New York Auto Insurance Guide

Whether you’re heading to Long Island on the 495, eloping to Niagara Falls on the I-90 or driving upstate to Lake Champlain on the I-187, car insurance is crucial to having responsible fun.

 

Auto Insurance Resources for NY State Residents

There are about 11.5 million licensed drivers and nearly 9 million registered passenger vehicles in the Empire State in 2010. The insurance research council estimates that about 7% of New York’s drivers are uninsured. The New York State Police Troopers issue over 900,000 tickets each year, including 30% of all DWI arrests and 55% of all speeding tickets statewide. Of the 256,901 traffic accidents reported in New York in 2008, 1,160 involved fatalities. Uninsured drivers, drunk drivers and reckless drivers are all good reasons to be sure you maintain adequate car insurance while living and driving in the Empire State.

 

New York State Minimum Auto Insurance

New York state law requires you carry a minimum amount of car insurance or face severe penalties. New York is one of just 12 no-fault states, meaning your insurance will pay your injury claims up to a specified limit, (currently $50,000) regardless of who caused the accident. Under a no-fault system, you lose some of your rights to sue. Details vary from state to state. While New York does not require that you carry additional personal liability or Collision and Comprehensive coverage, if you own property or other valuable assets, you would be wise to supplement the minimum requirements shown below:

• $25,000 bodily injury liability for injury or death of one person in an accident
• $50,000 bodily injury liability for injury or death of more than one person in an accident
• $10,000 property damage liability
• $25,000/$50,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury
• $50,000 personal injury protection

 

New York State Car Insurance Laws

You are also required to carry proof of Illinois auto insurance in your vehicle and produce it if a law enforcement officer asks to see it. The penalties for operating a vehicle without proper insurance is a minimum fine of $500 and a mandatory $100 fee to reinstate your registration once you can produce proof of insurance. Repeat offenders face a four-month suspension period and the aforementioned fines.

New York requires that you carry proof of New York auto insurance in your vehicle and produce it if a law enforcement officer asks to see it. You must register your car within 30 days of becoming a legal resident of New York and registration will not be issued without proof of insurance. Your insurance carrier is required to verify coverage via electronic filing with the NYS DMV, and notify them is your policy is canceled or lapses. You will be required to surrender your plates and license at that time. Failure to do so will result in civil fines up to $840. Operating or allowing someone else to operate your uninsured vehicle will result in revocation of your driver’s license for a minimum of one year. Reinstatement carries a $750 civil penalty. If you are caught driving without insurance, you will also face fines ranging from $150 to over $1,500. You may also face 15 days in jail.

 

Regulating Agency and References

New York State Insurance Department
New York State Insurance Department is responsible for regulating vehicle insurance policies sold in the Empire State. For more information, visit their website at www.ins.state.ny.us/

New York State Department of Motor Vehicles
The New York Department of Motor Vehicles is responsible for licensing drivers and registering vehicles. You can learn more about New York auto insurance requirements, penalties and related information at http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us/

National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)
This is an organization of insurance regulators from the 50 states, District of Columbia and the five U.S. territories. NAIC provides a forum for the development of uniform policies when appropriate. NAIC members are elected or appointed state government officials who regulate the conduct of insurance companies and agents in their respective states or territories. Visit NAIC at www.naic.org

Insurance Information Institute (III)
This organization’s mission is to improve public understanding of insurance – what it is and how it works. Visit III at www.iii.org/

 

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