A Guide to Understanding New York's Auto Insurance Requirements?

Answer 1

Many drivers who drive on New York roadways have questions about the Empire State's auto insurance requirements. This is not surprising because New York State is a "no-fault" state that allows people to recover damages for auto accidents without having to identify who was At Fault for the accident. As a result, here is a handy consumer guide that can help drivers understand the minimum insurance requirements that are imposed on New Yorkers.

New York drivers must purchase coverage from a licensed auto insurance provider.

All auto insurance providers in New York must obtain a valid vendor's license from the New York State Insurance Department. Drivers may obtain a free copy of licensed auto insurance by visiting their local branch of the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles.

New York drivers must purchase minimum bodily injury and property damage coverage.

For example, drivers must obtain at least $50,000 of bodily injury liability insurance coverage to cover injuries sustained by each person who was injured during a single auto accident.. At least half of this amount must be set aside to cover the injuries sustained by one person who is injured in an accident. Moreover, New York drivers must also purchase $50,000 of personal injury coverage that cannot be combined with one's bodily injury liability insurance coverage.

Drivers in New York must purchase at least $10,000 of property damage coverage.

This coverage must include provisions for covering buildings and vehicles that were damaged in an accident. Moreover, the coverage must also provide provisions for property damage that was sustained by acts of vandalism or inclement weather.

Drivers must also purchase uninsured driver insurance coverage.

This coverage must provide at least $50,000 of liability and causality coverage for each accident that is the result of an uninsured driver's reckless behavior. Moreover, at least half of this coverage must be used to cover one person's injuries that occurred in the accident.

New York State also requires auto insurance companies to report insurance gaps and claims.

For example, New York State requires auto insurance companies to report immediately any policies that have expired. This provision was put in to place to prevent drivers from purchasing a policy and immediately cancelling it.

Finally, auto insurance companies are also required to report any claims made by drivers for damages sustained in an auto accident. This provision was included to help drivers file claim requests for auto accident-related damages efficiently.

For more details about these requirements, please visit the nearest branch of New York's Department of Motor Vehicles for a more detailed list of these requirements.