You contract with an insurance company for car insurance. insurance company pays for certain motor vehicle related losses in exchange for premium.

Why is NY car insurance important?

Car insurance in New York is crucial for many reasons. First, law requires it. All New York drivers must have minimum liability insurance to register. Second, car insurance can prevent financial ruin in an accident. 

Another driver may cause an accident. Car insurance can cover vehicle repairs, medical bills and lost wages for you and your passengers.

Different auto insurance coverage

There are many car insurance options. Typical coverage includes:

• The minimum liability insurance coverage in New York is this. Liability insurance covers bodily injury and property damage you or family member cause while driving.
• Collision insurance: This covers damage to your car from collision.
• Comprehensive insurance covers theft, vandalism, fire and hail damage to your vehicle.
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: This coverage covers your medical bills and lost wages if youre injured by driver without insurance or insufficient insurance.
• Personal injury protection (PIP): This coverage covers medical bills and lost wages regardless of fault.

These basic coverages can be supplemented with rental car reimbursement, roadside assistance and towing.

New York requires car insurance.

New York requires following car insurance coverage:

Bodily injury liability insurance: This covers medical bills and lost wages for accident victims. legal minimum is $25,000/$50,000/person/accident.

Property damage liability insurance covers accident caused property damage. Legal minimum coverage is $10,000 per accident.

Personal injury protection (PIP): 

This coverage covers medical bills and lost wages regardless of fault. Legal minimum coverage is $50,000.

Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: 

This coverage covers your medical bills and lost wages if youre injured by driver without insurance or insufficient insurance. legal minimum is $25,000/$50,000/person/accident.

How much is NY car insurance?

New York car insurance costs depend on age, driving history, car make, model and year, location and credit score. However, New York car insurance costs more than national average.

The Insurance Information Institute reports that full car insurance in New York costs $3,139 and minimum coverage $1,371. This is much higher than national average of $2,014 for full coverage and $622 for minimum coverage.

Compare quotes from multiple insurers, ask about discounts and raise your deductible to lower your car insurance.

Tips for getting best NY car insurance deal:

Comparison shop for insurance quotes. Compare car insurance quotes from multiple insurers to get best deal. Contact an insurance agent or do it online.

Request discounts. Good drivers, safe cars and home auto insurance bundles get discounts from many insurers. Question your insurer about all discounts you may qualify for.

Consider raising your deductible. Your insurance company will not pay claim until you pay your deductible. You can lower your monthly premium by raising your deductible. Make sure you can afford your deductible if you need to file claim.

Compare quotes from multiple insurers and ask about discounts to find affordable New York car insurance. Also, raising your deductible may lower your monthly premium.

Car insurance rates depend on factors

Many factors affect car insurance rates, including:

• Your age: Younger drivers pay more for car insurance. This is because younger drivers have more accidents.
• Your driving history: Accident free drivers pay less for car insurance.
• Car make, model and year: Some cars cost more to insure. Because car makes, models and years affect repair and replacement costs.
• Location: Drivers in high crime or accident areas pay higher car insurance rates.
• Credit score: Some insurers base car insurance rates on credit scores. Car insurance rates are lower for drivers with good credit.
• Some insurers also consider marital status, occupation and education when setting car insurance rates.

Tips for finding cheap car insurance:

Comparison shop for insurance quotes.

• Request discounts. Good drivers, safe cars and home auto insurance bundles get discounts from many insurers.
• Consider raising your deductible. Your insurance company will not pay claim until you pay your deductible. You can lower your monthly premium by raising your deductible. Make sure you can afford your deductible if you need to file claim.
• These tips can help you get best car insurance deal.
• Get best car insurance deal
• Comparison shop for insurance quotes.
• Compare car insurance quotes from multiple insurers to get best deal. Contact an insurance agent or do it online.

Comparison quotes should include same coverage levels from each insurer. Comparing policy deductibles and other terms is crucial.

Request discounts.

Good drivers, safe cars and home auto insurance bundles get discounts from many insurers. Question your insurer about all discounts you may qualify for.

Consider raising your deductible.

Your insurance company will not pay claim until you pay your deductible. You can lower your monthly premium by raising your deductible. Make sure you can afford your deductible if you need to file claim.

Other hints

• Keep your license clean. Avoid collisions and traffic violations.
• Drive safely. Insurance is cheaper for cars with airbags and anti lock brakes.
• Browse often. Get quotes from several insurers every year or two to get best deal.
• These tips can help you get best car insurance deal.
• Car insurance claim filing
• Following car accident
• Car accidents require few actions:
• Check injuries. Call 911 if youre hurt.
• Get your car into safety. Move your car to side of road if safe. These measures will reduce accidents.
• Share information with other drivers. Obtain their name, address, phone number, insurance information and license plate number.
• Photograph damage. This will document damage and support your insurance claim.
• Report it to police. This is crucial if there are injuries or significant vehicle damage.

How to claim car insurance

Contact your car insurance company immediately to file claim. Calling your insurance agent or filing claim online usually works.

You must give your insurance company following information when filing claim:

• Accident date, time and location
• Identity and contact information of other accident drivers
• License plate numbers of other vehicles involved in accident
• Insurance policy number
• Accident description
• Photos of damage

Expectations for claims processing

Your insurance company will assign an adjuster after you file claim. After investigating accident, adjuster will determine fault. They will also evaluate your vehicles damage and estimate repair or replacement costs.

If you caused accident, your insurance company will cover other drivers vehicle damage and injuries. other drivers insurance company will cover your vehicle damage and injuries if they caused accident.

If you have collision coverage, your insurance company will pay for vehicle damage regardless of fault. Without collision coverage, you must pay for vehicle repairs or replacement.

Accident severity and claim complexity affect claims process. However, most claims are resolved within weeks to months.

Tips for handling insurance claims:

Be truthful and cooperative. Your insurance company will process your claim faster with more information.

Log your insurance company communications. All letters, emails and phone records are included.

Complain to your states insurance department about your claim.

No fault auto insurance!

No fault car insurance covers medical bills and lost wages regardless of who caused accident. In contrast, at fault drivers insurance company pays for damages in fault based car insurance.

How does NY no fault car insurance work?

New York has no fault auto insurance. All New York drivers need no fault insurance.

In New York car accident, your insurance company will cover medical bills and lost wages up to certain amount. Personal injury protection limit. Minimum PIP in New York is $50,000.

Suing at fault driver for medical bills and lost wages over your PIP limit may be possible. Only pain and suffering and lost earnings can be sued against at fault driver.

No fault car insurance benefits

Benefits of no fault car insurance include:

• It guarantees compensation for medical expenses and lost wages regardless of accident fault.
• It can reduce car accident lawsuits.
• It can expedite injury compensation.
• Some drawbacks of no fault car insurance include:
• It may cost more than fault based car insurance.
• It may restrict your lawsuit against at fault driver.
• No fault car insurance is complicated and has pros and cons. Before buying no fault car insurance, weigh pros and cons.

Under/uninsured motorist coverage

Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage?

Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM) protects you if youre injured in an accident caused by driver without insurance or insufficient insurance.

Why is New York uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage important?

Due to high number of uninsured drivers in New York, uninsured motorist coverage is crucial. According to Insurance Information Institute, 12.9% of NY drivers are uninsured. This means an uninsured or underinsured driver will likely cause your accident.

How does under/uninsured motorist coverage work?

If an uninsured or underinsured driver hits you, you can file UM/UIM claim with your insurance company. After investigating the accident, your insurance company will determine your compensation.

Your compensation depends on your UM/UIM limits. New York law requires $25,000/$50,000 per person/per accident UM/UIM coverage. You can upgrade UM/UIM coverage.

After being injured by an uninsured or underinsured driver, contact your UM/UIM insurance company immediately to file a claim.

Tips for UM/UIM claims:

Give your insurance company as much information as possible about the accident, including the date, time, and location, name and contact information of another driver (s), and license plate number(s) of another vehicle (s).

Record medical bills and lost wages. This aids your claim.

Wait and cooperate. claims process can be lengthy, but your insurance company will resolve your claim quickly.

In conclusion:

Consult an insurance agent if you need help choosing a car insurance policy. An insurance agent can help you compare and choose a policy.

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