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New York is a no-fault state. Drivers must carry at least 25/50/10 (50/100 for death) in coverage, and the average full-coverage premium is $3,560 a year, 22% above the national average of $2,922. This guide covers what New York requires, what drivers pay, the rules on fault, uninsured drivers, penalties, teen drivers and phone use, and how to pay less.
| Minimum coverage | 25/50/10 (50/100 for death) |
| Fault system | No-fault |
| Average full coverage | $3,560 a year ($297 a month), 22% above the national average of $2,922 |
| Uninsured drivers | 8.6% (2023), the 44th highest rate of 51 |
| Filing after serious violations | Proof of financial responsibility, if ordered |
New York requires $25,000 for bodily injury and $50,000 for death for one person, $50,000 for bodily injury and $100,000 for death for two or more people, and $10,000 for property damage in a single crash, plus the no-fault coverage New York requires on every policy (New York DMV, "New York State Insurance Requirements").
The minimums are a legal floor, not a recommendation. Property damage limits in particular don't go far when a new car can cost more than the limit to replace, and anything above your limits is your personal responsibility. See how limits and deductibles work and every type of coverage explained.
The average full-coverage premium in New York is $3,560 a year, 22% above the national average of $2,922. That makes New York the 8th most expensive of 49 (48 states plus D.C.; Alaska and Hawaii aren't in the data) (Experian, "Car Insurance Average Costs by State," published September 9, 2026; full coverage, 12 months to August 2026).
Within New York, prices still vary a lot by ZIP code, driving record and car, and 8.6% of drivers on New York roads were uninsured in 2023, so the coverage you choose matters as much as the premium.
Your own price depends on your ZIP code, age, driving record, car and coverage. Try our car insurance calculator with New York preselected for a personal estimate, and see what determines your car insurance cost.
New York generally uses pure comparative fault, reducing your damages by your share of the blame, but it now applies a modified rule to certain motor-vehicle injury claims under its no-fault law. (Matthiesen, Wickert & Lehrer, "Contributory Negligence/Comparative Fault Laws in All 50 States," updated June 10, 2026)
An estimated 8.6% of New York drivers were uninsured in 2023, the 44th highest rate among the 50 states and D.C. (Insurance Research Council, uninsured motorist estimates for 2023, via Insurance Information Institute "Facts + Statistics: Uninsured motorists"). Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage protects you when one of them hits you. See coverage types.
Your New York vehicle must be covered by insurance from an insurer authorized in New York; the DMV doesn't accept out-of-state coverage. Insurers report coverage to the DMV electronically. (New York DMV, "New York State Insurance Requirements" and "Moving to or from New York State")
If coverage lapses, the DMV can suspend your registration and, if the suspension lasts more than 90 days, your driver's license too ($50 to end a license suspension). For lapses of 90 days or less you may be able to pay a civil penalty instead of surrendering your plates, starting at $8 a day (for example $200 for a 25-day lapse). If you drive uninsured and are involved in a crash, your license and registration are revoked for at least one year, and you pay a $750 civil penalty to get your license back. (New York DMV, "Insurance Lapses")
A conviction for driving uninsured also follows you into your next policy. In CarInsurance.com's rate analysis, it raised the average full-coverage premium in New York from $1,870 to $2,085 a year, an increase of 11% (CarInsurance.com, "Penalty for driving without insurance in every state," updated March 24, 2026; rate analysis).
Beyond the penalties, driving uninsured leaves you personally liable for any damage you cause. See what happens if you drive without car insurance.
If the New York DMV orders proof of insurance after a lapse or violation, it will tell you exactly what it needs; your insurer's electronic report to the DMV is normally how coverage is shown. (New York DMV)
New York uses graduated driver licensing (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, "Graduated licensing laws" table):
Adding a teen is usually the biggest single increase in a family's premium. Keeping them on the family policy, a good-student discount and a safe, modest car help most.
A distracted-driving ticket can count against your record and your premium. (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, "Electronic device laws" table)
See how to compare car insurance quotes, or get quotes for your ZIP code.
For questions about a policy, a claim or an insurer's conduct, contact the New York State Department of Financial Services. It handles consumer questions and complaints about insurers in New York.
AutoInsuranceQuery editorial team. Last reviewed: September 29, 2026.
