No single carrier wins for every New York driver. Our analysis of rates and coverage across the state found that the best car insurance company shifts based on your age, driving history, where you live and how much coverage you carry. A driver with a clean record shopping for the lowest possible premium lands in a different place than someone with a DUI or someone who wants robust add-on coverage.
Best Car Insurance in New York for 2026
Updated: May 22, 2026
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Our Experience Reviewing New York's Top Car Insurers
State Farm: Best Overall in New York
State Farm's 4.52/5 MoneyGeek score reflects both its affordability and its reputation for smooth claims handling. Full coverage averages $134/month, roughly 8% below the state average, and minimum coverage runs $112/month. J.D. Power's 2025 New York regional study gives it a 646, earning it third place in the state. If you're looking for highly customized coverage, we recommend looking at Travelers or Allstate instead, as State Farm's add-on selection is narrower than either.
Travelers: Best for Claims Experience
J.D. Power's 2025 New York regional score for Travelers is 645, the second highest in the top five and 9 points above the 636 regional average. That gap is the reason Travelers belongs in this group despite full coverage rates of $148/month, which are slightly above the state average. For drivers who want solid claims handling and don't mind paying close to average, it earns its spot. One area where it doesn't compete is DUI rates. Travelers' average rates for New York drivers with this violation are among the highest in the top five, so it's not the right fit for that profile.
GEICO: Cheapest Among Top-Rated Carriers
At $112/month for full coverage, GEICO's rates fall below the New York state average by roughly 23%, making it the most affordable option in the state. Minimum coverage costs $98/month. The company has one of the lower Customer Service scores among the top five due to its average NAIC complaint ratio, so you're giving up something on the service side. But the price advantage holds across young drivers and clean-record adults, and no other carrier in the top five matches it on cost. Drivers who prioritize a wide coverage selection over price will find Allstate a better fit.
Allstate: Best for Coverage Options
Allstate leads the top five on coverage variety. Accident forgiveness, new car replacement, rideshare endorsements and gap insurance are all available to New York drivers. It scores 638 in J.D. Power's 2025 regional study, 2 points above average, and holds a 4.21/5 MoneyGeek score. Full coverage averages $156/month and minimum coverage runs $124/month, making it the most expensive carrier in the top five. For drivers who want to build out their policy with highly customized options, Allstate's higher premium is worth it. For price-first shoppers, it isn't.
Progressive: Best for Drivers With Violations
Progressive's strongest case in New York is for drivers with DUI convictions or at-fault accidents. Its rates for those profiles are the most competitive in the top five. For clean-record drivers, full coverage averages $141/month and minimum coverage costs $115/month, neither of which is a bargain compared to the other choices. Its J.D. Power 2025 regional score is 620, 16 points below the 636 average and the lowest in the top five. If your record is clean and price matters, GEICO is a better option. If you're coming off a violation, Progressive's pricing structure is worth comparing directly.
Best Car Insurance Companies in New York: Scores and Methodology
State Farm | 4.52/5 | #1 | #2 | #3 |
Travelers | 4.38/5 | #3 | #1 | #2 |
GEICO | 4.35/5 | #1 | #3 | #4 |
Allstate | 4.21/5 | #4 | #2 | #1 |
Progressive | 4.18/5 | #2 | #5 | #3 |
Why You Can Trust MoneyGeek's New York Ratings
MoneyGeek evaluated 15 insurance companies in New York, including national carriers and New York regional insurers. Rankings combine rate analysis, customer feedback, and coverage assessments across three weighted factors. MoneyGeek does not receive compensation tied to which companies rank highest. Rate data comes from Quadrant Information Services, which sources actual insurance filings across every ZIP code.
Affordability (60% of total score)
Rate quotes were gathered for multiple driver profiles using a baseline 40-year-old male driver with good credit, a clean driving record, and no prior claims. Quotes covered full coverage at 100/300/100,000 limits with a $1,000 comprehensive and collision deductible, plus state-minimum coverage. Additional quotes covered young drivers and senior drivers. Driver profiles with violations were also tested, including DUI convictions, at-fault accidents, and speeding tickets, to measure how each carrier prices each category. Affordability scores reflect the carrier's performance across all of these driver profiles, with a baseline adult-driver clean-record rate weighted most heavily.
Customer Experience (30% of total score)
Customer satisfaction data was compiled from J.D. Power studies (including the 2025 U.S. Auto Insurance Study and the 2025 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study), AM Best financial strength ratings, and multi-platform review aggregation. NAIC complaint indexes also feed the composite score. J.D. Power New York regional scores shown in each carrier section are one input to the composite, not the full ranking.
Coverage Options (10% of total score)
Coverage scoring measures each provider's range of coverage types and New York-specific add-on availability. Standard coverages are included in the baseline score. Add-on coverages weighted in the score include accident forgiveness, new car replacement, rideshare endorsements, gap insurance, custom parts coverage, mechanical breakdown insurance, and pay-per-mile or telematics-based programs. Coverages restricted or unavailable under state law are excluded from the score for all carriers.
*Rates and rankings on this page reflect a 40-year-old male driver with good credit and a clean record. Full coverage rates use 100/300/100,000 liability limits with a $1,000 comprehensive and collision deductible. Minimum coverage rates use New York's mandatory 25/50/10 liability limits plus the state-mandated $50,000 PIP, without comprehensive or collision.
**USAA is excluded from all rankings because it is available only to military members and their families, which limits its accessibility for most readers.
Similar scores can reflect very different strengths in New York:
- State Farm and Travelers score within 0.14 points of each other. State Farm is the most affordable. Travelers leads in customer experience, which matters most to drivers who expect to file a claim.
- GEICO and Allstate are separated by 0.14 points. Allstate posts a stronger coverage rank, and GEICO prices lower for minimum coverage.
- Progressive's 4.18/5 score reflects a J.D. Power New York result of 620, which is 16 points below the 636 regional average. Allstate trades customer experience points for a broader coverage variety.
WHAT'S DIFFERENT ABOUT CAR INSURANCE IN NEW YORK
New York's premiums vary more by location than by carrier choice: the five NYC boroughs (Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Manhattan and Staten Island) have much higher average car insurance rates than Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and Albany, and the same carrier that wins statewide can be uncompetitive in a specific borough.
Every New York driver also carries $50,000 of mandatory personal injury protection coverage under NY law, layered on top of the 25/50/10 liability minimum, a coverage floor that is higher than most states.
If you're in the five boroughs, the cheapest car insurance in NYC breakdown shows how rates differ at the borough level.
Best New York Car Insurance Company Ratings
State Farm
Best Overall in New York
MoneyGeek Rating
4.5/ 5
4.6/5Affordability
4.4/5Customer Experience
4.1/5Coverage Options
On State Farm's Website
Average Monthly Full Coverage Rate
$134Average Monthly Minimum Coverage Rate
$112J.D. Power Auto Insurance Study Score
646/1,000 (3rd out of 9 carriers)
Travelers
Best for Claims Experience
MoneyGeek Rating
4.4/ 5
4.3/5Affordability
4.6/5Customer Experience
4.2/5Coverage Options
On Travelers' Website
Average Monthly Full Coverage Rate
$148Average Monthly Minimum Coverage Rate
$118J.D. Power Auto Insurance Study Score
645/1,000 (4th out of 9 carriers)
GEICO
Cheapest Among Top-Rated Carriers
MoneyGeek Rating
4.3/ 5
4.7/5Affordability
4.1/5Customer Experience
4/5Coverage Options
On GEICO's Website
Average Monthly Full Coverage Rate
$112Average Monthly Minimum Coverage Rate
$98J.D. Power Auto Insurance Study Score
637/1,000 (5th out of 9 carriers)
Allstate
Best for Coverage Options
MoneyGeek Rating
4.2/ 5
4.1/5Affordability
4.4/5Customer Experience
4.5/5Coverage Options
On Allstate's Website
Average Monthly Full Coverage Rate
$156Average Monthly Minimum Coverage Rate
$124J.D. Power Auto Insurance Study Score
625/1,000 (6th out of 9 carriers)
Progressive
Best for Drivers With Violations
MoneyGeek Rating
4.2/ 5
4.4/5Affordability
3.9/5Customer Experience
4.1/5Coverage Options
On Progressive's Website
Average Monthly Full Coverage Rate
$141Average Monthly Minimum Coverage Rate
$115J.D. Power Auto Insurance Study Score
620/1,000 (7th out of 9 carriers)
Rates at New York's Best Car Insurance Companies
New York's rates vary more by location than by carrier choice: the NYC-vs-upstate divide is the primary driver, layered on top of carrier underwriting differences. The New York state average for full coverage is $146/month ($1,752/year) compared to a national average of $117/month. The state minimum average is $112/month ($1,344/year).
$134 | $112 | 8% below | |
$148 | $118 | 1% above | |
$112 | $98 | 23% below | |
$156 | $124 | 7% above | |
$141 | $115 | 3% below | |
New York State Average | $146 | $112 | — |
National Average | $117 | $74 | — |
New York's full coverage state average is $29 above the national average of $117/month. The NYC boroughs carry the highest rates in the state, while Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse have costs below the state average. The gap between the cheapest top-five carrier (GEICO at $112/month) and the state average ($146/month) is $34/month, a difference worth confirming for your specific ZIP code and profile. Use the New York car insurance calculator to estimate where your specific profile and ZIP code land in that spread.
Coverage Options at New York's Best Car Insurance Companies
New York's mandatory $50,000 PIP under NY Insurance Law Section 5103 is layered on top of the 25/50/10 bodily injury liability and property damage liability minimums, making the minimum New York policy more substantive than in most states. Supplementary Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (SUM) coverage is commonly stacked on top of the mandatory 25/50 uninsured motorist minimum. In the NYC boroughs, theft rates and vehicle density make comprehensive coverage more valuable than statewide averages suggest, and collision coverage costs reflect the higher claim frequency in urban ZIP codes.
Bodily injury liability | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Property damage liability | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Comprehensive | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Collision | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Uninsured/underinsured motorist | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Medical payments / PIP | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Roadside assistance | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Rental reimbursement | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Accident forgiveness | — | ✓ | — | ✓ | ✓ |
New car replacement | — | ✓ | — | ✓ | — |
Rideshare coverage | — | ✓ | — | ✓ | ✓ |
Gap insurance | — | — | — | ✓ | ✓ |
Custom parts coverage | — | — | — | ✓ | ✓ |
Coverage total | 8/13 | 11/13 | 8/13 | 13/13 | 12/13 |
Comprehensive coverage in New York is most valuable in the five NYC boroughs, where vehicle theft rates and parking density create a higher claims environment than in upstate markets. All five top-rated carriers include comprehensive as a standard optional coverage; none bundle it into the base policy without election, which is standard across the industry.
New York mandates 25/50 uninsured motorist coverage in every policy, and insurers must offer SUM (Supplementary Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist) coverage as an additional layer. New York's uninsured driver rate is approximately 8.6%, below the national average of approximately 15%, so the primary UM/SUM value case in New York is built around litigation exposure and PIP-exhaustion scenarios rather than high uninsured-driver risk. All five top-rated carriers offer SUM as an add-on in New York.
How to Use These Rankings to Find Your Best New York Carrier
Your best New York carrier depends on which of these six profiles fits your situation.
If price is your top priority
GEICO has the lowest full coverage rate in New York at $112/month, approximately 23% below the state average. Its minimum coverage costs $98/month on average, which is also the most affordable of the top five.
If you want the best New York claims experience
Travelers and State Farm lead New York on claims experience, scoring 645 and 646 in J.D. Power's 2025 regional study, both well above the 636 average. These scores reflect superior claims resolution speed and contact accessibility, the two factors J.D. Power weights most heavily in its New York regional methodology.State Farm is the stronger overall pick at $134/month for full coverage. Travelers runs $148/month but offers broader coverage add-ons if you need them.
If you want the best balance of price and coverage
State Farm holds the #1 ranking in New York at 4.52/5, with full coverage at $134/month. State Farm's Drive Safe & Save telematics program can reduce that rate further for low-mileage drivers, a meaningful advantage in New York City where many residents drive infrequently. The limitation is that State Farm doesn't offer gap insurance or new car replacement in New York.
If you have a young driver in your household
GEICO charges the lowest rate for young drivers in New York among the top five. Stacking an auto policy with a home policy can help families save even more. The best home and auto bundle in New York shows which carriers offer the widest bundle savings in the state.
If you have a DUI or violation on your record
Progressive charges the most competitive rate after a DUI in New York among the top five. New York does not use SR-22 filings; coverage compliance runs through the DMV's Insurance Information and Enforcement System. DUI car insurance in New York breaks down what your rate looks like across more carriers and how the DMV's Driver Responsibility Assessment compounds the financial impact of the conviction.
If you live in New York City or upstate
NYC borough rates run much higher than the state average. Our research into the cheapest car insurance in NYC breaks down rates by borough and shows which carriers are most competitive in Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, Manhattan, and Staten Island. Upstate drivers in Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse will find different carrier rankings than the statewide top five.
Best New York Car Insurance: FAQ
What is the minimum car insurance required in New York?
New York requires 25/50/10 liability coverage under NY Vehicle and Traffic Law Section 311, meaning $25,000 bodily injury per person, $50,000 per accident, and $10,000 property damage. In the case of death, those limits double to $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident. Every policy also carries $50,000 of mandatory Personal Injury Protection under NY Insurance Law Section 5103, which pays medical expenses, lost earnings, and other economic losses regardless of fault. Mandatory uninsured motorist coverage mirrors the 25/50 bodily injury limits, and insurers must offer optional SUM (Supplementary Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist) coverage on top of that floor.
What happens if I drive without insurance in New York?
Under NY Vehicle and Traffic Law Section 319, driving without insurance can result in fines up to $1,500 in traffic court, vehicle impoundment, up to 15 days in jail, and license and registration revocation for up to three years. A civil penalty of $750 is assessed to restore a revoked license. New York does not use SR-22 filings; enforcement runs through the DMV's Insurance Information and Enforcement System (IIES), which tracks policy starts, renewals, and cancellations electronically.
What does New York's no-fault PIP cover?
Under NY Insurance Law Section 5103, basic PIP pays up to $50,000 per person for medical and health expenses, lost earnings, and other reasonable and necessary economic losses regardless of who caused the accident. Coverage extends to the driver, all passengers in the insured vehicle, and any pedestrians struck by the vehicle. PIP does not cover vehicle damage, which requires collision and/or comprehensive coverage.
Why is car insurance so expensive in New York?
New York's full coverage state average of $146/month is above the national average, driven by the mandatory $50,000 PIP layer, the litigation environment in New York City, high medical costs, and vehicle density in the five boroughs. The NYC-vs-upstate rate divide means drivers in Brooklyn or the Bronx pay far more than drivers in Buffalo or Syracuse even with the same carrier and profile. The page on why New York car insurance is expensive breaks down each cost driver in detail.
Does my New York auto policy cover me if I'm hit by an uninsured driver?
Yes. New York mandates 25/50 uninsured motorist coverage in every policy, and insurers must offer SUM (Supplementary Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist) coverage as an additional layer. New York's uninsured driver rate is approximately 8.6%, well below the national average of approximately 15% per Insurance Information Institute data, so the structural risk here is lower than in high-uninsured states like Texas or Florida. PIP exhaustion and litigation exposure make the SUM add-on worth considering for drivers with higher medical or income-replacement exposure.
What is the Driver Responsibility Assessment in New York?
The Driver Responsibility Assessment is a DMV fee assessed over a three-year period after a DUI or DWI conviction, refusing a chemical test, or accumulating six or more points on your license within 18 months. The fee is paid directly to the DMV and is separate from any traffic court fines or carrier premium increases. Failure to pay results in license suspension. New York does not use SR-22 filings for drivers with violations; financial responsibility is enforced through the IIES electronic tracking system.
Sources
- J.D. Power. "2025 U.S. Auto Insurance Study." Accessed 2026.
- J.D. Power. "2025 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study." Accessed 2026.
- New York Department of Financial Services. "Property and Casualty Market Conditions Annual Reports." Accessed 2026.
- New York Vehicle and Traffic Law Section 311 — Provisions of Owner's Policy of Liability Insurance. Accessed 2026.
- New York Insurance Law Section 5103 — Personal Injury Protection (No-Fault). Accessed 2026.
- New York Department of Financial Services. "Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements." Accessed 2026.
- Insurance Information Institute (III). "Facts + Statistics: Uninsured motorists." Accessed 2026.
- AM Best. "Ratings Services." Accessed 2026.
For the complete breakdown of how we rate insurers and calculate average car insurance premiums, see our full auto insurance methodology.
MoneyGeek reviews and updates this page regularly to reflect the latest rate data from Quadrant Information Services and any changes to carrier rankings, J.D. Power study results, or New York state insurance requirements. Rate data on this page was last refreshed in 2026.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty (P&C) Insurance Producer in Connecticut, is MoneyGeek's resident insurance expert. He has spent nearly a decade analyzing the market, first at LendingTree and now at MoneyGeek, where he has produced original research on hundreds of carriers and millions of rates across auto, home, renters, health and life insurance.
He writes about economics and insurance on MoneyGeek so people can make coverage decisions with confidence. His insurance insights have been featured in The Washington Post, The New York Times and NPR, among other media outlets.
Like all MoneyGeek analysts, he draws on independent cost and consumer experience data, and no insurance company partnership influences his recommendations.
Fitzpatrick earned his degrees from Johns Hopkins University (M.A. Economics and International Relations) and Boston College (B.A.). He began his career in financial risk management at State Street. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!