What do you want first? The good news or the bad news?
Okay, we’ll go with the bad news.
Car insurance rates are at an all-time high in the U.S., and rates are rising.
And now the good news.
However, in the Buffalo metro area, car insurance rates are actually down 3% since 2011, bucking the national trend of a 20% average increase in rates.
A recent study by The Zebra revealed current average annual auto insurance premiums for:
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Buffalo metro area: $1,446 (47th most expensive city in the U.S.)
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New York City: $2,226
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Albany: $1,227
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New York (state): $1,582 (13th most expensive state in the U.S.)
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U.S.: $1,427
Here are the Buffalo area zip codes that pay the most for car insurance:
1. Buffalo 14211 – $1,892
2. Buffalo 14204 – $1,879
3. Buffalo 14208 – $1,861
4. Buffalo 14203 – $1,832
5. Buffalo 14213 – $1,832
6. Buffalo 14215 – $1,819
7. Buffalo 14201 – $1,818
8. Buffalo 14209 – $1,805
9. Buffalo 14202 – $1,791
10. Buffalo 14212 – $1,773
And the ones that pay the least:
1. North Tonawanda 14120 – $1,266
2. Sanborn 14132 – $1,271
3. Tonawanda 14150 – $1,272
4. Lancaster 14086 $1,274
5. Appleton 14008 $1,281
6. Lockport 14094 $1,284
7. Lawtons 14091 $1,286
8. Hamburg 14075 $1,288
9. Middleport 14105 $1,290
10. Lewiston 14092 $1,291
The state and city you live in plays a huge role in how much you pay for car insurance. In fact, insurance companies take all of the following into consideration when setting rates for their policies:
- Number of claims in your area: This is kind of a no-brainer, because more claims equal more payouts for insurance carriers–and of course they pass some of that on to their paying customers
- Population Density where you live: More cars on the road equals a higher potential for accidents
- Climate and weather: Rough winters with ice and snow as well as hailstorms and floods all translate into higher claims and premiums
- Crime rates (theft/vandalism): Higher crime rates, especially property crimes like car break-ins, car theft and vandalism, mean higher premiums
- Unemployment levels: In areas with higher unemployment, more people forgo auto insurance, which means those who have insurance end up paying more when hit by an uninsured motorist
- Road conditions: Intersections known to be dangerous and potholes that can cause damage also fuel increased insurance costs
- Availability of public safety services: Cities that enforce traffic laws aggressively and have faster response times are considered safer and therefore less expensive for auto insurance companies than areas that aren’t as safe
- Litigation activity: If your town or city has a higher-than-average number of attorneys, be prepared to pay more for your car insurance
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