New York drivers pay about 43% more for car insurance after an at-fault accident, according to Insurify data. Full coverage goes from $243 per month with a clean record to $347 after an accident.
The increase isn’t permanent, though. Finding the best insurance in New York after an accident comes down to comparing insurance quotes from several companies. This guide covers the cheapest car insurance options for New York drivers with a recent accident, how much rates typically increase, and ways to lower your insurance premiums.
New York drivers with an at-fault accident pay an average of $347 per month for full coverage and $219 for minimum coverage.
Erie and USAA offer some of the cheapest car insurance rates for New York drivers after an accident.
Following an at-fault accident, higher car insurance rates in New York typically remain on your record for three years from the date of the incident.[1]
Cheapest car insurance companies in New York after an accident
At $162 per month, Erie has the cheapest full coverage after an accident in New York.
New York drivers must have bodily injury liability coverage, property damage liability, and personal injury protection (PIP) to meet the state’s car insurance requirements. You can also purchase uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM) for additional protection.
Choosing a full-coverage policy adds collision and comprehensive coverage for your vehicle’s damage. Since insurers don’t all price policies the same way, it’s a good idea to get multiple insurance quotes with the same coverage limits before selecting your policy.
The table below shows average rates by company for full coverage and liability-only coverage after an accident in New York.
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Quote: Liability Only | Average Monthly Quote: Full Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Erie | $100 | $162 |
| USAA | $104 | $168 |
| Travelers | $122 | $198 |
| State Farm | $140 | $228 |
| Allstate | $150 | $242 |
| Nationwide | $152 | $247 |
| GEICO | $152 | $250 |
| CSAA | $271 | $329 |
| Chubb | $274 | $446 |
| Progressive | $295 | $511 |
| Bristol West | $388 | $601 |
Find Cheap Car Insurance after an Accident in New York
Monthly rates start at $100 for drivers with an accident
How much does car insurance in New York increase after an accident?
The average cost of car insurance in New York after an accident is $347 per month for full coverage, compared to $243 with a clean record. The roughly 43% increase is larger than the 34% national average increase for rates after a car accident.
Not every car accident will raise your car insurance rates in New York. If the accident wasn’t your fault, insurers won’t usually add a surcharge to your auto insurance policy.
The severity of the accident matters, too. Insurers usually apply surcharges only when you’re at fault and the accident causes an injury, death, or more than $2,000 in property damage. Your recent driving history also plays a role. In New York, insurers may refuse to cover drivers based on recent driving violations, even if they previously had a clean driving record.
Below are the average monthly auto insurance rates for drivers with a clean record compared to drivers with an at-fault accident in New York.
Driving Record | Average Monthly Rate |
|---|---|
| Clean driving record in NY | $198 |
| At-fault accident in NY | $283 |
How long does an accident stay on your record in New York?
In most cases, accidents and traffic convictions stay on your New York driving record for the rest of the year they happen, plus three more years.[2] New York is a no-fault insurance state, so the minimum car insurance requirements include coverage for medical expenses regardless of fault. But an at-fault accident can still affect your driving record and result in rate increases.
In New York, driving while impaired (DWI) convictions stay on your record longer than other driving offenses. They can also label you as a high-risk driver. A DWI shows on your DMV record for 15 years. If the police catch you speeding, the speeding ticket follows the standard timeline.
How to get cheaper New York car insurance after an accident
Rate increases are common after car accidents, but New York drivers can take steps to get the best car insurance rate.
Compare auto insurance quotes
New York insurers use different rating plans to calculate insurance premiums, so savings for bundling homeowners insurance and multi-car discounts can affect your rates differently.
Take a defensive driving course
Taking a New York state-approved driving course can qualify you for a 10% discount on liability and collision coverage for three years.[3]
Try usage-based insurance
New York drivers average just 8,394 miles per year, making pay-per-mile car insurance coverage worth comparing.
Adjust insurance coverage
Nearly 70% of New Yorkers own their vehicle outright, so lowering your deductible or coverage limits may be an option if you can afford it.
Wait it out
Insurers can offer a safe driving discount after three claim-free years.
Compare Car Insurance Quotes in New York Instantly
Save up to $1,100† per year on coverage
What is accident forgiveness, and do you need it in New York?
Accident forgiveness may keep your first at-fault accident from raising your rate, but the rules vary by insurer. In New York, Allstate, GEICO, and Progressive provide some version of accident forgiveness.
The good news is that you may not experience a rate increase after your first qualifying accident. But some limits apply: Not every driver qualifies, the car accident can still appear on your driving record, and future insurance claims may affect your eligibility.
Car insurance after an accident in New York FAQs
Here are quick answers to the most common questions New York drivers ask about car insurance after an accident.
What is the best car insurance in New York after an accident?
The best car insurance company after an accident depends on whether you prioritize price, customer satisfaction, or the claims process. New York complaint data and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) complaint index can help you compare insurers such as USAA, GEICO, and Progressive. Drivers can find the lowest rates with Erie after an accident in New York, according to Insurify data.
Which insurance company has the best claim settlement in New York?
Erie Insurance has the highest claims satisfaction ranking among New York auto insurers, according to J.D. Power. You can also check New York’s Department of Financial Services complaint rankings to compare insurers by consumer complaints.
Which company offers the cheapest car insurance in New York?
At $100 per month, Erie has the most affordable rates after an accident in New York, according to Insurify data. Because New York insurers use their own rating plans, it’s still worth comparing insurance quotes after an accident.
Sources
- Department of Financial Services. "Auto Insurance Information for Consumers."
- New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. "Get My Own Driving Record (Abstract)."
- New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. "Point and Insurance Reduction Program (PIRP)."
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 190 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 500+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).
Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:
- Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
- Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
- No additional coverage
- Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
- Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)