9 Car Insurance Discounts Every New York Driver Should Know About

Ron Trumbo Insurance Editor

New York is one of the most expensive states for car insurance. According to the NAIC*, the average auto insurance policy in New York is about $1,044/year. This is broken down by $687 for liability coverage, $331 for collision coverage, and $154 for comprehensive coverage. Many New York drivers are paying more than the average because they are not taking advantage of many car insurance discounts. These New Yorkers have an opportunity to save between 5% and 25% on their car insurance rates by simply comparing a few quotes from New York insurance agents and asking a few questions about discounts.

New York Car Insurance Discounts

New York has a myriad of insurance discounts that are common to the entire country, but also unique to the state. Uncovering car insurance deals requires that you start by comparing at least 5 different quotes from 5 different local New York insurance agents. Simply ask: “I’m getting a few different car insurance quotes right now and I’m curious if you can tell me every insurance discount that I qualify for in New York?” An experienced (and licensed) New York agent will be able present you with a list of discounts depending on your situation.

Car insurance discounts can involve the type of car you drive, the mileage you drive, the number drivers you have on the same policy, your driving history, your age, and your professional background, and the types of safety and security devices that you have on your car.

1. Multi-car insurance discounts in New York

The Multi-car discount is a common car insurance discount that rewards New Yorkers for paying more money with the same insurance company. You have to be careful with this discount though as the risk of another driver on your policy could easily negate the value presented by the multi-car discount. For example, if your teenage driver is the second driver/second car on the policy, you may find that the multi-car discount is nearly irrelevant. Some insurance companies charge high rates for young drivers given that they are the most likely segment of the population to have an expensive auto claim. The point is that, discounts do not always offset the higher rates presented by different car insurance companies.

2. Vehicle safety discounts in New York

Almost every New York car insurance company gives a discount for factory installed daytime running headlights. Simply put: Safer cars save lives. In New York, State Farm indicates that drivers can receive a 3% discount for daytime running lights and 5% for anti-lock brakes**. Additionally, automatic seat belts and air bags are likely to yield discount savings. Anti-brakes frequently favorable to New York carriers as well.When you compare rates, makes sure you list every safety feature on your car. Some insurance agents have a database of the standard safety features on your car's make and model.

3. Vehicle security devices in New York

Given that vehicle theft is a reality in New York, insurance companies commonly give comprehensive and collision discounts for vehicles that have theft prevention features and safety devices. Loud car alarm are almost certain to save you moneys as are, a steering wheel lock, brake pedal locks, wheel locks, window etching, as well as tracking devices. Interestingly, New York has a state-run program call Combat Auto Theft (CAT) that teams with insurance companies to fight auto theft in New York. In the past 10 years, New York has reduced auto theft by over 60% by simply rewarding drivers who have theft prevention devices with lower insurance rates, as well as millions of dollars in additional law enforcement resources.

4. Multi-policy insurance discounts in New York

Similar to the multi-car discount, the multi-policy discount should reward you for placing more of your insurance business with the same New York insurance company. If you own a home in New York and you place your car insurance policy with the same insurance company as your home insurance policy, you may see an additional 10% to 15% discount on one of your policies. This is a common discount nationwide and certainly a fundamental insurance strategy. If your home insurance policy is with a different company, trying reach out to either your current auto carrier or your homeowners carrier to see what the benefit many of switching.

5. Good driver discounts in New York

Approximately half of the auto insurance carriers in New York offer a discount for being accident free for an extended period of time. Good driving should be rewarded with better car insurance rates.

6. New York drivers safety courses deliver 10% in mandatory discounts

Most people take a drivers safety class only when they get a ticket and want to keep the point off their driving record. These New York drivers fail to realize that they can save money on their car insurance for simply taking an approved accident prevention course—outside of a offsetting a ticket. Nearly every New York carrier rewards for traffic safety courses. You must have the certification of completion of the approved New York traffic school and generally these are good for 3 years. New York believes that drivers who complete a defensive driving class are entitled to an additional 10% discount.

7. New York senior citizen discounts

Only a handful of New York’s car insurance companies give a senior citizen’s discount, including Allstate, Erie Insurance, and of course The Hartford-AARP. If you are 50 years or older, you should consider requesting an auto insurance company from one of these three leaders. See InsuranceLoco's article: Senior Drivers Should Consider Higher Auto Insurance Policy Limits and Look for Senior Driver Discounts

8. Military discount for car insurance

This is one of our favorite discounts for the sake of rewarding those who have sacrificed for our country and the state of New York. Only a few New York insurance companies give military auto insurance discounts. USAA is certainly the leader in this discount, given that they only serve military drivers, but Geico is another industry leader that values our military.

9. Good student discounts in New York

New York insurance companies like State Farm, Geico and Travelers give auto insurance discounts for good students. Good students are generally better decision makers and tend to be safer drivers. Good students are classified differently by insurance companies, but if you have grades of “B” or higher in high school or college, you may have a car insurance discount waiting for you.

Where You Live in New York Affects Your Car Insurance Rates

Where you live in New York affects where you might fall in line with the average New York insurance rate. For example, NYC with all its traffic congestion, crime and collisions is going skew higher for a daily city driver, compared to the wide-open country road driver that lives in the surrounding Binghamton area. Regardless, it takes an insurance shopper to actually save on car insurance in New York.