New York Auto Insurance
Whether you’re driving through Manhattan or enjoying a scenic drive through the Catskills, affordable auto insurance coverage can help protect you, your loved ones and your vehicle on every journey. So, take a few minutes to learn about cheap car insurance in New York, including which coverages are mandatory and which ones are optional.
New York Car Insurance Laws
Do you have to have car insurance in New York?
New York requires all vehicle owners to carry a car insurance policy that satisfies state insurance laws. New York auto insurance policies must at least meet the state’s minimum liability coverage limits, typically expressed as three numbers representing thousands of dollars. For example, the liability limits in New York are 25/50/10, as shown below under New York Minimum Car Insurance Requirements.
In addition to liability coverage, New York is a no-fault state that requires insurance policies to include personal injury protection (PIP) and uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) bodily injury coverage.
What is a no-fault state?
When people say, “New York is a no-fault state,” what do they mean? Well, in a no-fault state, each person injured in a car accident files a claim with their own insurance company and relies on their own coverage to pay for their medical expenses regardless of who was at fault. If an injured party does not have their own auto insurance, they would file a claim under the policy insuring the vehicle they were occupying at the time of the accident.
In an at-fault state, however, the at-fault driver would be liable for 100% of the injured person’s medical expenses. In this scenario, the at-fault driver's insurance would help cover the accident victim's expenses.
No-fault coverage only applies to personal injuries. In both no-fault states and at-fault states, drivers file property damage claims with the at-fault party’s insurer.
New York Minimum Car Insurance Requirements
Wondering what your insurance policy needs to fulfill New York’s insurance requirements? Here’s a quick breakdown by coverage type.
|
Coverages |
Is It Required by Law? |
|
Bodily Injury Liability Coverage provides financial protection if you cause an accident that injures another person. It helps pay for their medical expenses and your legal services (if necessary). |
Yes. $25,000 bodily injury per person/$50,000 bodily injury per accident. Please note, supplemental spousal liability coverage (SSL) is required unless it’s rejected in writing. |
|
Property Damage Liability Coverage helps pay to repair or replace other people’s property that is damaged in an accident you cause. It typically involves damage to another vehicle, but it could help pay to repair a house, fence, mailbox and more. |
Yes. $10,000 property damage per accident. |
|
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UM/UIM) helps pay for your medical bills and related expenses if the other driver has no coverage (UM), insufficient coverage (UIM) or can’t be identified due to hit and run. In some states, UM/UIM can also help pay for property damage. |
Yes. $25,000 UM/UIM bodily injury per person. $50,000 UM/UIM bodily injury per accident. |
|
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) helps pay for your medical and related expenses stemming from an accident, regardless of fault. |
Yes. $50,000 PIP coverage. Please note, optional full PIP is available to purchase, but not required. Also, optional basic economic loss (OBEL) coverage must be offered by law, and unless it’s rejected in writing, it is added to the policy. |
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Collision Coverage helps pay to repair or replace your vehicle if you collide with another car, tree, guardrail or another object, regardless of fault. |
Not required.1 |
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Comprehensive Coverage helps pay to repair or replace your vehicle if it’s damaged by something other than a collision, like fire, floodwaters, falling branches, vandalism or contact with an animal. |
Not required.1 |
IMPORTANT NOTE: While purchasing state-mandated coverage ensures you satisfy New York’s laws, it doesn’t protect you or your vehicle in every circumstance. You would need to add additional coverage, like comprehensive and collision, to protect yourself and your vehicle more fully.
1Your lender may require these coverages if you lease or finance your vehicle.
Are there additional coverage options?
For greater peace of mind, New York drivers may have access to add-on services and other coverages depending on the insurer:
New York Proof of Financial Responsibility and Penalties
What if I don't meet New York’s minimum car insurance requirements?
New York takes a strict stance on vehicle owners who don’t meet insurance requirements. The fines and other penalties for driving without insurance vary depending on the nature of the violation. Insurers must notify the New York Department of Motor Vehicles if your coverage has ended.
Penalties for Driving with a Suspended License in New York
Driving without a valid license can lead to harsh penalties in New York. If you’re caught operating a vehicle while suspended, revoked or otherwise unlicensed, the National Conference of State Legislatures reports you could be facing a misdemeanor charge. If guilty, you could face a steep fine and potential jail time. Therefore, if your license is ever suspended for any reason, follow the steps to get it reinstated before getting behind the wheel again.
SR-22 Insurance in New York
Some states require high-risk drivers to keep an SR-22 (also known as a certificate of financial responsibility) on file with the state verifying they have purchased auto insurance coverage that satisfies the state’s minimum coverage requirements. New York doesn’t require SR-22 filings, but you could be required to keep an SR-22 on file if you ever move to a new state if:
- You have committed serious driving violations.
- You have failed to maintain proper liability coverage or have broken state insurance laws.
- You have been convicted of a DUI/DWI.
High-Risk Auto Insurance in New York
Many individuals do not have a perfect driving record, and after a certain number of violations or a serious enough violation, drivers can be considered a major risk to insure. Some insurance companies won’t insure high-risk drivers, but non-standard insurance (another name for high-risk auto insurance) is often available elsewhere to provide financial protection for these drivers.
Where can I find the cheapest car insurance rates in New York?
Car insurance costs vary depending on a number of factors, including:
- The amount and type of coverage you choose
- The year, make and model of the vehicle you drive
- How much you drive, where you drive and where you live
- Your demographics
- Your driving record
- Your credit history
Other New York Auto Insurance Resources
*Roadside Assistance is not insurance and is administered through Nation Safe Drivers, Boca Raton, FL. Not all benefits available in all states.
**The “Direct Auto Insurance” brand is used by insurers in the National General Group, Winston-Salem, NC to describe their direct-to-consumer auto insurance programs. Direct Auto Insurance branded policies are produced by Direct General Insurance Agency, Inc. dba “Direct Auto Insurance” and by National General Insurance Marketing Inc.