Car Insurance In New York 2026: Laws, Costs, Requirements & Companies

After living in New York for 5 years with another 15 years of experience in the insurance industry, I’ve seen how price changes and driver behavior can impact insurance costs and drivers. This guide will cover everything you need to know about getting car insurance in New York, particularly things you can do to keep costs low and what happens if you don’t have coverage.

Does New York Require Car Insurance?

Yes, all drivers must maintain car insurance on any vehicle they have registered, and they must carry proof of that insurance at all times.

New York state is a no-fault state, which means that it doesn’t matter who was at fault in an accident; your personal insurance provider covers any of your personal medical expenses.

Minimum Required Coverage In New York

For New York, all drivers must carry the minimum coverage amounts, which are:

• Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
• Death Liability: $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident.
• Property Damage Liability: $10,000 per accident.
• Personal Injury Protection (PIP): $50,000 to cover medical expenses and lost wages.
• Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM): $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury.

How Much Insurance Should You Get In New York?

That said, the minimum coverage amounts for New York state may be insufficient for many drivers, especially given the high litigation rates throughout the state and the dense traffic in many areas.

Cars that are currently leased or financed will likely require more than the basic coverage, such as collision and comprehensive coverage.

There are other optional forms of coverage that drivers should consider, like:

• Supplementary Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (SUM)
• Collision Coverage
• Comprehensive Coverage
• Loan/Lease Gap Insurance
• Roadside Assistance
• Additional Personal Injury Protection (APIP) & Optional Basic Economic Loss (OBEL)

Each of these can help drivers protect themselves against some of the common risks. For example, 8.6% of all drivers in New York state are uninsured, and even those who carry the minimum State liability may not have enough to cover claims after an accident.

Outside of urban centers, there are high risks of wildlife strikes, which are not covered under State minimum insurance but only under comprehensive insurance. Within urban centers like New York City, the high traffic density means there is a high risk of frequent collisions, even minor ones, and collision coverage can help cover these.

How Much Is Car Insurance In New York?

The average 2025 rates for New York minimum coverage are around $61 per month. The average for full comp and collision coverage is around $200 per month.

That said, there are several other factors that can influence the cost of your insurance, including the following:

• Low-income car insurance: There are no state programs to support low-income drivers, so those who need low-cost insurance can invest in the state minimums, paying between $940 and $1,500 annually ($78–$125 monthly) for minimum coverage.
• Non-owner car insurance: If you don’t own a car but you regularly borrow or rent one and want personal protection for yourself, a non-owner car insurance policy can cost around $661 (~$55 per month) for standard liability.
• Temporary car insurance: New York does not offer any form of “one-day” policies like other states, but it offers one-month policies, which are around $300 per month.
• Senior car insurance: Drivers in New York aged 65–75 pay an average of $2,613 to $3,061 annually (~$218–$255 monthly) for full coverage, with rates increasing as drivers get older and assume higher risks.
• Teen car insurance: Conversely, young New York drivers have some of the highest risks already and therefore pay the highest for their policies, averaging $7,524 annually ($627 monthly) for basic coverage (when added to a parent policy) or $5,469 annually for minimum coverage on an individual policy.
• SR-22 insurance: New York does not use SR-22 forms. If they are a high-risk driver with a history of violations like a DUI, prices will increase, with the average annual cost for full coverage covering around $4,000 per year.
• College Students: College students in New York typically pay around $300 per month for full coverage, but this is contingent upon whether college students have their own policy or remain on that of their parents.
• Bad Credit: While New York may not use SR-22 forms, they do use credit scores, so someone with a poor credit score will pay an average of $375 per month for full coverage, which is significantly higher than someone with a positive credit score.
• With a speeding ticket: Moving violations can increase your premiums, with things like speeding tickets in New York increasing premiums by an average of 12%.

These figures are general estimates and can vary depending on the insurer and your personal driving profile.

Which Car Insurance Companies Operate In New York?

New York state has a significant presence of national providers, but even more importantly, specialized regional insurance companies like the following:

• Allstate
• Amica Mutual Insurance Company
• Farmers Insurance
• GEICO
• Liberty Mutual
• Nationwide
• Progressive
• State Farm
• Travelers
• USAA
• American Transit Insurance Company (ATIC)
• Country-Wide Insurance Company
• Erie Insurance
• Hanover Insurance
• New York Central Mutual (NYCM)
• Plymouth Rock Assurance
• Preferred Mutual
• Utica National Insurance Group
• Chubb
• The Hartford
• Safeco

Note: You can use the New York Department of Financial Services Insurance Company Search tool to find all licensed providers in the state.

Drivers in New York can use tools like Insuranceopedia to help compare different policies and quotes to find the best fit.

How To Get Lower Insurance Premiums In New York

Prices for insurance premiums in New York have increased 8% just in the first half of 2025, necessitating actionable steps to reduce premiums.

Improve Your Credit Score

New York insurance companies use a credit-based score to set your premiums, which means that having an excellent score can save you between 30% and 50% compared to having a poor credit score.

Ask About Discounts

Another key way to get lower premiums in New York is simply to ask. Take time to ask your insurance agent what discounts they can offer you, including discounts for using auto pay, paying annually, or getting paperless statements.

Complete The Point And Insurance Reduction Program (PIRP)

Drivers in New York who complete an approved 6-hour defensive driving course get 10% off their premiums for 3 years. State Law requires all insurance companies to offer this discount, and the course can be completed online or in person. Additionally, completing one of these defensive driving courses can reduce up to four points from your driving record.

Keep A Clean Record

Having a clean driving record is one way to reduce your premiums. Going for at least 3 years without a history of speeding tickets or car accidents can reduce your premiums by an average of 25%, depending on the provider.

Utilize Mandated Equipment Discounts

New York drivers can get discounts for using factory-installed safety features on their cars. In fact, if you are looking for a new car, finding one that has an anti-theft device on it (will earn you discounts on the comprehensive part of your insurance), anti-lock brakes (will earn discounts on medical payments coverages, no fault, collision, and liability), passive restraints, or daytime running lamps can give you significant discounts up to 30%. Passive restraints, as well, can save you up to 30% on your medical payment coverages or no-fault coverages compared to cars without airbags or automatic seat belts.

Check Annually

As insurance companies regularly change pricing models and your circumstances regularly change, you must use tools like Insuranceopedia to regularly compare policies. If, for example, your credit score has gone up or you have points that fell off your record, you might find more favorable scores when taking out a policy with a new company.

Professional Discounts

In some cases, membership in professional organizations, whether it’s through your employer, community organizations, or alumni programs, can qualify you for discounts in the area.

Proof Of Insurance In New York

New York State requires all drivers to maintain continuous liability insurance, and if you fail to maintain coverage or you are unable to prove that you have the right insurance, it can cause several consequences, both financial and legal.

Drivers must carry a New York State Insurance identification card, and as of 2025, can alternatively carry a digital insurance card. All information on a physical or electronic ID card has to match the registration exactly.

Consequences Of Being Caught Without Insurance

In the event that you are caught driving a vehicle and can’t provide proof of insurance, the vehicle can be impounded immediately, your license and registration can be revoked for at least one year with jail time up to 15 days.

If you are caught without insurance in a car accident, your license and registration will be automatically revoked for at least one year, no matter who was at fault.

What Happens Next?

Being caught without insurance can result in court-ordered fines and DMV civil penalties, which can be a $750 mandatory reinstatement fee, traffic court fines, and daily lapse fees based on the number of days you went without insurance.

In order to get your license reinstated, you’ll have to obtain new insurance, notify the DMV, pay your fines, and get your license plates back from the DMV. No part of this process can be started until your license revocation has expired. Upon reinstatement, your license may be subject to specific probationary rules as well.

New York State Driving Laws

There are many comprehensive driving and insurance laws in the state of New York, including very broad distracted driving laws and strict seat belt regulations, which all drivers should know.

Fault State

New York is a “no-fault” insurance state, so if you are injured in a car accident, no matter who was at fault, it is your personal injury protection coverage that will handle medical expenses and lost wages.

Drivers Without Insurance

Driving without insurance is a serious offense that can result in suspension of your license, revocation of your registration, civil penalties, and potential jail time.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage

New York law requires all drivers to carry uninsured motorist (UM) bodily injury coverage.

Distracted Driving Laws In New York

New York has strict “No Touch” laws, which can suspend licenses for teenage drivers or repeat drivers, include potential fines, and add Five Points to your record. The same law applies to eating and applying makeup, categorizing all of these as distractions.

Seat Belt Laws

All occupants must wear a seatbelt, and it is a primary enforcement law, which means that officers can pull you over specifically for not wearing a seatbelt.

Teen Driving Laws

New York has a Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program with restrictions in terms of who can be in the car and what hours of the day a teenager can drive until such time as they get their full license.

Statute Of Limitations For Claims

The statute of limitations is 3 years after the date of the accident in New York

Cancellation/Non-Renewal Notification Laws

Insurance providers in New York have to give you between 45 and 60 days’ notice if they are not renewing a personal policy, but they must have cause. Within the first 60 days of taking out a policy, however, insurance companies can cancel your policy with 20 days’ notice.

Self-Insurance

Businesses or individuals with a large number of vehicles can reach out to the DMV and the Department of Financial Services to prove that they meet the requirements and have the appropriate assets.

SR-22s

New York does not use SR-22 forms, but instead continually monitors insurance and has mandatory license and registration revocation for high-risk drivers.

Car Inspection Requirements

All vehicles registered in New York must pass an annual safety inspection and an emissions inspection, which can only be completed at a DMV-licensed inspection station.

Defensive Driving

New York offers defensive driving courses to reduce insurance premiums and take a point off your driving record.

When Is A Car Declared A Total Loss?

Vehicles are declared a total loss when they exceed 75% of the actual cash value, unless otherwise declared by the state or insurer.

When To Report An Accident

Drivers must report an accident to the police if there was property damage over $1,000 or injury. Written reports must be submitted to the DMV within 10 days.

Civil Suit Thresholds

With the no-fault system in New York, drivers are not allowed to sue for things like pain and suffering unless they have an injury like disfigurement or permanent loss of function.

New York Car Insurance Contact Information

There are several different organizations that manage insurance and vehicle compliance. Having that information on hand can help save you time if you need to reach out to a New York organization.

1. New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS)

First and foremost, if you have an unresolved dispute with your insurance provider, especially over a price increase for your car insurance premiums or a claim that they denied, you’ll have to take it up with this department. You can also reach out here to check whether a given insurance company or agent is licensed in the state of New York.

Contact Information:

• Consumer Hotline: (800) 342-3736 (M–F, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM)
• Local Phone: (212) 480-6400 (NYC) or (518) 474-6600 (Albany)
• Consumer Email: consumers@dfs.ny.gov
• Website: dfs.ny.gov

2. New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)

This is who you reach out to should your insurance coverage lapse and you need to provide proof of an insurance policy, reinstate your registration after a suspension, or handle anything to do with registration and vehicle titles.

Contact Information:

• General Call Center: (518) 486-9748 or (800) 698-2931
• Insurance Services Bureau: (518) 474-0700 (M–F, 8:30 AM – 4:15 PM)
• Title Services Bureau: (518) 486-4714
• Website: ny.gov

3. New York Automobile Insurance Plan (NYAIP)

If you have tried to get an insurance policy but you are considered a high-risk driver and other insurance companies have denied your coverage because of your driving history, you still have to meet state required coverage. This is when you would reach out to the “Assigned Risk Plan” options here.

Contact Information:

• Customer Service: (212) 943-5100
• Website: aipso.com

4. Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor

If you suspect any type of insurance fraud or false claims, they can be reported here.

Contact Information:

• Fraud Reporting: (800) 342-3736 or online at dfs.ny.gov/report_fraud.

Common New York Car-Related Crime And Fatalities

New York drivers need to be prepared for the risk of car accidents, car accident fatalities, and vehicle thefts due to many fluctuating causes. The right insurance can help provide protection for things like single-car accidents, theft, or other damage.

Traffic Fatality Data

In 2025, there were nearly 700 reported motor vehicle fatalities in the state of New York, with particularly high risks in both Upstate New York and New York City. Upstate New York for example, recorded 420 car accident fatalities in 2025. Motorcycles are also at risk, as fatal motorcycle accidents reached 134 recorded incidents in 2025.

Vehicle Theft Trends

The NYPD has reported a 23% decrease in the number of car thefts in 2025, particularly in places like Rochester, where the number dropped from around 4,000 per year to 1,000 per year. That said, plenty of other major cities throughout the state still have a high risk, with places like Syracuse seeing a 50% increase in car thefts in 2025 as compared to previous years.

Common Accident Causes

Across New York, police reported car accidents stipulate driver behavior as the reason behind 78% of accidents, with distracted driving being the leading cause of car accidents, failure to yield representing over 1,000 accidents, and following too closely representing a similar figure.

That said, over 35,000 car accidents across the state involved speeding, and nearly 100 fatalities in the last year involved alcohol.

In addition to driver behavior, other common accident causes include weather, especially in winter, when things like Lake Effect storms can cause black ice and dangerous conditions.