Claire Smith Last Updated On: July 25, 2023

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How to Get Car Insurance in New York

The Empire state is an exciting place to live, whether you’re in the heart of New York City, or enjoying a more peaceful life on the outskirts. This state is home to nearly twenty million people, and many of those are drivers. 

If you’re one of these New York drivers, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’re telling you all about affordable car insurance in New York. 

Let’s get into it, shall we?

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Table of Contents

Average Cost of Car Insurance in New York

We figure the best place to start is with what everyone wants to know: the price. 

Insurance companies determine price based on several factors, including: 

  • Age 
  • Driving History 
  • Credit score 
  • ZIP code 
  • Policy type 

Because there are so many variables, there’s no singular blanket price to describe New York car insurance premiums. But it is possible to calculate an overall average; and that’s precisely what we’ve done.

The average cost of auto insurance in New York is $1 600 per year. 

It’s worth noting that this figure is about 5% above America’s national average. New York is a heavily populated state that has an abnormally high number of uninsured drivers, which increases the cost of insurance. 

That said, there are still plenty of ways to get cheap auto insurance in New York and we’re going to give you all the details on how to make that happen. 

Car Insurance Requirements in New York

To be perfectly candid, driving without insurance is stupid. 

Insurance protects you and other drivers on the road from exceptional costs incurred by collisions and other accidents. And if you are caught driving without insurance, you will face legal penalties in the form of fines and license suspension. 

Plus, when you do get insurance after such an infraction, you’ll have to pay more for a policy. So, it’s really better to just get coverage in the first place. 

In the state of New York, the legal minimum coverage requirements are as follows:

  • Liability Coverage 
    • Bodily Injury 🡪 $25 000 per person and $50 000 per accident 
    • Property Damage 🡪 $10 000 per accident 
  • Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage
    • Bodily Injury 🡪 $25 000 per person and $50 000 per accident
  • Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
    • $50 000 per person
    • Note: New York is a no-fault state meaning that drivers are responsible for their own medical bills, regardless of who is at fault.

Every driver in New York must carry at least the coverage amounts listed above. 

The average price of a minimum coverage policy in New York is $743 per year.

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Other Coverages Available for New York Auto Insurance

While the above describes the legal minimum requirements of the state, we strongly recommend that you carry more insurance. The main reason for this is so that you have greater protection in a wider range of circumstances. 

The most standard car insurance policy is a full coverage one. In a full coverage policy, you carry the legal minimums as well as:

  • Collision Coverage for expenses related to vehicle damages cause by a collision 
  • Comprehensive Coverage for expenses related to non-collision damages such as theft, vandalism, or weather. 

We recommend at least a full coverage policy as they come at affordable prices and offer greater security. If your vehicle is loaned or leased, most companies will require that you have a full coverage policy. 

If you have room in the budget, we suggest you consider these additional coverages on your New York auto insurance policy:

  • Loan/Lease Payoff Coverage for supplemental coverage that takes into account the depreciation in value of your loaned or leased vehicle. 
  • Medical Payments Coverage for expenses relating to injuries caused by an accident. 
  • Rental Car Reimbursement Coverage for the costs associated with renting a vehicle while yours is being repaired or replaced. 
  • Roadside Assistance for additional resources while on the road such as tow truck access. 
  • Supplemental Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury (SUM) for additional coverage that applies when the other party does not have enough insurance. 
  • Additional Personal Injury Protection (PIP) for additional coverage that applies to your own injuries as a result of an accident. 
  • Optional Basic Economic Loss Coverage (OBEL) to account for any lost wages due to missed work as a result of an accident. 

This concludes the section of our article on what car insurance coverage looks like, now it’s time to learn how you can get low-cost car insurance in New York. 

Where to Find the Cheapest Car Insurance in New York

As you know, car insurance prices are inconsistent. However, there are certain companies that are known for their low prices and great customer service in the state. These companies are:
  • USAA
  • State Farm 
  • Travelers 
  • Progressive 
  • GEICO 
Get a New York car insurance quote from at least each of these five companies (but we recommended getting them from as many companies as you can) before choosing a policy. The insurance market is rather competitive, so comparing multiple quotes will ensure you find the best price.

Save on Insurance by Driving Safely

Did you know that the majority of car insurance companies in New York offer safe driving discounts? Well, you do now! 

Practising safe driving can save you between 5 and 10% on your New York auto insurance plan. Ask your insurer about their safe driving discounts to find out how you can save. 

While a specific discount given through companies is the most direct way that safe driving can reduce premiums, driving safely is also hugely beneficial in the long run because the cleaner your driving record is, the cheaper your rates. 

More Tips on How to Save on Car Insurance in New York

We’re not done yet! There are even more ways to find cheap car insurance in New York, such as:
  • Get new car insurance quotes in New York every year to ensure you are still getting the best deal 
  • Bundle your car insurance policy with your home or motorcycle insurance 
  • Enquire about discounts for alumni, veterans, etc. 
  • Ask insurance experts for more advice
Your first stop is getting access to free quotes, fast by clicking here. You’ll cut down your research time and be on your way to getting great coverage at a rate you like, and did we mention it was easy? We’ve got you covered. 

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Important Information for Teen Drivers in New York

Everyone deserves to save money on insurance, including teenagers. Unfortunately, it’s a lot harder for teenagers to do so. The average annual price for a teen driver’s car insurance policy is $5 003. 

This is a large sum of money, which is why it’s especially important for teenagers to practise safe driving so that they avoid any more spikes in their insurance rates. We also recommended adding your teen as a driver to an existing policy as this will be cheaper than getting them their own policy. 

Final Thoughts on New York Car Insurance

Like all states, New York has a unique market for car insurance. We hope this article has given you a better understanding of how much car insurance in New York should cost, and how to select a great policy at an even better price. 

Consult more of our online resources for further information on all things insurance. 

Gain access to free New York auto insurance quotes via our online portal! 

For any other enquiries, drop us a line. We’re always happy to help. 

Claire Smith Claire is a creative entrepreneur with a variety of marketing and content creation skills, including blog and web copy writing, research, and strategy. She has a Masters in Cultural Studies from Queen's University and is known for thinking laterally about marketing, based on her deep knowledge of people and behavior.

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