Is New York a no-fault car insurance state?

If you have recently been involved in a car accident in New York, you may be wondering if this is a no-fault car insurance state or how that applies to your situation.

In a no-fault state, drivers can obtain insurance benefits from their own coverage regardless of who caused the accident; the opposite of an at-fault state is a tort state.

With tort auto insurance, motorists who cause damage while operating their vehicle are financially responsible for the damage they cause.

The individual’s insurance policy must pay for any repair costs, medical bills, pain and suffering, and other related expenses. Any expenses not paid for by the insurance policy are the responsibility of the at-fault driver.

As you can imagine, the difference between a tort state and a no-fault state can dramatically impact how your accident-related expenses are paid as well as if you need to file a claim on your own policy. With this in mind, you may be wondering if New York is a no-fault state.

Looking to insure your car in case of an accident in New York? Enter your ZIP code above and compare at least three to four auto insurance policies today!

Is New York a no-fault state?

New York is a no-fault state, which gives you a few options if you are involved in an accident. In fact, some of the key benefits that you may enjoy include:

• The ability to receive compensation for accident-related expenses through your own coverage
• Minimal concern about uninsured motorists
• Getting to choose coverage that will benefit you most significantly in an accident

However, just as there are benefits, there are also drawbacks associated with New York being a no-fault state. These include:

• The need to pay your deductible to file a claim even if you did not cause the accident
• Potential limitations regarding when you can sue the other party for damages
• Benefits only provided up to the limits of your coverage

— Mandatory Types of Coverage in New York

In New York, state law requires that you obtain a minimum amount of liability insurance coverage, including:

• $10,000 for property damage per accident
• $25,000 per person or $50,000 per accident for bodily injury (at least)
• $50,000 per person or $100,000 per accident for death (at least)

In the event that you are held financially responsible for an accident that you cause in New York, this minimum coverage will pay for others’ expenses, but it will not pay for your own coverage.

In order to be considered at-fault for an accident in this state, certain criteria must be met. For example, you must cause serious injury to another person that includes:

• Fractures
• The loss of a pregnancy
• Significant scarring
• Numerous other factors

Otherwise, you must file a claim under your own policy to seek compensation for your own expenses. Typically, each driver will file their own claim.

However, if you hit a pedestrian or cyclist or if you have an injured passenger in your own car, these individuals may seek damages through your coverage.

Auto Insurance in New York

Before you can legally drive on New York streets, you must obtain an insurance policy that provides you at least the minimum amount of liability coverage discussed previously.

Remember that this coverage will not pay for your own expenses related to an accident, and it will not pay for fires, theft, weather-related damages, and more. With this in mind, it makes sense to purchase optional coverage and to enjoy the maximum benefits possible.

There are multiple types of coverage that you can consider, such as:

• Collision Insurance — Pays for your vehicle repairs or a replacement after a collision
• Comprehensive Insurance — Pays for your vehicle repairs or a replacement after a collision, a fire, theft, weather-related damage, and other events
• Personal Property Coverage — Compensates you for damaged personal items inside the vehicle, such as a laptop or other items of value
• Personal Injury Coverage — Provides additional compensation for injuries for yourself or your passengers up to the coverage limits

Some people also purchase towing coverage, rental car reimbursement, glass replacement coverage, and other benefits.

— Driving Without Insurance in New York

There are penalties associated with driving without adequate car insurance in New York. As soon as your coverage lapses or is canceled, the insurer notifies the state.

Your car’s registration is immediately suspended, and you will have 90 days to purchase new coverage and to re-instate your registration. If you fail to do so, your license could be suspended.

If you are caught driving without a license or property registration in New York, you may be charged a hefty fine. In addition, you face significant financial loss if you are involved in an accident without having an active insurance policy.

Finding the Best Car Insurance Coverage in New York

You understandably want to find affordable yet protective car insurance in New York that meets all of your needs. As a first step, you should request quotes from several car insurance companies.

It is wise to take this step every six months to confirm that you always have the best rate possible. However, you do not want to request quotes from a random selection of insurers.

— Determining Which Providers to Request Quotes From

Both the financial strength and the overall reputation of the car insurance company should be considered before you request a quote. There are various websites that you can research financial ratings of insurance companies through. These websites include:

• AM Best
• Fitch Ratings
• Moody’s Investor Services
• Standard & Poor’s Insurance Ratings Services

You also should pay close attention to what consumers say about different insurance companies. Customer satisfaction can affect your overall experience with the insurance provider that you buy coverage from. Read personal reviews, and also research consumer ratings through:

• Consumer Reports
• JD Powers

— Keep Insurance Rates Low

After you have made a list of a few reputable providers to request car insurance quotes from, you are ready to compare offers.

As you contact each provider, ask about available car insurance discounts that could potentially save you a substantial amount of money. A few of the more common discounts available include:

• Good driver discounts
• Good student discounts
• Multi-line discounts
• Anti-theft equipment discounts
• Driver education discounts
• Multi-vehicle discounts

While there is a lot to learn about New York car insurance requirements, keep in mind that the right coverage offers true benefits for drivers to enjoy. Now is the time to update your coverage and to ensure that you have adequate protection for all of your needs.

Wanting better coverage for your car? Enter your ZIP code below and start comparison shopping for the best auto insurance rate today!