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By: Rob Otto
A new coalition led by Uber has unveiled a multi-million-dollar advertising campaign aimed at pressuring Albany and New York City lawmakers to reduce the soaring insurance costs for taxi and ride-share drivers, The New York Post has learned and first reported.
The group, Citizens for Affordable Rates (CAR), is rallying behind a proposed City Council measure to lower the minimum liability coverage required for drivers of taxis, ride-shares, and for-hire vehicles. The current coverage requirement is $200,000, but the legislation seeks to reduce it to $50,000.
Councilwoman Carmen De La Rosa, who represents a northern Manhattan district that includes Washington Heights and Inwood, is spearheading the effort. Her constituency includes a significant number of for-hire drivers who have been hit hard by skyrocketing insurance premiums, NY Post reported.
De La Rosa has also raised concerns over the financial collapse of American Transit Insurance Company, the largest provider of insurance for yellow taxis, livery cabs, and other for-hire vehicles.
Uber is financing CAR’s inaugural ad blitz, which spans multiple platforms, including television, cable, social media, and streaming services such as Amazon Prime, Hulu, Netflix, HBO Max, and more. The campaign targets viewers in New York City and Albany, aiming to build momentum for the proposed legislation and other affordability initiatives.
The ads highlight a stark statistic: New York’s auto insurance rates are nearly 40% higher than the national average, with annual premiums exceeding $1,700.
Targeting the Root Causes
The coalition argues that the high insurance rates are driven by fraudulent claims, staged car accidents, and excessive litigation, which together account for up to 10% of all insurance payouts in the state. By reducing liability requirements and tackling systemic abuses, CAR hopes to alleviate the financial strain on drivers.
In addition to auto insurance, the group plans to address rising costs in property and business insurance, which disproportionately impact low-income families and small businesses.
Amplifying Community Voices
The coalition has garnered support from community leaders and organizations who see escalating insurance costs as a pressing issue.
“Rising costs are strangling the finances of families and small business owners in the Bangladeshi-American community. We hear about this every day,” said Herb Regnier, executive director of Bangladeshi American Community Development and Youth Services.
“CAR’s mission to tackle this affordability crisis from all sides gives us hope that New York will once again be a place where families can thrive and build a better future,” he added.
Nader Khader, director of the progressive WESPAC Foundation in Westchester County, emphasized the need to confront entrenched interests in Albany.
“Addressing the root causes of exorbitant insurance rates and consumer costs gives our communities a much-needed voice,” Khader said. “It’s time to stand up to Albany special interests and the forces of greed and abuse to ensure no family is priced out of the metro area anymore.”
The coalition’s efforts are aimed at reversing a trend that has burdened low-income households disproportionately. With a focus on lowering costs for drivers and small businesses, CAR hopes to build a groundswell of public and political support.
As the campaign gains traction, Citizens for Affordable Rates positions itself as a champion for drivers, families, and small business owners grappling with the rising cost of living in New York
