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Car insurance for high-risk drivers in New York

Car insurance for high-risk drivers in New York

Traffic Near Queensboro Bridge, New York City

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At Bankrate, we strive to help you make smarter financial decisions. To help readers understand how insurance affects their finances, we have licensed insurance professionals on staff who have spent a combined 47 years in the auto, home and life insurance industries. While we adhere to strict

, this post may contain references to products from our partners. Here's an explanation of . Our content is backed by Coverage.com, LLC, a licensed entity (NPN: 19966249). For more information, please see our. If you live in the state of New York and have a history of traffic violations or accidents, you may be considered a high-risk driver. Bankrate defines a high-risk driver as someone with at least one speeding ticket conviction, at-fault accident or DUI conviction on their motor vehicle record. Drivers with poor driving records are more likely to file claims. To compensate for the added risk, insurers tend to charge these drivers higher car insurance premiums. In addition to other factors, the type of incident and severity will determine how much your car insurance premium increases. Bankrate can help high-risk drivers in New York understand how their driving history impacts auto insurance quotes, using premium data from Quadrant Information Services.

Rates for high-risk car insurance in New York

Each insurance provider uses its own underwriting formula to calculate a driver’s risk. The rates you pay for high-risk car insurance in New York will vary by each insurance company, as well as the type of violation(s) associated with your driving record and the frequency or severity of those violations. For instance, most companies would not consider a speeding ticket as serious of a violation as a DUI conviction, so rate increases for a speeding ticket may be marginal in comparison. However, if you already have one speeding ticket and receive another, your rates could increase to a greater degree than for someone with a single DUI conviction or at-fault accident.

Rates after a speeding ticket

Rates typically increase after a speeding ticket conviction. Additionally, you will likely have to pay a fine or your license may be revoked, especially if you receive subsequent convictions in an 18-month period. How fast you were driving over the speed limit and having multiple speeding ticket convictions can also cause steeper insurance premium increases. However, if your speeding ticket is dismissed, your rate should stay the same.

The table below shows examples of increases from three insurance companies, with Progressive showing the smallest increase of just 1 percent on average and Travelers showing the greatest increase of 8 percent on average.

New York average annual full coverage premium

Car insurance company Rate before a speeding ticket conviction Rate after a speeding ticket conviction % increase
Geico $2,461 $2,583 5%
Progressive $1,942 $1,966 1%
Travelers $3,369 $3,653 8%

Notice how the increase is not standardized across insurance agencies. If you are unhappy with your rates following a speeding ticket, shopping around may help you discover if lower rates are available from another insurer.

Rates after an at-fault accident

There are several types of car accidents that can happen. You may be involved in a simple fender bender with no resulting injuries or significant damages, or an accident that results in multiple damaged vehicles and severe medical injuries. In any case, being found at-fault for a collision can have a substantial impact on your rates.

The rates in the table below indicate potential increases to insurance rates for a New Yorker with an at-fault collision on their motor vehicle record, with Progressive showing the smallest average increase at 2 percent and Travelers showing the largest average increase at 8 percent. Your rate could also be affected if you are convicted of a moving violation as part of the at-fault accident.

New York average annual full coverage premium

Car insurance company Rate before an at-fault accident Rate after an at-fault accident % increase
Geico $2,461 $2,583 5%
Progressive $1,942 $1,975 2%
Travelers $3,369 $3,810 10%

Teens who are found at-fault for a collision may see an even greater increase in premiums, as they are already viewed as riskier to insurers due to lack of driving experience.

Rates after a DUI

Drivers with a DUI on their record may not qualify for standard coverage in all cases. It is not uncommon for New York drivers convicted of a DUI to be required to submit an SR-22 to the DMV. SR-22s are not a special type of insurance, as is commonly misunderstood. Instead, they are simply proof to the state that you have New York’s legally required minimum coverage. In New York, a DUI conviction is not only a moving violation, it is also considered a criminal offense, which can cause your license to be suspended. If a minor under 16 was present in your vehicle when you were pulled over, you could be charged with a felony — even if it is your first DUI. You may not be able to renew or keep your car insurance if convicted of a DUI in New York.

The table below shows that Progressive charges the smallest average increase after a DUI in New York, at 3 percent on average, while Geico has the highest average increase at 127 percent.

New York average annual full coverage premium

Car insurance company Rate before a DUI conviction Rate after a DUI conviction % increase
Geico $2,461 $5,587 127%
Progressive $1,942 $2,002 3%
Travelers $3,369 $7,555 124%

These amounts are just representative of the varied amounts a driver may pay with a single DUI conviction. Exact rates will be greatly affected by the severity of the driver’s DUI conviction and whether or not any other violations are present on their driving record.

Bankrate’s take: Keep in mind that not all carriers will write you a car insurance policy if you have a DUI conviction; in some cases, even those included in our average rate studies for that driver profile. The best way to determine if you can get a policy from an insurer after a DUI (and what rate you’ll actually pay) is to contact the insurance company for a quote.

Rate for teen drivers

As mentioned, teens are considered high-risk drivers because they have less experience on the road and a higher accident frequency.

Although the New York DMV has not released any new data since 2014, it offers some statistical information about teen drivers. In 2014, teen drivers accounted for about 8 percent of all car accidents in the state, and about 7 percent of all driving fatalities. Risk of filing a claim means that teen drivers (or their parents who hold the policy) will pay some of the highest high-risk driving rates.

Among quoted annual premiums from three large insurers, Geico has the smallest average increase for a 16-year-old teen driver insured on their parents’ policy in New York at 61 percent. Progressive shows the largest average increase at 113 percent.

Average annual full coverage premiums for policyholders:

Car insurance company Rate without a 16-year-old insured Rate with a 16-year-old insured % increase
Geico $2,461 $3,951 61%
Progressive $1,942 $4,129 113%
Travelers $3,369 $6,934 106%

*Rate reflects the total average annual premium for a 16-year-old driver added to a married parent’s policy

The table above illustrates the total premium associated with a 16-year-old added to a parent’s policy, without any additional infractions or incidents on the teen’s record. While rate shopping, you may save by looking for an insurance company that offers multiple discounts for teen drivers, such as good student, student away at school and defensive driving discounts.

Who is a high-risk driver?

A high-risk driver is someone who, according to an insurance company, is more likely to file a claim in the future. Characteristics and past incidents that may contribute to the cost of your high-risk auto insurance in New York include:

  • Speeding ticket convictions
  • At-fault accidents
  • Living in area with a high rate of theft and vandalism
  • Being a teen driver
  • Low credit score
  • DUI conviction
  • Lapses in coverage

For rate comparison purposes, Bankrate defines high-risk drivers as those with one at-fault accident, speeding ticket conviction, DUI conviction or lapse of coverage on their driving record.

How to lower your rate if you are a high-risk driver

High-risk car insurance in NY certainly costs more, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any strategies that can help lower your premium. If you are considered a high-risk driver, it could be worth taking time to assess your current coverage options, search for discounts or take a defensive driving course. It also helps to:

  • Shop around: Each car insurance company has its own underwriting method. Because of this, you will likely get different quotes from each company. Comparing multiple quotes can help you identify the company that offers you the best price.
  • Drive an older car: Your vehicle’s make and model can influence your insurance. New cars typically cost more to replace, which means they can also cost more to insure. For high-risk drivers in New York who need to save, opting for an older vehicle may help you save on rates (especially if it comes with safety features that qualify you for additional discounts).
  • Increase your credit score: In New York, car insurance companies may use credit scores when determining the level of risk a driver represents, with low insurance-based credit ratings resulting in higher rates. Improving your credit score may decrease your premium when your policy is up for renewal.
  • Raise your insurance deductible: For most drivers, a higher deductible results in a lower insurance rate. However, you’ll want to be cautious if you elect this option. Raising your deductible means that you will assume more financial responsibility in the event of a claim, and it’s important that your deductible is something you can afford to pay out at a moment’s notice.

The most effective way to get or keep lower car insurance rates is to drive safely. Discounts tied to safe driving habits may help you lower rates considerably, depending on the insurer, and using telematics or driving-based apps can also encourage you to drive more cautiously for the additional savings potential. 

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