MW I'm 32 and I haven't driven in a decade. Will my car insurance be astronomical?
By Aditi Shrikant
'Is there any way I can reduce my insurance rate, or do I just need to suck it up?'
"My parents are moving to the D.C. area and I'd like to visit them more." (Photo subject is a model.)
Dear Dollar Signs,
I'm 32, and I haven't had a car since I was 20. I live in Brooklyn and haven't really seen the need for one until just now. My parents are moving to the D.C. area and I'd like to visit them more. I'd also love to be able to get out of the city and do more hikes with my dog.
I think my car-insurance payment will be super high. I was a good driver, but given that I haven't had a car in a while, it might not matter. Is there any way I can reduce my insurance rate, or do I just need to suck it up and shell out the money?
Car Curious
If you're just starting out on your money or career journey and have questions about how to navigate your finances, we want to hear from you. Write to Dollar Signs, MarketWatch's new advice column, at dollarsigns@marketwatch.com.
Dear Curious,
As someone who gave up driving after moving to New York City, I've often wondered this about myself. Should I need a car in the future, how much more will it increase the cost of living in this already pricey city?
Your gut instinct is right. Your insurance premiums will likely be pretty high. Not only because you haven't driven in a while, but also because Brooklyn has some of the highest car-insurance premiums of any city in the U.S., according to data from Bankrate. The average annual coverage costs $6,779.
But, some decent discounts might be available "even if you haven't driven in 10 to 15 years," said Steve Baldwin, a representative from State Farm.
First off, if you were a good driver, that still works in your favor, even if there has been a gap in coverage. Having good credit - a FICO $(FICO)$ score between 670 and 780 - also shows you're a responsible consumer and can result in a lower rate. For example, drivers with good credit, on average, pay $2,697 per year for car insurance - but those with poor credit pay $4,745, according to Bankrate.
From my understanding, you haven't yet purchased a car. If that's the case, I'd advise you to buy a used car. These typically don't have as many tracking features, which can keep premium rates low.
Shop around for insurance
"Price compare" is a piece of advice given so frequently that I often roll my eyes when I see it. It's a tedious task, but unfortunately, that's exactly what you need to do. Get as many quotes as possible. Some personal-finance and insurance sites have rate calculators where you answer a short survey and receive quote estimates.
Car-insurance companies don't all interpret driving habits the same. Some might see you as a bigger liability for a speeding ticket than others, for example.
The type of car you purchase can also affect your rates. Cars with trackers can hike the price of your insurance as insurers collect information about your driving - which most people consent to when signing the terms and conditions agreement for their vehicle. These can detect when drivers are distracted, if you're hard braking and rapidly accelerating or if you're often driving late at night - all things which signal to insurance companies that you might be a liability.
Many older vehicles don't have these features. Plus, used cars, depending on what year they were made and if they are not known to be easy for thieves to steal, can be cheaper to fix up and might not need as much coverage, said Stephen Crewdson, a representative from J.D. Power.
"Think about the limits you have on your policy," he said. "You want enough [coverage], but not excessive."
If you are purchasing a new vehicle, check the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's list of the safest cars. Purchasing a vehicle with the highest safety rating can help to get a lower premium.
You could also take a defensive-driver course. In New York State, taking a class that is part of the Points and Insurance Reduction Program, which is approved by the Department of Motor Vehicles, reduces your premium by 10%. This one costs $25, is fully online and only takes 4 1/2 hours.
Parking in a garage could slightly lower your rate, too.
Also, you have a dog! Sometimes you can get a discount for bundling insurance. Typically, people do this with home and auto coverage, but some insurance companies do allow you to bundle pet and car insurance, Baldwin said. Lemonade, Liberty Mutual, and AAA all offer this in New York City.
Pretty much, insurance companies want to know you're a responsible person. By opting to buy a used car or one that has a superior safety rating, and showing them you have a good driving history, you're more likely to be able to snag a lower rate.
You have a lot of loops to jump through, but even saving a few hundred bucks a year would eventually add up.
Write to Dollar Signs at dollarsigns@marketwatch.com.
-Aditi Shrikant
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November 25, 2025 12:18 ET (17:18 GMT)
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