Sen. Golden, Nysaif: WHEN Are We Going to Get Serious About Auto Insurance Fraud?

Millions of New Yorkers offended by anti-Semitic smoke screen in Midwood car firebombings

Brooklyn, NY-Jan. 13...Millions of New Yorkers were offended and a community was terrified by the seemingly anti-Semitic car firebombings in Midwood, Brooklyn last November. But the crime that rattled the city has turned out to be just a smoke screen to conceal more auto insurance fraud - a crime that costs New Yorkers millions of dollars a year and puts lives at risk. Marty Golden (R-Brooklyn) and the citizen consumer group NewYorkers Stand Against Insurance Fraud (NYSAIF) ask that the state legislature tackle auto insurance reform this year.

Criminals like these in Midwood are staging auto accidents and racking up fake medical bills - driving auto insurance rates ever higher. They are getting away with it, because of loopholes in New York's 'no-fault' auto insurance laws.

"These crooks have reached a new low. These despicable thugs have been ripping us off for years, driving up insurance rates and risking lives. Now, they're dividing and terrorizing our neighborhoods, just so they can make a quick buck," said Senator Marty Golden (R-Brooklyn). "What has to happen for the state to get serious about reforming our auto insurance laws? This has got to be the year. I ask all New Yorkers to contact their state representatives and Governor Cuomo and tell them you want auto insurance reform now."

New York is among just a handful of states with 'no fault' insurance systems. One of the fastest growing crimes in New York, auto insurance fraud is a criminal practice that has cost New York drivers an estimated $1 billion in higher auto insurance premiums over the past five years alone. New York drivers are now paying 53% more than the average American for auto insurance with auto insurance fraud being a big reason. In essence, the people behind this crime are imposing a 'fraud tax' on honest, hard working New Yorkers by gaming the auto insurance system.

"These are professional con-artists who will go to any length to perpetrate their crimes - even if it means staging a hate-crime and igniting a potentially deadly explosion," said spokesman of NYSAIF, David Schwartz. "We call on the rest of the state legislature and the Governor to join Senator Golden in championing legislation in Albany to stop the 'fraud tax' - before more people and property get hurt."

For more information, please visit www.nysaif.com .