Best car insurance in New York for 2023

Best car insurance companies in New York

Upon reviewing average annual premiums from Quadrant Information Services, Bankrate found that Geico, USAA, Progressive, State Farm and Allstate were among the best car insurance companies in New York. Our analysis also factors in AM Best financial strength scores and customer satisfaction scores from the 2023 J.D. Power U.S. Auto Insurance Study. Most of the carriers on our list have annual premiums below the New York average of $3,139 per year for full coverage and $1,371 per year for minimum coverage and feature a range of perks like unique coverage options and numerous discount opportunities.

If you’re shopping for car insurance in NY, these companies could be a good place to start:

*USAA not officially ranked by J.D. Power due to eligibility restrictions.

How Bankrate chose the best car insurance companies in New York

Finding the best car insurance in New York that fits your needs can feel tricky, especially with the state’s higher-than-average rates, but Bankrate can make the process easier. We started our review by analyzing average car insurance rates, provided by Quadrant Information Services, for the largest auto insurers in New York by market share. Then, we reviewed third-party scores from companies like J.D. Power and ratings from AM Best. Finally, we analyzed each company’s coverage offerings, discounts and digital tools.

We combined these metrics into a single Bankrate Score. The scores are on a scale from 0.0 to 5.0, with higher scores meaning that the company ranked better. Our proprietary scoring method is designed to aid in your comparison of providers and help you feel more confident when making insurance decisions.

How to find the best car insurance in New York

Finding the auto insurance in New York that is best for your needs will depend heavily on your individual needs and the location-specific factors in your area. However, there are things you can do to make the process of shopping for New York car insurance easier.

Consider minimum insurance requirements in New York

Auto insurance is required in New York. You cannot register your vehicle at the New York Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) until you purchase a policy. The state minimum limits include bodily injury liability and property damage liability, both of which have a “liability per person” and “liability per accident” limit. New York drivers must also purchase at least minimum limits of personal injury protection (PIP) and uninsured motorist coverage.

Rest assured that you do not need to memorize New York’s car insurance laws — you will not be able to buy a policy that does not comply with the minimum limits. But knowing the state minimum level of coverage could help you understand if you need higher limits or additional coverage options.

Consider lender requirements

If you have a loan or lease, your lender probably requires you to have full coverage. Minimum coverage limits do not include comprehensive coverage or collision coverage, which provide coverage for damage to your vehicle. To get those, you will need to buy a full coverage policy. Those who lease vehicles may also have higher requirements for bodily injury liability and property damage liability, both the liability per person and liability per accident limits. You may also want to consider purchasing gap insurance. If your new vehicle is totaled and the claim payout is less than the balance on your loan, gap insurance is designed to help pay the difference.

Consider your individual needs

To evaluate your car insurance needs, consider a few factors such as whether you have a teen who is about to start driving, your vehicle make and model, credit history and driving record. Each of these factors could affect your New York car insurance premium, so it is important to consider each carefully. For example, if you just purchased a brand new electric vehicle, many New York auto insurers offer a new vehicle discount or an electric vehicle discount. Knowing which insurance companies offer these discounts could help you save.

Frequently asked questions