New York City drivers have long been essential in moving this city, getting New Yorkers where they need to go. Over 100,000 families rely on this work to make a living. The heart breaking consequences of Covid-19 are ravaging our city, New York was brought to a standstill by this disease that disproportionately impacts people of color and immigrants, the workforce that keeps New York moving.

While few drivers continue to serve the city’s most vulnerable and help other essential workers get to and from work, over 80,000 drivers have not had any work, their vehicles are parked. FHV drivers earnings are hovering close to zero, meanwhile expenses remain high.

We are coming today as a drivers advocate to bring to light a very pressing issue:

TLC INSURANCE

Covid-19 devastations revealed some of the greatest hardships, medical, emotional and especially financial. Our industry in particular has been harshly impacted. With very little work and bills still mounting, the stimulus did not make a dent in drivers’ expenses and the chaotic unemployment claims are not getting to drivers. One of those expenses is the very costly insurance premiums.

The pandemic and New York On Pause have dramatically reduced FHV business, traffic, car accidents, and accident claims, creating massive cost savings for insurers. However the insurance companies have refused to reduce premiums for drivers. FHV Drivers are paying the insurance for the risk associated with our work. We should not have to pay when we are not working or our work has been significantly reduced.

On March 29th, the Governor signed an executive order allowing insurance payment deferrals for 60 days, but drivers will still have to pay that back over the next 12 months, keeping the burden on drivers. We are coming today as a driver advocacy group to ask from lawmakers, insurance companies and the TLC for a common sense policy that would alleviate insurance obligations during these hard times and beyond. Your involvement is imperative to look into insurance regulations pertaining to TLC drivers in the states of this industry that no longer provide enough revenue but the expenses never stop mounting.

As New York City FHV drivers, we pay very high premiums of around $350 per month for just the city-mandated liability coverage., if we need full coverage that usually results in buying a separate policy that is out of most drivers’ reach. We are forced to choose between protecting ourselves on the road or just fulfilling the basic requirement that is by far not affordable. Insurance companies and the brokers that represent them know and understand that during this time when traffic is non-existent, most cars are parked, they refuse to give drivers any options to lower the cost.

We are demanding the following:

1-Provide prorated refunds based on FHV miles driven until business returns to last year’s level
2-Lower deposit amount
3-Lower insurance premium cost
4-Eliminate monthly installment surcharge
5-Give us the option to buy into lower premium without losing our TLC plates
6-Allow us to apply the typical last two “free” months whenever we feel the need

We are looking forward to common sense measures that would help drivers avoid bankruptcy and be able to continue serving this city. When the city needs drivers, they always answer the call. This time, drivers need your assistance in fixing the very unfair insurance regulations that are stacked against every New York City TLC driver.