New York Car Insurance Laws and Requirements (2023)

New York law dictates the minimum requirements for insurance coverage that all drivers must carry. All drivers in New York State must hold 25/50/10 in liability insurance, as well as additional personal injury protection and uninsured motorist coverage. Plus, drivers can pick from a long list of additional coverages for added protection.

Minimum Car Insurance Requirements in New York

The minimum car insurance requirements in New York^[1] are:

• $25,000 for bodily injury liability and $50,000 for death per person

• $50,000 for bodily injury liability and $100,000 for death per accident

• $10,000 for property damage liability per accident

• Personal injury protection

• Uninsured motorist coverage

Each state has its own set of laws that govern the minimum amount of car insurance drivers need. New York requires a bit more than others, but this is to ensure the safety of everyone on the road. More importantly, it is a no-fault state, meaning that when you get into an accident, your insurer pays for the cost of damages (up to the limit), no matter who’s at fault for causing it.

Bodily Injury Liability

Bodily injury liability is part of your liability car insurance coverage. If you cause an accident, this coverage will help cover the other party’s medical expenses. This type of coverage will not cover your own medical expenses for injuries sustained in a car accident you caused. Bodily injury liability coverage is required in New York.

Property Damage Liability

Property damage liability is the other half of your liability car insurance. It covers repair costs and damage expenses to the other cars involved in an accident you caused. This coverage does not cover damage to your own car in an accident you were at fault for. Property damage liability coverage is required in New York.

Personal Injury Protection

Personal injury protection, also known as PIP, covers medical bills, lost wages, and replacement services for you and other members of your household if you’re injured in a car accident. PIP coverage provides support regardless of who is at fault for an accident. Personal injury protection is required in New York, as it is a no-fault state^[2].

Underinsured/Uninsured Motorist Coverage

New York state insurance law also mandates that all drivers carry uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UI). This is to help support you and the passengers in your car if you get into an accident with an uninsured driver and they’re unable to pay for your medical bills, lost wages, or other costs if you sustain a mild to serious injury. Hit-and-runs are also covered.

Is state minimum car insurance enough in New York?

The minimum required car insurance coverage in New York provides drivers with a solid foundation of auto insurance coverage, but it may not be enough for everyone. While New York mandates no-fault insurance that provides bodily injury coverage via PIP for you, your family, and any other passengers, you might want to consider topping up if you want more protection.

In addition, the minimum insurance coverage only requires $10,000 for property damage per accident. This relatively small amount might not cover more serious accidents that have significant repair costs for property and vehicles. If you don’t want to get stuck paying for repairs out of pocket, you can add more coverage to your auto insurance policy and extend the limit.

Optional Car Insurance Coverage for New York

New York drivers who want to be protected in any situation should consider bolstering the minimum car insurance coverage with the following supplemental car insurance coverages:

Collision Coverage

Collision coverage covers damages to your car after a collision with another vehicle or object. If your vehicle is a total loss, collision coverage will reimburse you for the actual cash value of your vehicle. This is a great addition to the required property damage liability coverage in New York, which applies only to the damages to the other driver’s vehicle.

Comprehensive Coverage

Complementing your collision coverage, comprehensive insurance covers damage to your vehicle that occurs during an event that is not a collision with another vehicle or object. This may apply in situations of vandalism, theft, weather damage, or a run-in with an animal. Adding comprehensive and collision coverage together creates a full-coverage car insurance policy.

Other Supplemental Coverage

You can customize your policy based on your unique needs and patterns indicated by your driving record. For example, if you find that you are more likely to get into a collision, you might want to consider topping up your PIP with additional medical payments coverage (MedPay) to make sure you’re covered if you have to pay hefty medical bills.

Also, New York is a large state with routes to New England, Canada, and the East Coast. If you find yourself driving long stretches on road trips, it might be helpful to get roadside assistance. Services can include an on-call tow truck, changing a flat tire, jump-starting a dead battery, helping if you lock yourself out of your car, and delivering gasoline to your car if you run out.

Penalties for Driving Uninsured in New York

It is illegal to drive in New York without the minimum car insurance coverage. Failure to show your proof of insurance to a law enforcement officer can result in some serious fines and penalties. Uninsured drivers who get into an accident risk not only having no coverage but also losing their driver’s license and registration for a minimum of one year—even if they’re the victim.

• A fine of up to $1,500

• A fee of $750 to reinstate your license

• Loss of driving privileges for at least one year and returning your plates to the DMV

New York has no grace period. Even a one-day lapse in your coverage can lead to fines and penalties. However, drivers who fail to show their insurance card have the option to reinstate their coverage within 90 days of the violation and pay a civil penalty of $8–$12 per day of lapsed coverage. This saves drivers from having their driver’s license and vehicle registration revoked.

Minimum Requirements for High-Risk Drivers in New York

Driving under the influence (DUI) is illegal everywhere. Risking operating a vehicle with drugs or alcohol in your system can lead to your license being revoked, on top of a number of other fees and penalties. To reinstate your license, you must request and receive approval from the Department of Motor Vehicles’ Driver Improvement Unit (DIU) to apply for a new license.

It’s up to the DIU to examine your driving history and see if you pass New York laws and requirements. While you don’t need an SR-22 to reinstate your license, know that insurance providers will jack up the cost of your insurance premium. If you move from a state with SR-22 insurance requirements to New York, then you will still need an SR-22.

More Information for High-Risk Drivers in New York

DUI Insurance in New York

Cheapest Minimum Car Insurance in New York

Car insurance companies weigh different factors to determine what to quote drivers on their car insurance policies. Minimum coverage generally means lower car insurance rates. It also means low coverage limits, which may cost you if you’re ever involved in an accident. Here are the cheapest car insurance quotes for minimum coverage in New York.

How to Find Cheap Car Insurance in New York

Whether you’re looking for the minimum amount of insurance or want to tailor your policy to include additional coverage that fits your needs, you shouldn’t have to worry about breaking the bank. A great way to save is to shop around first. Insurify makes it easy to get a high-quality policy at a rate you can afford by helping you compare car insurance quotes in just minutes.