If you live in the state of New York and have a history of traffic violations or accidents, you may be considered a high-risk driver. Bankrate defines a high-risk driver as someone with at least one speeding ticket conviction, at-fault accident or DUI conviction on their motor vehicle record. Drivers with poor driving records are more likely to file claims. To compensate for the added risk, insurers tend to charge these drivers higher car insurance premiums. In addition to other factors, the type of incident and severity will determine how much your car insurance premium increases. Bankrate can help high-risk drivers in New York understand how their driving history impacts auto insurance quotes by exploring premium data from Quadrant Information Services.
How much is high-risk insurance in NY?
Each insurance provider uses its own underwriting formula to calculate a driver’s risk. The rates you pay for high-risk car insurance in New York will vary by each insurance company, as well as the type of violation(s) associated with your driving record and the frequency or severity of those violations. For instance, most companies would not consider a speeding ticket as serious of a violation as a DUI conviction, so rate increases for a speeding ticket may be marginal in comparison. However, if you already have one speeding ticket and receive another, your rates could increase to a greater degree than for someone with a single DUI conviction or at-fault accident.
Rates after a speeding ticket
Average rates in New York for full coverage car insurance typically increase from $3,697 per year to $4,036 after a speeding ticket conviction, and you will likely have to pay a fine. Additionally, if you receive three convictions within an 18-month window, your license will likely be revoked. How fast you were driving over the speed limit and how many tickets you’ve received can affect how much your insurance premium increases. However, if your speeding ticket is dismissed, your rate should stay the same.
The table below shows examples of increases from some of the cheapest car insurance companies on average after a speeding ticket in New York, based on our analysis of September 2024 data from Quadrant Information Services.
Notice how the increase is not standardized across insurance companies. If you are unhappy with your rates following a speeding ticket, shopping around may help you discover if lower rates are available from another insurer.
New York average annual full coverage premiums before and after a speeding ticket
| Car insurance company | Rate before a speeding ticket conviction | Rate after a speeding ticket conviction | % increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Street America | $1,427 | $1,495 | 5% |
| Progressive | $2,213 | $2,607 | 18% |
| Geico | $3,387 | $3,647 | 8% |
| Erie | $3,348 | $3,957 | 18% |
| Allstate | $3,562 | $4,101 | 15% |
Rates after an at-fault accident
Car accidents can happen to even the best-intentioned drivers. You could be involved in a simple fender bender with no resulting injuries and insignificant damage or an accident that results in multiple damaged vehicles and pricey medical expenses. In any case, being found at fault for a collision could have a substantial impact on your rates.
The table below shows potential increases to insurance rates for a New Yorker with an at-fault collision on their motor vehicle record, in order of the cheapest to most expensive average New York rate after an at-fault accident. Your rate could further be affected if you are convicted of a moving violation as part of the at-fault accident. Teens who are found at fault for a collision may see an even greater increase in premiums, as they are already viewed as riskier to insurers due to lack of driving experience. It might be worth exploring whether your insurer offers an accident forgiveness endorsement.
New York average annual full coverage premiums before and after an at-fault accident
| Car insurance company | Rate before an at-fault accident | Rate after an at-fault accident | % increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Erie | $3,348 | $3,548 | 6% |
| Progressive | $2,213 | $2,621 | 18% |
| Geico | $3,387 | $3,647 | 8% |
| USAA | $3,924 | $4,152 | 6% |
| State Farm | $4,526 | $5,026 | 11% |
Rates after a DUI
Drivers with a DUI on their record may see the most significant impact on their car insurance premiums and eligibility for coverage. In New York, a DUI conviction is not only a moving violation but also a criminal offense, which can cause your license to be suspended. If a minor under 16 was present in your vehicle when you were pulled over, you could be charged with a class E felony — even if it is your first DUI. For these reasons, you may not be able to renew or keep your car insurance if convicted of a DUI in New York.
These amounts are just representative of the varied amounts a driver may pay with a single DUI conviction. Exact rates will be greatly affected by the severity of the driver’s DUI conviction and whether or not any other violations are present on their driving record.
New York average annual full coverage premiums before and after a DUI conviction
| Car insurance company | Rate before a DUI conviction | Rate after a DUI conviction | % increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| NYCM | $2,711 | $3,929 | 45% |
| Allstate | $3,563 | $4,676 | 31% |
| USAA | $3,924 | $5,515 | 41% |
| Erie | $3,348 | $5,694 | 70% |
| Geico | $3,387 | $7,806 | 130% |
Bankrate’s take:
Keep in mind that not all carriers will write you a car insurance policy if you have a DUI conviction; in some cases, even those included in our average rate studies for that driver profile may not extend coverage. The best way to determine if you can get a policy from an insurer after a DUI (and what rate you’ll actually pay) is to contact the insurance company for a quote.
Rate for teen drivers
Teens are considered high-risk drivers because they have less experience on the road and a higher accident frequency. In 2022, 11 percent of traffic accidents resulting in a fatality in New York involved a young driver (aged 16 to 20). The risk involved in insuring teen drivers amounts to some of the highest average premiums of all cohorts.
The table below illustrates the total premium associated with a 16-year-old added to their married parents’ policy, without any additional infractions or incidents on the teen’s record. While rate shopping, you may save by looking for an insurance company that offers multiple discounts for teen drivers, such as good student, student away at school and defensive driving discounts.
New York average annual full coverage premiums with and without a teen driver
| Car insurance company | Rate without a 16-year-old insured | Rate with a 16-year-old insured* | % increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| NYCM | $2,711 | $3,820 | 41% |
| Main Street America | $1,427 | $4,455 | 212% |
| Progressive | $2,213 | $5,340 | 141% |
| Geico | $3,387 | $5,576 | 65% |
| Allstate | $3,563 | $7,288 | 105% |
| *Rate reflects the total average annual premium for a married couple with a 16-year-old driver added to their policy. |
Who is a high-risk driver?
A high-risk driver is someone who, according to an insurance company, is more likely to file a claim in the future. Characteristics and past incidents that may contribute to the cost of your high-risk auto insurance in New York include:
- Speeding ticket convictions
- At-fault accidents
- Living in an area with a high rate of theft and vandalism
- Being a teen driver
- Low credit score
- DUI conviction
- Lapses in coverage
For rate comparison purposes, Bankrate defines high-risk drivers as those with one at-fault accident, speeding ticket conviction, DUI conviction or lapse of coverage on their driving record.
How to lower your rate if you are a high-risk driver
High-risk car insurance in NY certainly costs more, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any strategies that can help lower your premium. If you are considered a high-risk driver, it could be worth taking time to assess your current coverage options, search for discounts or take a defensive driving course. It also helps to:
- Shop around: Each car insurance company has its own underwriting method. Because of this, you will likely get different quotes from each company. Comparing multiple quotes can help you identify the company that offers you the best price.
- Drive an older car: Your vehicle’s make and model can influence your insurance. New cars typically cost more to replace, which means they can also cost more to insure. For high-risk drivers in New York who need to save, opting for an older vehicle may help you save on rates (especially if it comes with safety features that qualify you for additional discounts).
- Improve your credit: In New York, car insurance companies may use credit-based insurance scores when determining the level of risk a driver represents. Improving your credit score may decrease your premium when your policy is up for renewal.
- Raise your insurance deductible: For most drivers, a higher deductible results in a lower insurance rate. However, you’ll want to be cautious if you elect this option. Raising your deductible means that you will assume more financial responsibility in the event of a claim, and it’s important that your deductible is something you can afford to pay out at a moment’s notice.
The most effective way to get or keep lower car insurance rates is to drive safely. Discounts tied to safe driving habits may help you lower rates considerably, depending on the insurer, and using telematics or driving-based apps can also encourage you to drive more cautiously for the additional savings potential.
Frequently asked questions
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The best New York car insurance company will vary by driver. Rates differ between individuals and carriers, based on several personalized factors like age, vehicle, ZIP code, driving record and more, as well as how insurers weigh these factors. Experts recommend identifying your coverage needs, narrowing down which providers can accommodate them and looking into customer satisfaction rankings and financial strength ratings of each. The next step is to request free quotes from your top contenders. When doing so, it helps to specify the same coverage types and policy limits to get a true sense of which company can offer you the best deal.
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The average cost of car insurance in the U.S. is $2,348 per year for full coverage and $639 per year for minimum coverage, according to Bankrate’s September 2024 analysis of average rate data from Quadrant Information Services. The average cost of car insurance in New York is $3,757 per year for full coverage and $1,553 per year for minimum coverage — significantly higher than the national average.
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In August 2023, a law went into effect in New York that requires all insurers to include spousal liability coverage in all car insurance policies — regardless of the policyholder’s marital status. This coverage adds bodily injury liability if your spouse causes an accident and you are injured as a result of their negligence. Previously, this was a coverage that New York drivers could opt into. However, with the new law, spousal liability coverage will automatically be added to your policy unless you opt out in writing. Insurers are required to provide notice of the change to policyholders and may raise premiums as a result. If you do not need this coverage, you may want to contact your insurance company.
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Car insurance rates are highly personalized, so your premium may be high due to a wide range of factors, including your driving record, age, ZIP code, vehicle type and credit history. On top of that, many areas of New York see high average premiums in general due to the high cost of living, population density and high minimum coverage requirements. It may be helpful to discuss your rating factors and coverage selections with your insurance agent to pinpoint what is driving up your premium. This is also a good opportunity to discuss personalized ways you could lower your rate. For example, you might raise your deductible, drop endorsements you no longer need or pursue a telematics program. It may also help to comparison shop and see if switching carriers could get you a lower rate.
Methodology
Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze September 2024 rates for ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Rates are weighted based on the population density in each geographic region. Quoted rates are based on a 40-year-old male and female driver with a clean driving record, good credit and the following full coverage limits:
- $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $50,000 property damage liability per accident
- $100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
- $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
- $500 collision deductible
- $500 comprehensive deductible
To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverage that meets each state’s requirements. Our base profile drivers own a 2022 Toyota Camry, commute five days a week and drive 12,000 miles annually.
These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes.
Incidents: Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the following incidents applied: clean record (base), at-fault accident, single speeding ticket, single DUI conviction.
Age: Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the ages 18-60 (base: 40 years) applied. Depending on age, drivers may be a renter or homeowner. Rates for 16- and 17-year-old drivers were calculated based on married male and female drivers insured together with a 16- or 17-year-old driver added to their policy. Age is not a contributing rating factor in Hawaii and Massachusetts due to state regulations.
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