Cheap Auto Insurance Quotes in Buffalo, NY (2023)

The average car insurance premium in Buffalo, New York, is $340 for a minimum-coverage policy. That’s about $120 less than the average minimum-coverage premium in New York state, which costs $460.

While all drivers must carry car insurance in Buffalo, a minimum-coverage policy might not provide enough protection. Buffalo experiences extreme weather, like the historic blizzard in December 2022, as well as increasing rates of vehicle theft in 2021.^[1] Buffalo drivers should consider comprehensive insurance, which covers losses like weather-related damage and theft.

How much does car insurance cost in Buffalo?

Car insurance premiums in Buffalo can vary significantly. Rates are based on factors like age, credit score, driving record, car type, coverage limits, and deductibles.^[2] To find the most affordable policy for your situation, it’s a good idea to compare quotes.

To find the cheapest car insurance in Buffalo, Insurify’s data scientists analyzed recent insurance rates in the city. Insurify determined that average rates in Buffalo vary from $166 to $566 for liability-only coverage and $174 to $708 for full coverage.

Here are more findings from Insurify’s analysis of Buffalo car insurance rate data:

• Cheapest liability-only insurance coverage in Buffalo: Safeco, at $166 a month on average

• Cheapest full-coverage insurance in Buffalo: Safeco, at $174 a month on average

• Cheapest insurance for new and young drivers in Buffalo: Travelers, at $156 a month on average

Learn More: Cheap Car Insurance in New York

Cheapest car insurance in Buffalo: Safeco

Safeco is the cheapest car insurance provider in Buffalo, with an average premium of $166 for liability-only insurance and $174 for full coverage, according to Insurify data.

However, car insurance premiums are personalized to each driver. Factors like your location, driving record, claim history, gender, and the type of coverage you buy can affect your rate.^[2] In the table below, you can see which car insurance companies have the cheapest average rates in Buffalo.

Average cost of auto insurance in Buffalo

The average cost of car insurance in Buffalo is $340 per month for minimum-coverage policies and $392 per month for full-coverage policies. However, some car insurance companies have cheaper rates than others. Based on Insurify’s analysis of rate data in the city, rates can range from $170 to $637 based on the insurer you choose.

Consider getting quotes from multiple insurance providers to find the most affordable car insurance premium for your coverage needs and personal situation. Comparing several rate quotes will help you find the best price.

The table below includes the average monthly car insurance premiums for some of the top-rated insurance providers in Buffalo.

Average car insurance premiums in Buffalo by marital status

One of the factors that can indirectly affect the cost of car insurance is your marital status. If two people insure multiple cars under one policy, they may get a multi-car discount on their premium. Generally, insurers consider both spouses’ credit scores, driving histories, ages, vehicle types, and more when setting rates. If one partner has great credit and a clean history, then the other partner will benefit with slightly lower rates.

The average premium for single drivers in Buffalo is $373, and the average rate for married drivers is $354. That means married drivers in Buffalo can expect to save roughly $20 on their monthly car insurance premiums.

How much car insurance do you need in Buffalo?

Drivers in Buffalo are legally required to carry a minimum amount of auto insurance. The minimum coverage limits include:

• $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury liability

• $10,000 per accident for property damage liability

• $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for UM/UIM bodily injury liability^[3]

In addition, drivers in Buffalo are required to carry proof of insurance in their vehicles at all times. You may need to present proof of insurance coverage in several situations, such as:

• When requested by law enforcement

• When renewing your vehicle’s registration

• When you get into a car accident

New York DMV information

The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) handles vehicle-related matters and manages all the DMV locations in the state. The New York DMV provides a variety of online services, including vehicle registration renewal, driver’s license applications, and license renewal after suspension. If you prefer to visit the DMV in person, you can make a reservation online.

Tips for getting cheap car insurance in Buffalo

The cost of car insurance in Buffalo depends on a variety of factors, but you can find ways to get a lower premium. Here are a few ways to get cheaper car insurance in the city:

• Ask about discounts. You can often find car insurance discounts for good students, safe drivers, vehicles with an anti-theft device, insuring multiple vehicles, and paying your premium in full.

• Improve your credit. Insurers can use your credit score as a rating factor for car insurance premiums in New York.^[4] Raising your credit score can help you get a cheaper rate.

• Bundle your policies. When you bundle two insurance policies, like auto and homeowners insurance, most insurance providers will give you a discount on your combined premium.

• Compare quotes. Comparison shopping for car insurance quotes will help you find the best deal for your coverage needs and situation. Using a quote-comparison platform is the easiest way to compare rates.^[5]

Learn More: Compare Home and Auto Insurance Bundles

How age affects car insurance rates in Buffalo

Age is one of the most influential factors that can affect the cost of car insurance. Teenagers often pay the highest auto insurance rates due to their increased risk of accidents.^[6] Over time, car insurance rates tend to decrease and start increasing again around age 70.

The table below shows the average monthly car insurance rates in Buffalo for drivers across different age groups.

Cheapest car insurance for young drivers in Buffalo

The cheapest car insurance company for young drivers in Buffalo is Kemper, with an average full-coverage premium of $135 per month.

In general, young drivers have the most expensive car insurance rates because they lack experience on the road and have higher accident rates. However, young drivers in high school or college can often get a lower rate by taking advantage of smart student discounts.^[7]

These companies have the cheapest auto insurance rates for young drivers in Buffalo:

Cheapest car insurance for middle-aged drivers in Buffalo

Car insurance premiums start to drop around age 25 and continue to decrease as drivers get older. For middle-aged drivers, the cheapest auto insurance company in Buffalo is Nationwide, with an average full-coverage premium of $136 per month.

Middle-aged drivers can save money on their auto insurance in lots of ways, like bundling a home and auto policy, taking a defensive driver course, paying premiums up front, and improving their credit.^[5] The table below includes a more comprehensive list of the cheapest car insurance companies for middle-aged drivers in Buffalo:

Cheapest car insurance for senior drivers in Buffalo

In Buffalo, Travelers has the cheapest car insurance rates for seniors, with an average monthly full-coverage premium of $107. Because seniors have higher accident rates than younger drivers, car insurance premiums often start to increase around age 70.^[8]

However, seniors may be able to lower their premiums by taking a defensive driving course, raising their deductibles, or dropping certain optional coverages if they drive an older vehicle.^[5]

In the table below, you can see the cheapest car insurance companies for senior drivers in Buffalo and their average monthly premiums for full-coverage insurance.

How credit scores affect cheap car insurance in Buffalo

“In Buffalo, as well as in the rest of New York state, your credit score can have a significant impact on your car insurance rate,” says Kim Bellavia, vice president and marketing manager at Tompkins Insurance Agencies, a company that sells personal insurance lines in New York and Pennsylvania.

In general, drivers with higher credit scores pay less for car insurance than drivers with poor credit scores.^[2] The table below includes the average car insurance rates for drivers with excellent, good, fair, and poor credit. These rates are for full-coverage policies.

Learn More: Car Insurance Rates by Credit Tier

The effect of driving habits on car insurance in Buffalo

Your driving record has a significant impact on the cost of your car insurance in Buffalo. If you have a history of tickets, accidents, or other traffic violations, you can expect to pay more for car insurance than a driver with a clean record.^[2] The following tables show the average car insurance premiums for drivers with various violations.

Cheapest car insurance with a clean record in Buffalo: Safeco

If you have a clean driving record, it means you’ve had no recent accidents, speeding tickets, or violations. In Buffalo, the cheapest car insurance company for a driver with a clean driving record is Safeco, with an average premium of $174 per month.

Cheapest car insurance with an accident in Buffalo: Safeco

Safeco has the cheapest rates for Buffalo drivers who have accidents on their records, according to Insurify data. The average premium from Safeco for a driver with an accident is $250 per month for full coverage, which is about $76 higher than Safeco’s rate for a clean record.

Cheapest car insurance with a DUI in Buffalo: Safeco

If you’ve been convicted of driving under the influence, Safeco is the cheapest car insurance company, according to Insurify’s rate analysis. A DUI is a serious traffic violation, and drivers with a DUI usually see a significant increase in their car insurance premiums.^[9] Below are the cheapest car insurance companies for drivers with a DUI in Buffalo:

Cheapest car insurance with a speeding ticket in Buffalo: Safeco

Safeco stands out as one of the best cheap car insurance companies for drivers in Buffalo with a speeding ticket. The difference between Safeco’s average rates for drivers with a clean record and drivers with a speeding ticket is about $60 per month. Here are the cheapest companies for drivers with a speeding ticket in Buffalo:

Car insurance in other New York cities

Car insurance rates can vary widely based on ZIP code, even among cities in the same state. Here are car insurance rates in some other New York cities:

• Cheapest Car Insurance Quotes in New York City, NY

• Cheap Auto Insurance in Hicksville, NY

• Cheap Auto Insurance in Staten Island, NY

• Cheapest Car Insurance Quotes in Rochester, NY

• Cheap Auto Insurance Quotes in Bronx, NY

Find local Buffalo agents

Buffalo car insurance rates FAQs

Car insurance rates can vary widely from city to city, based on numerous factors, including ones that are specific to location. Here are answers to some commonly asked questions about car insurance in Buffalo, New York.