I Am Looking for a Cheap Auto Insurance Rate in Michigan
Reader’s Question:
I am planning to move to Michigan from Arizona and I would like to know if my car insurance will be cheaper in Grand Rapids, Michigan?
Harold
Grand Rapids, MI
Auto insurance coverages are different in Arizona and Michigan. Lets start with the state of Arizona.
Arizona law requires that all automobiles driven in roadways needs to be covered with liability insurance with an insurance carrier licensed to do business in the state of Arizona. The minimum liability insurance in the state of Arizona is 15/30/10 and this means $15,000 for bodily injury liability per person up to $30,000 per accident and $10,000 for property damage liability.
In the state of Michigan, the car insurance coverage that needs to be purchased are Personal Injury Protection (PIP), Property Protection (PPI) and Residual Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability Insurance (BI/PD). The Residual bodily injury and property damage liability (BI/PD) pays if you are found at fault, for any damages caused by a car accident up to the limits of your car insurance policy.
In Michigan, the minimum liability limits that needs to be purchased is 20/40/10. This coverage means $20,000 per person up to $40,000 per accident and $10,000 for property damage liability. You have the option to purchase Residual bodily injury and property damage liability (BI/PD) for additional coverage.
It will still depend on different factors whether your car insurance rate is cheaper in Grand Rapids, Michigan than in Arizona. You can get car insurance quote here to have an idea what your car insurance rate will be when you move to Grand Rapids, Michigan. Good luck!
Car Accident Without A Drivers License in Michigan
Reader’s Question:
I was a passenger involved in a car accident. I do not have a driver’s license nor own a car so I don’t have insurance and am curious to know who pays my lost wages as well as my outrageous medical expenses?
Jerry
Livonia, MI
I’m sorry to hear about your accident Gerry. To figure out what insurance company is responsible for your medical expenses and lost wages will depend on what state you reside and the type of insurance they require motorists to carry. The main differences depends if your state is a no-fault state or not. Personal Injury Protection (PIP) is generally used in a no-fault state for a situation like this.
Since you live in Michigan, which is a no-fault state, if you are injured as a passenger in a car crash typically your own car insurance would pay your benefits. But in a situation like yours where you do not have car insurance you would collect the benefits from the insurance company that covered any vehicle owned by a relative that you live with. If you did not have coverage that way either, then you would have to collect from the insurance company covering the car or driver in which you were riding.
Since you are in a state without no-fault laws you typically would be able to put your injury claims through the at-fault person’s bodily injury liability policy. If you want to find out your state’s insurance laws, you can contact your state’s insurance regulatory body.
What Is The Minimum Car Insurance Requirement in Michigan?
Reader’s Question:
Is there any state by state minimum car insurance requirements? I live in Michigan.
Ruth
Battle Creek, MI
Yes there are, Ruth.
You need to understand that every state requires all drivers to carry a minimum amount of liability insurance on their cars. Such minimums are usually expressed in 3-part numbers. Say, in Michigan, that’s 20/40/10. The first two numbers, 20 and 40, normally refers to bodily injury liability insurance, the 1st number being the per person limit, while the 2nd as the per accident limit. The 3rd number is usually for property damage liability coverage. So based on Michigan law of 20/40/10, if you have a minimum insurance required, then you would normally have $20,000 for bodily injury coverage per person injured with $40,000 maximum per accident, and $10,000 as property damage liability insurance.
It may or may not be good to carry additional coverage as these are the only legal minimum requirements. Although, carrying more is also a good idea. Be aware though that these minimums will only cover damage to other motorists 3rd party property and not for your own. You have to get comprehensive coverage for your own coverage like medical, collision, and other-than-collision coverage.
With regard to state minimums, Alaska and Maine are the ones which have highest at 50/100 and at least $25,000 for property damage while Mississippi has the lowest minimums of 10/20/5.
Auto Insurance in Michigan For SR22
Reader question:
I am supposed to get SR22 auto insurance. I’m not used to having insurance…which is kind of what got me into this mess in the first place, getting caught driving uninsured and stuff. So I guess I need to know more like…what insurance do I ask for?
Dillan
Detroit Michigan
Thanks for asking, Dillan.
SR22 auto insurance is no fault insurance, which makes it a little more complicated than the rest, but still not too difficult for a (belated) newcomer to understand. There are four types of no fault insurance: property damage liability, bodily injury liability, personal injury protection, and property protection. The first two cover any injuries or physical damages to the person in the other car or their property, while the second two are all about you. All are mandatory.
Personal injury protection is excellent in that, not only does it cover your medical bills, but it also pays you for any wages you lose while you are injured. As for property protection, its coverage limit is extremely high–one million dollars. Problem is that it only works in Michigan, so if you’re going to take your SR22 coverage out of state, you might need a plan B.
Cheers,
Fashun Guadarrama.
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