As Lawmakers Return to Albany, Uber Urges Action on Insurance Crisis Threatening Drivers and Taxpayers
New ad highlights Albany inaction and skyrocketing insurance costs
ALBANY, NY As the State Legislature returns to Albany and budget negotiations continue, Uber is launching a new ad calling on lawmakers to confront an urgent and growing crisis: Out of control insurance costs, the collapse of New York City’s for-hire vehicle insurance market, and the mounting risk that taxpayers will continue to be left holding the bag.
According to a recent analysis, the state’s insurance safety nets hold just $300 million in reserve—far short of the estimated $760 million exposure created by the collapse of a major insurer serving Uber, taxi, and other for-hire vehicle drivers. Without legislative action, the financial burden could fall on the state’s taxpayers, and the crisis will continue to drive up costs for working New Yorkers.
Uber has sent a letter to top state budget negotiators—commonly referred to as the “three in the room”—urging immediate reforms to the state’s broken insurance system before finalizing the budget. The letter emphasizes that the crisis does not only impact tens of thousands of for-hire drivers, it undermines broader goals around affordability for families and small businesses statewide.
“This isn’t just a TLC issue. Insurance premiums have become one of the fastest-growing expenses for drivers, small businesses, and families across the state,” wrote Josh Gold, Senior Director of Public Policy and Communications at Uber. “If lawmakers are serious about affordability, they can’t ignore the runaway cost of insurance.”
More than 31,000 drivers have contacted lawmakers in recent weeks, calling for action.
To underscore the urgency, Uber is launching a new six-figure statewide advertising campaign this week. The campaign’s first TV & digital ad, airing across New York, makes a direct appeal to lawmakers and highlights how insurance costs have soared while Albany has failed to act:
“While New Yorkers face rising prices and insurance premiums skyrocket, Albany politicians are too focused on their own pay day—and not fixing the real crisis,” the ad’s narrator says. “It’s time Albany did its job. Pass a budget. Fix insurance. Put New Yorkers first.”
Earlier this year, Uber joined a broad coalition that has committed seven figures in resources to spotlight Albany’s inaction on affordability. Uber also announced the creation of a $10 million political action committee to support efforts to fix structural issues like the insurance crisis.
“As lawmakers return to Albany, the message is clear: the budget isn’t done until Albany fixes insurance,” Gold added. “New Yorkers can’t afford more delay.”
Key Facts
- 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.
- Tort Tax: Working families in New York spend an unnecessary and additional $2,534.85 per year due to frivolous lawsuits and tort litigation. That number has increased annually and is up over 50% since 2021.
Ad Script & Links
NARRATOR (V.O., firm, urgent):
While New Yorkers face rising prices…
[VISUAL: Clipping — “Grocery Shoppers Will Feel the Tariffs First in the Produce Aisle”
NARRATOR:
…and insurance premiums skyrocket…
[VISUAL: Clipping — “Car insurance rates are going up everywhere, but NY is one of the worst in US”]
NARRATOR:
Albany politicians are too busy focused on their own pay day
[VISUAL: Clipping — “Legislators want overhaul of lieutenant governor election provisions”
NARRATOR:
…and party politics.
[VISUAL: Clipping — “New York Lawmakers Want to Get Paid, Even if the Budget Is Late”]
NARRATOR:
Not fixing the real crisis.
Not stopping runaway insurance costs.
Still protecting the billboard lawyers.
[VISUAL: Clipping — “Law firms pumped millions into NY campaigns as lawmakers made it easier to sue: report”]
NARRATOR:
It’s time Albany did its job.
Pass a budget. Fix insurance.
Put New Yorkers first.
“Paid for by Uber Technologies, Inc.”
