Full coverage in New York refers to an auto insurance policy with limits beyond the mandated minimums. Maximum auto insurance coverage in New York generally includes:
- No-fault coverage (personal injury protection)
- Liability coverage
- Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist coverage (UM/UIM coverage)
- Property damage coverage
- Comprehensive coverage
New York state does not require you to have all these insurance types. However, those who have “full coverage” may pay for each of these coverage types.
What Are Minimum Auto Insurance Coverages in New York?
The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) explains that every motorist must have auto insurance. Liability coverage required by law includes:
- $10,000 to cover property damage you cause to another vehicle
- $25,000 to cover injuries to a single other person
- $50,000 to cover the death of a single other person
- $50,000 to cover injuries to two or more other people
- $100,000 to cover the death of two or more other people
These are forms of liability coverage, which means that they cover harm to others. Motorists in New York must also have uninsured/underinsured (UM/UIM) motorist coverage. This coverage pays for damages caused by an uninsured or underinsured motorist.
Minimum UM/UIM coverage limits are:
- $25,000 to cover bodily injury to one person
- $50,000 in total bodily injury coverage
Personal injury protection (PIP), also known as no-fault coverage, is the final type of required auto insurance. This type of insurance covers medical expenses for you and your passengers, regardless of who is at fault for your accident. Minimum PIP insurance coverage is $50,000 for each person on a policy.
What Are the Optional Auto Insurance Coverages in New York?
Comprehensive coverage, collision coverage, and gap coverage are all optional coverages in New York. You may also purchase additional coverage specifically for:
- Medical care
- Funeral expenses
- Rental car expenses
- Roadside automotive services
- Personal injury costs
- Optional basic economic losses (OBEL)
Full coverage in New York can refer to any coverage beyond minimum limits. However, those who want the greatest possible protection may purchase a combination of these coverages.
What Does No-Fault Insurance Coverage Mean?
New York has a no-fault auto insurance model. In this model, motorists’ own PIP coverage pays for their losses. New York State’s Department of Financial Services (DFS) explains that PIP coverage may pay for:
- Healthcare expenses
- Lost earnings
- “Certain other reasonable and necessary expenses related to injuries sustained”
Your coverage limits will determine how much PIP coverage your insurer provides. You may also speak with your insurer about how it distributes coverage between each covered loss.
Can You Bring a Lawsuit After a Motor Vehicle Accident?
You may file a lawsuit if your PIP coverage does not fully cover your economic losses. The other driver generally must be at fault for the accident for you to file a lawsuit. When you file a lawsuit, you may seek coverage of:
- Property damage beyond your policy’s coverage limits
- Economic costs like lost income and medical care
- Pain and suffering caused by “serious injury”
Insurance coverage has monetary limits. When you sue a liable party for damages, there is no defined limit. You may receive compensation to match your losses.
How a lawyer From Our Firm Can Help After Your Accident in New York
Your lawyer’s primary role may be dealing with insurance companies. Challenges may arise during the insurance process, and your lawyer will address them. Insurance companies may:
- Try to void your claim
- Accuse you of being at fault for your accident, even if you are not
- Withhold certain portions of your coverage
- Delay paying your claim
- Employ other tactics that are against your interests
Your lawyer will represent you with the insurance companies. By shielding you from insurers, they may resolve your claim while defending your rights.
We Can Lead Your Lawsuit
If you need to file a lawsuit for additional coverage, we can handle the legal process for you. We can:
- Gather the police report from your accident
- Obtain witness accounts of your accident
- Obtain other evidence from your accident
- Draft and file your lawsuit
- Value your damages
- Negotiate a settlement
You may recover compensation from both an insurance claim and a lawsuit. Our firm will review your case and identify the appropriate strategy.
Do not Wait to Get Help After Your Accident
A lawyer on our team can be a great help regardless of your final course of action. We can review your case promptly and help you with your claim or lawsuit.
New York generally allows you three years after your accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. You may also face deadlines for an insurance claim.
Call the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP Today to Discuss Your Case
We can help you complete your claim, lawsuit, or combination of the two. The Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP will help you put your life back together after your accident. Call our team today at (516) 358-6900 for a free consultation with a compassionate team member.
For a free legal consultation, call 516-358-6900
