Chris Hellgeth, owner of Vi-Mac, said that rising litigation activity is contributing to higher auto and commercial insurance premiums and suggested that tort reforms are necessary to address affordability. The statement was made on the social media platform X.
“Lawsuits are out of control,” said Hellgeth. “We need tort reform. It’s causing auto and commercial rates to explode.”
Since 2023, several states have advanced tort reform measures aimed at reducing lawsuit costs and improving insurance affordability. According to Milliman, Florida’s House Bill 837 limited bad-faith actions and attorney-fee multipliers, while Georgia and Iowa pursued similar controls on litigation costs. Early insurer filings in Florida indicate moderating auto and liability premiums, suggesting that these reforms are reducing claim severity and benefiting both businesses and drivers.
Nationwide, auto and commercial insurance premiums remain high but show signs of easing. As reported by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), the combined average U.S. auto premium rose by 14.4% in 2023 to $1,438. LexisNexis Risk Solutions data indicates that rate growth is slowing to +10% in 2024 after a surge of +15% in 2023, driven by rising repair costs, claim severity, and weather-related losses.
Comparative data suggests lower premium growth in states adopting tort reform measures. According to the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, the state’s top five auto insurers filed an average rate change of -6.5% for 2025 following HB 837. In contrast, non-reform states like Texas experienced continued hikes of 15% in 2024 as reported by the Houston Chronicle.
Hellgeth serves as director and co-owner of Vi-Mac, a Georgia-based petroleum logistics company. According to LinkedIn and industry interviews, he oversees operations supplying over 1,000 fuel stations across the Southeast with a focus on efficiency and safety in transport logistics; his public statements primarily address business management rather than legal policy.
