Cheapest Car Insurance for Low-Income Drivers in New York (2025)
CSAA has the cheapest liability car insurance in New York State, with average rates of $97 per month.
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Written byAmy Beardsley
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3+ years writing about auto, home, and life insurance
7+ years in personal finance and technology
Amy specializes in insurance and technology writing and has a talent for transforming complex topics into easy-to-understand stories.
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Edited byKatie Powers
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Licensed auto and home insurance agent
3+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
NPN: 20564519
Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.
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Table of contents
Liability insurance is the bare-minimum amount of coverage you need to drive legally in New York. It’s the most budget-friendly insurance available. It covers damage you might cause to others, but it doesn’t cover your vehicle.
Don’t give up on finding affordable car insurance in the Empire State if the first few insurers you’ve contacted for quotes have had prices exceeding your budget. Many New Yorkers face the same struggle, and you still have plenty of paths to explore.
Here’s what you should know about finding cheap car insurance in New York.
Quick Facts
Drivers in the state of New York pay a monthly average of $349 for liability coverage.
New York State doesn’t offer insurance subsidies for low-income drivers.
New York is a no-fault state, which means each driver involved in an accident must file a claim with their insurance company, regardless of fault.[1]
Cheapest car insurance in New York
New Yorkers pay an average of $349 per month for basic liability coverage. But liability quotes in New York start as low as $97 per month.
Car insurance prices in New York vary widely based on your location. It helps to compare quotes from multiple companies to find the best coverage for you at the most affordable price. Compare average liability quotes below to start your search.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, May 1 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Insurance Company  | Average Quote: Liability Only |
|---|---|
| CSAA | $97 |
| Liberty Mutual | $113 |
| Progressive | $231 |
| Erie | $312 |
| USAA | $324 |
| Bristol West | $447 |
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.
Find Cheap Car Insurance in New York
Liabiity quotes start at $97/mo.
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Best car insurance for drivers with a low income in New York
Liability insurance can be a great option if you have a lower budget. It takes care of damage you might cause to other people and their property.
Liability coverage meets New York State’s minimum-coverage requirements without the extra coverage that increases your premium. Note that with liability-only coverage, you may face expensive out-of-pocket costs in the event of an accident.
Below are three of the cheapest car insurance companies for liability coverage in New York, based on Insurify data.
State Farm: Best for personal service
| User Reviews | 4.1 |
|---|---|
| IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 9.3 /10 |
| 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. | $55/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. | $117/mo |
4.1
Best choiceBased on 11,151 verified guest reviews and ratings
How drivers feel about State Farm
Customers appreciate the insurer’s excellent customer service and personal attention but dislike the high prices and frequent rate increases. They also express frustration with the claims process.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Customer service
Competitive rates
Discounts for safe drivers
How drivers feel about State Farm
Customers appreciate the insurer’s excellent customer service and personal attention but dislike the high prices and frequent rate increases. They also express frustration with the claims process.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Customer service
Competitive rates
Discounts for safe drivers
Reviews (6,012)
James
May 29, 2025
Verified Review
Excellent
I've been with them for over 30 years. However, the cost has tripled in the last 5 years.
Vicki
May 29, 2025
Verified Review
State Farm Review
In comparison to other companies so far, State Farm is the best for pricing of coverage. I have not used any services yet.
Mona
May 29, 2025
Verified Review
Loved State Farm
They were great to work with. I wouldn't think of leaving except for the huge increase in premiums.
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
842NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
0.78A.M. Best
A.M. Best analyzes an insurer’s financials, operating performance, business profile, and other factors to generate an opinion-based rating of a company’s financial and credit strength. Ratings range from A++ (exceptional) to D (poor).
A++Why we picked this company
State Farm is ideal for drivers who appreciate having a local agent to answer questions, explain coverage, and help with claims. The company has agent offices in most New York communities.
State Farm’s Drive Safe and Save program can help you save up to 30% on your policy. Plus, the Steer Clear program offers extra discounts for younger drivers in a state with one of the highest costs of living in the nation.
Pros
Local agents in many New York communities
Above-average J.D. Power ratings for customer service and claims handling
Good bundling discounts
Cons
Gap insurance not available
Not always the cheapest for every driver type
Must work with an agent for some services
GEICO: Best for New York drivers on a budget
| User Reviews | 4.0 |
|---|---|
| IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 9 /10 |
| 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. | $148/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. | $178/mo |
4.0
Best choiceBased on 11,910 verified guest reviews and ratings
How drivers feel about GEICO
Customers appreciate the reliability and customer service but find the rates to be high and increase frequently, even without claims or accidents. The app has improved, but some find the claims process lacking.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Teen drivers
Cheap rates
Accident forgiveness
How drivers feel about GEICO
Customers appreciate the reliability and customer service but find the rates to be high and increase frequently, even without claims or accidents. The app has improved, but some find the claims process lacking.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Teen drivers
Cheap rates
Accident forgiveness
Reviews (6,412)
Karen
May 25, 2025
Verified Review
Geico is number 1 in my book
Any dealings I have had with Geico have been excellent, so I am pleased with Geico.
Destiny
May 24, 2025
Verified Review
Great Insurance
Geico is great to deal with and has good reviews.
Carla
May 19, 2025
Verified Review
Perfect record, but keeps costing more.
Good through the years, but the cost keeps increasing.
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
835NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
0.74A.M. Best
A.M. Best analyzes an insurer’s financials, operating performance, business profile, and other factors to generate an opinion-based rating of a company’s financial and credit strength. Ratings range from A++ (exceptional) to D (poor).
A++Why we picked this company
GEICO is best for cash-strapped New Yorkers looking for more ways to save on coverage. The company has 23 discounts that offer savings for practically everyone, whether you take a defensive driving course, work for the state, or agree to receive your insurance documents by email instead of regular mail.
Pros
Live chat for easy access to licensed agents in New York
Optional accident forgiveness prevents rate spikes
Top-rated mobile app allows for quick claims
Cons
Gap insurance not available
Below-average J.D. Power rating for claims handling
Accident forgiveness requires five years of accident-free driving
Liberty Mutual: Best for flexible coverage options
| User Reviews | 3.6 |
|---|---|
| IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 7.7 /10 |
| 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. | $173/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. | $247/mo |
3.6
A solid optionBased on 2,998 verified guest reviews and ratings
How drivers feel about Liberty Mutual
Drivers appreciate the ease of making payments and the company’s helpful customer service. But they dislike the frequent and unexplained rate increases, and some report difficulties in communication and claim handling.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Numerous discounts
New and financed vehicles
Accident forgiveness
How drivers feel about Liberty Mutual
Drivers appreciate the ease of making payments and the company’s helpful customer service. But they dislike the frequent and unexplained rate increases, and some report difficulties in communication and claim handling.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Numerous discounts
New and financed vehicles
Accident forgiveness
Reviews (1,726)
Sue
May 17, 2025
Verified Review
Beware!
Many years of coverage, 28-year-old car, no tickets, 1 claim for back impact, 90-year-old driver, 900-1200 miles per year, and they shopped me to another insurer who added $700 to my "new" policy. That was Liberty Mutual.
Kelly
May 15, 2025
Verified Review
Incorrect Information
Overall, I am satisfied with Liberty Mutual's customer service. I am extremely satisfied that the pricing was lower than others. However, I am not 100% satisfied with the payment information given over the phone, which was incorrect and caused an additional amount to be added to my original balance. This was not my fault, but completely the fault of the customer service representative who gave me incorrect information. This cost me time, money, embarrassment, and unfairness due to her negligence and incorrect information, after assuring me more than once, despite my doubts, that my payment was indeed processed and would not be returned for insufficient funds.
Penny
May 15, 2025
Verified Review
Excellent
Good service.
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
819NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
3.95A.M. Best
A.M. Best analyzes an insurer’s financials, operating performance, business profile, and other factors to generate an opinion-based rating of a company’s financial and credit strength. Ratings range from A++ (exceptional) to D (poor).
AWhy we picked this company
Liberty Mutual ranks highly for New York drivers who need flexibility because it lets you build a policy that fits your situation and driving habits. You can add features like better car replacement, accident forgiveness, and diminishing deductible coverage.
Filing a claim takes less than 10 minutes online, which is especially helpful when dealing with fender benders on the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway or ice-related accidents on those upstate roads in the winter. You can also get a discount for being a homeowner, even if you buy home insurance from a different insurance company.
Pros
Many coverage options
Discounts based on your driving skills, not just your record
User-friendly digital tools
Cons
Quick online claims-filing process
Below-average J.D. Power rating for customer service
RightTrack program not available in New York
Our editorial team analyzed regional and national auto insurance companies that sell policies in New York to assess which offer the best rates, coverage options, customer service, and savings to drivers. We prioritized competitive rates, 24/7 customer service, low-mileage discounts or programs, safe driving discounts, homeownership discounts or bundling options, and specialty or supplemental coverages.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with poor credit in New York
Your credit history doesn’t just affect loans and credit cards. It can also increase your car insurance rates.[2] Insurers consider your credit to predict how likely you are to file claims, looking at everything from late payments to how many credit accounts you have open. If your credit has taken some hits, your rates could be higher — even if you’re just getting basic liability coverage.
While New York allows insurance companies to consider credit history, state law prohibits insurers from canceling your coverage or increasing rates at renewal time based on your credit information.
The table below shows how liability quotes from top New York insurance companies may vary by credit tier.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, May 1 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Insurance Company | Average Liability Quote: Good Credit | Average Liability Quote: Poor Credit |
|---|---|---|
| CSAA | $89 | $116 |
| Liberty Mutual | $100 | $135 |
| Progressive | $207 | $283 |
| Erie | $281 | $480 |
| USAA | $290 | $392 |
| Bristol West | $401 | $547 |
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.
State-sponsored car insurance in New York
New York doesn’t offer breaks on car insurance rates for folks with tight budgets. Unlike the neighboring state of New Jersey, which has a specialized program for low-income drivers, New York State doesn’t offer state-sponsored or government-subsidized insurance options.
This means drivers must buy insurance from private companies at market rates. The state doesn’t step in with discounts, subsidies, or special policies based on what you earn — even when those premiums eat up a big chunk of your monthly income.
To find cheap coverage, your best bet is to compare quotes from multiple insurance companies (prices can vary by hundreds of dollars for the same coverage) and to max out every possible discount. You can also increase your deductible, but that leaves you paying more out of pocket if you’re in an accident. Only go this route if you have some savings to fall back on.
Car insurance discounts for low-income drivers in New York
Insurance companies may not advertise all their discounts. To get the most savings possible, you must ask about specific discounts to lower your car insurance quote.
Here are some discounts most likely to help you save in New York:
Defensive driving course discount: Take a state-approved defensive driving class to lower insurance premiums by 10% for three years.[3]
Multi-car discount: If you have more than one car, putting them on the same policy usually costs less than having separate policies for each vehicle.
Automatic payment discount: Most insurance companies will provide a small discount just for automatically withdrawing your payment each month.
Paperless billing discount: Many companies will lower your rate if you skip the paper bills and switch to email notices.
Group discounts: Check if your job, union, college alumni association, or professional organization gets special rates with certain insurance companies.
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Minimum car insurance requirements in New York
You must have a car insurance policy that meets state-minimum requirements before hitting the road. New York drivers need a 25/50/10 policy.
Learn more about each required coverage below:
Bodily injury liability
You need $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability coverage. This pays for injuries you may cause to other people.
Property damage liability
New York requires you to carry $10,000 per accident in property damage liability. This pays for damage you might cause to another person’s property.
Personal injury protection (PIP)
At minimum, you need $50,000 in personal injury protection coverage. This covers medical expenses for you and your passengers, regardless of who caused the accident. This is the “no-fault” part of New York’s insurance system.
Uninsured motorist coverage
New York requires you to carry $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in uninsured motorist coverage. This protects you if a hit-and-run driver or someone without insurance hits your vehicle.
A policy with just the minimums keeps your monthly bill lower, but it might not be enough to protect you financially. If you cause a serious accident and someone’s injuries are severe enough to exceed the policy limit, your policy might not cover everything.
Low-income car insurance FAQs
Finding affordable car insurance in New York requires some digging, especially when you want quality coverage at a lower price. The following information can help answer your remaining questions about keeping insurance affordable in the Empire State.
Which company has the cheapest car insurance in New York?
CSAA is the cheapest New York car insurance company, with liability-only policies that average $97 per month. But your rates will depend on your driving history, location, age, vehicle, and other factors.
How much is full-coverage car insurance in New York?
New York drivers pay an average price of $460 per month for full coverage, which includes liability, collision, and comprehensive insurance. This coverage protects you from damage to your car, theft, and weather-related incidents, on top of the minimum coverage required by state law.
How do I get low-income car insurance in New York?
New York doesn’t offer any state-sponsored insurance programs for low-income drivers. Your best bet is comparing quotes from multiple companies, maximizing discounts, and increasing your deductible.
What is the lowest form of car insurance required in New York?
New York requires all drivers to carry bodily injury liability insurance ($25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident), property damage liability insurance ($10,000 per accident), personal injury protection coverage ($50,000), and uninsured motorist coverage ($25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident). Anything less than this isn’t legal on New York roads.
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
- 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
- New York State Department of Financial Services. "Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements."
- New York State Department of Financial Services. "Applying for Auto Insurance."
- New York State Department of Financial Services. "Point and Insurance Reduction Program (PIRP)."
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Amy BeardsleyInsurance Writer
Amy is a personal finance and technology writer. With a background in the legal field and a bachelor's degree from Ferris State University, she has a talent for transforming complex topics into content that’s easy to understand. Connect with Amy on LinkedIn.
Amy has been a contributor at Insurify since September 2023.
Licensed auto and home insurance agent
3+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
NPN: 20564519
Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.
Featured in