(DeWitt, New York, Jan. 23, 2014) — Andrew Kaufman, chair of the board of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of New York, issued the following statement today. The statement is in response to proposals for fighting no-fault insurance fraud in the proposed New York State budget. Gov. Andrew Cuomo unveiled the budget Jan. 21.

“The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of New York applauds Gov. Cuomo for making no-fault insurance reform part of his proposed New York State budget for 2014-15. A small minority of criminals has for too long abused New York’s no-fault insurance system for personal financial gain. Their gain has come at the cost of millions of dollars in unnecessarily high premiums for the state’s vehicle owners. We strongly support tough measures to reduce what is essentially a fraud tax on law-abiding New Yorkers.”

"IIABNY and its partners in the New York First Auto coalition have been consistent voices over the years in support of steps to fight against no-fault insurance fraud. We stand ready and willing to help the governor and the members of the New York State Legislature in that effort.”