Uber-backed group airs pro-Hochul ads after getting insurance overhaul

ALBANY — An Uber-backed political action committee spent millions over the past six months in a successful push to overhaul the state’s auto insurance laws.

Now it’s giving Gov. Kathy Hochul a seven-figure thank you gift.

Citizens for Affordable Rates has spent more than $1.5 million on direct mailers and television ads, thanking Hochul and state legislators for the changes that passed in the state’s 2026-27 budget.

On Monday, the group launched a 30-second ad that will play in media markets across the state for the next two weeks, including during the NBA Finals.

The voice-over in the ad directly credits Hochul for the changes, which will likely save Uber millions. A spokesman for the company previously told Newsday that up to 27% of a ride’s fee is tied to insurance costs.

"When New Yorkers open their future car insurance bills, they’re going to discover something truly remarkable. Many of them are going to be ... lower. Thanks to Gov. Hochul," the ad says.

The nonprofit Citizens Budget Commission estimates the state’s changes to auto insurance laws could shrink premiums as much as 10%, saving at least $200 per individual annually,

A spokesman for Citizens for Affordable Rates said the ads were developed after Hochul announced an agreement with state lawmakers on auto insurance reforms and were not part any discussion with the governor's office to encourage her support on the issue.

"CAR has been advocating for lower insurance costs for New York drivers for over a year. When major progress finally happens, it's important to educate the public and acknowledge the policymakers who made it a reality," The spokesman said in a statement.

The governor’s office had previously accidentally sent talking points to reporters that had been written by CAR.

Hochul’s campaign declined to comment for this story.

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, the Republican nominee for governor, criticized both Hochul and Uber in a statement.

"Corporate cash won’t cover up Kathy Hochul’s affordability failures, and it won’t erase Uber’s record of silencing sexual assault survivors," Blakeman said. "Uber bought Kathy Hochul with millions in political donations, but they can’t buy off New Yorkers. We hold the real receipts of Hochul’s record: $8 billion in tax hikes, 48 utility increases, and 21 toll and fare hikes."

Hochul made auto insurance reforms one of the biggest policy changes she championed during the state budget process.

The reforms include strengthening penalties against fraudsters and tightening the legal definition of a "serious injury." Insurers were also banned from using ZIP codes, occupation, education level or homeownership as primary rating factors.

The legislation also caps damages for drivers who were involved in criminal behavior at the time of an accident, such as drunk drivers and people driving without insurance.

Uber spent more than $9 million to fund CAR as part of its push for changes, similar to steps it has taken in other states such as Louisiana and Florida to change auto insurance laws.

An Uber spokesman did not respond to an inquiry on whether Uber-funded groups in other states had also created "thank you" ads.