Bodily Injury Protection in New York State
Last Updated on January 22, 2026
New York is a no-fault auto insurance state, which means most injury claims start with Personal Injury Protection (PIP) regardless of who caused the crash. At the same time, New York drivers must also carry bodily injury liability coverage (often shortened to “BI”) to protect themselves if they injure someone else and are found legally responsible. If you’re comparing providers, start with this overview of top auto insurance companies.
This guide explains how “bodily injury protection” typically works in New York, what the state minimums are, and when higher limits can help reduce your financial risk.
At a Glance
- Two Systems Work Together: New York’s no-fault PIP handles certain injury costs regardless of fault, while bodily injury liability applies when you’re legally responsible for injuring others.
- Minimums Are a Starting Point: State-required limits may not keep up with modern medical bills and lawsuit exposure, especially in higher-traffic areas.
- Limits Cap What Your Policy Pays: If an injury claim exceeds your liability limits, you can be responsible for the difference—so choose limits with your assets in mind.
- Focus on Fit, Not Just Price: Comparing carriers, discounts, and coverage options can reduce premium without creating costly protection gaps.
- New York Minimum Bodily Injury Liability Requirements
- Bodily Injury Liability vs. No-Fault PIP in New York
- What Bodily Injury Liability Typically Covers
- How Bodily Injury Limits Work in New York
- Should You Buy More Than the New York Minimum?
- How Much Does Bodily Injury Liability Cost in New York?
- Bottom Line
- FAQs on Bodily Injury Protection in New York
New York Minimum Bodily Injury Liability Requirements
To register and keep a car registered in New York, you generally need a New York-issued policy with state-required coverages. In plain terms: BI liability pays other people when you’re at fault, while PIP helps pay you (and certain others) for medical bills and related expenses after a crash, regardless of fault.
New York Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements
| Coverage Type | What It Generally Pays For | New York Minimum (Most Passenger Vehicles) |
|---|---|---|
| Bodily Injury Liability | Injuries you cause to others | $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident |
| Death Liability | Death claims arising from an at-fault crash | $50,000 per person / $100,000 per accident |
| Property Damage Liability | Damage you cause to someone else’s property | $10,000 per accident |
| No-Fault (PIP) | Basic economic loss (medical bills, certain lost wages, etc.) | $50,000 per person |
| Uninsured Motorist (UM) | Injuries to you/occupants when struck by an uninsured driver (and certain hit-and-run situations) | Subject to state minimums (often shown as $25,000/$50,000) |
For a fuller breakdown of required coverages and related rules, see our guide to New York insurance laws and minimum requirements.
Quick tip: In New York, your liability coverage generally must stay active as long as your registration is valid—even if you’re not driving the car. If you’re planning to stop coverage, handle plates/registration the right way first to avoid DMV penalties.
It’s also important that the policy is issued by a company licensed in New York and that the name on the insurance matches the name on the registration. If you’re unsure how New York treats insurance and registration, review whether you need insurance in NY and the state rules that apply to registered vehicles.
Bodily Injury Liability vs. No-Fault PIP in New York
These coverages do different jobs. Confusing them can lead to gaps in protection (or surprises at claim time).
| Coverage | Who It Protects | When It Applies | What It Can Pay For |
|---|---|---|---|
| No-Fault (PIP) | You (and other eligible injured persons) | After a crash, regardless of fault | Medical bills, certain lost earnings, and other “basic economic loss” items up to your PIP limit |
| Bodily Injury Liability (BI) | You (financially), by paying others | When you’re legally responsible for injuring someone | Other people’s medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and claim defense (depending on policy) |
| Uninsured Motorist / SUM (Optional Higher Limits) | You and your household/occupants | When the at-fault driver has no insurance or not enough (depending on coverage) | Injury damages you may not recover from the at-fault driver |
Why this matters: BI liability is for injuries you cause. It does not replace PIP for your own injuries, and it does not pay to repair your own vehicle (that’s collision coverage).
What Bodily Injury Liability Typically Covers
Bodily injury liability generally helps pay for injury-related damages claimed by other people after an at-fault accident. Depending on the claim, it may include:
- Medical expenses for others: ER care, hospital bills, surgery, follow-up treatment, and related costs.
- Lost income for others: Wage loss or reduced earning capacity if the injured person can’t work.
- Pain and suffering: Non-economic damages when the claim qualifies under New York’s rules.
- Legal defense: Many auto policies provide defense costs when a covered claim is made, but the details vary by insurer and policy form.
- Funeral and burial expenses: Typically handled under the policy’s death liability requirements and related claim provisions.
If you’re trying to estimate how quickly injury costs can add up, see our breakdown of rehabilitation costs after a car accident and why even “moderate” injuries can become expensive.
How Bodily Injury Limits Work in New York
BI liability limits are usually shown as two numbers—a per person limit and a per accident limit. The per person limit caps what the policy will pay for any one injured person. The per accident limit caps the total paid for all injured people in the same accident.
Common Split-Limit Examples
| Example Limits | What It Means | Who Pays If Damages Exceed Limits? |
|---|---|---|
| 25/50 | Up to $25,000 for one injured person; up to $50,000 total for the accident | You (personally), unless you have other coverage (like an umbrella) or the claim settles within limits |
| 100/300 | Up to $100,000 for one injured person; up to $300,000 total for the accident | You, for any amount beyond limits |
| 250/500 | Up to $250,000 for one injured person; up to $500,000 total for the accident | You, for any amount beyond limits |
Important: New York also has death liability minimums that are separate from (but related to) BI limits. Your declarations page may show BI and death limits in a combined way or as separate lines—ask your agent or carrier to walk you through how your policy is displayed.
Should You Buy More Than the New York Minimum?
For many drivers, the state minimums can be too low for modern medical costs and lawsuit exposure—especially in higher-traffic areas. Consider higher limits if any of the following applies:
- You have savings, wages, or other assets you want to protect.
- You drive frequently in dense traffic (NYC, Long Island, Westchester, etc.) or commute long distances.
- You drive with passengers often (family, carpools), increasing the chance of multi-injury claims.
- You want the option to add (or increase) an umbrella policy, which typically requires higher underlying auto liability limits.
Quick tip: If you’re shopping for “cheap minimum coverage,” make sure you understand what the minimum actually protects (and what it doesn’t). This guide to bare-minimum auto insurance explains common gaps that show up after a serious claim.
Practical rule: Higher BI limits can be a cost-effective way to reduce the risk of paying out of pocket if an injury claim exceeds your policy limits. Coverage needs vary by driver, and the “right” limit depends on your risk tolerance and financial situation.
How Much Does Bodily Injury Liability Cost in New York?
Bodily injury liability is priced as part of your overall auto policy. Rates can vary widely based on underwriting factors such as your driving history, where the car is garaged, annual mileage, vehicle type, prior claims, and the coverage limits/deductibles you choose.
If you’re trying to manage premium without sacrificing protection, start with these tips to lower auto insurance costs. In many cases, adjusting limits thoughtfully, bundling, improving eligibility discounts, and comparing carriers can make a meaningful difference.
Bottom Line
In New York, no-fault PIP and bodily injury liability work together: PIP is designed to get certain medical and wage-loss payments moving quickly, while BI liability helps protect you if you’re responsible for hurting someone else. Because rules and minimums can change, confirm your current requirements and policy details through New York regulators or your insurance professional before making coverage decisions.
Educational information only; not legal advice. Coverage availability, policy language, and claim outcomes vary by insurer and by situation.
