John King, Georgia's Insurance Commissioner, said that high insurance costs are forcing small trucking businesses out of the market, effectively granting large, multi-state carriers a monopoly. He made this statement during a Senate committee hearing on February 10.
"A young veteran trying to start a trucking company had to pay $17,000 to get insurance for one truck," said King, Insurance and Fire Safety Commissioner. "You tell me what veteran, coming out of the military, can afford $17,000 for one truck. So what's happening is that the individual small businessman is being squeezed out. Large, multi-state carriers will have a monopoly in the transportation market."
On January 30, Commissioner King joined Governor Brian Kemp, Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, and Speaker Jon Burns to unveil the governor’s comprehensive tort reform package. The legislation aims to stabilize insurance costs, increase transparency, and prevent hostile foreign powers from exploiting legal proceedings. King emphasized that these reforms are crucial for protecting consumers and businesses across the state. The initiative is part of a broader effort to ensure Georgia remains a competitive and fair environment for businesses.
King makes his statement in a GA Senate committee hearing on Feb. 10
| X.com
According to Protecting American Consumers Together (PACT), a poll released on February 7, 2025, shows that 72% of Georgia voters believe lawsuit abuse contributes to rising costs of goods and services. This sentiment is shared across party lines with Republicans at 88%, Independents at 64%, and Democrats at 62%. The survey by Public Opinion Strategies also found that 85% of voters think it is important for the Legislature to address lawsuit abuse to eliminate hidden taxes on consumers. Furthermore, 82% of individuals who have used personal injury lawyers support reforms to the current system.
A study by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Legal Reform released on January 24 indicates that rising tort costs in Georgia are placing an increasing financial burden on households. In 2022, the state's tort costs reached nearly $20 billion, averaging over $2,000 per household. These expenses arise from civil litigation, claim compensation, and administrative costs affecting both businesses and consumers.
According to InsuranceRateReporter.com on February 18, a survey by the American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA) and Munich Re US found that plaintiff lawyer tactics such as third-party litigation funding (TPLF) and jury anchoring contribute significantly to rising insurance costs. The survey estimates a $529 billion impact on the U.S. economy due to these practices. It also reveals that while 69% of Americans believe these practices increase insurance premiums and 86% support legal reforms to address them, many remain unaware of these tactics—75% are unfamiliar with jury anchoring and 70% do not recognize TPLF.
John F. King was sworn in as Georgia’s Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner on July 1, 2019, becoming the state’s first Hispanic statewide official. He was elected to a full term in 2022 after a distinguished career in law enforcement including serving as Chief of Police in Doraville. King's background in public safety continues to influence his work in protecting Georgia’s consumers and businesses.