What Happens if You Get into an Accident without Insurance in NY?
Last Updated on January 21, 2026
In New York, you generally must carry New York State-issued auto liability insurance to keep a vehicle registered and legally drive it. If you’re stopped and can’t meet the state’s insurance requirements, you may be ticketed (and in some situations, the DMV can take action against your registration and license). If you’re in a crash while uninsured, the consequences can escalate fast—financially and legally. For background on the rule itself, see New York’s auto insurance laws and requirements, and keep in mind that you can be asked to provide proof of insurance during a traffic stop or after an accident.
Below is what typically happens in New York after an accident without active insurance, including DMV consequences, court penalties, and practical “who pays” realities. (This article is general information, not legal advice. Specific outcomes depend on the facts of the crash, ownership/registration details, and the court/DMV process.)
At a Glance
- DMV Consequences Can Be Immediate: If you’re involved in a crash while uninsured, NY DMV guidance says your license and registration can be revoked for at least one year.
- Court Penalties Add Up: VTL § 319 allows a $150–$1,500 fine, possible jail up to 15 days, and a $750 civil penalty tied to the violation.
- No-Fault Doesn’t Fix Your Car: New York’s no-fault rules focus on injuries; vehicle repairs usually require liability or collision coverage—neither helps you if you’re uninsured.
- Lapses Get Expensive Fast: For certain lapses (1–90 days), DMV civil penalties are commonly calculated at $8–$12 per day, unless you surrender plates and serve a suspension.
New York’s No-Fault Rules Don’t Replace Insurance
New York is a no-fault state for injury claims, meaning many medical bills and certain lost-wage benefits are typically handled through Personal Injury Protection (PIP) regardless of who caused the crash. But no-fault does not pay to repair your car, and it doesn’t prevent you from facing DMV/court consequences if you were driving uninsured.
Also, even in no-fault states, fault still matters for property damage, for serious-injury lawsuits, and when insurers pursue reimbursement. If you’re trying to understand fault and next steps after a crash, this guide on what it means to be “not at fault” in an accident can help frame the basics.
New York’s Minimum Required Coverages
Most drivers think “minimum coverage” means only liability. In New York, the legal minimum package typically includes liability, no-fault (PIP), and uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. The chart below summarizes common minimums referenced by New York regulators; your declarations page will show what you actually have.
| Coverage | What It Helps Pay For | Common NY Minimum (Most Passenger Vehicles) |
|---|---|---|
| No-Fault (PIP) | Medical expenses and certain lost earnings for covered injuries (regardless of fault) | $50,000 per person |
| Bodily Injury Liability | Injuries you cause to others | $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident (plus separate death limits in NY) |
| Property Damage Liability | Damage you cause to other people’s property (including vehicles) | $10,000 per accident |
| Uninsured Motorist (UM) | Injuries from a hit-and-run or uninsured driver (subject to limits) | $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident |
Authoritative references: New York DMV’s insurance requirements and the New York Department of Financial Services (DFS) consumer materials. (Exact limits and eligibility can vary by vehicle type and policy form.)
NY DMV: Insurance Requirements | NY DFS: Purchasing Automobile Insurance (Consumer Guide PDF)
Immediate Problems After a Crash Without Insurance
If you’re uninsured at the time of the accident, these are common immediate issues you may face:
- A ticket (and possibly arrest/impound): Police may issue a citation for operating without the required financial security, and the vehicle may be impounded depending on the circumstances.
- Proof problems: If you can’t show a valid NY insurance ID card (paper or electronic) tied to the vehicle/registrant, you may be treated as uninsured until proven otherwise.
- Out-of-pocket costs start immediately: Towing, storage, car rental, and initial repairs often become your responsibility without coverage.
- Harder “who pays” outcomes: Without active coverage, you may have limited (or no) access to the usual insurance claim pathways tied to your vehicle.
- Long tail financial risk: If you’re at fault, the other party (and/or their insurer) may seek reimbursement from you personally.
Quick tip: After any crash, call 911 if there are injuries, request a police report, and take photos of the scene and vehicles. Documentation matters even more when insurance coverage is disputed or missing.
New York Penalties for Driving Uninsured
New York’s penalties can come from both the court system and the DMV. The specific charge and outcome depend on whether this was an insurance lapse, whether you were driving/owning the vehicle, and whether you were involved in a crash.
What The Law Allows (VTL § 319)
Under New York Vehicle and Traffic Law § 319, operating (or permitting operation of) a vehicle without the required financial security can result in a court fine (often cited as $150 to $1,500), possible jail time of up to 15 days, and a civil penalty. Here is the official statute text: NY Senate: Vehicle & Traffic Law § 319.
DMV Action After a Crash Can Be Severe
Separate from court fines, New York DMV guidance states that if an uninsured vehicle is involved in a traffic crash, the DMV can revoke the driver license and vehicle registration for at least one year, and a $750 civil penalty may be required to restore a revoked license. See: NY DMV: Insurance Lapses.
Insurance Lapse Civil Penalties (If Your Coverage Briefly Lapsed)
If your insurance was canceled and you did not turn in your plates, New York may treat it as an insurance lapse. DMV publishes a civil penalty schedule (commonly $8–$12 per day for 1–90 days) and explains when you may pay a civil penalty versus surrender plates and serve a registration suspension. Details here: NY DMV: Pay an Insurance Lapse Civil Penalty.
| Scenario | What Can Happen in New York |
|---|---|
| Stopped / ticketed while uninsured | Possible ticket or arrest; possible vehicle impound; court penalties can apply under VTL § 319. |
| In a crash while uninsured | DMV may revoke your license and registration for at least one year; court fine may be up to $1,500; DMV may require a $750 civil penalty to restore a revoked license. |
| Insurance lapse (1–90 days) | DMV civil penalty often calculated at $8/day (1–30), $10/day (31–60), $12/day (61–90), or you may need to surrender plates and serve a suspension. |
| Letting someone drive your uninsured vehicle | You can still face penalties as the owner/registrant, even if someone else was behind the wheel. |
Quick tip: If you’re ending a policy or selling a car, surrender plates before coverage ends to help avoid an insurance lapse. DMV penalties can be triggered even by short gaps if the vehicle stays registered.
Who Pays for Injuries and Car Damage?
The biggest real-world consequence of being uninsured is simple: you lose the insurance company buffer. Instead of insurers negotiating and paying covered losses, you may be dealing with bills, collections, and lawsuits personally.
If You Cause the Accident
If you’re at fault and uninsured, the other driver and passengers will typically use their own coverage paths first (for example, no-fault benefits for injuries). But insurers often pursue reimbursement (subrogation) when legally allowed. Without liability insurance, you may be personally responsible for:
- Other people’s vehicle repairs (property damage)
- Medical costs and wage losses that fall outside no-fault rules (especially where “serious injury” allegations are involved)
- Legal defense costs if you’re sued
If Someone Else Causes the Accident
If another driver hits you, you may still be able to pursue them for property damage and (in qualifying cases) bodily injury damages. But being uninsured can make recovery harder in practice, and you’ll still face your own DMV/court problems for operating uninsured. If the other driver is uninsured or it’s a hit-and-run, New York’s safety-net system may apply for eligible claimants (for example, through household coverage or the Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation): NY DFS: No-Fault FAQs and MVAIC.
If Your Car Is Totaled
When your vehicle is a total loss, collision coverage (or the at-fault driver’s property damage coverage) is usually the pathway to getting paid. If you don’t have coverage in force, you may be stuck paying for replacement transportation yourself while any legal claims are sorted out. If you want a deeper breakdown of how total-loss payouts typically work when you are insured, see what happens when your car is totaled.
How to Get Back on the Road Legally After an Uninsured Accident
If you were uninsured at the time of a crash, getting “legal” again is usually a mix of insurance, DMV compliance, and (sometimes) court requirements. Common steps include:
- Buy a New York State-issued policy: Out-of-state coverage generally won’t satisfy NY registration requirements.
- Follow DMV instructions exactly: If your registration or license was suspended/revoked, you may need to pay civil penalties, serve a suspension period, and provide updated proof of insurance.
- Don’t drive until reinstated: Driving while suspended/revoked can create additional charges and longer suspensions.
- Consider affordability strategies: If cost is the issue, explore legitimate ways to lower premiums and adjust coverage safely.
Helpful resources if insurance cost is the reason you’re tempted to go without coverage: tips to lower auto insurance costs in New York and what to do if you can’t afford car insurance anymore.
Bottom Line
Even though New York’s no-fault system can reduce fighting over medical bills after a crash, it doesn’t protect an uninsured driver from DMV penalties, court fines, or personal financial exposure. If you’re unsure whether you’re currently compliant—or you’re dealing with a lapse—start by confirming requirements and fixing the registration/insurance mismatch immediately. For a broader overview of the topic, see whether you need insurance in New York and our deeper guide on uninsured driving penalties.
If you want to understand how uninsured/underinsured motorist protection works when you do carry coverage (and why it matters in a state with busy roads), see uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage in New York.