Updated: October 16, 2024
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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.
New York Requirements
Other:
Connecticut Requirements
Car Insurance Resources for New York and Connecticut
MoneyGeek compared quotes from providers in New York and Connecticut to show you which insurers have the best rates and service, where you can get quotes and how much the cost changes between the two states.
MoneyGeek compared the cheapest auto insurance in New York with the cheapest auto insurance in Connecticut.
To help you determine the best auto insurance companies in both states, MoneyGeek ranked the best insurance car insurance companies in New York and the best insurance car insurance companies in Connecticut.
MoneyGeek examines how the cost of auto insurance in New York and the cost of car insurance in Connecticut fluctuate based on various factors.
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:
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.
Company | Annual Rate | |
|---|---|---|
1. | $902 | |
2. | $1,092 | |
3. | $1,133 | |
4. | $1,270 | |
5. | $1,531 | |
6. | $1,714 | |
7. | $1,736 | |
8. | New York Central Mutual Fire | $2,063 |
9. | $2,110 | |
10. | $3,316 | |
11. | $5,352 |
Company | Annual Rate | |
|---|---|---|
1. | $425 | |
2. | $470 | |
3. | $708 | |
4. | $747 | |
5. | $817 | |
6. | $833 | |
7. | $835 | |
8. | $983 |
GEICO is the most affordable car insurance provider in New York and Connecticut for state minimum coverage. Your premium will be based on the amount of coverage you buy, your age, driving history, location and other considerations. MoneyGeek examined the most cost-effective options in both states:
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.
Driver | New York Annual Premium | Connecticut Annual Premium |
|---|---|---|
Minimum Coverage | $2,278 | $884 |
Full Coverage | $3,433 | $1,442 |
Adding a Young Driver | $9,285 | $3,471 |
Drivers With a Violation | $4,287 | $1,809 |
Drivers With Poor Credit | $10,640 | $2,511 |
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
Connecticut
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.
City | Average Annual Rate |
|---|---|
$884 | |
$909 | |
$901 | |
$690 | |
$820 |
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.
MoneyGeek's car insurance calculators for New York and Connecticut will show you how much you'll pay for vehicle insurance in each state based on the information you enter.
Drivers in Connecticut must file an SR-22 if they commit a severe traffic infraction such as driving without insurance, driving on a suspended or expired license or DUI/DWI. Meanwhile, high-risk drivers in New York tend to pay more for vehicle insurance since car insurance companies consider them to be high-risk. Additionally, they may refuse to cover them.
Note that most insurance plans are valid for at least six months. However, if you are just visiting the state for a short time, there are ways to get temporary auto insurance in New York or temporary car insurance in Connecticut.
MoneyGeek's resources can help to find methods to save money on car insurance if you are a low-income driver in New York or Connecticut.
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.
New York requires property damage coverage of at least $10,000 per accident, but Connecticut requires $25,000 in property damage liability per accident. In New York, personal injury protection (PIP) coverage is required, but not in Connecticut.
GEICO provides the cheapest car insurance premium in both New York and Connecticut, but Connecticut drivers pay substantially less.
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.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick is a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer and MoneyGeek's Head of Insurance. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research and creating personalized content for every kind of buyer. He 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.
