Car Insurance for High-Risk Drivers in New York

Image by kolderal/GettyImages; Illustration by Bankrate

Driving in New York isn’t for the faint of heart. Whether you’re dodging cabs in Midtown or gripping the wheel through Buffalo’s lake-effect snow, life behind the wheel in the Empire State keeps you on your toes. However, if you’ve had speeding tickets, an at-fault accident or a DUI, insurers may label you a high-risk driver and charge you steep insurance premiums. Each carrier evaluates risk differently, but in a state known for heavy traffic, unpredictable weather and long commutes, even minor violations can add up. Bankrate’s experts analyzed data from Quadrant Information Services to help high-risk drivers across New York understand how their records affect car insurance rates — and how to keep costs in check.

How much is high-risk insurance in New York?

Each insurance provider uses its own underwriting formula to assess a driver’s risk. What you pay for high-risk car insurance in New York can vary widely. Your rate depends not only on the insurer, but also on the type, frequency and severity of violations on your record. For example, a single speeding ticket usually won’t raise your premium as much as a DUI. In some cases, carriers can choose to no longer renew your policy based on your driving history, leaving you to move into the non-standard insurance market. 

The chart below shows how different high-risk incidents raise average insurance rates in New York. 

How do I know if I’m a high-risk driver?

An insurance company can place you in a high-risk category if your driving history suggests that you’re more likely to file a claim. While each carrier sets its own underwriting guidelines, drivers with several occurrences within a short time period, usually three accidents or violations within a five-year time frame, are often deemed high risk. However, some incidents, such as DUIs or a license suspension, can immediately place drivers in the high-risk group. 

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. 

• Shop around: Each car insurance company has its own underwriting method. Comparing multiple quotes can help you identify the company that offers you the best price.
• Improve your credit: In New York, car insurance companies 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: A higher deductible lowers your insurance premium. However, 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 with little warning.

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

• Which car insurance company is the best for New York drivers?
  

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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.

• What is the average cost of car insurance?
  

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  The average cost of car insurance in the U.S. is $2,697 per year for full coverage and $820 per year for minimum coverage, according to Bankrate’s November 2025 analysis of average rate data from Quadrant Information Services. The average cost of car insurance in New York is $4,090 per year for full coverage and $1,773 per year for minimum coverage — significantly higher than the national average.

• What is the new minimum insurance law in New York?
  

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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, even if you are single. 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.

• Why is my New York car insurance so expensive?
  

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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 November 2025 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 and single DUI conviction.

Teens: Rates were determined by adding a 16- or 17-year-old teen to their 40-year-old married parents’ policy. The rates displayed reflect the total cost of a driver this age added to their parents’ policy.