In New York, car insurance is a necessity, but with so many types to choose from, it can be overwhelming. There are three main types of car insurance: Liability, Collision, and Comprehensive.
Liability insurance is mandatory in New York and covers damages to other people or property. It's usually the cheapest option, but it's not enough to protect you in case of an accident.
Collision insurance covers damages to your vehicle, regardless of who's at fault. It's a good idea to have this type of insurance if you have a new or expensive car.
Comprehensive insurance covers damages from non-collision events, such as theft, vandalism, or natural disasters. It's often included in full-coverage insurance policies.
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Types of Car Insurance
There's no such thing as "full coverage", it's an insurance myth. You should choose the coverages that are right for you.
Liability insurance is required in almost every state, and it covers the other driver's bills for property damage, injuries, or even death. This type of insurance includes two categories: bodily injury liability and property damage liability.
Bodily injury liability covers the medical expenses from an accident you caused, and property damage liability covers the repair costs to other vehicles, fences, mailboxes, or buildings from an accident you caused. These two categories of liability insurance offer different coverage amounts, usually written as three numbers.
Here are the two types of liability insurance coverage:
Other Types of
Other types of car insurance can provide additional protection and peace of mind for you and your vehicle. You can choose from a variety of extras to add to your policy.
Rental reimbursement pays for a rental car while your car is in the shop for a repair covered under an insurance claim. This can be a lifesaver if you're without a car for an extended period.
New-car replacement insurance pays for a brand-new car of the same make and model, minus your deductible, if you total your new car. This coverage is especially important if you're driving a new car.
Full glass coverage pays to repair or replace chipped or broken window glass. This can be a cost-effective option if you have a lot of glass on your vehicle.
Rideshare insurance covers you when you're driving for a rideshare service such as Uber or Lyft by providing coverage for the time when you're waiting between fares. This is essential if you drive for a rideshare service.
Mechanical breakdown coverage pays for repairs or replacement parts if your vehicle breaks down even if there is not an accident or external cause of damage. This can be a valuable addition to your policy.
Custom parts and equipment value coverage will repair or replace modifications to your vehicle, like a new stereo system or those sweet, sweet spinner rims. This coverage is essential if you've made significant modifications to your vehicle.
Classic car insurance covers repairs on classic or antique cars. It will also insure your vehicle for its full appreciated value, as agreed upon by you and your insurance company. This is a specialized type of insurance that requires careful consideration.
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Business or commercial auto insurance covers you when you're using your vehicle for commercial or small-business purposes. This is a must-have if you use your vehicle for work.
Here are some other types of car insurance to consider:
- Rental Reimbursement: pays for a rental car while your car is in the shop for a repair covered under an insurance claim
- New-Car Replacement: pays for a brand-new car of the same make and model, minus your deductible, if you total your new car
- Full Glass Coverage: pays to repair or replace chipped or broken window glass
- Rideshare Insurance: covers you when you're driving for a rideshare service such as Uber or Lyft
- Mechanical Breakdown Coverage: pays for repairs or replacement parts if your vehicle breaks down
- Custom Parts and Equipment Value Coverage: will repair or replace modifications to your vehicle
- Classic Car Insurance: covers repairs on classic or antique cars
- Business or Commercial Auto Insurance: covers you when you're using your vehicle for commercial or small-business purposes
Uninsured Motorists in NY
In New York, uninsured motorist coverage is a requirement, which means you're protected in case you're involved in an accident with a driver who doesn't have insurance.
This coverage applies to bodily injury due to accidents occurring in New York State, and it's mandatory to have the same minimum bodily injury limits as required for liability insurance.
If you're injured by an uninsured driver or a hit-and-run motorist, you should file a claim with your auto insurance company under this coverage. This includes if you're injured as a pedestrian or as an occupant of an uninsured vehicle.
You can also extend this coverage to provide protection for out-of-state accidents by endorsement, but you'll need to check with your agent, broker, or insurer.
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If you don't own a car but live with a family member who does, you may be eligible for uninsured motorists protection and No-Fault coverage under their policy.
If you're injured as a pedestrian by an uninsured vehicle or hit-and-run driver in New York State, you may still be eligible for uninsured motorists protection and No-Fault coverage through the Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation (MVAIC).
Here are the steps to take if you're injured by an uninsured driver or hit-and-run motorist in New York State:
- Report the accident to the proper authorities
- File a claim with your auto insurance company or MVAIC within the required time limits
Self-Insurers
You can self-insure your car as an alternative to buying a personal auto policy from a provider. This option requires you to prove you have the proper liquidity and assets.
To qualify, you'll need to calculate your assets using factors like the number of tow trucks and other vehicles you own, as well as the average dollar amount of claims in the past four years.
Check the exact requirements on the application from New York's DMV at https://dmv.ny.gov/ii-es/fs-100.pdf.
New York State Requirements
In New York, the state requires a minimum amount of car insurance to ensure you're protected on the road.
To meet these requirements, you'll need to have $25,000 in bodily injury coverage per person in the event of an accident.
The state also requires $50,000 in bodily injury coverage per accident, which covers injuries to multiple people.
Additionally, you'll need $10,000 in property damage coverage to cover damages to other people's property.
Uninsured motorist coverage is also mandatory, with a minimum of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
Personal injury protection (PIP) coverage is also required, with a minimum of $50,000.
In the unfortunate event of a fatal accident, the state requires $50,000 for the death of one person, or $100,000 for the death of two or more people.
Here's a summary of the minimum requirements:
State Requirements
In New York, the state requires a minimum amount of car insurance to be covered. You'll need to have at least $25,000 in bodily injury coverage per person.
If you're involved in an accident, the state requires you to have $50,000 in bodily injury coverage per accident. This will help cover the costs of medical bills and other expenses.
Property damage coverage is also mandatory, with a minimum requirement of $10,000. This will help cover the costs of repairing or replacing damaged property.
Uninsured motorist coverage is another required coverage, with a minimum of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. This will help protect you if you're involved in an accident with someone who doesn't have insurance.
Additionally, you'll need to have personal injury protection (PIP) coverage with a minimum of $50,000. This will help cover medical expenses, regardless of who's at fault in the accident.
If the accident results in death, the state requires coverage of up to $50,000 for the death of one person, or $100,000 for the death of two or more people.
Here's a summary of the minimum required coverages in New York:
- Bodily injury coverage per person: $25,000
- Bodily injury coverage per accident: $50,000
- Property damage coverage: $10,000
- Uninsured motorist coverage per person: $25,000
- Uninsured motorist coverage per accident: $50,000
- Personal injury protection (PIP): $50,000
- Death: $50,000 for the death of one person or $100,000 for the death of two or more people
No-Fault PIP Benefits
No-Fault insurance in New York State is designed to pay for economic losses, such as medical expenses and lost earnings, up to $50,000 per person.
This coverage is not just for drivers, but also for passengers and pedestrians injured in motor vehicle accidents.
No-Fault is a personal injury coverage, meaning it doesn't pay for auto body repair or damage to other parties' vehicles or property.
It's primary to health insurance, so it pays first in the event of an injury due to an auto accident.
In the event of an injury, your insurer will provide you and your household members with protection against economic losses.
No-Fault coverage applies to accidents occurring anywhere within the United States, its territories and possessions, or Canada.
It also covers guest passengers who are New York State residents injured in your vehicle in these areas, as long as they're not covered under another auto insurance policy in New York State.
All pedestrians injured by motor vehicles in New York State are protected by No-Fault.
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New York Funds
Car insurance costs in New York are the second-highest in the country, at an average of $1,436 a year. That’s 37 percent higher than the national average.
You could pay anywhere from $304 to $5,369.60 annually for car insurance in New York. This wide range is due to various factors, such as your credit score and driving history.
No-Fault System
In New York State, the No-Fault system is designed to pay for economic losses, such as medical expenses, lost earnings, and other related costs, up to $50,000 per person.
No-Fault benefits are paid promptly, regardless of who is at fault or whether there was any negligence. This means that if you're involved in an accident, you can get the medical help you need right away, without having to worry about who's responsible.
The No-Fault system is also primary to health insurance, which means it pays first in the event of an injury due to an auto accident. This can be a big help if you're injured in a car accident and need medical attention.
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In New York State, the No-Fault system covers you and your relatives who reside in your household, as well as passengers injured in accidents in New York State while in your vehicle. It also provides coverage for guest passengers who are New York State residents injured in your vehicle anywhere in the United States or Canada.
All pedestrians injured by motor vehicles in New York State are protected by No-Fault, regardless of who caused the accident. This helps ensure that people who are injured in accidents get the medical help they need, regardless of the circumstances.
The at-fault party is still responsible for the other party's property damages, even in a No-Fault state like New York. This means that if you're involved in an accident and the other party is at fault, you can still file a claim for damages to their vehicle or other property.
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Sources
- https://www.dfs.ny.gov/consumers/auto_insurance/minimum_auto_insurance_requirements
- https://www.geico.com/information/aboutinsurance/auto/
- https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/insurance/types-of-car-insurance
- https://www.autoinsurance.com/states/new-york/
- https://www.stark-stark.com/personal-injury/mva/automobile-insurance/
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