Voters Across Party Lines Say Cost of Living Is Rising — Strong Majorities Back Reforms to Address Lawsuit Costs and Lower Premiums

Washington, D.C. – A new survey of 1,500 voters in New York’s 4th, 17th, and 18th Congressional Districts finds overwhelming bipartisan concern about rising costs — and broad support for proposals to reform the cost of lawsuits, settlements, and related legal fees to reduce auto insurance premiums.

The poll, conducted by Impact Research from February 9–17, 2026, among likely voters in three of the state’s most competitive congressional districts, shows voters are deeply frustrated by rising costs of living and strongly support reforms aimed at lowering insurance expenses.

“New Yorkers are frustrated with high costs, and believe that lawsuit abuse is part of the problem,” said Jeff Liszt, Partner at Impact Research. “Across party lines, there is strong support for liability reforms that will lower auto insurance rates.”

“Voters in these critical swing districts are sending a very clear message: the cost of living is too high, auto insurance premiums keep rising, and families want solutions that address fraud and excessive legal costs driving those increases,” said Lauren Zelt, Executive Director of Protecting American Consumers Together (PACT). “This research shows broad bipartisan agreement that reforms focused on protecting consumers and lowering premiums are important to New Yorkers.”

A copy of the polling memo can be read here. A copy of the poll can be found here. 

Voters Say Cost of Living Is Rising — And Albany Is Falling Short

• 78% say their cost of living has gone up in the past year. 
• Just 29% give the State Legislature a positive job rating on holding down the cost of living. 
• 69% say their auto insurance premiums have gone up in the past year.

Voters also connect lawsuit abuse to higher costs:

• 76% agree that lawsuit abuse drives up the cost of goods and services for New York families. 
• 95% say they are bothered that New Yorkers pay roughly $4,000 per year for car insurance — about $1,500 more than the national average.

Broad Bipartisan Support for Reform

The survey finds strong, cross-party backing for proposals to reform lawsuit costs in order to reduce auto insurance premiums:

• 74% support proposals to reform the cost of lawsuits, settlements, and related legal fees to reduce auto insurance costs, while just 5% oppose. 
• Support includes 77% of Republicans, 75% of Independents, and 72% of Democrats. 
• 84% say it is important that the Legislature stop lawsuit abuse and fraud in auto accidents.
• 89% say it is important to pass new consumer protections to lower auto insurance rates.

The poll was conducted in NY-04, NY-17, and NY-18. Across geography, party affiliation, race, and age groups, at least two-thirds of voters support reform measures.

Additionally, 81% of voters say they would be more likely to support a legislator who voted for lawsuit reforms and consumer protections to lower auto insurance rates, including strong majorities of Republicans (83%), Democrats (83%), and Independents (78%). 

The survey was conducted by Impact Research from February 9–17, 2026, among 1,500 voters in New York’s 4th, 17th, and 18th Congressional Districts. The margin of error is ±2.5% for the full sample.

###