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New York combines no-fault coverage with liability minimums of 25/50/10, plus higher death limits of $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident. Every policy includes $50,000 per person in no-fault personal injury protection, which pays medical bills and lost earnings regardless of fault, and uninsured motorist coverage at 25/50.
The rules changed in May 2026. A budget law signed on May 26 eliminated the 90/180-day route to a serious injury claim, moved New York from pure to modified comparative negligence for suits subject to its no-fault law, capped non-economic damages at $100,000 for certain at-fault claimants such as uninsured or convicted impaired drivers, and added Department of Financial Services approval for auto rate increases. The changes apply to suits filed on or after May 26, 2026. Enforcement is firm too: the DMV tracks lapses, and driving uninsured can bring a fine of up to $1,500 plus registration and license consequences.
| Minimum liability | 25/50/10 (BI per person / BI per accident / PD, in $1,000s) |
|---|---|
| Other required coverage | No-fault personal injury protection (PIP): $50,000 per person; Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident |
| Fault system | No-fault |
| Credit-based insurance scores | Allowed |
New York minimum liability limits
To register and drive a car in New York you need at least this much liability coverage:
- $25,000 for injuries to one person in an accident you cause.
- $50,000 in total for injuries to everyone in that accident.
- $10,000 for damage to other people's property, such as their car.
Death limits are higher than injury limits: policies must provide at least $50,000 for the death of one person and $100,000 for the death of two or more.
Tip: The minimum is a legal floor, not a recommendation. If a serious crash costs more than your limits, you could be personally responsible for the rest. See how much liability coverage you may need.
Other required and offered coverage
Besides liability, New York requires:
- No-fault personal injury protection (PIP): $50,000 per person
- Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
Supplementary UM/UIM (SUM) coverage is included at your bodily injury limits unless you decline it or choose a lower amount. Optional extra basic economic loss (OBEL) coverage adds $25,000.
Learn more about uninsured motorist coverage and personal injury protection.
Is New York a no-fault state?
New York is a no-fault state. After most crashes, your own personal injury protection (PIP) pays your medical bills and some lost income first, whoever caused the accident. You can usually step outside the no-fault system and claim against the other driver only if injuries pass a legal threshold.
New York's no-fault system requires a serious injury to sue for pain and suffering. Legislation signed on May 26, 2026 removed the 90/180-day category and replaced pure comparative negligence with a modified bar for suits subject to Article 51 of the Insurance Law filed on or after that date.
Read more: at-fault vs. no-fault states explained.
Can insurers use your credit in New York?
Status: Allowed.
See how credit affects car insurance for the bigger picture.
Penalties for driving uninsured in New York
The traffic court fine for driving without insurance can be up to $1,500. A registration suspension lasts as many days as the vehicle was uninsured, and license suspension follows if it exceeds 90 days. If DMV learns of a crash while you were uninsured, license and registration are revoked for at least one year.
Insurers report policies to the DMV, which tracks lapses through its Insurance Information and Enforcement System (IIES). For lapses of 90 days or less, you can pay a per-day civil penalty ($8, $10 or $12 per day by tier) instead of surrendering plates, once every 36 months.
If you are ordered to file proof of insurance, see what SR-22 insurance is.
Tips for New York drivers
- Check your supplementary UM/UIM (SUM) coverage. Insurers include it equal to your bodily injury limits unless you decline or choose a lower amount.
- Do not let a lapse run past 90 days. Longer lapses lead to a license suspension on top of registration suspension, and the per-day civil penalty option is only available for lapses of 90 days or less.
- Remember the civil penalty option can be used only once every 36 months. If you used it recently, you must surrender plates instead.
- Understand that serious injury rules govern lawsuits. New York's 2026 changes removed the 90/180-day category, so ask an attorney how they apply to a claim filed after May 26, 2026.
- Review optional basic economic loss (OBEL) coverage if the $50,000 PIP limit seems low. DFS says it adds $25,000.
When you shop, compare quotes from several insurers using the same limits and deductibles, so the prices are like-for-like.
Official resources
- Insurance regulator: New York State Department of Financial Services
- Motor vehicle agency: New York State DMV
Your state insurance department can answer questions about your rights and handle complaints about insurers.
Frequently asked questions
What are New York's minimum insurance requirements?
New York requires liability of 25/50/10 ($25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for injury, $10,000 for property damage), higher death limits of $50,000 for one person and $100,000 for two or more, $50,000 per person in no-fault PIP, and uninsured motorist coverage at $25,000/$50,000.
What does no-fault PIP cover in New York?
Basic no-fault pays up to $50,000 per person for economic losses regardless of fault. Lost earnings are paid at 80%, up to $2,000 per month for up to three years, and a $2,000 death benefit is paid to the estate of an eligible person killed in a crash, on top of the $50,000 limit, according to the Department of Financial Services.
What changed in New York's auto law in 2026?
Legislation signed May 26, 2026 removed the 90/180-day serious injury category, introduced a modified comparative fault bar for suits subject to the no-fault law, capped some non-economic damages at $100,000 for certain at-fault claimants, and required DFS approval for auto rate increases. It applies to suits filed on or after that date.
What is the penalty for driving without insurance in New York?
A traffic court fine can be up to $1,500. DMV suspends registration for as many days as the vehicle was uninsured, and your license is suspended if that exceeds 90 days, with a $50 termination fee. If you drive uninsured and DMV learns of a crash, your license and registration are revoked for at least one year.
Sources
- New York DMV – Auto liability insurance
- New York DMV – Insurance lapses
- New York DFS – Minimum auto insurance requirements
- Barclay Damon – NYS enacts sweeping auto insurance reforms
- Matthiesen, Wickert & Lehrer – Contributory negligence/comparative fault laws in all 50 states
General information only. State rules change. Confirm current requirements with the New York State Department of Financial Services or your insurer before you buy. This page is not insurance or legal advice.