What is no-fault insurance in New York?

Your own car insurance pays your medical bills and lost wages after an accident — no matter who caused it. Here's what you're entitled to from day one.

Every registered car in NY must carry at least this much coverage — here's what it breaks down to per person.

$50,000

Medical treatment and lost-wage coverage, combined

80%

Of lost income covered, up to $2,000/month for up to 3 years

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How it actually works

No-fault insurance means your own car insurance company pays your medical bills and a portion of your lost wages after an accident — regardless of who caused it. This is separate from the question of fault, which gets sorted out later and only matters if you go beyond what no-fault covers.

You file with your own insurer first. There's no waiting to find out who was responsible before your care and income start getting covered.

What's covered, and who's covered

Medical treatmentEmergency care, physical therapy, specialist visits, diagnostic imaging, medication, and surgery.

Lost income80% of income you couldn't earn while recovering, up to $2,000/month for up to 3 years.

Regardless of faultEven if you caused the accident, your own policy still covers your bills and wages.

You don't need to own a carPassengers are covered under that vehicle's policy. Pedestrians and cyclists are covered under the driver's policy.

Don't wait to find out who's at fault

A lot of people delay filing because they're waiting to see who gets blamed for the accident. No-fault doesn't work that way — your coverage starts regardless. Waiting only costs you time against your 30-day filing deadline.

Good to know

Immigration status is not a factor. NY law does not require proof of status to file a no-fault claim.
Your profession doesn't affect your claim. Nurses, home health aides, and other healthcare workers get the same benefits as anyone else.
No-fault has a ceiling. If your injuries are serious enough to meet NY's "serious injury threshold," you may be able to pursue compensation beyond the $50,000 no-fault limit.

Common questions

I don't own a car. Am I still covered?

Yes. If you were a passenger, you're covered under that vehicle's policy. If you were a pedestrian or cyclist struck by a car, you're covered under the driver's policy.

Does filing a claim affect my immigration status?

No. Insurance companies are not immigration enforcement and do not share claim information with immigration agencies.

Can I go after the other driver for more than no-fault covers?

Yes, if your injuries meet New York's "serious injury threshold" — this includes fractures, significant permanent limitations, and being substantially disabled for 90 out of 180 days post-accident.

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