Chaverim of Rockland County has joined a statewide coalition of Chaveirim volunteer organizations voicing support for Governor Kathy Hochul’s proposal to reduce auto insurance premiums in New York, saying the reforms could provide much-needed relief for both nonprofit emergency services and everyday drivers.
In a letter dated March 11 to Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, the New York State Chaveirim Coalition endorsed the governor’s “Money in Your Pockets” initiative — a sweeping effort aimed at lowering insurance costs in a state where premiums are among the highest in the nation.
The coalition represents Chaveirim organizations serving communities across New York, including Queens & Great Neck, Five Towns & Far Rockaway, Crown Heights, Seagate, Brooklyn & Catskills, Orange County, Fleischmanns, Rockland County, and Staten Island.
In the letter, coalition members warned that rapidly rising auto insurance costs are placing a growing strain on volunteer organizations that rely on fleets of vehicles to assist motorists and respond to emergencies.
Across the state, Chaveirim organizations collectively operate more than 100 service vehicles, providing roadside assistance, emergency help, and other critical services around the clock.
“Rising auto insurance premiums have created a substantial and growing financial burden on our organizations, limiting our ability to dedicate scarce nonprofit resources directly toward lifesaving and community-based services,” the coalition wrote.
The coalition also noted that the issue extends beyond nonprofit organizations, saying that volunteers regularly hear from the thousands of motorists they assist about the financial hardship caused by rising insurance costs.
“For many New Yorkers, vehicle ownership is not a luxury but a necessity for work, school, and daily responsibilities,” the letter stated. “When insurance premiums become unaffordable, it creates real hardship for families and working individuals across the state.”
Governor Hochul’s proposal aims to tackle several factors believed to be driving up insurance premiums, including widespread fraud and costly litigation.
New York ranks among the leading states for staged auto accidents, often involving organized fraud rings designed to generate fraudulent insurance claims. Under the governor’s proposal, prosecutors would be given new authority to target the organizers of staged crashes, rather than only the drivers involved.
The plan would also expand enforcement resources for the New York State Police and strengthen the state’s Motor Vehicle Theft and Insurance Fraud Prevention Board.
Another provision would give insurance companies additional time to investigate suspected fraud before being required to pay claims, extending the current 30-day deadline that insurers say often forces them to pay fraudulent claims before investigations are complete.
The proposal also seeks to reform New York’s liability rules. Currently, the state follows a “pure comparative liability” system, which allows drivers who were mostly at fault in a crash to still recover damages.
Hochul is proposing a “modified comparative liability” standard, which would prevent drivers who are more than 50 percent responsible for an accident from recovering non-economic damages such as pain and suffering.
The plan would also tighten the state’s “serious injury” threshold to establish clearer medical criteria and reduce lawsuits based on minor injuries. Additional reforms would limit certain payouts for drivers who were committing crimes at the time of a crash, such as driving while intoxicated or without insurance.
Several consumer-focused provisions are also included in the proposal. The New York State Department of Financial Services has been directed to re-examine the state’s “Excess Profit Law,” which requires insurers to return profits above a certain threshold to policyholders.
The proposal would also require insurance companies to offer discounts for technology-based safe-driving programs and provide clearer explanations when premiums increase.
Experts estimate the reforms could save New York drivers between $200 and $300 per vehicle each year, though the proposal must still be negotiated with the Legislature as part of the 2026 Executive Budget.
In their letter, Chaveirim leaders — including representatives from Chaverim of Rockland County — praised the governor for recognizing the seriousness of the issue.
“We commend Governor Hochul for recognizing this challenge and for taking steps to address the rising cost of auto insurance,” the coalition wrote. “Efforts to bring relief to New Yorkers while maintaining appropriate protections for motorists are both timely and necessary.”
