New York Auto Insurance

New to New York and curious about auto insurance requirements? Long-time New York resident but curious, too?

Just like all the other forty-nine US states, New York requires all vehicles registered for use within the state to be covered by insurance protection. After that, New York auto insurance is different from the other forty-nine because auto insurance laws are different from state to state.

All motorized vehicles registered for use within the state must be covered under a New York auto insurance policy that includes adequate liability coverage. Adequate coverage means certain minimum limits are met on the dollar amount the policy covers in case of accident.

The minimum limits of liability coverage required of all New York auto insurance policies are as follows:

Bodily injury is $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.

Death benefits must be at least $50,000 per person or $100,000 per accident.

Property damage minimum is $10,000.

The New York auto insurance coverage amounts listed here are minimum requirements only. Individual drivers may choose to carry more extensive insurance coverage but that is an individual decision and not a state requirement.

Proof of your New York auto insurance coverage is kept on file at the state office governing motorized vehicles but proof must also be kept in your vehicle. Any time a police officer requests it, you must be able to prove valid New York auto insurance coverage.

The New York auto insurance laws govern only vehicles that are registered with New York State. Valid auto insurance can be purchased only from insurance carriers that are licensed and approved by the New York State Insurance Department to provide car insurance for the state of New York.

In the event that your address or name changes, it is very important to notify both the state Department of Motor Vehicles and the carrier for your New York auto insurance policy. This information must be kept current and can affect your driver’s license and driving privileges within the state.