Faith Leaders Say Soaring Premiums Have Become An “Unjust Burden” On Working Families and Urge Immediate Legislative Action
Our Bureau
Albany, NY
Following the recent endorsement from the Reverend Al Sharpton, Citizens for Affordable Rates today announced strong and growing support from more than 50 faith leaders across New York State for Governor Kathy Hochul’s plan to reform New York’s auto insurance system and lower costs for drivers.
In a joint letter sent to members of the New York State Senate and the New York State Assembly this week, clergy and faith leaders representing congregations from Brooklyn to Buffalo urged lawmakers to take action to address this “unjust burden” on working families.
With average full-coverage auto insurance premiums in New York now exceeding $4,000 annually – nearly double the national average – faith leaders say the crisis is harming the very communities they serve.
“Every day, we witness the moral consequences of an affordability crisis that forces families to make impossible choices,” the letter states. “When premiums soar, they take money away from rent, groceries, childcare, and healthcare. Transportation is not a luxury for working New Yorkers, but a necessity for employment, caregiving, and community life,” the leaders wrote.
The faith coalition voiced strong support for Governor Hochul’s plan to crack down on organized auto insurance fraud, including staged crashes and other schemes that inflate costs for honest drivers.
“Staged accidents put innocent drivers at risk, clog our courts, and inflate costs for everyone who plays by the rules,” the leaders wrote. “The financial burden of this fraud is ultimately borne by working families who can least afford it.”
The letter also highlights the disproportionate impact of high premiums on Black communities, immigrant neighborhoods, and low-income households – particularly in areas of Brooklyn, where some drivers pay up to $7,000 for car insurance.
“New Yorkers cannot afford inaction,” the letter concludes. “We urge the Legislature to stand with Governor Hochul and the millions of New Yorkers who need relief now.”
Faith Leaders in Support of Legislative Action:
1. Rev. Marvin Abrams, United Missionary Baptist Church, Brooklyn.
2. Rev. Ayana Ajanaku-Vason, Ebenezer Christian Center Ministry, Brooklyn.
3. Bishop Dr. Bernard Alex, Victory Temple Fellowship, Syracuse.
4. Dr. Cheryl Anthony, Judah International Christian Center, Brooklyn.
5. Dr. Cheryl Barker, Consuming Fire Ministries, Brooklyn.
6. Rev. Mark Blue, Second Baptist Church of Lackawanna, Buffalo.
7. Rev. Frank Bostic, Pastor of Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church, Buffalo, NY; Vice President at Large of the Empire Baptist Missionary State Convention of New York.
8. Rev. Dr. Victor Brown, Mount Sinai United Christian Church, Staten Island.
9. Rev. Larry W. Camp, Bethlehem Baptist Church, Brooklyn.
10. Rev. Dr. Joseph Chukwu, Helping Hands Ministries, Brooklyn.
11. Bishop Ismael Claudio, Pentecostal Church of Jesus Christ, Brooklyn.
12. Rev. Alfred Cockfield II, Chief Operating Officer of God’s Battalion of Prayer Ministries, Brooklyn.
13. Apostle Dr. Garney Davis Jr., Impacting Love Global Ministries.
14. Bishop Ronald Dewberry, New Life Temple of Praise, Syracuse.
15. Bishop Orlando Findlayter, New Hope Christian Fellowship, Brooklyn.
16. Rev. Dr. Miles Fisher, Galilee Baptist Church, Brooklyn.
17. Bishop Winifred C. Freeman, Presiding Prelate of the Faith Holiness Church of the First Bishop, Brooklyn.
18. Rev. Dwayne R. Gillison Sr., Mount Olive Baptist Church.
19. Rev. Charles O. Galbreath, Senior Pastor of Alliance Tabernacle, Brooklyn.
20. Pastor James Giles, Back to Basics Ministry.
21. Rev. Carlos Haynes, Faith Assemblies of God, Brooklyn.
22. Bishop Dr. Allen K. Hand, Sr., Trinity Community Missionary Baptist Church, Brooklyn.
23. Pastor Dr. Loretta W. Hand, Trinity Community Missionary Baptist Church, Brooklyn.
24. Minister Murray Hollman, Good Shepherd Temple, Buffalo, NY.
25. Kyran Leo John, Rogers Avenue SDA Church, Brooklyn.
26. Ronald John, Assistant Pastor, Faith of Assemblies of God Church, Brooklyn.
27. Rev. Eddie Karim, Bright Light Baptist Church, Brooklyn.
28. Rev. Julien Leblanc, Good Hope Fellowship, Brooklyn.
29. Rev. Terry Lee, Byways and Hedges Ministry, Brooklyn.
30. Rev. Dr. James A. Lewis III, Senior Pastor of Miracle Missions Full Gospel Church, Buffalo.
31. Minister Patricia Malcolm, Pastor of Pathway to Life Ministries; President, Churches United to Save and Heal (CUSH), Brooklyn.
32. Rev. Pierre Michel, Jr., The Vine Church, Huntington.
33. Pastor Eulalee Mighty, Global Care Outreach Ministries, Brooklyn.
34. Pastor Edgerton Mighty, Global Care Outreach Ministries, Brooklyn.
35. Rev. Dr. Gilford Monrose, Mt. Zion Church of God 7th Day, Brooklyn.
36. Pastor Tim Newkirk, GYC Ministries, Inc.
37. Pastor George Nicholas, Buffalo; CEO, Buffalo Center for Health Equity.
38. David Olatona, Senior Pastor, Balanced Life Christian Center and Dominion Faith International Church, Mt. Vernon.
39. Pastor James Osi-Kofi, Bethesda Healing Center, Brooklyn.
40. Bishop Darius Pridgen, Senior Servant of True Bethel Baptist Church, Buffalo, NY.
41. Aymanuel Radford, Minister, New Hope COGBF, Buffalo.
42. Tuulikki Robertson, Executive Director, The Black Institute.
43. Rev. Jean Roper, Bible Vision Church of God, Brooklyn.
44. Rev. Akin O. Royall, Bethel Baptist Church; New York Progressive Baptist Convention.
45. Rev. Kenneth Simmons, Pastor of Cold Spring Bible Chapel, Buffalo.
46. Rev. Conrad B. Tillard Sr., Senior Minister, Congregational Church of South Hempstead.
47. Rev. Dr. Mark VC Taylor, The Church of the Open Door, Brooklyn.
48. Rev. Dr. Robert M. Waterman, Senior Pastor of Antioch Baptist Church, Brooklyn; President of the African American Clergy and Elected Officials (AACEO).
49. Pastor Shirley Walker, Lexington Avenue Church of God, Brooklyn.
50. Rev. Bruce West, Brooklyn.
51. Minister John Williams, New Creations Ministries, Brooklyn.
52. Rev. Ulysees O. Wingo, Sr., Senior Pastor of Antioch Baptist Church, Buffalo.
About Citizens for Affordable Rates (CAR)
Citizens for Affordable Rates (CAR) is a coalition of citizens, advocates, and organizations dedicated to tackling the root causes of high auto insurance costs in New York. Through advocacy, education, and policy reform, CAR is committed to building an affordable and dependable system for all New Yorkers. For more information, visit: www.citizensforaffordablerates.com
