It is an unfortunate fact that New York state has one of the highest average auto insurance rates in the country. Because of densely populated areas like New York City, residents of the Empire State paid an average car insurance premium of $2,428 in 2009, compared with $1,780 for the national average. While it is certainly difficult to obtain cheap car insurance in New York (NY), it is not impossible and we will tell you how.
New York State has the following insurance coverage requirements:
Property Damage Liability: $10,000 Limit
Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000/$50,000 Limit
Personal Injury Protection (pays for medical expenses of you and your passengers): $50,000 Limit
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury: $25,000/$50,000 Limit
New York’s auto insurance system is no-fault which means that no matter who is at fault in the event of an accident your insurance company will make payments, up to the limit set in your policy.
You will find large variations in car insurance premiums depending on where you live in New York. Residents of NYC will face the steepest premium because of the congestion of the big apple. There are more cars jammed into less space in NYC, which means more accidents, more insurance claims, and higher rates for almost everyone.
In contrast, if you live in a rural part of upstate you will find it much easier to get cheap car insurance in New York. Those who live out in the country generally have lower rates than their city counterparts because there is less congestion and fewer accidents.
No matter where you live in the state, there are a few tips that will help you find cheap car insurance in New York. First, consider boosting your deductible. If you can live with the possibility of paying more out of your own pocket in the case of an accident, you could save hundreds of dollars a year in premiums. When reviewing policies, see how much you could save if you raised the deductible to $500 or even $1000. You might be surprised with how much less your annual premium is with higher deductibles.
Make sure you ask for discounts. Most insurers have a variety of discount programs available and this can be an excellent way of getting cheap car insurance in New York. Discounts are often available for certain low-risk professions like scientists, teachers, and accountants. You may also be entitled to a discount if you belong to certain professional organizations, so be sure to mention all your group affiliations when shopping for cheap car insurance in New York. Likewise, if you are actively enlisted in the military, many insurers will provide a reduced quote.
The number one way to find cheap car insurance in New York is to shop around and get quotes from several insurers. There are dozens of insurance companies in New York that want your business, so it really pays to compare rates from at least three and preferably five carriers. With so much competition, comparing quotes fro even a handful os insurers is still only a start.
If you live in the Empire State we can connect you instantly to the best discount car insurance in New York. You just need to enter your zip code into the form up top. You will then be presented with a list if carriers in your specific area. Click one or more of the companies presented to compare rates and start saving money. Get started now!