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.
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.
Is There a Time Limit To File a Car Insurance Claim in New York?
Reader’s Question:
What is the time limit to file a claim to car insurance after a collision in New York?
Lincoln
Babylon, NY
You should contact your specific insurance company’s claims department to determine additional details on the time limits there are to make car collision claims. As for the NY state laws, you can contact your state insurance regulator to get more information on any time limits you have to make a car insurance claim and also on what the laws are regarding time limits for the insurance carrier to respond to the claim.
In New York, if your vehicle is damaged or stolen and you have car comprehensive or collision insurance coverage, you have the right to a fair and prompt settlement from your insurance carrier, either for the actual cash value of the vehicle or the amount of the damages, whichever is lower. If your vehicle is stolen and subsequently recovered, your insurance company must pay for the damage done to the vehicle while it was missing, the cost of any reasonable storage charges, towing and substitute transportation expenses.
Penalty For Lapse New York State Car Insurance?
Reader’s Question:
What are the penalties for insurance lapse in the New York state?
Polly
Buffalo, NY
Anytime that your car is registered but not insured in NYS it can cause a lapse in your auto insurance coverage and suspension of your driver’ license. The New York Department of Motor Vehicles should notify you once they are aware of a lapse in your car insurance by a letter. This letter will give you instructions on how you need to show proof that you have insurance or sold the car. If you cannot prove this, you will need to surrender your vehicle’s license plates to the NYS DMV and get a receipt when you do so.
You may not be required to surrender your vehicle’s license plates for a lapse of 90 days or shorter if you pay a civil penalty fine. There is a sure way in which to calculate what the fine will be so I suggest you contact the DMV. If the the auto insurance lapse exceeds 90 days your driver license will be suspended. they will suspend your registration and driver license indefinitely if you do not surrender your plates to the DMV . To have your driver license reinstated you must pay a fee of $25 when the suspension ends.
International Student Auto Insurance in New York?
Reader’s Question:
I am French college student and I will be visiting my friends in New York for a 6- month holiday. I will have permission to drive my friend’s vehicle but want to know what I should do about the auto insurance?
Allen
Babylon, New York (NY)
In New York State, auto insurance is mandatory and you may find it to be expensive if you do not have a U.S. license. Some insurance providers add a surcharge if you do not have a U.S. driver’s license.
I would first recommend seeing if your friend’s insurance carrier will allow you to be put on his/her policy while you are in visiting. If not, shop around, many car insurance providers will allow you to begin your insurance with an international license but would require you to get a State driver’s license within thirty days.
Do I Need A New York Drivers License To Register a Car In NY?
Reader’s Question:
I have a driver’s license in Florida and am I moving to Amherst New York State. I am purchasing a vehicle in NYS, do I need a New York driver’s license to register and insure the car in New York?
Kelly
Amherst, NY
If you have proof of your residency in NY you should be able to obtain NY insurance on your car so that you can register the car you are purchasing in New York . Your insurance company will need to give information concerning your New York driver’s license though when you turn in your driver’s license in FL for a New York State license.
If possible it would likely be best to get your registration and insurance set up if you already have your New York license. It is New York State law that resident of New York must apply for a NY driver’s license within thirty days of becoming a resident anyway so if you do this before you buy the car it could make things easier.
To be able to register a car in New York you must have NYS insurance on it. Out of state insurance coverage is not valid or accepted to register a vehicle in New York.
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