846-j. Legislative findings. Motor vehicle theft and motor vehicle insurance fraud is a major problem in this state costing honest motor vehicle policyholders billions of dollars annually. As the cost of motor vehicle insurance continues to rise, this essential coverage has become less affordable and more out of reach for many New Yorkers. Between nineteen hundred eighty-five and nineteen hundred ninety-two, New York has seen over a fifty percent increase in the number of motor vehicle thefts. Over one hundred sixty thousand motor vehicles are stolen annually in this state at a cost of over seven hundred million dollars. Between nineteen hundred eighty-six and nineteen hundred ninety-two, New York has also seen a one hundred sixty-six percent increase in the number of reported fraudulent claims; estimates have put the cost to policyholders for fraudulent activities at ten percent of premiums paid. The legislature acknowledges a direct relationship between the incidence of motor vehicle theft, motor vehicle insurance fraud and the cost of motor vehicle insurance premium rates. The legislature finds, therefor, that to reduce the overall cost of motor vehicle insurance in this state, measures must be enacted which specifically address the incidence of motor vehicle theft and motor vehicle insurance fraud. This legislation creates the motor vehicle theft and insurance fraud prevention demonstration program, the goals of which are as follows: to provide an integrated means to prevent, deter and reduce the incidence of motor vehicle theft and motor vehicle insurance fraud by developing and providing funding for demonstration programs which include education on motor vehicle theft and insurance fraud prevention, programs on motor vehicle theft and insurance fraud prevention and specialized law enforcement units to combat motor vehicle theft and insurance fraud.
Last modified: February 3, 2019