You step out of your local New York deli and enter a state of complete shock: Your car is gone. Was it thieves? Maybe not – did you have auto insurance?

The state of New York takes auto insurance very seriously. You can rack up huge fines for not having car insurance, and might even end up with your car impounded. Did you know you can’t get license plates in New York without car insurance? Having the answers to this and other insurance questions is the first step to avoiding unpleasant scenarios like the one above.

New York’s Department of Motor Vehicles requires two kinds of proof of insurance: electronic and paper. Once the DMV has those, it will issue your license plates. The liability limits in New York are also higher than in some states.

New York State Requirements

The liability limit for bodily injury is $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. In the case of death, the limit is $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident. Property damage has a minimum liability limit of $10,000, and basic no-fault liability stands at $50,000. Unlike some states, uninsured motorist coverage is not optional in New York. You are required to pay the same rates for uninsured motorist coverage as you would for bodily injury and death.

Where and How to Get Insurance in New York

One of the auto insurance answers in New York that needs to be clarified is where you can buy insurance. Some states allow you to buy out-of-state insurance. In New York, however, you must buy insurance from an insurance company that is licensed by the New York State Insurance Department.

One car insurance question that arises often in New York is about how to prove you have it. The answer is fairly simple, if somewhat tedious. Once you have purchased auto insurance, your insurance company will contact the DMV electronically and inform them. You also need a New York insurance ID card.

Following Up

What happens if your insurance is not up to date? The auto insurance answer in New York is that you are breaking the law. This can happen if your car insurance payments lapse and your insurance company then notify the DMV.

A lot of people don’t realize this can also happen if you get a new insurance company without notifying your old one. If New York DMV doesn’t hear from the new company, it will send you a letter. Take care it right away, because you can be fined for each day DMV thinks you were uninsured – even if you really were.

You know how they say everything’s bigger in Texas? That’s also true of auto insurance rates.

Texans spend more on auto insurance than the national average of $914 a year. The difference is a small one, but it reflects the requirements for Texas auto insurance. Just because Texas auto insurance costs a little more than in other states, it is not too hard to find good coverage that doesn’t cost you an arm and a leg.

First, get all the facts and think about the things that affect your insurance rates. For example, having a clean driving record keeps down the amount you pay for your Texas auto insurance.

What You Need

Every state has a minimum requirement for auto insurance, and you should always know what yours is to ensure you are well protected. Basic coverage in Texas is 20/40/15. That means you have a liability limit of $20,000 for bodily injury per person, $40,000 per accident and $15,000 for property damage.

The 20/40/15 limits are effective at present but due to be raised. Pay attention, because you don’t want to end up driving around with Texas auto insurance that no longer meets the legal minimum requirement.

Another thing that you should note is that Texas employs tort law in accidents. That means only one of the people involved is considered guilty of causing the accident. Once the responsible party has been identified, he and his insurance company must bear the cost of all damages. That’s why it’s especially important to have Texas auto insurance, in case you are ever held responsible for an accident.

Shop Around

You need to really shop around to get the best deal on auto insurance. Arm yourself with all the information you can get your hands on. Call insurance agencies and question them as thoroughly as possible about their different packages. You need to understand exactly what is covered in each to know which one is best for you.

Ask questions that pertain to you personally, so you know what you are paying for and why. Don’t just buy your insurance from the first place that seems to offer a good deal. Insurance is a very competitive field, so there is bound to be someone out there who can offer you the same thing for less.
So never fear. In the Lone Star State, where everything is bigger, you can keep your wallet that way, too, if you just persist and stay informed.