New York is the most prescriptive state for non-owner coverage: liability, personal injury protection and uninsured motorist protection are all mandatory, and the DMV will not lift a registration or licence suspension without an electronic filing from the insurer. Understanding the three required pieces is the difference between a policy that satisfies the state and one that satisfies nobody.
The three required coverages
New York’s minimum liability is 25/50/10: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $10,000 for property damage. On top of that, every policy must include $50,000 of PIP and $25,000/$50,000 of uninsured motorist bodily injury.
A non-owner policy is written with the same structure. There is no vehicle to insure, so collision and comprehensive are absent by definition — which is exactly why the product is cheaper.
PIP in New York: 50/50 and the fee schedule
New York PIP pays 80% of medical expenses and 60% of lost earnings, up to $50,000, with a separate $25-a-day limit for incidental expenses. Medical payments follow a state fee schedule, which is why New York PIP claims are smaller than they look in other states.
For a driver without health insurance, PIP is the primary payer after a crash — 80% of the bill, with the remaining 20% left to the injured person unless a supplemental policy is purchased.
| Coverage | New York minimum | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bodily injury per person | $25,000 | Required |
| Bodily injury per accident | $50,000 | Required |
| Property damage | $10,000 | Required |
| Personal injury protection | $50,000 | Required, 80/60 split |
| Uninsured motorist | 25/50 | Required, can be increased |
The FS-20 and electronic filing
When coverage is required after a suspension, the insurer files an FS-20 certificate electronically with the DMV. The filing is tied to the policy, not to a vehicle, which is what makes a non-owner policy workable for a driver between cars.
If the policy cancels — for non-payment, usually — the insurer files a cancellation, and the DMV re-suspends the licence. In New York this cycle is rapid, often within days.
Territory and price
New York is a territory-rated state, and the five boroughs are the most expensive territory outside of Michigan. A non-owner policy with minimum limits typically runs $900–$2,200 a year in New York City and $500–$1,100 upstate.
Credit history is not allowed as a rating factor in New York, which removes one of the biggest drivers of price variation elsewhere. Driving record, territory and prior insurance dominate instead.
Who the product suits
New York non-owner policies are common among city residents who use car-share services, drivers between vehicles, and people who need to reinstate a licence after a lapse. They are not suitable for someone who regularly drives a household vehicle — that person belongs on the owner’s policy.
- New York requires three coverages: liability, PIP and UM — all mandatory.
- PIP pays 80% of medical costs and 60% of lost wages up to $50,000.
- The FS-20 filing is electronic and tied to the policy, not a vehicle.
- Credit history cannot be used for pricing in New York.
New York insurers file cancellations electronically within days. A missed payment on a non-owner policy can re-suspend a licence faster than the driver expects, and the reinstatement fee is not refundable.
Key takeaways
- A New York non-owner policy must include liability, PIP and UM.
- PIP follows a state fee schedule, so payouts are lower than the headline limit suggests.
- Territory drives price more than driving record in New York City.
- Electronic filing is what clears a suspension — keep the FS-20 confirmation.
