Is a Police Report Required For a Auto Insurance Claim in New York?

 

September 25, 2008 by author · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Insurance Laws 

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 inĀ  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.

I Need New York Car Insurance For 1 Day?

 

May 25, 2008 by author · Leave a Comment
Filed under: New York Auto Insurance 

Reader’s Question:

I need to borrow my sister’s car car for just a day. The vehicle is insured by my sister in the state of New Jersey and I am a licensed New York driver. Am I covered in case of accident? Do I need car insurance for just 1 day?

Albert

New York, NY

The best thing to do to be sure that you are properly covered in case of an accident in your sister’s car is to have them check with their insurance company to make certain their insurance coverages would be extended to you when you borrow the vehicle for a day.

Insurance coverages typically will be extended to relatives and friends living outside of a household without them being added on the insurance policy as long as they are given permission by the owner to operate the car. There are some insurance policies that have certain exclusions though that keep the insurance policy coverages from being extended to other motorists, even if given consent to operate the car.