Progressive and NYCM are the cheapest car insurers for most New York drivers. In ValuePenguin’s October 2026 analysis, Progressive averaged $127 a month for full coverage and NYCM averaged $44 a month for minimum coverage. NerdWallet’s October 2026 data puts NYCM first for full coverage, at a median of $117 a month ($1,400 a year), with Progressive just behind at $120. Prices in New York City run roughly double the state average, so your ZIP code matters as much as your choice of company.
Key takeaways
- Cheapest full coverage: Progressive at $127/month (ValuePenguin) or NYCM at $117/month (NerdWallet). The two are within a few dollars of each other in NerdWallet’s data.
- Cheapest minimum coverage: NYCM, at $44/month (ValuePenguin) or $35/month (NerdWallet).
- Typical cost: About $226/month for full coverage statewide (ValuePenguin) and $223/month for a driver with a clean record (NerdWallet).
- NYC is expensive: ValuePenguin’s NYC average is $435/month for full coverage, and Brooklyn is the priciest borough at $549.
- Easy savings: A DMV-approved defensive driving course (PIRP) cuts the base rate of your liability and collision premiums by 10% a year for three years.
Cheapest car insurance companies in New York
ValuePenguin analyzed more than 1 million quotes from 10 large New York insurers across 1,889 ZIP codes. Its sample driver is a 30-year-old man with good credit who drives a 2018 Honda Civic EX. “Full coverage” means 50/100/50 liability, $50,000 of personal injury protection (PIP), 50/100 uninsured motorist coverage, and collision and comprehensive coverage with a $500 deductible. We calculated annual figures by multiplying the monthly averages by 12.
| Company | Full coverage (monthly) | Full coverage (annual, est.) | Minimum coverage (monthly) | Minimum coverage (annual, est.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Progressive | $127 | $1,524 | $67 | $804 |
| NYCM | $157 | $1,884 | $44 | $528 |
| Erie | $213 | $2,556 | n/a | n/a |
| Nationwide | $215 | $2,580 | $89 | $1,068 |
| Geico | n/a | n/a | $97 | $1,164 |
| USAA* | $162 | $1,944 | $71 | $852 |
| New York average | $226 | $2,712 | NYCM is “less than half” the state average | n/a |
Source: ValuePenguin, Cheapest New York Car Insurance Quotes (2026) (updated Oct. 13, 2026; Quadrant Information Services data). “n/a” means the company wasn’t among ValuePenguin’s cheapest four for that coverage type. *USAA is available only to current and former military members and their families.
A second opinion: NerdWallet’s New York rankings
NerdWallet analyzed 17 New York insurers using a 35-year-old driver with a 2023 Toyota Camry LE, 12,000 miles a year and good credit. Its full coverage policy uses higher limits than ValuePenguin’s: 100/300/50 liability, 100/300 uninsured motorist coverage and a $1,000 collision and comprehensive deductible. Liberty Mutual wasn’t included because it doesn’t make its rate data public.
| Rank | Full coverage (median monthly) | Minimum coverage (median monthly) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | NYCM: $117 | NYCM: $35 |
| 2 | Progressive: $120 | Progressive: $46 |
| 3 | Travelers: $147 | GEICO: $48 |
| 4 | Preferred Mutual: $152 | Preferred Mutual: $49 |
| 5 | GEICO: $156 | Travelers: $53 |
Source: NerdWallet, The Cheapest Car Insurance in New York for October 2026 (updated Oct. 2, 2026; Quadrant Information Services data). NerdWallet puts the average for a clean-record driver at $223/month ($2,673/year).
The takeaway: Progressive and NYCM should be the first two quotes you get almost anywhere in the state. NerdWallet also found that New York rates “barely changed” in 2026 after big jumps in 2024 and 2025, so if you haven’t shopped in a few years, you may be overpaying.
Cheapest car insurance in New York by driver profile
Teen and young drivers
NYCM is cheapest for young drivers in both studies. ValuePenguin found an 18-year-old pays $80/month for NYCM minimum coverage and $276/month for full coverage, compared with an average of $297/month for minimum coverage across companies. NerdWallet’s median for a 20-year-old with NYCM full coverage was $173/month ($2,072/year), with Progressive second at $197. Joining a parent’s policy is usually cheaper than a standalone policy. In NerdWallet’s May 2026 analysis, Progressive was cheapest for a full coverage policy covering two parents and a 20-year-old, at $139/month ($1,665/year) for the whole household.
Senior drivers
Progressive had the cheapest full coverage for 70-year-old drivers in NerdWallet’s data, at a median of $96/month ($1,154/year). NYCM ($129) and GEICO ($130) were next.
After a speeding ticket
Progressive was cheapest in both studies: $130/month in ValuePenguin’s data and $142/month in NerdWallet’s, with NYCM ($143) close behind. ValuePenguin found one speeding ticket raises New York rates by about 11%, or $25/month on average.
After an at-fault accident
ValuePenguin had Progressive cheapest at $137/month, while NerdWallet had NYCM cheapest at $141/month. ValuePenguin says one at-fault accident raises New York rates by about 26% ($59/month). It recommends waiting until your renewal notice arrives before shopping, since your current rate won’t rise until then.
After a DUI
Progressive was cheapest after a DUI in both studies: $132/month (ValuePenguin) and $131/month (NerdWallet). ValuePenguin found drivers with a DUI pay $168/month more than drivers with a clean record, on average. If several companies turn you down, you can get coverage through the New York Automobile Insurance Plan (NYAIP) via a licensed agent or broker.
Poor credit
New York insurers can use a credit-based insurance score. Nationwide was cheapest for poor-credit drivers in ValuePenguin’s data ($215/month). NerdWallet had Preferred Mutual cheapest ($190/month). NerdWallet’s average for a poor-credit driver was $4,861/year, compared with $2,673 for a driver with good credit.
Car insurance costs in New York City and other cities
| Area | Avg. full coverage (monthly) | Cheapest company | Cheapest rate (monthly) |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York City (citywide) | $435 | Progressive | $218 |
| Brooklyn | $549 | Most expensive borough | |
| Bronx | $473 | n/a | |
| Queens | $436 | n/a | |
| Staten Island | $359 | n/a | |
| Manhattan | $347 | Cheapest borough | |
| Buffalo | $255 | Progressive | $114 |
| Yonkers | $323 | Progressive | $173 |
| Rochester | $184 | Progressive | $98 |
| Syracuse | $190 | NYCM | $103 |
| Albany | $182 | Progressive | $102 |
Source: ValuePenguin (Oct. 2026). Borough figures are averages across companies. ValuePenguin’s city table lists slightly different figures for NYC ($439 average, $209 cheapest) and Brooklyn ($567) than its borough table.
Outside the city, rates fall quickly. ValuePenguin found the cheapest place in the state was Coopers Plains, near Corning in the Southern Tier, at $158/month for full coverage. Progressive was cheapest in about two-thirds of New York cities and towns, and NYCM in the rest.
NerdWallet’s NYC numbers tell the same story. For a 35-year-old with a clean record, Progressive’s median NYC full coverage rate was $2,447/year and GEICO’s minimum coverage was $987/year. In Buffalo, Progressive’s full coverage was $1,538/year and NYCM’s minimum coverage $642/year.
New York car insurance requirements
New York is a no-fault state, so every policy must include PIP as well as liability and uninsured motorist coverage. The minimums are:
- Bodily injury liability: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident, rising to $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for death.
- Property damage liability: $10,000 per accident.
- Personal injury protection (no-fault): $50,000.
- Uninsured motorist bodily injury: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
Sources: NerdWallet; Triple-I, Automobile Financial Responsibility Limits by State.
A $10,000 property damage limit won’t go far if you total a newer car. Both NerdWallet and ValuePenguin recommend buying more than the minimum if you can afford it.
Supplemental spousal liability insurance
Since August 2023, New York policies for married drivers automatically include supplemental spousal liability insurance (SSLI), which lets you claim against your spouse’s policy if you’re hurt while they’re driving. ValuePenguin’s data shows the annual cost ranging from $0 at Allstate and $2 at Progressive to $73 at Geico. You can decline it in writing.
Penalties for driving uninsured
According to ValuePenguin, a lapse in coverage triggers DMV civil penalties of $8 to $12 per day, depending on how long the lapse lasts, up to $900 in total. Your registration can be suspended if you don’t pay. Being caught driving without insurance can bring a fine of $150 to $1,500, up to 15 days in jail, license and registration revocation, and a $750 civil penalty to restore a revoked license.
Why car insurance costs so much in New York, and what’s changing
ValuePenguin ranks New York the fourth-most expensive state for minimum coverage and the 11th-most expensive for full coverage. Mandatory no-fault PIP coverage and heavy traffic around New York City and Long Island are big reasons. Over the past five years, filed rate increases at major insurers ranged from about 34% (Geico) to about 85% (State Farm), according to ValuePenguin’s RateWatch data. For 2026, ValuePenguin’s filing data (as of Oct. 5, 2026) shows smaller moves: NYCM +4.3%, Liberty Mutual +3.1%, Travelers +2.2%, Progressive +0.6%, and no change at State Farm, Allstate, Erie, Geico and USAA.
Uninsured drivers aren’t the main problem in New York. The Insurance Research Council estimated that 8.6% of New York drivers were uninsured in 2023, the eighth-lowest rate in the country, according to Triple-I.
New York’s FY2027 budget included reforms aimed at fraud and litigation costs. On July 1, 2026, the Department of Financial Services (DFS) issued guidance requiring insurers to include the expected savings in pending and future rate filings. The reforms tighten the “serious injury” threshold for pain-and-suffering claims, limit damages for drivers engaged in unlawful behavior or found mostly at fault, expand criminal penalties for staged accidents, and require insurers to get DFS’s express prior approval before any rate increase. DFS hasn’t published an estimate of how much premiums will fall, so treat any promised savings figure with caution.
Source: NY DFS, Governor Hochul Issues New Guidance to Implement Reforms Aimed at Lowering Auto Insurance Premiums, Jul. 1, 2026.
Legitimate car insurance discounts in New York
- Defensive driving (PIRP): Completing a DMV-approved Point and Insurance Reduction Program course reduces the base rate of your auto insurance premiums by 10% each year for three years. The discount goes to the principal operator, you must retake the course every 36 months to keep it, and if you give your certificate to your insurer within 90 days, the discount is backdated to the course date. Courses are available in a classroom or online (NY DMV).
- Safety equipment discounts required by law: DFS lists discounts for factory-installed anti-lock brakes, daytime running lamps, airbags or automatic seat belts, and qualifying anti-theft devices (NY DFS).
- Insurer discounts: Many New York insurers offer multi-car, multi-policy, good student, driver training, senior, low-mileage and telematics (usage-based) discounts. The size varies by company.
- Higher deductibles: Raising your collision and comprehensive deductibles lowers your premium. DFS says insurers must give you information on how much you’d save.
How to compare car insurance quotes in New York
- Decide on your limits first. Quote the same liability, PIP, uninsured motorist and deductible levels at every company so the prices are comparable.
- Start with the leaders. Get quotes from Progressive and NYCM, then add Travelers, GEICO, Preferred Mutual and Erie. NYCM doesn’t sell policies online, so you’ll need an agent or phone call.
- Check your rating details. DFS advises confirming your garaging address, vehicle classification, driver birthdates and any accident or conviction dates on the rating pages that come with your policy.
- Ask about every discount. Bring your PIRP certificate if you have one, and ask what the dollar savings are for each discount (they must be shown on your declarations page).
- Re-shop at renewal. Prices shift every year, and ValuePenguin found a $220/month difference between the most and least expensive full coverage insurers in New York.
Our methodology
We didn’t collect our own quotes. We compared two independent 2026 rate studies that each use Quadrant Information Services data drawn from insurer rate filings: ValuePenguin (updated Oct. 13, 2026) and NerdWallet (updated Oct. 2, 2026). Because the studies use different drivers, cars and coverage limits, we report them separately instead of averaging them. Coverage requirements, reforms and discounts come from the New York Department of Financial Services, the New York DMV and Triple-I. Annual figures marked “est.” are ValuePenguin’s monthly averages multiplied by 12. Your quotes will differ. This article is general information, not insurance or legal advice.
Comparing states? See our guide to the cheapest car insurance in Texas. Moving north of the border? Read our guides to car insurance in Canada and car insurance in Ontario, plus life insurance in Canada.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest car insurance company in New York?
Progressive and NYCM. ValuePenguin found Progressive cheapest for full coverage ($127/month) and NYCM cheapest for minimum coverage ($44/month). NerdWallet had NYCM cheapest for both ($117 and $35 a month), with Progressive a close second.
How much is car insurance in New York per month?
About $226 a month for full coverage on average, according to ValuePenguin, and $223 a month for a clean-record driver, according to NerdWallet. Rates in New York City average about $435 a month for full coverage.
What is the minimum car insurance required in New York?
Liability of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for injuries ($50,000/$100,000 for death), $10,000 for property damage, $50,000 of personal injury protection, and uninsured motorist coverage of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
Why is car insurance so expensive in New York City?
Dense traffic, more accidents and theft claims, and high repair and medical costs all push NYC premiums up. ValuePenguin’s NYC average is $435 a month for full coverage, nearly double the state average, and Brooklyn is the most expensive borough at $549.
Does a defensive driving course lower car insurance in New York?
Yes. A DMV-approved PIRP course cuts the base rate of the principal operator’s auto insurance premiums by 10% a year for three years. You need to retake it every 36 months to keep the discount.
Who has the cheapest car insurance for young drivers in New York?
NYCM. ValuePenguin found an 18-year-old pays $80 a month for NYCM minimum coverage, and NerdWallet found a median of $173 a month for NYCM full coverage for a 20-year-old.
Will New York’s 2026 auto insurance reforms lower my premium?
They’re designed to. DFS told insurers on July 1, 2026, to build the expected savings from the FY2027 budget reforms into pending and future rate filings. DFS hasn’t published a specific savings estimate, and any change will show up gradually as insurers file new rates.
What if no insurance company will cover me in New York?
You can get coverage through the New York Automobile Insurance Plan (NYAIP), the state’s assigned-risk plan. Most independent agents and brokers can place you there. It usually costs more than a standard policy.
Sources
- ValuePenguin: Cheapest New York Car Insurance Quotes (2026), updated Oct. 13, 2026.
- NerdWallet: The Cheapest Car Insurance in New York for October 2026, updated Oct. 2, 2026.
- NY Department of Financial Services: auto insurance reform guidance, Jul. 1, 2026.
- NY Department of Financial Services: Discounts and Saving Money, accessed Oct. 16, 2026.
- NY DMV: Point and Insurance Reduction Program (PIRP), accessed Oct. 16, 2026.
- Triple-I: Facts + Statistics, Uninsured Motorists (Insurance Research Council 2023 data).
Related guides
More guides from Prime Capital Report
Written by
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.