What is the minimum car insurance required in New York?

New York requires 25/50/10 liability coverage ($25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, $10,000 for property damage), plus $50,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and uninsured motorist coverage. New York operates under a no-fault system, meaning your insurance covers your medical bills regardless of who caused the accident. These minimums are often insufficient for protecting high-value assets, so many Jericho residents carry higher limits.

Do I need flood insurance in Jericho, NY?

Yes, flood insurance is highly recommended even if you're not in a designated flood zone. Over 300,000 Nassau County residents live in flood zones, and standard homeowners policies exclude all flood damage. Nor'easters and heavy rainfall can cause flooding anywhere, not just near water. You can purchase federal flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program or explore private flood insurance options for potentially better coverage or pricing.

What is a hurricane deductible and how much will I pay?

A hurricane deductible is a separate, higher deductible that applies only when a storm is officially declared a hurricane. In Nassau County, these deductibles typically range from 1% to 5% of your dwelling coverage amount. For a home insured at $850,000, a 2% hurricane deductible means you'll pay the first $17,000 of damage out of pocket. Regular windstorm damage from nor'easters uses your standard deductible instead.

How much does homeowners insurance cost in Jericho?

Nassau County homeowners pay an average of $1,200 to $1,600 annually for homeowners insurance, but Jericho's higher median home value of $845,000 typically requires higher dwelling coverage limits, which increases premiums. Your actual cost depends on your home's replacement cost, chosen deductibles, coverage limits, and individual risk factors. Rates have been climbing in coastal Nassau and Suffolk counties as insurers adjust their risk assessments.

Should I get an umbrella insurance policy?

If you own a high-value home and have significant assets to protect, an umbrella policy is worth serious consideration. For a few hundred dollars annually, you get $1 million to $5 million in additional liability coverage that protects your assets if you're sued beyond your auto or home policy limits. It's especially valuable for homeowners with substantial equity, retirement accounts, or investment properties who face greater financial exposure in liability situations.

What's the difference between hurricane damage and nor'easter damage for insurance?

The key difference is how your deductible applies. Hurricane damage triggers your higher percentage-based hurricane deductible (1-5% of dwelling coverage), which only applies when a storm is officially declared a hurricane. Nor'easter damage is covered as regular wind and rain damage under your standard deductible, even though nor'easters can be just as destructive. This distinction can mean a difference of thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket costs when filing a claim.

Jericho NY Insurance Guide 2025 | Home & Auto Coverage

If you're living in Jericho, you already know this isn't your average Long Island community. With a median home value of $845,000—higher than Nassau County's overall median of $800,000—you're protecting serious assets. But here's what catches many Jericho residents off guard: the insurance landscape here is different from what you'd face inland or even just a few miles away. Between New York's mandatory no-fault auto requirements, Nassau County's hurricane deductible rules, and the ever-present threat of nor'easters, you need coverage that actually matches your risks.

This guide breaks down exactly what insurance you need as a Jericho resident, what you're legally required to carry, and where most people make costly mistakes. Whether you're new to the area or have lived here for decades, understanding these local insurance realities can save you thousands.

Auto Insurance: New York's No-Fault Requirements

New York operates under a no-fault insurance system, which means your own insurance pays for your medical bills and lost wages after an accident, regardless of who caused it. The state mandates specific minimum coverage levels, commonly called 25/50/10. Here's what those numbers actually mean: $25,000 for bodily injury to one person, $50,000 for bodily injury to multiple people in one accident, and $10,000 for property damage.

But there's more. You're also required to carry $50,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and uninsured motorist coverage. PIP covers your medical expenses, lost wages, and other economic losses up to $50,000 regardless of fault. Given that Jericho sits along major routes like the Northern State Parkway and Jericho Turnpike, accidents aren't uncommon, and these protections matter.

Here's the reality check: those minimums probably aren't enough if you're protecting high-value assets. If you cause an accident that seriously injures someone, $25,000 won't come close to covering their medical bills. Many Jericho residents carry 100/300/100 coverage or higher, plus umbrella policies for additional liability protection. It's not about being pessimistic—it's about protecting what you've built.

Homeowners Insurance: Protecting High-Value Properties

Nassau County homeowners pay an average of $1,200 to $1,600 annually for homeowners insurance, but that figure assumes average coverage limits. With Jericho's median home value at $845,000, you'll likely need higher dwelling coverage—and that means higher premiums. The key is making sure your dwelling coverage actually reflects replacement cost, not just market value. Building materials and labor costs have surged in recent years, and rebuilding that $850,000 home could easily cost more.

Here's where Nassau County gets specific: insurers require hurricane deductibles for properties in your area. These deductibles typically range from 1% to 5% of your dwelling coverage and only apply when a storm is officially declared a hurricane. On an $850,000 home, a 2% hurricane deductible means you're paying the first $17,000 of hurricane damage out of pocket. That's a substantial number, and many homeowners don't realize it exists until they file a claim.

Standard homeowners policies cover wind damage, which is good news since nor'easters regularly slam Long Island. While these storms may not reach hurricane status, their destructiveness can be devastating. The difference matters: wind damage from a nor'easter uses your regular deductible, while hurricane damage triggers that much higher percentage-based deductible.

Flood Insurance: More Important Than You Think

Over 300,000 Nassau County residents live in flood zones, and Nassau County officials recommend purchasing flood insurance even if you don't live in a designated flood zone. Why? Because standard homeowners insurance excludes flood damage entirely. Rain and wind damage? Covered. Water that enters through your roof during a storm? Covered. Water that rises from the ground and enters your home? Not covered without a separate flood policy.

Nassau County participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which means you can purchase federal flood insurance. These policies cover up to $250,000 for your dwelling and $100,000 for personal property. Private flood insurance is also available and sometimes offers higher limits or better pricing, especially if you're outside a high-risk zone. Given that nor'easters bring heavy rain and storm surge, this isn't just about living near the water—flash flooding can happen anywhere.

Umbrella Policies: Extra Liability Protection for High Net Worth Households

When you own an $845,000 home and likely have retirement accounts, investments, and other assets, your liability exposure goes way beyond your auto and home insurance limits. That's where umbrella insurance comes in. For a few hundred dollars a year, you can add $1 million to $5 million in additional liability coverage that kicks in after your underlying policies are exhausted.

Think about it this way: if someone is seriously injured on your property or you cause a multi-car accident on the LIE, the damages could easily exceed your home and auto policy limits. An umbrella policy protects your savings, investments, and future earnings. It's remarkably affordable given the protection it provides, and most insurers require you to carry certain minimum auto and home liability limits before they'll issue an umbrella policy.

Getting the Right Coverage for Your Situation

Nassau County's insurance market is competitive, which works in your favor. Don't just accept the first quote you receive. Get quotes from multiple carriers, and pay attention to more than just the premium. Look at the deductibles, coverage limits, and what's actually excluded. Ask specifically about hurricane deductibles, replacement cost coverage, and whether your personal property is covered at actual cash value or replacement cost.

Document your belongings with photos or video, and keep copies of important documents—birth certificates, marriage certificates, insurance policies—in a waterproof container. When storm season arrives, having this documentation can help your claims get processed faster. Review your coverage annually, especially after any major home improvements or purchases. That renovated kitchen or new roof increases your home's value, and your insurance should reflect that.

Living in Jericho means protecting significant assets in an area with specific weather risks and insurance requirements. The combination of New York's no-fault auto rules, Nassau County's hurricane exposure, and the constant threat of nor'easters makes comprehensive coverage essential, not optional. Take the time to review your policies, understand your deductibles, and make sure your coverage actually matches your risks. Your future self will thank you.

Jericho Insurance Guide

Key Takeaways