New York’s minimum car insurance requirements are 25/50/10, meaning $25,000 in bodily injury coverage per person, $50,000 per accident, and $10,000 in property damage coverage, plus $50,000 in no-fault Personal Injury Protection and matching uninsured motorist coverage. These minimums haven’t changed since 1995. For most drivers, they simply aren’t enough.
What 25/50/10 Means for You
Break the numbers down and the gap becomes obvious fast. If you cause an accident and injure one person, your policy pays a maximum of $25,000 toward their medical bills and other damages, no matter how serious the injury turns out to be.
Property damage is where the minimum falls shortest. New York requires only $10,000 in property damage liability, and the average new car sold in 2026 costs around $49,500. Do the math and a moderate collision with a newer vehicle can eat through your entire property damage limit before the repairs are even finished, leaving you personally on the hook for the rest.
Why New York Also Requires PIP and UM
New York is a no-fault state, which means your own insurance pays your medical bills after an accident regardless of who caused it. That’s why the state requires $50,000 in Personal Injury Protection on every policy, a higher PIP minimum than most no-fault states use.
New York also requires uninsured motorist coverage at the 25/50 level, matching your bodily injury liability limits. This protects you if you’re hit by a driver carrying no insurance at all, which happens more often than most drivers assume.
Why Minimum Coverage Is Rarely Enough
Carrying only the state minimum is legal, but it leaves your personal assets exposed. If a claim exceeds your policy limits, the injured party can come after you directly for the difference, including your savings, your home equity, and future wages.
Raising your liability limits from the state minimum to $100,000 or $300,000 per accident typically adds a modest amount to your annual premium, often far less than most drivers expect given the added protection. We walk through this math with every client. It’s a five-minute conversation that can save someone their savings account.
There’s also a pending legislative proposal, Assembly Bill A5053, that would raise New York’s minimum limits to 50/100/25 for the first time since 1995. It hasn’t passed as of this writing, but it’s worth knowing your current policy is written to a 30-year-old benchmark.
Common Questions About New York Auto Insurance Minimums
Is 25/50/10 enough coverage if I own a home? Generally, no. Homeowners have assets that can be pursued in a lawsuit beyond policy limits, which is why we typically recommend at least 100/300/100 liability limits paired with an umbrella policy for anyone with meaningful equity or savings.
What happens if I drive without any insurance in New York? Penalties include fines starting around $750, driver’s license suspension, and registration suspension, on top of personal liability for any damages you cause.
Does PIP cover passengers in my car? Yes. PIP covers medical costs for you and your passengers regardless of fault, and it also extends to pedestrians and cyclists struck by your vehicle.
Can I increase my PIP coverage above $50,000? Standard New York auto policies cap PIP at $50,000, though additional PIP coverage is available in $50,000 increments through some carriers for an added premium.
If I lease or finance my car, do I need more than the state minimum? Your lender will require comprehensive and collision coverage regardless of state minimums, but liability limits are a separate matter, and still worth reviewing against your personal exposure.
We’ve been doing business this way in the Hudson Valley for over 80 years. If you’re not sure whether your auto limits actually protect you, call us and we’ll walk through it. No phone tree, no pressure, just a straight answer.