27+ years writing about personal finance
Bylines in numerous notable publications
Geoff is a freelance personal finance journalist and author. He’s been published in top outlets such as The Wall Street Journal and CNN Money.
Featured in
7+ years in content creation and management
5+ years in insurance and personal finance content
Ashley is a seasoned personal finance editor who’s produced a variety of digital content, including insurance, credit cards, mortgages, and consumer lending products.
Featured in
Corporate communications director for Insurance Information Institute
20+ years in insurance and communications
As Director, Corporate Communications for Triple-I, Mark serves as the non-profit’s national spokesperson, sharing information and education on a wide array of insurance issues.
Updated November 21, 2024
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Table of contents
Utica is centrally located in New York, but its auto insurance rates fall well below the state average. Average rates for car insurance in New York are $266 for full coverage and $207 for liability only. But Utica drivers pay $207 for full coverage and $135 for liability only, on average.
Utica’s small population could contribute, in part, to its lower car insurance rates.
Here’s what you should know about getting cheap car insurance in Utica.
CSAA, Safeco, and Liberty Mutual are the three cheapest car insurance companies for Utica drivers.
Utica drivers pay an average of $2,484 per year for full-coverage car insurance.
New York requires drivers to carry no-fault medical insurance, which adds to the cost of auto insurance premiums throughout the state.[1]
3 of the cheapest car insurance companies in Utica
As you begin your search for car insurance, the quotes you receive will depend on factors such as your driving record, age, gender, marital status, and even your credit history. Comparing quotes from several companies can help you identify the best insurer for you, and the three companies listed below make an excellent starting point.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. ▲▼ | Full Coverage ▲▼ | Liability Only ▲▼ | Best For ▲▼ |
---|---|---|---|---|
CSAA | 7.6 | $208 | $145 | Low rates |
Safeco | 8.3 | $221 | $161 | Policy customization |
Liberty Mutual | 7.7 | $296 | $213 | Accident forgiveness |
Our editorial team spent more than 350 hours developing the Insurify Quality (IQ) Score and scoring insurance companies. The IQ Score objectively analyzes and calculates a score for insurers using more than 15 crucial criteria. The team weighted criteria by importance to the consumer — factors such as customer reviews and affordability influence the score more than availability and third-party ratings.
We rate each company on a 1 to 10 scale based on five categories: financial ratings, customer satisfaction, affordability, customer support and transparency, and availability. Insurify updates ratings once a year or as more recent information becomes available.
- Third-party financial ratings: Insurify uses data from AM Best, S&P, Moody’s, and more to compare insurance companies’ credit and ability to pay out future claims.
- Customer satisfaction: To calculate this score, Insurify analyzed more than 28,000 customer reviews across 155 car insurance companies. We also consider third-party ratings from J.D. Power, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and Trustpilot.
- Affordability: Our data scientists analyzed more than 90 million real-time auto insurance rates from our partners across the U.S., as well as available discounts, to calculate an affordability score.
- Customer support and transparency: This measures coverage options, ease of claims filing, and the insurer's transparency surrounding discounts, coverages, and claims process.
- Availability and reach: Insurify scores availability and reach by identifying the number of states in which insurers offer coverage and company size by market share.
Best insurer for low rates: CSAA
User Reviews | 4.5 |
---|---|
IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 7.6 /10 |
Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $119/mo |
Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $179/mo |
Drivers appreciate the competitive rates and helpful customer service but dislike the lack of communication and the recent price increases.
Drivers appreciate the competitive rates and helpful customer service but dislike the lack of communication and the recent price increases.
Brooklynn
November 19, 2024
I know everyone should do this
Renee
November 6, 2024
If It Ain't Broke...
Mary
November 6, 2024
AAA Fun
CSAA Insurance Group is a regional insurance company that offers coverage to AAA members in 23 states and Washington, D.C. The company consistently offers some of the cheapest rates in Utica for drivers across all categories.
You must be a member of AAA to be eligible for coverage. But membership comes with many perks, including roadside assistance, rental car discounts, and discounts on movie tickets.
Unique membership perks
Roadside assistance available
AM Best financial strength rating of A (Excellent)
AAA membership needed for car insurance
Coverage varies based on your location
Below-average J.D. Power claims satisfaction rating
Best insurer for policy customization: Safeco
User Reviews | 4.5 |
---|---|
IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 8.3 /10 |
Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $162/mo |
Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $182/mo |
Drivers appreciate the polite and helpful customer service and fair pricing but dislike the significant rate increases and difficulty reaching agents.
Drivers appreciate the polite and helpful customer service and fair pricing but dislike the significant rate increases and difficulty reaching agents.
Sarah
November 10, 2024
Too Expensive
Bonnie
November 2, 2024
The Price of Car Insurance
Harris
October 31, 2024
Just Fine
Safeco was founded in 1923 and is now a subsidiary of Liberty Mutual. It offers numerous insurance products beyond auto, including homeowners, renters, umbrella, pet, and commercial insurance coverage.
Safeco is known for its extensive coverage options that move beyond what many other insurers offer to include rental car reimbursement, new-vehicle replacement, 24-hour roadside assistance, and more.
Offers cash back for claims-free periods and diminishing deductibles
Connects you with a Guaranteed Repair Network to help you get back on the road
Many options to customize your car insurance coverage
Limited number of available discounts
Customer reviews indicate room for improvement in customer service
Not available in every state
Best insurer for accident forgiveness: Liberty Mutual
User Reviews | 3.7 |
---|---|
IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 7.7 /10 |
Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $198/mo |
Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $290/mo |
Drivers appreciate the initial low prices, quick claims handling, and easy account access but dislike the significant price increases over time.
Drivers appreciate the initial low prices, quick claims handling, and easy account access but dislike the significant price increases over time.
Michael
November 19, 2024
Go Elsewhere
Deborah
November 12, 2024
Examine Every Inch of Your Policy
Lee
November 12, 2024
Ugh!
If you’ve gone five years without an accident, Liberty Mutual’s accident forgiveness coverage can protect your car insurance rates from going up after your first accident. This could be helpful for Utica drivers, who already pay higher car insurance rates than the national average.
Liberty Mutual also offers discounts that can help you save, including discounts for owning a home, being affiliated with the military, and bundling your policies.
Accident forgiveness coverage available
Several available discounts
AM Best financial strength rating of A (Excellent)
Below-average J.D. Power customer satisfaction rating in New York
Not the cheapest rates in Utica
Negative customer reviews on Trustpilot
How to get the cheapest car insurance in Utica
The rate you’ll pay for car insurance in Utica depends on many factors, some of which are out of your control. Comparing prices is an effective way to judge one insurer against another. But it isn’t the only thing you can do to lower your rates.
Here are some strategies you’ll want to keep in mind as you look for cheap car insurance:
Determine how much coverage you need. Liability-only coverage is less expensive than full coverage, but don’t entirely dismiss the latter option. For example, if you’ve just purchased a new, expensive car or truck, liability insurance won’t cover repairs or replacement of the vehicle in many instances. Find the most affordable coverage that meets your needs instead of shopping solely based on price.
Consider your deductible. You may be tempted to choose a high deductible to lower your premiums, but keep in mind that you must pay your deductible before your insurer will pay on your claim. If paying a high deductible would be tricky, you may want to pay higher monthly premiums and keep your deductible lower.
Find discounts. Ask your insurer or insurance agent if you qualify for any discounts that’ll bring your rates down. You can also ask your employer or other associations you’re affiliated with if they have any discount agreements with particular insurers.
Cheapest liability-only car insurance in Utica: CSAA
Liability-only car insurance protects you after an accident you cause by covering the repair and medical bills of the other party. But if your car is damaged, or you’re injured in an accident you cause, liability insurance won’t pay for those expenses.
Because liability insurance doesn’t offer as much coverage, rates are often cheaper. Below, you can see the average monthly rates for liability-only coverage from different insurers in Utica.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Monthly Quote ▲▼ |
---|---|
CSAA | $145 |
Safeco | $161 |
Liberty Mutual | $213 |
Midvale Home & Auto | $239 |
Progressive | $252 |
Erie | $340 |
Bristol West | $420 |
Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Utica: CSAA
Full-coverage car insurance provides you the same protection as liability coverage, but it also covers injuries you sustain or damage to your vehicle in an accident you cause. This makes full coverage more expensive because it’s essentially covering all parties in an accident you cause. But it could be a good option if you have a new car or a vehicle you’d struggle to replace if necessary.
Here’s a list of full-coverage quotes from insurers in Utica.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Monthly Quote ▲▼ |
---|---|
CSAA | $208 |
Safeco | $221 |
Midvale Home & Auto | $288 |
Liberty Mutual | $296 |
Progressive | $370 |
Bristol West | $477 |
Erie | $499 |
Cheapest recent rates near Utica, New York
Drivers in and around Utica, New York have found policies from Bristol West, CSAA, Liberty Mutual, and more, through Insurify in the last few days.
*Quotes generated for Insurify users in and around Utica, New York within the last 10 days. Last updated on November 21, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.
*Quotes generated for Insurify users in and around Utica, New York within the last 10 days. Last updated on November 21, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.
Car insurance requirements in New York
If you live in Utica you’ll need to have liability coverage, uninsured motorist coverage, and no-fault or personal injury protection insurance. Most states don’t require drivers to carry no-fault medical insurance, but New York does. If you were in a car accident, no matter whose fault it is, your car insurance would pay for the hospital bills and also replace your lost earnings and other expenses, such as medical care in the home.
But there are exceptions. If you were in a wreck due to drinking and driving, your no-fault insurance likely wouldn’t pay for your expenses.
The table below spells out the minimum car insurance requirements you’ll need to meet in Utica.
Coverage ▲▼ | Minimum Requirements ▲▼ |
---|---|
Bodily injury liability |
|
Property damage liability | $10,000 per accident |
Personal injury protection (PIP)
|
|
But these requirements are just the minimum. They’ll prevent you from getting in trouble with the law, but there are plenty of situations that minimum coverage won’t protect you from, such as your car getting stolen or a tree landing on your parked car during a storm.
For those cases, you may want to also purchase:
Comprehensive coverage
Comprehensive insurance covers you if your vehicle is damaged due to something that has nothing to do with a car wreck. For example, if someone steals your car or an animal crossing the road damages it, comprehensive insurance would pay for the repairs or for your vehicle to be replaced.
Collision coverage
Collision insurance pays for repairs to your vehicle when it’s damaged by another vehicle or an object. Remember, liability insurance covers the damage to the other vehicle in an accident, and if you hit a telephone pole or a tree, you’d have to pay for your own damages if you didn’t have collision coverage.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident
Not everyone has a perfect driving record, and if you have a speeding ticket, at-fault accident, or DUI on yours, your insurance premiums will probably go up. As a general rule, insurance companies believe that one incident could mean there will be more incidents to follow and hedge their bets by raising premiums. The good news is that, in most cases, if you can go a few years without an incident, those rates should come back down.
In the sections that follow, you’ll see how different incidents affect your rates in Utica.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket: CSAA
Utica takes speeding seriously. In recent years, the city has placed solar-powered smart speed-tracking devices in the city to get a sense of where the most speeding occurs.[2] If you get a speeding ticket in New York, your insurer may raise your rates. And if you have a ticket on your record already, you’ll pay higher rates than someone with a clean driving record, as you can see in the table below.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Clean Driving Record ▲▼ | With Speeding Ticket ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
CSAA | $145 | $194 |
Safeco | $161 | $215 |
Liberty Mutual | $213 | $285 |
Midvale Home & Auto | $239 | $320 |
Progressive | $252 | $338 |
Erie | $340 | $455 |
Bristol West | $420 | $563 |
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident: CSAA
If you have an at-fault accident on your record, your insurance rates will increase. Fortunately, your rates should decrease once the accident is off your record.
Here’s a look at monthly liability rates for Utica drivers with an accident on their record.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Clean Driving Record ▲▼ | With Accident ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
CSAA | $145 | $206 |
Safeco | $161 | $228 |
Liberty Mutual | $213 | $302 |
Midvale Home & Auto | $239 | $339 |
Progressive | $252 | $358 |
Erie | $340 | $482 |
Bristol West | $420 | $596 |
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI: CSAA
Insurers view a DUI as the most serious of incidents, and if you have a DUI on your record, your rates will almost certainly go up. In some cases, your insurer may drop you altogether. The table below shows how much insurers charge Utica drivers with a DUI on their record.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Clean Driving Record ▲▼ | With DUI ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
CSAA | $145 | $238 |
Safeco | $161 | $263 |
Liberty Mutual | $213 | $349 |
Midvale Home & Auto | $239 | $392 |
Progressive | $252 | $413 |
Erie | $340 | $557 |
Bristol West | $420 | $689 |
Cheapest car insurance for seniors: CSAA
Auto insurers calculate premiums by looking at many different factors, and age is a particularly important one. If you’re 70 or older, your premiums will usually be higher than those of middle-aged people. This is because seniors are generally involved in more accidents and suffer more severe injuries when in a crash.
The table below shows what you may pay, on average, for your insurance premiums as a senior driver in Utica.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Monthly Quote ▲▼ |
---|---|
CSAA | $123 |
Safeco | $136 |
Liberty Mutual | $181 |
Midvale Home & Auto | $203 |
Progressive | $214 |
Erie | $289 |
Bristol West | $357 |
Cheapest car insurance for teens: CSAA
Many young drivers are skilled, but insurers still charge this group higher premiums than older, more experienced motorists. Fortunately, teen drivers have ways to reduce high insurance premiums, like staying on their parents’ policy. Driving a car that your insurer considers a safe model may lower premiums as well, and your insurer may give a student discount for good grades.
If you’re a teenager, or you have a teenager driving in Utica, check out the most affordable companies for teens in the table below.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Monthly Quote ▲▼ |
---|---|
CSAA | $250 |
Safeco | $276 |
Liberty Mutual | $366 |
Midvale Home & Auto | $411 |
Progressive | $434 |
Erie | $584 |
Bristol West | $722 |
Utica car insurance quotes by credit tier
Most states, including New York, allow insurers to consider a driver’s credit history when pricing insurance premiums. Auto insurers have concluded that a person’s credit score is a sign of how likely they are to file a claim. As such, drivers with excellent or good credit pay lower insurance premiums than drivers with poor credit.
The chart below shows how Utica drivers’ credit tiers can affect their insurance premiums.
Rates by Credit Tier
Is car insurance more expensive in Utica?
Car insurance in Utica is more expensive than in many other parts of the country. The U.S. national car insurance average is $104 per month for liability-only coverage and $204 per month for full coverage.
Utica drivers pay $135 per month for liability-only coverage and $207 for full coverage, on average.
Other New York cities with larger populations have average car insurance rates much higher than Utica’s. For example, Yonkers drivers pay $465 per month for full coverage, and Staten Island drivers pay $449.
More cities in New York
The table below shows how car insurance in Utica compares to other cities across the Empire State.
City ▲▼ | Average Quote: Liability Only ▲▼ | Average Quote: Full Coverage ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Buffalo | $186 | $243 |
New York | $459 | $547 |
Rochester | $98 | $204 |
Staten Island | $343 | $449 |
Syracuse | $142 | $344 |
Yonkers | $279 | $465 |
Utica car insurance FAQs
If you’re shopping for car insurance in Utica, this additional information may help as you research your coverage options.
How much is car insurance in Utica?
Car insurance in Utica averages out to $135 per month for liability-only coverage and $207 for full coverage. While these rates are higher than the national average, they’re lower than those in many other communities in New York.
What are the best car insurance companies in Utica?
CSAA, Safeco, and Liberty Mutual are three of the best car insurance companies in Utica. They offer competitive rates and have solid Insurify Quality (IQ) Scores. The best car insurance company for you will depend on many factors, including your age, ZIP code, driving record, and the type of car you drive.
What factors affect the cost of car insurance in Utica?
Many factors affect the cost of car insurance in Utica, including its smaller population size. The city also has a higher-than-average crime rate and a higher cost of living than many other communities across the country.
How much car insurance do you need in New York?
In New York, you must maintain minimum bodily injury liability coverage amounting to $25,000 for bodily injury and $50,000 for death for a person involved in an accident. You must also carry $50,000 for bodily injury and $100,000 for death for two or more people in an accident. You must also carry property damage liability of $10,000 for property damage for a single accident. Finally, you must also carry personal injury protection coverage amounting to reasonable and necessary accident-related medical and rehabilitation expenses.
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 50+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).
Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:
- Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
- Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
- No additional coverage
- Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
- Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.
Related articles
More cities in New York
Sources
- New York State Department of Financial Services. "Shopping for Auto Insurance."
- CNYhomepage.com. "Utica introduces new ‘Smart Speed-Tracking Signs’."
Geoff Williams is a freelance journalist who has written personal finance articles for most of his career and for numerous publications, including U.S. News & World Report, The Wall Street Journal, Bankrate, CNNMoney.com and Forbes.com. He is also the author of several books, including “C.C. Pyle’s Amazing Foot Race” and “Washed Away,” and writes a classic TV blog called “The TV Professor.”
7+ years in content creation and management
5+ years in insurance and personal finance content
Ashley is a seasoned personal finance editor who’s produced a variety of digital content, including insurance, credit cards, mortgages, and consumer lending products.
Featured in
Corporate communications director for Insurance Information Institute
20+ years in insurance and communications
As Director, Corporate Communications for Triple-I, Mark serves as the non-profit’s national spokesperson, sharing information and education on a wide array of insurance issues.