What's the best car insurance for new drivers in New York?

New York is a no-fault state, which means that drivers get coverage for car accident injuries from their own insurer without the need to determine who caused the accident. Policies in no-fault states must include personal injury protection (PIP). New York also requires uninsured motorist protection, which replaces the liability coverage another driver should have had and pays for your costs up to your policy limits.... read full answer

Drivers in New York are required to carry at least $25,000 in bodily injury liability insurance per person, up to $50,000 per accident, and $10,000 in property damage liability insurance. When an insured driver is responsible for an accident, liability insurance covers the other driver’s expenses.

On average, state minimum coverage costs $1,026 per year in New York, but there are many factors that can affect how much you pay for a policy. Any coverage above and beyond what is required by New York law is optional, but it’s usually worth the money to get some additional protection. The biggest reason is that state minimum coverage doesn’t protect your personal vehicle. For insurance to pay for damage to your car, you’ll need full coverage.

In New York, full coverage refers to a policy that includes collision and comprehensive, plus higher coverage limits than what is required by state law. Full coverage car insurance costs about $1,818 per year in New York. There may be cases when you don’t need full coverage insurance, but New York drivers should buy as much coverage as they can afford as a general rule.

Most policies offer coverage for six months to one year at a time and can be paid in a variety of ways, including monthly payments. The best car insurance companies in New York balance affordability with quality coverage and strong customer service. You can easily get a quote from top companies like State Farm, Travelers, Allstate, New York Central Mutual and MetLife online or over the phone, or use WalletHub’s comparison tools to find the best car insurance policy for your needs.

You can get car insurance discounts in New York based on how you drive, the car you own, and your relationship with your insurance company. In New York, car insurance companies are allowed to consider factors like marital and residential status when setting premiums. That means there are also discounts available for being married or owning a home. In New York, insurance companies cannot use your education or occupation to determine rates. That means you can't get discounts for being affiliated with certain employers or educational institutions.... read full answer

Almost anyone can get a discount on car insurance in New York because most insurance companies make it easy to qualify for a variety of savings. New York insurers typically offer discounts that fall into one of three categories—policy discounts, driver discounts, and vehicle discounts.

Policy discounts typically reward customer behavior that is desirable to the insurance company. For example, most New York drivers can save by registering for paperless billing or getting both home and auto policies from the same company. Driver discounts are available to New York residents who are lower-risk to insure, like those with clean driving records. And vehicle discounts help drivers save if their car has certain safety features or anti-theft systems.

Car Insurance Discounts in New York

Remember, discounts vary among different insurance companies, so it’s always best to contact the provider directly to determine which discounts you qualify for.

You can get car insurance in New York by comparing quotes from both national and local insurance companies to find the best deal, then purchasing coverage online, by phone or in person. In New York, liability insurance, uninsured motorist coverage and personal injury protection are required for all drivers.

7 Steps to Get Car Insurance in New York... read full answer

1. Gather vehicle and driver details

You’ll need to have information about yourself and any other drivers you want on your policy, including driver names, addresses, and driver’s license numbers. You will also need details about the vehicles you’d like to insure, such as vehicle makes and models, VINs, and mileage.

2. Decide how you want to purchase insurance

Most insurance companies allow you to purchase car insurance online. You can also purchase it over the phone or in person through a company’s dedicated agent or through an independent insurance broker. Purchasing through an agent or broker instead of online may be better for people who are less tech-savvy and want to have a person walk them through the available options.

3. Look into the required types of insurance in New York

In New York, drivers must have at least a minimum amount of bodily injury liability, property damage liability, uninsured motorist coverage and personal injury protection.

4. Consider additional types of coverage

You should look into optional types of coverage, like collision and comprehensive. While they aren’t required by state law, lenders and lessors will often require financed vehicles to carry collision and comprehensive insurance, and these types of coverage can help protect your finances.

5. Compare quotes

Comparing prices from several different companies is the best way to make sure you’re getting the best deal.

Cheapest Car Insurance Companies in New York

6. Check for discounts

Always make sure you’re taking advantage of every discount available.

7. Pay for your policy

You’ll need to figure out whether you’d rather pay monthly or pay in full up front. Most companies offer a slight discount for paying up front. When choosing a specific policy, you’ll also need to pick deductibles for certain types of coverage, like comprehensive and collision.

To learn more, check out WalletHub’s guide to getting car insurance.