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What car insurance is cheapest for a young, new driver in New York?

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Every company has different rates determined by your age, gender, zip code, year, make, model of the car you drive, the features on the car your drive, driving record, the number of accidents (by other people) in your area, and several other factors. So it isn’t like asking where you can get the cheapest dresser and we say, “Ikea!”

And here’s the bad news: New York has the second most expensive car insurance rates in the nation, second only to Michigan. And being 20 also puts you at a higher rate, because younger people are more likely to be in car accidents than older people (and men more than women, so men are usually charged higher rates).

So all that is to say you have to go online and really do research. Keep googling for cheap car insurance in your area and get quotes online, call and get quotes over the phone. There are ways to reduce your premium like taking an online driver safety course (the insurance company will tell you which one, NYS has an official one that most of them use), by using a tracking device in your car to monitor your speed, certain union or trade memberships, fraternity or sorority memberships, and more. They should let you know the various discounts available to you, but you should ask anyway. Shopping around for insurance is a huge pain but with persistency it can pay off.

Another way to reduce it is to not have full coverage, but in New York if you are making payments on the car you are required to have full coverage. If you own the car outright you can be more selective in what coverage you take, but be careful. Don’t be penny-wise, pound foolish. And always have roadside assistance included or join AAA.

That said, the companies that I have found to have the best rates in New York are:

GEICO - I had them, hate them and won’t use them again - but they do have some of the cheapest rates in the state. You should definitely call them.

PROGRESSIVE - I don’t like them either, sorry Flo. But they try to compete with GEICO so you can use them to compare.

LIBERTY MUTUAL - My current insurer and they have given me a very good rate, but again, the rates they are offering me as a 50 year old man (with an excellent driving record) are not going to be the same for you.

Shop around, there may be better deals than just those three. But you’re in a high bracket.

Last thought - do you live in NYC? If so, seriously consider not having a car and using Zip Car. The membership is cheap and covers you for insurance, gas, parking and tolls. And just to have designated parking in NYC waiting for you, is worth it alone. If you live elsewhere in the state, then yes, I know you will need a car.

 I am 20 and looking to get my liscense and a car within the next couple months, but every car insurance I quote is 500+ monthly including my possible discounts, how can I lower that? insurance I quote is 500+ monthly including my possible discounts, how can I lower that?