Who Pays for My Car Repairs After a Crash in New York City?
A car accident in New York City can disrupt every part of your life at once. Your health, your income, and your ability to get around may all be affected in seconds. When your vehicle is damaged or totaled, the pressure becomes immediate, and one question often takes priority over everything else:
Who pays for my car repairs after a crash in NYC?
At Greenstein & Pittari, LLP, we represent injured accident victims throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, Staten Island, Yonkers, and Long Island. We help clients deal with insurance companies, property damage claims, total-loss disputes, and settlement pressure while protecting their personal injury rights.
If you were injured in a New York City car accident, you can contact us today for a free consultation. We will explain your options clearly and handle the insurance companies while you focus on healing.
New York Is a No-Fault State, But No-Fault Does Not Pay for Car Repairs
New York’s no-fault insurance system is designed to pay certain injury-related expenses regardless of who caused the accident.
What New York no-fault insurance may cover
- Medical treatment related to the accident
- A portion of lost wages, subject to statutory limits
- Replacement services for household tasks you cannot perform due to injury
- Certain transportation costs related to medical care
What New York no-fault insurance does not cover
- Damage to your vehicle
Car repairs, towing, rental cars, and total-loss claims are handled separately through property damage liability coverage, collision coverage, or other applicable insurance provisions.
Who Pays for Car Repairs After a Crash in New York City?
If the other driver caused the accident
When another driver is at fault, you usually pursue payment through their property damage liability insurance. New York drivers are required to carry at least $10,000 in property damage coverage, although some policies have higher limits.
This process usually includes:
- Filing a property damage claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company
- Providing proof of fault, such as a police report, photographs, video, or witness statements
- Waiting for the insurer to investigate and accept liability
Insurance companies only pay up to the policy limit. If your repair costs or total-loss value exceed that limit, additional options may be necessary.
If you were at fault or mostly at fault
If you caused the crash, the other driver’s insurance company will not pay for your repairs.
Your options may include:
- Using your own collision coverage if you purchased it
- Paying for repairs out of pocket if collision coverage is not available
If the fault is disputed or the insurance company is delaying
Fault disputes are common in New York City crashes involving intersections, lane changes, rideshare vehicles, delivery trucks, and multi-car collisions.
In these situations, many drivers choose to:
- Use their own collision coverage to start repairs sooner
- Allow their insurance company to seek reimbursement later through subrogation
Using Collision Coverage Even If You Were Not at Fault
Collision coverage is optional insurance that pays for damage to your vehicle regardless of who caused the crash, usually after you pay a deductible.
Why do many NYC drivers use collision coverage
- Repairs can begin faster
- Your insurer has a contractual duty to you
- You avoid weeks of delay while the other insurer investigates
The downside
- You usually must pay a deductible up front, often $500 or $1,000
If your insurer later recovers money from the at-fault driver’s insurer through subrogation, you may receive reimbursement for your deductible. Recovery is not guaranteed and can take time.
How Insurance Companies Pay for Car Repairs
Once coverage is approved, insurance companies typically:
- Pay the body shop directly, or
- Issue a check to you that you use to pay the repair shop
Always confirm the payment method early with both the insurance adjuster and the repair shop to avoid unnecessary delays.
Rental Cars, Towing, and Storage Costs After a NYC Crash
Rental cars, towing, and storage fees can become expensive very quickly in New York City.
These costs may be paid by:
- The at-fault driver’s insurance company once liability is accepted
- Your own insurance policy if you purchased rental reimbursement or towing coverage
Always keep receipts and avoid unnecessary storage delays, as insurers may refuse to pay excessive fees.
What Happens If My Car Is Totaled?
If the cost to repair your vehicle exceeds its value, the insurance company may declare it a total loss.
When a car is totaled, insurers typically pay:
- The vehicle’s actual cash value before the crash
- Minus any deductible if you are using your own collision coverage
Actual cash value is not the same as replacement cost. It reflects depreciation, mileage, condition, and market data.
Low total-loss offers can often be challenged with proper documentation.
How Insurance Companies Determine Fair Market Value
Insurance companies may rely on:
- Year, make, and model
- Mileage
- Pre-accident condition
- Comparable vehicle listings
- Valuation tools and pricing guides
If the offer does not reflect what your car was truly worth, you may be able to dispute it using:
- Local comparable listings
- Maintenance and repair records
- Receipts for upgrades or aftermarket improvements
- Photos showing the vehicle’s condition before the crash
You are not required to buy a replacement vehicle immediately or the same model.
Diminished Value Claims in New York
Even after proper repairs, a vehicle often loses resale value simply because it has an accident history. This loss is known as diminished value.
Insurance companies rarely offer diminished value voluntarily. These claims can require strong documentation, appraisals, and, at times, legal pressure. Whether pursuing diminished value makes sense depends on your vehicle’s age, condition, and market value.
Be Careful With Fast Settlement Offers
Insurance companies know that being without a car creates pressure. Quick offers are often designed to close claims cheaply.
Property damage claims should not be improperly combined with personal injury claims. Signing the wrong release can jeopardize compensation for:
- Medical bills
- Lost income
- Pain and suffering
- Future treatment
If you were injured, please have the settlement documents reviewed before signing.
What to Do After a Car Accident in New York City
If you are physically able, take these steps:
- Call 911 and request a police report
- Seek medical care promptly, even if symptoms are delayed
- Take photos and videos of vehicle damage, street signs, signals, and debris
- Exchange insurance and contact information
- Identify witnesses and nearby cameras
- Report the crash to your insurance company
- Track all accident-related expenses
- Avoid recorded statements to the other insurer
- Speak with a lawyer before signing any documents if you are injured
How Greenstein & Pittari, LLP Helps NYC Accident Victims
When you hire Greenstein & Pittari, LLP after a serious car accident, we help by:
- Handling all insurance company communication
- Preventing unfair blame-shifting and pressure tactics
- Challenging low repair and total-loss valuations
- Coordinating property damage issues so they do not harm injury claims
- Fighting for full and fair compensation
We proudly represent accident victims throughout New York City and the surrounding areas.
Frequently Asked Questions About Car Repairs After a NYC Crash
Does New York no-fault insurance pay for car repairs?
No. No-fault insurance covers injury-related losses, not vehicle damage.
Who pays for my car repairs if the other driver was at fault?
The at-fault driver’s property damage liability insurance should pay, subject to policy limits.
Can I use my own insurance even if I was not at fault?
Yes. Collision coverage can help repair your vehicle faster, at no cost to you, minus your deductible.
Will I get my deductible back?
Possibly. If your insurer recovers money through subrogation, you may be reimbursed.
Can an insurance company force me to use a specific body shop?
Generally no. You usually have the right to choose your repair shop.
Who pays for a rental car after a crash?
Rental costs may be covered by the at-fault insurer or by your own policy if you purchased rental reimbursement coverage.
What if the other driver does not have insurance?
Your own collision or uninsured motorist coverage may apply. Suing an uninsured driver is often impractical.
What if my car is declared a total loss?
The insurer should pay the vehicle’s actual cash value before the crash. Low offers can often be disputed.
Should I speak to a lawyer about car repairs?
If you were injured, fault is disputed, the car is totaled, or the insurer is delaying or pressuring you, legal guidance can protect your recovery.
Get Help From Greenstein & Pittari, LLP Today
If you were injured in a car accident in New York City and are dealing with repair delays, total-loss disputes, rental issues, or low insurance offers, you do not have to fight alone.
Why Choose Greenstein & Pittari, LLP?
- Local Harlem office and multiple New York locations
- No fee unless we win. Our Fee Guarantee
- Bilingual services available
- Hundreds of positive client reviews
- We handle the insurance companies so you can focus on healing
- Top-Rated and Award-Winning Personal Injury Lawyers
Don’t Be a Victim Twice.
Call 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462) for a free consultation.
We serve clients across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, Staten Island, Yonkers, and Nassau County.
The call is free. The consultation is free. You do not pay us unless we are successful.