New Yorkers pay over $4,000 a year for car insurance while insurers report strong profits

Some New York drivers pay more than $4,000 annually for car insurance while insurance companies report strong profits. A gallon of regular gas on Staten Island cost $3.99 at the Mobil station where religious and community leaders gathered Thursday morning. Families across the borough are feeling the strain as transportation costs become barriers to work, school, and daily life. Staten Island’s car-dependent population is particularly exposed to the combined burden of high fuel prices and insurance premiums. Bishop Victor Brown of Mt. Sinai United Christian Church, joined by leaders of multiple faiths and community advocates, pointed to state-level action as a lever for relief. He endorsed Gov. Kathy Hochul’s 2026 agenda to crack down on auto insurance fraud, arguing that while global forces drive gas prices, local policy can curb excessive insurance costs. Imam Zulqarnain Abdu-Shahid called the proposal “God sent,” saying it would help put money back in residents’ pockets. Imam Tahir Kukaj urged all elected officials to prioritize lowering transportation expenses. Thekra El-Rowmein of the Yemeni American Merchants Association emphasized that the financial pressure is reshaping family life and limiting access to basic needs. Community leaders are calling on Albany to act.