For most New Yorkers, the best insurance companies combine strong financial strength with a clean complaint record at the Department of Financial Services (DFS). NYCM, GEICO, Travelers, Erie and State Farm are solid starting points for auto and home, Chubb fits high-value homes, and USAA is hard to beat for military families. Always compare at least three quotes, because New York prices vary sharply between Buffalo, Long Island and the five boroughs.
This guide is for New York drivers, homeowners, condo and co-op owners, and families shopping for life coverage who want a short list of insurers worth quoting. We did not rank companies on advertising or brand recognition. We looked at four things: financial strength ratings from AM Best, complaint data published by the New York State Department of Financial Services, each carrier’s reputation for handling claims, and whether the company actually writes the type of policy you need in New York. A national giant that will not insure a beach house on the South Shore is not much use to someone in Long Beach.
New York also works differently from most states. It is a no-fault auto state with a higher personal injury protection requirement than many neighbors, coastal homeowners can run into a tight market after storms, and DFS publishes its own complaint ranking for auto insurers. Those details shape which company is “best” for you. For the national picture, start with our guide to the best insurance companies in America.
Best Insurance Companies in New York at a Glance
| Company | Best for | AM Best rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| NYCM Insurance | Upstate auto and home | A (Excellent) | Founded in 1899 in Edmeston and writes only in New York. |
| GEICO | Low-cost auto, online service | A++ (Superior) | One of the largest auto writers in the state by premium in the DFS complaint report. |
| Travelers | Home and auto bundles | A++ (Superior) | Sold through independent agents; strong option for bundling and umbrella coverage. |
| Erie Insurance | Agent service, western New York | A (Excellent) | Writes in New York through Erie Insurance Company of New York; AM Best moved its rating from A+ to A in September 2025. |
| State Farm | Captive agent network statewide | A+ (Superior) | AM Best lowered the group’s rating from A++ to A+ in November 2025, outlook stable. |
| Chubb | High-value homes and collections | A++ (Superior) | Built for Westchester, Manhattan and Hamptons homes that need high limits. |
| USAA | Military members and veterans | A++ (Superior) | Eligibility is limited to the military community and their families. |
Best Home Insurance in New York
Home insurance in New York is really two markets. Upstate, the main threats are winter: heavy snow loads, ice dams that push water under shingles, frozen pipes in older farmhouses and the occasional roof collapse after a lake-effect storm. Downstate, the risk shifts toward wind, storm surge and flooding along Long Island, Staten Island, Brooklyn and Queens, where Hurricane Sandy in 2012 showed how quickly surge water can reach homes far from the beach.
For a typical upstate house, NYCM, Erie and Travelers are worth quoting first, ideally through a local agent who knows the area. State Farm and Allstate cover most of the state as well. If your home is worth well above the local median or you own art, jewelry or a second home in the Hamptons, Chubb is designed for that profile and is worth a quote alongside your regular carrier.
Coastal owners who are turned down by the regular market have two named options. The New York Property Insurance Underwriting Association (NYPIUA) offers dwelling fire and commercial property coverage, and it administers the Coastal Market Assistance Program (C-MAP), which was set up by the state to help homeowners in coastal areas find coverage. These should be a fallback, not a first choice, so get several agent quotes before going that route.
A few policy tips for New York homes:
- Flood is excluded. Standard policies do not cover rising water. If you live near the coast, a river or Lake Ontario, read our guide on whether you need flood insurance.
- Check windstorm and hurricane deductibles. Ask whether your policy carries a separate deductible for hurricanes or named storms, and have the agent convert it from a percentage to a dollar figure.
- Co-op and condo owners need a unit-owner policy that matches what the building’s master policy leaves out, including improvements you made to your unit.
- Water backup coverage for sewer and sump pump failures is usually an add-on, and basement flooding is common in older city housing.
Best Car Insurance in New York
New York requires every registered vehicle to carry at least the following, according to DFS:
- Bodily injury liability of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident
- Property damage liability of $10,000 per accident
- Personal injury protection (no-fault) of $50,000
- Uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage with the same minimums as your liability limits
Because New York is a no-fault state, your own policy pays your medical bills and certain lost wages after a crash, no matter who caused it. You can step outside the no-fault system and sue the other driver for pain and suffering only if your injury meets the “serious injury” definition in state insurance law. That is one reason the minimums are rarely enough: a $10,000 property damage limit will not replace a late-model SUV, and $25,000 per person disappears quickly in a serious crash. Our guide on how much car insurance you need walks through realistic limits.
DFS publishes an annual auto complaint ranking that compares upheld complaints with premiums written, so large and small carriers can be compared fairly. The 2025 report, based on complaints closed in 2024, ranked 128 auto insurers. Progressive Specialty, GEICO General and NYCM placed 48th, 49th and 50th, while State Farm Mutual placed 71st, close to the statewide average. Several affiliated companies of the same brand landed in very different spots, so look up the exact company named on your quote, not just the brand.
Which carrier fits depends on where you drive. GEICO and Progressive tend to compete hard for city and suburban drivers who are comfortable managing a policy online. NYCM and Erie are worth a call if you live upstate and want a local agent. State Farm, Allstate and Travelers are strong for families who want to bundle home, auto and an umbrella policy with one company.
Best Life Insurance Options in New York
Life insurance is less tied to geography, but New York has its own rules for policies sold in the state, so some national products are issued through a separate New York subsidiary. Two highly rated mutual companies stand out: New York Life and MassMutual both hold AM Best’s top rating of A++ (Superior), and both offer term and whole life coverage. If you want a simpler term policy without a medical exam, compare carriers that issue in New York before you apply.
For deeper comparisons, see our list of the best life insurance companies and our breakdown of term vs whole life insurance.
How to Choose an Insurer in New York
- Check financial strength. Stick with carriers rated A- or better by AM Best for home and auto, and A or better for life coverage you plan to hold for decades.
- Look up complaint data. Use the DFS auto complaint ranking and the NAIC complaint index to compare carriers by the exact company name.
- Confirm the agent’s license. DFS licenses agents and brokers; verify yours before you sign or pay.
- Price the full package. Compare quotes with the same limits and deductibles, then price a bundle. Our guide on how to compare insurance quotes explains how.
- Read the storm and flood fine print if you live near the water, including named-storm deductibles and water backup limits.
- Know where to complain. If a claim stalls, you can file a complaint through the DFS Portal’s consumer complaint application. DFS warns that it may share a copy of your complaint with the company.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum car insurance required in New York?
New York requires bodily injury liability of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident, property damage liability of $10,000, $50,000 of no-fault personal injury protection, and uninsured motorist coverage at the same minimums as your liability limits.
Is New York a no-fault state?
Yes. Your own policy pays your medical bills and certain lost wages after a crash regardless of fault. You can sue the other driver for pain and suffering only if your injury meets the serious injury definition in state law.
Where can I get home insurance on Long Island if companies turn me down?
Ask several agents first. If the regular market will not write your home, the New York Property Insurance Underwriting Association offers dwelling fire coverage and administers the Coastal Market Assistance Program (C-MAP) for coastal homeowners.
How do I file a complaint against an insurance company in New York?
File through the Department of Financial Services Portal using its consumer complaint application. DFS may share a copy of your complaint with the company, so keep your documents and claim numbers organized.
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This article is for general information only and is not insurance or legal advice. Ratings and availability change; confirm with the insurer and your state insurance department.
