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New York requires car insurance liability coverage for all drivers. Having a liability insurance shows that you are able to make up for the losses incurred in a car crash that involves you or your car. You need to abide by the NY State insurance law even if driving a car registered outside the state.

Insurance in New York

For insurance coverage, you need to have liability coverage from a state licensed service provider. The state of New York doesn’t recognize some options available in other states, such as surety bonds and self-insurance certificates.

The minimum liability insurance coverage in New York is:

  • $25,000/50,000 for injury
  • $50,000/100,000 for death
  • $10,000 for property damage caused by any one accident

Proof of insurance

A New York car insurance identification card is the main proof of your car insurance. You need to show the card while you get your vehicle registered even if your insurance company has already filed an electronic notice of the coverage. Make sure to obtain two original cards from your agent or broker that have the bar code and same name you have printed at your registration paper proof.
You need to submit one of these cards to the DMV within 45 days of your insurance becomes effective and the other one with you to be demonstrated on demand.

Why do you need to compare New York car insurance quotes?

New York is a no-fault state where you have to maintain the coverage even you are not driving currently. Before you settle down for coverage, you need to research for multiple New York car insurance quotes to know the coverage available and opt for the best fit. If your car is an expensive one, you may require protect it more extensively that the minimum limits set by the state.
Be sure the policy and the registration has the same name. If the policy in sin your name, the registration must also bear you name. Any discrepancy in this may lead to the lapse in coverage.

Electronic Reporting about insurance coverage

Be sure your insurance company updates DMV with an electronic notification of your coverage. This can’t be done by an agent or broker but only by an authorized company. This is absolutely important to prove your financial responsibility for which showing only your insurance id car won’t do.

Car insurance in New York depends upon the following factors:

  • Age- Senior citizens general need to pay less for insuring their cars.
  • Credit History – The car insurance companies will charge a higher premium if you are a defaulter in repaying your loans.
  • Driving History- Less accidents and disciplined driving record will get you a lower premium.
  • Gender- Women are reputed to be a more disciplined drivers than their male counter parts, so females might pay less premiums.
  • Location-If you reside in an area frequented by earthquakes, forest fires or other natural calamities or with high reports of car theft, your insurance providers may charge you with a higher premium.
  • Your Vehicle – New vehicles are prone to car theft, cost more for replacement or repair hence are costlier to cover.

You may get discount on the car insurance quotes if you

  • Have good driving records with no or minimum accidents.
  • Have good academic records as good students are generally assumed to be good drivers too.
  • Have your car protected with car safety gadgets.
  • Successfully completed a vehicle safety course
  • Are a senior citizen

Coverage offered by auto insurance companies in New York.

  • Bodily Injury Liability-it takes care of the medical expenditure of the victim in a car crash where you or your vehicle is at fault.
  • Collision Coverage-covers the cost for repair or maintenance of your vehicle if it is damaged in a collision.
  • Comprehensive Coverage- compensates for the loss incurred to your vehicle in vandalism, theft, fire or earthquake, in other words due to anything else except collision.
  • Gap Insurance-It is a financial bridge between the cost of your car and the amount of loan due. It guarantees the repayment of your car insurance
  • Liability Coverage-pays for the damage of property or physical injury of a victim in a car crash where you or your vehicle is at fault but it will not pay for your injuries or losses.
  • Pay-Per-Mile Coverage-frequent drivers pay more on car insurance premiums.
  • Personal Injury Protection Coverage-pays for the medical expenses in an accident regardless to faults.
  • Physical Damage Coverage- pays for the repair or replacement of your vehicle if it gets damaged due to any hazard on this earth.
  • Property Damage Liability-pays for the damage your car does to other people’s property.
  • Rental Car Insurance- Pays for the repair or replacement of your rented car if it is damaged or stolen.
  • Under insured/Uninsured Motorist Coverage-compensates for the losses you suffer if you are involved in a car crash with a motorist not optimally insured to pay for your losses.

What if you do not have car insurance in New York?

Do not let your New York car insurance coverage get lapsed, if it does:
Your diving license and your registration might be suspended
If you or your car are involved in a crash while not covered with a liability coverage, your registration and license will be suspended for one year. You will have to face the same consequence even if the other driver is a fault’s end but you are not insured optimally according to state’s rules.

If you drive uninsured or let someone drive your uninsured car, you will be fined as high as $1,500. To get back your suspended license you need to part with an extra fee of $750 to the DMV as a civil penalty.
The New York state has a rule regarding its auto insurance coverage “No Insurance, No Plate”. If you do not have car insurance just turn in your license plate. If you are found driving after your coverage is lapsed, your registration will be suspended for the d\same number of days you were sans coverage and if it is more than 90 days your license will be suspended for the same duration your registration is suspended.

To reinstate your suspended license you have to pay a fine for $25. If you do not submit you license plate at all, both your license and registration will be suspended for an indefinite period. You can avoid submitting your license plate for a period of 90 days by paying a particular amount as a civil penalty. However, if you have used this option  within 36 months, you cannot re-used it and the only option left is to submit your plate to the DMV until you get proper coverage.