PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Andrew Greenblatt, Policy Director of Independent Drivers Guild (IDG) on Intro 1050
2:30:55
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Andrew Greenblatt, Policy Director of the Independent Drivers Guild (IDG), testified in support of Intro 1050, which aims to lower the minimum personal injury protection (PIP) insurance coverage for for-hire vehicle drivers from $200,000 to $50,000. He argued that the current PIP insurance market is problematic for drivers, with high rates and unfair consequences for accidents.
- Greenblatt highlighted that insolvent companies serve 70% of the PIP insurance market, and rates are increasing rapidly.
- He explained how drivers can lose their jobs due to accidents that aren't their fault, without the opportunity to defend themselves.
- The IDG believes that lowering the minimum coverage would help alleviate the financial burden on drivers and reduce fraud in the system.
Andrew Greenblatt
2:30:55
Hi.
2:30:55
Hi.
2:30:55
Good afternoon, Chair Brooks Powers and members of the committee.
2:30:58
I am Andrew Greenblatt, the policy director of the Independent Drivers Guild or IDG.
2:31:02
And today, I'll be testifying regarding intro ten fifty.
2:31:05
Behind me are a number of drivers who've been affected by the PIP, law and are here to let you know that they too support ten fifty.
2:31:13
The personal injury protection market in New York for Uber and Lyft drivers is in shambles.
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Insolvent companies are serving 70% of the market.
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Rates are rocketing up and the state is moving to raise them even faster.
2:31:26
Drivers face higher rates if someone hits them or if their passenger opens the door into a bike Lane.
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If, God forbid, that happens twice in six months, that driver is unable to get insurance and is therefore out of work.
2:31:41
Imagine if someone spilled coffee on you in the office and suddenly you got a pay cut.
2:31:45
Then someone else knocks over some papers from your desk and now you're fired.
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That's the life of a driver under the insane no fault regime.
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The driver never gets a trial in which they can defend themselves.
2:31:57
They just have to live with it.
2:31:58
Now New York City has decided in the past to add to this misery by raising the minimum coverage for these accidents from $50,000 to $200,000.
2:32:08
This attracts fraudsters, hucksters, and cheats all on the back of hardworking drivers.
2:32:13
While this bill doesn't abolish the system, it at least gets New York City out of the business of further immiserating these drivers.
2:32:21
The IDG supports this bill and thanks council member De La Rosa for her advocacy and urges the committee to move intro ten fifty along to full passage by the city council quickly.