CITIZENS FOR AFFORDABLE RATES ANNOUNCES NEW SUPPORTERS CALLING FOR URGENT REFORMS TO CUT COSTS

Diverse Organizations Join Expanding Coalition to Lower Insurance Costs for Consumers

NEW YORK – Citizens for Affordable Rates (CAR), a coalition dedicated to reducing insurance costs for New Yorkers, today announced new supporters as part of its broad and diverse alliance. Community organizations representing tens of thousands of immigrants, small businesses, seniors, and social justice advocates are uniting to demand that city and state leaders take immediate action to fix New York’s broken insurance and legal systems to lower costs for working families.

The coalition’s expansion represents a powerful cross-section of New York communities, underscoring the growing momentum for meaningful reform. These organizations share a commitment to advancing policies that will make insurance fairer and more affordable across the board.

Representing grassroots community members statewide, the organizations joining Citizens for Affordable Rates include:

  • Bangladeshi American Community Development and Youth Services (BACDYS)

    • Serving the Bangladeshi community in Brooklyn through education, health, and social services.

  • Bodega Small Business Group

    • Advocating for small business owners in the Bronx to promote economic growth and policy fairness.

  • Council of Peoples Organization

    • Supporting 45,000 families and 270,000 individuals annually in New York City’s South Asian community.

  • DSI International Inc.

    • Providing workforce development and social services for immigrant communities in Queens.

  • Haitian Americans United for Progress, Inc. (HAUP)

    • Serving Haitian communities in Brooklyn and Queens with education, legal assistance, and health programs.

  • Human Support Coalition

    • Representing the Bangladeshi community through advocacy and direct aid.

  • India Home, Inc.

    • Supporting seniors from the Indian community in Queens with wellness programs and social services.

  • Project New Yorker

    • Empowering South Asian immigrants and low-income residents in Southern Queens with job training and financial literacy programs.

  • Sakhi for South Asian Women

    • Providing crisis intervention and advocacy for South Asian survivors of domestic violence in NYC.

  • WESPAC Foundation

    • Advocating for social and economic justice in Westchester County.

Background: The Affordability Crisis & Rising Insurance Costs in New York

  • Skyrocketing Premiums: Auto insurance costs in New York are nearly 40% higher than the national average, with premiums exceeding $1,700 annually. Health and homeowners’ insurance follow similar trends.

  • Impact on Housing Costs: Rising property insurance premiums contribute to increasing rents and mortgage payments, with insurance costs accounting for 10-15% of rent expenses in many parts of New York City.

  • Higher Food and Retail Prices: Businesses offset rising commercial insurance premiums by increasing prices for consumers, creating a ripple effect of higher costs across essential goods and services.

  • Impact on Low-Income Residents: Low-income families are disproportionately burdened, as rising premiums eat up a larger share of their budgets and exacerbate financial insecurity.

  • Fraud and Abuse: Fraudulent claims and excessive litigation drive up premiums for everyone, with estimates suggesting that false claims — such as those stemming from staged car crashes — account for up to 10% of total insurance payouts in New York.

About CAR
Citizens for Affordable Rates (CAR) is a coalition of citizens, advocates, and organizations dedicated to tackling the root causes of high insurance premiums in New York. Through advocacy, education, and policy reform, CAR is committed to building an affordable and dependable insurance system for all. To learn more, please visit: www.citizensforaffordablerates.org