TANY Joins Statewide Coalition to Combat Rising Auto Insurance Premiums
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The Trucking Association of New York (TANY) has joined forces with Citizens for Affordable Rates (CAR) in a new effort to address New York’s growing auto insurance affordability crisis. The partnership aims to highlight what both groups describe as a major but often overlooked source of rising premiums: staged accidents, fraudulent no-fault insurance claims, and organized crash scams.
Announcing the collaboration on Tuesday, TANY President Kendra Hems said the issue directly affects truck drivers and businesses across the state. “Citizens for Affordable Rates’ mission to root out auto insurance fraud and staged crashes is directly related to the Trucking Association of New York’s mission to support the economy, promote driving safety, and keep costs down for New Yorkers,” Hems said. She pointed to last year’s viral video of a staged crash on the Belt Parkway as an example of the risks truck drivers regularly face. “We are joining CAR to root out further instances of this abuse and push lawmakers in Albany to prevent reverberations which will inevitably raise costs for New Yorkers,” she added.
New York is confronting steep increases in auto insurance costs, with commercial premiums rising by as much as 300 percent over the last five years. The trucking sector—employing more than 327,000 residents, or roughly one in every 25 jobs statewide—faces mounting pressure as operators work to manage rising expenses and navigate regulatory changes. Fraudulent claims, both groups warn, remain one of the top drivers of escalating rates.
CAR, a coalition of community and business leaders, has been advocating for stronger anti-fraud measures, increased enforcement, and more equitable insurance pricing. With nearly 90 percent of New York communities relying on trucks for the movement of goods, TANY’s participation adds significant weight and visibility to the campaign. “New Yorkers are paying the bill for fraud that’s hiding in plain sight,” said CAR spokesperson José Bayona. “Every staged crash, every inflated claim, and every abuse of the no-fault system drives up premiums for hardworking families and businesses. Partnering with the Trucking Association of New York sends a clear message – we’re not going to stand by while fraudsters exploit the system and force New Yorkers and our state’s economy to pay the price.”
A 2023 report from the New York Department of Financial Services found that 75 percent of all reported insurance fraud cases in the state were suspected no-fault fraud, frequently involving staged collisions and exaggerated medical claims. Under the no-fault system, insurers must cover their own policyholders’ medical and wage costs after a crash, regardless of fault—creating what CAR argues is an environment ripe for exploitation.
Both organizations say the new partnership will support their push for legislative reforms to curb fraudulent practices, lower insurance costs, and protect drivers and businesses across New York.
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