An accident can skyrocket your car insurance that is already very expensive in New York State. Photo Dreamstime
The Queens Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (QHCC), a leading voice for Latino entrepreneurs and small business owners across the borough, has joined Citizens for Affordable Rates (CAR) to demand urgent action on New York’s auto insurance affordability crisis. The partnership brings the economic power of Queens’ diverse business community into the fight for relief from insurance costs that are crushing the immigrant families and small business owners who power “The World’s Borough.”
Eduardo Giraldo of Abetx
“Queens is the economic heartbeat of immigrant entrepreneurship in America,” said QHCC President Eduardo Giraldo. “Restaurant owners, bodega operators, delivery services, contractors—they all depend on vehicles to run their businesses and serve our communities. When auto insurance costs $500, $600, or even $700 a month, that’s not just a business expense—that’s a crisis. That is money that should go toward hiring employees, expanding operations, or supporting their families. Queens built its economy on the dreams of hardworking immigrants, and Governor Hochul cannot let unaffordable insurance destroy what generations have built.”
THE AFFORDABILITY CRISIS HITTING QUEENS FAMILIES
Across New York, auto insurance premiums have surged nearly 40% above the national average, but the impact on Queens is particularly devastating. For immigrant families already navigating high housing costs, supporting relatives abroad, and investing in their children’s education, insurance bills that rival rent payments create impossible choices.
Consider the Colombian restaurant owner in Jackson Heights who needs her van to pick up fresh ingredients from wholesale markets in the Bronx. Or the Mexican construction contractor in Corona whose crew relies on work trucks to reach job sites across the city. Or the Guatemalan delivery driver in Elmhurst whose vehicle is his livelihood. These are the faces behind the statistics—hardworking people for whom every dollar counts, and for whom a $400 to $600 monthly insurance bill can mean the difference between thriving and barely surviving.
The burden extends beyond business owners. Working families throughout Queens—home health aides commuting to care for elderly patients, parents driving children to school and daycare, delivery workers supporting households through multiple income streams—all face the same crushing reality: New York’s insurance rates are pricing honest families out of legal coverage.
WHY DO QUEENS DRIVERS PAY MORE
New York’s insurance crisis stems from multiple systemic failures. According to the 2023 New York Department of Financial Services report, 75% of all reported fraud cases involved no-fault insurance schemes, including staged crashes and inflated medical claims. These fraudulent activities force insurance companies to pass costs onto all policyholders, making honest Queens families subsidize criminal schemes.
But fraud is only part of the problem. Outdated regulations, lack of market competition, and insufficient transparency all contribute to rates that punish New York drivers—especially those in diverse, immigrant-rich boroughs like Queens. The coalition demands comprehensive reform that addresses all drivers of high costs and ensures savings reach working families, not just insurance company bottom lines.
A COALITION REPRESENTING QUEENS’ DIVERSITY
Citizens for Affordable Rates (CAR) has assembled a powerful, diverse coalition of community and business leaders demanding action from Governor Kathy Hochul and state lawmakers. With the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Queens joining YAMA (Yemeni American Merchants Association), Korean American business groups, South Asian community leaders, and organizations representing neighborhoods across all five boroughs, the movement reflects the true face of New York’s economy.
“The Queens Hispanic Chamber of Commerce brings the voice of thousands of Latino entrepreneurs who are the engine of Queens’ economy,” said CAR Spokesperson José Bayona. “These aren’t corporate executives—they are mom-and-pop business owners, family restaurant operators, independent contractors building better lives for their children. When insurance becomes unaffordable, we are not just talking about inconvenience—we are talking about economic survival for the communities that make New York City work. Governor Hochul must act now.”
The Queens Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, alongside coalition partners, will continue fighting until Governor Hochul delivers meaningful relief. Queens built the American Dream through hard work and determination—and Queens families will not let unaffordable insurance destroy that dream.
ABOUT QUEENS HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
The Queens Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to empowering and uplifting Latino entrepreneurs and small business owners across the borough. QHCC hosts workshops and educational training; organizes monthly networking events and business expos; and assists with MWBEs certifications. The Chamber fosters strategic relationships that connect Hispanic businesses, support growth in the local Latino market, and provide the tools needed for business success.
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 insurance premiums in New York. Through advocacy, education, and policy reform, CAR is committed to building an affordable and dependable insurance system for all New Yorkers. To learn more, visit: www.citizensforaffordablerates.org
