State requirements
New York Car Insurance Requirements & No-Fault Law (2026)
New York requires 25/50/10 liability, 50/100 for wrongful death, ,000 PIP, and statutory uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage.
Data reviewed October 24, 2026
New York combines a comprehensive no-fault personal injury protection system with mandatory bodily injury and uninsured motorist liability. The New York Department of Financial Services (DFS) enforces stringent insurance tracking through the electronic Insurance Information & Enforcement System (IIES).
| Requirement | Statutory Minimum Limit | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Bodily Injury Liability | ,000 / ,000 | Injury caused to others in a crash |
| Wrongful Death Liability | ,000 / ,000 | Specific NY statutory wrongful death mandate |
| Property Damage Liability | ,000 | Damage to other vehicles and property |
| Basic No-Fault (PIP) | ,000 | Medical expenses and 80% lost earnings up to ,000/mo |
| Uninsured Motorist (UM) | ,000 / ,000 | Mandatory for bodily injury caused by uninsured drivers |
Statutory Minimums in New York State
New York Vehicle and Traffic Law § 311 requires 25/50/10 coverage: ,000 bodily injury per person, ,000 bodily injury per accident, ,000 property damage, plus ,000/,000 for wrongful death. Additionally, New York mandates ,000 in Basic No-Fault (PIP) and 25/50 Uninsured Motorist coverage.
New York Serious Injury Threshold
Under New York Insurance Law § 5102(d), injured motorists cannot sue for non-economic loss (pain and suffering) unless they meet the statutory serious injury threshold, which includes fractures, dismemberment, significant disfigurement, or 90/180-day temporary disability.
Electronic Lapse Penalties
New York IIES notifies the DMV immediately upon policy cancellation. Even a 1-day lapse results in daily civil penalties starting at /day (up to /day) or mandatory surrender of license plates and suspension.
Cost Dynamics Across NY Regions
Downstate premiums in New York City and Long Island average ,800 annually for full coverage, whereas upstate regions like Rochester or Albany average ,400 to ,800 annually.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the serious injury threshold in NY?
- It is a legal standard required to sue an at-fault driver for pain and suffering beyond no-fault medical benefits.
- What happens if my NY car insurance lapses for one week?
- You must pay an -per-day civil penalty to the DMV or surrender your plates for the corresponding number of days.
Sources
More in State insurance guides
- California Car Insurance Requirements & Average Cost (2026)
- Texas Car Insurance Requirements & Average Cost (2026)
- Florida Car Insurance Requirements & No-Fault Law (2026)
- Ohio Car Insurance Requirements & Average Cost (2026)
- Pennsylvania Car Insurance Requirements & Full vs Limited Tort (2026)
- Illinois Car Insurance Requirements & Mandatory Verification (2026)