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, and $10,000 property damage. Drivers with DUI convictions, license suspensions for uninsured accidents, or multiple violations typically must file proof of insurance using Form FS-1 or FS-20 with the New York DMV. These state minimums often fall short for high-risk drivers facing reinstatement requirements, as lapse during the filing period triggers suspension restart and additional penalties.
How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in New York?
High-risk auto insurance in New York costs $200–$400/mo on average, compared to $100–$150/mo for clean-record drivers. DUI convictions, at-fault accidents, and FS-1 filing requirements push drivers into non-standard markets where premiums reflect elevated claims risk. Rates vary sharply by borough and county — Brooklyn and Bronx drivers pay 30–50% more than upstate counties due to accident frequency and theft rates.
What Affects Your Rate
- Type of violation — DUI increases premiums 80–150%, at-fault accidents 40–80%, speeding tickets 15–30%
- FS-1 filing requirement — adds administrative cost and flags you as high-risk for 3+ years
- Location within New York — Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens average 30–50% higher than Albany, Rochester, Syracuse
- Credit-based insurance score — New York allows credit scoring, which penalizes high-risk drivers with poor credit an additional 20–40%
- Coverage lapse duration — gaps over 30 days treated as high-risk even without violations
- Number of violations — three tickets in 18 months can trigger non-standard placement regardless of severity
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Sources
- New York Department of Motor Vehicles — Financial Responsibility Requirements
- New York Department of Financial Services — Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements
- New York DMV — Form FS-1 Filing and License Reinstatement Procedures