The price of eggs, groceries and gas have long defined kitchen table issues. But now, for many New Yorkers, that list includes the price of car insurance — just to stay on the road. As an independent insurance agent and small business owner, a car is not optional for my customers, my team and millions of New Yorkers who depend on having reliable and affordable transportation options. A car is a lifeline for work, school, errands and access to community. It impacts affordable public transit too. 

Auto insurance fraud and expensive, excessive litigation are placing these lifelines under growing strain. Gov. Kathy Hochul is taking on well-funded interests to bring those costs down and deliver for New Yorkers and the economy. 

Fraud and lawsuit abuse have turned New York into one of the most expensive states for auto insurance. Premiums run about $1,500 above the national average, and drivers effectively pay a $300 “fraud tax” each year. On top of that, the broader costs of lawsuits and legal abuse add about $7,000 per household, with auto insurance liability a major driver of those costs.

The root of the problem is clear. In 2024, the Department of Financial Services recorded more than 38,000........

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