Full-time writer for 5+ years
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A Harvard graduate, Mark has worked as a freelance personal finance and tech writer. He’s also written for Saturday Night Live.
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Licensed auto and home insurance agent
3+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
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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7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Updated November 20, 2024
At Insurify, our goal is to help customers compare insurance products and find the best policy for them. We strive to provide open, honest, and unbiased information about the insurance products and services we review. Our hard-working team of data analysts, insurance experts, insurance agents, editors and writers, has put in thousands of hours of research to create the content found on our site.
We do receive compensation when a sale or referral occurs from many of the insurance providers and marketing partners on our site. That may impact which products we display and where they appear on our site. But it does not influence our meticulously researched editorial content, what we write about, or any reviews or recommendations we may make. We do not guarantee favorable reviews or any coverage at all in exchange for compensation.
Table of contents
Rochester drivers pay an average of $204 per month for full-coverage car insurance, which is lower than the New York state average of $407 per month, and significantly less than the national average of $204.
On the southern shore of Lake Ontario, Rochester has an extensive network of highways that reduces traffic in the city. This lack of gridlock may contribute to the city’s reasonable auto insurance rates.
Learn more about the cheapest car insurance options in Rochester and how to find the best rate for your unique driving profile.
CSAA, Safeco, and Liberty Mutual offer the lowest car insurance rates for Rochester drivers.
New York allows insurers to use your credit history to generate a credit-based insurance score to help them determine your rates.[1]
Because New York is a no-fault state, each driver involved in an auto accident needs to file a claim with their insurer.[2]
Best car insurance companies in Rochester
Before choosing a car insurance company, you should consider your budget and specific coverage needs. The right insurer for you might look different than the best insurer for another driver.
The three car insurance companies below offer Rochester drivers a unique combination of low prices and high customer satisfaction ratings.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | 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. ▲▼ | Full Coverage ▲▼ | Liability Only ▲▼ | Best For ▲▼ |
---|---|---|---|---|
CSAA | 7.6 | $179 | $119 | Cheap rates |
Safeco | 8.3 | $182 | $162 | Classic car owners |
Erie | 9.0 | $500 | $337 | Teen drivers |
Our editorial team spent more than 350 hours developing the Insurify Quality (IQ) Score and scoring insurance companies. The IQ Score objectively analyzes and calculates a score for insurers using more than 15 crucial criteria. The team weighted criteria by importance to the consumer — factors such as customer reviews and affordability influence the score more than availability and third-party ratings.
We rate each company on a 1 to 10 scale based on five categories: financial ratings, customer satisfaction, affordability, customer support and transparency, and availability. Insurify updates ratings once a year or as more recent information becomes available.
- Third-party financial ratings: Insurify uses data from AM Best, S&P, Moody’s, and more to compare insurance companies’ credit and ability to pay out future claims.
- Customer satisfaction: To calculate this score, Insurify analyzed more than 28,000 customer reviews across 155 car insurance companies. We also consider third-party ratings from J.D. Power, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and Trustpilot.
- Affordability: Our data scientists analyzed more than 90 million real-time auto insurance rates from our partners across the U.S., as well as available discounts, to calculate an affordability score.
- Customer support and transparency: This measures coverage options, ease of claims filing, and the insurer's transparency surrounding discounts, coverages, and claims process.
- Availability and reach: Insurify scores availability and reach by identifying the number of states in which insurers offer coverage and company size by market share.
Best insurer for cheap rates: CSAA
User Reviews | 4.5 |
---|---|
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. | 7.6 /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. | $50/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. | $77/mo |
Drivers appreciate the competitive rates and helpful customer service but dislike the lack of communication and the recent price increases.
Drivers appreciate the competitive rates and helpful customer service but dislike the lack of communication and the recent price increases.
Brooklynn
November 19, 2024
I know everyone should do this
Renee
November 6, 2024
If It Ain't Broke...
Mary
November 6, 2024
AAA Fun
CSAA is a regional insurer, serving New York and 15 other states. The company offers auto, homeowners, and other types of insurance to members of AAA. AM Best gives CSAA a financial strength rating of A, which means the insurer is financially stable and should be able to pay claims. With rates that are significantly lower than some competitors, CSAA may be a good, cheap option for AAA members or anyone willing to join AAA.
Lowest rates for Buffalo drivers
Discounts for automatic bill pay, claims-free, and more
Only sells to AAA members
Little information about coverage options on website
Best insurer for classic car owners: Safeco
User Reviews | 4.5 |
---|---|
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. | 8.3 /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. | $69/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. | $77/mo |
Drivers appreciate the polite and helpful customer service and fair pricing but dislike the significant rate increases and difficulty reaching agents.
Drivers appreciate the polite and helpful customer service and fair pricing but dislike the significant rate increases and difficulty reaching agents.
Sarah
November 10, 2024
Too Expensive
Bonnie
November 2, 2024
The Price of Car Insurance
Harris
October 31, 2024
Just Fine
Owned by Liberty Mutual, Safeco offers several insurance products, including auto, homeowners, renters, and pet insurance. Safeco’s classic car insurance offers plenty of key coverages, including agreed-value coverage, limited-use coverage, and roadside assistance. You can even earn a multi-car discount if you insure your everyday car and a classic car with the company.
The Liberty Mutual brand ranked 13th in the J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study, falling just below the industry average, and earned an AM Best financial strength rating of A (Excellent).
Pays cash back to customers who remain claims-free
Many options for customizing car insurance
Limited number of discounts
Customer reviews indicate room for improvement in customer service
Best insurer for teen drivers: Erie
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. | 9.0 /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. | $143/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. | $212/mo |
Drivers appreciate the excellent customer service, fair pricing, and responsive assistance. However, some are unhappy with unexpected rate increases and policy cancellations.
Drivers appreciate the excellent customer service, fair pricing, and responsive assistance. However, some are unhappy with unexpected rate increases and policy cancellations.
Lana
November 10, 2024
Erie Insurance
George
November 6, 2024
Good People
Judie
November 4, 2024
Great Coverage
Even though Rochester has fairly reasonable car insurance rates, teens typically pay more. Luckily, Erie offers a number of discounts for young drivers. The youthful driver discount offers savings to unmarried drivers younger than 21 who live with their parents. Plus, the youthful driver longevity discount rewards drivers who stay on their parent or guardian’s policy for multiple years.
The company ranked third in the J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study and has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
Excellent BBB, J.D. Power, and AM Best ratings
Competitive rates for teenagers and drivers with speeding tickets
Fewer additional coverage options than some other insurers
Policy purchasing and claim filing not available online
How to get the cheapest car insurance in Rochester
Rochester drivers pay 18% more than the national average for car insurance. You can find the best deal in the area for you by using these strategies:
Raise your deductible. Your deductible describes the amount you need to pay out of pocket on a claim before your insurance kicks in. Higher deductibles generally lead to lower monthly premiums.
Choose the right car. Choosing a car with a strong safety record and advanced safety features is a good idea if you’re looking for cheap auto insurance.
Bundle home and auto. Purchasing car insurance and home insurance from the same company may qualify you for a bundling discount. The same applies to other insurance products, like renters and life insurance.
Shop around and compare quotes. Companies offer different rates on auto insurance coverage. Receiving quotes from at least three companies and comparing them side by side is the best way to find the cheapest car insurance rates.
Cheapest liability-only car insurance in Rochester: CSAA
Liability insurance covers the other driver’s repair costs and medical bills if you have an accident. However, a liability-only policy won’t cover your medical expenses or vehicle damage.[3] This coverage can work well for drivers of inexpensive or older vehicles with lots of mileage. Otherwise, you may want to purchase additional coverage for more protection.
On average, liability-only policies cost $98 per monthly in Rochester. Here are the cheapest companies in Rochester for liability-only car insurance.
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Monthly Quote ▲▼ |
---|---|
CSAA | $50 |
Safeco | $69 |
Liberty Mutual | $84 |
Progressive | $106 |
Erie | $143 |
USAA | $149 |
Bristol West | $207 |
Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Rochester: CSAA
Full-coverage insurance policies provide more protection than liability-only policies by including collision coverage, which covers your vehicle repairs after an accident regardless of fault, and comprehensive coverage, which covers damage from non-collision events like fire, vandalism, or severe weather.
Because full-coverage insurance offers more robust vehicle and financial protection, it’s more expensive than a liability-only policy. Drivers of new or high-value cars should consider purchasing this coverage. If you finance or lease your vehicle, your auto lender may require you to have this coverage.
Rochester drivers see average full-coverage rates of $204 per month, according to Insurify data. Here are the cheapest car insurance options for full-coverage policies in Rochester.
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Monthly Quote ▲▼ |
---|---|
CSAA | $77 |
Safeco | $77 |
Liberty Mutual | $124 |
Progressive | $157 |
Erie | $212 |
USAA | $221 |
Bristol West | $237 |
Cheapest recent rates near Rochester, New York
Drivers using Insurify have found quotes as cheap as $119/mo for liability only and $179/mo for full coverage in Rochester and other New York cities.
*Quotes generated for Insurify users in and around Rochester, New York within the last 10 days. Last updated on November 20, 2024
*Quotes generated for Insurify users in and around Rochester, New York within the last 10 days. Last updated on November 20, 2024
Car insurance requirements in New York
New York drivers must carry a minimum amount of liability insurance to drive legally in the state. Because New York is a no-fault state, both drivers must file claims with their auto insurer after an accident, regardless of fault.[4] Drivers also need to purchase personal injury protection (PIP) coverage, which kicks in to pay for medical expenses, lost wages, and more.
You could face license and registration suspension if you fail to maintain the required car insurance in New York.[5] Find the specific requirements for liability and no-fault coverage in New York below.
Coverage ▲▼ | Minimum Requirements ▲▼ |
---|---|
Bodily injury liability |
|
Property damage liability |
|
Personal injury protection (PIP) |
|
Beyond liability and PIP coverage, drivers in New York can also purchase the following optional coverages:
Collision coverage
Collision insurance covers damage to your car after an auto accident or a collision with an object, regardless of fault.
Comprehensive coverage
If you face damage to your car from a non-collision event, such as theft, vandalism, or severe weather, comprehensive coverage kicks in.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage pays for your repairs and medical bills if you have an accident with a driver who doesn’t have enough or any insurance.
Cheapest car insurance for Rochester drivers with an incident
Drivers with incidents on their driving record — such as a speeding ticket, driving under the influence charge, or at-fault accident — pay higher average rates for car insurance. Auto insurers see you as riskier to insure after an incident, so they charge higher premiums to offset that risk. How much a Rochester driver’s rate increases varies by the severity of the incident.[6]
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket: CSAA
Receiving a speeding ticket will typically increase your car insurance rates. Drivers in Rochester with one or more tickets may have to search a bit harder to find affordable rates. However, a single speeding ticket shouldn’t increase your premium by a significant amount.
A speeding ticket pushes the average cost of car insurance in Rochester to $226 monthly for full coverage and $108 for minimum coverage. Here's how a speeding ticket affects liability car insurance rates from some top insurers for Rochester drivers.
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Clean Record ▲▼ | With Ticket ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
CSAA | $50 | $59 |
Safeco | $69 | $81 |
Liberty Mutual | $84 | $105 |
Progressive | $106 | $121 |
Erie | $143 | $169 |
USAA | $149 | $171 |
Bristol West | $207 | $240 |
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident: CSAA
Filing a claim after an at-fault accident will typically result in an increase in your insurance rates. The severity of the rate increase will vary by company, but you can expect to deal with higher premiums after an accident for about three years.[7]
Rochester drivers with at-fault accidents face average car insurance costs of $241 per month for full coverage and $116 for liability-only policies. Here are the Rochester auto insurers offering the cheapest liability rates to drivers with an at-fault accident.
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Clean Record ▲▼ | With Accident ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
CSAA | $50 | $64 |
Safeco | $69 | $84 |
Liberty Mutual | $84 | $110 |
Progressive | $106 | $131 |
Erie | $143 | $180 |
USAA | $149 | $183 |
Bristol West | $207 | $253 |
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI: CSAA
A DUI is the most serious violation a driver can receive and will often result in the steepest increase in car insurance rates. A car insurance company may even choose not to renew your policy if you receive a DUI.
A DUI in Rochester significantly affects monthly rates, pushing liability coverage to an average of $135 per month and full coverage to $282. The following insurance companies offer the lowest average liability-only rates for Rochester drivers with a DUI on their record.
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Clean Record ▲▼ | With DUI ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
CSAA | $50 | $67 |
Safeco | $69 | $96 |
Liberty Mutual | $84 | $127 |
Progressive | $106 | $161 |
Erie | $143 | $217 |
USAA | $149 | $226 |
Bristol West | $207 | $313 |
Cheapest car insurance for Rochester seniors: CSAA
Though young people tend to deal with high insurance costs, rates typically decrease steadily between your 30s and early 70s. But senior drivers may see their rates increase again after age 75 because insurers see drivers in that age group as higher risk. Senior drivers typically pay more than middle-aged drivers but much less than drivers younger than 30.
The average monthly cost of car insurance for Rochester seniors is $201 for full coverage and $97 for minimum coverage. Here are the cheapest insurance companies for older drivers in Rochester.
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Quote: Full Coverage ▲▼ | Average Quote: Liability Only ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
CSAA | $65 | $42 |
Safeco | $72 | $64 |
Liberty Mutual | $114 | $77 |
Progressive | $126 | $85 |
Erie | $179 | $121 |
USAA | $194 | $131 |
Bristol West | $209 | $183 |
Cheapest car insurance for Rochester teens: CSAA
Teen drivers have a much higher accident rate than drivers 20 and older, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).[8] Insurance companies typically view teenagers as high-risk drivers and charge them higher rates to offset this risk. Teens can lower their rates by joining their parents’ insurance policy, driving a safe car, and earning a good student discount.
Teen drivers in Rochester will find average rates of $367 per month for full coverage and $97 for minimum coverage. Certain car insurance companies also offer more affordable rates to teen drivers. Here are the cheapest auto insurance companies in Rochester for teens.
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Quote: Full Coverage ▲▼ | Average Quote: Liability Only ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
CSAA | $127 | $83 |
Safeco | $152 | $136 |
Liberty Mutual | $219 | $148 |
Progressive | $283 | $191 |
Erie | $366 | $247 |
USAA | $382 | $257 |
Bristol West | $411 | $359 |
Rochester car insurance quotes by credit tier
Consumer advocates in New York have recently pushed lawmakers to block insurers from using credit information to determine car insurance rates. But credit is still a factor when it comes to insurance coverage in the Empire State. As the chart below shows, drivers with excellent or good credit pay less than drivers with poor credit.
Rates by Credit Tier
Is car insurance more expensive in Rochester?
Rochester drivers pay, on average, $204 per month for full-coverage car insurance, and $98 for minimum coverage. These rates are lower than both the New York state and national averages. Car insurance rates vary by city due to a variety of factors. Local property values, repair costs, weather patterns, and crime rates all influence a given ZIP code’s average rates. More expensive cities usually have higher car insurance rates.
More cities in New York
Car insurance rates in Rochester are lower than average premiums in New York City, Buffalo, Staten Island, and more. Drivers in Albany or Schenectady pay even lower rates.
The table below shows average monthly quotes in other New York cities.
City ▲▼ | Average Monthly Quote ▲▼ | Compared to Rochester ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Buffalo | $243 | $186 |
New York | $547 | $459 |
Staten Island | $449 | $343 |
Syracuse | $344 | $142 |
Yonkers | $465 | $279 |
Rochester car insurance FAQs
Before you begin comparing quotes from various insurers, you should consider how much coverage you need. The following process should help you navigate the insurance-buying process in Rochester, New York.
How much is car insurance in Rochester, NY?
The average cost of car insurance in Rochester is $204 per month for full coverage and $98 for minimum coverage. Rochester's averages are lower than those at the New York state and national levels. But your actual rates may be more or less than average, depending on your individual rating factors, including your age, gender, and driving history.
What are the best car insurance companies in Rochester?
CSAA, Safeco, and Erie are the best insurers for Rochester drivers. All three have solid financial strength ratings from AM Best and offer a good balance of coverages and discounts. Erie's 9.0 Insurify Quality (IQ) Score puts it at the forefront of customer service among the three top options, but it may not be the cheapest choice for all drivers.
Which company has the cheapest car insurance in Rochester?
CSAA has the cheapest car insurance rates for Rochester drivers. Its liability-only policies start at $50 per month. The city's second- and third-cheapest insurers, Safeco and Liberty Mutual, also offer affordable rates. Safeco's minimum-coverage policies start at $69 monthly, while Liberty Mutual's begin around $84 per month.
Is New York a no-fault state?
Yes. New York is a no-fault state. This means, in the event of an accident, both drivers must file claims with their auto insurers. In addition to liability coverage, drivers in New York must purchase a minimum amount of personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. PIP coverage can pay for your medical expenses, lost wages, and more following an accident.
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.
Related articles
More cities in New York
Sources
- New York State Department of Financial Services. "Applying for Auto Insurance."
- New York State Department of Financial Services. "Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements Coverage."
- Insurance Information Institute. "Auto insurance basics—understanding your coverage."
- NOLO. "New York No-Fault Car Insurance."
- New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. "New York State Insurance Requirements."
- Insurance Information Institute. "What determines the price of an auto insurance policy?."
- Insurance Information Institute. "Do auto insurance premiums go up after a claim?."
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Teen Drivers: Get the Facts."
A.M. is a Brooklyn-based writer, editor, and content marketing strategist who's worked with major brands in insurance, tech, finance, and healthcare. He also contributes to The Average Joe, a personal finance newsletter that reaches over 250,000 daily readers. Since 2019, he's written for Insurify, breaking down a diverse range of insurance topics into crisp, readable prose.
Licensed auto and home insurance agent
3+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
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
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.