Jenkins & Spano back Gov. Hochul’s Car Insurance Reform, Urge Westchester Lawmakers to Support it.
By Dan Murphy
Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins and Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano recently penned an OP-ED for LoHud.com calling for state legislative leaders, including Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Speaker Carl Heastie, to support Governor Kathy Hochul’s proposed reforms to lower auto insurance costs for businesses and consumers.
“Westchester County residents pay some of the highest car insurance rates in the country, with the county average weighing in at nearly $3,000 per year.
Premiums are simply too high — unsustainably high — and it’s time for the New York State Legislature to act by including the governor’s auto insurance reform proposals in the state budget.
Gov. Kathy Hochul’s proposed legislation aims to lower car insurance costs in New York by cracking down on fraud, limiting excessive payouts, and making the system fairer for law-abiding drivers.
Overall, the legislation is designed to hold bad actors accountable, reduce unnecessary litigation, and ultimately bring down premiums for New Yorkers.
Albany has an opportunity — and a responsibility — to act. These reforms are not radical; they are practical, fair, and long overdue,” writes Jenkins and Spano. (https://www.lohud.com/story/opinion/2026/04/11/new-york-car-insurance-reform-state-budget/)
Some of the Governor’s common-sense solutions to lowering the cost of car insurance in New York State include:
· Restricting large “pain and suffering” payouts for individuals who were committing crimes at the time of an accident, such as impaired or uninsured drivers, and limiting the damages that can be recovered by drivers who are mostly at fault.
· Tightens what types of accidents result in “serious injuries” by lowering the ability to collect large compensation for minor injuries.
· Would reduce the liability for drivers, making them only responsible for their own amount of fault in the accident.
For New Yorkers without a car, there are still benefits to Governor Hochul’s plan. Many New Yorkers who use Uber, DoorDash, and other taxi services are paying the cost of high car insurance through higher fares.
In a letter to state leaders, A broad coalition of major corporations and industry groups operating large vehicle fleets across New York State wrote: “We write on behalf of corporations across New York State whose workforces rely on vehicle fleets to deliver services, move goods, provide millions of New Yorkers transportation, and keep the economy running.”
They emphasized that the current system is increasing costs across the board, noting that “the current system significantly increases the cost of doing business in New York,” and that “those costs are ultimately passed along to all New Yorkers through higher prices, fares, and reduced investment.”
Fleet companies warned that frequent fraudulent claims and litigation drive up costs, divert resources from job creation and service improvements, and make doing business in New York more expensive.
A Beacon Research survey found 86% support for Gov. Hochul’s reforms, with strong backing across all political groups.
More than 50 faith leaders across NY State also wrote a letter in support of Governor Hochul’s proposed reforms, urging lawmakers to take action to address this “unjust burden” on working families.
The letter also highlights the disproportionate impact of high premiums on Black communities, immigrant neighborhoods, and low-income households – particularly in areas of Brooklyn, where some drivers pay up to $7,000 for car insurance.
“New Yorkers cannot afford inaction,” the letter concludes. “We urge the Legislature to stand with Governor Hochul and the millions of New Yorkers who need relief now.”
Citizens for Affordable Rates (CAR) recently released a new statewide television and digital ad, which says,
“New York’s car insurance crisis is all about money.
The huge amount New York families spend on skyrocketing car insurance rates…
“And the huge amount New York legislators get from trial lawyers intent on keeping it that way.
“Gov. Hochul’s plan will cut rampant car insurance fraud and runaway insurance rates – putting an average of $200 back into our wallets.
“But not if New York legislators keep blocking it.
“So if you’re fed up, speak up.
“It’s time to finally lower the cost of driving.”
Now is the time for action. We urge our State delegation in Albany to stand with Governor Hochul and deliver much-needed relief to New Yorkers by supporting this critical insurance reform. Contact your representatives today and demand change for lower car insurance costs.
