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New York Car Insurance Guide

Discover auto insurance requirements, the best companies, and how to get the lowest rates in New York.

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New York is the nation’s fourth-largest state. However, much of its population is based in New York City and its surrounding areas. In 2018, there were 3,867,577 drivers in the NYC area and rates are much higher than the national average because of population density. If you live in the Big Apple, you’ll likely see the highest premiums in the state.

Like nearly every other state, this one requires that drivers maintain a valid car insurance policy. However, the minimum requirements and policies are unique to new York. In this article, we’ll explore every aspect of auto coverage in the Empire State starting with a look at how premiums here stack up against the national average. Next, we’ll provide information about the best insurers in New York. And finally, we define and break down specific laws and regulations motorists must follow.

New York Average Car Insurance Rates

Your state’s average car insurance rates are a smart metric to look at when you’re looking for coverage. Doing so can help you know how much you’ll end up paying. However, rates can vary depending on the driver. Insurers use a variety of rate factors to select your rates, including:

  • Driving record
  • Age
  • Where you live
  • The car you drive

The table below displays a head-to-head rate comparison between New York and the rest of the US. For every car insurance coverage type, rates in this state are much higher than the national average.

CoverageNew York AverageUS Average
Liability$920.25$644.11
Collision$457.77$377.62
Comprehensive$180.64$167.91
Full Coverage$1,425$1,056.55
Price Per Month$118.75$88.46
Note: cost totals are for one year of coverage. Data sourced from the Insurance Information Institute (III).

Average Full Coverage Rates

The graph below shows the trend of New York’s average full coverage rates from 2012 to 2019. Prices rose from $1152 in 2012 to $1445 in 2019. This was an increase of $293, or 25%. Note that average auto insurance premiums here are also much higher than the national mean.

New York Average Full Coverage Car Insurance Rates 2012-2019

Average Liability Rates

The following graph shows New York’s average liability insurance rates from 2012 to 2019. Prices are much higher than the national mean. Also, costs have been increasing since 2012. They went from about $790 in 2012 to around $920 in 2019.

The sharp difference between rates in this state and the US overall is possibly due to the number of crashes and their resulting injuries and damages. In 2019, there were 876 fatal crashes, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

New York Average Liability Car Insurance Rates 2012-2019

Average Collision Rates

Below is a graph displaying New York’s average collision insurance rates from 2012 to 2019. Prices for this coverage here are higher than the national mean. They’ve also increased from about $790 in 2012 to $920 in 2019.

New York Average Collision Car Insurance Rates 2012-2019

Average Comprehensive Rates

The graph below shows New York’s average comprehensive insurance rates from 2012 to 2019. It also shows how prices here match up to what most Americans pay. Costs in this state are slightly higher than the national mean. They’ve also increased from about $150 in 2012 to $180 in 2018. This is all before dropping to around $175 in 2019.

New York Average Comprehensive Car Insurance Rates 2012-2019

New York Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements

Car insurance is a driving prerequisite just about every region and municipality in the United States . Even so, if you drive across America you’ll discover that each state has its own minimum auto coverage requirements including:

  • What type of insurance you need
  • How much of each type to buy i.e., coverage limits

Keep in mind that, while state minimum auto insurance requirements are all you need to legally drive, they may not be enough to fully protect you. Some accidents can cost thousands of dollars in repairs and medical bills. Adding extra coverage is always a good idea, but it’s up to you.

Liability is the only coverage necessary to satisfy most state minimums. But here in New York, you need four individual insurance types. Below is a list of all coverage type required and how much of each you need:

Liability Insurance

New York requires bodily injury (BIL) and property damage liability (PDL) to drive. Liability auto coverage protects other parties from having to pay out of pocket for damages and injuries you cause. Auto insurance limits must be at least:

  • $25,000 of BIL and $50,000 for death in an accident
  • $50,000 of BIL and $100,000 for the death of two or more people in an accident
  • $10,000 of PDL per accident

You will sometimes see minimum liability requirements written in shorthand form: “25/50/10.”

Buying the minimum required coverage satisfies the law. But the auto insurance industry recommends bodily injury limits of $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident. It’s always a good idea to buy as much coverage as you can afford. This will lessen any risk of paying out of pocket for an accident.

Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

Another requirement is personal injury protection (PIP). PIP covers medical bills for you and your passengers in an accident. It kicks in regardless of who caused the accident. You may also see insurers refer to PIP as no-fault insurance. Your policy must include PIP limits of at least $50,000.

Uninsured Motorist (UM)

New York requires drivers to buy uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. UM protects you if you get into an accident with a driver who has no coverage. It only covers injuries to you or your passengers. You’ll need to buy at least $100,000 worth of UM to satisfy the state requirement.

You may also buy underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage. However, it’s not a requirement. It’s up to you if you want to add it to your policy. It’ll protect you if you get into an accident with a driver who doesn’t have high enough limits to cover your expenses.

Valid Proof of Insurance

You’ll need to be able to show valid proof of coverage to register your car. Valid proof in New York is:

  • An original NY State Insurance ID Card (either digital or physical)
  • A digital notice that you have coverage to your DMV. Your provider (not your broker or agent) will send this.

To register your car, you’ll need both of the above. Be sure to keep your State ID Card in your car at all times. Or be ready to display the digital version on your phone if need be. This ID card will show that you’re carrying the minimum amount of coverage required to drive.

Self-Insurance

You can self-insure and take full financial responsibility for your cars. It also means that you’ll pay for the other party’s expenses (much like liability coverage) if you cause an accident. You must apply for a self-insurance certificate to do this. The application comes with a $5 per vehicle fee. You’ll also have to put down a significant security deposit.

You should only choose to self-insure if you have enough to pay for the expenses in an accident. This is usually only an option for rich people.

Penalties for Driving Without Insurance

It’s illegal to drive without insurance. It can bring you more legal and financial trouble than it’s worth. Plus, it can affect other drivers if you get into an accident. You could face steep penalties if you get behind the wheel without coverage.

Here’s a list of possible penalties:

  • At least a one-year suspension of driver’s license and vehicle registration (even if you weren’t driving)
  • As high as a $1,500 fine from the traffic court
  • A $750 civil penalty fee to reinstate your license after the suspension ends
  • Vehicle impoundment
  • Arrest

Best Car Insurance Companies in New York

The company you choose is an important decision and one that could mean the difference between saving or losing your time and money. It’s important to pick the best one for your needs. The best auto insurance companies offer great rates and a wide range of benefits. To find the best insurer, you should look at the overall quality of each company. It’s also a good idea to see how an insurer’s rates compare with others.

Top Companies by Market Share

A useful stat to look at when you’re trying to find the best insurance is market share in your state. This will help you find out who the biggest and most popular companies are in your area. The largest companies may not always be the best for you, but they’re good ones to take a look at. Below are New York’s top ten property/casualty insurers by market share:

RankCompanyDirect Premiums WrittenMarket Share
1GEICO$5,760,79211.49%
2Allstate$2,903,6075.79%
3Travelers$2,819,9935.62%
4Chubb$2,763,5055.51%
5State Farm$2,755,9005.50%
6Liberty Mutual$2,575,3525.14%
7Progressive$1,962,7953.91%
8State Insurance Fund$1,610,7273.21%
9AIG$1,300,9962.59%
10Hartford$1,230,4002.45%

Top Companies by J.D. Power Rating

Customer satisfaction is important, especially with insurance. This is a key aspect to pay attention to when you’re trying to find a great company. You can keep track of this by looking at each company’s J.D. Power rating. J.D. Power ranks each company in a state by their customer satisfaction score (out of 1,000). Below are New York’s top eight companies by J.D. Power rating (USAA is not part of this list because it doesn’t fit J.D. Power’s criteria):

RankCompanyCustomer Satisfaction Score (Out of 1,000)
1State Farm859
2Travelers844
3MetLife835
4GEICO827
5New York Central Mutual827
6Liberty Mutual825
7Allstate814
8Progressive814

New York Auto Insurance Laws

No-Fault or Fault

New York is a no-fault state. This means that it requires drivers to buy personal injury protection (PIP). PIP covers you or your passenger’s injuries and medical bills regardless of who caused the accident.

Totaled Cars

In simple terms, your car becomes a total loss if the cost of damages is more than your car’s actual cash value (ACV). Many states require insurance carriers to use a percentage to decide if your car is totaled. If the damages reach a certain percentage of the car’s value, then it’s a total loss. Other states use the total loss formula (TLF). With the TLF, your car is a total loss if the salvage value and damages cost more than your car’s ACV.

Your car is a total loss if the damages reach 75% of its ACV. Your insurer will return your car if the damages come out below the threshold.

Salvage and Rebuilt Titles

Salvage title vehicles are a popular option for people who want to use the spare parts or because it’s their dream car. The DMV considers the following to be a salvage car:

  • Has repair costs that exceed 75% of the car’s actual cash value i.e., a total loss
  • Another state’s DMV issued it a salvage title
  • An insurer acquired it with a salvage certificate due to extensive damage
  • The owner declared it a wreck

Salvage title cars are illegal to drive in every state. Because of this, you can’t insure a salvaged vehicle. To legally drive one, you’ll need to restore it to a safe and drivable condition. Then, you can apply for a rebuilt title with the New York DMV.

How to Get a Rebuilt Salvage Title

Every state sets its own criteria for you to obtain a rebuilt title. In general, you’ll need to fully repair your car and apply for a rebuilt title. Here’s what you’ll need to send to the DMV to receive a rebuilt salvage title:

  • Salvage examination/title application – Form MV-83SAL
  • Sales tax receipt from the DMV – FS-6T (you get this from the DMV when you pay the sales tax)
  • Odometer and Damage Disclosure Statement – MV-103 (only if the title certificate doesn’t include this)
  • A personal check for $205 that’s payable to the “Commissioner of Motor Vehicles”

Insuring Cars with Rebuilt Titles

Once the state issues a new title for your car, you should be able to get rebuilt salvage insurance for it. Although, it may only qualify for liability-only policy because of its claim history. Prepare for higher rates and full coverage may not be available. However, each auto insurer has its own policies regarding rebuilt vehicles.

That’s why it’s so important to shop around and compare quotes from several companies. You may find a provider with coverages and discounts for rebuilds much cheaper than the others. You’ll for sure know you’re getting the best deal.

SR-22 Forms

An SR-22 form is a document certifying that you have the appropriate amount of insurance. New York is one of the many states that use SR-22 forms. These usually aren’t a requirement unless you’ve committed a serious offense, such as a DUI or getting into an accident without coverage.

This is one of the few states that doesn’t require drivers to file an SR-22 form after a serious offense. Keep in mind that you’ll still need to carry the state-mandated coverage limits to drive.

Full Windshield Replacement

Carriers in New York may offer policies to repair your windshield without a deductible. Insurers refer to this as “full windshield replacement.” Keep in mind that, unlike states such as Florida, your insurer doesn’t have to repair your windshield without a deductible. This requires you to add full windshield replacement to your policy if you want this benefit.

Filing Claims

Filing a claim with a car insurance company is a straightforward and necessary process if you get into an accident. Each state sets certain requirements for how insurers handle the claims process. This includes time limits for settling a claim. Like the insurer, you must also file the claim within a certain time limit.

After you file a claim, your carrier has 35 days to settle your claim. If they don’t, they must send you a written explanation.

Because of New York’s no-fault law, you have up to 30 days to notify your insurer of an accident. Otherwise, you won’t receive any benefits from your insurer.

Credit History

It’s a common practice for insurers to use your credit score to determine your rates. Some states, such as California, don’t allow this. T no rule to stop auto insurers from using your credit rating to determine your rates. They can consider it when deciding how high or low to set your rates. Insurers may also use it to decide whether or not to offer you a policy at all.

Policy Cancellation

New York sets rules for how you and your insurer can cancel your policy. There can’t be any mid-term cancellations after the policy has been in effect for 60 days. However, insurers may cancel your policy if you:

  • Commit fraud or misrepresent information
  • Don’t pay your premium
  • Have your license suspended by the DMV

When you don’t pay your premium, it’s still possible to reinstate your policy. To do so, you’ll need to contact your insurer immediately and pay what you owe. Some insurers may even give you an extension. If you don’t pay it, your coverage can lapse, making it much more difficult to get a reinstatement.

Drunk Driving Laws

Driving while under the influence of drugs and alcohol is dangerous and criminal. It puts yourself and others at risk. It can also cause you some serious legal and financial problems. Here’s what’ll get you a DWI conviction:

  • Blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 or higher
  • For commercial vehicle drivers, a BAC of 0.04 or higher
  • Aggravated DWI if your BAC is 0.18 or higher

The exact penalty for getting a DUI/DWI varies from state to state. But you can expect the consequences to get more severe if you’re a repeat offender. Below is a breakdown of how the DWI/Aggravated DWI penalty system works:

First offense:

  • $500 to $1,000 fine
  • $1,000 to $2,500 fine if it’s an Aggravated DWI (AGG DWI)
  • A maximum jail term of one year
  • License suspension of at least six months
  • License suspension of at least one year if it’s an AGG DWI

Second offense in ten years:

  • $1,000 to $5,000 fine (including AGG DWI)
  • A maximum jail term of four years
  • License suspension of at least one year (including AGG DWI)

Third offense in ten years:

  • $2,000 to $10,000 fine (including AGG DWI)
  • A maximum jail term of seven years
  • License suspension of at least one year
  • License suspension of at least 18 months if it’s an AGG DWI

Keep in mind that the total cost of a DWI goes beyond just fines, suspensions, and jail time. The police may impound your car and you could have to pay expensive legal fees. You can also expect to be labeled a high-risk driver and your rates to skyrocket. Insurers may even drop your policy.

Driver’s License Points System

New York uses a driver’s license points system. This is where, if you have a ticket or other violation go on your record, you’ll receive points. Having too many points against your license could cause the DMV to suspend it. The DMV may suspend your license if you have 11 points in 18 months. Here’s a partial list of what types of violations will add points to your record in the state:

  • Speeding – points vary based on how far above the limit you’re going
  • Reckless driving – 5 points
  • Not stopping for the school bus – 5 points
  • Cell phone use while driving – 5 points
  • Railroad crossing violations – 5 points
  • Red light – 3 points
  • Running a stop sign or other traffic signal – 3 points

Note: these are only some of the violations that will give you points. For the complete list, be sure to check with the DMV.

Most Popular Cars

Each state has a different list of which cars are most popular. These are the cars that everyone wants most. Insurers also keep track of this list because the most popular cars may be targets for thieves. Here were the Empire State’s most popular cars in 2021:

  1. Honda CR-V
  2. Jeep Grand Cherokee
  3. Ram 1500/2500/3500
  4. Toyota RAV4
  5. Nissan Rogue

Most Stolen Cars

Insurers look closely each year at which cars thieves targeted most. If you drive one of the most stolen cars in the area, your rates could be on the rise. These were the most stolen cars in 2021:

  1. 2019 Honda Accord
  2. 2019 Honda CR-V
  3. 2015 Toyota Camry
  4. 2019 Honda Civic
  5. 2019 Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee
  6. 2020 Nissan Altima
  7. 2006 Ford Econoline E250
  8. 2020 Toyota Corolla
  9. 2006 Ford Econoline E350
  10. 2019 Ford Pick-Up (Full Size)
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