Are uninsured motorists still an issue on Michigan roads?

On Behalf of Holmes & Wiseley, P.C.

Car insurance in Michigan costs more than it does in many other states, in no small part because of no-fault insurance requirements. The high cost of the average insurance policy in Michigan led to a high number of people not carrying insurance as they should.

When uninsured drivers cause wrecks, they often leave other people with financial burdens, and such crashes have become a significant concern in Michigan. State lawmakers passed reform measures that changed no-fault insurance in Michigan to help reduce insurance costs and increase the number of people in compliance with state law.

Are uninsured motorists still a safety concern for those driving on Michigan roads?

Reform did not fully resolve the issue

Simply changing the no-fault coverage requirements didn’t necessarily improve insurance rates in Michigan. In fact, researchers have noted that insurance costs continue to increase in Michigan despite the reform efforts intended to reign in insurance costs and reduce the number of people without coverage.

There’s no certainty that the effort increased how many people carry coverage yet, either. When looking at data from 2019, before no-fault reform took effect, Michigan was one of the worst states in the country in terms of the number of uninsured motorists on the road. Roughly 25.5% of Michigan drivers didn’t have insurance in 2019. Although no-fault reform may have lowered that number somewhat, it may be many months before data from 2020 and beyond show any change.

What protects you after a crash with an uninsured driver?

If approximately one in four people in Michigan do not have insurance, the overall risk of a crash with an uninsured motorist is relatively high. Thankfully, your no-fault coverage will help you in the event of a collision caused by someone without proper insurance.

Michigan state laws also provide opportunities for civil lawsuits following car crashes caused by those without proper insurance. When it comes time to renew your policy, you may want to consider how many people in the state let their policies lapse when you decide how much coverage you want to carry for your own protection.

Adding more to your own insurance policy and knowing your rights after a crash will help you protect yourself after a motor vehicle collision.

Posted in Car Accidents | No Comments »