By Roberto Gomes | Updated October 2026. This guide compares published 2026 rate studies from ValuePenguin and NerdWallet with official information from the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and industry data from the Insurance Information Institute. Prime Capital Report does not sell insurance and is not a licensed agent. Every price below is an average or median from the source named next to it, so your own quote will be different.
The best car insurance in New York for most drivers in 2026 comes from two companies: Progressive and NYCM. Progressive had the lowest statewide full coverage average in ValuePenguin’s data, at $127 a month. NYCM had the lowest median in NerdWallet’s, at $117 a month, and ValuePenguin names it the best New York insurer overall for service. Travelers, GEICO and Preferred Mutual are worth a quote too, and USAA is an option for military families. Where you live matters more in New York than almost anywhere. ValuePenguin’s full coverage average is $226 a month statewide but $435 in New York City. New York is also a no-fault state, so every policy must include $50,000 of personal injury protection (PIP).
Key takeaways
- Average cost: ValuePenguin’s statewide average is $226 a month for full coverage, which it says is $14 above the national average. NerdWallet puts it at $223 a month, or $2,673 a year, for a clean-record driver with good credit.
- Companies to quote first: Progressive ($127 a month in ValuePenguin’s data; $120 median in NerdWallet’s) and NYCM ($157; $117). Travelers ($147) and GEICO ($156) are next in NerdWallet’s ranking.
- Legal minimum: 25/50/10 liability (with $50,000/$100,000 for death), plus $50,000 PIP and 25/50 uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage.
- No-fault rules: Your own PIP pays medical bills and lost wages first, whoever caused the crash. You can sue for pain and suffering only after a “serious injury.”
- Easy 10% savings: The DMV says a state-approved defensive driving course (PIRP) cuts the base rate of your premium by 10% a year for three years.
- NYC costs far more: ValuePenguin’s full coverage average is $549 a month in Brooklyn, $473 in the Bronx and $347 in Manhattan.
How much does car insurance cost in New York?
| Measure | New York | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Full coverage, statewide average per month | $226 | ValuePenguin, Oct 2026 |
| Full coverage, New York City average per month | $435 | ValuePenguin, Oct 2026 |
| Full coverage, per year (clean record, good credit) | $2,673 | NerdWallet, Oct 2, 2026 |
| Full coverage, per year (poor credit) | $4,861 | NerdWallet, Oct 2, 2026 |
Sources: ValuePenguin, Cheapest New York Car Insurance Quotes (2026) (accessed Oct. 19, 2026; rate filing data current as of Oct. 5, 2026). NerdWallet, Cheap Car Insurance in New York for 2026 (updated Oct. 2, 2026).
The two studies land close together on the statewide average, even though they use different drivers and coverage limits. NerdWallet adds that New York prices “barely changed in 2026,” after big jumps in 2024 and 2025. ValuePenguin links the state’s higher costs partly to heavy traffic in New York City and Long Island. To compare a big-city market elsewhere, see our guide to car insurance in Chicago.
Best car insurance companies in New York
ValuePenguin: average rates for a 30-year-old driver
ValuePenguin analyzed 1,036,288 quotes from 10 large New York insurers across 1,889 ZIP codes. Its sample driver is a 30-year-old man with good credit and a 2018 Honda Civic EX.
| Company | Full coverage (monthly) | Minimum coverage (monthly) |
|---|---|---|
| Progressive | $127 | $67 |
| NYCM | $157 | $44 |
| Erie | $213 | n/a |
| Nationwide | $215 | $89 |
| GEICO | n/a | $97 |
| USAA* | $162 | $71 |
| New York average | $226 | n/a |
Source: ValuePenguin (accessed Oct. 19, 2026; Quadrant Information Services data). “n/a” means the company wasn’t among ValuePenguin’s cheapest listed for that coverage, or the figure isn’t published. *USAA is available only to current and former military members and their families.
NerdWallet: median rates for a 35-year-old driver
NerdWallet analyzed 17 insurers. Its sample driver is 35, has good credit and drives a 2023 Toyota Camry LE 12,000 miles a year. Full coverage includes 100/300/50 liability, 100/300 uninsured motorist coverage and $1,000 deductibles.
| Company | Full coverage (median per month) | Minimum coverage (median per month) |
|---|---|---|
| NYCM | $117 | $35 |
| Progressive | $120 | $46 |
| Travelers | $147 | $53 |
| Preferred Mutual | $152 | $49 |
| GEICO | $156 | $48 |
Source: NerdWallet (updated Oct. 2, 2026; Quadrant data). NerdWallet’s analysis excludes Liberty Mutual.
Where the two studies agree
Both studies put Progressive and NYCM in the top two for full coverage, just in a different order. Both also name NYCM the cheapest for minimum coverage. That makes these two the clear first quotes for most New Yorkers. ValuePenguin notes one catch: NYCM’s rates are expensive in New York City, where Progressive is much cheaper.
Customer service and financial strength
ValuePenguin chose NYCM as the best New York insurer overall. It says NYCM earned the top score among nine large New York insurers in J.D. Power’s customer satisfaction survey. NAIC data also show NYCM gets 70% fewer complaints than expected for its size. Its full coverage policy also includes rental car coverage and extra coverage for belongings. The downside is that you can’t get a quote or manage your NYCM policy online. NerdWallet rates GEICO 5.0 out of 5, Travelers 4.9, and NYCM, Progressive, Nationwide and State Farm 4.8.
| Company | J.D. Power score (as listed by ValuePenguin) | AM Best financial strength |
|---|---|---|
| USAA* | 735 | A++ |
| Erie | 703 | A |
| NYCM | 652 | A |
| State Farm | 650 | A++ |
| Nationwide | 645 | A |
Source: ValuePenguin, New York (accessed Oct. 19, 2026), citing J.D. Power 2025 studies, AM Best and NAIC data. *Only military families can join USAA. Check complaints with the NAIC Consumer Insurance Search.
Car insurance rates in New York City and across the state
New York City by borough
| Area | Average full coverage (monthly) |
|---|---|
| Brooklyn | $549 |
| Bronx | $473 |
| Queens | $436 |
| NYC average | $435 |
| Staten Island | $359 |
| Manhattan | $347 |
Source: ValuePenguin (accessed Oct. 19, 2026).
Across NYC, ValuePenguin found Progressive cheapest at $218 a month, about half the citywide average. It was followed by GEICO ($372), Nationwide ($403) and Erie ($421), with USAA at $304 for military families. NerdWallet’s NYC data also favor Progressive for full coverage, at a median of $2,447 a year for a 35-year-old with a clean record. GEICO had the lowest NYC median for minimum coverage, at $987 a year.
Other New York cities
| City | Average full coverage (monthly) | Cheapest company | Cheapest rate (monthly) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Vernon | $374 | Progressive | $182 |
| Yonkers | $323 | Progressive | $173 |
| New Rochelle | $276 | NYCM | $147 |
| White Plains | $264 | NYCM | $149 |
| Buffalo | $255 | Progressive | $114 |
| Poughkeepsie | $239 | Progressive | $115 |
| Syracuse | $190 | NYCM | $103 |
| Rochester | $184 | Progressive | $98 |
| Albany | $182 | Progressive | $102 |
| Binghamton | $171 | Progressive | $93 |
Source: ValuePenguin (accessed Oct. 19, 2026). Same sample driver and full coverage policy as above.
Progressive has the cheapest full coverage in about two-thirds of New York cities and towns, and NYCM in the rest. ValuePenguin names Brooklyn the most expensive place in the state. The cheapest is Coopers Plains, near Corning in the Southern Tier, at $158 a month, less than a third of Brooklyn’s borough average. In Buffalo, NerdWallet found Progressive cheapest for full coverage at a median of $1,538 a year.
Best car insurance in New York by driver profile
Young drivers
NYCM was cheapest for young drivers in both studies. ValuePenguin’s rates for an 18-year-old at NYCM were $80 a month for minimum coverage and $276 for full coverage. The state teen average for minimum coverage was $297. NerdWallet’s median for a 20-year-old with their own full coverage policy was $173 a month at NYCM. For a 20-year-old added to a parents’ policy, Progressive was cheapest in NerdWallet’s May 2026 analysis. The whole household paid $139 a month, just $50 more than a two-adult policy.
Drivers with a ticket, accident or DUI
- Speeding ticket: Progressive was cheapest in both studies: $130 a month in ValuePenguin’s data and a $142 median in NerdWallet’s. ValuePenguin says one ticket raises New York rates about 11%.
- At-fault accident: Progressive led ValuePenguin’s list at $137 a month, and NYCM led NerdWallet’s at $141. ValuePenguin says one accident raises rates about 26%.
- DUI: Progressive was cheapest in both: $132 a month in ValuePenguin’s data and a $131 median in NerdWallet’s. ValuePenguin says drivers with a DUI pay $168 a month more for full coverage on average.
If several companies turn you down, both studies point to the New York Automobile Insurance Plan (NYAIP). This state-created program matches high-risk drivers with insurers, and most independent agents can help you apply.
Drivers with poor credit
The studies split here. ValuePenguin found Nationwide cheapest for poor credit, at $215 a month for full coverage. NerdWallet found Preferred Mutual cheapest, at a median of $190 a month. NerdWallet’s average jumps from $2,673 a year with good credit to $4,861 with poor credit. That’s about 82% more (our calculation).
Seniors
NerdWallet found Progressive cheapest for 70-year-olds, at a median of $96 a month for full coverage. GEICO had the lowest minimum coverage median for seniors, at $42 a month. ValuePenguin says NYCM offers a senior discount.
New York car insurance requirements
According to the New York DMV, the minimum liability coverage for most vehicles is:
- Property damage: $10,000 per crash.
- Bodily injury: $25,000 per person ($50,000 for death) and $50,000 for two or more people ($100,000 for death).
New York also requires $50,000 of personal injury protection and uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident, according to ValuePenguin and NerdWallet. The DMV says your coverage must be New York State insurance from a company licensed by the Department of Financial Services. It must stay in effect while the registration is valid, even if you don’t drive, and the DMV doesn’t accept out-of-state insurance. If coverage lapses, the DMV can suspend your registration and license.
ValuePenguin lists civil penalties for a lapse of $8 a day for days 1-30, $10 a day for days 31-60 and $12 a day for days 61-90, up to $900. Driving uninsured can bring a $150 to $1,500 fine and up to 15 days in jail. You may also owe a $750 civil penalty if your license is revoked. New York has one of the lowest uninsured rates in the country. The Insurance Research Council estimates 8.6% of drivers were uninsured in 2023, according to Triple-I. Still, $10,000 of property damage coverage won’t replace most newer cars, so higher limits are wise.
Supplemental spousal liability insurance (SSLI)
ValuePenguin says that since August 2023, policies for married drivers automatically include SSLI. It lets you claim against your spouse’s policy if you’re hurt while they’re driving, after your PIP is used up. ValuePenguin puts the average cost at $22 a year, from $0 at Allstate to $73 at GEICO. You can decline it in writing.
New York’s no-fault law explained
New York is a no-fault state. After a crash, your own PIP pays your covered costs first, no matter who caused it. ValuePenguin describes the main benefits as:
- Medical expenses, including ambulance, ER, hospital, surgery and rehab costs.
- Lost wages of up to $2,000 a month, or 80% of your earnings, for up to three years.
- $25 a day for routine tasks you can no longer do, such as laundry or home maintenance.
- A $2,000 death benefit for funeral and burial costs.
The trade-off is a limit on lawsuits. You can sue the at-fault driver for pain and suffering only if the injury meets New York’s “serious injury” threshold. ValuePenguin says that includes a fracture, significant disfigurement, permanent limitation or loss of use of a body part, loss of a fetus or death. It also covers an injury that keeps you from your daily activities for more than 90 days. Because PIP is mandatory, every New York quote includes it, which is one reason minimum coverage costs more here than in many states.
Are New York car insurance rates going up in 2026?
Only slightly. ValuePenguin’s review of New York filings, current as of Oct. 5, 2026, found a few modest increases and no major decreases:
| Company | 2026 rate change | 5-year rate change |
|---|---|---|
| NYCM | +4.3% | +55.1% |
| Liberty Mutual | +3.1% | +75.5% |
| Travelers | +2.2% | +49.3% |
| Progressive | +0.6% | +38.4% |
| State Farm | 0.0% | +84.9% |
| Allstate | 0.0% | +61.5% |
| Erie | 0.0% | +50.2% |
| GEICO | 0.0% | +34.1% |
Source: ValuePenguin (data current as of Oct. 5, 2026). Filings may apply only to some drivers, so your renewal may differ.
Car insurance discounts in New York
- Defensive driving (PIRP): The DMV says completing an approved Point and Insurance Reduction Program course cuts the base rate of your auto insurance by 10% a year for three years. Take it again every 36 months to keep the discount. Only the policy’s principal operator gets it, and the classroom course is 320 minutes. Bring the certificate to your insurer within 90 days and the discount is backdated to the day you finished.
- Young driver discounts: ValuePenguin highlights Erie’s youthful driver discount for young drivers living at home. NerdWallet says good grades or a safety course can help lower a teen’s rate.
- NYCM discounts: ValuePenguin says NYCM offers discounts for seniors and for brand-new cars.
- Usage-based programs: NerdWallet highlights Nationwide’s SmartRide and SmartMiles and Farmers’ Signal program.
- Bundling: ValuePenguin says most insurers discount auto policies when you add home or renters insurance.
How to save on car insurance in New York
- Get quotes from Progressive and NYCM first, then two more. Add Travelers, GEICO, Preferred Mutual or Erie depending on your profile. ValuePenguin found a $220-a-month gap between the most and least expensive companies for full coverage. Our guide on how to compare car insurance quotes walks you through it.
- Take a PIRP course. A 10% cut every year for three years is one of the easiest savings in the state.
- In NYC, check Progressive closely. Its citywide average was about half the NYC average in ValuePenguin’s data.
- Wait for your renewal offer after an accident. ValuePenguin says your current rate won’t change until renewal, so compare quotes once you see the new price.
- Consider a higher deductible. A NerdWallet editor reports saving more than 10% by moving from a $500 to a $1,000 deductible. Only do this if you can pay the higher amount.
- Keep young drivers on a family policy. NerdWallet’s data show this can cost far less than a separate policy.
- Never let coverage lapse. Daily civil penalties add up quickly, and your registration can be suspended.
Our methodology
Prime Capital Report doesn’t collect quotes. We compared two dated 2026 rate studies: ValuePenguin (accessed Oct. 19, 2026) and NerdWallet (updated Oct. 2, 2026). Both use Quadrant Information Services data. For requirements, discounts and uninsured driver data, we used the New York DMV and Triple-I. We never mix studies within one ranking, because each uses a different driver profile. Ratios and percentages comparing places or credit tiers are our own calculations.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best car insurance company in New York?
For most drivers, start with Progressive and NYCM. Progressive had the lowest statewide full coverage average in ValuePenguin’s data ($127 a month). NYCM had the lowest median in NerdWallet’s October 2026 data ($117 a month), and ValuePenguin names it the best overall for service. In New York City, Progressive is usually much cheaper.
How much is car insurance in New York per month?
ValuePenguin’s statewide average is $226 a month for full coverage. NerdWallet’s is $223 a month, or $2,673 a year, for a clean-record driver with good credit.
How much is car insurance in NYC?
ValuePenguin’s NYC average is $435 a month for full coverage. By borough, it ranges from $347 in Manhattan to $549 in Brooklyn. Progressive was cheapest citywide at $218 a month.
What is the minimum car insurance required in New York?
The DMV requires 25/50/10 liability, with $50,000 per person and $100,000 per crash for death. New York also requires $50,000 of PIP and 25/50 uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage.
Is New York a no-fault state?
Yes. Your own PIP pays medical costs and lost wages first, no matter who caused the crash. You can sue for pain and suffering only after a “serious injury” as defined by state law.
How much does a defensive driving course save in New York?
The DMV says completing an approved PIRP course cuts the base rate of your auto insurance premium by 10% each year for three years. Only the principal operator on a policy gets the discount.
Who has the cheapest car insurance in New York after a DUI?
Progressive was cheapest in both studies: $132 a month in ValuePenguin’s data and a $131 median in NerdWallet’s.
Sources
- ValuePenguin, “Cheapest New York Car Insurance Quotes (2026),” accessed Oct. 19, 2026: https://www.valuepenguin.com/best-cheap-car-insurance-new-york
- NerdWallet, “Cheap Car Insurance in New York for 2026,” updated Oct. 2, 2026: https://www.nerdwallet.com/insurance/auto/cheap-car-insurance-new-york
- New York State DMV, “New York State Insurance Requirements”: https://dmv.ny.gov/insurance/insurance-requirements
- New York State DMV, “Point and Insurance Reduction Program (PIRP)”: https://dmv.ny.gov/tickets/point-and-insurance-reduction-program-pirp
- Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I), “Facts + Statistics: Uninsured motorists” (Insurance Research Council data): https://www.iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-uninsured-motorists
- NAIC, Consumer Insurance Search: https://content.naic.org/cis_consumer_information.htm
This article is general information, not insurance or legal advice. Prime Capital Report is not an insurer, agent or broker, and the author, Roberto Gomes, is not a licensed insurance agent. Confirm coverage and prices with a licensed provider in New York.
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Roberto Gomes, Founder and Editor
Roberto researches insurance and personal finance in the United States and Canada from insurers' policy documents, regulator data and public rate filings. He is not a licensed agent or adviser. How we research.