SOUTH ASIAN COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS DEMAND ACTION AS AUTO INSURANCE CRISIS PUSHES WORKING FAMILIES TO THE BREAKING POINT

Community Leaders Citywide Unite to Pressure Governor Hochul as Rising Costs Force Impossible Choices for New York Families

NEW YORK—As working families across New York struggle with soaring auto insurance costs that force them to choose between essentials, a coalition of South Asian community leaders is demanding immediate action from Governor Kathy Hochul and state lawmakers to address the affordability crisis. Citizens for Affordable Rates (CAR) announced six prominent South Asian organizations have joined its expanding movement, representing tens of thousands of immigrants and working families who can no longer afford to live, work, and thrive in the communities they have helped build.

The reality on the ground is stark: working families can't afford car insurance premiums that have skyrocketed nearly 40% above the national average. Parents are choosing between car insurance and groceries. Small business owners are closing their doors because commercial insurance costs are eroding their ability to serve their communities.

"Every day, we see families in our neighborhoods forced to make heartbreaking decisions," said José Bayona, a spokesperson for CAR. "A mother can't afford car insurance but needs her car to get to work or take her children to the doctor. While Albany turns its back on this issue, our neighbors are drowning. This isn't just about car insurance – it's about whether hardworking immigrant families can survive and build their American dream in New York. With more grassroots organizations joining our coalition, it's clearer than ever that urgent action is needed to stem the affordability crisis."

The organizations joining this crucial fight represent the backbone of New York's South Asian community, serving hundreds of thousands of residents across Brooklyn, Queens, and beyond:

● Bangladeshi American Community Development and Youth Services (BACDYS)–Founded to empower low-income immigrant families, BACDYS has spent decades providing ESL classes, afterschool programs, naturalization courses, and affordable housing assistance throughout Brooklyn. The organization serves as a lifeline for Bangladeshi newcomers and first-generation Americans, helping them develop lifelong leadership skills while securing educational and economic success.

● Council of Peoples Organization (COPO)–With a mission to support low-income immigrant families, particularly those from South Asian and Muslim backgrounds, COPO empowers marginalized communities to advocate for their rights and understand their responsibilities as American citizens. Supporting 45,000 families and 270,000 individuals annually across New York City, COPO has become a trusted voice helping families navigate complex systems and build stronger futures.

● Human Support Coalition–A grassroots organization dedicated to providing direct aid and advocacy for the Bangladeshi community, focusing on crisis intervention and support services that help families during their most vulnerable moments.

● India Home, Inc.–This vital Queens-based organization serves as a cultural and wellness hub for Indian seniors, providing social services, health programs, and community connections that help older immigrants maintain their dignity and independence while aging in place.

● Project New Yorker–Operating in Southern Queens, this organization transforms lives through job training, financial literacy programs, and immigrant empowerment initiatives that help South Asian residents and low-income families build sustainable economic foundations.

● Sakhi for South Asian Women–An essential safety net for domestic violence survivors, Sakhi offers culturally sensitive crisis intervention and advocacy services that have saved many lives within New York City's South Asian community.

The Crisis Behind the Numbers

The affordability crisis gripping New York extends far beyond simple statistics – it's devastating real families:

Insurance Costs Spiraling Out of Control

● Auto insurance premiums exceed $1,700 annually, nearly 40% higher than the national average

● Health and homeowners' insurance are following similar destructive trends

● Low-income families are spending disproportionate portions of their income on coverage they can't afford to lose

Housing Becomes Unattainable

● Rising property insurance premiums are driving up rents and mortgage payments

● Insurance costs now account for 10-15% of rent expenses across NYC

● Families forced to move further from job centers, increasing transportation costs

Everything Gets More Expensive

● Businesses passing commercial insurance cost increases to consumers

● Essential goods and services are becoming unaffordable for working families

● Small businesses are closing rather than absorbing unsustainable insurance costs

Fraud and Abuse Drive Up Everyone's Costs

● Fraudulent claims and excessive litigation are inflating premiums for honest families

● Staged car crashes and false claims account for up to 10% of total insurance payouts

● Law-abiding families pay the price for others' criminal behavior

These trusted South Asian community organizations represent more than membership numbers – they represent the voices of hardworking families who built New York's economy, started businesses, raised children, and contributed to the cultural richness that makes our state strong. When these leaders speak with one voice, demanding action from Albany, it's time to listen.

The solution: meaningful reforms to reduce abusive litigation, crackdowns on insurance fraud, and policies that prioritize working families over special interests. What is needed is political will from Governor Hochul and state lawmakers to take on the status quo and protect hardworking New Yorkers.

About Citizens for Affordable Rates

Citizens for Affordable Rates (CAR) is a diverse coalition of citizens, advocates, and organizations united in tackling the root causes of high insurance premiums in New York. Through advocacy, education, and policy reform, CAR is building a movement for an affordable and dependable insurance system that works for everyone, not just the wealthy.

For more information, visit: www.citizensforaffordablerates.com

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