Updated April 2026
Minimum Coverage Requirements in New York
New York requires minimum liability coverage of 25/50/10 ($25,000 bodily injury per person, $50,000 per accident, $10,000 property damage). The state does not use SR-22 certificates — instead, the New York DMV requires electronic filing of FS-1 forms by insurers when a driver is reinstating after suspension or has accumulated serious violations. Drivers with 11 points in 18 months face automatic license suspension and will need an FS-1 filing from their carrier to reinstate.
How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in New York?
New York high-risk insurance costs are driven by violation type, points on your record, age, location, and carrier availability. Drivers with a single speeding ticket (3–6 points) typically see rate increases of 20–40%, while DUI convictions or at-fault accidents can double or triple premiums. Urban areas like New York City, Yonkers, and Buffalo have the highest base rates due to accident frequency and theft rates, compounding the violation surcharge.
What Affects Your Rate
- Violation type and severity: DUI convictions and reckless driving increase rates 80–150%, while speeding tickets (3–6 points) increase rates 20–40%
- Points on your license: New York assigns 3–11 points per violation; 6+ points often trigger non-standard carrier placement
- Location within New York: NYC boroughs, Yonkers, and Buffalo have the highest rates due to accident frequency, while rural upstate areas like Jefferson and Lewis counties have the lowest
- Age and experience: Drivers under 25 with violations pay the highest premiums; surcharges decrease significantly after age 25 and drop further at 30+
- Coverage lapse history: A lapse during a suspension or FS-1 requirement period adds 30–50% to reinstatement premiums
- Carrier tier: Non-standard carriers charge 50–100% more than standard carriers but may be the only option for DUI or multi-violation profiles
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Sources
- New York Department of Motor Vehicles — Point System and Suspensions
- New York Department of Financial Services — Insurance Requirements
- New York Vehicle and Traffic Law § 311 — Mandatory Insurance Coverage