Question 1

What is the minimum car insurance required in New York?

Accepted Answer

New York requires liability coverage of at least $25,000 for bodily injury and $50,000 for death of one person, $50,000 for bodily injury and $100,000 for death of two or more people in one accident, and $10,000 for property damage (often written 25/50/10). Every policy must also include uninsured motorist coverage of at least $25,000 per person ($50,000 for death) and $50,000 per accident ($100,000 for death), plus no-fault (personal injury protection) coverage for basic economic loss of up to $50,000 per person. Registration requires proof of insurance, a financial security bond or deposit, or self-insurance.

Question 2

Is New York a no-fault car insurance state?

Accepted Answer

New York is a no-fault state. Each policy pays "basic economic loss" (medical and related expenses, lost earnings and other costs) up to $50,000 per person regardless of fault. An injured person may sue another covered person for pain and suffering (non-economic loss) only for a "serious injury": death, dismemberment, significant disfigurement, a fracture, loss of a fetus, permanent loss of use of a body organ, member, function or system, permanent consequential limitation of use of a body organ or member, or significant limitation of use of a body function or system.

Question 3

Is uninsured motorist coverage required in New York?

Accepted Answer

Uninsured motorist coverage is required in every New York auto liability policy, at limits of $25,000 per person ($50,000 for death) and $50,000 per accident ($100,000 for death). At the insured's option, the policy must also provide supplementary uninsured/underinsured motorist (SUM) coverage up to the policy's bodily injury liability limits, to a maximum of $250,000 per person and $500,000 per accident (or a $500,000 combined single limit).

Question 4

Can you show proof of car insurance on your phone in New York?

Accepted Answer

A vehicle cannot be registered without proof of financial security, and the owner must keep coverage continuously throughout the registration period. Drivers must produce an insurance identification card when a police officer, peace officer or magistrate asks (as required by DMV regulations); failing to produce proof is presumptive evidence of driving without insurance. Showing a card for coverage that is not in effect is a misdemeanor.

Question 5

What is the penalty for driving without insurance in New York?

Accepted Answer

Driving, or letting someone drive, a vehicle without required insurance is a traffic infraction punishable by a fine of $150 to $1,500, up to 15 days in jail, or both, plus a $750 civil penalty payable to DMV. The DMV revokes the registration and the owner's driver's license, and no vehicle may be registered in the owner's name for one year; a non-owner driver who knew the vehicle was uninsured also has their license revoked. When insurance lapses on a registered vehicle, DMV suspends the registration and the registrant's license; the suspension can be ended by paying a civil penalty of $8 per day for days 1-30, $10 per day for days 31-60 and $12 per day for days 61-90 without coverage.

Question 6

How much notice must an insurer give before canceling car insurance in New York?

Accepted Answer

After an auto policy has been in effect 60 days (or from the start of a renewal), an insurer may cancel only for specific reasons, including nonpayment of premium and suspension or revocation of the driver's license of the named insured or a regular driver (other than certain administrative suspensions), among others listed in the law. A cancellation notice for a policy filed with DMV must be mailed at least 20 days before cancellation (15 days for nonpayment; payment within 15 days of the notice is timely). A nonrenewal notice, with specific reasons, must be mailed or delivered 45 to 60 days before the policy period ends; otherwise the insured is entitled to renew.

Question 7

Can car insurance companies use your credit score in New York?

Accepted Answer

Insurers that use credit information for personal lines insurance may not use an insurance score calculated using income, gender, address, ZIP code, ethnic group, religion, marital status or nationality; may not deny a policy solely on credit information; may not use credit information to cancel, nonrenew, or raise an insured's premium at renewal; and may not take adverse action solely because a consumer has no credit card account.

Question 8

When is a car a total loss in New York?

Accepted Answer

When an insurance company acquires a vehicle in settlement of a damage or theft claim, it must file a statement of the acquisition with the DMV, along with the title properly transferred to the company and any lien releases.

Question 9

How do you transfer a car title in New York?

Accepted Answer

When selling, the owner must at delivery sign the assignment and warranty of title on the certificate of title (including a statement of any facts that could affect the title's validity) and give it to the buyer. The buyer must, within thirty days after the transfer, complete the application for a new certificate of title and mail or deliver it to the DMV.

Question 10

How long do you have to register your car after moving to New York?

Accepted Answer

A person who becomes a New York resident may keep using their out-of-state registration for up to thirty days from becoming a resident, and may drive on a valid out-of-state license for up to thirty days from becoming a resident while getting a New York license.

Minimum coverage required	New York requires liability coverage of at least $25,000 for bodily injury and $50,000 for death of one person, $50,000 for bodily injury and $100,000 for death of two or more people in one accident, and $10,000 for property damage (often written 25/50/10). Every policy must also include uninsured motorist coverage of at least $25,000 per person ($50,000 for death) and $50,000 per accident ($100,000 for death), plus no-fault (personal injury protection) coverage for basic economic loss of up to $50,000 per person. Registration requires proof of insurance, a financial security bond or deposit, or self-insurance. UM: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/ISC/3420 . Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: N.Y. Veh. & Traf. Law §§311(4), 312(1); N.Y. Ins. Law §§3420(f)(1), 5102(a)
At-fault or no-fault	New York is a no-fault state. Each policy pays "basic economic loss" (medical and related expenses, lost earnings and other costs) up to $50,000 per person regardless of fault. An injured person may sue another covered person for pain and suffering (non-economic loss) only for a "serious injury": death, dismemberment, significant disfigurement, a fracture, loss of a fetus, permanent loss of use of a body organ, member, function or system, permanent consequential limitation of use of a body organ or member, or significant limitation of use of a body function or system. Definitions: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/ISC/5102. Current 5102(d) (revision of 2026-05-29) no longer includes the former category for a non-permanent injury lasting 90 of the 180 days after the accident. Section 5104: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/ISC/5104. Re-verified and corrected 2026-10-27. Source: N.Y. Ins. Law §§5102(a), (d), 5104(a)
Uninsured motorist coverage	Uninsured motorist coverage is required in every New York auto liability policy, at limits of $25,000 per person ($50,000 for death) and $50,000 per accident ($100,000 for death). At the insured's option, the policy must also provide supplementary uninsured/underinsured motorist (SUM) coverage up to the policy's bodily injury liability limits, to a maximum of $250,000 per person and $500,000 per accident (or a $500,000 combined single limit). Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: N.Y. Ins. Law §3420(f)(1)-(2)
Proof of insurance	A vehicle cannot be registered without proof of financial security, and the owner must keep coverage continuously throughout the registration period. Drivers must produce an insurance identification card when a police officer, peace officer or magistrate asks (as required by DMV regulations); failing to produce proof is presumptive evidence of driving without insurance. Showing a card for coverage that is not in effect is a misdemeanor. Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: N.Y. Veh. & Traf. Law §§312(1), 319(2)-(3)

Cancellation and nonrenewal	After an auto policy has been in effect 60 days (or from the start of a renewal), an insurer may cancel only for specific reasons, including nonpayment of premium and suspension or revocation of the driver's license of the named insured or a regular driver (other than certain administrative suspensions), among others listed in the law. A cancellation notice for a policy filed with DMV must be mailed at least 20 days before cancellation (15 days for nonpayment; payment within 15 days of the notice is timely). A nonrenewal notice, with specific reasons, must be mailed or delivered 45 to 60 days before the policy period ends; otherwise the insured is entitled to renew. Notice periods: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/VAT/313. Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: N.Y. Ins. Law §3425(a), (c), (d); N.Y. Veh. & Traf. Law §313(1)(a)
What insurers can use to set rates	Insurers that use credit information for personal lines insurance may not use an insurance score calculated using income, gender, address, ZIP code, ethnic group, religion, marital status or nationality; may not deny a policy solely on credit information; may not use credit information to cancel, nonrenew, or raise an insured's premium at renewal; and may not take adverse action solely because a consumer has no credit card account. Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: N.Y. Ins. Law §2802
Total loss rules	When an insurance company acquires a vehicle in settlement of a damage or theft claim, it must file a statement of the acquisition with the DMV, along with the title properly transferred to the company and any lien releases. The section reviewed does not state a percentage-of-value total-loss threshold. Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: N.Y. Veh. & Traf. Law §429(1)(a)

New York Car Insurance Laws: Minimum Coverage, Penalties and SR-22

Quick answers for New York

Required coverage

Driving without insurance and SR-22

Your rights with insurers

Title and registration

Car Insurance & Vehicle Laws FAQ

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