A Guide to Car Insurance in New York State

Here is the minimum car insurance you’ll need as a New York driver:

• Bodily injury coverage per person: $25,000
• Bodily injury coverage per accident: $50,000
• Property damage coverage: $10,000
• Uninsured motorist coverage per person: $25,000
• Uninsured motorist coverage per accident: $50,000
• Personal injury protection (PIP): $50,000
• Death: $50,000 for the death of one person in an accident, or $100,000 for the death of two or more people in an accident¹

While New York’s car insurance requirements are extensive compared to other states, they may not be enough to protect you in the event of an accident. Experts recommend buying liability limits of up to 100/300/100, plus collision and comprehensive coverage to cover damages to your own car, not just the other party’s.

Car insurance in New York is more expensive than the national average, reflecting the state’s dense traffic, high population centers, and no-fault laws. Minimum coverage in particular is higher than the national average, in large part due to the state’s no-fault system.

Progressive is cheapest in New York for many driver categories, followed closely by NYCM and USAA (the latter available only to military members and their families).

Average Annual Cost in New York by Driver Profile

A speeding ticket adds a relatively modest ~6% to full coverage rates on average, while a DUI or poor credit score can more than double premiums. Households with teen drivers face some of the steepest rates of any driver category, averaging nearly $5,725 annually — nearly twice the standard full coverage rate.

Average Full Coverage Rates by City

Location plays a major role in what New Yorkers pay for coverage. Drivers in upstate cities like Rochester and Syracuse pay well below the statewide average, while NYC residents face premiums twice as high as those in Rochester. Yonkers, just north of the city, also sees elevated rates that reflect its proximity to the metro area.

Whether you live in the Hamptons or the heart of Manhattan, surely you’re looking for the cheapest car insurance in New York. While you can’t help your state’s higher-than-average costs, there are ways to lower your premiums and get the best price on auto insurance.

1. Bundle Your Policies.

No matter what type of home you live in, if you have homeowners, renters, condo, or any other type of insurance policy, bundle it with the same provider as your car insurance if you want to save money. Many companies offer discounts for insurance bundles.

2. Get Discounts.

Every provider offers different auto insurance discounts, so ask your insurance agent for ways to save. You probably have access to cost-saving options, whether they’re in the form of a defensive driving course or automatic billing.

3. Drop Coverages.

If all else fails, you can drop auto insurance coverages the state doesn’t require, like rental car coverage or collision insurance, to save money. Keep in mind that dropping coverage options could cost you more later if you get into an accident.

Since car insurance is a requirement in New York, you can get into legal trouble if you’re caught driving without insurance, specifically paper or electronic proof of insurance.

• Fine: The fine ranges from $150 to $1,500.
• Civil penalty: Upon your conviction, you’ll pay a civil penalty of $750.
• Imprisonment: This would be either in addition to the fine or instead of the fine, for a maximum of 15 days.
• Impounded Vehicle: A New York court may impound your car if you’re caught driving without insurance, or if you let someone else drive your uninsured car.
• License suspension: If you’re without insurance for 90 days, your license will be suspended for the same duration as your registration suspension.
• Registration suspension: This will be equal to your time without insurance. You’ll pay $8 a day for up to 30 days without insurance, $10 a day for days 31 to 60 without insurance, and $12 a day for days 61 to 90 without insurance.²

No-Fault Insurance System

New York’s no-fault insurance system is one of the reasons insurance is so expensive in the state, much like Florida’s no-fault insurance. In no-fault states, each person in an accident is responsible for their own medical expenses under PIP, regardless of who caused the accident. However, the at-fault party is still responsible for the other party’s property damages.

With the Empire State’s comparative negligence laws, victims can recover some money for their injuries, regardless of their level of negligence or fault. Even if they were responsible for more than 50 percent of the damage, they could still receive compensation, much like in California and Florida.

Uninsured Motorists in New York

Uninsured motorist coverage is a requirement in New York, but did you know it also includes car insurance coverage for hit-and-runs? That means that if someone hits your car and leaves the scene, uninsured motorist coverage can compensate you for any injuries or property damage.

Are you a new driver in New York who needs to register your car? Or do you want to contest a claim decision with the state’s insurance department? Find the contact information you need here.

State Registration Information

First of all, you’ll need insurance for car registration in New York. You can then register with your county’s DMV, whose address you can find at https://dmv.ny.gov/registration/how-register-vehicle. The documents you’ll need depend on how you bought the car — from a dealership, a private sale, or elsewhere. Figure out what you need to bring before you make the trip by reviewing the information at https://on.ny.gov/35Eg2ve. See how much you’ll pay for the registration below.

You can renew your registration online, by mail, or in person.

• Online: Go to https://transact3.dmv.ny.gov/registrationrenew/?_ga=2.83170134.1352907158.1646677644-930311440.1646677644 to renew your registration online.
• Mail: Print and fill out the MV-82 form (https://dmv.ny.gov/forms/mv82.pdf). With the fee paid by check (made payable to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles), send the form to this address:
  • New York State Department of Motor Vehicles
    Utica Processing Center
    P.O. Box 359
    Utica, NY 13503
• In person: Once you’ve filled out the MV-82 form, bring it to your nearest DMV, which you can locate at https://dmv.ny.gov/offices/county-offices.

DMV Contact Information

You can contact the New York DMV in several ways:

• Give customer feedback online at https://dmv.ny.gov/contact-us/provide-feedback-to-dmv.
• Get help online at https://nysdmv.custhelp.com/app/ask_home?_ga=2.6665330.1352907158.1646677644-930311440.1646677644.
• Call 518-486-9786 or 800-698-2931.
• Visit https://dmv.ny.gov/offices/county-offices.

Duplicate Car Title Instructions

Whether you lost your car title or want a copy for safekeeping, follow these steps to obtain a duplicate:

1. If you want to complete the process online, visit https://transact2.dmv.ny.gov/titleduplicate/?_ga=2.7150642.1296147171.1641911547-1146883261.1633979390.
2. If you’d rather use snail mail, print and fill out the form at https://dmv.ny.gov/forms/mv902.pdf.
3. If you aren’t the vehicle owner, get the form notarized.
4. Enclose a $20 payment for the fee.
5. Send the form and payment to this address:
   • Title Bureau
     NYS DMV
     P.O. Box 2750
     Albany, NY 12220-0750

Department of Financial Services Contact Information

You can contact the New York DFS online, over the phone, or by mail.

• Online: https://www.dfs.ny.gov
• Phone: 212-480-6400
• Mail:
  • New York Department of Financial Services
    25 Beaver St.
    New York, NY 10004

As of 2024, New York is one of the ten most expensive states to live, behind Hawaii, Massachusetts, California, and others.⁶ Surprisingly, though, car repairs are slightly below the national average. Labor typically costs $135, and parts cost $252.⁷

Car Theft

In 2023, the National Insurance Crime Bureau reports there were 32, 714 vehicles stolen in New York — a 15 percent increase from 2022.⁸

The table below shows the number of motor vehicle thefts per 100,000 inhabitants in different New York areas in 2022:

New York Traffic Fatalities: What the Data Means for Drivers

New York has made measurable progress on road safety over the past decade. Total traffic fatalities have fallen from 1,201 in 2010 to 1,114 in 2023, and the state’s fatality rate of 0.93 per 100 million vehicle miles traveled sits well below the national average of 1.26.

The pandemic years of 2020 and 2021 saw fatality rates spike to 1.02 and 1.08 respectively, likely reflecting riskier driving behavior on emptier roads.¹⁰

New York Traffic Fatalities Over Time (2010–2023)

Pedestrian safety remains a key concern, particularly in urban areas. While total deaths have trended downward over the period, pedestrian deaths continue to make up a significant share of traffic deaths. Rochester stands out with two-thirds of its 2023 fatalities involving pedestrians, nearly double NYC’s 41.7% share. Buffalo and Rochester also post fatality rates per 100,000 residents that are more than three times higher than New York City’s, a reminder that smaller cities can carry outsized risk.

2023 City-Level Fatality Data 

Risky driving behaviors remain a consistent thread across the data. Alcohol was a factor in roughly 34% of statewide fatalities in 2023, while speeding contributed to 347 deaths — down from 409 in 2022, but still a leading cause. For New York drivers, these figures help explain why the state maintains some of the stricter insurance requirements in the country, and why factors like your location and driving record carry real weight in how your premiums are calculated.

Car insurance in New York is more expensive than most states, but understanding the state’s requirements, rate factors, and savings opportunities can help you make smarter coverage decisions. Whether you’re navigating NYC traffic or cruising upstate, maintaining a clean driving record and shopping around for the best rates are the most reliable ways to keep your premiums in check.