If you’re moving to, or just starting to drive in the state of New York, car insurance is a must-have. It’s not just a great idea to keep your car safe, but it’s also a state requirement that drivers in New York need to have uninsured motorist coverage, personal injury protection and liability insurance.
So before you get behind the wheel, be aware of the following aspects of car insurance in Schenectady NY and stay safe.
The Law in New York for Car Insurance
The state of New York is a no-fault state, which means that drivers must have personal injury protection (PIP) as well as uninsured motorist coverage. These are the minimum requirements in the state, but additional coverage is recommended for your specific needs, such as if you want theft protection and the like.
But what is personal injury protection exactly?
After an accident, regardless of who was at fault, you can file a claim against your own insurance policy with PIP coverage. If another driver runs a red light and hits you, for instance, you can file a claim with your insurer rather than the other driver’s provider. In most cases, PIP covers your medical bills, lost wages, and, if necessary, funeral costs.
Another aspect you must have in New York Is liability insurance.
The coverage that covers the costs associated with damages and injuries sustained by another driver and their passengers is known as liability car insurance. However, this sort of inclusion doesn’t pay for the damage to your vehicle if you cause an accident.
If you can, many insurance professionals will advise you to carry more liability insurance than the minimum requirement. You will be much less likely to find yourself in a difficult financial situation after an accident if you do this.
What Happens if You Drive Without Insurance in NY?
In New York, driving without insurance can have serious consequences. If your policy expires, your insurance company must notify the DMV. You must surrender your vehicle registration and license plates to the DMV and not drive if you no longer have insurance. On the off chance that you do drive, you could have to deal with the accompanying damages:
- Receive a ticket
- Unpaid tickets can lead to an arrest
- Driver’s license suspensions
- Vehicle registration suspensions
- Heavy fines
- Vehicles can be impounded.
If you drive in NY without insurance and are in an accident, the state can suspend your license and registration for at least a year and you can receive a fine of over one thousand dollars.
Additional Options for Auto Insurance in New York
In addition to what is required by the state, there are other coverage options you should consider before you approach an insurance agent. These types of coverage have varying costs for each insurer and depend on a lot of factors.
Comprehensive coverage: this covers incidents that aren’t accidents, such as a tree falling on your car to theft, vandalism and the like. This isn’t mandatory in NY but is a smart idea if you have a newer car or a high-value car.
Collision coverage: this coverage helps pay for any damages that happen to your car from an accident with another car or an object.
Gap coverage: if you have a newer car or have more money owing on the loan than the vehicle is worth, this type of coverage helps pay off the loan if your car is stolen or totalled. New car replacement coverage: this is if your car is totalled or stolen, and is two or fewer years old, this coverage makes sure you have enough money to purchase another car of the same value as your previous car.
Roadside assistance coverage: this is similar to when you have a membership with a roadside assistance company and covers the cost of repairing your car or towing it if it breaks down on the road, or if you have a flat tire. You can also use this if you are locked out of your car or run out of fuel.
Rideshare coverage: if you drive for a ridesharing company such as Uber, you should get rideshare coverage. Your personal car insurance policy doesn’t often cover your car when driving for a rideshare company, so this is important.
Choose Ny Insurance Hub
Now that you know what you need to remain legally compliant in the state of New York, you should be able to confidently start shopping around for car insurance. To do this effectively, it’s wise to work with independent insurance agents, like those at NY Insurance Hub.
NY Insurance Hub works with local insurance companies of various sizes to bring you Albany NY’s cheapest car insurance quotes.
Contact Ny Insurance Hub today and start down the path of better, personalized car insurance.
NY Insurance Hub Agency
125 Wolf Rd STE 404 Albany,
NY 12205 518-783-0105
GMB URL: https://g.page/r/CSpwJcUJX29hEBA
