Cheap Auto Insurance in New York (2024)

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D. Gilson, PhD

Professor & Published Author

D. Gilson is a writer and author of essays, poetry, and scholarship that explore the relationship between popular culture, literature, sexuality, and memoir. His latest book is Jesus Freak, with Will Stockton, part of Bloomsbury’s 33 1/3 Series. His other books include I Will Say This Exactly One Time and Crush. His first chapbook, Catch & Release, won the 2012 Robin Becker Prize from Seve...

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Michelle Robbins

Licensed Insurance Agent

Michelle Robbins has been a licensed insurance agent for over 13 years. Her career began in the real estate industry, supporting local realtors with Title Insurance. After several years, Michelle shifted to real estate home warranty insurance, where she managed a territory of over 100 miles of real estate professionals. Later, Agent Robbins obtained more licensing and experience serving families a...

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UPDATED: Nov 9, 2024

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New York Statistics SummaryDetails
Road Miles 2014Total in State: 114,807
Vehicle Miles Driven: 129,263 Million
Vehicles 2014Registered: 10,557,410
Total Stolen: 15,736
State Population19,542,209
Most Popular VehicleRogue
Percentage of Motorists Uninsured6.10%
State Rank: 50th
Driving DeathsSpeeding (2008-2017) Total: 3461
Drunk Driving (2008-2017) Total: 3278
Average Premiums 2015 (Annual)Liability: $804.51
Collision: $385.02
Comprehensive: $171.12
Combined Premium: $1,360.66
Cheapest ProviderTravelers Auto Insurance

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Home to the Statue of Liberty, the Big Apple, and the beautiful Finger Lakes it’s no wonder that New York is the 4th-most populated state in the U.S.

With a population of over 19 million people and over 10 million registered vehicles on the road, one thing is for sure: if you live in New York and you want to own a car, you’re going to need car insurance.

But with so many car insurance companies out there and so many different types of car insurance coverage, how do you know which provider and plan are right for you?

We know all of this can be difficult and confusing, so that’s why we came up with the ultimate New York car insurance guide to answer all of your insurance questions.

Table of Contents

New York Car Insurance Coverage and Rates

Some people know a lot about car insurance. But if that’s not you, we understand. Let’s start with the basics: car insurance coverage.

What are you getting for the coverage you pay for? What’s actually covered in the event of an accident and what isn’t? What is the minimum amount of car insurance you need in New York?

Have more questions about New York auto insurance? Keep reading to learn more about car insurance coverage and rates.

New York’s Car Culture

The car culture in New York is full of American history and it begins with the automobile. It started in 1951 when the Museum of Modern Art displayed iconic automobiles from around the country.

Although the type of car varies from person to person, New Yorkers either love their car because it’s historic, or because in the city, they are few and far between.

New York is also part of a group of states leading the charge to reduce carbon emissions. In our list of the 10 best states to own an electric vehicle, it ranks 10th, with 10 electric vehicle incentives, including a $2,000 rebate for people purchasing a qualifying electric vehicle.

New York Minimum Coverage

New York is one of about a dozen states in the U.S. that is considered to be a no-fault state.  But before we get into what no-fault means, let’s explain New York’s minimum coverage policy is.

By law, every driver in the state of New York must have insurance on their vehicle. This is called minimum coverage or minimum liability insurance.

Minimum coverage is the smallest amount of insurance coverage you can get for a vehicle. It’s usually the least expensive and works as a security blanket. Minimum coverage is there to help you financially in the case of an accident.

But, minimum coverage may not be enough to cover all of the costs you can incur in an accident, especially if the other driver takes you to the small claims court. The costs of property damages and medical bills can add up quickly, so it’s smart to have more insurance than the state requires.

In order to abide by New York’s minimum insurance law, you must meet these requirements:

  • $25,000 liability coverage for bodily injury per person (when you cause a car accident)
  • $50,000 total liability bodily injury coverage per accident you cause (regardless of how many people are injured)
  • $10,000 liability coverage for property damage (per accident you cause)
  • $50,000 in no-fault (personal injury protection) coverage
  • Uninsured motorist coverage (for bodily injury sustained by you) subject to these same minimums

Now that you know what minimum insurance is, let’s go back to what no-fault means.

In no-fault states, if another driver causes an accident and you were harmed in that accident, you are required to file a claim with your own insurance company to cover the costs of medical bills and emergency services.

According to NOLO, New York’s no-fault car insurance system applies to injuries caused by car accidents, but not to vehicle damage claims.

A claim for damage to (or total loss of) a vehicle can be made against the at-fault driver in New York, with no limitations.

Read more: Is it a bad idea to just carry minimum coverage auto insurance?

Forms of Financial Responsibility

A form of financial responsibility is just proof of insurance, and in the state of New York, all drivers are required to carry proof of insurance at all times while on the road.

If a law enforcement officer pulls you over and asks to see your insurance policy, you must show it to him or her by law.

You must be able to prove you have at least minimum coverage insurance on the vehicle you are driving.

If you are caught driving without proof of insurance, you may have your license suspended.

Acceptable forms of proof of insurance are:

  • Original insurance ID card
  • Electronic insurance ID card
  • Copy of your current car’s insurance policy
  • Valid insurance binder (a temporary form of car insurance)

Premiums as a Percentage of Income

Have you ever heard of the term per capita income?

Per capita income is the average amount of income a person makes in a certain area.

In 2014, New York’s average disposable income was $47,446.

The cost of full coverage insurance in 2014 was $1,327.82. If the average New Yorker makes just under $50k per year, this means that they spend 2.80 percent of their annual income just on car insurance.

On average, Americans paid about $950 per year for full coverage in 2014. Car insurance in New York is about $400 higher than the national average, however, their per capita income is also higher than the national average as well.

The states that border New York generally pay a cheaper car insurance premium, so if you’re looking to move to or around New York any time soon, this might be something to keep in mind.

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Core Coverage in New York

The data below shows the difference in cost from liability all the way to comprehensive coverage and is pulled directly from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. 

Coverage TypeAnnual Costs (2015)
Liability$804.51
Collision$385.02
Comprehensive$171.12
Combined$1,360.66

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Keep in mind that this data is from 2015, and because of inflation, insurance premiums have increased since then. Need additional coverage? Keep reading below as we talk about add-ons and endorsements.

Additional Liability Coverage

We’ve already gone over minimum coverage requirements, so we know that MedPay, personal injury protection, and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage are additional liability coverage options.

Loss Ratio201220132014
Medical Payments (MedPay)49.4153.6164.49
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UUM)53.6953.8447.49
Personal Injury Protection66.0868.9266.66

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Even though it can be easy to skip paying for additional liability coverage, you’ll thank yourself when you get into an accident and you have more coverage than you need.

New York ranks 50th in the U.S. for uninsured drivers. This means that 6.10% of drivers in New York are uninsured.

But what is loss ratio?

Loss ratio percentage is how we measure the amount of filed claims paid versus the amount of filed claims unpaid.

Typically, when you’re looking for an insurance provider, you want to look at the loss ratio percentage.

If the company has a loss ratio of over 100 percent, they might be in danger of going bankrupt and you might be at risk of not having legitimate claims paid. This is because they may have paid too many claims — some probably not legitimate.

On the other hand, if the loss ratio is too low (under 50 percent), the company may be scamming its clients. This means that fifty percent or less of claims filed are never paid.

So what should you look out for when you’re finding a new insurance provider? Stay away from companies that have a loss ratio over 100 percent and under 50 percent.

Add-ons, Endorsements, and Riders

By now, you should know that carrying minimum coverage alone probably isn’t the smartest idea. But how do you know what other kinds of add-ons are out there? What should you add to your basic policy?

Below is a list of additional coverage options. Click on the links to learn more about each specific coverage plan. Keep in mind that your provider may give you a discount if you decide to add more coverage options to your plan.

You can choose one or all of the add-ons listed above, but it’s good to know what you want to protect and insure so that you know what kind of plan works well with your lifestyle.

Demographic Rates in New York

Did you know that factors like gender, marital status and age can affect your yearly car insurance premium?

CompanyMarried 35-year old femaleMarried 35-year old maleMarried 60-year old femaleMarried 60-year old maleSingle 17-year old femaleSingle 17-year old maleSingle 25-year old femaleSingle 25-year old male
Allstate$3,193.78$2,980.04$3,012.93$3,052.97$9,411.78$10,059.13$3,106.83$3,110.26
Geico$1,775.96$1,709.98$1,723.35$1,698.04$3,737.26$5,542.24$1,598.20$1,640.87
Liberty Mutual$4,808.02$4,808.02$4,476.84$4,476.84$9,371.20$14,468.63$4,808.02$5,108.28
Nationwide$3,003.69$3,003.69$2,829.30$2,829.30$5,431.46$8,143.12$3,003.69$3,859.22
Progressive$2,317.74$2,134.30$1,831.64$1,867.64$7,736.99$8,515.77$2,948.94$2,816.17
State Farm$2,838.51$2,838.51$2,481.13$2,481.13$8,316.70$10,504.50$3,126.63$3,289.54
Travelers$3,320.74$3,298.93$3,020.14$3,202.94$7,651.80$9,050.23$3,491.99$3,593.56
USAA$1,961.37$1,928.07$1,776.70$1,780.28$7,919.49$9,428.85$2,515.85$2,782.87

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Generally, even though most people think males pay more for insurance than females do, females actually pay more than males for car insurance.

If you’re 17, don’t be discouraged by this information. If you keep a clean record, your rates should decrease the older you get. But stay tuned as we discuss more factors that can affect your car insurance rate.

Cheapest Rates by Zip Code

As we discussed before, location can have an effect on your car insurance rate. Look for your zip code in the tables below and see what your rates could be based on where you live.

25 Most Expensive Zip Codes in New York CityAverage by Zip CodeMost Expensive CompanyMost Expensive Rate2nd Most Expensive Company2nd Most Expensive RateCheapest CompanyCheapest Rate2nd Cheapest Company2nd Cheapest Rate
11212BROOKLYN$10,751.24Liberty Mutual$17,558.88Travelers$11,880.71Geico$5,780.57USAA$8,278.50
11233BROOKLYN$10,703.01Liberty Mutual$17,558.88Travelers$11,775.55Geico$5,780.57USAA$8,278.50
11213BROOKLYN$10,646.36Liberty Mutual$17,558.88Travelers$11,775.55Geico$5,780.57Progressive$8,079.76
11207BROOKLYN$10,606.21Liberty Mutual$17,558.88Travelers$11,880.71Geico$5,780.57Progressive$7,402.08
11225BROOKLYN$10,427.03Liberty Mutual$17,558.88State Farm$11,586.05Geico$5,780.57USAA$7,853.79
11216BROOKLYN$10,399.95Liberty Mutual$17,558.88State Farm$11,586.05Geico$5,780.57Progressive$7,438.55
11221BROOKLYN$10,399.36Liberty Mutual$17,558.88State Farm$11,617.80Geico$5,780.57Progressive$7,402.08
11239BROOKLYN$10,287.12Liberty Mutual$17,558.88Allstate$11,528.93Geico$5,780.57Progressive$7,489.08
11203BROOKLYN$10,251.67Liberty Mutual$17,558.88Travelers$11,880.71Geico$5,300.14Progressive$8,079.76
11236BROOKLYN$10,242.23Liberty Mutual$17,558.88Travelers$11,880.71Geico$5,300.14USAA$8,278.50
11208BROOKLYN$10,105.99Liberty Mutual$17,558.88State Farm$11,613.31Geico$5,780.57Progressive$7,844.91
11206BROOKLYN$9,964.09Liberty Mutual$17,558.88State Farm$11,642.66Geico$5,780.57Progressive$6,585.30
11226BROOKLYN$9,920.06Liberty Mutual$17,558.88State Farm$11,144.66Geico$5,300.14Progressive$8,159.70
11234BROOKLYN$9,739.93Liberty Mutual$15,452.41Travelers$11,651.31Geico$5,300.14Progressive$7,716.90
11235BROOKLYN$9,670.87Liberty Mutual$15,452.41Travelers$11,115.43Geico$5,300.14Progressive$8,066.79
11210BROOKLYN$9,652.77Liberty Mutual$15,452.41Travelers$11,651.31Geico$5,300.14Progressive$7,955.87
11237BROOKLYN$9,602.92Liberty Mutual$17,558.88State Farm$11,621.22Geico$4,510.55Progressive$7,437.15
11238BROOKLYN$9,569.83Liberty Mutual$17,558.88State Farm$11,586.05Geico$4,187.43Progressive$7,438.55
11223BROOKLYN$9,458.27Liberty Mutual$15,452.41Travelers$11,115.43Geico$5,300.14Progressive$8,066.79
11230BROOKLYN$9,440.17Liberty Mutual$15,452.41Travelers$11,115.43Geico$5,300.14Progressive$8,066.79
11241BROOKLYN$9,410.20Liberty Mutual$17,558.88State Farm$10,797.26Geico$3,457.75Progressive$7,489.08
11243BROOKLYN$9,410.20Liberty Mutual$17,558.88State Farm$10,797.26Geico$3,457.75Progressive$7,489.08
11229BROOKLYN$9,387.51Liberty Mutual$15,452.41Travelers$11,115.43Geico$5,300.14Progressive$7,716.90
11205BROOKLYN$9,370.09Liberty Mutual$17,558.88State Farm$11,180.76Geico$4,510.55Progressive$6,126.60
11242BROOKLYN$9,364.53Liberty Mutual$17,558.88State Farm$10,797.26Geico$3,457.75Progressive$7,489.08

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All 25 of the most expensive zip codes belong to Brooklyn.

25 Least Expensive Zip Codes in New York CityAverage by Zip CodesMost Expensive CompanyMost Expensive Rate2nd Most Expensive Company2nd Most Expensive RateCheapest CompanyCheapest Rate2nd Cheapest Company2nd Cheapest Rate
14830CORNING$2,729.59Liberty Mutual$3,958.87Allstate$3,194.85Geico$1,814.79Progressive$2,084.94
14845HORSEHEADS$2,753.21Liberty Mutual$3,932.34Allstate$3,194.85Geico$1,756.70Progressive$2,041.98
14814BIG FLATS$2,757.47Liberty Mutual$3,932.34Allstate$3,194.85Geico$1,756.70Progressive$2,084.94
14870PAINTED POST$2,761.36Liberty Mutual$3,958.87Allstate$3,194.85Geico$1,814.79Progressive$2,367.49
14903ELMIRA$2,761.81Liberty Mutual$3,932.34Allstate$3,194.85Geico$1,756.70Progressive$2,084.94
14905ELMIRA$2,786.89Liberty Mutual$3,932.34Allstate$3,194.85Geico$1,756.70Progressive$2,254.47
14904ELMIRA$2,788.48Liberty Mutual$3,932.34Allstate$3,194.85Geico$1,756.70Progressive$2,254.47
14871PINE CITY$2,789.24Liberty Mutual$3,958.87Allstate$3,194.85Geico$1,756.70Progressive$2,297.44
14894WELLSBURG$2,790.81Liberty Mutual$3,932.34Allstate$3,194.85Geico$1,756.70Progressive$2,254.47
14901ELMIRA$2,791.14Liberty Mutual$3,932.34Allstate$3,194.85Geico$1,756.70Progressive$2,254.47
14821CAMPBELL$2,812.94Liberty Mutual$3,958.87Allstate$3,317.92Geico$1,814.79Nationwide$2,385.41
13850VESTAL$2,833.83Liberty Mutual$3,888.71Allstate$3,268.98Geico$2,002.78Progressive$2,247.71
14816BREESPORT$2,873.78Liberty Mutual$3,932.34State Farm$3,505.38Geico$1,756.70Nationwide$2,385.41
13795KIRKWOOD$2,878.91Liberty Mutual$3,888.71Travelers$3,337.03Geico$2,002.78Progressive$2,428.42
13748CONKLIN$2,880.00Liberty Mutual$3,888.71Travelers$3,337.03Geico$2,002.78Progressive$2,428.42
13603WATERTOWN$2,881.06Liberty Mutual$4,420.81Allstate$3,496.52Geico$1,921.00USAA$2,165.68
13612BLACK RIVER$2,881.46Liberty Mutual$4,420.81Allstate$3,496.52Geico$1,921.00USAA$2,165.68
13616CALCIUM$2,882.15Liberty Mutual$4,420.81Allstate$3,496.52Geico$1,921.00USAA$2,165.68
13606ADAMS CENTER$2,884.39Liberty Mutual$4,420.81Allstate$3,496.52Geico$1,921.00USAA$2,165.68
13601WATERTOWN$2,885.27Liberty Mutual$4,420.81Allstate$3,496.52Geico$1,921.00USAA$2,165.68
13685SACKETS HARBOR$2,886.18Liberty Mutual$4,420.81Allstate$3,496.52Geico$1,921.00USAA$2,165.68
13656LA FARGEVILLE$2,887.98Liberty Mutual$4,420.81Allstate$3,496.52Geico$1,921.00USAA$2,165.68
13640WELLESLEY ISLAND$2,888.38Liberty Mutual$4,420.81Allstate$3,496.52Geico$1,921.00USAA$2,165.68
13634DEXTER$2,888.57Liberty Mutual$4,420.81Allstate$3,496.52Geico$1,921.00USAA$2,165.68
13607ALEXANDRIA BAY$2,888.77Liberty Mutual$4,420.81Allstate$3,496.52Geico$1,921.00USAA$2,165.68

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Corning and Horseheads have the cheapest zip codes in New York.

Least and Most Expensive Cities in New York

Here are lists comparing rates in New York by the most expensive cities to have car insurance versus the least expensive cities to have car insurance.

10 Most Expensive Cities in New York Average by CityMost Expensive CompanyMost Expensive Rate2nd Most Expensive Company2nd Most Expensive RateCheapest CompanyCheapest Rate2nd Cheapest Company2nd Cheapest Rate
Brooklyn$9,347.06Liberty Mutual$17,558.88State Farm$10,797.26Geico$3,940.28Progressive$6,859.27
Saint Albans$9,000.94Liberty Mutual$12,883.56Travelers$10,495.31Geico$5,686.55USAA$7,089.23
Rosedale$8,885.68Liberty Mutual$12,883.56State Farm$9,995.10Geico$5,287.14USAA$7,089.23
South Ozone Park$8,881.66Liberty Mutual$12,883.56Travelers$10,607.53Geico$5,686.55USAA$7,089.23
Springfield Gardens$8,874.63Liberty Mutual$12,883.56State Farm$9,906.69Geico$5,287.14USAA$7,089.23
South Richmond Hill$8,831.46Liberty Mutual$12,883.56Travelers$10,607.53Geico$5,287.14USAA$7,089.23
Jamaica$8,826.92Liberty Mutual$12,883.56Travelers$10,241.08Geico$5,386.99USAA$7,089.23
Arverne$8,802.18Liberty Mutual$12,883.56State Farm$9,799.24Geico$5,287.14USAA$7,089.23
Woodhaven$8,773.94Liberty Mutual$12,883.56Travelers$10,302.35Geico$5,096.98USAA$7,089.23
Howard Beach$8,739.15Liberty Mutual$12,883.56Travelers$9,817.66Geico$5,287.14USAA$7,089.23

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Brooklyn is the most expensive city for car insurance. This isn’t surprising, as Brooklyn also has the most expensive zip codes.

10 Least Expensive Cities in New York Average by CityMost Expensive CompanyMost Expensive Rate2nd Most Expensive Company2nd Most Expensive RateCheapest CompanyCheapest Rate2nd Cheapest Company2nd Cheapest Rate
Corning$2,729.58Liberty Mutual$3,958.87Allstate$3,194.85Geico$1,814.79Progressive$2,084.94
Big Flats$2,757.50Liberty Mutual$3,932.34Allstate$3,194.85Geico$1,756.70Progressive$2,070.62
Coopers Plains$2,761.36Liberty Mutual$3,958.87Allstate$3,194.85Geico$1,814.79Progressive$2,367.49
Elmira$2,788.83Liberty Mutual$3,932.34Allstate$3,194.85Geico$1,756.70Progressive$2,254.47
Pine City$2,789.24Liberty Mutual$3,958.87Allstate$3,194.85Geico$1,756.70Progressive$2,297.44
Wellsburg$2,790.81Liberty Mutual$3,932.34Allstate$3,194.85Geico$1,756.70Progressive$2,254.47
Campbell$2,812.93Liberty Mutual$3,958.87Allstate$3,317.92Geico$1,814.79Nationwide$2,385.41
Vestal$2,833.83Liberty Mutual$3,888.71Allstate$3,268.98Geico$2,002.78Progressive$2,247.71
Breesport$2,873.77Liberty Mutual$3,932.34State Farm$3,505.38Geico$1,756.70Nationwide$2,385.41
Kirkwood$2,878.90Liberty Mutual$3,888.71Travelers$3,337.03Geico$2,002.78Progressive$2,428.42

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Corning is the cheapest city for car insurance in New York.

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Best New York Car Insurance Companies

So by now, maybe you have figured out what kinds of car insurance coverage you need, but you’re still stuck on choosing a car insurance provider.

You don’t want a company that’s too expensive, but at the same time, you want good customer service, and help when you need it — especially when you get into an accident and need your claim paid.

But, how do you know which car insurance company to go with? Who will give you the best peace of mind? Which companies have had complaints, and which companies are on the verge of going bankrupt?

In this section, we will cover companies with the best financial and customer service rating, companies with the cheapest rates, and more — so keep reading to learn more about the best car insurance companies in New York.

Top Ten Car Insurance Companies with the Best Financial Ratings

We measure a company’s financial rating with something called the AM Best ratings. This helps to determine financial strength.

This is important to a consumer because it tells if an insurer has enough liability to pay a claim, if it is at risk of bankruptcy, or if it’s scamming its customers.

COMPANY NAMEAM BEST RATINGDIRECT PREMIUMS WRITTENLOSS RATIOMARKET SHARE
GeicoA++$4,233,52581.66%31.93%
Allstate Insurance GroupA+$1,843,73059.24%13.90%
State Farm GroupA++$1,758,37067.43%13.26%
Progressive GroupA+$1,284,13262.23%9.68%
Liberty Mutual GroupA$731,39661.45%5.52%
Travelers Groupa+$529,67659.45%3.99%
USAA GroupA++$392,34673.01%2.96%
NYCM Insurance GroupA$327,36663.55%2.47%
Nationwide Corp GroupA+$302,85463.35%2.28%
Amtrust NGH GroupA-$291,75069.66%2.20%

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Remember, it’s good to stay away from companies with a loss ratio of over 100% and under 50%.

Companies with Best Ratings

In 2018, J.D. Power ranked car insurance companies based on five different factors: interaction, policy offerings, price, billing process, and policy information, and claims.

JD Power Auto Insurance Study

According to this study, New York Central Mutual was ranked as the best car insurance company in New York.

Top Ten Companies with the Most Complaints in New York

The data below shows complaint records from 2017. However, we want you to know that even the best companies receive complaints. The true test is how companies handle complaints.

Company NameNational Median
Complaint Ratio
Company Complaint
Ratio 2017
Total Complaints
2017
GeicoN/AN/AN/A
Allstate Insurance Group1.5163
State Farm Group1.441482
Progressive Group1.75120
Liberty Mutual Group15.95222
Travelers Group1.092
USAA GroupN/AN/AN/A
NYCM Insurance Group102
Nationwide Corp Group1.2825
Amtrust NGH Group102

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Remember that this list above shows data for the top ten best insurance companies in New York.

New York Car Insurance Rates by Company

CompanyAverageCOMPARED TO
STATE AVERAGE
PERCENTAGE
COMPARED TO
STATE AVERAGE
Allstate$4,740.96$451.089.51%
Geico$2,428.24-$1,861.65-76.67%
Liberty Mutual$6,540.73$2,250.8534.41%
Nationwide$4,012.93-$276.95-6.90%
Progressive$3,771.15-$518.74-13.76%
State Farm$4,484.58$194.704.34%
Travelers$4,578.79$288.916.31%
USAA$3,761.69-$528.20-14.04%

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As you can see, Geico, Nationwide, Progressive and USAA all have rates below the national average. So if you’re looking for a cheaper car insurance company in New York, these are your best options.

Commute Rates by Companies

Did you know that the more you drive, the higher your car insurance rate will be?

Group10 Miles Commute,
6000 Annual Mileage
25 Miles Commute,
12000 Annual Mileage
Allstate$4,675.15$4,806.77
Geico$2,358.45$2,498.03
Liberty Mutual$6,354.63$6,726.83
Nationwide$4,012.93$4,012.93
Progressive$3,771.15$3,771.15
State Farm$4,322.30$4,646.86
Travelers$4,578.79$4,578.79
USAA$3,723.73$3,799.64

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A few of these rates are the exact same whether you drive ten miles a day or 25 miles a day, but most of them differ by a couple hundred dollars or more.

Coverage Level Rates by Companies

It’s an easy choice to only pay for minimum liability car insurance, but when you’re standing in the middle of a car accident you caused, your wallet won’t be so happy when you owe more money to fix damages than what your insurance will cover.

Coverage Level Rates by Companies in New York

Insurance CompanyLow CoverageMedium CoverageHigh Coverage
Allstate TablePress Logo$4,372$4,716.54$5,134.16
Geico TablePress Logo$2,288$2,416.55$2,580.54
Liberty Mutual TablePress Logo$6,237$6,520.87$6,864.04
Nationwide TablePress Logo$3,753$3,975.76$4,310.54
Progressive TablePress Logo$3,559$3,745.62$4,008.45
State Farm TablePress Logo$4,240$4,511.46$4,702.24
Travelers TablePress Logo$4,309.32$4,522.76$4,904.29
USAA TablePress Logo$3,644.21$3,741.21$3,900

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Credit History Rates by Companies

Good credit and poor credit can really alter you rate as well — sometimes by thousands of dollars.

GroupGood Credit HistoryFair Credit HistoryPoor Credit History
Allstate$3,395.49$3,961.90$6,865.50
Geico$2,006.40$2,235.78$3,042.53
Liberty Mutual$4,480.08$5,985.24$9,156.87
Nationwide$4,012.93$4,012.93$4,012.93
Progressive$2,206.11$3,041.52$6,065.81
State Farm$3,151.89$3,970.78$6,331.07
Travelers$3,395.01$3,944.57$6,396.79
USAA$2,570.78$2,913.64$5,800.63

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According to Experian, in 2018, New York’s average credit score was 688.

New Yorkers have an average of 3.34 credit cards with over $6000 of credit card debt.

This score is lower than the national average credit score of 704. If you have poor credit, Geico is the best company to go with as they have the lowest rate.

Driving Record Rates by Companies

Probably one of the biggest factors to affect your car insurance rate is your driving record.

GroupClean RecordWith 1 Speeding ViolationWith 1 AccidentWith 1 DUI
Allstate$4,004.39$5,070.67$4,004.39$5,884.41
Geico$1,894.00$1,894.00$2,064.88$3,860.07
Liberty Mutual$5,197.79$5,197.79$5,197.79$10,569.55
Nationwide$3,042.44$3,113.84$3,042.44$6,853.01
Progressive$3,664.67$3,688.99$3,664.67$4,066.27
State Farm$4,267.85$4,701.32$4,267.85$4,701.32
Travelers$3,901.71$4,552.21$4,896.91$4,964.33
USAA$3,348.28$3,402.69$3,402.69$4,893.09

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Speeding violations and DUIs can be avoided. Car accidents are expected and are not always avoidable, so many insurance companies will give you a break on your rate if you’ve only had one accident.

Nationwide has great rates for drivers who have been in one accident.

However, drinking and driving can cost you much more than just a high insurance rate — it can cost you jail time, money, having your license taken away and potentially your life or someone else’s.

Find the Cheapest Insurance in Your City: New York Rates Comparison

Discover the most affordable insurance rates in New York’s major cities. Start comparing now!

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Number of Insurers in New York

What’s the difference between domestic and foreign insurance laws?

DomesticForeignTotal Number of Licensed Insurers
173709882

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We’re so glad you asked!

Domestic insurance laws are formed under New York law and foreign insurance laws are applied to every state in the country and are formed under U.S. law.

New York State Laws

Not every state has the same laws and it’s hard to keep track of them all, especially if you’re are a new driver. If you’re new to New York or you’re about to move there, this section is for you.

There’s no reason to get pulled over for breaking the law just because you didn’t know the law even existed.

As we talked about before, car insurance rates can go up hundreds of dollars after being cited for one speeding violation! That is not a situation that anyone wants to be in.

This section talks about New York road laws, car seat and seat belt laws, high-risk insurance laws and more. Don’t go away. First, we’ll explain how insurance laws are determined.

Car Insurance Laws

If you’re going to drive in New York, you’re going to need car insurance.

According to the NAIC, every state in the U.S. is granted the ability to enforce its own laws pertaining to the type and amount of liability insurance required, and the system used for approval of insurer rates and forms.

In addition, the states have enacted varying auto seat belt requirements, drunk driving laws, and maximum speed limits.

But how are these laws implemented?

New York usually uses to ways to form these laws: by flex rating and prior approval.

Prior approval means that rates and forms must be filed with and approved by the state insurance department before they can be used.

Approval can be by means of a deemer provision, which indicates approval if rates/forms are not denied within a specified number of days.

Flex rating means that the prior approval of rates is required only if they exceed a certain percentage above (and sometimes below) the previously filed rates.

If you’re still confused, you can read more about how state laws are formed at www.naic.org.

Windshield Coverage

While there are no specific laws about windshield repair in New York, insurers may offer policies with no deductible to replace the glass of the windshield.

Aftermarket parts may be used if they are “equal or exceed the comparable OEM crash part in terms of fit, form, finish quality and performance”, and if used must appear on the estimate.

High-Risk Insurance

What is SR22 insurance? Well, “SR” stands for “safety requirement” and an SR22 insurance form is just a document stating that a driver has car insurance.

You might need this kind of insurance (form) if you are caught driving without insurance, if you have been convicted of a DUI, or if you’ve lost your “good driver” status with your insurance company.

New York is one of eight states in the U.S. that does not require a driver to have an SR22 insurance form for an incident that occured inside its borders.

If you are from New York and you need an SR-22 form, it’s because you were convicted of an incident that happened in a state that does require you to carry the form.

If you are a New York driver who has not maintained a good driving record or has experienced an insurance lapse, then the NY DMV will be able to set some definitive penalties on you.

Going without the proper SR-22 insurance could land applicable New York drivers with the following consequences if they are caught driving without it:

  • Revoked license and registration
  • A fine of up to hundreds of dollars
  • Their vehicle to be impounded
  • Arrest, if the infraction is serious enough

Low Income Car Insurance

The state of New York does not offer a low-income car insurance plan right now, however, if you need help saving money on your car insurance, there are certainly other ways to do so.

Here’s a list of just a few ways you can save some extra green on your car insurance rate:

  • Student driver discount
  • Good driver discount
  • Homeowner discount
  • Military discount
  • Multi-insured car discount

Interested in saving more? Use our free tool to enter your zip code in the box below and start comparing rates in your area right now.

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Automobile Insurance Fraud in New York

According to the III (the Insurance Information Institute), automobile insurance fraud may be committed by different parties involved in insurance transactions: applicants for insurance, policyholders, third-party claimants and professionals who provide services and equipment to claimants.

Common frauds include “padding,” or inflating actual claims; misrepresenting facts on an insurance application; submitting claims for injuries or damage that never occurred, services never rendered or equipment never delivered; and “staging” accidents.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIYwI6r3MTU

The video above shows dishonest drivers attempting to get away with staging accidents.

In his 2014-15 Executive Budget, Governor Andrew Cuomo said he would expand the ability of the New York Department of Financial Services (DFS) to audit healthcare providers participating in the no-fault auto insurance system.

This was done to prevent fraudulent providers from receiving payment and fining providers who engage in illegal activities. The department will be authorized to make unannounced inspections.

Statute of Limitations

What does the statute of limitations law mean? This law protects drivers just as much as insurance companies — but how?

In the state of New York, drivers only have three years to file a personal injury claim or a property damage claim with his or her insurance company.

This protects the driver because it gives them an ample amount of time to file a claim. At the same time, insurance companies would go out of business if people were filing claims of accidents that happened ten, 20, or maybe even 30 years ago.

Think about how difficult it would be to validate a claim from an accident 10 years ago.

Vehicle Licensing Laws

Before we get into vehicle licensing laws, let’s talk about something called REAL ID.

The REAL ID Act is a federal law passed by Congress resulting from the 9/11 Commission’s recommendation that establishes specific federal requirements for state-issued driver licenses, permits and ID cards to be acceptable for certain federal purposes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-_nl6ps-3M

REAL ID licenses will be the only acceptable form of ID if you want to board a domestic flight after October 1st, 2020.

Penalties for Driving Without Insurance

Because New York has strict laws about all drivers carrying car insurance, there are penalties for drivers who get caught driving without insurance. The following penalties can apply to you if:

  • Fine of up to $1500 if involved in accident plus $750 civil penalty
  • License and registration suspension – revoked for one year
  • Suspension of license if without insurance for 90 days
  • License suspension may last as long as registration suspension

Also, when it comes to the suspension of registration, you may be required to pay $8/day up to 30 days for which financial security was not in effect.

Then it is $10/day from the 31st to the 60th day $12/day from the 60th to the 90th day and proof of security is provided, or for the same time as the vehicle was operated without insurance.

Keep in mind that any time a law enforcement officer pulls you over, they will require you to show your license, registration, and insurance.

Acceptable forms of proof of insurance are:

  • Electronic insurance card
  • Original paper insurance card
  • Insurance binder (temporary insurance card)

Up next, let’s talk about teen driving laws.

Teen Driver Laws

In the state of New York, you must be at least 16 years and six months old to drive without adult supervision. Below are the requirements for getting a learners license.

Requirements for
Getting a Learners
License
Time/Age
Mandatory Holding Period6 months
Minimum Supervised Driving Time50 hours, 15 of which must be at night
Minimum Age16-years-old

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If you’re a driver with a learners license, you must follow the rules listed below.

New York Learners
License Restrictions
Details
Nighttime restrictions9 p.m.-5 a.m. except for NYC (unsupervised driving prohibited at all times) and Long Island (limited daytime unsupervised driving)
Passenger restrictions (family members excepted unless noted otherwise)no more than 1 passenger younger than 21

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To graduate from a learners license to an unrestricted license, you must follow these requirements below.

Minimum age
at which
restrictions
may be lifted:
Details
Nighttime restrictionsuntil age 17 with driver education; until age 18 without (min. age: 17)
Passenger restrictionsuntil age 17 with driver education; until age 18 without (min. age: 17)

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License Renewal Procedures

According to the IIHS, every person young or old with a drivers license in the state of New York must renew his or her license every eight years. Proof of adequate vision is required at every renewal and drivers may do a license renewal online or through the mail.

New Residents

If you are a new resident in the state of New York and hold a valid drivers license in another state in the U.S., you are still legally able to drive on New York roads.

To remain legally licensed, you must apply for a New York driver license within 30 days after you establish you are a New York State resident.

Make sure when you get a New York license that you also have New York car insurance. If you already have an insurance provider, it’s easy to make the call to switch your coverage to a new state.

Remember that minimum liability insurance requirements in New York are:

  • $25,000 liability coverage for bodily injury per person (when you cause a car accident)
  • $50,000 total liability bodily injury coverage per accident you cause (regardless of how many people are injured)
  • $10,000 liability coverage for property damage (per accident you cause)
  • $50,000 in no-fault (personal injury protection) coverage

Negligent Operator Treatment System

According to Driving Laws Published by NOLO, in the state of New York, a person can be convicted of “reckless driving” for driving a vehicle “in a manner which unreasonably interferes with the free and proper use of the public highway, or unreasonably endangers users of the public highway.”

The consequences of a reckless driving conviction depend on the circumstances. But generally, reckless driving is a misdemeanor in New York, and the possible penalties are:

  • First offense: For a first reckless driving conviction, a motorist faces up to 30 days in jail and/or $100 to $300 in fines.
  • Second offense: For a second reckless driving conviction within an 18-month period, a motorist faces up to 90 days in jail and/or $100 to $525 in fines.
  • Third offense: For a third reckless driving conviction within an 18-month period, a motorist faces up to 180 days in jail and/or $100 to $1,125 in fines.

One reckless driving conviction can put up to five points on New Yorker’s driving record. The more points you have on your driving record, the higher your insurance rate will be.

New York Rules of the Road

If you don’t know the rules of the road, how do you expect to avoid getting a ticket? How do you know how fast you’re supposed to go on the highway?

What kind of car seat is your kid supposed to be in? Do you keep right or move over when you’re going slower than the speed of traffic?

To avoid tickets, traffic violations, accidents, fines and added points on your driving record, it’s always best to make sure you know the rules of the road.

Fault vs. No-Fault

Because New York is a no-fault state, drivers are required to file claims with their own insurance company, even when they were not at fault for an accident they were involved in.

It’s important to always have more than the minimum amount of insurance especially in no-fault states because you never know when someone could slam into your car and cause an accident — leaving you to pay for damages and medical bills out of pocket if you don’t have enough insurance money to cover these costs.

Seat Belt and Car Seat Laws

Click it or ticket! New York has strict laws about buckling up. Keep reading for more info on seat belt and car seat laws.

Seat Belt Laws in New YorkDetails
Effective SinceDecember 1, 1984
Primary Enforcementyes; effective 12/01/84
Age/Seats Applicable16+ years in front seat
1st Offense Max Fine$50

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Keep your child safe by following these laws about car seats.

New York Car Seat RequirementsDetails
Type of Car Seat RequiredAge
Child Booster Seatyounger than 2 years or until a child outgrows the manufacturer's top height or weight recommendations in a rear-facing child restraint; younger than 4 years unless they weigh more than 40 pounds and are seated where there is no available lap/shoulder belt; 4 through 7 years unless they are seated where there is no available lap/shoulder belt(effective
Adult Belt Permissible8 through 15 years; children who weigh more than 40 pounds or children 4 through 7 years in a seating position where there is no available lap/shoulder belt
Preference for Rear Seatlaw states no preference for rear seat
Maximum Base Fine 1st Offense$100

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There is also a law against driving with someone in the cargo area of a vehicle such as the bed of a pick-up truck.

However, this law is inapplicable to trips of five miles or less and inapplicable to trips of more than five miles if one-third or less of the passengers are standing or if suitable seats are securely attached and there are side rails and a tailgate.

The laws also don’t apply to trips of more than five miles if there are less than five persons 17 or younger in the cargo area or if at least one person 18 or older is in the cargo area.

Keep Right and Move Over Laws

This law is pretty self-explanatory. If you are traveling slower than the average speed of traffic in New York, you are required to keep right.

However, according to AAA, when there is an emergency vehicle, tow truck or a maintenance vehicle with its lights flashing in sight going the same direction as you, you must exercise care, reduce speed, and move to an adjacent lane.

Speed Limits

We cannot stress enough how important it is to know what the speed limit is on New York roads.

Type of RoadwaySpeed Limit
Rural Interstates65 mph
Urban Interstates65 mph
Other Limited Access Roads65 mph
Other Roads55 mph

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Ridesharing

What is ridesharing?

Ever heard of Uber or Lyft?

If you want to work for a taxi service or a ridesharing service like Uber or Lyft, you have to have what is called ridesharing insurance.

Looking for a ridsharing insurance policy? Check out Allstate.

Automation on the Road

Automation on the road or in a vehicle can mean a few different things. The average driver doesn’t own a car that currently drives itself, but we do have vehicles that have features like cruise control, automatic parking, and more.

Right now, New York is still testing out automation and deciding what laws need to be implemented before there are fully automated vehicles on the road.

Safety Laws in New York

Make sure you’re paying attention as we discuss safety rules of the road next. In this section, we will cover DUI laws, distraction laws, cell-phone laws and more, so don’t go away!

DUI Laws

In 2013, out of 8,368 reported alcohol-related crashes, 358 were fatal.

DUI Laws in New YorkDetails
Name for OffenseDriving While Intoxicated (DWI); High BAC Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated (ADWI)
BAC Limit0.05 - DWAI, 0.08 - DUI
High BAC Limit0.18
Criminal StatusDWAI:1st traffic violation, 2nd+ misdemeanors; DWI: 1st misdemeanor, 2nd in 10 years class E felony, 3rd+ in 10 years class D felony
Look Back Period10 years for 2nd offense, 15 years for 3rd+

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Drinking and driving is a serious crime and can be punishable by fines, jail time and more. Check out the table below to learn more.

DUI PenalitiesALS or RevocationImprisonmentFine
1st Offenserevoked for at least 6 months; ADWI: 1 year minno minimum, but up to 1 year; ADWI: up to 1 year$500-$1000; ADWI: $1000-$2500
2nd Offense2nd in 10 years: 1 year min; ADWI: 18 months min5 days minimum. 2nd in 10 years: up to 4 years; ADWI: up to 4 years2nd in 10 years: $1000-$5000; ADWI: $1000-$5000
3rd Offense3rd in 10 years: 1 year min; ADWI: 18 months min10 days minimum. 3rd in 10 years: up to 7 years; ADWI: up to 7 years3rd in 10 years: $2000-$10000; ADWI: $2000-$10000

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Don’t drink and drive. You run the risk of taking someone else’s life and your own whenever you do.

Marijuana-Impaired Driving Laws

There aren’t any specific laws about marijuana-impaired driving, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get ticketed for impaired driving or driving under the influence.

Being charged with impaired driving can cost you fines, jail time, and more.

Distracted Driving Laws

Just in the last 20 years or so, cell phones have come a very long way, from texting to GPS systems, to hands-free texting and commands, we have it all. But with all of the new technology comes new concerns.

Hand-held banYoung drivers all cellphone banTexting banEnforcement
All DriversNot a lawAll DriversPrimary

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According to AAA, “no person shall operate a motor vehicle while using a mobile telephone to engage in a call while the vehicle is in motion, unless that person is using a hands-free device. Text messaging while driving is prohibited for all drivers.”

Primary enforcement gives a law enforcement officer the right to pull you over while driving if he or she expects that you are breaking the law by texting and driving.

– Driving in New York

Wow! We’ve covered a lot so far — everything from types of car insurance coverage and insurance laws, insurance companies, rules of the road and more.

But now, we want to talk about something a little more sobering: dangers on the roads in New York.

We believe that if you are aware of the risks on the road, you are more likely to avoid tricky obstacles like accidents or vehicle theft. Knowing these important facts might also help you save a life.

Let’s get vehicle theft statistics out of the way first.

Vehicle Theft in New York

Some cars are more stolen than others. Here’s a list of the top ten most stolen vehicles in New York. The year listed is the most popular model stolen.

Vehicle NameYear of VehicleYearThefts
Honda Accord19971997724
Honda Civic19981998707
Toyota Camry20142014500
Nissan Altima20152015374
Dodge Caravan20002000368
Ford Econoline E35020112011339
Nissan Maxima19981998328
Honda CR-V19971997283
Toyota Corolla20102010280
Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee20152015263

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Some places are considered to be more dangerous than others; likewise, some cities have more vehicle theft than others.

The data from the list below was collected from the FBI. It lists the cities in New York with the most theft. See if you can find your city on this list.

CityMotor
vehicle
theft
Adams Village0
Addison Town and Village1
Akron Village0
Albany142
Albion Village5
Alfred Village0
Allegany Village0
Amherst Town32
Amityville Village6
Amsterdam15
Arcade Village1
Ardsley Village1
Asharoken Village0
Attica Village1
Auburn6
Avon Village2
Baldwinsville Village1
Ballston Spa Village0
Batavia2
Bath Village2
Bedford Town3
Bethlehem Town4
Binghamton57
Black River0
Blooming Grove Town7
Bolivar Village0
Bolton Town0
Boonville Village0
Brant Town2
Brewster0
Briarcliff Manor Village0
Brighton Town28
Brockport Village4
Bronxville Village3
Brownville Village0
Buffalo957
Cairo Town0
Cambridge Village1
Camden Village0
Camillus Town and Village5
Canandaigua8
Canastota Village1
Canisteo Village0
Canton Village1
Cape Vincent Village0
Carmel Town9
Carroll Town0
Carthage Village1
Cattaraugus Village0
Cayuga Heights Village0
Cazenovia Village1
Central Square Village2
Chatham Village0
Cheektowaga Town73
Chester Town0
Chittenango Village1
Cicero Town2
Clarkstown Town28
Clyde Village1
Cobleskill Village0
Coeymans Town4
Cohoes15
Colonie Town51
Cooperstown Village0
Corning4
Cornwall-on-Hudson Village0
Cornwall Town0
Cortland4
Crawford Town0
Croton-on-Hudson Village2
Cuba Town2
Dansville Village8
Deerpark Town0
Delhi Village2
Depew Village5
Deposit Village0
Dewitt Town12
Dexter Village0
Dobbs Ferry Village2
Dolgeville Village1
Dryden Village0
Dunkirk1
East Aurora-Aurora Town2
Eastchester Town1
East Fishkill Town6
East Greenbush Town7
East Hampton Town7
East Hampton Village2
East Rochester Village3
East Syracuse Village7
Eden Town0
Ellenville Village0
Ellicott Town0
Elmira13
Elmira Heights Village2
Elmira Town0
Endicott Village11
Evans Town6
Fairport Village3
Fallsburg Town1
Fishkill Town5
Floral Park Village12
Florida Village0
Fort Plain Village2
Frankfort Town1
Frankfort Village1
Franklinville Village0
Fredonia Village0
Freeport Village67
Friendship Town0
Fulton City6
Garden City Village10
Gates Town34
Geddes Town8
Geneseo Village0
Geneva3
Germantown Town0
Glen Cove3
Glen Park Village0
Glens Falls5
Glenville Town11
Gloversville15
Goshen Village0
Gowanda Village2
Granville Village0
Great Neck Estates Village2
Greece Town46
Greenburgh Town22
Greene Village0
Green Island Village4
Greenport Town2
Greenwood Lake Village2
Groton Village1
Guilderland Town1
Hamburg Town21
Hamburg Village0
Hammondsport Village0
Harrison Town4
Hastings-on-Hudson Village2
Haverstraw Town13
Hempstead Village122
Herkimer Village0
Highland Falls Village0
Homer Village1
Hoosick Falls Village2
Hornell0
Horseheads Village0
Hudson1
Hudson Falls Village0
Huntington Bay Village1
Hyde Park Town5
Ilion Village1
Irondequoit Town33
Irvington Village0
Jamestown30
Johnson City Village10
Johnstown14
Jordan Village0
Kenmore Village5
Kent Town5
Kings Point Village1
Kingston10
Kirkland Town1
Lackawanna35
Lake Placid Village2
Lake Success Village1
Lakewood-Busti2
Lancaster Town9
Larchmont Village2
Le Roy Village0
Lewiston Town and Village8
Liberty Village3
Little Falls1
Liverpool Village1
Lloyd Harbor Village0
Lloyd Town3
Lockport6
Long Beach18
Lowville Village4
Lynbrook Village18
Lyons Village3
Macedon Town and Village2
Malone Village3
Malverne Village1
Mamaroneck Town1
Mamaroneck Village8
Manchester Village0
Manlius Town3
Marcellus Village0
Marlborough Town3
Massena Village0
Mechanicville4
Medina Village2
Menands Village1
Middleport Village2
Middletown33
Monroe Village3
Montgomery Town1
Montgomery Village0
Monticello Village5
Moravia Village0
Moriah Town1
Mount Hope Town1
Mount Kisco Village0
Mount Morris Village1
Mount Pleasant Town3
Mount Vernon147
Newark Village2
New Berlin Town0
Newburgh63
Newburgh Town28
New Castle Town2
New Hartford Town and Village4
New Paltz Town and Village4
New Rochelle69
New Windsor Town12
New York7,434
New York Mills Village1
Niagara Falls112
Niagara Town14
Niskayuna Town8
Nissequogue Village1
North Castle Town3
North Greenbush Town2
Northport Village4
North Syracuse Village3
North Tonawanda17
Northville Village0
Norwich3
Ogdensburg4
Ogden Town8
Old Brookville Village10
Old Westbury Village4
Olean9
Oneida9
Oneonta City4
Orangetown Town14
Orchard Park Town12
Oriskany Village0
Ossining Village5
Oswego City14
Owego Village4
Oxford Village0
Oyster Bay Cove Village0
Painted Post Village2
Palmyra Village1
Peekskill8
Pelham Manor Village3
Pelham Village1
Penn Yan Village1
Perry Village1
Piermont Village0
Pine Plains Town2
Plattekill Town1
Plattsburgh City8
Pleasantville Village0
Port Byron Village0
Port Chester Village22
Port Dickinson Village0
Port Jervis3
Portville Village0
Potsdam Village5
Poughkeepsie9
Poughkeepsie Town11
Pound Ridge Town0
Pulaski Village1
Quogue Village1
Ramapo Town13
Red Hook Village0
Rensselaer City7
Rhinebeck Village1
Riverhead Town33
Rochester609
Rockville Centre Village18
Rome35
Rosendale Town0
Rotterdam Town20
Rye Brook Village2
Sag Harbor Village1
Salamanca12
Sands Point Village1
Saranac Lake Village5
Saratoga Springs8
Saugerties Town0
Scarsdale Village7
Schenectady153
Schodack Town2
Schoharie Village0
Scotia Village0
Seneca Falls Town5
Shandaken Town1
Shawangunk Town0
Shelter Island Town0
Sherburne Village0
Sherrill0
Shortsville Village0
Sidney Village3
Skaneateles Village0
Sleepy Hollow Village2
Sodus Village0
Solvay Village6
Southampton Town49
Southampton Village4
South Glens Falls Village2
Southold Town2
Spring Valley Village16
Stillwater Town2
St. Johnsville Village0
Stony Point Town6
Suffern Village1
Syracuse394
Tarrytown Village4
Ticonderoga Town0
Tonawanda2
Tonawanda Town27
Troy87
Trumansburg Village2
Tuckahoe Village1
Tupper Lake Village2
Tuxedo Park Village0
Ulster Town2
Utica82
Vestal Town9
Walden Village5
Wallkill Town26
Walton Village0
Warsaw Village0
Washingtonville Village2
Waterford Town and Village1
Waterloo Village2
Watertown43
Watervliet21
Watkins Glen Village2
Waverly Village4
Webster Town and Village7
Weedsport Village0
Wellsville Village3
Westhampton Beach Village3
West Seneca Town20
Whitehall Village1
White Plains21
Whitesboro Village1
Whitestown Town3
Woodbury Town3
Woodridge Village0
Woodstock Town0
Yonkers236
Yorktown Town2

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Road Fatalities in New York

There are many reasons as to why road fatalities occur, but let’s take a look at specific factors that cause road fatalities the most.

Fatal Crashes by Weather Condition and Light Condition

Take a look at this chart below.

Weather ConditionDaylightDark, but LightedDarkDawn or DuskOther / UnknownTotal Number of Fatalities
Normal409238128361812
Rain3428144080
Snow/Sleet12540021
Other206008
Unknown4231212
TOTAL461273155413933

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It appears that the most fatalities in New York occured in the daylight.

Fatalities (All Crashes) by County

CountyFatalities
2013
2014201520162017Fatalities
Per 100k
Population
2013
2014201520162017
Albany County10252224193.258.117.137.766.14
Allegany County5245210.434.198.4410.614.26
Bronx County52354049403.632.422.743.342.72
Broome County1311151896.565.577.649.244.65
Cattaraugus County114751113.925.088.976.4314.22
Cayuga County7481188.855.0810.2114.1510.31
Chautauqua County1110101398.287.587.6510.036.97
Chemung County7311557.923.4312.645.815.84
Chenango County9465618.188.1112.310.3512.54
Clinton County863949.817.363.711.114.94
Columbia County96881114.469.671313.1118.15
Cortland County9664518.412.3112.428.3410.46
Delaware County9682719.2212.8917.414.415.56
Dutchess County302226201910.17.438.86.796.43
Erie County57474450436.185.084.765.424.65
Essex County182332.5920.845.247.897.9
Franklin County166331.9511.7311.865.875.87
Fulton County576069.212.9711.14011.14
Genesee County85751413.528.511.958.624.16
Greene County123107624.836.2520.9914.7312.64
Hamilton County2001041.950021.90
Herkimer County6748109.3911.046.3812.816.07
Jefferson County128129410.076.7210.327.893.5
Kings County87786953563.342.972.6122.11
Lewis County6443522.1414.7614.9111.2618.83
Livingston County193761.5513.924.6510.99.4
Madison County8793611.049.6912.554.28.45
Monroe County37433345454.935.734.416.026.02
Montgomery County7355514.076.0410.0910.1510.15
Nassau County83819580786.125.956.975.865.7
New York County45392848382.752.371.692.892.28
Niagara County271818171512.68.438.478.037.1
Oneida County21151222188.986.435.179.517.78
Onondaga County30253327346.395.337.055.797.31
Ontario County1116169810.0814.6214.628.217.28
Orange County35362832359.339.577.428.429.16
Orleans County74041116.579.5509.6926.84
Oswego County222019171618.1516.5815.8514.313.5
Otsego County547468.116.5611.546.639.98
Putnam County479574.017.029.055.057.05
Queens County99867861594.293.693.322.592.5
Rensselaer County11109896.896.255.635.015.63
Richmond County12122619142.532.535.473.982.92
Rockland County17171511185.35.264.613.375.47
Saratoga County18111819188.024.897.958.357.83
Schenectady County4610792.583.866.454.525.79
Schoharie County242226.2612.586.366.366.37
Schuyler County3123316.335.511.116.6716.67
Seneca County5574514.1914.3320.1111.514.49
St. Lawrence County16911101014.288.069.939.099.12
Steuben County1212710312.1412.227.1810.333.12
Suffolk County1451231681391219.668.211.219.38.1
Sullivan County1413139618.1617.1417.311.947.95
Tioga County15373210.046.0814.356.18
Tompkins County88131087.687.6712.479.567.63
Ulster County241216142313.266.648.897.812.82
Warren County692269.2213.873.13.19.3
Washington County88108312.7512.816.0612.944.87
Wayne County10101312910.8210.8914.2313.29.93
Westchester County52275137325.372.785.223.783.26
Wyoming County257354.8312.1517.097.4212.35
Yates County3421011.8915.97.9840

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Traffic Fatalities Rural vs Urban

Usually, more traffic fatalities happen in rural areas. This might be because there aren’t as many hospitals and first responders in rural areas as there are in the city.

Traffic Fatalities2008200920102011201220132014201520162017
Total1,2381,1581,2011,1711,1801,2021,0411,1361,041999
Rural622582571534618630390455463472
Urban616576630637562572651681578527

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According to the table above, fatalities happen in urban areas almost as much as they do in rural areas.

Fatalities by Person Type

Person TypeVehicle/Person20132014201520162017
OccupantsPassenger Car423375368330339
Light Truck - Pickup5949497047
Light Truck - Utility939011391119
Light Truck - Van4126413333
Large Truck1614151113
Other/Unknown Occupants161720107
Total Occupants648574611545560
Bus03401
Light Truck - Other00101
MotorcyclistsTotal Motorcyclists170148163136145
NonoccupantsPedestrian336264311307242
Bicyclist and Other Cyclist4046363946
Other/Unknown Nonoccupants8915146
Total Nonoccupants384319362360294

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Crash type also plays a role in a fatality rate.

Fatalities by Crash Type

Crash Type20132014201520162017
Total Fatalities (All Crashes)1,2021,0411,1361,041999
(1) Single Vehicle784674709660602
(2) Involving a Large Truck11898126106121
(3) Involving Speeding359322347314308
(4) Involving a Rollover160144160144127
(5) Involving a Roadway Departure580509513471450
(6) Involving an Intersection (or Intersection Related)467377419385373

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Five-Year Trend For The Top 10 Counties in New York in 2017

Next, we will talk about fatality statistics by county.

County20132014201520162017
Suffolk County145123168139121
Nassau County8381958078
Queens County9986786159
Kings County8778695356
Monroe County3743334545
Erie County5747445043
Bronx County5235404940
New York County4539284838
Orange County3536283235
Onondaga County3025332734

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Fatalities Involving Speeding by County

Speeding is a major cause of traffic fatalities.

CountyFatalities
2013
2014201520162017Fatalities
Per 100k
Population
2013
2014201520162017
Albany County177350.332.272.270.971.61
Allegany County200304.17006.370
Bronx County12131011120.840.90.680.750.82
Broome County145440.52.022.552.052.07
Cattaraugus County322013.82.542.5601.29
Cayuga County113231.261.273.832.573.87
Chautauqua County433303.012.272.292.310
Chemung County107111.1308.041.161.17
Chenango County7213114.144.052.056.212.09
Clinton County132421.233.682.474.942.47
Columbia County321144.823.221.621.646.6
Cortland County142122.048.214.142.094.19
Delaware County324046.414.38.7108.89
Dutchess County17712855.732.364.062.721.69
Erie County19121217112.061.31.31.841.19
Essex County130112.597.8202.632.63
Franklin County132021.955.863.9503.91
Fulton County122021.843.713.7103.71
Genesee County0261203.410.241.723.45
Greene County422238.284.174.24.216.32
Hamilton County0001000021.90
Herkimer County432526.264.733.1983.21
Jefferson County634315.032.523.442.630.88
Kings County31181511131.190.690.570.410.49
Lewis County4242314.767.3814.917.5111.3
Livingston County120101.553.0901.560
Madison County311144.141.381.391.45.64
Monroe County1381218151.731.071.62.412.01
Montgomery County0113202.012.026.094.06
Nassau County14322826201.032.352.051.91.46
New York County666160.370.360.360.060.36
Niagara County1066934.672.812.824.251.42
Oneida County10521084.282.140.864.323.46
Onondaga County910910131.922.131.922.142.79
Ontario County439323.672.748.222.741.82
Orange County11121115122.933.192.913.953.14
Orleans County320027.14.77004.88
Oswego County131079710.728.295.847.575.91
Otsego County213423.241.644.946.633.33
Putnam County0331203.013.021.012.01
Queens County29222919181.260.951.240.810.76
Rensselaer County512223.130.631.251.251.25
Richmond County318650.630.211.681.261.04
Rockland County784642.182.481.231.841.22
Saratoga County6691112.672.673.970.444.79
Schenectady County00801005.1600.64
Schoharie County0112103.153.186.363.18
Schuyler County101105.4405.555.560
Seneca County130122.848.602.885.8
St. Lawrence County742236.253.581.811.822.74
Steuben County542205.064.072.052.070
Suffolk County36323344412.42.132.22.942.75
Sullivan County759329.086.5911.983.982.65
Tioga County0112102.012.034.12.06
Tompkins County341232.883.840.961.912.86
Ulster County445282.212.212.781.114.46
Warren County131021.544.621.5503.1
Washington County313324.781.64.824.853.25
Wayne County342623.254.352.196.62.21
Westchester County10121810161.031.231.841.021.63
Wyoming County131122.427.292.442.474.94
Yates County0111003.983.9940

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Fatalities in Crashes Involving an Alcohol-Impaired Driver (BAC = .08+) by County

Drinking and driving is also one of the leading causes of road fatalities in New York.

CountyFatalities
2013
2014201520162017Fatalities
Per 100k
Population
2013
2014201520162017
Albany County289540.652.62.921.621.29
Allegany County00121002.114.252.13
Bronx County1612812151.120.830.550.821.02
Broome County566842.523.043.064.112.07
Cattaraugus County421245.062.541.282.575.17
Cayuga County212622.531.272.557.722.58
Chautauqua County253511.53.792.293.860.77
Chemung County201112.2601.151.161.17
Chenango County421128.084.052.052.074.18
Clinton County312113.681.232.471.231.23
Columbia County122341.613.223.254.926.6
Cortland County0220404.14.1408.37
Delaware County205024.27010.8804.44
Dutchess County989723.032.73.052.380.68
Erie County14131312161.521.411.411.31.73
Essex County0202005.2105.260
Franklin County131111.955.861.981.961.96
Fulton County211033.681.851.8605.57
Genesee County321135.073.41.711.725.18
Greene County6032112.4106.34.212.11
Hamilton County2000041.950000
Herkimer County432226.264.733.193.23.21
Jefferson County545414.193.364.33.510.88
Kings County27171414151.040.650.530.530.57
Lewis County3122311.073.697.457.5111.3
Livingston County0321204.643.11.563.13
Madison County233112.764.154.181.41.41
Monroe County15139111521.731.21.472.01
Montgomery County410118.042.0102.032.03
Nassau County24222718201.771.621.981.321.46
New York County9858100.550.490.30.480.6
Niagara County1154435.132.341.881.891.42
Oneida County975983.8532.163.893.46
Onondaga County13591092.771.071.922.141.93
Ontario County356232.754.575.481.832.73
Orange County131141473.472.931.063.691.83
Orleans County200124.73002.424.88
Oswego County7851065.776.634.178.415.06
Otsego County212323.241.643.34.973.33
Putnam County1251312.015.031.013.02
Queens County28202219211.210.860.940.810.89
Rensselaer County323231.881.251.881.251.88
Richmond County346250.630.841.260.421.04
Rockland County674241.872.171.230.611.22
Saratoga County368461.342.673.531.762.61
Schenectady County0151200.643.220.651.29
Schoharie County0111003.153.183.180
Schuyler County100115.44005.565.56
Seneca County214225.682.8711.495.755.8
St. Lawrence County734246.252.693.611.823.65
Steuben County250112.025.0901.031.04
Suffolk County453951423732.63.42.812.48
Sullivan County261212.597.911.332.651.32
Tioga County0123202.014.056.154.12
Tompkins County242231.923.841.921.912.86
Ulster County833474.421.661.672.233.9
Warren County331014.614.621.5501.55
Washington County523227.973.24.823.243.25
Wayne County453434.335.443.284.43.31
Westchester County11101412111.141.031.431.231.12
Wyoming County121122.424.862.442.474.94
Yates County220107.937.95040

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Teen Drinking and Driving

Teen drinking and driving has become an epidemic – not just in the state of New York, but all over the country.

DUI Arrest (Under 18 years old)DUI Arrests (Under 18 years old) Total Per Million PeopleRank
11327.0346

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In 26 states across the U.S., under-21 alcohol impaired traffic fatalities ranked below the national average of 1.2 deaths per 100,000 drivers. Thankfully, New York is one of those states.

EMS Response Time

EMS response time is everything when it comes to fatality rates. Arriving seconds too late often means the difference between life and death.

LOCATION OF INCIDENTTIME OF CRASH TO EMS NOTIFICATIONEMS NOTIFICATION TO EMS ARRIVALEMS ARRIVAL AT SCENE TO HOSPITAL ARRIVALTIME OF CRASH TO HOSPITAL ARRIVALTOTAL FATALITIES IN CRASHES
Rural3.66 mins10.6 mins39.92 mins50.46 mins427
Urban1.46 mins5.29 mins27.74 mins32.84 mins506

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EMS response times in urban areas are significantly shorter than times in rural areas. This makes sense, considering urban areas generally have more EMS locations and are more easily accessible.

Transportation

How many cars do you own? How many cars does the average New Yorker own?

Car Ownership

According to Data USA, the average New York driver owns two cars. The gray bars in the chart below illustrate national average car ownership and the orange bars show New York’s average.

Car Ownership in New York

Commute Time

Drivers in New York have a longer commute time (32.2 minutes longer) than the average U.S. driver.

Commute Time in New York

Commuter Transportation

The most common method of travel in New York is to drive alone, but 28 percent of commuters use the public transit system.

Commuter Transportation in New York

Traffic Congestion in New York

According to Inrix, New York City, New York is the 40th most traffic-congested city in the world.

City2018 World RankHours Lost in CongestionCost of Congestion (Per Driver)
New York City, NY40133 $1,859
Buffalo, NY15172 $1,009

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Now that we’ve explained everything you need to know about car insurance, rules of the New York road, road risks and dangers, car insurance companies and more, it’s finally time for you to start shopping for a car insurance rate.

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