Faith and community leaders from across New York State gathered today on the State Capitol’s Million Dollar Staircase to urge lawmakers to include Governor Kathy Hochul’s auto insurance reform plan in the final State Budget, calling it a critical step toward delivering relief for drivers.
Speakers emphasized that the Governor’s proposal, which directs the state to apply the Excess Profit Law, ensures that savings from these reforms benefit consumers before insurers, targeting the growing financial strain on working families.
Auto insurance costs in New York have soared, with drivers paying an average of approximately $4,000 annually—roughly double the national average. In some areas, premiums reach $5,000 to $7,000, placing disproportionate pressure on communities of color and low- to middle-income families.
Highlighting broad public support, coalition members pointed to a recent poll showing 86 percent of New Yorkers back reforms aimed at lowering premiums and returning excess insurance profits to policyholders. Advocates urged lawmakers to enact reforms that reduce fraud, increase transparency, and ensure tangible savings reach drivers.
“New Yorkers are facing an affordability crisis, and paying $4,000 a year for car insurance on top of everything else is unsustainable,” said Tuulikki Robertson, Executive Director of the Black Institute. “Faith leaders and community advocates from Buffalo to Brooklyn are speaking with one voice: this budget must deliver real relief and put money back into the pockets of drivers across our state.”
Rev. Dr. Robert Waterman of Antioch Baptist Church added, “Budget decisions reflect our values as a state. When families are forced to choose between car insurance and groceries, something is very wrong. Addressing the auto insurance crisis is not just common sense—it’s the right thing to do for the people we serve every day.”
Other leaders echoed the message. Rev. James A. Lewis, President of the Buffalo/Niagara National Action Network, noted, “For many working families, a car is essential for work, school, and caring for loved ones. When premiums climb into the thousands, that’s money that could go toward rent, education, or supporting local businesses. Reforming this system is about restoring fairness for everyday New Yorkers.”
“The public is overwhelmingly on the side of reform,” said Rev. Conrad Tillard of the Congregational Church of South Hempstead. “With 86 percent of New Yorkers supporting measures to reduce costs and return excess profits, lawmakers should act now.”
Local business owner Amina Iduma added, “New Yorkers deserve a system that works for honest drivers, not one that forces them to pay far more than people in other states. Including auto insurance reform in the final budget would put real money back into people’s pockets.”
Governor Hochul’s plan proposes lowering costs by cracking down on fraud, limiting payouts for unlawful behavior, and modernizing litigation rules. It also calls for a re-examination of the Excess Profit Law to ensure consumers benefit before insurers, increases transparency on rate changes, and rewards safe driving.
