Car Insurance in Syracuse, NY

Vehicle owners in Syracuse are required by law to carry car insurance. Whether you are involved in a fender-bender on James Street or a multi-vehicle collision on Interstate 81, a good auto insurance policy can shield you from facing a large financial loss as a result.

Finding the right car insurance policy is easy when you work with a local independent agent. These agents can help you obtain and compare customized car insurance quotes from a variety of the area’s most highly-rated insurance companies. Contact an independent insurance agent in Syracuse to get started.

How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Syracuse, NY?

The average cost of car insurance in New York is lower than the national average. Rates in Syracuse tend to be higher than the state average but still lower than the national average.

• National average annual car insurance cost: $1,311
• New York average annual car insurance cost: $1,013
• Syracuse average annual car insurance cost: $1,218

Bear in mind that an average can only give you a ballpark idea of how much you might be expected to pay. Costs can vary significantly from one driver to the next because they are based on several factors such as:

• The make, model, year, and value of the vehicle(s) you are insuring
• Your age, occupation, marital status, and driving record
• Information about the other licensed drivers in your household
• Your claims history and credit score
• The amount of liability coverage you are purchasing
• Which, if any, coverage options you are including in your policy

In many cases, you can earn significant rate reductions if you have a long, safe driving record, you are a student with good grades, or you are bundling your car insurance with another policy like home insurance or renters insurance. Be sure to ask about all offered car insurance discounts when requesting quotes.

How Can Comparing Car Insurance Quotes Help Syracuse, NY Drivers Save Money?

Because every insurance company uses its own method to calculate premium costs, you are likely to be quoted a different price by every insurer you contact for rates.

Comparison shopping has the potential to save you hundreds of dollars a year because it enables you to choose the policy that offers the coverage you want at the most affordable price. Independent insurance agents make comparison shopping easy.

Is Car Insurance Required in Syracuse, New York?

Yes. It is illegal to drive without insurance in the state of New York. If caught, you can face a number of consequences including fines up to $1,500, the possible impoundment of your car, the revocation of your license and registration for up to three years, and even, potentially, jail time.

Even if you are not driving your uninsured vehicle, you can face penalties for having a lapse in coverage. When your insurance lapses for any reason, the state is notified, and you can incur daily fees until you buy a policy. These fees can range from $8 to $900 depending on how long you go without coverage.

What Are the Minimum Car Insurance Requirements for Drivers in Syracuse, NY?

New York is a no-fault state. This means that if you or your passengers are injured in a collision, your insurance will provide the first line of coverage for your injuries, regardless of who was at fault.

In New York, all car insurance policies are required by law to include the following:

• Personal injury protection insurance (PIP): This covers medical treatments, lost wages, death benefits, and other related costs if you, your passengers, or pedestrians are injured in a collision, regardless of fault. Your policy must include a minimum of $50,000 worth of coverage.
• Liability insurance: This can cover other people’s property damage as well as any medical bills and lost wages that go beyond what their PIP coverage can pay for if you are at fault for a collision. Your policy must include, at a minimum:
  • Bodily injury liability insurance: $25,000 per person/$50,000 per collision
  • Property damage liability insurance: $10,000 per accident
  • If the collision involves a fatality, your bodily injury liability coverage will double
• Uninsured motorist insurance: This can cover medical bills if you or your passengers are injured in a collision that was caused by an uninsured driver. In New York, uninsured motorist insurance does not cover property damage. Your policy must include, at a minimum:
  • Uninsured bodily injury insurance: $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident
  • If the collision involves a fatality, your uninsured bodily injury coverage will double

What Else Does Syracuse, NY Car Insurance Cover?

In addition to the mandatory coverage mentioned above, you can expect your insurance provider to offer a variety of coverage options, some of which you may want to include in your car insurance policy. These may include:

• Physical damage coverage: This covers loss or damage to your own vehicle. It is typically required by lenders if you are still paying for your car and by dealerships if you are leasing it. This coverage includes:
  • Collision insurance: This covers the cost to repair or replace your vehicle if it is damaged or totaled in a collision, regardless of fault.
  • Comprehensive insurance: This covers the cost to repair or replace your vehicle if it is lost, totaled, or damaged by a non-collision hazard like a falling object or a flood.
• Towing and roadside assistance: This can cover the cost of assistance if your car breaks down and you need to call for help.
• Gap insurance: This can cover the gap between what your car is worth and what you still owe for it if it is totaled in a covered event. It is usually only a good idea during the first year or two of new car ownership.
• Rental car reimbursement: This can cover the cost of renting a vehicle while your car is being repaired following a covered event.
• Umbrella insurance: This is a separate policy that may be offered by your car insurance provider. It is an affordable way to significantly boost all of your personal liability coverage beyond the coverage limits of your primary policies.

Be sure to consider your own needs as well as those of the members of your household when you are deciding which, if any, options are a good fit for you.

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How High Is the Rate of Uninsured Drivers in Syracuse, New York?

The good news is that New York State has one of the lowest rates of uninsured drivers in the country:

• Percentage of US drivers who are uninsured: 12.6%
• Percentage of New York drivers who are uninsured: 6.1%

Because New York requires all drivers to carry uninsured motorist insurance, you can rest assured that if you are in a collision caused by an uninsured driver, you will be able to quickly receive the compensation you are due without the need to go through lengthy legal channels.

How High Is the Auto Theft Rate in Syracuse, NY?

The auto theft rate in the state of New York is much lower than the national average, but in Syracuse, the rate is higher. Residents of this city report more than 500 stolen cars a year. 

• National auto theft rate per 1,000 people: 2.29
• New York auto theft rate per 1,000 people: 0.67
• Syracuse auto theft rate per 1,000 people: 3.95

You can only be compensated for a stolen vehicle if your car insurance policy includes comprehensive (or “other than collision”) coverage.

If you are financing or leasing your car, chances are good you have this coverage already. If not, you may want to look into how much it would cost to add comprehensive coverage to your Syracuse car insurance.

What Are the Best Car Insurance Companies in Syracuse, NY?

The best car insurance companies in New York are the ones that consistently provide their policyholders with excellent coverage, responsive customer service, and competitive rates.

Independent agents in Syracuse have teamed up with many of these highly rated insurance providers so they can offer you a selection of policies and quotes from companies you can trust.

How Can an Independent Agent in Syracuse, NY Help Me Find the Best Car Insurance?

When you are looking for the best and most affordable car insurance policy, a local independent agent can help. These agents work for you, not for a particular insurance company. This enables them to can shop around to find the coverage you want at the lowest offered price.

It doesn’t cost anything to work with an independent agent. To get answers to your coverage-related questions and to start comparing customized car insurance quotes, contact an independent insurance agent near you.