What Are The Minimum Car Insurance Requirements in Michigan?
Reader’s Question:
I will be moving to Michigan soon and am planning to buy a car there. What are the minimum insurance requirements in that state?
Patricia
Ann Arbor, MI
Car insurance coverage is mandatory in all states, and Michigan is not an exception. This state adopted the no-fault law. This essentially means that in the event of an untoward car accident, regardless of whose fault it was, the individuals involved will be assisted by his or her own car insurance company when it comes to paying for medical care if bodily injuries were sustained.
This is the reason Michigan obligates its motorists to carry Personal Injury Protection insurance. This coverage not only assists in medical expenses but also for loss of wages, or if needed, funeral expenses following an accident. PIP coverage may also extend to other passengers in the vehicle unless otherwise stated in the car insurance policy. If a driver has good health insurance coverage, then he or she can decide to obtain only the minimum PIP coverage.
Liability policy is another requirement in Michigan. This covers for medical and repairs cost following an accident caused by the insured. A minimum of $20,000 is allotted for medical care for one passenger, and up to a total of $40,000 for all the passengers’ treatment of bodily injuries. Meanwhile, an amount up to $10,000 will be available to assist in costs incurred for repairs to public property and/or the victim’s vehicle. Any amount remaining will be shouldered by the insured if his minimum liability has been used up.
How To Make an Auto Insurance Claim in Michigan
Reader’s Question:
What should I do in case my car gets damaged in an accident? Are there any things to remember when making vehicle insurance claims Michigan?
Walt
Ann Arbor, MI
Remember that you have to immediately document your vehicle insurance claim the moment that your vehicle gets damaged resulting from a covered event. Immediately contact your insurance firm and inform them of what happened to your insured vehicle. Get the name of the personnel who has been assigned to your claim, take note of his contact details and your claim number.
Take pictures of the vehicle, particularly on the area which was damaged. If you can take a video of the damage, that would be better. Keep all the receipts and documents attesting to cost estimates of repairs. Likewise, gather all the documents that your insurance company sent you in the past. Keep all forms of communication with your insurer.
It also helps if you have a witness of the accident so that you can expedite the vehicle insurance claims Michigan. Record his or her contact information and record a statement from your witness.
In short, keep everything documented. The more documents and papers you have to back claim, the better chances you have of getting vehicle insurance claims Michigan.
Getting Female Car Insurance Quotes in Michigan
Reader’s Question:
I have been getting very high priced insurance quotes here in Michigan from multiple companies online and offline. What should I do so that insurance companies will give me lower car insurance quotes? Should I get a lower rate because I am a female? Do they offer discounts for that?
Geraldine
Detroit, MI
Car insurance companies may be giving you pretty high insurance quotes due to several things. First, you may have a car with a big engine. Having such can affect your car female insurance quote Michigan because car insurance companies regard cars with big engines as a high risk vehicle. When you have a car with a big engine, it means you are at risk of driving fast which can result to you being involved in a car collision. Be content with a smaller car instead because this is less likely to be involved in a car accident.
You should also install security devices on your vehicle so that you can get a lower
car female insurance quote Michigan. Security devices like immobilizers, alarm and brake systems will make your car a low risk vehicle to most vehicle insurers.
Clean up your credit standing and show an impressive credit record. Pay your bills on time so that your credit standing will improve. Insurers like to give discounts to car owners who have good credit ratings since it assures them that these owners will pay their premiums on time.
I Got In an Accident and Now Have To File an Auto Insurance Claim?
Reader’s Question:
I got involved in an accident , I got rear ended and I just felt the pain in my neck and back a week later. Can I still make a car insurance claim for this in Pontiac, Michigan?
Al
Pontiac, MI
Generally, if there are injuries associated with car accident was just discovered days or weeks after the incident you can still make a car insurance claim for them. Typically you will have to get proof that the back or neck pain was caused by the car accident in that you got involved in. Usually this is done with a medical diagnosis from a doctor.
With the no fault laws in Pontiac, Michigan these injuries typically would be reported and claimed through your own car insurance company, even though it was not your fault in this accident since you were rear-ended. In Michigan normally your insurance provider will pay for all necessary medical bills and the insurance claim must be made within a year from the date of the accident.
You may contact your insurance provider or the other driver’s insurance company if you are feeling back and neck pain so they may be aware of your injuries and also get medical attention.
Should I Add My Teenager To My Auto Insurance Policy in Michigan?
Reader’s Question:
My legal aged son has moved out of my house in Battle Creek, MI to live over at the apartment of his friend’s parents. The thing is, he hasn’t changed the address on his driver’s license and he’s currently driving their car. Another thing that’s been bothering me is he wants to buy a car and wants to insure it using my name. Any information regarding my situation would be greatly appreciated.
Mary
Battle Creek, MI
Insuring vehicles that belong to other people are allowed by some car insurance companies even if you have no “insurable interest” in it. However, I’ve never heard of any car insurance company that allows people to insure vehicles from more than one household. If a vehicle owner decides to move elsewhere with his car, like your son, moving out of Battle Creek MI, chances are, the car insurance company will not cover the vehicle’s insurance. As for your other inquiry, if your son is going to drive for his friend’s parents , they should list him as driver on their car insurance policy for them not to have the risk of getting denied car insurance services if ever he gets involved in a car accident.
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.
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