If you're driving in Liverpool, New York, you're operating under one of the most unique auto insurance systems in the country. New York is a no-fault state, which means that after an accident, you turn to your own insurance company first—not the other driver's. This system was designed to get you medical care and wage replacement quickly, without waiting for lawyers and insurance adjusters to figure out who's at fault. But it also comes with specific coverage requirements and restrictions on when you can sue another driver.
Liverpool is a village in Onondaga County, just north of Syracuse, with a population of around 2,200 residents. While it's a small community, Liverpool drivers face the same insurance requirements as every other driver in New York State—and those requirements are more comprehensive than what you'll find in many other states. Here's what you need to know about auto insurance in Liverpool.
Understanding New York's No-Fault Insurance System
Here's how no-fault insurance works in practice. Let's say you're rear-ended at a red light on Old Liverpool Road. In most states, you'd file a claim with the other driver's insurance company and wait for them to accept fault and pay your bills. In New York, you file with your own insurance company immediately, and they pay your medical expenses, lost wages, and certain other costs up to $50,000—regardless of who caused the accident.
This is called Personal Injury Protection, or PIP. Every driver in New York must carry at least $50,000 in PIP coverage. It covers medical expenses, 80% of your lost earnings up to $2,000 per month for up to three years, and up to $25 per day for other reasonable expenses like hiring help if you're unable to perform daily tasks.
The trade-off? You generally can't sue the other driver for pain and suffering unless your injuries are serious. We'll get to what that means in a moment.
Minimum Coverage Requirements in Liverpool
New York requires you to carry what's known as 25/50/10 liability coverage. Here's what those numbers mean:
$25,000 per person for bodily injury: If you cause an accident that injures someone, your insurance will pay up to $25,000 for that person's medical bills and other costs that aren't covered by their own PIP.
$50,000 per accident for bodily injury: If multiple people are injured, your insurance will pay up to $50,000 total.
$10,000 per accident for property damage: This covers damage to other people's vehicles or property if you cause an accident.
You must also carry $50,000 in PIP coverage and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage with minimums matching your bodily injury liability limits (25/50). This protects you if you're hit by someone who doesn't have insurance or doesn't have enough to cover your damages.
These are the minimums. Many insurance professionals recommend carrying higher limits—especially for liability coverage. If you cause a serious accident, $25,000 per person won't go very far, and you could be personally liable for costs above your policy limits. Consider at least 100/300/50 coverage if your budget allows.
When Can You Sue Another Driver?
This is where New York's no-fault system gets tricky. Even if another driver was completely at fault for your accident, you can only sue them for pain and suffering—damages beyond what PIP covers—if your injuries meet the serious injury threshold.
New York law defines a serious injury as one involving death, significant disfigurement, bone fractures, loss of a fetus, permanent loss of use of a body organ or system, significant limitation of use of a body function or system, or a medically determined injury that prevents you from performing substantially all of your usual activities for at least 90 days during the first 180 days after the accident.
If your injuries don't meet this threshold—say you have whiplash that heals in six weeks—you're limited to the benefits provided by your PIP coverage. This is why it's so important to have adequate PIP coverage and to consider optional coverages like additional PIP or medical payments coverage.
Proving a serious injury requires extensive medical documentation. Insurance companies have entire teams dedicated to disputing these claims, so if you believe your injuries meet the threshold, it's worth consulting with a personal injury attorney who understands New York's no-fault system.
What Auto Insurance Costs in Liverpool
Good news: Liverpool drivers typically pay less for auto insurance than the New York State average. In the Syracuse area, which includes Liverpool, drivers pay around $118 to $198 per month for auto insurance, depending on their coverage level and the insurance company they choose. That's about $1,416 to $2,376 per year.
By comparison, New York State's average is about $168 per month. So if you live in Liverpool, you're benefiting from lower rates than drivers in more urban areas like New York City, where rates can be significantly higher due to congestion, accident frequency, and theft.
Your actual rate will depend on several factors: your age, driving record, credit score, the type of vehicle you drive, how much you drive, and which coverage options you choose. Shopping around is critical. Progressive, GEICO, NYCM Insurance, and Liberty Mutual all offer competitive rates in the Syracuse-Liverpool area, with some drivers finding quotes as low as $79 to $107 per month for basic coverage.
It's worth noting that auto insurance rates have been rising nationwide. From 2023 to 2025, Syracuse-area drivers saw premiums increase by about 31%, or roughly $568 per year. That's due to factors like increased vehicle repair costs, higher medical expenses, and more frequent severe weather events. All the more reason to compare quotes annually.
Optional Coverage Worth Considering
Beyond the state minimums, there are several optional coverages that can provide valuable protection:
Collision coverage: Pays for damage to your own vehicle if you're in an accident, regardless of fault. If you have a newer vehicle or a car loan, this is typically required by your lender.
Comprehensive coverage: Covers damage to your vehicle from non-accident events like theft, vandalism, fire, hail, or hitting a deer. Given that Onondaga County has rural areas with wildlife, comprehensive coverage can be a smart investment.
Rental reimbursement: Pays for a rental car while your vehicle is being repaired after a covered loss. This can save you significant out-of-pocket costs if you rely on your car for work or daily activities.
Gap insurance: If you owe more on your car loan than the vehicle is worth, gap insurance covers the difference if your car is totaled. This is especially important for new cars, which depreciate quickly.
How to Get the Best Rate in Liverpool
Start by getting quotes from at least three to five different insurance companies. Rates can vary dramatically between insurers for the same coverage. Don't just go with the first quote you receive or stick with your current insurer out of habit.
Ask about discounts. Many insurers offer discounts for bundling auto and home insurance, having a clean driving record, completing a defensive driving course, installing anti-theft devices, being a good student, or having certain professional affiliations. Even a 10-15% discount can save you hundreds of dollars per year.
Consider raising your deductible if you have emergency savings. Increasing your deductible from $500 to $1,000 can lower your premiums significantly. Just make sure you can afford to pay that higher deductible if you need to file a claim.
Maintain a good driving record. Accidents and traffic violations can increase your rates for three to five years. If you do receive a ticket, consider taking a defensive driving course, which may help reduce or dismiss the violation and lower your insurance costs.
Auto insurance in Liverpool follows New York's comprehensive no-fault system, which means you need to understand both the immediate benefits you'll receive after an accident and the limitations on suing other drivers. Make sure you're carrying at least the state minimums, but strongly consider higher liability limits to protect your assets. Compare quotes regularly, take advantage of available discounts, and review your coverage annually to ensure you're getting the protection you need at a price that fits your budget.
