IRA’S INSIGHTS

Hello to all! We’re now heading into the summer months, and as always, there is a lot happening across the industry! It sometimes feels like there is never a quiet moment in this business. I want to start by recognizing the work you all continue to put in every day, especially as the weather gets warmer, traffic patterns shift, and the city gets busier with events, tourism and summer travel. There are a few important updates I want to cover this month, including some reminders from The Black Car Fund that I hope every driver keeps in mind. 

First, let’s talk about auto insurance. As you may know, this has been an issue on the forefront of Governor Hochul’s agenda with a straightforward goal: bring down New York’s very high auto insurance costs by cracking down on fraud, staged accidents, and legal rules that her administration says have helped drive up premiums. Her proposals are now moving forward through the FY 2027 state budget and include language expanding the state’s insurance fraud laws so prosecutors can go after people who organize or direct staged accident schemes, not just the person actually involved in the crash. They also include changes to the “serious injury” threshold for auto accident lawsuits, which is intended to limit pain-and-suffering claims to more serious cases. 

The budget bill also prohibits auto insurers from using factors such as ZIP code, education, employment, occupation, and home ownership when setting premiums, and it also requires state approval before rate increases. As a black car driver, you know firsthand that high insurance costs strain both drivers and passengers. Governor Hochul’s auto insurance reforms take on the rising premiums across the State. I applaud Governor Hochul for taking on a difficult issue and delivering reforms that will help reduce fraud, lower insurance costs, and provide meaningful relief for drivers covered by The Black Car Fund, along with the passengers who rely on them every day. 

Moving onto news regarding autonomous vehicles, I want to update you all on a piece of legislation that should have your attention. Senate Bill S9038A, sponsored by Senator Luis Sepúlveda, and Assembly Bill A10087A, sponsored by Assemblymember Karines Reyes, would enact the “Take the Wheel Act”. This legislation would require any for-hire vehicle operating on New York’s public roads to have a human driver physically present in the vehicle, seated behind the steering wheel, and actively engaged in driving. In plain terms, it is aimed at preventing fully driverless vehicles from being used in the for-hire transportation industry without a driver behind the wheel. This month, The Black Car Fund will join a coalition of groups in supporting this bill and I look forward to providing an update in next month’s issue. 

Also, don’t forget that The Black Car Fund recently made massive updates to its app and it is now easier than ever to stay connected with us and report an accident when it happens. For the purposes of workers’ compensation, I can’t stress enough how important it is to report your accident to us as soon as possible. When you’re injured in an accident while on the job, you don’t want to delay getting the care and benefits you may be entitled to. The sooner you do, the sooner you’ll be back on the road. So, make sure you have The Black Car Fund app downloaded. Visit our Linktr. ee page for a quick download link.As I wrap up, I’m also excited for our next resource fair which will take place on Monday, June 22nd at our Driver Education Center in Long Island City. It will be another eventful day filled with helpful resources, no-cost health screenings, free raffles, and vital information from The Black Car Fund, Drivers Benefits, and all our incredible partners. 

As usual, the fair will be held in two sessions, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, to keep things comfortable and easy for everyone. Please head on over to www.surveymonkey.com/r/ RFJune2026 to RSVP and secure your spot. These events get busy, so if you don’t RSVP in advance, we can’t guarantee you’ll be able to get in. 

Remember, both sessions will include the same information, prizes, and raffles, so you can pick whichever time works best for you. There is no set program, so stop by anytime during the session you sign-up for. 

We will also be announcing some exciting news regarding one of our Earn While You Learn™ opportunities, so I hope to see you at the resource fair! Until next time!