Car Insurance in New York vs. Connecticut: Costs, Laws and Resources

If you're moving from New York to Connecticut, keep in mind that the states have different requirements for vehicle insurance coverage and limits. For example, in New York, property damage liability must cover at least $10,000 per accident, but Connecticut only requires $25,000.

MoneyGeek compared car insurance laws and requirements in New York and Connecticut. We also looked into insurance rates to determine the most affordable companies for your needs.

New York law requires a minimum property damage liability of $10,000 per accident, but Connecticut law requires $25,000 in property damage liability per accident. Additionally, personal injury protection (PIP) coverage is required in New York but not in Connecticut.

A minimum-coverage auto insurance policy in New York costs an average of $2,278 per year. Meanwhile, in Connecticut, the same coverage costs $884. The higher coverage limits in New York may contribute to its higher rates.

There are 12 no-fault states in the United States, including New York. New York is referred to as a no-fault state because it has legislation requiring a type of car insurance that pays regardless of who caused the accident. This type of coverage may result in higher premiums.

Meanwhile, Connecticut is an "at-fault" tort state, meaning that drivers who cause an accident are held financially accountable. The motorist uses their liability insurance to compensate the other driver for property damage, injuries and other related expenses.

To get the best auto insurance rates, MoneyGeek recommends comparing quotes from different providers.

On average, the most affordable companies in New York and Connecticut are:

• Cheapest in New York: GEICO $1,092 per year
• Cheapest in Connecticut: GEICO $470 per year

MoneyGeek found that USAA is the most affordable company in New York ($902) and Connecticut ($425). However, USAA is only available to military families.

Take note of how the cost differs by state. GEICO is the cheapest provider in both New York and Connecticut. However, Connecticut drivers pay $622 less for coverage from GEICO.

The level of coverage also impacts the cost of car insurance in New York vs. Connecticut. Connecticut's premiums for both minimum and full coverage are less expensive than New York's.

The average annual cost of minimum coverage in New York and Connecticut is $2,278 and $884, respectively. In New York, full-coverage insurance costs an average of $3,433 per year, while in Connecticut, it costs around $1,442. However, your final quote may differ since premiums are determined by multiple factors.

Several factors affect the cost of car insurance, which is why premiums are higher in New York than in Connecticut. Although New York's theft rate is higher than Connecticut's, the higher minimum coverage limits in New York may also be a contributing factor in the state's high car insurance costs.

Auto insurance costs vary by state, and even your city can affect your premiums. MoneyGeek compared car insurance rates in cities across New York and Connecticut.

New York

• Cheapest city: Rochester, at $715 per year
• Most expensive city: New York, at $2,732 per year

Connecticut

• Cheapest city: Stamford, at $690 per year
• Most expensive city: Hartford, at $909 per year

Although the requirements for auto insurance are the same throughout any one state, this is not a cost factor. Rate differences within a state are more likely to be due to areas with a higher population density.

You must transfer your driver's license, car registration and auto insurance coverage if you are relocating from New York to Connecticut or vice versa.

If your existing insurance provider is available in your new state, you may be able to keep it. However, your premiums may increase to reflect the new risks and coverage requirements.

MoneyGeek offers various tools to help you choose the coverage that best meets your needs.

The laws, rates and terms for auto insurance in New York and Connecticut vary. MoneyGeek answers some frequently asked questions regarding car insurance in New York and Connecticut to help you get the best coverage.

To calculate average car insurance rates by company and across New York and Connecticut, MoneyGeek collaborated with Quadrant Information Services to collect auto insurance quotes from both locations. We used a sample profile for a 40-year-old driver with a clean driving record and minimum coverage unless modified by criteria like coverage level, age, driving offenses and credit score. Learn more about how costs are calculated in our MoneyGeek car insurance methodology.

Minimum car insurance requirements by state were sourced from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) of the respective state.