Grisanti launches online petition to encourage Assembly to stop auto insurance fraud

State Sen. Mark Grisanti, R-60^th District, has announced he has started a petition drive to show members of the New York State Assembly that people are tired of paying higher premiums due to the abuses of the state's no-fault insurance system. Last week, the Senate took action and passed three bills that combat auto insurance fraud, which costs New Yorkers more than $1 billion a year, as well as legislation that would impose stronger criminal penalties for staging auto accidents. 

"Every driver in New York state suffers when they must have insurance to drive, and insurance rates are driven so high by the criminals who defraud the system. We must fight back. These bills create a framework to allow our insurance companies to protect legitimate customers while enhancing penalties for law enforcement to better prosecute those who break the law," Grisanti said. "The Assembly should quickly pass them all so we can bring New York in line with other states and protect the customer's physical as well as economic health." 

"The ball is passed to the Assembly and they must take action. I encourage all to sign this petition and encourage the Assembly to crack down on the abuses of auto insurance. Auto insurance is a serious crime that costs New York drivers over a billion dollars and tough new penalties are needed to stop these criminals from taking advantage of our no-fault system. People are entitled to affordable insurance coverage without paying for the crimes of a few. Hopefully these bills will soon be law in New York," Grisanti said. 

To view the petition, visit http://www.nysenate.gov/webform/join-fight-stop-auto-insurance-fraud.