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Remarks

Speaker Menin: Rising insurance costs burdening New Yorkers and small businesses

New York City Council · Aug 13, 2026 · starts 0:19:20 · 1 min 26 sec

Speaker Menin details rising insurance costs: homeowners insurance up 26% annually, liability insurance up 10%, small businesses paying 4-5 times the national average, and auto insurance 52% higher than other states. She announces an investigation into insurance pricing.

Julie Menin

So whether or not you own a dog, one quality of life issue that affects all New Yorkers is, of course, affordability.

Julie Menin

And one factor driving this crisis is rising insurance costs, costs that are some of the highest in the country.

Julie Menin

Homeowners insurance in New York has been increasing by 26% annually.

Julie Menin

Liability insurance across all industries in New York has been increasing by 10% annually.

Julie Menin

If you're a small business in New York, you will be paying four to five times the national average on liability insurance.

Julie Menin

If you own a car in New York,

Julie Menin

Auto insurance for New Yorkers is around 52% higher than in other states.

Julie Menin

These costs pose enormous burdens on New Yorkers, but small businesses in particular.

Julie Menin

And for many small businesses are forced.

Julie Menin

to raise their prices or go out of business because of the high cost of insurance.

Julie Menin

It's no wonder that our city lost 8,000 businesses in the second quarter of 2025 alone.

Julie Menin

Our office will investigate why insurance prices are so high so that we can take steps to lower them.

Julie Menin

We'll engage insurers, stakeholders, and regulators so we know exactly what actions we need to take moving forward.

Julie Menin

We are determined to create a livable city.

Julie Menin

For all and that means an affordable city for all as well.