Shopping around for cheap car insurance is not the easiest thing to do, and deciding which insurers offer the lowest-priced insurance rates for drivers with a bad driving record will involve even more perseverance. Every car insurance company uses a little different formula for filing rates in each state, so first let’s look at the rankings for the most competitive insurance companies in New York.
Keep in mind that New York insurance rates are based on many factors that may substantially change the cost of having a policy. That is why it is crucial to compare lots of rates to find the lowest car insurance rates for drivers with a bad driving record. Car insurance prices are determined by many different factors and can change substantially, so the best option six months ago may now be an over-priced policy.
Find Cheaper Car Insurance for Imperfect Drivers
| Rank | Company | Cost Per Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | USAA | $1,187 |
| 2 | Erie | $1,242 |
| 3 | Utica National | $1,504 |
| 4 | Allstate | $1,541 |
| 5 | Progressive | $1,558 |
| 6 | Travelers | $1,559 |
| 7 | MetLife | $1,572 |
| 8 | Amica | $1,628 |
| 9 | Preferred Mutual | $1,686 |
| 10 | New York Central Mutual | $1,892 |
| 11 | State Farm | $1,904 |
| 12 | GEICO | $1,926 |
| 13 | Safeco | $1,946 |
| 14 | Central Mutual | $2,008 |
| 15 | Liberty Mutual | $2,026 |
| 16 | Hanover | $2,393 |
| 17 | Encompass | $2,689 |
| 18 | Nationwide | $3,054 |
| 19 | Mercury | $3,926 |
| 20 | 21st Century | $4,281 |
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USAA normally has some of the best car insurance rates in Buffalo at around $1,187 each year. Erie, Utica National, Allstate, and Progressive also make the cut as some of the most economical Buffalo, NY car insurance companies.
As the rates illustrate above, if you currently have a policy with Utica National and switched to USAA, you could see a yearly price reduction of around $317. Insureds with Allstate may save as much as $354 a year, and Progressive customers might lower prices by up to $371 a year.
It’s important to note that these policy rates are averages across all ages of drivers and types of vehicles and do not take into consideration a specific location for drivers with a bad driving record. So the auto insurance company that is best suited for you may not even be in the top 20 companies in the list above. That illustrates why you need to quote rates from as many companies as possible using your own specific driver and vehicle information.
The car, truck, or SUV on the policy is probably the most important factor when shopping around for affordable insurance for drivers with a bad driving record. Vehicles with lower acceleration and performance, good crash test ratings, or a track record of few liability claims will cost significantly less to insure than fast, unsafe models. The information below outlines auto insurance costs for a selection of the most cost-effective vehicles to buy coverage for.
| Make and Model | Estimated Cost for Full Coverage |
|---|---|
| Hyundai Elantra GLS Touring Station Wagon | $8,253 |
| Ford Escape XLT 2WD | $8,258 |
| Honda CR-V EX-L 2WD | $8,361 |
| Toyota Prius | $8,808 |
| Jeep Wrangler Sport Islander Package 4WD 2-Dr | $8,865 |
| Toyota Tacoma 4WD | $9,225 |
| Ford Edge SE 2WD | $9,235 |
| Ford Focus S 4-Dr Sedan | $9,295 |
| Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer 4WD | $9,477 |
| Honda Odyssey EX | $9,659 |
| Chevrolet Impala LT | $9,672 |
| Dodge Grand Caravan Crew | $9,766 |
| Toyota RAV4 Limited 4WD | $9,771 |
| Toyota Corolla LE | $9,813 |
| Chevrolet Malibu LT | $9,874 |
| Toyota Camry XLE | $10,119 |
| Volkswagen Jetta SE 4-Dr Sedan | $10,213 |
| Ford F-150 Lariat King Ranch 2WD | $10,221 |
| Chevrolet Equinox LTZ AWD | $10,213 |
| Honda Civic GX 4-Dr Sedan | $10,244 |
| Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 2WD | $10,297 |
| Dodge Ram 3500 Mega Cab Laramie 2WD | $10,512 |
| Dodge Ram Quad Cab TRX4 Off Road 2WD | $10,600 |
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Table data assumes single male driver age 30, two speeding tickets, two at-fault accidents, $1,000 deductibles, and New York minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-policy, multi-vehicle, and homeowner. Estimates do not factor in garaging location in Buffalo, NY which can influence premium rates noticeably.
Based on these rates, we can tell that models like the Hyundai Elantra, Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Toyota Prius, and Jeep Wrangler should be a few of the most affordable vehicles to insure for bad drivers. The price of auto insurance will tend to be more expensive just because there is more claim exposure for drivers with a bad driving record, but overall those particular models will probably have the lowest insurance prices that you’ll find.
For bad drivers, one of the big things that aid in calculating car insurance rates is where you normally keep your vehicle. More populated areas tend to pay more, whereas areas with less people or fewer weather incidents have the gratification of cheaper auto insurance rates.
The table below lists the priciest cities in New York for drivers with a bad driving record to buy auto insurance in. Buffalo is ranked #13 with the annual price of $1,533 for the average insured, which is approximately $128 each month.
| Rank | City | Average Per Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | $2,654 |
| 2 | Freeport | $2,281 |
| 3 | Hempstead | $2,211 |
| 4 | Levittown | $1,981 |
| 5 | Mount Vernon | $1,978 |
| 6 | Yonkers | $1,920 |
| 7 | West Babylon | $1,913 |
| 8 | Brentwood | $1,910 |
| 9 | Hicksville | $1,900 |
| 10 | Coram | $1,784 |
| 11 | White Plains | $1,629 |
| 12 | New Rochelle | $1,627 |
| 13 | Buffalo | $1,533 |
| 14 | Cheektowaga | $1,253 |
| 15 | West Seneca | $1,237 |
| 16 | Niagara Falls | $1,201 |
| 17 | Tonawanda | $1,177 |
| 18 | Syracuse | $1,097 |
| 19 | Utica | $1,092 |
| 20 | Rochester | $1,067 |
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Prices are comparative as specific location information can revise coverage rates substantially.
Violations and accidents raise rates
The best way to enjoy the best insurance rates for bad drivers is to pay attention while driving and avoid accidents and violations. The illustration below demonstrates how speeding tickets and accidents can affect car insurance costs for different insured age categories. Data assumes a married female driver, comp and collision included, $500 deductibles, and no other discounts are factored in.
In the chart above, the average cost of car insurance in Buffalo per year with a clean driving record and no accidents is $1,059. Get written up for one speeding ticket and the average cost rises to $1,231, an increase of $172 each year. Then include two accidents along with the one speeding ticket and the annual cost of insurance for drivers with a bad driving record jumps again to an average of $2,739. That’s an increase of $1,680, or $140 per month, just for not driving responsibly!
Finding the highest-rated company can be rather challenging considering how many companies are available to choose from in New York. The company rank data in the next section can help you analyze which car insurance providers to look at when comparing rates. These rankings only include companies that write coverage in many states, so smaller companies that only insure vehicles in New York will not be included in this list.
| Company | Value | Customer Service | Claims | Customer Satisfaction | A.M Best Rating | Overall Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The General | 96 | 100 | 92 | 91% | A- | 95 |
| Mercury Insurance | 87 | 96 | 100 | 87% | A+ | 93.4 |
| The Hartford | 88 | 96 | 91 | 93% | A+ | 92.6 |
| Progressive | 84 | 94 | 99 | 90% | A+ | 92.4 |
| Travelers | 84 | 93 | 100 | 87% | A++ | 92.3 |
| State Farm | 84 | 93 | 95 | 87% | A++ | 91 |
| Farmers Insurance | 87 | 92 | 90 | 85% | A | 90.6 |
| Erie Insurance | 92 | 90 | 82 | 88% | A+ | 88.5 |
| Safeco Insurance | 85 | 91 | 87 | 86% | A | 88.4 |
| USAA | 71 | 93 | 98 | 87% | A++ | 88 |
| GEICO | 73 | 93 | 95 | 85% | A++ | 87.1 |
| 21st Century | 85 | 85 | 91 | 89% | A | 86.9 |
| Liberty Mutual | 72 | 91 | 97 | 83% | A | 86.4 |
| AAA Insurance | 85 | 85 | 88 | 86% | A | 85.8 |
| Nationwide | 71 | 90 | 93 | 83% | A+ | 84.9 |
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Data Source: Insure.com Best Car Insurance Companies
The insurance agencies listed below can answer your questions and help you decide which coverages are best, as some drivers wish to get some professional advice when shopping around for cheaper insurance for drivers with a bad driving record. It can be hard to find the best coverage on your own, so getting professional guidance from a licensed agent can bring peace of mind knowing your coverage gives you sufficient protection if you have a claim.
To locate a Buffalo insurance agent close to you, click the button at the bottom.
- The Byrne Insurance Agency Inc
480 Abbott Rd – Buffalo, NY 14220 – (716) 825-4100 - Cielinski Richard Insurance Agency
2916 William St – Buffalo, NY 14227 – (716) 892-5154 - Petrella Agency Inc
3411 Delaware Ave # 7 – Buffalo, NY 14217 – (716) 874-1400 - Willoughby Insurance
1994 Seneca St – Buffalo, NY 14210 – (716) 827-0500
More insurance agents in Buffalo, NY
How to find cheaper auto insurance for drivers with a bad driving record
Lowering your rates is not difficult, and here are a few money-saving ideas that can help drivers find cheaper auto insurance.
- Increase your policy deductibles
- Save money by staying claim-free
- Higher credit scores may earn you cheaper rates
- Buy a safer vehicle
- Don’t waste money on full coverage for older vehicles
- Buying car and homeowners insurance together can save money
- Keep rates low by comparing prices once a year
The last tip in the list is incredibly important, as was stressed in this write-up. Car insurance rates can be adjusted at any time, so don’t be unwilling to buy a different policy if a cheaper rate is available.
Staying with the same car insurance company is fine, but is isn’t recommended if your bullheadedness ends up costing you money that could be spent on other things. If you have a few minutes, compare rates to find cheaper insurance for drivers with a bad driving record in Buffalo.