Is Michigan a no-fault state for auto accidents?

Asked by: Brayan Friesen  |  Last update: February 11, 2022
Score: 4.3/5 (62 votes)

NO-FAULT INSURANCE is required by law in Michigan. ... It is against the law to drive or let your car be driven without no-fault insurance. If you have an auto accident, no-fault insurance pays for your medical expenses, wage loss benefits, replacement services, and the damage you do to other people's property.

Who pays for an accident in Michigan?

A claimant pays the deductible. Broad Collision Coverage—An insurance company pays for the repairs, regardless of who was at fault. A claimant who is more than 50 percent at fault pays a deductible, but a claimant with less than 50 percent fault does not.

Is Michigan no-fault insurance going away?

Today, Michigan drivers are required by law to have a no-fault automobile insurance policy that includes Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits. ... On July 2, 2020, many changes to the existing no-fault auto insurance law will take effect, including giving Michigan drivers a choice in their level of PIP coverage.

Can you be sued in a no-fault state Michigan?

Michigan's no-fault insurance protects insured persons from being sued as the result of an automobile accident, except in certain situations. This includes when the injured party does not have enough coverage to pay for treatment or payment must be made to compensate someone that was killed or seriously injured.

Can you sue a driver in Michigan for an accident?

A driver who is injured in a car accident in Michigan can bring a lawsuit to sue the at-fault driver for pain and suffering compensation – as an injured driver can do in all other states – but in Michigan the injured driver must first be able to show that he or she has suffered a “serious impairment of body function.”

What Happens In A No-Fault Accident In Michigan? | Michigan Auto Law

33 related questions found

What is the average payout for whiplash?

Average whiplash settlement amounts may range from:

$10,000 to $100,000 for minor neck and back injuries. $1 million to $5 million or more for life-altering whiplash injuries or permanent disability.

What if someone hits my car in Michigan?

If someone hit your parked car in Michigan you need to call the police to report the accident and document the damage to your vehicle. If possible, get the at-fault driver's name, address, e-mail, phone and auto insurance information.

Do insurance rates go up after no-fault accident in Michigan?

Do insurance rates go up after a No-Fault accident in Michigan? Unfortunately, however, there is nothing in the Insurance Code that prevents your auto insurance company from increasing your rates for a crash where YOU WERE NOT AT-FAULT.

Is Michigan a no-fault state 2021?

Michigan has No-Fault insurance because the tort liability system that preceded it was hurting car accident victims, not helping them.

Who benefits from no-fault insurance?

Your no fault auto insurance is also known as personal injury protection (PIP) coverage and helps pay the costs of medical expenses for you and your passengers after a car accident. These benefits apply to anyone in your vehicle, regardless of who is at fault for the collision.

Is Michigan the only state with no-fault insurance?

Which states are no-fault states? In the United States, there are 12 no-fault states, including Florida, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Hawaii, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Dakota and Utah.

Is Pip still required in Michigan?

PIP is required in Michigan. Also referred to as “personal protection insurance” or “personal injury protection” insurance, PIP is one of the mandatory auto insurance coverages under the No-Fault law. Anyone who drives regularly in Michigan must have it.

How much will Michigan car insurance go down?

In 2020, Michigan's car insurance rates dropped 18% statewide and 19% in Detroit from the previous year. But compared to the rest of the U.S., Michigan drivers still pay a lot more to insure their cars. The nationwide average annual premium in 2021 was $1,529.

What happens if an accident is not your fault?

If you weren't at fault in an accident, you also have the choice to file a claim with the other driver's insurance company, called a third-party claim. In a third-party claim, the other insurance company will pay for your car repairs once it determines their driver was at at-fault.

Who pays for medical bills in a car accident in Michigan?

If someone gets injured in a motor vehicle accident, the victim's health insurance company should pay first, then the auto insurance company follows afterwards by paying the remaining balance. This happens when citizens have excess medical benefits on their auto insurance policies in Michigan.

How do no-fault states work?

No-fault state means that drivers are responsible for their own medical expenses in the event of an accident regardless of who causes the collision. In most no-fault states, drivers are required to use personal injury protection (PIP) insurance to cover their own medical bills and related expenses.

How long has Michigan been a no-fault state?

Overview of No-Fault Changes in Michigan

Since 1973, most drivers in Michigan only had the option to purchase unlimited no-fault coverage. Under the changed law, Michigan drivers now have the choice of one of the following: Unlimited personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. PIP coverage limited to $500,000.

What PIP coverage do I need in Michigan?

Drivers in Michigan are usually required to have at least $250,000 of PIP coverage for medical expenses, though there are some exceptions for drivers with Medicare or Medicaid.

What is the new auto law in Michigan?

Governor Whitmer signed historic bipartisan auto no-fault legislation to lower costs, maintain the highest coverage options in the country, and strengthen consumer protections. Changes apply to policies issued or renewed after July 1, 2020.

How does no-fault insurance work in Michigan?

NO-FAULT INSURANCE is required by law in Michigan. ... If you have an auto accident, no-fault insurance pays for your medical expenses, wage loss benefits, replacement services, and the damage you do to other people's property. It does not matter who caused the accident.

Do non fault claims affect premium?

Regardless of whose fault it was, making a claim will almost always lead to an increase in your car insurance premium. Luckily, a non-fault claim won't affect it as much as an at-fault claim will. Even if you don't make a claim after an accident, you could still see an increase in your insurance premium.

Is Michigan a tort state?

What Happens to Out-Of-State Drivers Involved in Michigan Accidents? With the changes to Michigan's Auto No-Fault Law, an out-of-state resident's only legal remedy is now through tort law. This means that any recovery must be brought through a lawsuit against the driver responsible for the collision.

What happens after a car accident not your fault in Michigan?

Seek medical attention right away and make sure to document all of your injuries and where you feel pain. File a police report. Contact your insurance company and file an Application for Benefits. Talk with an experienced car accident lawyer.

What is considered a serious car accident?

The Differences Between Minor and Serious Car Accidents

Although there is no clear definition of what qualifies as a serious or a minor car crash, a good indicator that a person has been in a serious accident is if he or she suffers from the effects of an injury for weeks, months, or even years after the crash.

Do you need to call the police for a fender bender Michigan?

Michigan is a no-fault insurance state, which simply means that parties involved in a car accident are entitled to benefits from their own auto insurance companies no matter who caused the accident. However, you must still call the police when there is a serious accident, and an accident report will need to be made.