In New York, traffic can be a hit or miss. The same goes for cheap car insurance. We reviewed the top-rated and non-rated insurers in Rochester, New York to determine the cheapest car insurance provider in the area. Of course, cheap is relative, and every insurer has affordable price points with different coverage plans. Let’s get into the ones that give you more bang for less buck.
The Average Cost of Car Insurance in Rochester
Rochester drivers enjoy the cheapest auto insurance costs in the country. The state’s average is $194.22 per month, higher than the national average for vehicle coverage at $136.68 per month, higher than Rochester’s average at $96.55 per month.
Rochester’s average translates to $1,166 annually. You may pay more or less depending on a slew of factors such as credit score, driving habits, citations, and age.
The Cheapest Car Insurance in Rochester
For the cheapest car insurance in Rochester, New York, there are two broad categories. One facet is insurers providing minimum cover and the other liability plans. New York Central Mutual Fire provides the cheapest minimum insurance at $79.35 per month.
GEICO insurance provides the cheapest and best car insurance, meeting New York’s minimum auto insurance requirements at $419 annually for liability only and $713 for full coverage. The rates may vary depending on a driver’s profile and coverage options.
USAA is also a cheap insurance provider at $78.76 per month but only covers military-only personnel, their kids, and spouses. Other costs of insurance in Rochester, NY, are listed below. The rates are annual rates that meet 100/300/100 auto insurance requirements.
- GEICO: $713
- Erie: $721
- Progressive: $904
- State Farm: $1,022
- Allstate: $964
- Nationwide: $1,210
- MetLife: $1,035
- Main Street America: $853
- Travelers: $1,268
- Esurance: $1,736
- The General: $2,152
These insurers provide minimum auto insurance in line with state requirements. The general requirements in Rochester, NY, are:
- $25,000 for bodily injury per person per accident
- $50,000 for bodily injury per accident
- $10,000 to cover property damage per accident
- $50,000 for individual personal injury
- $25,000 per individual for uninsured and underinsured motorist
- $50,000 for bodily injury for uninsured and underinsured motorist per accident
Most drivers purchase full coverage that includes comprehensive, liability only, and comprehensive cover to insure against crashes, theft, and natural disasters. Full coverage meets the threshold of auto insurance, and increases claim payout up to $100,000 for bodily injury.
If you lease or finance a car, you may need special insurance such as gap insurance. Learn more about gap insurance and how to get it.
Insurance Rates in Rochester by Age and Gender
Inexperienced and teen drivers usually pay the most insurance premiums across Rochester since they are likely to cause accidents. Middle-aged drivers from age thirty on enjoy affordable premiums while females pay more than their male counterparts.
Senior drivers have the lowest rates, which peak at 65. From 60 is a good time to shop for cheap car insurance in Rochester and cut your premiums by taking advantage of pay-per-mile discounts. Below are the average annual rates for car insurance in Rochester by age.
| Age Tier | Average Annual Rate |
| Teenager | $4,109 |
| 20s | $1,721 |
| 30s | $1,287 |
| 40s | $1,263 |
| 50s | $1,213 |
| 60s | $1,251 |
| 70s | $1,443 |
Teenagers can reduce their premiums by taking a defensive course or posting good grades and earning discounts. At $904 per year, or $75 per month, Main Street America provides the cheapest insurance for young adult drivers. Teen drivers will want to check out State Farm’s unique discounts for teenagers.
GEICO offers the cheapest insurance for 20-year-olds with poor credit at $117 per month. Preferred Mutual is the most expensive insurer for the same caliber of 20-year-old drivers at $222 per month.
Insurance Rates by Marital Status
Interestingly in Rochester, singles pay more than married people for auto insurance. For married people, the best insurance rates are:
- Progressive: $1,868
- GEICO: $2,502
- State Farm: $2,544
- New York Average: $2,724
The widowed and divorced pay an average of $1,292 per year for auto insurance. The cost will still depend on other factors such as tickets.
Insurance Rates by Violations
It is a no-brainer the more tickets you are given, the higher the premiums you’ll pay. In Rochester, drivers with clean records enjoy low prices, as the above information implies. However, some insurance companies can offer you almost the same rates for high-risk driving, DUI, and speeding tickets. Some of the best and cheap insurance for drivers with a bad rep are:
- With an accident: State Farm at $3,061
- With a speeding ticket: Progressive at $2,436
- With a DUI: Progressive at $2,469
State Farm is your go-to insurer for affordable premiums and more than minimum coverage if you receive a first-time ticket. USAA provides the cheapest rates at $790 per year, but only for service members and families.
Insurance Rates by Credit Score
Just like ZIP code, age, and marital status, insurers use credit scores to price insurance. because poor credit drivers are more likely to place a claim than drivers with high credit scores. A free insurance saving tip is to increase your credit score to pay less. Very poor credit scores attract a premium of $3,121 annually on average. Drivers with poor and very poor credit will love:
- GEICO at $2,589
- State Farm at $3,740
Depending on the age, you may pay less or more if you have poor credit. For GEICO drivers with poor credit, the 40-year-olds pay $2,202, 30-year-olds $2,217, and $1,401 for 20-year-olds, which is very cheap.
Final Thoughts
Rochester enjoys some of the lowest rates for auto insurance in America. However, finding cheap auto insurance in Rochester, New York doesn’t always mean getting the best. Rochester has many reputable brands including but not limited to State Farm, GEICO, Allstate, and Progressive, which means you always get what you pay for. Check different quotes from different insurers and settle on the cheapest and best.
We understand every driver has unique insurance needs. Our handpicked choices suit your driving needs, budget, and personality. Use the base rates herein to shop for the best and cheapest insurance to protect you and your car’s occupants.
At FIXD, our mission is to make car ownership as simple, easy, and affordable as possible. Our research team utilizes the latest automotive data and insights to create tools and resources that help drivers get peace of mind and save money over the life of their car.
