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New York auto insurance rates increased about 50% in the last five years.
Fatal accidents in the Empire State are declining, which may reduce premiums.
New York insurance rates will increase by less than 1% in 2026, according to Insurify estimates.
Car insurance is expensive in New York for many reasons, including high accident rates and severe weather events.
New Yorkers endure Nor’easters, hurricanes, tropical storms, and severe blizzards — all of which can increase insurance costs. These large-scale disasters drive up insurance costs because insurers charge higher premiums after making large payouts.
New York has more car accidents than most of the rest of the country.[1] That’s probably no surprise to anyone who’s crossed the George Washington Bridge into New York City. Auto insurance companies charge higher premiums in areas with higher accident rates.
But there may be good news on the horizon for New York drivers. Fatal accidents in the Empire State decreased by 8% between 2024 and 2025. Fewer fatal accidents could help reduce auto insurance rates.[2]
New York has the third-highest repair costs from insurance claim payouts in the U.S. These high repair costs have multiple causes, including tariffs and inflation. Newer cars can also require more complex repairs. Expensive repairs can cause insurers to raise their premiums to offset the extra cost.
New York has a no-fault insurance system. This means that alongside bodily injury liability and property damage liability coverage, you also need personal injury protection. PIP helps pay for your medical bills, no matter who caused the accident. Policies also include uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage.[3]
New York also has higher minimum coverage limits than some states. The state’s no-fault insurance laws and higher policy limits increase the average cost of car insurance.
Payouts and litigation from insurance fraud, like staged accidents, increase rates for everyone else. Gov. Kathy Hochul proposed changes to state law and reforms to the Department of Financial Services to help crack down on insurance fraud.[4] Less fraud could lower car insurance rates.
Compare quotes from top insurers in the Empire State and save money today
The cost of auto insurance in New York has climbed by more than 50% since 2021, reaching a peak of more than $500 per month in the middle of 2025. Average full-coverage premiums have declined in 2026 to $243 per month. But New York still has some of the most expensive auto insurance in the U.S.
Auto insurance rates in the Empire State are expected to increase in 2026, but by less than 1%, according to Insurify data.
The graph below shows how New York car insurance rates have changed over the last five years.
State Name | 2021-06 | 2021-07 | 2021-08 | 2021-09 | 2021-10 | 2021-11 | 2021-12 | 2022-01 | 2022-02 | 2022-03 | 2022-04 | 2022-05 | 2022-06 | 2022-07 | 2022-08 | 2022-09 | 2022-10 | 2022-11 | 2022-12 | 2023-01 | 2023-02 | 2023-03 | 2023-04 | 2023-05 | 2023-06 | 2023-07 | 2023-08 | 2023-09 | 2023-10 | 2023-11 | 2023-12 | 2024-01 | 2024-02 | 2024-03 | 2024-04 | 2024-05 | 2024-06 | 2024-07 | 2024-08 | 2024-09 | 2024-10 | 2024-11 | 2024-12 | 2025-01 | 2025-02 | 2025-03 | 2025-04 | 2025-05 | 2025-06 | 2025-07 | 2025-08 | 2025-09 | 2025-10 | 2025-11 | 2025-12 | 2026-01 | 2026-02 | 2026-03 | 2026-04 | 2026-05 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | 2,321 | 2,332 | 2,363 | 2,373 | 2,401 | 2,415 | 2,438 | 2,448 | 2,477 | 2,524 | 2,554 | 2,568 | 2,582 | 2,593 | 2,606 | 2,616 | 2,638 | 2,645 | 2,654 | 2,676 | 2,694 | 2,747 | 2,767 | 2,788 | 2,838 | 2,873 | 2,901 | 2,963 | 2,965 | 2,982 | 2,958 | 3,057 | 3,092 | 3,081 | 3,075 | 3,046 | 2,937 | 2,925 | 3,060 | 3,267 | 3,355 | 3,453 | 3,434 | 3,360 | 3,370 | 3,218 | 3,213 | 3,779 | 5,784 | 6,346 | 4,655 | 4,249 | 4,045 | 3,855 | 3,754 | 3,481 | 3,294 | 3,147 | 3,000 | 2,916 |
| United States | 1,551 | 1,553 | 1,555 | 1,557 | 1,562 | 1,565 | 1,567 | 1,568 | 1,572 | 1,578 | 1,591 | 1,602 | 1,608 | 1,612 | 1,618 | 1,624 | 1,632 | 1,640 | 1,650 | 1,665 | 1,689 | 1,719 | 1,758 | 1,802 | 1,850 | 1,887 | 1,919 | 1,956 | 1,984 | 2,006 | 2,036 | 2,076 | 2,128 | 2,194 | 2,240 | 2,299 | 2,342 | 2,368 | 2,389 | 2,386 | 2,373 | 2,370 | 2,361 | 2,350 | 2,365 | 2,366 | 2,366 | 2,354 | 2,341 | 2,317 | 2,285 | 2,256 | 2,227 | 2,214 | 2,221 | 2,222 | 2,224 | 2,232 | 2,238 | 2,236 |
Car insurance rates can vary in New York depending on where you live in the state. Every ZIP code in the Empire State has different rates of vehicle theft, accidents, and repair costs.
Cities like Rochester in western New York and Schenectady in the Albany area have some of the lowest premiums in the state. These cities have a fraction of the population density and traffic of Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Long Island, where premiums are higher.
This table shows the most expensive cities for car insurance in New York.
City  | Average Monthly Quote |
|---|---|
| Bronx | $346 |
| Brooklyn | $300 |
| Long Beach | $262 |
| Long Island City | $271 |
| Mount Vernon | $290 |
Here are some possible explanations for each city’s high car insurance rates:
Bronx: The Bronx has an extremely high population density, and drivers have an average commute time of 43 minutes. Traffic congestion increases the risk of accidents and raises insurance rates.[5]
Brooklyn: Like the Bronx, Brooklyn has a high population density and long commute times, which increase premiums.[6]
Mount Vernon: Mount Vernon also has long average commutes and a higher population density. More people in an area typically mean more cars on the road, increasing the risk of accidents and car insurance rates.[6]
Long Beach: Drivers in Long Beach have long commute times, and it’s a relatively high-income area. Wealthy areas tend to have higher car insurance rates because people own more expensive cars.[7]
Long Island City: Long Island City has a rapidly growing population. Similar to Brooklyn and the Bronx, more people usually mean more accidents and higher car insurance rates.
Use these tips to get lower rates for New York car insurance:
Bundle your coverage. Many insurers in New York offer discounts for bundling your auto coverage with homeowners or renters insurance.
Adjust your coverage. Opting for minimum coverage or increasing your deductible can lower your monthly costs. But make sure you have some money set aside if you need to file a claim, as you’ll pay more out of pocket.
Maintain a clean driving record. Your driving record plays a big role in your New York auto insurance rates. Speeding tickets and accidents can spike your premiums, so keeping a clean driving history could save you money.
Compare car insurance rates. Getting quotes from multiple insurers can help you find the best price for the coverage you need.
Find the best price in New York for the coverage you need
Below, you can find answers to common questions about why New York car insurance is so expensive.
Comparing quotes from multiple companies is one of the best ways to lower your car insurance in New York City. Many insurers offer various discounts, including those for bundling your auto and homeowners insurance. Maintaining a clean driving record can also help lower your rates.
Car insurance in New York costs an average of $198 per month. Liability-only coverage averages $153 per month, and full coverage averages $243. How much you pay for car insurance in New York depends on various factors, like your ZIP code, age, and the car you drive.
New York City’s high population density and traffic congestion increase accident risks and drive up car insurance rates in the city. Upstate New York is less dense, so rates are relatively cheaper than in NYC.
Severe weather, high accident rates, expensive repairs, and insurance laws all contribute to high auto insurance rates in New York. Your premiums also depend on several personal factors, including your age, driving record, and the type of car you drive.
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:
Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.
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7+ years in personal finance writing
Small business blogger
Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
10+ years editing experience
NPN: 21630969
Licensed auto and home insurance agent
4+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
NPN: 20564519
Featured in
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