How New York’s Pre-Insurance Car Inspection Works
Last Updated on September 30, 2026 by James Shaffer
In New York, your insurer may require an inspection when you buy collision or comprehensive coverage for a car. If it does and the inspection isn’t done within 14 calendar days after that coverage starts, the collision and comprehensive coverage is suspended until it is. Since May 2024, state law has let each insurer waive inspections for some or all cars, a change set to expire on October 1, 2027, so whether you need one depends on your insurer.
At a Glance
- When It Applies: Buying collision or comprehensive coverage on a new policy, or adding a new, additional or replacement car to an existing policy, unless your insurer has waived inspections.
- 14-Day Deadline: If the inspection isn’t finished, that coverage is suspended at 12:01 a.m. on the day after the 14th calendar day.
- Insurer Waivers: Through October 1, 2027, insurers can waive inspections for some or all cars. They may also skip them for cars at least seven model years old, new cars from a dealer and some long-time customers.
- Coverage Comes Back: Once the car is inspected, the insurer reinstates the coverage from the time of the inspection.
What the Inspection Rule Covers
The rule comes from Insurance Regulation 79, found at 11 NYCRR Part 67, which was last amended in June 2024. It applies to automobile physical damage coverage, which means collision, comprehensive, and fire and theft coverage on private passenger cars. Liability and no-fault coverage aren’t part of this rule.
Under Section 3411 of the Insurance Law, an insurer can waive its right to inspect some or all cars. That option runs from May 15, 2024 until October 1, 2027. Ask your insurer or agent whether your car needs an inspection before you assume it does.
When you ask for that coverage, the insurer has to tell you about the inspection requirement at the time of your request. The inspection has to be available at a time and place reasonably convenient for you, including early morning, evening and weekend hours. You can read the amended regulation on the Department of Financial Services website.
The 14-Day Deadline
If the car isn’t inspected in time, the physical damage coverage is suspended at 12:01 a.m. on the day after the 14th calendar day from the date that coverage started. You would still have liability and no-fault coverage, but collision and comprehensive wouldn’t be in force during the suspension.
Once the inspection is done, the insurer reinstates the coverage as of the date and time of the inspection. It doesn’t reach back to cover damage from the suspension period.
Quick tip: Schedule the inspection the same day you buy the coverage, especially for a used car. Fourteen days goes quickly, and the suspension doesn’t wait for a reminder.
When the Inspection Can Be Waived
Besides a blanket waiver, the regulation lists specific cases. Some waivers are required, and others are up to the insurer.
| Situation | Waiver |
|---|---|
| A temporary substitute car | Required |
| A car leased for less than six months | Required |
| A car at least seven model years old | Insurer may waive |
| A new, unused car bought or leased from a dealer | Insurer may waive |
| An additional or replacement car when you’ve been insured with the same insurer, or one under common control, for at least two years | Insurer may waive |
| A policy with physical damage coverage on five or more cars | Insurer may waive |
| Some transfers between insurers when the car was already inspected | Insurer may waive in some cases |
For a new car, the insurer can ask for the window sticker or an invoice showing the price and options, plus the bill of sale, the lease agreement or an MV-50.
How to Get the Inspection Done
- Ask your insurer or agent how and where to get the inspection as soon as you buy the coverage.
- Take the car to the appointment. For a new car, have the window sticker or invoice and the bill of sale or lease ready in case the insurer asks for them.
- Confirm that the insurer recorded the inspection, and keep any notice it sends. The regulation includes one notice for the deadline and another if the coverage is suspended.
Buying a Used Car in New York
Used cars are where this rule most often comes up, since a car that’s less than seven model years old and bought from a private seller may not qualify for one of the specific waivers. Our guides to insuring a used vehicle and the grace period for a newly bought car cover the other steps. To decide whether you need this coverage at all, see what collision coverage and comprehensive coverage pay for in New York.
FAQs on New York Pre-Insurance Inspections
Does every car need an inspection before insurance in New York?
No. Through October 1, 2027, insurers can waive inspections for some or all cars. They must waive it for temporary substitute cars and cars leased for less than six months, and they may waive it for cars at least seven model years old, new cars from a dealer and some other cases.
What happens if I miss the 14-day deadline?
Your collision and comprehensive coverage is suspended at 12:01 a.m. on the day after the 14th calendar day. It comes back once the car is inspected, effective from the time of the inspection.
Does the inspection affect my liability coverage?
No. The rule covers physical damage coverage, meaning collision, comprehensive, and fire and theft. Liability and no-fault coverage aren’t suspended.
Where do I get the inspection done?
Your insurer or agent will tell you. The regulation requires the inspection to be available at a time and place reasonably convenient for you, including early morning, evening and weekend hours.
Do I need an inspection for a brand-new car?
Maybe not. Insurers may waive it for a new, unused car bought or leased from a dealer, though they can ask for the window sticker or invoice and the bill of sale, lease agreement or MV-50.