Key Takeaways
- Travelers offers the best car insurance coverage in New York with customizable policies, affordable rates and high customer satisfaction scores.
- Progressive and State Farm are great choices for drivers with mixed driving records.
- New York is a no-fault car insurance state, meaning you’ll file claims with your insurance provider regardless of who is at fault in an accident. For this reason, we recommend carrying a full-coverage insurance policy.
- New York drivers pay an average rate of $185 per month for minimum coverage car insurance and $343 per month for full-coverage car insurance.
Companies with the best car insurance in New York offer a broad range of coverage options at affordable rates. We at the MarketWatch Guides team will take an in-depth look at each of the top five insurers in New York, which will include information about customer satisfaction and industry reputation.
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We compared costs, customer satisfaction, reputation and coverage options to determine which companies offered the best auto insurance in New York.
Best Car Insurance in New York | Our Overall Score | Industry Standing | Availability | Coverage | Cost and Discounts | Customer Experience | Learn More |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TravelersLearn More | 9.5 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 9.6 | 9 | Learn More |
GeicoLearn More | 9.3 | 9.5 | 10 | 9.1 | 9.5 | 9 | Learn More |
ProgressiveLearn More | 9.4 | 9.7 | 10 | 9.7 | 8.9 | 8.8 | Learn More |
State FarmLearn More | 9.2 | 9.2 | 9.6 | 9.4 | 8.8 | 9.1 | Learn More |
USAALearn More | 9.3 | 8.9 | 8 | 9.7 | 9.8 | 9 | Learn More |
Best Car Insurance in New York | Our Overall Score | Industry Standing | Availability | Coverage | Cost and Discounts | Customer Experience | Learn More |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TravelersLearn More | 9.5 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 9.6 | 9 | Learn More |
GeicoLearn More | 9.3 | 9.5 | 10 | 9.1 | 9.5 | 9 | Learn More |
ProgressiveLearn More | 9.4 | 9.7 | 10 | 9.7 | 8.9 | 8.8 | Learn More |
State FarmLearn More | 9.2 | 9.2 | 9.6 | 9.4 | 8.8 | 9.1 | Learn More |
USAALearn More | 9.3 | 8.9 | 8 | 9.7 | 9.8 | 9 | Learn More |
Top 5 Car Insurance Providers in New York
To determine the best providers in any state, our team evaluates providers based on several factors:
- Each provider’s average cost in the state: The average cost of car insurance in New York is $2,221 per year for minimum liability and $4,112 per year for full coverage, which is significantly higher than the national average of $869 per year for minimum liability and $2,681 for full coverage.
- Our April 2024 car insurance satisfaction study: In this study, we polled nearly 2,000 drivers about their experiences with coverage, cost and claims from different providers. The overall average satisfaction score was 4.2/5.
- AM Best financial strength ratings: We use ratings from AM Best as an indicator of a company’s ability to pay out insurance claims.
- Average Car Insurance Rates: We use rate information received from Quadrant Information Services to determine the cheapest car insurance companies in each state and weigh these rates against each company’s performance in our industry-wide provider review.
- Scores from the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Auto Insurance Study℠: This J.D. Power study polls insurance customers across multiple regions and ranks insurance companies based on customer feedback. In New York, the average customer satisfaction score in this study is 647 out of 1,000 points. Small insurance companies are not included in this study.
- NAIC complaint index scores: The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) examines insurance company complaints and weights them against each company’s market share to determine a complaint index score. The average complaint index score is 1.0.
#1 Travelers
Best for Most Drivers
9.5/10
Annual New York car insurance cost: $2,825 for minimum coverage, $3,643 for full coverage
New York J.D. Power rating: 667/1,000
NAIC complaint index score: 0.94
Our survey rating: 4.1/5
AM Best financial strength rating: A++
Pros and Cons
Pros Good AM Best and BBB ratings Many available discounts Accident forgiveness coverage Cons Low customer rating on the BBB site
Why It’s Best for New York Drivers
Travelers ranks first nationwide in our industry-wide review of insurance providers thanks to its coverage options, reasonable costs and outstanding reputation. It also earned the highest customer satisfaction score of any ranked provider in New York J.D. Power’s most recent regional auto insurance study.
New York drivers can take advantage of a wide range of coverage options with Travelers. Begin with a liability-only or full-coverage policy and customize it with options like accident forgiveness, gap insurance or new car replacement. You can also enroll in Intellidrive®, a usage-based insurance program that rewards good driving habits with premium discounts.
Read more: Travelers Insurance Review
#2 Geico
Unique Coverage Options
9.3/10
Annual New York car insurance cost: $1,815 for minimum coverage, $3,646 for full coverage
New York J.D. Power rating: 649/1,000
NAIC complaint index score: 0.90
Our survey rating: 4.1/5
AM Best financial strength rating: A++
Pros and Cons
Pros A++ financial strength rating from AM Best and A+ rating from the BBB High policy limits Lower car insurance rates for most drivers Cons Fewer local agents than other companies
Why It’s Best for New York Drivers
Geico is one of the most affordable car insurance providers in New York and boasts an outstanding industry reputation. In our national insurance company review, Geico earned our recognition as Best for Budget-Conscious Drivers thanks to its consistently low prices across the U.S.
Geico offers a wide range of insurance products, from RV coverage to pet insurance. Automobile insurance from the company is available with high coverage limits, depending on your policy choices. Available car insurance coverages include standard options with add-ons like rental car reimbursem*nt and roadside assistance. Where Geico stands out is its unique options, including mechanical breakdown insurance (MBI), which functions like a vehicle warranty, and Prime Time, a program that guarantees contract renewal for seniors regardless of their age.
Read more: Geico Insurance ReviewCompare: State Farm vs. Geico
#3 Progressive
Most Affordable Full Coverage
9.4/10
Annual New York car insurance cost: $1,552 for minimum coverage, $2,786 for full coverage
New York J.D. Power rating: 621/1,000
NAIC complaint index score: 0.89
Our survey rating: 4.2/5
AM Best financial strength rating: A+
Pros and Cons
Pros A+ financial strength rating from AM Best Wide selection of coverage options Highly rated mobile app Cons Average customer service ratings
Why It’s Best for New York Drivers
If you’re concerned about finding reliable car insurance on a budget in New York, Progressive is an excellent choice. Progressive’s full-coverage car insurance rates are the lowest in the Empire State, both for good drivers and those with a recent DUI.
Car insurance options available from Progressive include standard coverage liability, comprehensive and collision coverage plus rideshare coverage, pet injury insurance and custom parts and equipment protection. Progressive’s usage-based program, Snapshot®, helps drivers earn additional discounts for practicing safe driving.
Read more: Progressive Insurance ReviewCompare: Geico vs. Progressive or Progressive vs. State Farm
#4 State Farm
Good Discount Options
9.2/10
Annual New York car insurance cost: $2,921 for minimum coverage, $4,095 for full coverage
New York J.D. Power rating: 662/1,000
NAIC complaint index score: 1.09
Our survey rating: 4.2/5
AM Best financial strength rating: A++
Pros and Cons
Pros A++ financial strength rating from AM Best Good discount opportunities for students and teens Stellar customer service reputation Cons Not the cheapest for New York drivers
Why It’s Best for New York Drivers
In our national insurance review, we named State Farm as the Best Customer Experience thanks to its wide network of accessible agents, low rates across many states and wide range of coverage and discount options.
State Farm offers the standard car insurance coverages New York drivers need for well-rounded protection. Unique coverages from State Farm include rideshare insurance and classic car coverages. You can also customize your policies with add-on emergency roadside assistance and travel reimbursem*nt.
Read more: State Farm Insurance Review
#5 USAA
Best for Military Members
9.3/10
Annual New York car insurance cost: $1,559 for minimum coverage, $3,481 for full coverage
New York J.D. Power rating: 746/1,000
NAIC complaint index score: 1.36*
Our survey rating: 4.5/5
AM Best financial strength rating: A++
Pros and Cons
Pros Outstanding customer satisfaction scores Low rates for military members and their families Offers legacy discounts Cons Only available for military members
Why It’s Best for New York Drivers
USAA is known for offering some of the lowest car insurance rates in the country, and New York is no exception. Though coverage is only available to current or retired military members and their families, USAA’s legacy policy means that if your parents were customers, you’re eligible for coverage as well. In fact, USAA offers a special discount if you sign up for coverage as a legacy customer.
*We reached out to USAA for comment about its higher than average number of complaints according to its NAIC score and haven’t yet received a response.
Read more: USAA Insurance Review
Compare: USAA vs. Geico
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How To Find the Best Car Insurance in New York
If you start shopping for coverage with a few key things in mind, finding the best car insurance in New York shouldn’t be too hard. Here are a few tips for finding the best rates in New York.
Consider New York State Minimum Requirements
Before you start looking for car coverage, know the state minimum car insurance requirements. The minimum liability coverage required by the state of New York is:
- Bodily injury liability: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident (not resulting in death), $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident (resulting in death)
- Property damage liability: $10,000 per accident
- Uninsured motorist coverage: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident
- Personal injury protection (PIP insurance): $50,000 per person
New York is a no-fault state, which means your insurance company will pay your medical bills and cover lost wages regardless of who’s at fault for an accident.
Decide What Coverage You Need
There are certain things you should consider before getting car insurance quotes and purchasing coverage from an insurance agent. Where you live and who you’re insuring will play big roles in determining what types of coverage you get and how much of each you’ll need.
For example, if you live in an area of New York that gets blizzards each winter, consider buying comprehensive coverage to protect your car from potential weather-related damage. Comprehensive insurance also protects drivers who live in cities with high rates of auto theft.Teen drivers are more likely to get into car accidents, so if you want to insure your teen driver’s car, PIP insurance will take care of any injuries that happen. Collision insurance will cover damages to your teen’s vehicle.
Know Your Lender’s Requirements
Lenders and lessors often require more car insurance coverage than the state of New York does. If you’re financing or leasing your vehicle, you may have to purchase a full-coverage policy.
Average Cost of Car Insurance in New York
Based on data from Quadrant Information Services, the average cost of a full-coverage auto insurance policy in New York is $343 per month or $4,112 per year. This is about 57% more expensive than the national average of $2,681 per year. These averages are for a 35-year-old driver with a good credit score and a clean driving record.
New York Car Insurance Costs by City
Car insurance costs vary throughout New York state. Here’s a list of average rates for full-coverage policies for a 35-year-old driver in different New York cities.
City | Monthly Average | Annual Average |
---|---|---|
Corona | $395 | $4,744 |
Elmhurst | $394 | $4,727 |
Flushing | $394 | $4,724 |
Forest Hills | $387 | $4,646 |
New York City | $744 | $8,931 |
Ridgewood | $391 | $4,697 |
Woodside | $385 | $4,619 |
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Car Insurance Discounts in New York
When you’re looking for the best cheap car insurance, ask insurers about available discounts. Here are some of the most common car insurance discounts in New York.
Good Student Discounts
Most major car insurance companies offer savings of at least 10% to students who maintain a B grade average or above. Since car insurance premiums are often highest for young drivers, find out whether you or your teen driver qualifies for this discount.
Anti-Theft Discounts
To encourage drivers to take as many safety precautions as possible, many providers offer price breaks to car owners who install anti-theft devices like car alarms and glass-break sensors.
Automatic Payment Discounts
Large insurance companies often have millions of policies. Printing materials and bills for each policy adds up, so many providers have started offering discounts to customers who choose to go paperless and set up automatic payments online.
Bundling Discounts
Living in NYC and other places in the Empire State can be expensive. If you own a home, rent or have other coverages in the state, consider bundling your policies with the same provider. You can bundle homeowner’s insurance, car insurance or renter’s insurance and pay just one premium, often with a discount.
Best New York Car Insurance: The Bottom Line
The best car insurance companies in New York are Travelers, Geico, Progressive, State Farm and USAA. Each was rated well in our 2024 car insurance survey, and they all have high financial strength scores from AM Best. These five providers also offer a wide range of insurance coverage options on top of numerous discounts.
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Best Auto Insurance in New York: FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about the best car insurance in New York.
A full-coverage car insurance policy in New York costs $343 per month on average, while minimum liability insurance in New York averages $185 per month, based on our rate data.
In New York, the best car insurance comes from Travelers, Geico, Progressive, State Farm and USAA. These companies offer some of the best rates and many coverage options for New York drivers.
To legally drive in New York state, you’ll need to carry the minimum liability limits of:
- $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability (not resulting in death), $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident (resulting in death)
- $10,000 in property damage liability
- $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
- $50,000 in PIP insurance
Our Methodology
Because consumers rely on us to provide objective and accurate information, we created a comprehensive rating system to formulate our rankings of the best car insurance companies. We collected data on dozens of auto insurance providers to grade the companies on a wide range of ranking factors. The end result was an overall rating for each provider, with the insurers that scored the most points topping the list.
Here are the factors our ratings take into account:
- Coverage (30% of total score): Companies that offer a variety of choices for insurance coverage are more likely to meet consumer needs.
- Cost and Discounts (25% of total score): Auto insurance rate estimates generated by Quadrant Information Services and discount opportunities are both taken into consideration.
- Industry Standing (20% of total score): Our research team considers market share, ratings from industry experts and years in business when giving this score.
- Customer Experience (15% of total score): This score is based on volume of complaints reported by the NAIC and customer satisfaction ratings reported by J.D. Power. We also consider the responsiveness, friendliness and helpfulness of each insurance company’s customer service team based on our own shopper analysis.
- Availability (10% of total score): Auto insurance companies with greater state availability and few eligibility requirements score highest in this category.
Our credentials:
- 800 hours researched
- 130+ companies reviewed
- 8,500+ consumers surveyed
*Data accurate at time of publication.
If you have feedback or questions about this article, please email the MarketWatch Guides team at [email protected].