An Overview of New York Auto Insurance Requirements

Insurance laws and requirements can be complicated and vary from state to state. New York auto insurance is no exception to this statement. There are several different types of coverage that fall into the auto insurance category. Some of the coverage types are optional while others are required by state law.

Liability Coverage

Liability coverage is required in nearly every state, New York included. New York auto insurance laws require $25,000/$50,000/$10,000 in coverage. These amounts cover bodily injury liability per person/total bodily injury per accident/property damage per accident, respectively.

New York State is unique in that it requires double the bodily injury liability limits in the event the accident results in death, taking the limits to $50,000/$100,000.

Personal Injury Protection

Personal injury protection or PIP is required in New York, as well as several other states. It is an extended type of auto coverage that assists with medical costs and can cover lost wages and other miscellaneous charges.

Medical Coverage

New York is what is referred to as a “no-fault” state. All individuals that have New York auto insurance are required to have this coverage. This covers the insured’s medical costs, regardless of fault. There is some controversy over this type of coverage as it is generally expensive and is thought to create redundant coverage when the insured also has regular medical insurance.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage

Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is optional in some states but, required in New York. This coverage will cover the insured, up to the limits they have purchased, if they are in an accident caused by another driver and that driver is not insured or does not have sufficient insurance to cover the full liability. Another common case that this type of insurance is helpful is in the event of a hit and run.

Other New York Auto Insurance Requirements

New York State requires that auto insurance remain in effect while a vehicle is registered, regardless whether or not the vehicle is being used. If a vehicle is not being used, New York State requires that plates are returned to the state to cancel the registration.

New York auto insurance law requires that New York drivers have insurance in the state, out of state insurance is not acceptable. This state also requires that the insurance must be in the same name as the registered owner. Neglecting to follow this requirement will result in a lapse of insurance and the registration will be suspended; the owners’ driver’s license will also be suspended if the lapse exceeds 90 days.

Progressive Auto Insurance: Pioneers In Every Facet Of The Business

There are a few important documents that you need when driving an automobile, regardless of what state you are currently in; a valid driver’s license and proof of auto insurance. Almost everyone has a driver’s license nowadays. Since photo identification is being required more and more, having a license serves more than just the one purpose. Sadly, not everyone is as adamant about obtaining insurance for their vehicle, despite it now being against the law to drive without coverage.

How Progressive Became Progressive With Auto Insurance

Part of the problem many drivers encounter in regard to car insurance is the rising cost of premiums each year, and how they are treated by some major insurance companies. No one wants to be viewed merely as a statistic and an account number, and yet that is how a lot of drivers were made to feel. Progressive Auto Insurance was a breath of fresh air to many customers since when they opened their doors in 1937.

Company founders Joe Lewis and Jack Green believed in offering quality service, security, and financial protection for those who took to the road each day. A simple bank loan of less than $15,000 was to be the seed to a now multi-billion dollar industry. Progressive’s approach to auto insurance has always been innovative and ahead of its time; it is a policy that puts more control back in the hands of the drivers themselves. Customer satisfaction is still the top priority for this revolutionary company.

Progressive Auto Insurance has been in the “firsts” business since from the beginning; offering policies to high risk drivers, payment plans for premiums, and their now famous drive-in insurance claims service. What Progressive may be most known for is providing not only their rates to customers, but also the rates of other leading insurance companies. Is Progressive always the lowest? Surprisingly no; and it is this service that is making them something very special.

The company burst onto the internet scene in 1995 and was soon making waves once more by allowing customers to obtain auto insurance coverage online. Then came the ticker; surf on over to Progressive’s web site and check out actual real-time quotes being offered to customers anywhere and anytime. This is just in case you need more proof that they are willing to go that extra mile for you; they are also willing to pay for the gas.

The Details Of Auto Insurance In New Jersey

Just as in every other state, New Jersey has its own laws about how your insure your car against damages. When you’re purchasing auto insurance in New Jersey, it helps not only to know what your coverage minimums are, but what your rights are as a consumer. When you’re ready to buy auto insurance in New Jersey, you should research the basic coverage that you need and what other options you have.

The Basics

The minimum coverage for auto insurance in New Jersey covers basic liability for property damage, up to $5,000, and also covers $15,000 per person in personal injury protection. These amounts are requirements for basic auto insurance in New Jersey, so expect to have to request at least this much through your insurer. You can always select more coverage than this, but while you’ll save money in the short-term, you’ll be hurting if you get in a crash.

Standard Coverage

When buying auto insurance in New Jersey, the next tier of coverage above basic, called the standard coverage, has minimums that start with what’s in basic coverage, but adds a minimum of $15,000 in bodily injury liability, as well as protections for you if the other person involved in an accident was underinsured or not insured at all. The state of New Jersey claims that this is the most common coverage selected, and with the protections offered, this coverage does make sense.

Giving You Choices

Although auto insurance in New Jersey is governed by laws as far as what you can purchase, there are also laws that the insurance companies have to follow. For instance, insurance companies are required to provide you with three different coverage choices when you purchase a new policy, so you can better understand the way that changes in coverage affect the way New Jersey auto insurance protects you. This means that New Jersey works to ensure that their consumers are educated when making a purchase.

The Ability To Change

Another protection that you get when purchasing auto insurance in New Jersey is that you have the right to change your policy at any time, not just when it’s up for renewal. The protection of your right to change isn’t limited to just being able to get a new policy. If you do change, you have the right to request a refund of your auto insurance premiums in New Jersey. This way, even if you paid for six months of coverage ahead of time, you’ll get some of that money back when you switch insurance companies. So, with laws that force you to protect yourself with insurance and laws that help force insurance companies to help you save money, buying auto insurance in New Jersey ends up being a good thing for drivers.