Insurance laws and requirements can be complicated and vary from state to state. New York auto insurance is no exception to this statement. There are several different types of coverage that fall into the auto insurance category. Some of the coverage types are optional while others are required by state law.

Liability Coverage

Liability coverage is required in nearly every state. car insurance laws in New York require $25,000/$50,000/$10,000 in coverage. These amounts cover bodily injury liability per person/total bodily injury per accident/property damage per accident, respectively.

New York State is unique in that it requires double the bodily injury liability limits in the event the accident results in death, taking the limits to $50,000/$100,000.

Personal Injury Protection

Personal injury protection or PIP is required in NY, as well as several other states. It is an extended type of auto coverage that assists with medical costs and can cover lost wages and other miscellaneous charges.

Medical Coverage

New York is what is referred to as a “no-fault” state. All individuals that have auto insurance are required to have this coverage. This covers the insured’s medical costs, regardless of fault. There is some controversy over this type of coverage as it is generally expensive and is thought to create redundant coverage when the insured also has regular medical insurance.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage

Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is optional in some states but, required in NY. This coverage will cover the insured, up to the limits they have purchased, if they are in an accident caused by another driver and that driver is not insured or does not have sufficient insurance to cover the full liability. Another common case that this type of insurance is helpful is in the event of a hit and run.

Other New York Car Insurance Requirements

New York State requires that auto insurance remain in effect while a vehicle is registered, regardless whether or not the vehicle is being used. If a vehicle is not being used, New York State requires that plates are returned to the state to cancel the registration.

New York auto insurance law requires that New York drivers have insurance in the state, out of state insurance is not acceptable. This state also requires that the insurance must be in the same name as the registered owner. Neglecting to follow this requirement will result in a lapse of insurance and the registration will be suspended; the owners?driver’s license will also be suspended if the lapse exceeds 90 days.



By: John Hilaire

Getting an auto insurance online quote may seem intimidating at first and, it is something that is easy to put off, especially if a person already has an auto insurance provider. Sometimes it just seems easier to pay the bill when it comes due than to evaluate ones’ car insurance. This method may be less-difficult in the short-term, but getting an auto insurance online quote can save a person and his or her family a significant amount of money, time and heartache in the long run.

Where to Start

When looking for an auto insurance online quote, it may be tempting to jump right on the Internet. Prior to doing this, it is important to understand your current car insurance and the coverage it provides. There are a few areas to look at, first of all take a look at your liability coverage. This will appear as certain limits listed similar too $25,000/$50,000/$25,000. There are certain minimum limits this section must meet which are determined by state law.

Secondly, a person should look at their comprehensive and collision limits. Some people opt for liability-only coverage (as listed above) however; these only cover the damage to other individuals’ property. If comprehensive and collision coverage is existing in a current plan, the limits will look something like $500/$500 in the plan. Essentially the deductible listed will be the amount the insured has to pay for damages that are covered by comprehensive or collision while the insurance company pays the rest up to predetermined limits.

Next, it is important to look for certain optional coverage a plan may have. Items such as rental car reimbursement and tow coverage or roadside assistance coverage are important to note. The limits of these items should also be noted and included in any auto insurance online quote as they can make a significant difference in pricing.

Medical coverage can also make a difference in your rates; however the requirements vary from state to state so it is important to check your current policy to clarify your coverage.

What to Look For

Once a person has his or her current coverage amounts they are equipped to get an auto insurance online quote. This will allow them to be able to compare rates with their current provider, while having most or all of the variables the same, as these differences in coverage amounts can make a large difference in rates. There are many different websites that offer to quote rates from multiple providers which can be helpful and save time.

Another thing to consider when shopping for a car insurance online quote is the insurance company. It is important to not only ensure the rates are low, but also that the provider offers the level of service and amenities that are important to the insurance shopper.



By: John Hilaire

When you signed on the dotted line for your new auto, it seemed like you were on top of the world. You went shopping at the right time, and felt like you got a steal on the price. And then, the insurance bill came in the mail and the bottom on your perfect little world dropped out. What happened?

People buying a new auto for the first time may not realize this, but the bank will require them to keep full coverage on their car for the length of the loan. Now, you can get away with only liability coverage when you don’t finance a car – but things work a lot differently when the banks get involved, don’t they? You might even think that there is some sort of conspiracy going on involving the banks and insurance companies. While it is a good theory, the truth is that banks need to be sure that they will get their money, so they require full coverage insurance on a new auto. After all, who would continue making payments if the car were all smashed up because of an accident?

But why are these rates so high?

A lot of factors are involved in determining insurance rates on a new auto. The age of the driver, his driving record, the number of accidents on his record, and even where he lives – all these are factored into the rate. Because the costs of repairing a new auto are so high, insurance companies have to charge steep rates to recover their losses in the event of a wreck. (more…)