Best Cheap Auto Insurance in Buffalo, New York (2023)

While car insurance costs in Buffalo exceed national averages, you can lower your costs with the right choices.

John Egan
Written byJohn Egan
John Egan
John Egan
  • 20+ years in insurance and personal finance content creation

  • Contributor to top brands like USA Today

John specializes in insurance, personal finance, real estate, and health and wellness. In 2022, he authored a guide on content marketing for beginners.

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Chris Schafer
Edited byChris Schafer
Chris Schafer
Chris SchaferSenior Editor
  • 15+ years in content creation

  • 7+ years in business and financial services content

Chris is a seasoned writer/editor with past experience across myriad industries, including insurance, SAS, finance, Medicare, logistics, marketing/advertising, and many more.

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Updated November 30, 2023 at 11:00 AM PST

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Back in the early 1900s, Buffalo was a hub for auto manufacturing. Around that same time, the earliest car insurance policies were being sold in the U.S. — at a cost undoubtedly much lower than the average $367 a month paid by modern-day Buffalo motorists. Still, Buffalo’s current rates remain about 14% less than the state average of $427, and you can save even more in Buffalo by comparing rates from companies like Travelers, Safeco, Liberty Mutual, and more.

Here’s how to identify the best auto insurance companies to meet your unique needs in Buffalo.

Quick Facts
  • New York requires liability, personal injury protection, and uninsured motorist coverage for all drivers.

  • The cost of car insurance in Buffalo is in the middle of the road compared to other New York cities.

  • New York’s auto liability limits fall below industry recommendations.

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Best car insurance companies in Buffalo

The auto insurance company that best fits your needs depends on your situation. For instance, one insurer might offer better rates for someone with a bad driving record than another insurer does. Or you might find that a certain insurer provides attractive discounts that others don’t have.

Best insurer for low rates: Travelers

Compare personalized, real-time quotes
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
4.3
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
829
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$133/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$353/mo

Based on market share, Travelers ranks as the 10th-largest car insurance company in the U.S. It’s had nearly 150 years to reach that level. Travelers sold its first auto insurance policy in 1896 — 33 years after it was founded. In 2022, Travelers reaped nearly $6.5 billion from car insurance premiums.

Pros
  • Up to 12 discounts available

  • A.M. Best rating of A++ for financial strength

Cons
  • Poor consumer rating on Better Business Bureau (BBB) website[1]

  • Below-average score in J.D. Power’s auto claims satisfaction study[2]

They have the lowest rates I could find.

Elise - September 11, 2023
Verified

They are one of the few companies writing policies for a full year. All these "discount companies " miss lead you by quoting 6 month policies.

Albert - September 6, 2023
Verified

Good service.

Jorge - September 4, 2023
Verified
Read our Travelers review

Best insurer for policy customization: Safeco

Compare personalized, real-time quotes
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
3.7
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
825
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$138/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$198/mo

While it’s owned by Liberty Mutual, Safeco is its own company. Founded in 1923, Safeco offers auto insurance as well as coverage for your home, motorcycle, identity, boat, and more. Safeco is well known for its customizable plan options that let you add new vehicles or rental car reimbursement, as well as roadside assistance, to your existing plan.

Pros
  • Diminishing deductible and accident forgiveness perks

  • Plenty of customization options

Cons
  • Online quotes aren’t available

  • Below-average J.D. Power customer satisfaction scores[3]

They are really patient over the phone, and anytime I can change something on my policy online.

Mildred - August 30, 2023
Verified

Concern-free claims processing.

Billy - August 26, 2023
Verified

My rates have risen twice since being with them with no notice. They also screwed up my account by using the wrong Vin number.

Glenn - August 10, 2023
Verified
Read our Safeco review

Best insurer for discounts: Liberty Mutual

Compare personalized, real-time quotes
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
3.8
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
819
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$217/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$281/mo

Liberty Mutual was founded in 1912 and today is the fifth-largest property and casualty insurer in the world. It also ranks 86th on the Fortune 100. Liberty Mutual offers both personal and commercial insurance lines as well as mutual investments. Its auto coverage is augmented by numerous discounts, including student away, good student, early shopper, military, and homeowner discounts.

Pros
  • Comprehensive suite of digital tools

  • A (Excellent) rating for financial stability from A.M. Best

Cons
  • Airbag and defensive driving discounts aren’t available

  • Low BBB customer reviews[4]

I don’t like talking to a computer. I’m a one-on-one kind of person.

James - September 13, 2023
Verified

Good response time.

Chesarae - September 9, 2023
Verified

Very easy to deal with.

Renaldo - September 5, 2023
Verified
Read our Liberty Mutual review

Cheapest liability-only car insurance in Buffalo

Liability-only car insurance covers injuries to another person and damage to another person’s car in an accident that you cause. This might include bodily injury, property damage, personal injury protection (PIP), uninsured/underinsured motorist, and medical payments coverage.

Below, you can see a list of the most affordable liability-only insurance company quotes in Buffalo.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, November 30 at 11:00 AM PST
Insurance CompanyAverage Monthly Quote
CSAA137
Safeco138
Liberty Mutual217
Progressive240
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Buffalo

Full-coverage car insurance features liability, comprehensive, and collision coverages. In New York, and in most other states, motorists must carry some form of liability insurance. Comprehensive and collision are optional, but if you bought or leased your car, your lender might require both types of coverage.

Here’s a collection of the lowest average monthly quotes for full coverage in Buffalo.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, November 30 at 11:00 AM PST
Insurance CompanyAverage Monthly Quote
Safeco198
CSAA199
Liberty Mutual281
Progressive340
Travelers353
Erie459
USAA477
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

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Car insurance requirements in New York

New York requires motorists to carry two types of auto liability coverage — bodily injury liability and property damage liability — along with PIP and uninsured motorist coverage to meet the state’s minimum requirements.[5]

Here’s a closer look at what those coverage levels include.

CoverageMinimum Requirements
Bodily injury liability
  • $25,000 for bodily injury and $50,000 for death of one person
  • $50,000 for bodily injury and $100,000 for death of two or more people in an accident
Property damage liability
  • $10,000 for property damage per accident
Personal injury protection (PIP)
  • $50,000 per person per accident
Uninsured motorist
  • $25,000 for bodily injury and $50,000 for death of one person
  • $50,000 for bodily injury and $100,000 for death of two or more people in an accident

It’s also important to note that Loretta Worters, vice president of media relations for the Insurance Information Institute, says the state’s liability limits are “woefully inadequate” in today’s lawsuit-heavy environment. She says the institute recommends that motorists carry liability coverage with limits of $100,000 and $300,000 for bodily injury and $100,000 for property damage.

From there, you may want to think about optional coverages. Types of optional coverage available in New York include:

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/x/665da91bf7/comprehensive-coverage.svg

    Comprehensive coverage

    No matter who’s at fault, this covers damage to your car from a crash with another vehicle/object or when your car overturns.

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/x/169fdfde11/liability-coverage.svg

    Collision coverage

    Regardless of who’s at fault, this coverage pays for losses not caused by a crash, such as theft, fire damage, and flood damage.

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/x/abffe6238f/financial-protection.svg

    Additional PIP coverage

    This raises the dollar limit for no-fault benefits, which cover claims you file with your car insurance company regardless of fault.

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/x/5285c4cd74/uninsured-or-underinsured-motorist-coverage.svg

    Supplementary uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage

    This covers liability for injuries suffered in an accident. It goes beyond mandatory coverage by expanding coverage for uninsured motorists and adding coverage for underinsured motorists.

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/x/4c9753bdbe/medical-payments.svg

    Medical payments coverage

    No matter who’s at fault, this coverage pays for medical expenses and funeral expenses for you and your passengers when you’re in a crash.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident

Incidents that might drive up the cost of car insurance include at-fault accidents, speeding tickets, driving under the influence, and other traffic violations. In some cases, a driver with one of these incidents on their record might pay hundreds of dollars more each month for car insurance.

Why do drivers with incidents on their record generally pay more? Because insurers view them as riskier drivers who may be more likely to file costly claims in the future. In the sections that follow, you’ll see how individual incident types can affect your insurance rates in Buffalo.

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Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket

Being hit with a speeding ticket may cost you more than just the court fines and fees. Your car insurance company might bump up your premium as well. That’s because insurers believe a speeding ticket means you’re engaging in risky behavior, which could indicate you’re more likely to be in an accident and file a claim.

Here, you can see how having a speeding ticket on your record affects the quotes you’ll receive from local insurers.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, November 30 at 11:00 AM PST
Insurance CompanyAverage Monthly Quote
CSAA234
Safeco245
Liberty Mutual299
Progressive405
Travelers409
USAA543
Erie567
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident

Your car insurance rates can rise by 10% following an at-fault accident, according to Insurify data. In this case, an insurer might hike your rates to offset the expenses associated with your accident claim. Fortunately, your rates shouldn’t spike as much if you’ve been involved in a no-fault accident.

Here’s a breakdown of monthly quotes for drivers with an at-fault accident in Buffalo.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, November 30 at 11:00 AM PST
Insurance CompanyAverage Monthly Quote
CSAA250
Safeco260
Liberty Mutual301
Travelers422
Progressive426
USAA564
Erie583
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI

Driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs or alcohol can be dangerous and put a big dent in your budget. Aside from being stuck with potentially thousands of dollars in fines and legal expenses, a DUI conviction could double the amount you pay each month for car insurance. On top of that, a DUI in the state of New York stays on your driving record for 15 years after the date of your conviction.

Lastly, should you be convicted of a DUI, your insurance company may drop you, leaving you to look for a new insurer. Here’s a look at the quotes you can expect to see in Buffalo with a DUI on your record.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, November 30 at 11:00 AM PST
Insurance CompanyAverage Monthly Quote
CSAA260
Safeco286
Liberty Mutual406
Progressive491
Travelers509
Erie662
USAA688
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Cheapest car insurance for seniors

Middle-aged drivers generally pay less for car insurance than younger drivers because they’re more experienced and statistically less likely to engage in risky behavior. However, while rates typically go down from age 25 into the 60s, they may rise again once drivers reach their 70s or 80s. This is because drivers in this age group tend to get into more accidents on a per-mile basis, due in part to delayed reaction speed. They also might suffer more devastating injuries in a crash.

Below is a collection of the most affordable insurance quotes for seniors in the Buffalo area.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, November 30 at 11:00 AM PST
Insurance CompanyAverage Monthly Quote
CSAA104
Safeco139
Progressive158
Liberty Mutual172
Travelers205
Erie232
USAA282
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Cheapest car insurance for teens

Car insurance for teen drivers generally costs more than it does for drivers in other age groups. That’s because teen drivers are less experienced than other motorists, are inclined to be involved in more accidents, are easily distracted behind the wheel, and might be more reckless.

Parents trying to save money on their teen driver’s insurance should:

  • Compare quotes from several insurance companies.

  • Look into discounts for earning good grades in school and help their teen work to qualify for them.

  • Bundle car insurance with other coverage from the same company, such as homeowners insurance.

  • Keep the teen driver on their existing policy rather than putting the teen on a separate policy.

Here’s a look at the most affordable insurance quotes for teens in Buffalo.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, November 30 at 11:00 AM PST
Insurance CompanyAverage Monthly Quote
CSAA275
Safeco305
Liberty Mutual423
Progressive529
Travelers544
USAA663
Erie716
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

How to get the cheapest car insurance in Buffalo

The rate you pay for car insurance depends on several factors, including your:

  • Driving record: Bad drivers tend to pay more for coverage than good drivers.

  • Age: Drivers younger than 25 and in their 60s and beyond usually pay more than other drivers do.

  • Gender: Men generally pay more than women because they’re viewed as riskier drivers.

  • Type of car: If you drive a car that’s expensive to repair, is prone to theft, or has a poor safety record, it’ll probably cost more to insure.

  • Geographic location: Coverage for a motorist in a ZIP code known for car thefts, vehicle vandalism, and car accidents might cost more than coverage for someone in a safer area.

Here are four tips for finding cheap car insurance in Buffalo:

  • Compare online quotes from several car insurance companies in the area.

  • Consider raising your deductible. This will lower your premium because you’re taking on more of the up-front risk yourself. Just be sure you don’t set your deductible so high you can’t afford to pay it should you need to file a claim.

  • Bundle your car insurance with another coverage (such as homeowners insurance) from the same company.

  • Ask about discounts, including those for maintaining a good driving record or completing a defensive driving course.

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Buffalo car insurance quotes by credit tier

New York allows car insurers to use credit-based insurance scores as part of their rate-setting process. Insurers say these scores help predict whether a driver will file a claim.

Because of their credit-based insurance score, someone with a poor credit score might pay more for car insurance than someone with an excellent or good credit score. Insurify data shows a Buffalo driver with poor credit pays about 100% more per month for car insurance than one with excellent credit does.

Rates by Credit Tier

Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Is car insurance more expensive in Buffalo?

Car insurance in Buffalo (averaging $367 a month) costs far more than the national average ($212 a month). However, coverage in Buffalo isn’t as pricey as it is for some of the Queen City’s New York counterparts. For example, full coverage in Buffalo costs about 29% less than the average for New York City and 37% less than in Brooklyn.

Car insurance quotes may differ from one city to another in New York based on factors such as crime and accident rates, as well as the overall cost of living in the area.

More cities in New York

The chart below compares the cost of full-coverage insurance in Buffalo with 10 other parts of the state of New York.

CityAverage Monthly QuoteCompared to Buffalo
Albany$257-34%
Bronx$60655%
Brooklyn$62360%
Jamaica$55843%
New York City$55041%
Rochester$303-22%
Schenectady$294-25%
Staten Island$52334%
Syracuse$331-15%
Yonkers$47121%
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Buffalo car insurance FAQs

If you still have questions about car insurance in Buffalo, the answers below can help.

  • How much is car insurance in Buffalo?

    Car insurance in Buffalo averages $367 per month, which is significantly higher than the national average of $212. However, Buffalo’s rates are still cheaper than those in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Yonkers.

  • Is car insurance cheaper in Buffalo?

    Car insurance in Buffalo is a mixed bag. While insurance rates in the city are more expensive than the national average, they’re more affordable than in other areas of New York, especially the Five Boroughs. This could be due to the smaller size of Buffalo and the lower cost of living compared to New York City overall.

  • Do you need additional insurance if you drive to Canada?

    No. Reciprocal laws govern car insurance in the United States and Canada. This means if you drive to Canada and are in an accident, your standard insurance policy will cover you just as it would if you were in the United States.

Methodology

Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 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 50+ 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
Full-coverage premium averages correspond to the same bodily injury and property damage limits in addition to:
  • 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.

Sources

  1. Better Business Bureau. "Travelers Insurance." Accessed July 17, 2023
  2. J.D. Power. "Insurers Struggle to Manage Expectations in Auto Claims Process as Repair Times Increase, J.D. Power Finds." Accessed July 17, 2023
  3. J.D. Power. "P&C Insurer Digital Investments Not Enough to Offset Rising Rates, J.D. Power Finds." Accessed July 17, 2023
  4. Better Business Bureau. "Liberty Mutual Insurance Group." Accessed July 17, 2023
  5. New York Department of Financial Services. "Shopping for Auto Insurance." Accessed July 17, 2023
John Egan
John Egan

John Egan is a freelance writer and content marketing strategist in Austin, Texas. His specialties include personal finance, real estate, and health and wellness. John’s work has been published by outlets such as CreditCard.com, Bankrate, Forbes Advisor, Experian, Capital One, The Balance and U.S. News & World Report. He is the author of The Stripped-Down Guide to Content Marketing.

Chris Schafer
Edited byChris SchaferSenior Editor
Chris Schafer
Chris SchaferSenior Editor
  • 15+ years in content creation

  • 7+ years in business and financial services content

Chris is a seasoned writer/editor with past experience across myriad industries, including insurance, SAS, finance, Medicare, logistics, marketing/advertising, and many more.

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