Automobile Insurance Coverage In New York

Every motorist must have automobile insurance to drive in New York State legally. You must fully understand your insurance policy because your coverage will determine what compensation you may receive in the unfortunate event of a collision. 

The Main Types Of Car Insurance Policies

Carefully reviewing your car insurance coverage can help protect you from unnecessary costs should you be involved in an accident. Types of car insurance include:

1. No-Fault Insurance: New York is a “no-fault” state which means that regardless of who was at fault for the accident, drivers and passengers can file claims against the no-fault insurance of their vehicle. Before registering a car, drivers must show proof of their no-fault insurance, also known as personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. Personal injury protection is designed to provide prompt payments to accident victims for their economic losses, like hospital bills, other medical expenses, lost wages, and funeral expenses. 
2. Liability Coverage: Every driver must purchase the minimum amount of liability insurance. Liability coverage is meant to protect you if a claim for damages for an injury or loss is filed against you. Each policy must provide a victim with at least $25,000 for injuries and $50,000 for a fatality.
3. Property Damage: This type of coverage can protect you if your car damages another’s property. Motorists are required to carry a minimum of $10,000 to pay for the property damage of a single mishap. Property damage coverage can protect you from the considerable costs of repairing or replacing someone else’s vehicle or other property.
4. Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UM): If you are involved in a hit-and-run or an accident with an uninsured or underinsured motorist, uninsured motorist coverage will protect you. This coverage can be used to reimburse you for bodily harm when the other driver cannot pay.

Other Types Of Coverage 

Besides the above coverage, your insurance company may allow you to purchase additional protection, including:

1. Collision: Regardless of fault, collision coverage provides additional benefits for damage sustained to your vehicle in an accident. 
2. Comprehensive: This type of coverage protects your car against non-crash-related damages that your vehicle might endure. 
3. Medical Payments: Without regard to fault, this type of coverage will pay for hospital and funeral-related expenses that you or your passengers suffer in a collision. 
4. Gap Coverage: Gap coverage protects against the difference between your vehicle’s actual cash market value and the total you still owe on your loan. 
5. Rental Car Reimbursement: If your vehicle becomes undrivable because of a covered loss, this coverage can reimburse you for the cost of a rental car.

Contact A Battle-Tested Buffalo, New York, Car Accident Lawyer Immediately!

The Dietrich Law Firm P.C. is committed to helping victims get the compensation they deserve. Please be sure to review your auto insurance coverage before a collision occurs. Jed Dietrich, Esq. would be honored to help you understand how the coverage you select can protect you and your family. Do not hesitate to contact us day or night by completing the online consultation form or calling 716-839-3939.