Updated: May 20, 2024
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Auto insurance companies consider drivers with poor records to be high risk. If you’re on a budget, it’s best to shop around and compare quotes from different insurers to find the best deal.
In New York, Erie provides the ideal balance of affordability, customer satisfaction and stability for high-risk drivers. Erie also provides the cheapest car insurance for bad drivers. Its average yearly policy costs $2,210. However, your actual rate depends on your unique profile.
Best & CheapestAuto InsuranceHigh-RiskBest Companies for High-Risk Drivers in 2023
Insurance companies frequently see high-risk drivers file more car insurance claims than other policyholders. You’ll qualify as high-risk if you have a driving record with tickets, violations, at-fault accidents or DUI convictions.
On the other hand, teen drivers are also classified as high-risk drivers because they will likely have accidents due to their inexperience.
Auto insurance companies charge higher premiums to balance the costs of covering you in an accident. In New York, you will pay roughly 29% more for auto insurance if you’re considered a high-risk driver.
High-risk drivers are people who have serious violations on their driving records. These violations include drag racing, reckless driving, driving with a suspended or revoked license, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI) and more.
Here are some cases where insurance companies may consider you risky to insure:
According to MoneyGeek’s study, the most affordable car insurance for high-risk drivers in New York is Erie. This provider offers policies for different high-risk profiles with a yearly average premium of $2,210.
Learn more in our in-depth analysis of Erie and discover details about this insurer’s pros, cons and rates.
| Erie | Annual Premium$2,210 |
| State Farm | Annual Premium$2,356 |
| Allstate | Annual Premium$2,364 |
| Progressive | Annual Premium$2,601 |
| GEICO | Annual Premium$3,183 |
| Travelers | Annual Premium$3,603 |
| Nationwide | Annual Premium$4,472 |
| Esurance | Annual Premium$6,007 |
Drivers who incur severe traffic violations or get caught driving without a license or insurance need SR-22 insurance. SR-22 insurance is a form your insurance provider files to confirm that you have car insurance that matches your state’s minimum requirements. In this case, it meets New York’s minimum requirements.
MoneyGeek found that Erie is the best insurer in New York for high-risk drivers, with a score of 97 out of 100. Our Erie review looks closer at the insurer.
State Farm is the second-best insurance provider for high-risk drivers. It earned a MoneyGeek score of 93 out of 100.
Erie will generally charge policyholders an annual average of $2,210, which is 29% more than it charges for drivers with clean records.
Erie offers discounts for young drivers who completed a driver’s education course, full annual premium payments and vehicles with anti-lock brakes. It also offers coverage for better car replacement, accident forgiveness and rental car reimbursement. However, it doesn’t provide gap insurance or roadside assistance.
State Farm offers insurance for high-risk drivers in New York at $2,356 per year, which is 12% more than it charges for drivers with clean records.
This insurance provider is available nationwide and offers affordable rates for many drivers. It provides rideshare insurance, rental and travel reimbursement and roadside assistance. Plus, it gives a discount for completing a defensive driving course and for students. However, State Farm doesn’t provide coverage for accident forgiveness, new car replacement and gap insurance.
Although it’s vital not to exceed your budget, you must remember that you should not sacrifice your safety just to save. Searching for low-income car insurance in New York will help. There might be no government-backed auto insurance program in the state to help drivers on a budget, but looking through different insurance quotes will be a great move. Check the minimum coverage or pay-per-mile insurance, as either of these options may suit you if you don’t travel frequently.
MoneyGeek discovered that State Farm is the cheapest car insurance with DUI in New York, which costs an annual average of $2,285. In our State Farm review, you’ll find more information about its coverage, discounts and customer service.
For active and former military members who wonder who will insure them with a DUI, your best option is to get insurance from USAA.
| State Farm | Annual Premium$2,285 |
| Progressive | Annual Premium$2,309 |
| Allstate | Annual Premium$2,554 |
| Erie | Annual Premium$2,645 |
| Travelers | Annual Premium$3,707 |
| GEICO | Annual Premium$4,613 |
| Esurance | Annual Premium$5,780 |
| Nationwide | Annual Premium$7,269 |
A look-back period is defined as the period that a DUI stays on your driving record. Look-back periods depend on which state you live in. But, these take years to give way to criminal proceedings for repeat offenders. New York has a look-back period of 15 years.
MoneyGeek determined that GEICO is the cheapest car insurance company in New York for teen drivers. GEICO provides auto insurance policies for teenagers at an average of $9,983 annually.
However, your rate depends on your age and certain preferences. Learn more about this insurance company by reading our GEICO review.
| GEICO | Annual Premium$9,983 |
| Allstate | Annual Premium$10,112 |
| Nationwide | Annual Premium$11,861 |
| Progressive | Annual Premium$12,318 |
| State Farm | Annual Premium$12,392 |
Generally, car insurance premiums cost more for young drivers and students. Picking full coverage car insurance over the state minimum coverage requirement is recommended. The added coverage in case of an unforeseen event will help you remain calm and know you are covered. Don’t forget to look around and compare quotes to find the best cheap car insurance for teens and student drivers.
For those looking for the most affordable auto insurance quotes for drivers with bad credit, MoneyGeek found that Nationwide is your best option. Its average annual premium costs $3,952, which is approximately 15% more than the average annual premiums of those with good credit history. To learn more about this provider, read our Nationwide review for information about its pros, cons and coverage.
| Nationwide | Annual Premium3,952 | Percent Change15% |
It’s still possible to get car insurance even if you have bad credit. Make sure you shop around to find the best cheap car insurance with bad credit and check which insurer may suit your needs and preferences.
Insurance companies generally factor in a driver’s history and profile before determining which coverage and rates suit them. Consequently, high-risk drivers are more likely to pay higher premiums due to the frequency of their claims and other factors.
In New York, a high-risk driver pays an annual average of $3,349 compared to those with a clean driving record who pay an annual average of $2,332. This means high-risk drivers pay roughly 29% more than low-risk drivers.
Low-Risk Driver
$2,332High-Risk Driver
$3,349This is 44% more expensive.
Using MoneyGeek’s New York auto insurance calculator, you’ll be able to get estimates on how much you’ll pay for a policy based on your profile, driving history, vehicle type and coverage level. Our tool also helps you pinpoint which factors affect your rates.
MoneyGeeks's car insurance calculator will give you a customized estimate of your auto insurance cost. It's free to use, requires no personal information and we won't send you any spam.
Rates updated:
Jul 26, 2024
Although MoneyGeek partners with some of the companies we recommend, our content is written and reviewed by an independent team of writers, editors and licensed agents. Learn more about our editorial policies and expert editorial team.
Providing car insurance is a voluntary act. Companies might decline your application if their evaluation finds that you’re too risky to insure. When this happens, your next best option is to find a residual market plan through the Automobile Insurance Plan Service Office (AIPSO). For more than four decades, this national, not-for-profit corporation has served many people, especially those high-risk drivers who want to get coverage.
AIPSO has a state-by-state database that helps you find a residual market plan depending on your location. In New York, the residual market plan is called the New York Automobile Insurance Plan (NYAIP), which was established under Article 53 of the New York Insurance Law. All licensed agents and brokers must be certified by the Governing Committee following the standards and procedures approved by the Superintendent of Insurance before submitting applications to the plan.
To qualify for the NYAIP, you need to declare and certify that you tried and failed to get car insurance in New York within the next 60 days and are unable to get insurance at rates not more than those applicable under the plan.
Office Hours
Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:15 p.m. ET
nyaip@aipso.com
Phone
(212) 943-5100
Fax
(212) 742-2116
Mailing Address
New York AIP, 22 Cortlandt St., Suite 2101, New York, NY 10007-3151
Finding high-risk car insurance might be challenging. At MoneyGeek, we want to help you with the application process from start to finish by answering these frequently asked questions about high-risk auto insurance in New York.
The best car insurance company in New York for high-risk drivers is Erie.
MoneyGeek’s data consists of these average rates for different types of high-risk drivers in New York:
High-risk drivers have a history of at-fault accidents, multiple tickets and violations, reckless driving or a DUI conviction. Teens are also considered high-risk drivers.
If insurance companies in New York decline to cover you, you may apply for the New York Automobile Insurance Plan (NYAIP). You may contact this insurance provider by calling its phone number at (212) 943-5100 or emailing nyaip@aipso.com.
You may also opt to visit their office from Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. ET, located at 22 Cortlandt St., Suite 2101, New York, NY 10007-3151.
MoneyGeek computed average rates using full coverage car insurance policies with 100/300/100 liability insurance and comprehensive and collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible. The minimum coverage car insurance policy rates were calculated based on each state’s minimum car insurance requirement.
To calculate rates for high-risk drivers, MoneyGeek averaged the premiums that different insurance companies charge for the three most common driving violations: speeding, at-fault accident and DUI.
To determine the best car insurance company for high-risk drivers, MoneyGeek scored companies based on their affordability, customer satisfaction and complaints — obtained from J.D. Power surveys and NAIC complaint scores — and financial strength ratings as calculated by AM Best. Affordability received the greatest weighting in our calculations.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick has analyzed the property and casualty insurance market for over five years, conducting original research and creating personalized content for every kind of buyer. Currently, he leads P&C insurance content production at MoneyGeek. Fitzpatrick has been quoted in several insurance-related publications, including CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick earned a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He is passionate about using his knowledge of economics and insurance to bring transparency around financial topics and help others feel confident in their money moves.
