New York • Auto insurance companies
Auto Insurance Companies in New York: How to Choose One
Auto insurance companies in New York range from national giants to regional mutuals, Farm Bureau insurers, and companies that specialize in higher-risk drivers. In 2021 NAIC data, Berkshire Hathaway, Allstate Insurance, State Farm were the three largest groups, but the right company for you depends on price, coverage, service, and whether it will write your drivers and vehicles.
This guide explains the types of companies in New York, lists the largest groups, shows how to research any insurer, and covers New York requirements. For the ranked list alone, see our ten largest auto insurers in New York. Blake Insurance Group is an independent agency; listing a company here does not mean we represent it.
Compare New York auto insurers
Tell us about your drivers and vehicles, and a licensed agent will follow up with options available to us. Submitting the form does not bind coverage.
If the form does not load, call 888-387-3687, Monday through Friday, 9:00 to 5:00, or email info@blakeinsurancegroup.com.
Types of auto insurance companies in New York
| Type | How you buy | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| National direct writers | Online, by app, or by phone | Fast quotes; you manage the policy yourself |
| Captive-agent companies | Through agents who represent one company | Local service; the agent can quote only that company |
| Independent-agent companies | Through independent agencies that represent several insurers | One agency can compare several companies side by side |
| Regional and mutual insurers | Usually through independent agents | Often competitive on price and service in their home states |
| Farm Bureau insurers | Through exclusive local agents; membership usually required | Strong rural presence; ask about the membership fee |
| Nonstandard insurers | Through agents and online | Write drivers with violations, lapses, or SR-22 needs |
| Auto clubs | Through club offices; membership required | Roadside benefits; availability depends on your region |
General descriptions. A single insurance group may sell through more than one channel.
Most New York drivers can choose among all of these. If you want several quotes from one conversation, an independent agency can compare the companies it represents, while captive and direct companies must be quoted through their own channels.
The largest auto insurance groups in New York
| Rank | Group | Main brands | Market share | Typical sales channel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Berkshire Hathaway Group | GEICO | 30.9% | Direct online and phone |
| 2 | Allstate Insurance Group | Allstate, National General | 15.2% | Exclusive agents, direct, and independent agents |
| 3 | State Farm Group | State Farm | 12.6% | Exclusive local agents |
| 4 | Progressive Group | Progressive | 11.0% | Direct and independent agents |
| 5 | Liberty Mutual Group | Liberty Mutual, Safeco | 7.5% | Direct and independent agents |
| 6 | Travelers Group | Travelers | 4.2% | Independent agents |
| 7 | USAA Group | USAA (military members, veterans, and families) | 3.0% | Direct |
| 8 | NYCM Insurance Group | NYCM Insurance (New York Central Mutual) | 2.7% | Direct and local agents |
| 9 | Farmers Insurance Group | Farmers and affiliated brands | 2.1% | Exclusive agents and independent agents |
| 10 | Nationwide Group | Nationwide | 1.9% | Independent agents and direct |
Source: National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) market share data for 2021 private passenger auto direct premiums, as analyzed by Insurify and published by Stacker on February 20, 2024. Group names are simplified. Brands and channels are general descriptions and can change. Market share has likely shifted since 2021.
Market share shows how much business a group writes, not how cheap or how good it is. Smaller insurers can be the better fit for some drivers.
How to research an insurance company
Before you buy from any company, take a few minutes to check it:
- License. Confirm the insurer is licensed in your state through the state insurance department's company lookup.
- Complaints. The NAIC's Consumer Insurance Search shows complaint counts and a complaint index for each company, where 1.00 is the expected level for the company's size.
- Financial strength. Ratings from agencies such as A.M. Best describe an insurer's ability to pay claims.
- Legal name on the quote. Large groups write policies through several companies with different rates and rules. Make sure you know which one issues your policy.
- Claims process. Ask how claims are reported, whether there is a preferred repair-shop program, and how quickly adjusters respond after storms.
New York auto insurance requirements
| Coverage | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Bodily injury liability | $25,000 / $50,000 ($50,000 / $100,000 for death) |
| Property damage liability | $10,000 |
| Personal injury protection | $50,000 |
| Uninsured motorist | $25,000 / $50,000 |
Source: Insurance Information Institute state financial responsibility table and state regulator guidance. Requirements can change.
What shapes the New York market
New York is a no-fault state, so every policy includes $50,000 of personal injury protection that pays your own medical bills and lost wages regardless of fault. GEICO, part of the Berkshire Hathaway group, held nearly a third of the market in 2021, and the New York-based NYCM also ranks in the top ten. Premiums vary sharply between New York City and upstate counties.
The New York DMV monitors insurance electronically, and a lapse can lead to registration suspension and civil penalties, so keep coverage continuous when switching. The state's Point and Insurance Reduction Program offers a discount for approved defensive driving courses. Drivers who work for app-based or TLC services need commercial coverage; see our New York rideshare insurance guide.
Matching a company to your situation
- Clean record, simple needs: compare direct writers and agent-sold companies; differences can be large.
- Homeowners who want to bundle: compare companies that write both home and auto in New York, and check the total, not just the discount.
- Teen drivers: ask about good student, driver-training, and telematics discounts, which vary widely.
- Violations, lapses, or SR-22: nonstandard insurers and agents who work with them are often the best starting point. See high-risk auto insurance.
- Military households: check eligibility for military-focused insurers.
Supplementary uninsured motorist coverage
New York's required uninsured motorist coverage is limited to the minimum. Supplementary uninsured/underinsured motorist (SUM) coverage raises that protection to match your liability limits and also helps when the at-fault driver carries too little insurance. Ask every company to quote the same SUM limits.
Coverage terms to match on every quote
| Coverage | What it pays for | What to match |
|---|---|---|
| Bodily injury liability | Injuries you cause to others | Per-person and per-accident limits, such as 100/300 |
| Property damage liability | Damage you cause to others' property | Same limit on both quotes, such as $100,000 |
| Uninsured/underinsured motorist | Your injuries when the at-fault driver lacks enough coverage | Same limits; ideally equal to your liability limits |
| Collision | Damage to your car from a crash | Same deductible |
| Comprehensive | Theft, fire, hail, flood, animal strikes, glass | Same deductible; note any glass option |
| Medical payments or PIP | Medical costs for you and passengers | Same limit; PIP rules depend on your state |
| Rental and roadside | Transportation during repairs; towing | Same daily and total limits |
Limits shown are examples, not recommendations. State minimum requirements differ.
Ways to lower your premium
- Compare at least three quotes with identical coverage every year or two, and whenever your premium jumps at renewal.
- Raise collision and comprehensive deductibles to an amount you could pay tomorrow without strain.
- Drop collision and comprehensive on an older car only when the car's value is low enough that you could replace it yourself.
- Ask about every discount: multi-policy, multi-vehicle, good student, defensive driving, paperless, paid-in-full, and safety equipment.
- Try a driving-data program if you drive carefully and are comfortable sharing driving data. See usage-based insurance.
- Keep continuous coverage. Even a short lapse can raise future rates.
- Report accurate mileage. Lower annual mileage can mean a lower premium.
- Bundle auto with renters or homeowners insurance where the combined price is lower.
Discounts to ask about
| Discount | Who it may fit | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-policy | Households with renters or home insurance | How much it saves on the total, not just auto |
| Multi-vehicle | Households with two or more cars | Whether every car must be on one policy |
| Good student | Students with qualifying grades | Grade requirements and proof needed |
| Defensive driving | Drivers who complete an approved course | Which courses qualify and how long the discount lasts |
| Telematics | Careful, low-mileage drivers | Whether the program can raise your rate |
| Paid in full and autopay | Drivers who can pay upfront | How installment fees compare |
| Safety and anti-theft | Newer vehicles with safety features | Which features qualify |
Discount names, amounts, and availability vary by insurer and state.
Coverage you should think twice about cutting
Some coverage cuts save very little and expose you to large losses. Be cautious about:
- Buying only the state minimum liability. Minimum limits can be exhausted by a single serious injury, leaving you personally responsible for the rest.
- Rejecting uninsured motorist coverage. It protects you when the at-fault driver has no insurance or too little. See uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage.
- Dropping collision on a financed car. Lenders and lessors usually require it.
- Letting the policy lapse between vehicles or during a move.
How insurers set your price
Most insurers price a policy using your driving record, years licensed, age where allowed, the vehicle, where it is garaged, annual mileage, coverage limits, deductibles, prior insurance history, and, where state law permits, a credit-based insurance score. Each insurer weighs these factors differently, which is why quotes for the same driver can differ by hundreds of dollars. Improving the factors you control, especially your record and continuous coverage, pays off over several renewals.
Payment plans and fees
How you pay can change your total cost. Many insurers charge installment fees for monthly payments, and some offer discounts for paying the full term upfront, enrolling in automatic payments, or going paperless. If paying in full is not possible, ask which payment plan has the lowest fees. Missing a payment can cancel your policy and create a lapse, which raises future rates, so set up reminders or autopay.
If you are considered high risk
If several insurers decline you because of violations, accidents, a lapse, or a DUI, you still have options. Many insurers specialize in higher-risk drivers, and every state has a residual market plan for drivers who cannot find coverage in the voluntary market. Prices are higher, but keeping coverage continuous and your record clean will usually bring rates down over three to five years. If a court or the motor vehicle agency requires an SR-22 or similar filing, see our SR-22 insurance and high-risk auto insurance pages.
Switching insurers without a gap
If a new quote is lower, switch carefully so you are never uninsured:
- Confirm the final price after the insurer verifies your information.
- Set the new policy to start on or before the date the old one ends.
- Give the new insurer your lender or lessor information if the vehicle is financed.
- Save your new ID cards and declarations page.
- Cancel the old policy effective the same day, and ask about any refund of unused premium.
- If you have an SR-22, confirm the new insurer files it before the old filing ends.
What to have ready for a quote
These details help produce accurate quotes.
- Driver details. License numbers and dates of birth for every household driver.
- Vehicle VINs. And annual mileage for each vehicle.
- Driving history. Accidents and violations in the past three to five years.
- Current declarations page. To match limits and deductibles.
- Garaging address. Where each vehicle is kept in New York.
New York auto insurance companies FAQs
Who is the largest auto insurer in New York?
Berkshire Hathaway, with 30.9% of the market in 2021 NAIC data.
Is the biggest company the cheapest?
Not necessarily. Prices depend on your drivers, vehicles, location, and coverage.
How do I check complaints against an insurer?
Use the NAIC Consumer Insurance Search and your state insurance department's resources.
What is an independent agent?
An agent who represents several insurers and can compare them for you.
Can Blake Insurance Group quote every company listed?
No. Some sell only through their own agents or directly. An agent will tell you which options we can quote.
What is the minimum car insurance in New York?
25/50/10 liability, $50,000 PIP, and 25/50 uninsured motorist.
How current is the market share data?
It reflects 2021 premiums published in 2024 and has likely shifted.
What is SUM coverage?
Supplementary uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage that raises your protection above the minimum.
What is NYCM?
New York Central Mutual, a New York-based insurer.
Related guides
Partner quote options
Sponsored
Blake Insurance Group works with the partners below. Each link opens the partner's own website, where its terms, eligibility rules, and privacy policy apply. Blake Insurance Group may be compensated if you buy through these links.
- Thimble small business insurance: Short-term and on-demand business insurance quotes from Thimble.
- NEXT Insurance for small businesses: Online small business insurance quotes from NEXT Insurance.
Important information
Compensation. Links in the partner section of this page are sponsored, and Blake Insurance Group may be paid if you make a purchase. Sponsored placement does not affect the other information on this page.
Independent agency. Blake Insurance Group LLC is an independent insurance agency. Licensed insurance producer NPN 16117464. Licensed states: AZ, AL, TX, CA, NY, OH, FL, NC, VA, GA, OK, NM, IA, KS, MI, NE, SC, SD, WV, IL, NJ, PA, TN, and WA. Which insurance companies we can quote depends on our current appointments, the product, and your state. Mentioning a company on this page does not mean we represent it.
Independent guide. Company names are trademarks of their owners. Listing a company does not mean Blake Insurance Group represents or endorses it.
Legal requirements. State requirements summarized here are general information as of October 2026 and can change. This page is not legal advice; confirm current rules with your state's insurance regulator or motor vehicle agency.
Availability. Coverage, prices, discounts, and eligibility vary by insurer, state, and applicant, and are subject to underwriting. The issued policy controls.
Your next step
Request a quote, and a licensed agent will compare New York companies available to us using the coverage you choose.
Reviews are loaded from Google when you click “View reviews.”