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New York Auto Insurance
Whether you’re used to the bumper-to-bumper traffic in New York City or the quiet, picturesque roads in Ithaca, acquiring auto insurance in New York for the first time can seem like a daunting task. Luckily, cheap auto insurance is easy to come by if you know your stuff. The following article will teach you everything you need to know about New York driving laws, auto insurance rates, accident statistics, and more.
Car Insurance Requirements in New York
Every driver in the state must carry New York minimum auto insurance requirements. According to New York car insurance laws, motorists are required to carry the following minimum amount of liability insurance:
- $25,000 for bodily injury to one person
- $50,000 for bodily injury to all persons
- $10,000 for property damage in one accident
- $50,000 mandatory no-fault coverage
Is New York a No-Fault state?
New York is a no-fault insurance state, which means that drivers with insurance are covered by their insurance company for the damage incurred by an accident, regardless of who was at fault.
Insurance rates change constantly. Find out if you’re eligible for lower premiums from leading providers.
Car Insurance Prices in New York
Car insurance is relatively more expensive in New York when compared with the rest of the country. In fact, it’s about 11 percent above the national average for the average car insurance premium at $1,582 per year. Although annual premiums start at over $5,000 for new teen drivers, costs begin to level out at about $1,500 per year once drivers reach their 30s.
| Age | Most Popular Vehicle | Gender | Most Common City | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 – 24 | Honda | Male – 71% | Female – 29% | Brooklyn | ||
| 25 – 54 | Honda | Male – 60% | Female – 40% | Brooklyn | ||
| 55 – 64 | Chevrolet | Male – 56% | Female – 44% | Brooklyn | ||
| 65 + | Chevrolet | Male – 50% | Female – 50% | Brooklyn | ||
* This information is based on Pretected.com users.
Traffic Violations and Fines in New York
Speeding Ticket Cost in New York
A speeding ticket in New York can cost anywhere between $45 and $600, depending on the severity of the offense and how many speeding tickets you’ve received in the past. Driving 1 to 10 mph over the speed limit usually falls in the range of $45 to $150, while driving 11 to 30 mph over the limit usually falls in the range of $90 to $300. Driving over 30 mph over the speed limit is usually considered reckless driving in New York and comes with fines of up to $600.
Driving While High Laws in New York
Although drivers under the influence of alcohol are only prohibited from surpassing a blood alcohol content level of 0.08 percent, any amount of marijuana in a driver’s blood can be used to establish that he or she was under the influence according to New York state law.
Driving Without Car Insurance in New York
Section 319 of New York’s Vehicle and Traffic Code states that if a driver is caught operating a vehicle without proper insurance, the driver will be cited and have their license revoked for a minimum of one year. Citation fees can fall anywhere between $150 and $1,500. Failure to pay can result in 15 days in jail.
Texting and Driving in New York
Distracted driving laws in New York are fairly strict, since statistics indicate a large number of accidents caused by cell phone use while driving. A first violation of texting and driving in New York can lead to a $200 fine and five points on your driver’s record, along with a $93 surcharge. Other forms of distracted driving like eating while driving are also prohibited in the state.
If you want to make a quick bathing suit change, it’s best to pull over at a rest stop, as it is illegal to disrobe in your car in the beach town of Sag Harbor, Long Island.
New York Car Accidents
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that there were 37,461 fatalities from car accidents in New York in the year 2025, which is a 5.9 percent increase from 2025 car accident statistics. According to the New York StateDepartment of Health, car accidents are the 4th leading cause of death in the state.
Reasons for Car Accidents in New York
About 28 percent of New York’s crash fatalities were alcohol-related in 2025, which is actually one of the lowest alcohol-impaired fatality rates in the country. The NHTSA also recorded 5,897 pedestrian fatalities, which makes up 30 percent of all fatalities. Distracted driving is a main cause behind pedestrian fatalities, as well as other less severe accidents.
Car Accident Statistics by Vehicle Type
The majority of 2025 car accident fatalities were occupants in passenger vehicles and trucks. However, the NHTS reported 5,987 pedestrian fatalities, 4,976 motorcyclist fatalities, and 660 fatalities among occupants of large trucks.
Car Accidents in New York – More Facts:
Car accidents account for 91 deaths per month throughout the state of New York. State police gave out a total of 8,707 tickets for distracted driving in the year 2025. However, on a more positive note, New York’s seat belt use reached an all-time high of 93.41 percent in 2025.
Bonus: Most Weird, Funny and Ridiculous Traffic Laws in New York
- Even during the hot summer days, you have to be a little more patient with ice cream trucks in New York, as they must be “lawfully parked or stopped” in order to legally serve customers.
Looking for Auto insurance in New York? Compare Between Relevant Insurance Quotes And Save Money Using Pretected’s “Smart Match”:
Insurance rates change constantly. Find out if you’re eligible for lower premiums from leading providers.
Sources and References
- https://www.dfs.ny.gov/consumer/faqs/faqs_auto.htm
- https://www.injuriesandaccidents.com/videos/new-york-is-a-no-fault-state/
- https://www.thezebra.com/new-york-car-insurance/ny-average-cost-of-auto-insurance/
- https://newyorkspeedingfines.com/
- https://www.criminaldefenselawyer.com/marijuana-laws-and-penalties/dui/new-york.htm
- https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Cell-phone-tickets-more-than-double-in-New-York-12828177.php
- https://www.douglasandlondon.com/blog/2025/09/10/car-accident-statistics-national-and-193337
- http://www.safeny.ny.gov/annualRpt/2017GTSCAnnualReport.pdf
- https://www.thisisinsider.com/weird-driving-laws-us-2025-10