Do I need insurance? 
Yes. To register a vehicle in New York State you must have New York State issued automobile liability insurance coverage. If you do not maintain the coverage , the DMV can suspend your vehicle registration and your driver license. 

What kind of insurance do I need? 
New York law requires that you have auto liability insurance coverage. The minimum amount of liability coverage is $ 10,000 for property damage for a single accident $ 25,000 for bodily injury and $50,000 for death for a person involved in an accident $ 50,000 for bodily injury and $100,000 for death for two or more people in an accident Your liability insurance coverage must while the registration is valid, even if you don t use the vehicle there are exceptions for motorcycles 1 remain in effect be New York State insurance coverage , issued by a company licensed by the NY State Department of Financial Services and certified by NY State DMV - out - of - state insurance is never acceptable be issued in the name of the vehicle registrant, and remain in the name of the registrant at all times 2 The New York State Department of Financial Services website has more information about liability insurance and insurance companies licensed in New York: http://www.dfs.ny.gov [1]. 

More than 2 names on a vehicle registration 
There can only be 1 or 2 names on a registration registrants. Both the primary registrant first name listed on the registration and the co - registrant must sign the Vehicle Registration / Title Application PDF [2] MV-82 and provide their proofs of identity and date of birth. Both names must appear on the Insurance ID Card. 

Do I need insurance to register my vehicle? 
Yes. The DMV requires auto liability insurance to register a vehicle in New York. When you get insurance , your insurance company will issue proof of insurance in two ways. It will give you two original NY State Insurance ID Cards see a sample [3] or provide you with access to your digital electronic NY 

user: Hello, good morning. I recently moved here to New York and I want to get an Insurance for my new car. I was hoping you could help me with the requirements, and also telling me if my out of state insurance document would work?

assistant: For the requirements you just need your ID, your car, and the minimum wave coverage which is $10000, go to a DMV and you can begin your process. 
Regarding out of states documents: No. We will NEVER accept out of states insurance documents/coverages

user: But what can I do with my insurance from another state?

assistant: If your coverage time haven't lapse you can still use it there. Whenever you go to a different state, that you have an insurance in, DMV will cover you there. So, if you ever go back to that state your insurance will still work. 

user: If my vehicle is registered here in new york, would that be a problem when I visit another state I have a insurance in? 

assistant: If your vehicle is registered in New York, it MUST have a New York insurance. If you go to texas (where you have a Insurance coverage) you'll have to first register the vehicle there, in order to be able to use their insurance. 

user:  What if I don't use the vehicle?

assistant: As long as your registration is valid, your insurance will remain in effect.

user: Does that work for motorcycles too? 

assistant: Motorcycles are the black sheep in the family:Your motorcycle must have insurance coverage any time it is operated on a public road or highway. Unlike most other motor vehicles, motorcycles are registered for one year rather than two. By any means your motorcycle should operate on public highways without liability coverage in effect.