A+
NAIC complaint index: Fewer complaints than expected
Erie
Issuing car insurance since 1925, Erie only operates in a handful of states. But that enables it to focus on customer service: It came in first for customer satisfaction in the Mid-Atlantic and North Central regions of J.D. Power's 2024 auto insurance survey and generates far fewer complaints about car insurance than its competitors.
J.D. Power U.S. Auto Insurance Study ranking: Above average
Better Business Bureau grade: A+
NAIC complaint index: Fewer complaints than expected
USAA
USAA has offered auto insurance to active-duty service members, veterans and their immediate family since 1922. It offers discounts for parking on base and for not using your car while deployed. Customers can pay monthly without incurring a penalty.
J.D. Power U.S. Auto Insurance Study ranking: Not officially ranked but scored well above average
Better Business Bureau grade: A+
NAIC complaint index: More complaints than expected
New York car insurance FAQs
How much car insurance does New York require?
New York state requires at least $25,000 bodily injury liability per person and $50,000 per accident, plus $10,000 property damage liability. Drivers must also have $25,000 in uninsured motorist protection per person, $50,000 per accident and $50,000 in personal injury protection coverage.
Why is car insurance so expensive in New York?
New York drivers pay far more than the national average car insurance. In part, that's because the state has more insurance requirements, including personal injury protection (PIP) and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. There's also a higher number of thefts, auto-related fatalities and severe weather incidents, all of which are factors when setting insurance rates.
What is the cheapest car insurance in New York?
According to our research, Progressive offered the cheapest average rates for full-coverage car insurance in New York and Utica National has the best rates for a liability-only policy. Your individual premiums will depend on a variety of factors, including your driving history, car, credit, gender and age.
Why trust CNBC Select?
At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every insurance review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of insurance products. To research the best insurance companies, we compiled over 100 data points on more than a dozen insurance companies. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics. .
Our methodology
To determine the best insurance companies in New York, CNBC Select analyzed top insurance companies that offer policies in the state.
We focused on a sample premium for a 40-year-old driver with a clean driving record and good credit insuring a 2023 Toyota Camry, commuting five days a week and driving 12,000 miles annually.
We looked at premiums for full coverage car insurance from Bankrate using the following limits:
- $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $50,000 property damage liability per accident
- $100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
- $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
- $500 collision deductible
- $500 comprehensive deductible
We looked at coverage features, ease of use, discounts, claims filing and customer satisfaction, using data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, Better Business Bureau and J.D. Power's customer surveys. We also reviewed financial strength ratings from A.M. Best, which measure a company's ability to pay claims.
In addition, we considered CNBC Select audience data when available, such as general demographics and engagement with our content and tools.
Based on this criteria, our picks for the best car insurance in New York are:
- For affordability: Progressive
- For discounts: New York Central Mutual
- For customer service: Travelers
- For minimum coverage: Utica National
- For families with young drivers: Geico
- For seniors: Erie
- For military and veterans: USAA
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