New York State requires all drivers to have some kind of car insurance before you can register a car and obtain license plates.

Drivers who have not paid for their vehicle in full are required to have liability/collision insurance in addition to the minimum insurance coverage required by the state. Drivers who have paid for their vehicles in full are only required to have person injury protection coverage, though it is recommended to have the collision coverage, particularly if there are young drivers in the household.

The kinds of insurance available in New York are:

1) personal injury protection, which will to pay for medical treatment and lost wages for occupants of the car you hit or any pedestrians injured by your car.

(2) Liability/Collision – protection for damages to your car or any car you are driving with the owner’s permission. There is often a deductable with this insurance. The amount varies and depends on how much the motorist wants to pay for the coverage. You can pay less for this coverage and have a higher deductable, which will save money on the total of your premium. Drivers who are not at fault for the accident can also get their deductable back after their insurance company receives it from the responsible person’s insurance company.

(3) Uninsured Motorists – this is protection for individuals, their family members or passengers in their car against drivers who are driving an uninsured vehicle. It is not required, but is desirable for people who find themselves hit by an uninsured motorist.

Finding the best rates for insurance coverage is best done on the internet. Several big insurance agencies, such as Geico, Nationwide, Progressive and State Farm have web sites that allow rate comparison to help individuals find the best price available for the coverage they are seeking.

Drivers can also find smaller insurance companies online. They may not offer price comparisons, but it is worth checking them out. Small agencies often offer bigger discounts on the same coverage or may have additional incentives to entice more customers.

Various insurance companies offer drivers discounts for addition safety features on their vehicles such as anti lock breaks, cruise control and anti theft devices. Good driving records can also earn drivers a discount on their premiums.