New York breaks typical expensive-state patterns with full coverage at $1,435 annually - actually 2% below national averages despite ranking 30th for affordability. Minimum coverage costs $750, sitting 9% above typical rates and ranking 34th nationally.
Average Cost of Car Insurance in New York
Updated: October 17, 2025
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Key Takeaways
Car insurance costs range from $900 to $6,600 per year depending on your chosen coverage, driving profile and location.
Car insurance costs in New York are typical for the U.S., with the state placing 34th for minimum coverage and 30th for full coverage affordability.
Find the cheapest car insurance in New York by deciding on coverage beforehand, researching costs and companies, and comparing multiple quotes.
Average Car Insurance Cost In New York
| Full Coverage | $120 | $1,435 |
| Minimum Coverage | $63 | $750 |
The Empire State's regulatory environment helps control costs compared to other northeastern markets. Full coverage costs an additional $685 beyond minimum requirements, breaking down to roughly $57 monthly for qualified drivers.
Average New York Car Insurance Cost by Category
Here's New York's surprising twist: young drivers at $258 monthly actually cost more than credit-impaired drivers at $194 monthly for full coverage. This reverses national patterns where credit typically creates larger penalties.
Adult drivers maintain reasonable $118 monthly rates while older cars deliver New York's best value at $85 monthly. The Empire State's regulatory environment appears to moderate credit-based pricing more than age factors.
| Drivers With Old Cars | $45 | $85 |
| Drivers With Low Income | $55 | $117 |
| Drivers With Newer Cars | $59 | $112 |
| Adult Drivers | $62 | $118 |
| Drivers With An Accident | $70 | $134 |
| Drivers With A Speeding Ticket | $70 | $134 |
| Senior Drivers | $82 | $155 |
| Drivers With Bad Credit | $91 | $194 |
| Drivers With A DUI | $92 | $177 |
| Young Drivers | $129 | $258 |
New York's insurance regulations create unique rate relationships, with driving experience weighted more heavily than credit history compared to most states.
FIND THE BEST CHEAP PROVIDER FOR YOUR PROFILE
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Average New York Car Insurance Cost by Company
NYCM Insurance delivers remarkable value at just $58 monthly for full coverage - lower than many states' minimum coverage costs. GEICO charges $88 monthly at the high end, creating a reasonable $357 annual spread.
Empire State drivers benefit from strong regulatory oversight and regional competition, though even the most expensive option remains affordable by national standards.
| NYCM Insurance | $25 | $58 |
| Progressive | $34 | $64 |
| Kemper | $34 | $69 |
| American Family | $43 | $85 |
| Geico | $43 | $88 |
Average New York Car Insurance Cost by City
Upstate's Morrisonville at $69 monthly versus Brooklyn's $277 monthly creates an extraordinary $208 difference - one of America's largest city variations. New York City's boroughs consistently rank among the nation's most expensive insurance markets.
The contrast between rural upstate and dense urban boroughs creates these extreme variations unique to the Empire State. Compare rates for your city below.
Data filtered by:
Accord
| Full Coverage | $100 | $1,195 |
| Minimum Coverage | $52 | $620 |
Is New York Car Insurance Expensive?
Our 2025 analysis places New York in the middle range for car insurance costs nationwide, ranking 30th for full coverage and 34th for minimum coverage affordability. While these numbers show the state's overall insurance cost landscape, your specific location within New York could rank quite differently when compared to other cities across the country.
Why Is Car Insurance More Expensive In New York?
Below we'll explore the reasons for New York's high car insurance rates:
No-Fault Insurance System with High PIP Requirements
New York is a no-fault state requiring all drivers to carry personal injury protection coverage of at least $50,000 per person. This coverage pays for medical expenses, lost wages up to $2,000 per month and essential services regardless of fault. The state's comprehensive no-fault system includes coverage for pedestrians and cyclists, making it more expensive than traditional tort states where only at-fault drivers pay for damages.
High Health Care Costs Driving PIP Claims
New York's health care costs are above the national average, directly impacting PIP claim costs. Since PIP coverage is primary over health insurance and pays regardless of fault, high medical costs translate to expensive insurance premiums. The state's comprehensive PIP benefits, including lost wages and essential services, add to the overall cost burden.
Severe Winter Weather Conditions
New York experiences harsh winter conditions that impact driving safety and insurance claims. The state ranks as the third-worst in the US for winter driving fatalities, with weather-related crashes occurring frequently on snowy, slushy or icy pavement. Winter storms create dangerous conditions including black ice, reduced visibility and increased accident rates, leading to higher comprehensive and collision claims.
Extreme Population Density and Traffic Congestion
New York has some of the highest population densities in the nation, particularly in New York City, which leads the world in urban automobile traffic congestion. Urban areas like Manhattan, Brooklyn and the Bronx see higher insurance rates due to increased accident frequency, car theft and property damage. The implementation of congestion pricing in Manhattan as of January 2025 reflects the severity of traffic challenges affecting insurance costs.
Insurance Fraud and Garage Fraud Issues
New York faces insurance fraud problems, including "garage fraud" where drivers register cars in lower-cost states while actually living in New York. This fraud adds to annual insurance costs for legitimate residents. The state's group rating system means that even upstate drivers subsidize urban fraud costs through shared risk pools.
Among the Highest Auto Insurance Rates Nationally
New York consistently ranks as one of the most expensive states for auto insurance, with full coverage and minimum coverage costing more than national averages. These rates are higher than many other states, with NYC drivers paying 60% to 80% more than upstate residents due to urban risk factors.
High Car Theft Rates
New York ranks among the top states for auto theft, with urban areas particularly affected. Car theft rates vary dramatically across the state, but even rural areas see increased premiums due to the group rating system that spreads urban theft costs across all state drivers. The high theft rates contribute to elevated comprehensive coverage costs statewide.
Comprehensive Mandatory Coverage Requirements
New York requires more extensive coverage than many states, including bodily injury liability (25/50/10), PIP ($50,000) and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (25/50). These mandatory requirements, while providing better protection, increase the minimum cost of legal driving in the state compared to states with lower requirements.
How To Lower Car Insurance Costs In New York
Want to cut those moderate premiums even more? Here's how to lower your car insurance costs:
- 1Decide on coverage needs beforehand
Deciding on your coverage needs is important so you're not oversold on too much coverage. Consider your financial situation, driving habits, car details and risk tolerance when making this decision.
- 2Research costs and discounts
To save money for your profile, know the average costs for your preferred coverage level. Research car insurance discounts you may qualify for and look into the best home and auto insurance bundles for the most balanced perspective.
- 3Look into company reputations and coverage options
Cost isn't everything. Consider add-on coverage options and customer experiences with different providers to help narrow down which companies you'd like to compare quotes from. Use resources like industry studies, review forums and public forums like Reddit.
- 4Compare quotes through multiple means
Compare quotes from multiple companies to find the best deal possible. Use different methods of getting quotes, such as comparison sites and independent agents, since pricing varies widely by method.
Cost of Car Insurance in New York: Bottom Line
New York car insurance costs fall in the middle range compared to other U.S. states, making it important to take advantage of savings strategies. Decide on your coverage needs beforehand, do thorough research and compare quotes from the right insurers.
Cost of Car Insurance in New York: FAQ
Below are answers to frequently asked questions about New York car insurance costs:
How much is New York car insurance per month?
New York car insurance costs $101 for minimum coverage and $243 for full coverage policies. Rates range from $75 to $550 monthly depending on your unique driver profile and coverage choice.
What factors affect New York car insurance costs?
Primary factors include driving history, age and location. Drivers with accidents, violations or those who are young face higher rates, while urban areas cost more than rural ones. Car type, coverage amounts, credit score and annual mileage also impact premiums, along with factors like gender and marital status in some states.
Why is New York car insurance so expensive?
New York operates a no-fault system requiring $50,000 PIP coverage and consistently ranks among the most expensive states for auto insurance at $4,031 annually. The state has extreme population density, particularly in NYC, and faces severe winter conditions ranking third-worst nationally for winter driving fatalities. High health care costs and insurance fraud contribute to elevated premiums, with urban areas paying 60% to 80% more than upstate.
How expensive is New York car insurance?
Auto insurance costs in New York fall into the moderate range nationally, with the state placing 34th for minimum coverage and 30th for full coverage affordability, putting it squarely in the middle tier of U.S. states.
How We Determined New York Car Insurance Costs
We used the following profile and modifications of this profile to determine New York auto insurance costs across all available zip codes and cities in the state:
- 40-years-old
- Clean driving record
- Good credit
- 2012 Toyota Camry LE
Minimum coverage was defined as a state's minimum liability coverage and full coverage is a policy with 100/300/100 liability limits and a $1,000 deductible for comprehensive and collision coverage.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. With over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, he conducts original research and creates tailored content for all types of buyers. His insights have been featured in publications like CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.