What Is MVAIC? Your Guide to New York’s Uninsured Motorist Coverage
What is MVAIC? Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation was created in 1958. MVAIC is a last resort to provide no-fault benefits and/or bodily injury coverage to innocent automobile accident victims who were injured by an unidentified or uninsured motor vehicle.
MVAIC comes into play when no other available insurance coverage is available.
Unsure whether your case would qualify? Then talk to a car accident lawyer today about your options.
MVAIC Eligibility
In order to make a claim with MVAIC, there are certain eligibility requirements.
- You were involved in a motor vehicle accident in New York.
- You were a resident of New York when the accident occurred (with a few exceptions).
- You have no other automobile insurance available to you (meaning neither you nor a relative you live with owns an insured motor vehicle).
- You were not the owner of the uninsured vehicle that was involved in the accident.
- You were not the spouse of the owner of the uninsured vehicle that was involved in the accident.
| Eligibility Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | The accident occurred in New York State |
| Residency | You were a New York resident when the accident occurred |
| No Other Insurance | Neither you nor a relative you live with owns an insured vehicle |
| Vehicle Ownership | You were not the owner or spouse of the owner of the uninsured vehicle |
Here are some scenarios when MVAIC may be applicable:
- You are a pedestrian hit by an unidentified car (i.e., pedestrian hit-and-run).
- You are a pedestrian hit by an uninsured car.
- You are a bicyclist hit by an unidentified car (i.e., bicyclist hit-and-run).
- You are a bicyclist hit by an uninsured car.
- You are a motorcycle rider hit by an uninsured or unidentified vehicle.
- You are a passenger in an uninsured vehicle.
Filing a Claim with MVAIC
There are several steps to filing a claim with MVAIC.
- Report the accident. If the claim involves a hit-and-run driver, you must report the accident to the police within twenty-four hours or as soon as reasonably possible (a police report is not necessary, however).
- File a notice of intention to make a claim with MVAIC. For a hit-and-run accident, the notice of intention must be filed within 90 days of the accident. For an uninsured vehicle, the notice of intention must be filed within 180 days of the accident.
- File a no-fault application within 30 days of the date of the accident.
- File a household affidavit to verify that there is no other automobile insurance available to you.
MVAIC Coverage
MVAIC provides the statutory minimum insurance coverage.
| Coverage Type | Maximum Coverage |
|---|---|
| No-Fault Coverage | Up to $50,000 for medical expenses, lost earnings, and other necessary expenses |
| Bodily Injury Liability | $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident |
Frequently Asked Questions About MVAIC
Got questions about filing a MVAIC claim in New York? Here are answers to the most common ones.
Q: What does MVAIC stand for, and what is it?
A: MVAIC stands for Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation.
It’s a New York State program created in 1958 to provide last-resort no-fault benefits and bodily injury coverage to accident victims injured by unidentified (hit-and-run) or uninsured vehicles when no other insurance is available.
Q: Who qualifies for MVAIC coverage?
A: You may qualify for MVAIC if you were involved in a motor vehicle accident in New York, were a New York resident at the time, have no other automobile insurance available (neither you nor a household relative owns an insured vehicle), and you were not the owner or spouse of the owner of the uninsured vehicle involved.
Q: What types of accidents does MVAIC cover?
A: MVAIC covers pedestrian hit-and-runs, bicyclist hit-and-runs, pedestrians or bicyclists hit by uninsured cars, and passengers in uninsured vehicles.
Basically, any situation where you’re injured by an unidentified or uninsured motor vehicle in New York.
Q: How much coverage does MVAIC provide?
A: MVAIC provides statutory minimum coverage: up to $50,000 in no-fault coverage for medical expenses, lost earnings, and other necessary expenses, plus $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability coverage.
Q: What are the deadlines for filing an MVAIC claim?
A: For hit-and-run accidents, you must report to the police within 24 hours and file a notice of intention with MVAIC within 90 days.
For uninsured vehicle accidents, file the notice within 180 days.
You must also file a no-fault application within 30 days of the accident and submit a household affidavit verifying no other insurance is available.
Q: Do I need a lawyer for an MVAIC claim?
A: Yes. MVAIC claims involve strict deadlines, complex eligibility requirements, and detailed paperwork.
An experienced car accident lawyer can ensure you meet all requirements, file on time, and maximize your compensation. Greenstein & Pittari, LLP has nearly 30 years of experience handling MVAIC claims and works on contingency—no fees unless successful.
Q: What if I miss an MVAIC filing deadline?
A: Missing MVAIC deadlines can result in your claim being denied.
That’s why it’s critical to contact a car accident lawyer immediately after a hit-and-run or uninsured accident.
We can help you understand the deadlines and ensure everything is filed correctly and on time.
Call a Car Accident Lawyer After Your Motor Vehicle Accident
If you or a loved one was the victim of an accident with an unidentified or uninsured motor vehicle, the car accident attorneys at Greenstein & Pittari, LLP are here to help.
We have close to 30 years of experience handling MVAIC claims. We will work hard to get you the compensation you deserve.
Our firm’s motto is, “Don’t Be A Victim Twice.” If you are a victim of an accident involving an unidentified or underinsured motor vehicle, call 1-800-VICTIM2 (842-8462) to schedule a confidential consultation.
Whether you’re in Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, or Staten Island, our team is ready to help with your MVAIC claim.
The call and the consultation are free. You don’t pay us unless we are successful. That’s “Our Fee Guarantee—No Fee Unless Successful.”