Dear Editor,

New Yorkers pay some of the highest auto insurance rates in the country, with the average driver paying over $4,000 a year — $1,500 over the national average – an unbelievable amount and result of state laws that foster insurance fraud and reward abuse.

Ever-increasing auto insurance costs get passed on to all of us. From a business perspective, anyone who relies on trucks to transport or deliver goods feels the effect of higher premiums, which means other businesses and consumers pay more for their raw materials and products.

Between laws and regulations which allow those deemed mostly at fault for an accident to receive payouts for pain and suffering and vague definitions for terms like serious injury, New York practically created the environment for rampant fraud.

Living and running a business in New York is expensive enough.  Can’t we figure out a way to help drive down auto insurance costs. Out of control insurance rates impact everybody with inflated prices products and services. The fraud driving these costs punishes everyone for the bad actions of a few.

The cost of living is out of control in New York; with so many people fleeing the state, maybe it’s time for Albany to start looking at ways to help the average person.

It’s time for Albany to get tough on fraud and start cracking down on those who commit these crimes so we can drive down auto insurance costs.

John Phraner
Empire Metal Works
Walton