The words “bargain” and “insurance” really don’t belong together, in particular when trying to find the cheapest car insurance for high risk drivers. Because it’s so expensive, let’s get started by showing you a few of the factors that have a considerable impact on auto insurance prices, and figure out some ideas to take a little off your next policy.
The car, truck, or SUV on the policy is a large factor when quoting affordable auto insurance for high risk drivers. Vehicles with high performance features, poor safety features, or an increased likelihood of liability claims will cost much more to insure than safer, lower-performance models. The next table estimates insurance costs for a handful of the most affordable vehicles to buy coverage for.
| Make and Model | Estimated Cost for Full Coverage |
|---|---|
| Ford Escape XLS 2WD | $7,414 |
| Honda CR-V LX 2WD | $7,949 |
| Toyota Prius | $7,975 |
| Ford Edge SE AWD | $8,695 |
| Toyota RAV4 Limited 4WD | $8,780 |
| Chevrolet Equinox LS AWD | $8,785 |
| GMC Sierra SLE Crew Cab 2WD | $8,780 |
| Dodge Grand Caravan Crew | $8,861 |
| Ford F-150 FX2 2WD | $8,867 |
| Ford Focus SES 4-Dr Sedan | $9,089 |
| Toyota Corolla XLE | $9,174 |
| Ford Fusion S 4-Dr Sedan | $9,193 |
| Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 2WD | $9,201 |
| Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer 4WD | $9,285 |
| Volkswagen Jetta S 4-Dr Sedan | $9,412 |
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Price data assumes single female driver age 50, two speeding tickets, two at-fault accidents, $1,000 deductibles, and New York minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-vehicle, multi-policy, and homeowner. Rates do not factor in the specific area where the vehicle is garaged which can lower or raise price quotes noticeably.
Based upon the table data, cars like the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Toyota Prius, and Ford Edge are likely to be some of the cheapest vehicles to insure for high risk drivers. Auto insurance rates will be more expensive just because there is a higher risk for high risk drivers, but generally speaking those particular models will probably have the cheapest rates compared to other vehicles.
Deciphering which companies quote the lowest-priced insurance rates for high risk drivers involves more time in order to find a policy that fits your budget. Each insurer uses their own calculation for setting prices, so we will examine the most affordable insurance companies in New York.
It’s important to know that New York insurance rates are based on many factors which can significantly increase or decrease the price of coverage. Simply turning a year older, filing a claim, or having an at-fault accident can trigger rate changes that can make some companies more affordable than before.
Find the Cheapest Auto Insurance for Risky Drivers
| Rank | Company | Cost Per Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | USAA | $1,163 |
| 2 | Erie | $1,205 |
| 3 | Utica National | $1,489 |
| 4 | Progressive | $1,512 |
| 5 | Travelers | $1,559 |
| 6 | MetLife | $1,572 |
| 7 | Amica | $1,580 |
| 8 | Allstate | $1,603 |
| 9 | Preferred Mutual | $1,737 |
| 10 | GEICO | $1,850 |
| 11 | New York Central Mutual | $1,874 |
| 12 | Central Mutual | $1,948 |
| 13 | State Farm | $1,962 |
| 14 | Safeco | $1,966 |
| 15 | Liberty Mutual | $2,087 |
| 16 | Hanover | $2,369 |
| 17 | Encompass | $2,610 |
| 18 | Nationwide | $3,054 |
| 19 | Mercury | $3,965 |
| 20 | 21st Century | $4,281 |
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USAA may offer some of the most affordable car insurance rates in Buffalo at around $1,163 per year. This is $912 less than the average premium paid by New York drivers of $2,075. Erie, Utica National, Progressive, and Travelers would also be considered some of the cheapest Buffalo, NY car insurance companies.
As illustrated above, if you are currently insured with Progressive and switched to Erie, you may see an annual premium reduction of approximately $307. Insureds with Travelers might save as much as $354 a year, and MetLife customers might lower prices by up to $367 a year.
To discover how much you can save, click here or click through to the companies below.
Be aware that those premium estimates are averages for all drivers and vehicles in New York and and are not figured with a specific vehicle garaging location for high risk drivers. So the car insurance company that can offer you the lowest price may not even be in the top 20 companies in the list above. That affirms the importance of why you need to compare prices as often as possible using your own specific driver and vehicle information.
For high risk drivers, one of the more important components that help determine car insurance rates is where you keep your vehicle in Buffalo. Areas with high crime rates or more dense population likely pay more, whereas areas with less people or fewer weather incidents benefit from lower coverage costs.
The information below lists the most expensive cities in New York for high risk drivers to buy an auto insurance policy in. Buffalo ranks #13 with an annual premium of $1,533 for the average policy, which is around $128 per month.
| Rank | City | Annual Premium |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | $2,735 |
| 2 | Hempstead | $2,279 |
| 3 | Freeport | $2,235 |
| 4 | Levittown | $2,061 |
| 5 | Mount Vernon | $1,997 |
| 6 | Yonkers | $1,900 |
| 7 | Hicksville | $1,900 |
| 8 | West Babylon | $1,875 |
| 9 | Brentwood | $1,853 |
| 10 | Coram | $1,784 |
| 11 | White Plains | $1,661 |
| 12 | New Rochelle | $1,627 |
| 13 | Buffalo | $1,533 |
| 14 | Cheektowaga | $1,240 |
| 15 | Niagara Falls | $1,225 |
| 16 | West Seneca | $1,201 |
| 17 | Tonawanda | $1,177 |
| 18 | Troy | $1,095 |
| 19 | Utica | $1,092 |
| 20 | Syracuse | $1,086 |
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Prices are comparative as specific Buffalo zip code can impact rates considerably.
Ending up with the top company can be difficult considering how many companies provide coverage in New York. The ranking information below could help you analyze which car insurance companies you want to consider when trying find the best insurance for high risk drivers.
These ratings only include insurance companies that insure vehicles in the majority of U.S. states, so smaller regional companies are not taken into consideration for the list. To compare prices from these and other top-rated companies, click here.
Top 10 Large Auto Insurance Companies in Buffalo Ranked by A.M. Best Rating
- USAA – A++
- GEICO – A++
- Travelers – A++
- State Farm – A++
- Allstate – A+
- Nationwide – A+
- Esurance – A+
- Erie Insurance – A+
- Progressive – A+
- Mercury Insurance – A+
Top 10 Large Auto Insurance Companies in Buffalo Ranked by Customer Service
- Mercury Insurance
- The Hartford
- American Family
- Progressive
- USAA
- Travelers
- State Farm
- GEICO
- Allstate
- Farmers Insurance
The chart below illustrates how choosing a deductible can change insurance costs when researching cheap insurance for high risk drivers. The data is based on a single male driver, comp and collision included, and no discounts are taken into consideration.
As shown above, a 50-year-old driver could lower rates by $304 a year by switching from a $100 deductible up to a $500 deductible, or save $458 by changing to a $1,000 deductible. Youthful drivers, like the 20-year-old example, can save up to $1,004 or more by using higher deductibles when buying full coverage. If you make the decision to raise deductibles, it will be important to have additional savings on hand to enable you to cover the extra out-of-pocket expense, which is the main drawback of higher deductibles.
Why you should be shopping around
Buffalo, NY insurance rates are calculated based on many things which can substantially change the price you pay for coverage. Simply improving your credit, increasing deductibles, or getting a reckless driving citation can cause premium changes resulting in some rates now being cheaper than before.
Also, companies amend pricing without warning as an adjustment for underwriting gains or losses. Higher than normal claims may result in more expensive premiums, while a lower level of claims may result in cheaper Buffalo car insurance rates.
To illustrate this example, the chart below shows the companies that have the cheapest car insurance in Buffalo, NY for a 40-year-old female driver with no violations or accidents, and a high credit rating. If we look at prices based on her current risk profile, USAA might quote the most affordable car insurance rates in Buffalo at $1,895 per year. This is $180 less than the average rate paid by New York drivers of $2,075. Erie, Utica National, Travelers, and Allstate round out the rest of the most affordable Buffalo, NY auto insurance companies.
In this next rate comparison, we will give the driver in the first chart a chargeable claim, bad credit, and a few traffic violations. Because each company has their own guidelines to establish rates, comparing quotes may now result in a substantially altered list of companies as shown below.
MetLife now has the lowest price in Buffalo, NY with Amica, Preferred Mutual, Erie, and New York Central Mutual also being competitive. This example illustrates why consumers need to perform a complete rate comparison when trying to get affordable car insurance rates for high risk drivers.
Prices are calculated by many things and can decrease or increase without notice, so the most economical company the last time you shopped your coverage around may now be one of the higher cost companies.
How to find cheaper insurance for high risk drivers
It is possible to find better rates, and here are a few money-saving ideas that can help Buffalo drivers get lower-cost coverage.
- Keep your driving record clean
- Claim-free drivers earn discounts
- Do not get into accidents that are your fault
- Assess whether full coverage is needed
- Raise comprehensive and collision coverage deductibles
- Compare rates once a year for cheaper prices
That last idea is especially crucial, as we emphasized in the prior information. Car insurance rates change constantly, so don’t be afraid to buy from a different company if you find a cheaper price.
Loyalty to a specific company is fine, but it’s not a good idea if that loyalty results in overpaying a small fortune year after year. If you have a few minutes, shop around and find cheaper car insurance for high risk drivers in Buffalo.
The agents below can probably answer your questions and help you decide which auto insurance coverages would be the best in your situation, as many consumers aren’t sure which coverage to buy and prefer to get some professional input when trying to find lower insurance rates for high risk drivers. It’s not always easy to find coverage yourself, and agents can provide peace of mind knowing you have sufficient coverage for your assets. To find a Buffalo insurance agency closest to you, click the button link following the list or click here to compare price quotes.
- Hsbc Insurance Agency: Chiarenza John
95 Washington St – Buffalo, NY 14203 – (716) 447-2556 - Niagara County Insurance
1171 Delaware Ave – Buffalo, NY 14209 – (716) 881-6666 - Encompass Agency, Inc.
142 Niagara Falls Blvd – Buffalo, NY 14214 – (716) 835-6790