Wondering how to find the best Syracuse auto insurance rates? It all starts by understanding some of the basics of Syracuse auto insurance coverage. Drivers in Syracuse are required to have liability insurance on their vehicles. New York is a no fault state, which means that when an accident occurs, each driver will have their claim dealt with through their own insurance company. Unlike a tort state, no determination needs to be made of which driver was at fault when an accident occurs.

Drivers in this state are required to have a minimum of $25,000 in bodily injury liability insurance coverage for an individual injured in an accident. A full $50,000 in coverage must be in place for all people injured in the same accident. A further $10,000 in property damage insurance has been mandated by New York State. This is used to pay for damage caused to objects like mail boxes, fences, sign posts, sheds, and the like.

The idea behind having no fault insurance is to reduce the number of lawsuits after an accident. The thought was that if an injured person could deal with his or her own insurance company, they could get compensation for their medical bills and other expenses sooner than if they had to sue the other driver to get these benefits.

Syracuse Auto Insurance: Personal Injury Protection

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage is designed to compensate the insured person for their own injuries sustained in an accident. In Syracuse, drivers are required to have this type of coverage. If they are buying insurance for more than one vehicle, the coverage applies to each one. PIP coverage pays for reasonable medical expenses, including surgical procedures, medical treatments, nursing care, and the cost of an ambulance. Medications, prosthetic devices, and medical supplies are also covered.

This type of insurance also pays out an accidental death benefit of $2,000 to the insured's designated beneficiary. If the injuries that a policyholder sustains make it difficult for them to perform household duties, then the policy will pay $25 per day for up to one year to help defray the costs of getting help. The coverage under a PIP plan is available to the policyholder's relatives who live in the same home and passengers in the vehicle, as well as people who the policyholder has authorized to drive their vehicle. The authorized driver and/or passengers must be New York State residents to be covered under a PIP policy.

The minimum level of coverage required by law for a PIP policy is $50,000 per person. The insured is required to select a deductible that they pay before they can receive any benefits. Some people who have a good health insurance plan may not want to buy more than the minimum level of PIP coverage required by law.

If the injured person is entitled to receive benefits under Workers' Compensation, Social Security Disability, and some other forms of income support, their benefits under PIP will be reduced by the amount they are receiving under the other insurance plans. Injured people are not entitled to "double dip" when it comes to receiving these types of insurance benefits.

Syracuse No Fault Auto Insurance Thresholds

Syracuse drivers need to understand that in certain situations, an injured person can sue the other driver for damages. This option is available in the case of severe injuries with large medical bills, and that is why drivers in Syracuse are required to have liability insurance. You may find that you actually want more than the required minimum amount.

Choosing the Right Level of Syracuse Auto Insurance Coverage

In Syracuse, drivers must have at least $25,000 in liability coverage in place on their vehicle. If a person injured in an accident has injuries severe enough to sue to recover damages, the minimum level of coverage may not be enough to cover the medical bills and other expenses. Keep in mind that the minimum amount required by law is just that; a driver always has the option of buying a policy with a higher level of coverage.

To choose the right level of coverage, consider what you own and what you need to protect. If you are involved in an accident that causes serious injuries and you don't have enough insurance coverage to cover the medical bills, you are legally responsible for making up the difference. Rather than face the possibility of having to liquidate your hard-earned assets to pay a judgment against you, the cost of buying liability insurance with a higher policy limit is a good buy.

Compare Syracuse Auto Insurance Quotes!

Try using a quote tool device to compare your benefit and rate options from different companies. This way, you can tell the tool what type of coverage you need and different insurers that cover this upstate New York area will give you their best quotes. It's a fairly no hassle way to obtain this necessary information.

Syracuse drivers have to battle with icy conditions for a large part of the year. Whether driving on I-90 headed to Buffalo, or just in downtown Syracuse, you need to be protected from the natural elements and other drivers on the road. Getting quality insurance is just a wise move.

Get started finding the best Syracuse auto insurance quotes online by using the free tool at the top of the page!