18 Jul Attention Service-Based Businesses: Is your insurance rate going up 20% every year?
How to Avoid the Commercial Auto Insurance Rate Increase in NY
If your business relies on commercial vehicles, whether you’re delivering seafood, installing HVAC units, or running a mobile service, you need to be aware of a critical update that could impact your coverage options.
What’s Changing with Commercial Auto Insurance in NY?
All major insurance providers are increasing their rates by 15% to 20% annually. Some insurance companies will no longer be issuing new commercial auto policies in New York counties. This means if your business is expanding, adding new vehicles, or just getting started, you may face roadblocks securing the coverage you need.
Which New York Counties Are Most Affected?
The following counties are affected:
- Albany County
- Allegany County
- Bronx County
- Broome County
- Cattaraugus County
- Cayuga County
- Chautauqua County
- Chemung County
- Chenango County
- Clinton County
- Columbia County
- Cortland County
- Delaware County
- Dutchess County
- Erie County
- Essex County
- Franklin County
- Fulton County
- Genesee County
- Greene County
- Hamilton County
- Herkimer County
- Jefferson County
- Kings County
- Lewis County
- Livingston County
- Madison County
- Monroe County
- Montgomery County
- Nassau County
- New York County
- Niagara County
- Oneida County
- Onondaga County
- Ontario County
- Orange County
- Orleans County
- Oswego County
- Otsego County
- Putnam County
- Queens County
- Rensselaer County
- Richmond County
- Rockland County
- St. Lawrence County
- Saratoga County
- Schenectady County
- Schoharie County
- Schuyler County
- Seneca County
- Steuben County
- Suffolk County
- Sullivan County
- Tioga County
- Tompkins County
- Ulster County
- Warren County
- Washington County
- Wayne County
- Westchester County
- Wyoming County
- Yates County
Which Businesses Are Impacted the Most?
If your business runs on wheels, you may be directly affected. These policy restrictions hit hardest for industries that rely heavily on commercial vehicles to deliver services across New York counties, like the following:
- HVAC & Plumbing Professionals – Teams who need vans and trucks to transport equipment and respond to urgent service calls.
- Meat, Fish & Perishable Goods Distributors – Businesses managing temperature-sensitive deliveries across the Tri-state area.
- Security & Surveillance Installers – Technicians traveling daily to install or service security systems at homes and commercial properties.
- Contractors, Electricians & Tradespeople – Independent workers and firms that transport tools, materials, and machinery from site to site.
- Commercial Cleaners & Janitorial Crews – Companies running multiple vehicles to service offices, buildings, and homes.
- Mobile Service Providers – From auto mechanics to mobile pet groomers, any business that comes to the customer depends on reliable coverage.
Why Is This Happening?
While no official reason has been made public, this type of restriction is often tied to increased accident rates, higher claim costs, or shifts in underwriting strategies to manage financial risk, especially in densely populated and high-traffic areas like NYC and its surrounding counties.
How to Protect Your Business from Rising Insurance Rates
If your company operates or plans to operate commercial vehicles in one of these counties, here’s how to stay protected:
Partner with a broker who has options – At Colstan, we’re not tied to one carrier. We work with multiple providers to ensure you still get quality coverage, even as restrictions tighten.
Review your coverage timeline – If you have a policy in place, renewals will be increasing significantly, so you should plan ahead
Why Work with Colstan?
Navigating insurance changes like this isn’t easy, but you don’t have to do it alone.
At Colstan, we specialize in helping New York-based service businesses stay protected, compliant, and ahead of the curve. Whether you’re a growing HVAC business or a multi-vehicle delivery operation, we understand your needs and fight to get you the right coverage.
We know these industries. We know these roads. And most importantly, we know how to protect what keeps your business moving.
We partner with multiple insurers to offer flexible options.
We know the local market inside out.
We customize coverage for your industry.
We offer quick, no-pressure consultations.
If you’re out of NY and want to check your coverage, we serve 23+ states, including:
Alabama
Arkansas
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Michigan
Minnesota
New Hampshire
New Jersey
Ohio
New York
North Carolina
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Vermont
Virginia
Call for a free consultation with a Colstan agent today, and let’s make sure your fleet and your future stay protected.