Cheapest Car Insurance For College Students in New York 2026
State Farm is one of the best car insurance companies for college students in New York. NYCM is the cheapest provider, with an average annual rate of $1,008.
We’ve saved shoppers an average of $600 per year on their car insurance.
College students in New York who are younger than 25 typically face the highest auto insurance prices of any age group, which makes finding a budget friendly policy challenging. To help narrow the search, I compared rates across major insurers to determine which companies offer the best pricing for student drivers.
Based on the review, NYCM offered the lowest average annual cost for New York college students, with premiums around $1,008 per year. For students looking for full coverage rather than minimum limits, Progressive provided the most affordable option, averaging about $1,416 annually.
Key Takeaways
Student drivers in New York must have car insurance that meets the state’s minimum requirements.
NYCM offers the cheapest insurance policy for students in New York, at an average annual rate of $1,008.
There are multiple ways to reduce the cost of car insurance for students in New York.
Best Car Insurance Companies For College Students In New York
When selecting car insurance for college students in New York, you need to consider your priorities and pick a policy that matches your needs, whether that is low rates or comprehensive coverage.
Use the table below to see our picks for the best auto insurers for students in New York.
| Company | Average Rate Per Year |
| State Farm | $3,840 |
| GEICO | $3,720 |
| Erie | $4,320 |
| Progressive | $4,020 |
| USAA | $2,880 |
* These figures are estimates based on general market trends, and they may differ from your actual rate.
Cheapest Liability-Only Car Insurance For College Students In New York
Minimum coverage policies are often an effective way to decrease overall costs, but can leave you vulnerable in an accident. These low-cost plans will only cover the state minimum insurance needed to operate a vehicle, which means paying expenses out of pocket.
Minimum coverage policies are great options for college students as they provide the insurance needed to drive legally while keeping costs low.
As you can see from the table below, NYCM is the cheapest average option at $504 per year.
| Company | Average Rate Per Year |
| Utica National | $1,104 |
| NY Central Mutual (NYCM) | $504 |
| GEICO | $1,680 |
| Progressive | $696 |
| Sterling Insurance | $1,320 |
* These figures are estimates based on general market trends, and they may differ from your actual rate.
Cheapest Full Coverage Car Insurance For College Students In New York
College students who commute to campus or routinely drive for work should consider a full coverage policy over minimum coverage. These plans offer additional protection, often including liability, comprehensive, and collision coverage.
While the full coverage policies offer more protection, they come at a higher cost. It’s essential to weigh the benefits of the additional insurance against the extra monthly cost.
Progressive is the cheapest full coverage car insurance policy for students in New York, at an average annual rate of $1,416.
| Company | Average Rate Per Year |
| NY Central Mutual (NYCM) | $1,512 |
| USAA | $1,944 |
| Progressive | $1,416 |
| GEICO | $1,824 |
| Erie | $2,016 |
* These figures are estimates based on general market trends, and they may differ from your actual rate.
Cheapest Car Insurance For College Students With Low-Mileage In New York
If you’re a college student who doesn’t plan on driving much throughout the school year, there’s no reason to pay for insurance you don’t need. While you’ll still need to maintain the state minimum auto insurance, most low-mileage policies offer discounted rates if you stay below a certain number of miles yearly.
The limit will vary between insurance companies but is usually around 7,500 to 10,000 miles annually.
Use the table below to view the cheapest low-mileage rates for college drivers in New York.
| Company | Average Rate Per Year |
| GEICO | $1,500 |
| Nationwide | $1,140 |
| Allstate | $1,740 |
| State Farm | $1,656 |
| Progressive | $1,320 |
* These figures are estimates based on general market trends, and they may differ from your actual rate.
Cheapest Car Insurance For College Students With Driving Violations In New York
Driving violations can significantly increase the amount a driver pays for monthly coverage, regardless of age. College students will likely experience an even more significant rate increase after an accident or ticket due to their already high-risk rating.
One way to mitigate the damage of a driving violation is to work with a company like Preferred Mutual that specializes in insuring motorists with a history of tickets or accidents.
| Company | Average Rate Per Year |
| Progressive | $3,000 |
| GEICO | $3,840 |
| Preferred Mutual | $2,220 |
| Allstate | $4,080 |
| Utica National | $3,180 |
* These figures are estimates based on general market trends, and they may differ from your actual rate.
Average Cost Of Car Insurance For College Students In New York – By City
Where you live in New York can have a significant impact on your car insurance premiums.
Use the table below to view average rates for different cities in New York.
| City | Average Monthly Cost |
| Buffalo | $168 |
| New York City | $278 |
| Albany | $154 |
| Syracuse | $149 |
| Rochester | $162 |
* These figures are estimates based on general market trends, and they may differ from your actual rate.
Average Cost Of Car Insurance For 18-Year-Old College Students In New York
USAA offers the cheapest rates for 18-year-old college drivers in New York, at an average monthly cost of $244.
| Car Insurance Provider | Average Monthly Cost |
| State Farm | $344 |
| GEICO | $305 |
| Erie | $365 |
| Progressive | $391 |
| USAA | $244 |
* These figures are estimates based on general market trends, and they may differ from your actual rate.
Average Cost Of Car Insurance For 19-Year-Old College Students In New York
GEICO provides the cheapest policy for 19-year-old college students in New York, averaging $312 per month.
| Car Insurance Provider | Average Monthly Cost |
| Progressive | $335 |
| State Farm | $357 |
| Erie | $389 |
| GEICO | $312 |
| Nationwide | $374 |
* These figures are estimates based on general market trends, and they may differ from your actual rate.
Average Cost Of Car Insurance For 20-Year-Old College Students In New York
The cheapest auto insurance rates for a 20-year-old college driver can be found with GEICO, averaging $321 per month.
| Car Insurance Provider | Average Monthly Cost |
| GEICO | $321 |
| Erie | $413 |
| NY Central Mutual (NYCM) | $368 |
| Main Street America | $332 |
| Progressive | $380 |
* These figures are estimates based on general market trends, and they may differ from your actual rate.
Average Cost Of Car Insurance For 21-Year-Old College Students In New York
The most affordable college student car insurance policy for a 21-year-old can be found at Progressive, with an average monthly cost of $175.
| Car Insurance Provider | Average Monthly Cost |
| NY Central Mutual (NYCM) | $285 |
| GEICO | $210 |
| Progressive | $175 |
| Allstate | $325 |
| USAA | $245 |
* These figures are estimates based on general market trends, and they may differ from your actual rate.
Average Cost Of Car Insurance For 22-Year-Old College Students In New York
22-year-old student car insurance can be found from $165 per month, with a State Farm auto policy.
| Car Insurance Provider | Average Monthly Cost |
| Allstate | $199 |
| Progressive | $172 |
| State Farm | $165 |
| Liberty Mutual | $212 |
| GEICO | $185 |
* These figures are estimates based on general market trends, and they may differ from your actual rate.
Average Cost Of Car Insurance For 23-Year-Old College Students In New York
23-year-old college drivers can find affordable insurance from USAA at an average monthly cost of $163.
| Car Insurance Provider | Average Monthly Cost |
| Nationwide | $182 |
| Progressive | $229 |
| USAA | $163 |
| GEICO | $206 |
| State Farm | $236 |
* These figures are estimates based on general market trends, and they may differ from your actual rate.
Average Cost Of Car Insurance For 24-Year-Old College Students In New York
The cheapest car insurance policy for a 24-year-old college student is $210 per month, which can be found with State Farm.
| Car Insurance Provider | Average Monthly Cost |
| USAA | $218 |
| Erie | $260 |
| GEICO | $230 |
| State Farm | $210 |
| Progressive | $245 |
* These figures are estimates based on general market trends, and they may differ from your actual rate.
Average Cost Of Car Insurance For 25-Year-Old College Students In New York
USAA offers the cheapest auto policies for 25-year-old college students in New York at $190 per month.
| Car Insurance Provider | Average Monthly Cost |
| GEICO | $225 |
| State Farm | $210 |
| Progressive | $235 |
| USAA | $190 |
| Allstate | $260 |
* These figures are estimates based on general market trends, and they may differ from your actual rate.
Average Cost Of Car Insurance On Family Policy Vs. Individual Policy
| Insurance Company | Family Policy | Individual Student Policy |
| GEICO | $140 | $305 |
| Progressive | $155 | $335 |
| State Farm | $135 | $310 |
| USAA | $120 | $245 |
| Allstate | $165 | $260 |
* These figures are estimates based on general market trends, and they may differ from your actual rate.
How Can College Students Save Money On Car Insurance In New York
Car insurance in New York is often much higher for students than for drivers in their later twenties, which means many young drivers pay more simply because of their age and limited driving history. If staying on a parent or guardian policy is not an option, finding ways to lower monthly premiums becomes important.
The tips below can help college drivers manage the cost of insurance while living and studying in New York.
Used Vehicles Compared to New Cars
Some students receive a new car as a graduation gift, but while newer vehicles may offer better fuel efficiency, they often come with higher insurance rates. Since brand new models cost more to repair or replace, insurers tend to charge more to cover the added financial risk.
Choosing a used car with lower replacement costs can make premiums more manageable for students trying to save money while attending school in New York.
Affiliation Discounts
Campus involvement can provide perks beyond social benefits. Depending on the insurer, membership in organizations such as sororities, fraternities, academic societies or alumni groups may qualify students for reduced rates. These discounts can be especially helpful for students attending colleges across New York, where insurance averages tend to be higher than the national norm.
Security and Safety Enhancements
Improving the safety and security features of a vehicle can help New York students cut insurance costs, regardless of age or school location. Many insurers reduce premiums for cars equipped with anti theft devices like alarms or immobilizers. Some carriers may lower rates by around $5 percent or more when security upgrades are installed. Added safety features can also help when parking in busy city areas or campus lots.
Student Discount Opportunities
Good grade discounts are well known, but they are not the only option available to New York college drivers. Depending on the provider, students may also qualify for:
- Distant student discounts when attending school far from home
- Safe driver discounts for maintaining a clean record
- Driver education discounts for completing approved training
Because younger drivers pay more on average, combining multiple discounts can lead to noticeable savings for students living in dorms, commuting from home or renting off campus housing.
Discounts can help college students save money, but every policy is different. With PolicyOwl, you can upload your current policy and instantly see whether your student driver is fully protected.
How To Buy Car Insurance As A College Student In New York
Buying auto insurance for the first time as a New York college student can feel overwhelming, especially with higher rates for younger drivers. Comparison platforms like Insuranceopedia can simplify the process by allowing students to review pricing from multiple insurers in just a few minutes.
Even with online tools, you will still need certain details ready before you begin. Here is a simple breakdown of what to do when securing a car insurance policy as a student in New York:
- Collect key information in advance, including vehicle details, driver license numbers, personal information for anyone listed on the policy and your driving record
- Determine how much coverage you need to meet New York’s required auto insurance minimums
- Choose whether you want to purchase your policy through an online provider or through a local New York agent
- Review at least three quotes from different insurers to compare pricing, coverage and discounts for college students
- Finalize your new policy and notify your previous insurer if you are switching companies to avoid overlapping billing
Do College Students Need Their Own Insurance Or Can They Stay On A Parent’s?
There is no single rule that applies to every student in New York. Whether a college student needs their own auto insurance depends on several factors, including living arrangements, vehicle ownership and where the car is primarily kept.
Below are situations that explain when staying on a family plan works and when a student will need to secure separate coverage.
When College Students May Need to Buy Their Own Policy
A student typically needs a separate auto insurance policy once their primary residence changes to a location outside their parents’ home. In New York, if a student signs a lease, moves into year-round housing or keeps their vehicle at a different permanent address, insurers generally require an individual policy.
This applies to students who attend school in New York cities like Albany, Buffalo, Queens, Syracuse or Rochester and keep their car there full time. In these cases, the vehicle must be rated and insured based on the new ZIP code.
When Students Can Stay on a Parent or Guardian Policy
Auto insurance works differently from health insurance, which has age limits for dependents. There is no age cutoff for staying on a parent’s car insurance as long as the student still uses the parent’s address as their legal residence.
Students attending college in New York but returning home during breaks, or those who drive a family vehicle registered at the home address, can usually remain on the household policy. This can be a more affordable option since family policies often have lower rates than standalone coverage for young drivers.
New York Car Insurance Laws
New York is one of the many states requiring motorists to carry auto insurance if they plan on operating a vehicle. While most of the required coverages are similar to other places in the United States, New York drivers must also obtain Personal Injury Protection (PIP).
New York auto insurance requirements include:
- $25,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $10,000 property damage liability per accident
- $50,000 personal injury protection
- $25,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury per person
- $50,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury per accident
Compare College Student Rates To Other U.S. States
| State | Average Annual Premium |
| Alabama | $3,460 |
| Alaska | $3,276 |
| Arizona | $3,412 |
| Arkansas | $3,557 |
| California | $4,016 |
| Colorado | $3,937 |
| Connecticut | $3,325 |
| Delaware | $3,663 |
| Florida | $4,294 |
| Georgia | $3,570 |
| Hawaii | $3,117 |
| Idaho | $3,028 |
| Illinois | $3,132 |
| Indiana | $3,115 |
| Iowa | $3,230 |
| Kansas | $3,500 |
| Kentucky | $3,828 |
| Louisiana | $4,483 |
| Maine | $2,775 |
| Maryland | $3,346 |
| Massachusetts | $3,326 |
| Michigan | $3,952 |
| Minnesota | $3,511 |
| Mississippi | $3,608 |
| Missouri | $3,582 |
| Montana | $3,793 |
| Nebraska | $3,502 |
| Nevada | $3,660 |
| New Hampshire | $2,865 |
| New Jersey | $3,502 |
| New Mexico | $3,649 |
| New York | $3,470 |
| North Carolina | $3,341 |
| North Dakota | $3,265 |
| Ohio | $3,017 |
| Oklahoma | $3,738 |
| Oregon | $3,278 |
| Pennsylvania | $3,472 |
| Rhode Island | $3,661 |
| South Carolina | $3,422 |
| South Dakota | $3,880 |
| Tennessee | $3,277 |
| Texas | $3,643 |
| Utah | $3,425 |
| Vermont | $2,919 |
| Virginia | $3,069 |
| Washington | $3,208 |
| West Virginia | $3,605 |
| Wisconsin | $3,264 |
| Wyoming | $3,358 |
* These figures are estimates based on general market trends, and they may differ from your actual rate.
Our Methodology
To find the cheapest car insurance rates for college students in New York, we analyzed findings from numerous car insurance rating sites, some of which analyzed rates from public filings obtained by Quadrant Information Services. We also utilize the combined twenty-five years of experience from our team of insurance experts to evaluate each carrier.
It’s important to note that even though the rates listed in this guide are accurate, premiums shift daily and can fluctuate based on each driver.
About Doug Schaffer
