Best Car Insurance in New York for 2026

Progressive earns New York's best car insurance score at 4.8/5. NYCM offers the lowest rate at $25 per month. See top picks by driver profile and city.

Written by Mark Fitzpatrick

Updated: April 24, 2026

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Key Takeaways

Progressive earns New York's top MoneyGeek score at 4.8/5, including a 5/5 coverage score and wins best-scoring rates for DUI ($36 per month), speeding ($35 per month), accident ($34 per month) and seniors ($48 per month).

NYCM, a New York-based regional carrier, wins best and cheapest for young drivers ($39 per month) and low-income drivers ($30 per month). At $25 per month for a clean-record adult, it has the lowest minimum rate MoneyGeek found in New York.

Progressive leads eight of New York's 10 most populous cities, while NYCM leads New Rochelle and Utica. New York City averages $88 per month, compared to $37 in Rochester, a $51 gap driven by NYC's higher metro density.

HOW MONEYGEEK CHOSE THE BEST CAR INSURANCE IN NEW YORK

MoneyGeek analyzed quotes from six New York insurers across every ZIP code in the state. New York is a no-fault state requiring $50,000 in PIP per accident, among the highest minimums in the country. That requirement is one reason New York ranks among the most expensive states for car insurance, particularly in New York City and the surrounding metro.

MoneyGeek's licensed insurance producers weighed New York's PIP requirement, the rate spread between New York City and upstate, and the role of regional carriers like NYCM that price for New York's specific loss environment.

Affordability (60%): Rate drives most New York buying decisions, particularly in NYC metro where urban ZIP codes can run two to three times upstate rates.
Customer experience (30%): Based on J.D. Power scores, NAIC complaint ratios, AM Best ratings and independent agent Google Business ratings.
Coverage options (10%): Measures the range of optional coverages.

Best Car Insurance in New York by Driver Profile

Progressive earns New York's top MoneyGeek score at 4.8/5. Its 5/5 coverage score reflects the broadest optional coverage menu of any insurer MoneyGeek analyzed in the state. At $33 per month for a clean-record adult and $36 per month after a DUI, both best and cheapest, it wins the best score across every standard and violation profile MoneyGeek tracked.

NYCM is a New York-based regional insurer that wins cheapest across most profiles: adults ($25 per month), young drivers ($39 per month, best and cheapest), accidents ($25 per month), low-income ($30 per month, best and cheapest), older cars ($18 per month) and seniors ($38 per month). Its pricing reflects New York's loss environment. On customer experience, it ranks ninth among the six analyzed New York insurers.

Erie wins best and cheapest car insurance in New York for bad credit at $55 per month. Its 5/5 customer experience score is the highest of any New York insurer MoneyGeek analyzed. GEICO isn't a featured winner, but it offers the cheapest rate for newer cars at $30 per month.


Low income	NYCM	$30	$70
Adult drivers (26–64), clean record	Progressive	$33	$62
After an at-fault accident	Progressive	$34	$64
After a speeding ticket	Progressive	$35	$66
After a DUI	Progressive	$36	$67
Young drivers (16–25)	NYCM	$39	$97
Senior drivers (65+)	Progressive	$48	$84
Bad credit	Erie	$55	$146

Best Overall and Best for Seniors or Those With a Violation

Progressive

Progressive earns the top composite score in MoneyGeek's New York analysis at 4.8/5, combining a near-perfect affordability score, a 4.7/5 customer experience score and the only 5/5 coverage score among the six New York insurers MoneyGeek analyzed.

Progressive's 5/5 coverage score reflects real depth: 10 optional coverages in New York, including accident forgiveness, a diminishing deductible, gap insurance, rideshare coverage and pet coverage.

New York City and Westchester drivers doing rideshare work will find the rideshare add-on worth noting. Drivers financing vehicles in New York, where comprehensive and collision claims from NYC traffic are frequent, get practical use from gap insurance and accident forgiveness. Progressive ranks fourth for customer experience at 4.7/5, behind Erie, which holds the top customer experience score among the six New York insurers MoneyGeek analyzed.

Affordability (60%): 4.9/5
Customer Experience (30%): 4.7/5
Coverage Options (10%): 5/5

Don't pick Progressive if the lowest monthly rate is your only priority. NYCM's $25-per-month minimum is $8 less than Progressive's $33 for a clean-record adult. Bad-credit drivers get the best rate from Erie at $55 per month.

Best for Young Drivers and Those With Low Income

NYCM Insurance

NYCM earns a 4.7/5 composite score in MoneyGeek's New York analysis and holds the lowest rates across most profiles. At $25 per month for minimum coverage for a clean-record adult, it's the cheapest option in the state.

It wins best and cheapest for young drivers ($39 per month) and low-income ($30 per month), plus cheapest for accident ($25 per month), older cars ($18 per month) and seniors ($38 per month). NYCM operates exclusively in New York, and its rates reflect that, priced against the state's own loss experience rather than a national book.

On customer experience, NYCM ranks lowest among the three featured winners. Its regional-only presence means fewer data points on the independent agent Google Business profiles and external review platforms that inform MoneyGeek's scoring. The insurer offers three optional coverages: roadside assistance, original manufacturer parts coverage and rental reimbursement, with rental reimbursement and personal article coverage included as standard. For New York drivers whose main need is the lowest monthly rate, NYCM is the clearest starting point.

Affordability (60%): 5/5
Customer Experience (30%): 4.4/5
Coverage Options (10%): 2.5/5

Don't pick NYCM if you need gap insurance, accident forgiveness or rideshare coverage; none are available. Progressive offers all three at $33 per month for a clean-record adult, with a 5/5 coverage score and a higher customer experience ranking.

Best Cheap for Drivers With Newer Cars

GEICO

GEICO wins the cheapest newer car rate in MoneyGeek's New York analysis at $30 per month, $4 below Progressive's $34 for the same profile. Drivers with recently purchased vehicles who want the lowest baseline rate will find GEICO the top option.

Its $43 per month clean-record adult minimum is competitive for a national carrier in New York, and its 4.60/5 affordability score reflects that positioning.

GEICO scores 4.5/5 on customer experience, ranking among the lower-scoring insurers in MoneyGeek's New York analysis. Most claims interactions happen without a local agent, which matters for drivers who prefer in-person service. GEICO offers three optional coverages: roadside assistance, a vehicle service contract and rental reimbursement. There's no gap insurance, accident forgiveness or rideshare coverage. New York City and Westchester drivers doing rideshare work should check that before selecting.

Affordability (60%): 4.6/5
Customer Experience (30%): 4.5/5
Coverage Options (10%): 3.3/5

Don't pick GEICO if you need gap insurance, accident forgiveness or rideshare coverage; none are in GEICO's New York lineup. Progressive's $34 per month newer-car rate is $4 more but includes all three, plus a 5/5 coverage score.

MONEYGEEK VERDICT

Progressive is the top pick for most New York drivers. It earned the highest composite score at 4.8/5, combining near-perfect affordability with the only 5/5 coverage score in the state. NYCM is the rate-only pick with the lowest baseline rates, but its customer experience ranking, ninth among the six analyzed insurers, is the trade-off in a state where NYC metro claims can be complex. Erie is the best pick for bad-credit drivers, pairing a 5/5 customer experience score with the best and cheapest rate for that profile. New York's $50,000 PIP requirement makes even minimum coverage more expensive than in most states; pulling quotes for a specific New York City or metro ZIP will show the full rate picture.

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Best Car Insurance in New York by City

Progressive leads eight of New York's 10 most populous cities, consistent with its state-level result. The exceptions are New Rochelle and Utica, where NYCM leads at 4.7/5. NYCM's pricing is competitive in smaller upstate and Westchester-area markets; the insurer prices against New York's own loss experience rather than a national average.

The rate spread across New York is real: New York City averages $88 per month, while Rochester averages $37, a $51 difference driven by NYC metro traffic density, PIP claim frequency and the cost of the no-fault system in urban ZIP codes.


New Rochelle	NYCM	4.70	$37
Utica	NYCM	4.70	$24
Buffalo	Progressive	4.80	$48
Rochester	Progressive	4.80	$37
Syracuse	Progressive	4.80	$41
Albany	Progressive	4.80	$37
Schenectady	Progressive	4.80	$37
New York	Progressive	4.90	$88
Yonkers	Progressive	4.90	$78
Mount Vernon	Progressive	4.90	$73

Rates within New York City vary by borough and ZIP code. Drivers in Brooklyn or the Bronx may see rates well above the $88 city average; Queens and Staten Island generally run lower.

Summary: Best Car Insurance Providers in New York on Average

Progressive leads New York at 4.8/5 with the only 5/5 coverage score in the state, followed by NYCM at 4.7/5, which holds the highest affordability score. Erie ranks fifth at 4.4/5 but has the highest customer experience score at 5/5. Erie's service ranking comes with a higher rate, its $90.61 monthly average is the highest among the six analyzed insurers, which is the core trade-off for drivers weighing score vs. cost. MoneyGeek's methodology weights affordability at 60%, customer experience at 30% and coverage at 10%.


Progressive	4.81	$49	4	1
NYCM Insurance	4.7	$42	9	6
American Family	4.45	$64	6	7
Geico	4.4	$66	8	7
Erie Insurance	4.39	$91	1	2

How to Find the Best Car Insurance in New York

New York's no-fault PIP requirement and New York City metro density push certain ZIP codes to some of the highest car insurance rates in the country. Upstate New York rates are much lower.

1
Understand New York's Minimum Requirements
New York requires 25/50/10 liability plus $50,000 PIP (no-fault). These are among the highest minimum requirements in the country.
2
Understand the No-Fault System
New York's PIP covers your own injuries regardless of fault. PIP fraud in NYC metro has pushed rates above the national average, particularly in urban ZIP codes.
3
Account for DUI Requirements
New York doesn't require SR-22 or FR-44 filings after a DWI conviction. A conviction still triggers license revocation, fines and an ignition interlock device requirement.
4
Compare NYC vs. Upstate Rates
NYC-area ZIP codes can produce rates 2 to 3 times what upstate drivers pay. Checking a specific ZIP is worth doing to get an accurate rate picture for your location.
5
Consider Bundling
Bundling home and auto insurance in New York can cut your premium.

Frequently Asked Questions About Car Insurance in New York

Who has the cheapest car insurance in New York?

NYCM offers the cheapest minimum coverage for a clean-record adult at $25 per month. Progressive is the cheapest best-scoring option at $33 per month. For young drivers, NYCM wins at $39 per month. For DUI, Progressive wins at $36 per month.

What is the average cost of car insurance in New York?

New York rates vary. NYC metro is among the most expensive markets in the country; upstate rates are much lower.

What car insurance is required in New York?

New York requires 25/50/10 liability coverage plus $50,000 in personal injury protection (PIP). New York is a no-fault state, meaning PIP is mandatory and covers your own injuries regardless of who caused the accident.

Is New York a no-fault car insurance state?

Yes, New York is a no-fault state. PIP covers your own injuries regardless of fault. The $50,000 minimum PIP requirement is among the highest in the country and is a primary driver of New York's elevated insurance rates, particularly in the NYC metro.

Does credit score affect car insurance rates in New York?

Yes, New York allows insurers to use credit scoring as a rating factor. Erie wins best and cheapest for bad-credit drivers at $55 per month for minimum coverage.

Which insurer has the best customer service in New York?

Erie ranks first for customer experience in MoneyGeek's New York analysis with a 5/5 score, based on J.D. Power scores, NAIC complaint ratios, AM Best ratings and independent agent Google Business ratings.

About Mark Fitzpatrick

Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty (P&C) Insurance Producer in Connecticut, is MoneyGeek's resident insurance expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for almost a decade, first with LendingTree and now with MoneyGeek, conducting original research on hundreds of insurance companies and millions of insurance rates for insurance shoppers.

He writes about economics and insurance on MoneyGeek, breaking down complex topics so people can have confidence in their purchase. Like all MoneyGeek analysts, Mark collects and analyzes independent cost and consumer experience data on insurance companies to provide objective recommendations in our content that are independent of any of MoneyGeek's insurance company partnerships.

His insights on products ranging from car, home and renters insurance to health and life insurance have been featured in The Washington Post, The New York Times and NPR, among others.

Mark holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He started his career working in financial risk management at State Street before transitioning to the analysis of the personal insurance market. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!

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