The cheapest car insurance company in New York City is Kemper, followed by Main Street America, Progressive, GEICO, and USAA — though rates depend on many personal factors.
By
Andrew HurstAndrew HurstSenior Editor & Licensed Auto Insurance ExpertAndrew Hurst is a senior editor and a licensed auto insurance expert at Policygenius. His work has also been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, USA Today, NPR, Mic, Insurance Business Magazine, ValuePenguin, and Property Casualty 360.
Edited by
Anna SwartzAnna SwartzSenior Managing EditorAnna Swartz is a senior managing editor who specializes in home, auto, renters, and disability insurance at Policygenius. Previously, she was a senior staff writer at Mic and a writer at The Dodo. Her work has also appeared in Salon, HuffPost, MSN, AOL, and Heeb.
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Reviewed by
Maria FilindrasMaria FilindrasFinancial AdvisorMaria Filindras is a financial advisor, a licensed Life & Health insurance agent in California, and a member of the Financial Review Council at Policygenius.
Updated|4 min read
Expert reviewedExpert reviewedThis article has been reviewed by a member of ourFinancial Review Council to ensure all sources, statistics, and claims meet the highest standard for accurate and unbiased advice.Learn more about oureditorial review process.
On average, Kemper is the cheapest car insurance company in New York City at $122 per month. After Kemper, the cheapest car insurance companies in New York City are Main Street America, Progressive, GEICO, and USAA.
Compare rates and shop affordable car insurance today
We don't sell your information to third parties.
Depending on where in the city you live, along with details like your age and driving history, your cheapest company may vary. You should compare quotes before you buy car insurance to be sure you find your best rates.
Company
Average cost
Kemper
$122
Main Street America
$142
Progressive
$151
GEICO
$167
USAA
$208
Methodology & why you can trust our rates
policycentral found the cheapest car insurance companies in New York City by analyzing rates provided by Quadrant Information Services. The rates we analyzed were from for every ZIP code in all 50 states plus Washington, D.C and were for the following limits:
Bodily injury liability: $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
Property damage liability: $50,000
Uninsured/underinsured motorist: $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
Comprehensive: $500 deductible
Collision: $500 deductible
Rates for overall average rate, rates by ZIP code, and cheapest companies determined using averages for single drivers ages 30, 35, and 45. Our sample vehicle was a 2017 Toyota Camry LE driven 10,000 miles/year.
Some carriers may be represented by affiliates or subsidiaries. Rates provided are a sample of costs. Your actual quotes may differ.
Cheapest car insurance companies in New York City, NY
Kemper
policycentral rating
Our proprietary rating methodology takes multiple factors into account, including customer satisfaction, cost, financial strength, and policy offerings. See the "methodology" section for more details.
3.9
AM Best rating
AM Best is a global credit rating agency that scores the financial strength of insurance companies on a scale from A++ (Superior) to D (Poor).
A-
Cost
Using a mix of internal and external rate data, we grade the cost of each insurance company's premiums on a scale from least expensive ($) to most expensive ($$$$$).
NA
Mobile app
Bundle home & auto
Good student discount
Offers gap coverage
Accident forgiveness
Why we chose it
Kemper has cheaper-than-average rates in New York City, including for drivers who might have a hard time finding affordable coverage with other companies.
Pros and cons
Pros
Offers perks like diminishing deductible and accident forgiveness
Has new car replacement and gap insurance
Known for insuring high-risk drivers
Cons
Lower claims satisfaction scores than competitors
More details
Why we chose Kemper:
Kemper is the cheapest car insurance company in New York City, especially if your driving record makes it hard to find coverage elsewhere. Kemper rates may be affordable even if you have an accident, DUI, or speeding ticket on your record, or if your credit score is low.
In addition to low rates, Kemper offers a few types of extra coverage add-ons, like new car replacement coverage, gap insurance, and perks like accident forgiveness and diminishing deductible.
How does the cost of car insurance from Kemper compare to average in New York City?
The average cost of car insurance from Kemper in New York City is $122 a month or $1,464 per year, which is 68% cheaper than the citywide average.
Our proprietary rating methodology takes multiple factors into account, including customer satisfaction, cost, financial strength, and policy offerings. See the "methodology" section for more details.
4.3
AM Best rating
AM Best is a global credit rating agency that scores the financial strength of insurance companies on a scale from A++ (Superior) to D (Poor).
A
Cost
Using a mix of internal and external rate data, we grade the cost of each insurance company's premiums on a scale from least expensive ($) to most expensive ($$$$$).
$
$
$
$
$
Bundle home & auto
Good student discount
Accident forgiveness
Offers gap coverage
Why we chose it
Part of the American Family group of companies, Main Street America offers cheaper-than-average rates in the Big Apple and lots of coverage options to choose from.
Pros and cons
Pros
Lower-than-average rates
Offers affordable coverage to high-risk drivers
Receives fewer complaints than average for its service
Cons
Coverage isn’t available in every state
More details
Why we chose Main Street America:
Main Street America, which is a part of American Family’s group of insurance companies, is the second-cheapest company for car insurance in New York City. It also offers a few discounts.
You can upgrade a basic Main Street America policy with a range of add-ons that some larger companies don’t offer, including gap insurance, new car replacement coverage, OEM parts replacement, and personal belongings coverage.
How does the cost of car insurance from Main Street America compare to average in New York City?
The average cost of car insurance from Main Street America in New York City is $142 a month or $1,704 per year, which is 62% cheaper than the citywide average.
Our proprietary rating methodology takes multiple factors into account, including customer satisfaction, cost, financial strength, and policy offerings. See the "methodology" section for more details.
4.3
AM Best rating
AM Best is a global credit rating agency that scores the financial strength of insurance companies on a scale from A++ (Superior) to D (Poor).
A+
Cost
Using a mix of internal and external rate data, we grade the cost of each insurance company's premiums on a scale from least expensive ($) to most expensive ($$$$$).
$
$
$
$
$
All 50 states
Good student discount
Mobile app
Offers gap coverage
Offers motorcycle insurance
Usage-based discount
Coverage for rideshare drivers
Why we chose it
Progressive has cheaper-than-average car insurance rates in New York City, even if you have driving violations on your record. It also has a range of coverage options to add to a basic policy.
Pros and cons
Pros
Rewards safe drivers
Offers rideshare insurance and other less-common coverages
Variety of discounts and ways to save
Cons
Premiums are above industry average
More details
Why we chose Progressive:
Like most companies, Progressive’s rates are cheaper if you have a good driving record, but you can also still get affordable coverage if you have an accident, DUI, or another violation on your record.
Progressive also offers a range of add-ons, including gap insurance (which may be required if you have a loan or lease on your car), custom parts coverage, and pet coverage in case your furry companion is injured in a car accident.
How does the cost of car insurance from Progressive compare to average in New York City?
The average cost of car insurance from Progressive in New York City is $151 a month or $1,812 per year, which is 60% cheaper than the citywide average.
Our proprietary rating methodology takes multiple factors into account, including customer satisfaction, cost, financial strength, and policy offerings. See the "methodology" section for more details.
4.7
AM Best rating
AM Best is a global credit rating agency that scores the financial strength of insurance companies on a scale from A++ (Superior) to D (Poor).
A++
Cost
Using a mix of internal and external rate data, we grade the cost of each insurance company's premiums on a scale from least expensive ($) to most expensive ($$$$$).
$
$
$
$
$
Offers classic car insurance
All 50 states
Offers motorcycle insurance
Good student discount
Mobile app
Usage-based discount
Why we chose it
GEICO is among the cheapest auto insurance companies in New York City, even if you have poor credit. We also like GEICO’s convenient mobile app and solid customer service.
Pros and cons
Pros
Available in all 50 states
Easy-to-use digital tools
Plenty of discounts
Cons
Only sells through GEICO agents
Doesn’t underwrite its other products
More details
Why we chose GEICO
GEICO is one of the best car insurance companies in New York City, and has cheap average rates even for drivers with bad credit or a newly licensed driver at home.
We also like GEICO’s convenient mobile app, which lets you estimate what repairs to your vehicle might cost after an accident. Even though it’s one of the largest insurance companies in the country, GEICO gets fewer complaints from its customers than expected.
How does the cost of car insurance from GEICO compare to average in New York City?
The average cost of car insurance from GEICO in New York City is $167 a month or $2,004 per year, which is 56% cheaper than the citywide average.
Our proprietary rating methodology takes multiple factors into account, including customer satisfaction, cost, financial strength, and policy offerings. See the "methodology" section for more details.
5.0
AM Best rating
AM Best is a global credit rating agency that scores the financial strength of insurance companies on a scale from A++ (Superior) to D (Poor).
A++
Cost
Using a mix of internal and external rate data, we grade the cost of each insurance company's premiums on a scale from least expensive ($) to most expensive ($$$$$).
$
$
$
$
$
All 50 states
Bundle home & auto
Coverage for rideshare drivers
Good student discount
Usage-based discount
Offers classic car insurance
Mobile app
Offers motorcycle insurance
Why we chose it
USAA, which is only available to drivers affiliated with the military, has some of the best car insurance rates and customer service ratings in New York City. Add-ons include gap insurance and roadside assistance coverage.
Pros and cons
Pros
Low rates
Available nationwide
High customer service ratings
Cons
Only available to military members and their families
More details
Why we chose USAA:
If you’re an active or retired member of the military or a part of a military family, USAA has some of the best car insurance in New York City. USAA also offers gap coverage, which isn’t available at every company.
We also like that USAA earns top scores from J.D. Power for claims satisfaction. It also receives about an average number of complaints for the industry, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
How does the cost of car insurance from USAA compare to average in New York City?
The average cost of car insurance from USAA in New York City is $208 a month or $2,496 per year, which is 45% cheaper than the citywide average.
USAA is the best car insurance company in New York City, according to the 2023 J.D. Power Auto Insurance Study which measures how policyholders in New York feel about their insurance company’s overall price, coverage, and claims service. [1]
The best-rated car insurance company in New York City for the general public is New York Central Mutual.
Rank
Company
Score
1
USAA
879
2
New York Central Mutual
842
3
State Farm
826
4
GEICO
821
4
Travelers
821
Cheapest car insurance rates by ZIP code in New York City, NY
Your location, whether you live in Brooklyn, Queens, or Manhattan is one of the most important factors used to determine car insurance rates. The more crime and accidents in a given area, the more everyone pays.
Choosing the right car insurance company in New York City, NY
With so many factors that determine car insurance price, it can be overwhelming to find a company that offers affordable protection and won’t let you down when you need it the most.
You want a company with experience and customer service that listens to your needs. When it’s time to file a claim, you expect your insurance company to make the process as seamless as possible.
At Policygenius, we can help you see quotes from top companies, so you can choose one that meets all your needs.
Compare rates and shop affordable car insurance today
We don't sell your information to third parties.
Car insurance rates for drivers with driving violations in New York City, NY
Car insurance is more expensive for drivers with a history of accidents, speeding tickets, DUIs, and other driving violations. The best way to keep your rates low (especially somewhere like New York City where rates are already high) is by driving safely and obeying traffic laws.
The cheapest car insurance company in New York City for drivers with a driving violation is usually Kemper, Main Street America, or Progressive.
Kemper
Main Street America
Progressive
GEICO
USAA
State Farm
At-fault accident
$2,253
$2,358
$2,957
$3,117
$3,330
$3,529
Suspended license
$2,210
$2,271
$2,666
$4,133
$3,366
$3,226
Open container
$1,987
$2,271
$1,911
$2,122
$2,882
$3,226
Expired registration
$1,987
$1,852
$1,911
$1,921
$2,882
$3,226
Driving without lights
$1,987
$1,852
$1,911
$2,122
$2,882
$3,226
Running a red light
$1,987
$1,852
$1,911
$2,122
$2,882
$3,226
Following too closely
$1,987
$1,852
$1,911
$2,122
$2,882
$3,226
Hit and run
$2,210
$2,271
$2,666
$5,952
$3,743
$3,226
Not-at-fault accident
$1,513
$1,771
$1,843
$2,020
$2,882
$2,924
Passing a school bus
$1,987
$2,271
$1,911
$2,122
$2,882
$3,226
Reckless driving
$2,210
$2,271
$2,666
$4,133
$3,743
$3,226
Collapse table
Cheapest car insurance after an accident in New York City
The cheapest car insurance company in New York City after an at-fault accident is Kemper. On average, car insurance from Kemper costs $188 a month, or $2,253 a year for drivers with an at-fault accident.
Rates for drivers with an at-fault accident
Kemper
$2,253
Main Street America
$2,358
Progressive
$2,957
GEICO
$3,117
USAA
$3,330
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI in New York, NY
A DUI can have a serious impact on your car insurance rates in New York City. New York drivers with a DUI pay an average of $3,396 per year for year insurance, and rates can be even higher than that.
That makes it all the more important for New York City drivers with a DUI on their records to shop around and find the best rates for their record — we found that Progressive, Kemper, and Main Street America were all among the cheapest car insurance companies in New York City for drivers with a DUI.
Rates for drivers with DUIs
Progressive
$1,934
Kemper
$2,210
Main Street America
$2,271
State Farm
$3,226
USAA
$3,743
GEICO
$5,952
Collapse table
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket in New York, NY
A speeding ticket can also have a big impact on your rates in New York City. We found that the average cost of car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket in New York is $2,656 a year, but rates can be significantly higher in New York City.
According to our analysis, Progressive, Kemper, and Main Street America had the cheapest average rates for car insurance after a speeding ticket in New York City.
Rates for drivers with speeding tickets
Progressive
$2,205
Kemper
$2,210
Main Street America
$2,271
USAA
$2,990
GEICO
$3,117
State Farm
$3,226
Collapse table
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with bad credit in New York City, NY
A bad credit score can affect your life in many ways. Not only is it harder to get credit, but your car insurance costs can also go up if you have poor credit. Sometimes this can cause your rates to spike more than having an accident does.
In New York City, GEICO has the cheapest car insurance for drivers with bad credit.
Rates for drivers with bad credit
GEICO
$2,468
Kemper
$4,042
Chubb
$4,714
USAA
$5,157
Utica National
$5,781
Compare rates and shop affordable car insurance today
We don't sell your information to third parties.
Cheapest car insurance in New York City by borough
Car insurance rates in New York City vary by ZIP code and neighborhood, but when we looked at the cheapest car insurance companies in the city by borough, there were two clear winners.
Cheapest company
Average yearly rate for the cheapest company
Borough average
Brooklyn
Main Street America
$1,640
$6,148
Manhattan
Main Street America
$1,301
$3,865
Queens
Kemper
$1,483
$4,076
Staten Island
Main Street America
$1,487
$4,144
The Bronx
Kemper
$1,507
$4,940
Analysis of car insurance rates from every ZIP code in each borough.
Buying car insurance in New York City, NY
The law in New York says drivers must have the following minimum liability insurance requirements:
$10,000 for property damage for a single accident
$25,000 for bodily injury and $50,000 for death for a person involved in an accident
$50,000 for bodily injury and $100,000 for death for two or more people in an accident
Have continuous coverage on a vehicle even if it is inoperable or not being driven.
The insurance must be issued by a company licensed by the New York State Department of Financial Services and certified by the NY State DMV.
The state of New York is a no-fault state, which means that your insurance provider must pay your medical bills after an accident whether you caused it or not.
Each state has its own minimum insurance requirements, but your vehicle might not be covered if you’re in an accident and you only settled for the lowest possible limits of insurance that you could get.
To better protect yourself and your property before an accident, it’s a good idea to add more coverage such as comprehensive or collision insurance to help defer out-of-pocket expenses.
How to get cheap car insurance in New York City, NY
New York City drivers pay some of the most expensive rates in the country, but there are ways to save:
Safe driver discount - A discount for drivers without moving violations or accidents on their driving record.
Bundling - Combining your car and home insurance policies is a great way to save money on your premiums.
Low mileage discount - NYC drivers pay higher rates, but their commutes are shorter.
Military discount - Typically, military service members and their family members can get a reduced rate on car insurance.
There are other discounts available, ask your insurance company which of them may apply to you.
Compare rates and shop affordable car insurance today
We don't sell your information to third parties.
Frequently asked questions
Who has the cheapest car insurance in New York City?
According to our research, Kemper has the lowest rates in the city, at $1,464 per year for full coverage. But insurance rates vary from driver-to-driver, so shop around to find the cheapest rates for you.
How much is car insurance in New York City monthly?
The cost of car insurance in New York City is $378 per month, or $4,534 per year. That’s far more expensive than average in the state of New York.
Is car insurance in New York City expensive?
The average cost of car insurance in New York City makes it one of the most expensive places to get covered in the entire country. This is due to the city's heavily populated roads, which lead to more claims and higher expenses over time.
Do you need full coverage in New York City?
While New York doesn't require you to get full-coverage car insurance, your lender or lessor probably will. Also, it's a good idea to get fully covered even if it's not required. While it's expensive, it's the best way to avoid paying for damage to yourself after an accident.
References
policycentral uses external sources, including government data, industry studies, and reputable news organizations to supplement proprietary marketplace data and internal expertise. Learn more about how we use and vet external sources as part of oureditorial standards.
Andrew Hurst is a senior editor and a licensed auto insurance expert at Policygenius. His work has also been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, USA Today, NPR, Mic, Insurance Business Magazine, ValuePenguin, and Property Casualty 360.
Anna Swartz is a senior managing editor who specializes in home, auto, renters, and disability insurance at Policygenius. Previously, she was a senior staff writer at Mic and a writer at The Dodo. Her work has also appeared in Salon, HuffPost, MSN, AOL, and Heeb.