In an effort to clamp down on automobile-insurance fraud, the state Senate is expected this week to pass a bill to increase penalties for people who help to stage fake accidents.

But that’s as far as the effort may go. The Senate has passed similar bills for the past few years, as auto-insurance fraud has grown into a billion-dollar problem for insurance companies and their policyholders, and New York has retained its position as one of the most expensive states in which to insure cars and trucks.

There is no indication the measure will gain traction in the Democrat-led Assembly, where it has never been allowed on the floor for a vote.