The state is one of stark contrasts in having some of the most magnificent scenery in northern U.S. with the Adirondack Mountains rising up to the Great Lakes, while boasting the largest city in the U.S. From a driving perspective, it has the third largest population in the U.S. which significant vehicle ownership across all counties. This number of vehicles on the road gives New York high accident statistics with significant numbers of people killed and injured each year. It is worth considering paying for more than the basic minimum policy.

Through this site, it is easy to find good value auto insurance policies. The main types of insurance policy to look for are:

1. Liability
2. Collision/Comprehensive
3. Uninsured/underinsured driver
4. No fault/Personal Injury Protection

Almost all US States require drivers to carry a minimum level of liability insurance as a condition of driving on the public roads. This gives some protection to anyone who is injured or who suffers damage to their property in a traffic accident. If you do not have a valid insurance policy, prosecution and a fine are the usual consequences. Convicted drivers may also lose their license to drive.

You will find detailed help on the website operated by the New York State Insurance Department at http://www.ins.state.ny.us/. As a consumer, you can call the hotline directly: 1-800-339-1759. This site is useful not only as a guide to finding liability and other insurance cover, but also because the Division runs a complaints service that publishes an auto complaint ranking. To register a vehicle and obtain license plates, you have to prove that you have the following:

(1) No-Fault or Personal Injury Protection (PIP) which covers medical expenses and lost earnings up to $50,000 per person for a driver or passenger injured in, or a pedestrian injured by, your car. The idea is to give immediate treatment to restore health and get people back to productive work as soon as possible. Claims can only be made in court where the value of the claim exceeds $50,000 and for damages for pain and suffering. This form of cover is only for personal injuries and does not cover any damage to property, whether your own car or any third party’s property. No-fault protection is lost is driving while intoxicated or committing a felony, while being carried in a stolen vehicle by the owner of an uninsured vehicle.

(2) Liability which covers you against Third Party claims alleging that you were at fault:
nonfatal bodily injury: $25,000 for one claimant or $50,000 divided among all the claimants;
fatal injury: $50,000 for one claimant or $100,000 divided among all the claimants.
property damage to another’s car or property: $10,000 per accident.

(3) Uninsured Motorists which offers protection against any injuries suffered in a hit-and-run or an accident in which the driver is uninsured. Cover is in the same amounts set for liability above.

No other insurance is required to drive in New York State. Comparatively, these figures for liability cover are low when you consider the likely medical costs of anyone injured. Similarly, the cost of repairing vehicles will quickly exceed the minimum provision. Remember that, if you are at fault and a claim is made above the limits, you are personally responsible for paying whatever amount is awarded by the court less the sum insured. It is therefore worth topping up the insurance cover if you have property and other assets that might be sold to satisfy a judgment against you. If you have an auto loan or use a rental vehicle, you may also be required to carry additional cover. Also remember that the mandatory requirement does not include damage to your own vehicle. The main options are as follows.

Collision covers the damage to your own vehicle if it is involved in an accident — almost always subject to a deductible. This will either be the cost of repair or, if repair is uneconomic, the fair value of the vehicle.

Comprehensive covers all the other situations in which your vehicle may be lost or damaged, e.g. through theft, vandalism, storm damage, etc.

Think about GAP insurance to cover the difference between the amount owing on an auto loan or long lease, and the amount you recover as fair value when your vehicle is totaled.

You should look for specific terms to compensate you against your own loss of use, rental of an alternative vehicle and the cost of towing your vehicle to a repair shop. A final issue to consider is whether your household policy covers any personal property damaged in the accident. If not, separate cover should be put in place if you regularly wear expensive clothing, jewelery, watches, etc. and/or carry expensive property like a laptop.

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