Posts Tagged ‘new york auto insurance’

New York Department of Motor Vehicles Guide To Auto Insurance

Wednesday, May 2nd, 2012

The average cost of auto insurance in New York state is $1,431 — which is #23 in state rankings — according to Insure’s annual survey. Yet, you can get below-average premiums just by shopping around for free New York auto insurance quotes on our site. That being said, you want to make sure you know the law before you shop for insurance. Here is what the New York Department of Motor Vehicles has to say about local auto insurance rules, requirements, and penalties.

New York Minimum Insurance Requirements

To register your vehicle in New York, you must buy the minimum liability insurance:

  • $25,000 per person injured in an accident
  • $50,000 total liability coverage per accident, and
  • $10,000 for property damage per accident.
By law, you must carry proof of auto insurance in your vehicle at all times. You must also be sure that  your insurance policy never lapses, but if it does — you must notify the DMV right away. You could end up paying $8-$12 for every day your vehicle goes uninsured, unless you specifically have asked and been granted a temporary suspension. New York state also requires uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage of $25,000/$50,000.

Who Is At Fault In New York?

The state of New York is a “no-fault” system, meaning that your insurance will cover you and everyone in your car, regardless of whose fault the accident was. By the same token, the other motorist’s insurance will cover damage to his or her car and people. This law makes it illegal for drivers to be uninsured. It also ensures that accidents will be covered immediately, without being slowed down by the legal process.

The NY Point System

Accidents are just one way your auto insurance costs go up. Whenever you receive a ticket, you receive points on your license, which also count against you and drive your premium up. If you get 11 points in 18 months, you can have your license suspended for 31 days or more. These points generally stay on record for 18 months, even though the conviction will be listed for 3 years or more. These are the points assigned:

  • Speeding (1-10 MPH over posted limit): 3 points
  • Speeding (11-20 MPH over posted limit): 4 points
  • Speeding (21-30 MPH over posted limit): 6 points
  • Speeding (31-40 MPH over posted limit): 8 points
  • Speeding (more than 40 MPH over posted limit): 11 points
  • Reckless driving: 5 points
  • Failing to stop for a school bus: 5 points
  • Following too closely (tailgating): 4 points
  • Inadequate brakes: 4 points
  • Inadequate brakes while driving an employer’s vehicle: 2 points
  • Failing to yield right-of-way: 3 points
  • Violation involving a traffic signal, stop sign, or yield sign: 3 points
  • Railroad-crossing violation: 3 points
  • Improper passing, unsafe lane change, driving left of center, or driving in wrong direction: 3 points
  • Leaving the scene of an incident involving property damage or injury to a domestic animal: 3 points
  • Safety restraint violation involving a person under 16: 3 points
  • Any other moving violation: 2 points

More Information

You can find your local New York Department of Motor Vehicles office here. But while you’re here, why not search free auto insurance quotes? It only takes a few moments to see if you could be saving hundreds on your insurance premium!

new york auto insurance

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Posted in New York, USA |

How Long Does A DUI Affect My Auto Insurance Rates?

Monday, April 2nd, 2012
auto insurance after dui

The best Santa can do is plea bargain & shop around for lower auto insurance rates.

Driving under the influence of alcohol is a serious offense, no matter what state you live in. Unfortunately, auto insurance rates tend to skyrocket once this offense goes onto your record. Anything that can be leveled against you probably will be, as you have now proven yourself to be a risky driver.

How Long Will A DUI Affect Insurance Rates?

The length of time a DUI stays on your record will depend upon your state’s laws. For instance, California requires a DUI to stay on one’s record for 7 years. New York auto insurance companies keep track of this conviction for 10 years. In Alaska, a DUI stays on a driving record forever. Generally, the car insurance premium rate hike takes place at your next renewal period.

Each Auto Insurance Company Is Different.

Some will increase your rate for just 3 years, while others will hold the offense against you for the full 7-10 years. According to Carole Walker of the Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association, ”If you get a DUI conviction, it will likely affect your insurance rates for (at least) the next three to five years.” Even after that, she says you can expect at least five years of perfect driving before reaching preferred status with auto insurance providers again.

The best thing to do after a DUI is to search for a new auto insurance provider to access the most competitive rates.

 

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Posted in General Auto Insurance, USA |

New York Auto Insurance Coverage and Motor Vehicle Accidents

Monday, September 26th, 2011

In New York, drivers who are involved in a motor vehicle accident must exchange insurance information if there were no injuries and the damage is confined to property only. For this reason, proof of coverage should be carried in the vehicle at all times. If the collision involves striking a parked car or other vehicle or if a car strikes an animal, the owner must be located and notified of the incident. A driver involved in the accident can also contact the police to report the incident.

Property Damage Over $1,000

In a situation where the property damage caused in an accident is over $1,000, all drivers involved in the incident are required to fill out an accident report, known as an MV-104 (Report of Motor Vehicle Accident). The document must be filed within 10 days or the Department of Motor Vehicles can suspend the driver’s license.

Motor Vehicle Accident Causing Injuries or Fatalities

If the accident caused resulted in injuries or fatalities, all drivers involved in the incident are required to stay on the scene and the police must be called. It is a criminal offense to leave the scene of an accident resulting in personal injuries or one or more deaths.

The accident is noted on the driving record of all drivers involved. The Department of Motor Vehicles only collects the information; it is not responsible for determining which driver was at fault.

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Posted in New York, USA |

What is the NY Auto Insurance Liability Rule?

Thursday, September 8th, 2011

Under the NY auto insurance liability rule, all drivers must carry a certain amount of this type of insurance protection on their vehicles. New York operates under a no-fault system for car insurance coverage purposes, which means that Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage is required. The minimum level required by law is $50,000. This is the part of the policy which compensates the policyholder, his or her family members and passengers riding in the vehicle who don’t have their own PIP coverage for their “reasonable and necessary” medical expenses following an accident.

Liability coverage is also a requirement under NY state law. Drivers must have at least $25,000 in protection to pay for the injuries and damages claimed by one occupant of the other vehicle in an accident and $50,000 to pay for all injuries and damages resulting from the same incident.

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Posted in New York, USA |

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