What Car Insurance Covers in New York

Whether your car insurance pays depends on which part of the policy applies. In New York, injuries usually go through no-fault first, damage you cause to other people’s property goes through your liability coverage, and damage to your own car is covered only if you carry collision or comprehensive.

Find your situation below. Each guide explains which coverage applies and what to do next.

Damage to Your Car

Most of these come down to whether you carry comprehensive or collision, and how your deductible compares with the repair bill.

• Stolen cars: When comprehensive pays for a stolen car, how the deductible works and what to do next.
• Vandalism: When vandalism is covered and when a claim is worth filing.
• Fire damage: How comprehensive and collision apply after a vehicle fire.
• Natural disasters: Flood, hail, wind and hurricane damage under comprehensive coverage.
• Flood damage: Protecting a car from flooding and storm surge, and filing a claim afterward.
• Hurricane damage: How wind, flooding and debris damage are handled and how deductibles apply.
• Animal strikes: How damage from hitting an animal is usually handled, and what to do after one.
• Potholes: Why pothole damage is usually a collision claim, and when filing makes sense.
• Hit-and-runs: Which coverages can pay after a hit-and-run in New York, and the steps to take.
• Hitting a parked car: How liability, collision and no-fault apply when you hit a parked car.
• Rust: Why rust is usually excluded as wear and tear, and when a claim may still work.
• A blown engine: When engine damage may be covered and when it counts as wear and tear.
• Damage from before your policy: Why pre-existing damage is rarely covered, and how the pre-insurance inspection fits in.

Injuries and Medical Costs

• Medical bills: How no-fault pays accident-related medical bills and the deadlines that apply.
• Lost wages: How no-fault replaces part of your lost earnings after a crash.
• Rehabilitation costs: How no-fault pays for physical therapy and other rehab, and your options when costs run higher.
• Hitting a pedestrian: What to do after hitting a pedestrian, and how no-fault and liability apply.
• Falling asleep at the wheel: Whether insurance pays after a drowsy-driving crash, and what else can follow.

Roadside Help and Travel Problems

• Towing: When a tow is covered, and how roadside assistance and claims affect the cost.
• Locksmith service: When roadside coverage pays for a lockout, and the usual limits.
• Fuel delivery: How roadside coverage handles running out of gas.
• Lost keys: Why lost keys usually aren’t covered, and when a policy may help.
• Travel interruption: Coverage for hotels, meals and transportation when a breakdown strands you away from home.
• Roadside assistance services: How auto clubs and insurer add-ons compare for New York drivers.

Who and Where You’re Covered

• The car or the driver: Whether coverage follows the car or the person, and who pays first after a borrowed-car crash.
• Driving out of state: How your policy works in other states, Canada and Mexico.
• Rental cars: What your own policy and credit card may cover on a rental, and when to buy the rental company’s coverage.
• Lending your car to a friend: When to list a friend on your policy and how permissive use works.

Related Guides

For what each part of a policy does, start with our guide to car insurance coverage types. If you’ve already had an accident, our guide to car accidents and insurance claims in New York covers reporting, deadlines and payouts.