New York City Auto Insurance

Last Updated on January 21, 2026

Driving in New York, New York is a different kind of “everyday risk”—dense traffic, frequent stops, tight parking, and year-round weather can all increase the chance of small claims (and the cost to fix them).

This page breaks down New York’s required coverages, what drivers often pay in New York City, and how to choose limits that make sense for your budget and the way you drive.

New York Auto Insurance Requirements

New York’s required coverages apply statewide, including in New York City. Limits and rules can change, so it’s smart to confirm the latest requirements before you buy or renew.

Required Coverage	New York State Minimum Limit
Bodily Injury Liability	$25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
Death Liability	$50,000 per person / $100,000 per accident
Property Damage Liability	$10,000 per accident
No-Fault (PIP)	$50,000 per person
Uninsured Motorist (Bodily Injury)	$25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident

Source: New York DMV insurance requirements: https://dmv.ny.gov/insurance/insurance-requirements

What These Coverages Do (In Plain English)

• Bodily Injury Liability: Helps pay for injuries you cause to others. In NYC, medical costs add up quickly, so many drivers increase this beyond the minimum.
• Death Liability: Additional required limits related to fatal injuries. This is one reason New York minimums are often described differently than other states.
• Property Damage Liability: Helps pay for damage you cause to someone else’s car or property. Even a low-speed crash can exceed $10,000 with modern repair costs.
• No-Fault (PIP): Pays medical expenses (and certain related costs) for you and eligible passengers after an accident, regardless of fault.
• Uninsured Motorist: Helps protect you if you’re hit by a driver who has no insurance (or in some cases, a hit-and-run).

Why many NYC drivers choose higher limits: Serious injuries, multiple-vehicle crashes, and higher repair costs can exceed minimum limits fast. If you have savings, property, or steady income you want to protect, higher liability limits (and often a supplemental/umbrella policy) can be worth considering.

How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in New York City?

As of December 2025, a published estimate for New York, NY (New York City) shows the following average premiums. (Note: “minimum coverage” in many studies uses a standardized limit set—always compare quotes using the same limits and deductibles.)

Coverage Level (NYC Estimate)	Average Annual	Average Monthly
Minimum Coverage (study scenario)	$2,080/year	~$173/month
Liability-Only	$2,336/year	~$195/month
Full Coverage	$5,307/year	~$442/month

Source: Insure.com city cost estimates for New York, NY: https://www.insure.com/car-insurance/cities/new-york-new-york/

Why NYC prices vary so much: Insurers price by ZIP/garaging location, claims history in the area, theft/vandalism rates, repair and medical costs, commute/mileage, vehicle type, driver record, and even credit-based insurance scores (where permitted). In New York City, small differences (parking, mileage, borough, vehicle trim) can have an outsized impact.

Recommended Coverage for Drivers in New York City

NY minimums can satisfy legal requirements, but they may not match NYC-level risk. Here are common coverage upgrades many city drivers consider, depending on budget and whether the car is financed/leased.

• Higher Liability Limits: Many NYC drivers look at 100/300/100 or 250/500/100 (or higher) to better protect savings and income.
• Supplemental/Underinsured Motorist (SUM/UIM): Consider increasing UM/SUM limits if you want more protection when the other driver has little (or no) insurance.
• Comprehensive & Collision: Helpful for street-parked vehicles and higher repair costs. Choose deductibles you could comfortably pay tomorrow (often $500–$1,000).
• Rental Reimbursement: If you’d rent a car during repairs (or need wheels for work), this can be a practical add-on.
• Roadside Assistance: Useful for dead batteries, flats, and lockouts—especially if you don’t have a separate service plan.
• Gap Coverage (If Financed/Leased): Can help if your vehicle is totaled and the loan/lease balance is higher than the car’s value.
• Rideshare/Delivery Endorsement: If you drive for Uber/Lyft or do app-based delivery, ask about coverage that applies during “app on” periods.

Best Car Insurance Companies for New York City

The “best” insurer depends on your driver profile, vehicle, and ZIP code. Use this table to shortlist companies, then compare quotes with the same coverages and deductibles.

Company	Best for	Why it’s good	Watch-outs
GEICO	Competitive pricing	Often strong online quoting and pricing for many NYC driver profiles	Rate swings can be big by ZIP and vehicle; compare identical limits
Progressive	Flexible options	Good range of coverages, discounts, and strong digital tools	Final price depends heavily on comp/collision choices and driving history
State Farm	Local agent support	Large agent network and strong service model for many drivers	Not always the cheapest for every NYC ZIP; shop around
Allstate	Bundling options	Good for drivers bundling auto + home/condo/renters where available	Discounts vary; make sure every eligible discount is applied
Travelers	Drivers wanting broad coverage	Often offers solid coverage features and policy customization	Availability/pricing can vary by borough and vehicle type
Liberty Mutual	Customization	Many optional coverages and discount programs	Make sure the quote includes the options you actually want (not just defaults)
Nationwide	Drivers comparing multi-policy	Can be strong for multi-policy households and certain driver profiles	Agent availability and pricing vary by neighborhood
Erie	Drivers who prefer independent agents	Often good service reputation through agent channel	Not available everywhere; NYC availability can be limited
USAA	Military families	Frequently excellent value for eligible members	Eligibility restrictions apply
Amica	Service-focused buyers	Often strong customer satisfaction and coverage options	May be pricier than budget carriers for some NYC profiles
New York Central Mutual	Drivers open to regional carriers	Regional option some New Yorkers consider alongside nationals	Availability and appetite can vary by ZIP/borough and vehicle

Best Auto Insurance Agents in New York City

If you want help comparing coverage, explaining no-fault/PIP options, or shopping multiple carriers, a local agent or broker can be useful—especially across NYC’s varied ZIP codes.

Agency	Address	Phone	Website	Why they’re a good fit
Kelly Qu Agency (Allstate)	147 W 35th St, Ste 603, New York, NY 10001	(718) 865-8458	agents.allstate.com	Serves multiple boroughs; good option if you prefer a well-known captive agency experience.
Schmutter, Strull, Fleisch Inc (Independent)	99 Wall St, Suite 1830, New York, NY 10005	(844) 593-3214	ssfinsurance.com	Independent agency—helpful if you want quotes from multiple insurers with one point of contact.
Joy Washington Ins Agency Inc (State Farm)	1946 Williamsbridge Road, Bronx, NY 10461	(718) 239-3514	joywashington.com	Bronx-based office with strong local presence; good fit if you like ongoing agent support.
K&N Insurance Brokerage (Progressive Agent)	18203 Jamaica Avenue, Queens, NY 11423	(718) 739-9090	kninsurance.com	Queens option with multi-language support; good for shoppers who want agent-guided quoting.
Cook Insurance Services Inc (Independent)	885 Grand Street, Brooklyn, NY 11211	(718) 782-8802	insurancebycis.com	Brooklyn-based independent agency; helpful for bundling and comparing carriers.
JDI Brokerage (Independent)	386 Court Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231	(718) 788-3333	jdibrokerage.com	Local broker for shoppers who want guidance on coverage choices and policy details.
Bentson & Company (Independent)	653 Forest Ave, Staten Island, NY 10310	(718) 442-1771	bentsoninsurance.net	Staten Island option with long-standing local presence; good for in-person help and advice.

FAQs on Auto Insurance in New York City, NY