sample letter to NYS legislators

Please copy and paste the sample letter below into an email, and send it to your New York State legislators TODAY. Our insurance ends May 22, 2023, so this is critical we get this bill passed ASAP. Thank you.

TO: [your representative]
[Find your assembly rep here: https://nyassembly.gov/mem/search/]
[Find your senator here: https://www.nysenate.gov/find-my-senator]
FROM: [yourself – include name & address]
EMAIL SUBJECT LINE: Please support NYS bill A.5718/S.5959

Dear [Senator] or [Assemblymember],

I write in support of New York bill A.5718 Kelles/S.5959 Webb-Brouk, which will amend the vehicle and traffic law and the insurance law, in relation to automobile liability insurance purchased from a Risk Retention Group. This bill will help nonprofit organizations in NYS access much needed auto insurance.

DFS’s interpretation of insurance and traffic laws and regulations in New York State prevent Risk Retention Groups (RRGs) from writing auto insurance in NYS unless they are domiciled in the state. This restriction is unique to New York, as federal law explicitly allows RRGs domiciled in one state to write auto insurance in other states.

This bill will make it clear that duly registered RRGs in New York that meet certain requirements may provide commercial auto insurance for 501(c)(3) nonprofits in our state. Furthermore, this bill will not relax any of the laws in place, as RRGs are held to the same solvency standards as commercial insurance companies nationwide.

Nonprofits in New York play a critical role in providing transportation services that serve children, the elderly, medically fragile, or others that rely on volunteer drivers, as well as carshare services.

Many nonprofits have struggled to find auto insurance due to the RRG limitation in the DFS’s interpretation of existing insurance and traffic laws and regulations. In particular, community carsharing programs, which hold great potential to generate significant equity and environmental benefits, are stymied by access to insurance. Ithaca Carshare, for example, is at risk of closing operations in May if A.05718 / S.05959 is not passed.

Please support A.05718 / S.05959 and help expand auto insurance options or nonprofit organizations in New York State.

Thank you,

[Your Name]
[City, state, zip]