New York Minimum Coverage Car Insurance: Requirements and Costs (December 2024)


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New York state's minimum car insurance requirements include $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury liability, $10,000 for property damage liability and $50,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) per person. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is also mandated at $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. Meeting these minimum car insurance requirements ensures you comply with the state's laws.

New York operates under a no-fault system, so your personal injury protection covers your costs regardless of who caused the accident.

The monthly cost of minimum coverage auto insurance in New York is around $117. To find the cheapest car insurance in New York, compare quotes and coverages that meet your needs and legal requirements.

Why Trust MoneyGeek? MoneyGeek analyzed data from the New York Department of Insurance and Quadrant Information Services to give you the most accurate cost data for various New York drivers.

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These rates reflect the cost of minimum coverage car insurance requirements in New York as of December 2024.

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New York Minimum Coverage Car Insurance Requirements

In New York, drivers must carry minimum coverage auto insurance to operate a vehicle legally. These requirements safeguard against potential financial losses from accidents. The minimum amounts of car insurance coverage required are:

  • $25,000 bodily injury liability per person
  • $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident
  • $10,000 property damage liability per accident
  • $25,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
  • $50,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
  • $50,000 personal injury protection per person
  • $50,000 death liability per person
  • $100,000 death liability per accident

New York's status as a no-fault state means that your insurance premium may be affected differently than it would be in a fault state. In a no-fault state, the insurance company covers the losses in an accident regardless of who is to blame.

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DOES NEW YORK REQUIRE COLLISION AND COMPREHENSIVE COVERAGE?

In New York, collision and comprehensive coverage are not mandated by state law. However, if you're financing or leasing a vehicle, lenders often require both types of coverage to protect your investment. If the unexpected occurs, such as an accident or environmental damage, collision or comprehensive coverage kick in to cover the costs.

What Does Minimum Coverage Cover?
What Liability Insurance Covers
What Liability Insurance Doesn't Cover

Injuries to others if you're at fault in an accident

Your injuries

Damage to another person’s property if you're at fault in an accident

Damage to your car

Some coverage for injuries caused by uninsured/underinsured drivers, depending on your policy

Repairs for weather-related accidents or if you were hit by an animal

Property damage caused by uninsured/underinsured drivers unless additional coverage is purchased

The table reflects New York's minimum coverage auto insurance requirements, including bodily injury and property damage liability. Remember, your policy's specific coverage details depend on its terms and conditions.

Average Cost of Minimum Coverage Car Insurance in New York

Age is a significant factor in determining the cost of minimum coverage car insurance. In New York, drivers aged 22-29 face the highest premiums due to their limited driving experience and higher accident rates.

The table below shows the average minimum coverage cost in New York per age group, offering insight into how premiums change with age.

22-29$1,639$137
30-59$1,408$117
60 +$1,478$123

Cheapest Companies for Minimum Coverage Car Insurance in New York

For affordable minimum coverage insurance in New York, consider these providers:

  • Kemper: $685 per year; $57 per month
  • Progressive: $729 per year; $61 per month

Weigh your options carefully to ensure that you find the best car insurance in New York that fits your needs.

Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
Age Group:
Age Group:30-59
Kemper$685$57
Progressive$729$61
American Family$883$74
GEICO$920$77
Erie$1,271$106
Allstate$1,366$114
State Farm$1,439$120
Chubb$1,470$123
Travelers$1,675$140
Mercury$2,250$188
Hanover$2,802$233

Optional Add-On Coverages in New York

In New York, optional add-on coverages include collision, comprehensive, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage and more. These protections are beneficial as they cover a range of incidents like theft, damage beyond accidents, and issues with drivers who lack sufficient insurance. To determine how much car insurance you need, consider your circumstances and vehicle value.

Add-On Coverage
What It Covers
What It Doesn't Cover

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage

Medical expenses, lost wages and repair costs if you're hit by a driver with no or insufficient insurance

Damage to your vehicle if you're at fault or damage that exceeds policy limits

Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

Medical expenses, lost income and funeral costs for you or your passengers, regardless of who's at fault

Vehicle damage or injuries to the other driver

Roadside Assistance

Services like towing, flat tire changes and jump-starts when your car breaks down

Cost of parts or repairs needed after the tow

Gap Insurance

Pays the difference between your car's current value and what you still owe if it's totaled or stolen

Vehicle depreciation or overdue loan payments

Rental Car Reimbursement

The cost of a rental car while your vehicle is being repaired after a covered event

Fuel, insurance or other rental extras

Penalties for Driving Without Insurance in New York

The cost of a ticket for driving without insurance in New York can vary, especially if it's not your first time being caught without coverage. New York imposes different levels of fines and penalties based on whether the offense is your first or if you have prior incidents.

For a first-time offense, penalties might include a substantial fine and a license suspension. However, if you've been caught more than once, you could face even heftier fines, longer license suspension periods and possible jail time.

Here are additional penalties you could face in New York for driving without minimum coverage:

  • Vehicle impoundment with significant fees
  • Suspension of vehicle registration
  • License suspension plus charges to get it back
  • Possible requirement for filing an SR-22, a certificate proving you have insurance
  • Jail time, particularly if you cause an accident while uninsured

Always remember that driving with at least the state minimum car insurance can help you avoid the financial setbacks that come with penalties for driving uninsured.

What to Do if Your Policy Is Canceled

After a car insurance policy is canceled in New York, drivers should immediately seek new coverage and refrain from driving until insured again. It's important to contact an insurance agent to explore options or negotiate reinstatement of the policy. Driving without insurance is illegal and can lead to severe penalties.

The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will be notified of your insurance status through an electronic system. If the DMV discovers you're uninsured, your vehicle's registration and driver's license could be suspended.

If you're struggling to obtain insurance due to cancellation, New York offers the New York Automobile Insurance Plan (NYAIP), which assists high-risk drivers in getting coverage. This is a last-resort means of securing the state minimum car insurance to comply with the law and stay protected on the road.

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WHY WAS MY POLICY CANCELED?

Your car insurance policy in New York may have been canceled due to a few key reasons:

  • Non-Payment of Premium: Not paying your insurance premium on time is a common cause for cancellation.
  • Fraud: Your policy could be canceled if you've lied on your insurance application or during the claims process.
  • License Suspension: Insurers typically cancel your coverage if your driver's license has been suspended or revoked.
  • Too Many Accidents or Traffic Violations: A pattern of accidents or serious traffic offenses can lead to insurance cancellation.
  • State Minimum Changes: Failing to maintain the necessary minimum coverage can result in policy termination.

FAQ: New York Minimum Coverage Car Insurance

Understanding New York's minimum car insurance requirements is crucial for every driver. Here are answers to common questions to help you stay compliant and protected.

What is the minimum car insurance coverage in New York?

Why does New York require minimum automobile liability coverage for motorists?

Do you need comprehensive insurance in New York?

What happens if you drive uninsured in New York?

About Mark Fitzpatrick


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Mark Fitzpatrick is a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer and MoneyGeek's Head of Insurance. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research and creating personalized content for every kind of buyer. He has been quoted in several insurance-related publications, including CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.

Fitzpatrick earned a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He is passionate about using his knowledge of economics and insurance to bring transparency around financial topics and help others feel confident in their money moves.