Will Minimum Coverage Auto Insurance in New York Pay For Stolen Vehicle?
Reader’s Question:
I have minimum state coverage insurance on my vehicle in Manhattan, New York. The vehicle was stolen. Does the insurance carrier compensate for the stolen vehicle?
Jane
Manhattan, NY
No, with just the minimum state coverages in Manhattan New York your vehicle is not covered by your car insurance company in any way if it is stolen. State minimum coverages do not cover your car in anyway, you need physical damage coverages of comprehensive and collision on your vehicle for it to be covered by your insurance carrier.
To have a stolen vehicle covered by your auto insurance coverages you would need to have the comprehensive coverage on your car. According to the New York Insurance Department with comprehensive coverage, your insurance company pays you, regardless whose at fault, for damage to your vehicle from causes such as theft, fire, flood, glass breakage, windstorm, vandalism, hitting or being hit by an animal, or by falling or flying objects.
If your vehicle is stolen comprehensive coverage will also give a certain amount per day specified in your car insurance policy for transportation expenses such as rental car. This coverage is generally provided until the time the insurer makes an offer to settle your car insurance claim.
Since you did not have comprehensive cover on your car there is no coverage on your car to cover the stolen automobile and thus your insurance carrier will not compensate you or be required to help you with your stolen car in any way.
Is a Police Report Required For a Auto Insurance Claim in New York?
Reader’s Question:
I would like to know if after a car accident occurs a police report is required in Brentwood, New York?
Tom
Brentwood, NY
A police report is not necessarily required for every incident in New York City or New York State as a whole but it would be advisable to get an accident report done by the law enforcement officer if you were in an accident in Brentwood.
According to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles if you are in an accident, you must stop your car and exchange information with the other motorists. If the incident caused property damage only, then exchange information about your car insurance, driver license, and registration with the other motorists. If a parked car or other property is damaged, you must locate the owner or contact the law enforcement officer.
If an individual is injured or killed, you are required by the Vehicle and Traffic Law to inform the police immediately. All the involved drivers and the law enforcement officer must file an accident report with the NYS DMV. It is a crime to leave the accident scene that causes personal injury or death.
An insurance carrier may require an accident report for some types of collisions such as a hit and run. It is best to obtain a police report for all incidents if for nothing else then to have a written report of the other person’s information in a report in case their auto insurance comes back as canceled, expired, or fake.In those types of cases you can then notify the police to the fact that the individual gave incorrect information in hopes they will be penalized by the state.
Do You Need Cheap Teen Auto Insurance in New York?
Reader’s Question:
Ok so I am only 17 years old and I really want to drive. I have enough money to purchase myself a vehicle. But they said that I cannot have a vehicle until I turn eighteen. I would like to know if it is possible for me to get my own car insurance under my name even if it costs me more money? I live in New York New York.
Jane
New York, NY
The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles states that you must be 16 years of age or older to apply for title certificate and registration in New York State. So if you are under eighteen and therefore still a teen or minor you can register and title a vehicle under your name in NYS.
As for car insurance, if you are a minor under the age of eighteen years old then insurance carriers normally will require that a parent or guardian sign on your car insurance policy with you since it is a legal and binding document.
So, you can own a vehicle in your own name as a minor in New York however you would normally need a parent to buy auto insurance to place on the automobile.
Always remember that if you live with your parents and they permit you to obtain a vehicle it is usually cheaper to add you and the automobile to their car insurance policy than obtaining your own. But if you really want the vehicle and auto insurance in your own name then you will need to shop around for a cheaper price on insurance and find out the requirements of the insurance company regarding you being a minor in New York New York.
My Car Was Stolen In New York Will My Liabilty Insurance Cover It?
Reader’s Question:
My vehicle was stolen last week and I only have liability insurance so I am pretty sure it is not covered. Should I cancel my auto insurance in NY? Would I be held liable if the thief cause damages to other property with my vehicle?
Cory
Levittown, NY
Since you did not have comprehensive coverage on your car in NY unfortunately you are correct it is not covered for being stolen. You should still have notified your insurance companies of the car being taken without your permission and verify from your insurance broker when you should cancel your insurance policy on the car.
Typically if your stolen car has been recovered but is found to have caused damages to other cars when it was in the possession of the thief, you are not held liable for these damages. Normally to be held liable for damages caused by your vehicle, you would have to give the driver permission to operate the car.
To get consumer help about this situation, beyond what your car insurance agent can tell you, you may try contacting your state’s insurance regulator.
Young Driver Auto Insurance in New York
Reader’s Question:
Who is considered “inexperienced” with regards to driving experience in New York? I am a young driver trying to lower the rate my parents pay for car insurance.
John
Hamburg, NY
If you have a vehicle in your household you should have been on an insurance policy, either a car or your parents or a vehicle you own in Hamburg, New York.
According to the New York Insurance Department one of the most relevant classifications in car insurance rating factor is age because of its obvious relation to losses. Consistently, teen or young drivers are disproportionately represented in car accidents in relation to their percentage of the total motorist population.
According to NYS DOI also that in New York State if licensed less than 3 years at the start of the car insurance policy period, the principal operator of a car, regardless of age, will receive an inexperienced operator surcharge. Therefore this surcharge is based on the actual time in which you have been licensed.
I am Moving Out Of State – Do I Keep My Auto Insurance in New York?
Reader’s Question:
I am planning to move to Colorado from Ramapo, New York. I still have a New York State license. I would like to know if I wait until I change my New York State license to CO before I purchase car insurance?
Russell
Ramapo, NY
According to the Colorado DMV if you have recently moved to CO, you must apply for a CO registration and title for your car within thirty days from establishing CO residency. You must provide proof of car insurance to your county clerk before registration can happen. You may use your copy of your car insurance policy, auto insurance card, or a letter from your insurance provider, as proof of your car insurance.
It is a personal decision if you want to wait to buy insurance until after you have changed your drivers license from a New York one to a CO issued driver’s license but if you want wait to change over your car insurance from New York to Colorado you should be sure that your NYS insurance provider will cover you properly until this is done.
Got a Traffic Ticket With a Beginners Drivers License In New York?
Reader’s Question:
Will a traffic ticket violation be reflected on my driving record with just a learner’s permit or provisional license in New York?
Jim
Hempstead, NY
An individual with a junior permit, privileges or license will have their license be suspended for sixty days if they are convicted of a serious traffic violation or 2 other violations within the first 6 months after receiving their license or privileges back following a revocation or suspension while holding a junior license or permit.
You will need to contact your state’s Department of Motor Vehicle to find out for sure how they keep their driving histories. They will inform you how any violations convictions received during the period you had your provisional license or learner’s permit in Hempstead NY are placed on your MVR, how long the violations will stay on your driving record and if points will be assigned to it.
Does My Car Have To Be Registered To Get Car Insurance in New York?
Reader’s Question:
In Albany, New York, do you have to register the car before insuring it or is it the other way around?
Jim
Albany, NY
In Albany, New York you need to insure your car before registering it. When registering a car one of the items you need to bring to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles is a NYS Insurance Identification Card (FS-20).
The Insurance Identification Card can be a fax or a copy, but the barcode must be readable by a Department of Motor Vehicle barcode reader. After you purchase a car, bring the proof of ownership to an insurance broker or agent authorized to do business in NYS, and get this required insurance card.
