Personal Injury Protection in New York State

Last Updated on January 22, 2026

New York is a no-fault insurance state, which means your auto policy’s Personal Injury Protection (PIP) (often called “No-Fault”) is designed to pay certain accident-related medical and economic costs quickly—without needing to prove who caused the crash.

In New York, the mandatory minimum PIP limit is generally $50,000 per person in “basic economic loss.” (You can confirm the requirement through the New York DMV and the New York State Department of Financial Services auto coverage FAQ.) PIP does not pay for vehicle repairs or pain and suffering—those are handled through other coverages and/or claims.

What Personal Injury Protection Means in New York

PIP is the part of your New York auto policy that pays first-party benefits for covered injuries from a motor vehicle accident. In practice, it often pays eligible medical bills directly to providers (when properly billed) and can also reimburse you for certain wage loss and out-of-pocket expenses.

New York’s No-Fault system is governed by state law and regulations (for example, New York Insurance Law Article 51 and 11 NYCRR Part 65). If you want to read the underlying definitions, see Insurance Law § 5102.

What New York PIP Covers

At a high level, New York PIP is built to cover “basic economic loss.” That generally includes necessary medical treatment, a portion of lost earnings, and limited reimbursement for certain everyday expenses you can’t handle because of crash-related injuries.

New York PIP Benefits and Limits

Benefit Type	What It Typically Pays For	Key Cap/Limit	How Long It Can Apply
Medical and Health Services	Necessary accident-related treatment (e.g., ER care, imaging, surgery, PT) billed under No-Fault rules/fee schedules	Counts toward the $50,000 basic economic loss limit	As long as care is medically necessary and within policy/regulatory rules
Lost Earnings	Work loss if you cannot perform your job due to covered injuries	80% of lost earnings up to $2,000/month	Up to 3 years from the accident date
Other Necessary Expenses	Reasonable expenses you must pay because you’re injured (e.g., help with household tasks, transportation to treatment)	Up to $25/day	Up to 1 year from the accident date
Death Benefit	Limited benefit payable to the estate of a covered person	Up to $2,000 (in addition to the $50,000 basic economic loss)	Applies in fatal cases

For the regulatory language describing these standard No-Fault benefit categories (including the wage and daily expense caps), see 11 NYCRR § 65-1.2. For the “basic economic loss” definition in statute, see Insurance Law § 5102.

Common Medical Expenses PIP Can Pay

• Emergency care, hospital services, and physician visits
• Imaging and diagnostics (X-rays, CT scans, MRIs)
• Surgery and anesthesia (when medically necessary)
• Rehabilitation services (physical, occupational, and other therapies when appropriate)
• Medical equipment and supplies related to treatment
• Dental treatment when connected to accident-related trauma

Keep in mind: No-Fault billing has strict rules and may involve insurer verification requests. Providers often submit bills directly, but you should still keep copies of paperwork, visit summaries, and disability notes.

What PIP Usually Does Not Cover

PIP is valuable, but it’s not “full coverage” for everything that can happen after a crash. It typically does not cover:

• Damage to your car (that’s handled through collision/comprehensive, not No-Fault)
• Pain and suffering (that’s generally pursued through a liability claim and only in certain situations in New York)
• Injuries you cause to others (that’s what bodily injury liability coverage is for)
• A rental vehicle while your car is repaired (that’s typically handled by rental reimbursement coverage, if you carry it)

If you’re reviewing your overall protection (liability, physical damage, uninsured motorists, add-ons), start with this overview of common insurance coverage types.

Do You Need More Than Basic PIP?

Sometimes the mandatory $50,000 limit is enough—especially for minor to moderate injuries. But it can be exhausted quickly with hospital care, surgery, and ongoing rehab. Extra No-Fault protection is most often worth considering if you:

• Earn more than the monthly wage-loss cap and rely on steady income
• Have a high-deductible health plan or limited health coverage
• Drive frequently (commuting, rideshare, work driving) and want a wider financial buffer
• Want more flexibility if a serious injury leads to extended treatment or disability

Optional Add-Ons That Increase No-Fault Protection

Option	What It Does	Who It Can Help Most
Optional Basic Economic Loss (OBEL)	Adds up to $25,000 above the basic $50,000 limit, and the claimant generally chooses how OBEL is applied among permitted categories.	Drivers/families who want a modest increase and more control over how extra benefits apply.
Additional PIP / Additional No-Fault	Raises the overall No-Fault limit beyond the mandatory minimum (amounts vary by insurer).	Anyone concerned about high medical costs or longer disability periods.
Employer or Disability Benefits Coordination	Some outside benefits may reduce certain No-Fault payments (for example, specific disability or wage-continuation benefits, depending on circumstances).	People with strong workplace benefits who want to understand how offsets may affect net recovery.

New York insurers must offer OBEL, and the benefit design is described in 11 NYCRR § 65-1.2. For a broader look at add-ons that can strengthen your policy, see additional coverage options.

If your primary concern is income replacement, it’s also worth reviewing how car insurance can address lost wages and where basic No-Fault wage-loss caps may fall short for higher earners.

PIP Deductibles in New York

New York No-Fault policies are typically offered with no deductible or with a family deductible option (commonly $200, and sometimes $100 depending on the insurer). The No-Fault deductible rules are addressed in 11 NYCRR § 65-1.6.

Choosing a deductible can lower premium in some cases, but it also increases what you pay out of pocket before certain No-Fault payments apply. If you want a plain-English breakdown of how deductibles work across coverages, see deductibles explained.

The Cost of Personal Injury Protection in New York

PIP is mandatory in New York, so it’s built into most standard auto policies. The price you pay depends on many underwriting factors, including:

• Where the car is garaged (ZIP code/territory)
• Your driving history and prior claims
• Vehicle type and usage (commute vs. pleasure vs. business use)
• Chosen deductible and optional No-Fault enhancements (OBEL/Additional PIP)
• Household rating factors used by the insurer

The best way to shop is to compare like-for-like coverage (same PIP options, deductibles, and liability limits) across multiple carriers. If you’re starting your shortlist, this guide on finding cheaper auto insurance companies in New York can help you structure a clean comparison.

Filing a Personal Injury Protection Claim in New York

PIP claims are paperwork-driven. The earlier you start the process and document your treatment and time off work, the smoother reimbursement tends to be.

Key No-Fault Deadlines to Know

Step	General Deadline Under NY No-Fault Rules	Where to Verify
Written Notice of Claim	As soon as practicable, but generally no later than 30 days after the accident.	11 NYCRR § 65-1.1 (notice requirement)
Medical Proof of Claim	Generally no later than 45 days after medical services are rendered.	11 NYCRR § 65-1.1 (proof of claim)
Work Loss and Other Expenses	Generally no later than 90 days after the work loss is incurred or the expense is rendered.	11 NYCRR § 65-1.1 (proof of claim)
Insurer Pay-or-Deny Rule	Claims can become overdue if not paid/denied within 30 days after the insurer receives proof of claim (subject to verification rules).	11 NYCRR § 65-3.8 (30-day rule)

Practical Steps for a Cleaner PIP Claim

• Get treatment and keep records. Save discharge paperwork, visit notes, prescriptions, and a running list of providers.
• Notify the correct insurer. Coverage can depend on whether you were the driver, passenger, or pedestrian. If you’re unsure, your carrier (or the vehicle’s insurer) can help confirm the correct claim path.
• Document work loss. Ask your medical provider for disability notes and coordinate with your employer on wage verification forms.
• Track out-of-pocket expenses. Keep receipts and logs for qualifying costs such as transportation to treatment or household help.
• Respond to verification requests. Insurers may request additional information and may schedule an independent medical exam (IME) or examination under oath (EUO) depending on the claim.

Also remember: PIP only applies if the policy was in force on the date of loss—insurance purchased after a crash generally won’t help with that accident. If you’re dealing with an insurance timing issue, see our explainer on backdated car insurance after an accident.

Information note: The No-Fault system has exceptions, exclusions, and priority rules (for example, motorcycles are treated differently than most passenger vehicles). If your injuries are severe, or if you believe you may meet New York’s “serious injury” threshold for a liability claim, consider speaking with a qualified attorney. This article is for general education and is not legal advice.

FAQs on Personal Injury Protection in New York