Cheapest car insurance for high-risk drivers in New York

Which company has the cheapest car insurance in New York for a bad driving record?

Progressive offers the cheapest average car insurance rate for high-risk drivers in New York at $2,467 a year. State Farm and Erie Insurance also provide below-average rates for drivers with traffic violations, accidents or other risk factors.

Traffic infractions, accidents and DUIs wind up on your driving record, meaning you'll pay higher car insurance rates in addition to any fines assessed. While most violations only affect your insurance rates for a few years, a DUI may affect rates for a decade and never be removed from your record.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for high-risk driver
Progressive	$1,020	$2,467
State Farm	$1,951	$2,490
Erie Insurance	$1,814	$2,761
Allstate	$2,056	$2,830
GEICO	$1,736	$2,929
Travelers	$2,677	$3,503
USAA	$1,557	$2,094

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How much is high-risk car insurance in New York?

Progressive has the cheapest average DUI insurance rates in New York at $1,066 per year. Drivers with a DUI often see some of the largest premiumThe payment required for an insurance policy to remain in force. Auto insurance premiums are quoted for either 6-month or annual policy periods. increases because insurers consider a bad driving record a major risk factor.

Although you may be labeled high-risk for many reasons, some factors raise rates more than others. For example, multiple speeding tickets may significantly raise car insurance rates, but so can a single ticket for excessive speed in a school zone.

Keep reading as we break down high-risk car insurance factors and rates.

Average annual car insurance rate for At-fault bodily injury accident in New York, NY is $2,617

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Company	Annual premium for clean record	Annual premium after violation
Progressive	$1,020	$1,612
State Farm	$1,951	$2,329
GEICO	$1,736	$2,672
Allstate	$2,056	$2,741
Erie Insurance	$1,814	$2,807
Travelers	$2,677	$3,304

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Average annual rate

People ask

Who is considered a high-risk driver in New York?

Drivers in New York are considered high-risk if they have a DUI, multiple speeding tickets, at-fault accidents, reckless driving convictions, insurance lapses, an SR-22 requirement or a poor driving history. Teen drivers and new drivers also often pay higher premiums. Insurance companies use different rating formulas, so classifications vary by insurer.

What company offers the cheapest car insurance in New York after a DUI?

Progressive has the cheapest average DUI insurance rates in New York at $1,066 annually.

Driving under the influence (DUI) is a major traffic violation that will hurt your driving record. It can increase auto insurance rates for almost a decade, in addition to fines and other penalties. Multiple DUIs will increase your premiums even more, but improving your driving habits can help you get better rates over time.

The table below shows the average car insurance rates for a clean record vs. a DUI in New York.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for a DUI
Progressive	$1,020	$1,066
State Farm	$1,951	$2,140
Allstate	$2,056	$2,889
Erie Insurance	$1,814	$2,978
Travelers	$2,677	$3,240
GEICO	$1,736	$4,769
USAA	$1,557	$2,235

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What is the cheapest car insurance in New York with multiple tickets?

Progressive offers the lowest average rates for drivers with multiple traffic tickets at $1,161 annually or $97 monthly.

One ticket will affect car insurance rates, but multiple tickets will increase rates by a lot more. Repeated failure to obey speed limits and traffic laws means insurers are more likely to pay claims because of your risky driving.

This table shows New York drivers how much multiple tickets increase premiums.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium with a speeding ticket
Progressive	$1,020	$1,161
State Farm	$1,951	$2,140
Erie Insurance	$1,814	$2,292
GEICO	$1,736	$2,421
Allstate	$2,056	$2,528
Travelers	$2,677	$3,158
USAA	$1,557	$1,738

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Expert's Insight Two minor tickets can sometimes cost you more on insurance in the end than one major violation.

Which company offers the cheapest insurance for reckless driving in New York?

Progressive offers the cheapest average reckless driving insurance rates in New York at $1,468 per year.

Engaging in driving behaviors that put others at risk can lead to a reckless driving charge. A conviction for reckless driving results in higher car insurance rates.

The table below compares car insurance premiums for drivers with a clean record and those with a reckless driving conviction.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for reckless driving
Progressive	$1,020	$1,468
State Farm	$1,951	$2,140
Erie Insurance	$1,814	$2,292
Allstate	$2,056	$2,889
Travelers	$2,677	$3,240
GEICO	$1,736	$3,429

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Expert's Insight Some insurers may limit your coverage options after a reckless driving conviction, making quote comparisons even more important.

Which company has the cheapest car insurance for drivers with bad credit in New York?

The cheapest New York insurer for bad credit is GEICO, with rates averaging $2,117 per year or $176 per month. The good news is that drivers with bad credit can still get affordable auto insurance.

Your credit score may not be related to your driving skills, but it can affect your car insurance rates and put you in a higher-risk category. From an insurer's perspective, higher risk means an increased chance of filing a claimAn insurance claim is a request you make to your insurance company for coverage after your car is damaged or you have an accident. You can file a claim online, by phone, or in writing., and statistics show that drivers with lower credit scores are in this category.

Check the table below to see how your credit score affects New York car insurance.

Company	Annual premium for good credit	Annual premium for bad credit
GEICO	$1,736	$2,117
Allstate	$2,056	$3,616
State Farm	$1,951	$4,235
Erie Insurance	$1,814	$4,423
Travelers	$2,677	$5,068
Progressive	$1,020	$8,779
USAA	$1,557	$3,018

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What company has the cheapest car insurance in New York after an accident?

Progressive has the cheapest average post-accident insurance rates in New York at $1,612 per year. State Farm also offers below-average rates after an at-fault crash.

Drivers with accidents on their record usually pay higher insurance premiums than drivers with a clean record. A single accident can raise your rates, and multiple accidents can push them even higher.

This table shows car insurance rates for drivers with a clean record, a single at fault accident, and multiple accidents.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for one at-fault accident	Annual premium for multiple accident
Progressive	$1,020	$1,612	$2,056
State Farm	$1,951	$2,266	$2,991
GEICO	$1,736	$2,421	$3,604
Allstate	$2,056	$2,741	$3,403
Erie Insurance	$1,814	$2,807	$3,839
Travelers	$2,677	$3,247	$4,068
USAA	$1,557	$1,861	$2,638

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Expert's Insight Accident forgiveness programs can prevent rate increases, but eligibility varies by insurer, and often only minor accidents qualify.

Which city is the cheapest for high-risk car insurance in New York?

Rochester has the cheapest average high-risk car insurance rates in New York at $2,581 annually. In comparison, New York has the highest average premiums at $4,117 per year.

Where you live in New York matters, too. If you're in an area with heavy traffic or a high rate of vehicle theft, your premiums will rise to reflect the increased likelihood of claims.

City	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for high-risk driver
Rochester	$1,683	$2,581
Ithaca	$1,708	$2,586
Cohoes	$1,713	$2,653
Green Island	$1,730	$2,679
East Syracuse	$1,759	$2,693
Marcy	$1,809	$2,778
Niagara University	$1,881	$2,888
Newburgh	$2,092	$3,308
Briarcliff Manor	$2,158	$3,402
New York	$2,600	$4,117

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How can high-risk drivers lower their car insurance rates in New York?

High-risk drivers in New York can find lower rates by shopping around, avoiding further violations and taking a defensive driving course. Ways to lower car insurance rates include:

Carefully consider filing claims. Paying for minor damage out of pocket may be cheaper than filing an insurance claim and increasing rates for years.
Avoid costly infractions. Drive carefully to avoid adding traffic infractions to your record. Tickets only affect insurance rates for a few years, which will decrease if more tickets aren't added.
Improve your credit score. Raising your credit score lowers car insurance rates. Make on-time payments and consider credit usage to improve your rating.
Take a defensive driving course. Many insurance companies offer a discount for doing so, and some states remove driver's license points for successfully completing the class.
Shop around for coverage. Every car insurance company weighs factors differently and offers different rates. Compare quotes to find the cheapest rates.

People ask

How long are you considered a high-risk driver in New York?

Three years is common, but how long you are considered a high-risk driver in New Yorkdepends on the insurance company's guidelines. The state determines how long a violation stays on your record, but the insurance company determines how long you're charged for that violation.

Methodology

170+

insurance companies analyzed

34,000+

ZIP codes examined

$53M

insurance quotes analyzed

National and state average rates are based on three coverage levels: state minimum, 50/100/50 liability-only, and full coverage with 100/300/100 liability and $500 deductibles.

All base rate averages are based on our full coverage data set. This data set is based on:

Bodily injury liability of $100,000 per person and $300,000 per incident
Property damage liability of $100,000 per incident
Comprehensive and collision deductibles of $500
40-year-old driver
Honda Accord LX
Good credit
A clean driving record
12-mile commute, 10,000 annual mileage

Our data is then adjusted to reflect the rate increase from this base rate for the following infractions and issue:

DUI
Reckless driving
Multiple speeding tickets
Bad credit
One at-fault accident over $2,000

FAQ: High-risk car insurance in New York

Can high-risk drivers get full coverage car insurance in New York?

Yes, you can get full coverage insurance as a high-risk driver. However, you can expect it to cost a lot more than liability-only coverage.

Does an SR-22 automatically make your insurance more expensive in New York?

Not directly. It's the reason you need an SR-22 that will cause the rate increase. An SR-22 is the form the insurance company has to file with the state, and by itself, it doesn't increase your rates.