Car Insurance for High-Risk Drivers in New York (2024)

If you have recent driving infractions in New York, your insurance company may consider you a high-risk driver. As a result, your insurance premiums could increase or your insurer could even cancel your policy. 

Regardless, New York state requires all drivers to have liability insurance, so you’ll need at least a minimum amount of coverage to stay road-worthy. Here’s what to know about insurance if you’re a high-risk driver in New York:

Factors that determine high-risk status in New York

Several things could lead to your insurer deeming you a high-risk driver in New York. 

“Some common scenarios include multiple traffic infractions, such as speeding tickets, DUIs, or reckless driving,” says John Espenschied, insurance expert and owner of Insurance Brokers Group in St. Louis, Missouri. 

“Additionally, drivers with little or no experience behind the wheel may also be considered high-risk, since they're statistically more likely to get into an accident. Finally, if you have a history of at-fault accidents, your insurer may consider you to be at higher risk than drivers with a clean driving record.” 

Here’s what to know about potential risk factors: 

• Traffic violations and tickets: Driving violations like speeding tickets, reckless driving, or other potentially dangerous actions can be considered high-risk.

• Accidents and claims: Your insurer may also classify you as high-risk if you have several accidents and insurance claims on your record.

• Credit score and financial history: Poor credit and damaging items on your credit reports can also work against you.

• Age and driving experience: In general, young drivers are considered higher risk because they lack experience on the road. Older drivers may see their rates rise if they continue driving at age 70 and beyond.

• Vehicle type and usage: In general, luxury vehicles and electric cars may be more expensive to insure, as their parts can be more costly to replace. Also, the more you drive a vehicle of any type, the higher the risk you’ll be involved in an accident.

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Best New York auto insurance companies for high-risk drivers by violation

While insurance for high-risk drivers is more expensive in general, the cost you pay can vary depending on the violation.

Best car insurance for New York high-risk drivers with an at-fault accident

On average, drivers in New York with clean records pay around $460 per month for liability-only coverage. An at-fault accident can bump your premiums for liability insurance up to $635 per month on average. 

If you do have an at-fault accident on your record, Travelers and Safeco offer the lowest average monthly premiums for both liability and full coverage. Here’s a breakdown of average monthly premium costs by insurer.

Best car insurance rates for high-risk drivers in New York with a DUI

Premiums increase even more for drivers with a DUI in New York. Again, Travelers and Safeco offer the most affordable coverage on average, with liability-only premiums around $324 and $420 per month, respectively. 

Best auto insurance for New York high-risk drivers with speeding tickets

While your insurance costs will likely go up after a speeding ticket in New York, certain insurers offer more affordable coverage than others. Travelers and Safeco offer the cheapest policies on average for both liability-only and full-coverage policies.

Travelers offers liability-only coverage for around $218 per month and full coverage for $265 per month, while Safeco offers liability-only coverage for $289 per month and full coverage for $386 per month.

Cheapest New York car insurance companies for high-risk drivers with poor credit

Your credit score may also affect the cost of your auto insurance in New York state. In general, insurers may regard drivers with poor credit as more of a financial risk. That’s because if you have a history of missed payments, the insurer may have concerns about your ability to pay your monthly premiums on time or at all.^[2]

Despite this, certain insurers still offer relatively affordable coverage to people with poor credit.

How to find affordable car insurance for high-risk drivers in New York

If you’re a high-risk driver looking for affordable car insurance in New York, it’s difficult but not impossible to find. 

“The most important thing to do is to shop around for the best rates,” says Espenschied. “Not all insurers treat high-risk drivers the same way, so it's essential to get quotes from multiple providers.”

Here are some strategies that might help you find a reasonably budget-friendly policy:^[3]

• Comparison shop. Using an online insurance comparison tool can help you compare quotes from different insurers quickly and easily. Simply enter some basic information and you’ll receive multiple quotes in a matter of minutes.

• Seek discounts. Many auto insurance companies offer discounts for drivers. While these discounts could be harder to come by if you’re considered a high-risk driver, they’re still worth researching. Common discounts may include bundling discounts and low-mileage discounts.

• Work with an independent insurance agent. Independent agents don’t have a financial stake in one auto insurance company versus another, so they’ll be able to offer impartial guidance that can help you find the right coverage.

How to improve your driving record and lower your car insurance rates in New York

You can also take certain actions to improve your driving record and reduce the cost of your car insurance, including:

• Drive safely. Staying safe on the road is an effective way to improve your record. Avoid speeding and driving after drinking. Be mindful of stop signs and red lights, and pay attention to the rules of the road.

• Take a defensive driving course. New York operates on a points system for drivers. The more points you have on your license, the more of a high-risk driver you become. If you’ve accumulated multiple points on your license, a state-approved defensive driving course could help reduce that point total and potentially lower your insurance costs.^[4]

• Seek legal assistance for infractions. If you have recent driving infractions that require you to go to court, you might consider seeking legal assistance. Getting advice from a legal professional may help you as you proceed with your case.

• Improve your credit score. Better credit may also lead to lower insurance costs. To help improve your credit, ensure your bills are paid on time and in full each month, pay down debt as much as possible, and avoid opening too many new credit accounts.

New York high-risk drivers insurance FAQs