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, State Farm, Erie Insurance are the cheapest options. Progressive has the lowest annual rate at $2,467 per year.

Having accidents, DUIs or traffic tickets on your driving record, will make you pay more for insurance. Most tickets will affect your rates for three to five years. A DUI can affect your rates for up to 10 years and can stay on your record for life.

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?

A problematic driving record or poor credit score may mean higher insurance rates, but affordable options exist. In New York, high-risk car insurance costs $2,906 per year. However, you can get rates as low as $2,467 annually from Progressive.

Many things can make you a high-risk driver, but some affect your rates more than others. For example, having multiple speeding tickets or a ticket for speeding in a school zone will increase your rates more than a single basic speeding ticket.

Read on as we explain high-risk car insurance factors and rates below.

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?

Each insurance company has its own rules for deciding who is a high-risk driver. But usually, things like a DUI, several tickets or accidents, or serious violations like reckless driving will put you in the high-risk category.

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

Although many insurance companies provide coverage after a DUI, Progressive offers the most affordable rate at $1,066 a year.

Driving under the influence (DUI) is a serious traffic violation that damages your driving record. It can raise auto insurance premiums for nearly 10 years, on top of fines and other penalties. Multiple DUIs drive rates even higher, but consistent safe driving over time can gradually lead to lower premiums.

The table below compares average car insurance premiums in New York for drivers with a clean record versus those with a DUI.

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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Cheapest car insurance in New York with multiple tickets

For drivers with multiple tickets, Progressive offers the lowest premiums, averaging $1,161 per year or $97 per month.

A single ticket can raise your car insurance premiums, but multiple tickets will push them even higher. Repeatedly violating speed limits and other traffic laws signals risky behavior, increasing the likelihood that insurers will have to pay claims.

This table shows drivers in New York how much having multiple tickets can raise their insurance 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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Key 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 has the cheapest rates for drivers with reckless driving convictions at $1,468 a year.

If you engage in hazardous driving behaviors that endanger others, you may be charged with reckless driving. A reckless driving conviction will increase your car insurance rates.

The table below shows car insurance rates for drivers with a clean record vs. drivers 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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Key insight

A reckless driving conviction can limit your car insurance options and significantly raise rates, so shopping around is critical.

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 lowest rates after an accident at $1,612 a year. State Farm also has affordable rates at $2,266 a year.

Drivers with accidents on their driving records see higher rates than drivers who avoid crashes. While car insurance increases after one accident, multiple accidents significantly increase rates.

This table compares rates for drivers with a clean driving record, one 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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Key insight

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

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

In New York, the lowest car insurance rates are found in Rochester, averaging $2,581 annually. On the other hand, New York has the highest rates at $4,117 a 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?

Finding affordable car insurance in New York is possible, even with a bad driving record. Ways to lower car insurance rates include:

Where you live in New York also affects car insurance rates. For example, if you live in a high-traffic or high-theft area, rates will increase because your vehicle is more likely to be damaged or stolen.

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 California depends 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: