It may seem like a waste, until you are in a car accident, but every state, including New York, requires that their drivers carry some sort of auto insurance. Some states allow for what is called proof of financial responsibility in lieu of actual auto insurance, but New York isn’t one of them.
In fact, New York is a no fault state so not only are you required to carry standard liability auto insurance, but you are also required to carry uninsured motorist protection and personal injury protection as well and if you drive without new york automobile insurance, you will find yourself in a lot of trouble.
First of all the new york automobile insurance minimums are Bodily Injury Liability – $25,000/$50,000, Property Damage Liability – $10,000, Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury – $25,000/$50,000 and Personal Injury Protection – $50,000.
What this means for you is that these are what the state requires you to carry, and if you don’t have this insurance and you are in an accident or you are pulled over, then you will have to face the consequences.
The consequences of not carrying new york automobile insurance are not as severe in New York than they are in other states (no jail time in other words), however, you will still be required to turn in your license plates if you don’t carry insurance. If you don’t turn in your license plates, then your driver’s license and license plates will be suspended and you will face fines if you are caught driving.
Additionally, you will be required to pay fines to reinstate your licenses as well. Also, if you are in an accident, as a no fault state, you will receive no money from the at fault party to repair your vehicle, which means that you have to take responsibility for the repairs of your vehicle as well.
The way the state finds out that you are not carrying new york automobile insurance is through an automated system set up between licensed insurance agents and the state of New York. In order to register a vehicle in New York you have to have insurance.
When you purchase your insurance the NYS DMV is informed of your insurance status, if you cancel your insurance or you default on your payments, you insurance company will inform the DMV through their automated system. You will then receive a notice that you have ten days to correct the situation or your license and license plates will be suspended and fines will occur.
If you are looking for New York auto insurance, you don’t have to worry about meeting the minimums. All licensed auto insurance agents are required by law to sell you at least the minimum required coverage.
Of course, you are more than welcome to purchase more than the minimum requirements and if you drive a high end car, then it is highly recommended that you carry enough insurance to cover the cost of replacing the car completely if your car is totaled in an accident. Just remember, you can’t go without new york automobile insurance because you will be breaking the law.
