Car Insurance in Rochester


Key Takeaways
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NYCM Insurance provides the cheapest car insurance in Rochester at $225 per year for minimum coverage and $515 per year for full coverage, running 55% below the city average. Progressive and Kemper offer competitive alternatives.

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Rochester drivers pay an average of $46 per month for minimum coverage and $87 per month for full coverage.

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NYCM Insurance also offers the cheapest car insurance in New York at $301 per year for minimum coverage and $701 per year for full coverage.

Who Has the Cheapest Car Insurance in Rochester?

NYCM Insurance delivers the most affordable rates across nearly all driver categories in Rochester. Young drivers pay just $344 annually with NYCM Insurance, while adult drivers with clean records pay only $225 per year.

Senior drivers see premiums of $334 per year from NYCM Insurance, about 48% higher than adult rates. Drivers with a speeding ticket pay $320 annually with Progressive, and those with an at-fault accident get rates of $225 per year from NYCM Insurance.

Rochester's upstate New York location brings dramatically lower insurance costs than New York City's metro area. The city's revitalized downtown, anchored by strong healthcare and education sectors, maintains stable demographics and relatively low crime rates that insurers reward with competitive premiums.

Young DriversNYCM$29
Adult DriversNYCM$19
Senior DriversNYCM$28
Drivers With an AccidentNYCM$19
Drivers With a DUIProgressive$27
Drivers With a Speeding TicketProgressive$27
Drivers With Bad CreditGEICO$46
Drivers With Newer CarsGEICO$21
Drivers With Old CarsNYCM$13
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Cheapest Rochester Car Insurance by Company

NYCM Insurance delivers unbeatable value in Rochester with minimum coverage at $225 yearly, a remarkable 55% below the city's $551 average. Full coverage costs just $515 annually through NYCM versus Rochester's $1,050 average.

Kemper ranks second with full coverage at $568 per year. Progressive also provides competitive pricing for Rochester residents seeking affordable coverage.

NYCM Insurance's strong presence in upstate New York gives the regional carrier deep understanding of Rochester's unique characteristics, from lake-effect snow driving conditions to the city's one-way street system downtown. This local expertise translates to more accurate risk assessment and better pricing for Rochester drivers.

NYCM$19$43-55%
Kemper$24$47-48%
Progressive$26$47-46%
GEICO$30$62-32%
American Family$39$76-16%

Cheapest Rochester Car Insurance by Age

Rochester stands out with exceptionally low rates across all age groups. NYCM Insurance offers young drivers coverage for just $344 per year.

Adult drivers pay $225 annually with NYCM Insurance, saving $119 compared to young drivers. Senior drivers get their best deal from NYCM Insurance at $334 per year, 48% more than adult premiums but still remarkably affordable.

The University of Rochester and Rochester Institute of Technology bring substantial student populations whose driving patterns affect local rates. However, many students come from New York City and don't own vehicles, reducing the young driver impact on Rochester's overall insurance market.

Data filtered by:
Adult Drivers
NYCM Insurance$19$225-63%
Kemper$24$286-53%
Progressive$26$311-49%
Geico$30$364-41%
American Family$39$463-25%

Cheapest Rochester Car Insurance by Driving Record

NYCM Insurance provides Rochester's lowest rate at $225 per year for clean drivers. Notably, drivers with an at-fault accident also pay $225 annually with NYCM Insurance, showing no rate increase.

A speeding ticket raises your premium to $320 annually with Progressive. A DUI pushes premiums to $325 annually with Progressive, still among the lowest in the nation.

New York State Police enforce speed limits on I-490 and I-590 through Rochester, but the city's overall traffic enforcement remains moderate compared to downstate. Monroe County's DUI prosecution focuses on rehabilitation alongside punishment, though insurance consequences persist regardless of legal outcomes.

Data filtered by:
At Fault Accident ($1000-$1999 Prop Dmg)
NYCM Insurance$19$225
Progressive$26$311
Kemper$33$398
Geico$35$420
American Family$49$589

Best Car Insurance Companies in Rochester

Progressive leads Rochester with an overall score of 96.4 out of 100. The company delivers excellent performance across pricing, customer service and claims handling.

NYCM Insurance follows with a score of 94, offering exceptional value alongside reliable service. Both insurers maintain strong financial ratings and low complaint ratios with New York regulators.

Progressive96341
NYCM94196
GEICO90487
Erie Insurance88612
American Family87567
Progressive

Progressive: Best Overall Coverage

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  • Wide range of coverage choices

  • Highly rated for customer support

  • Offers many ways to save through discounts

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  • Can be pricier for certain driver profiles

  • Few in-person branch locations

COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

Progressive ranks first among Rochester insurers for its strong coverage options and dependable customer service. First, its rates are generally below the city average and include specialized coverage not often offered by competitors. The company also provides lower rates for high-risk drivers in Rochester, including those with DUIs or speeding tickets.

NYCM Insurance

NYCM: Best for Affordable Rates

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  • Low pricing for most driver types

  • Deep understanding of New York’s insurance landscape

  • Quick and hassle-free claims experience

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  • Fewer coverage options compared to larger insurers

  • Limited online features and tools

COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

NYCM ranks second among Rochester insurers for its consistently low rates across different driver categories. It’s a budget-friendly choice for young drivers, adults and those with older cars. With its local roots, NYCM agents are familiar with New York’s insurance rules and requirements. 

Although it doesn’t offer as many extra features as larger national companies, the insurer provides dependable coverage at prices well below the city average.

How Much Is Car Insurance in Rochester?

Car insurance in Rochester costs an average of $46 per month for minimum coverage and $87 per month for full coverage. These rates rank among the nation's lowest, making Rochester an exceptionally affordable market.

NYCM Insurance's minimum coverage rate of $19 monthly represents some of the cheapest car insurance available anywhere in the United States. Your individual premium depends on your driving record, age and coverage choices.

Full Coverage$87$1,050
Minimum Coverage$46$551

Rochester Car Insurance Costs by ZIP Code

In Rochester, car insurance rates by ZIP code range from $39 to $131 per month. ZIP code 14611 is the most expensive, while 14625 is the cheapest. Check the average rates for your ZIP code below.

Data filtered by:
14611
14611$73$131

How to Get the Best Cheap Rochester Car Insurance

It’s not always easy to find affordable car insurance in Rochester, with so many coverage options and higher local rates. This guide walks you through each step to help you choose a plan that works best for you.

  1. 1
    Calculate Your Coverage Needs

    Figure out how much protection makes sense for your car and situation. You can use our car insurance coverage calculator to get an estimate. Keep Rochester’s winter weather in mind when deciding whether to include comprehensive or collision coverage.

  2. 2
    Explore Other Coverage Options

    Look into different types of car insurance that could help you save money. If you don’t drive often, a pay-per-mile policy might suit you. And if you don’t own a car, non-owner insurance could be a smart choice.

  3. 3
    Learn the Average Costs

    Review the average vehicle insurance costs in Rochester to set realistic expectations. Knowing the usual rates for your age and vehicle type helps you spot fair pricing and avoid paying too much.

  4. 4
    Save More with Discounts

    Take advantage of every car insurance discount you qualify for. Consider bundling multiple policies or getting multi-car discounts if you have multiple vehicles. Safe driver and anti-theft device discounts can also reduce your premium.

  5. 5
    Check Insurer Reputation and Service

    Research each company’s customer service ratings and claims satisfaction scores. Give extra attention to insurers known for handling winter-related claims well in Rochester. It also helps to choose a provider that offers 24/7 support and easy-to-use digital tools.

  6. 6
    Get Quotes From Multiple Providers

    Reach out to at least three insurers for quotes. Use a mix of local agents, online comparison tools and company websites. Since each insurer calculates rates differently, comparing many quotes gives you a better chance of finding the lowest price.

  7. 7
    Review Your Policy Annually

    Set a yearly reminder to review your coverage and look for better rates. Life changes such as moving, buying a new car or improving your credit score often affect your premium. Review your policy regularly to find the right coverage at the best price.

Cheapest Car Insurance in Rochester: Bottom Line

Car insurance rates in Rochester depend on your age, driving record and credit score. NYCM and Kemper offer the lowest average premiums in the area, but compare quotes from multiple providers to find your best rate.

Cheap Rochester Car Insurance: FAQ

If you’re looking for affordable car insurance in Rochester, this FAQ shares simple answers to help you compare plans, cut costs and find coverage that fits your needs and goals.

What is the cheapest car insurance company in Rochester, New York?

Who offers the best car insurance in Rochester?

What is the average cost of car insurance in Rochester?

Is car insurance in Rochester expensive?

How We Chose the Best and Cheapest Car Insurance in Rochester, NY

To help Rochester drivers find the most affordable auto insurance companies, MoneyGeek analyzed auto insurance rates based on data and information from the New York State Department of Financial Services and Quadrant Information Services. We studied all ZIP codes in the city and hundreds of thousands of quotes for 12 companies offering auto insurance in New York to tailor options as closely as possible to you.

Rochester Driver Profile

MoneyGeek created a sample driver profile to calculate car insurance quote averages with the following characteristics:

  • 40-year-old male
  • 2012 Toyota Camry LE
  • Clean driving record
  • 12,000 miles driven annually
  • Good credit
  • Valid license
  • Currently insured
  • No claims history

We adjusted certain factors, such as age, driving record, credit score and military affiliation, to find the most suitable insurance companies for specific driver profiles.

Coverage Levels in Rochester

MoneyGeek compared the most affordable insurance providers for minimum and full coverage auto insurance policies.

The minimum coverage requirements in New York are:

  • $30,000 bodily injury liability per person
  • $60,000 bodily injury liability per accident
  • $25,000 property damage liability per accident

For a full coverage policy, we used the following coverage limits:

  • $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
  • $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
  • $100,000 property damage liability per accident
  • Comprehensive and collision insurance, each with a $1,000 deductible

Our Best Company Rating Methodology

We rated all companies based on the following rating scale:

  • Affordability (60% of score): We compared quotes for various driver profiles against other insurers in Rochester.
  • Customer experience (30% of score): We used agency reviews on Google, J.D. Power, AM Best and Reddit forums to gauge customer sentiment and experiences.
  • Coverage options (10% of score): We evaluated the number of coverage options each provider offers and their unique benefits.

About Mark Fitzpatrick


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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.


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