No-Fault “reform” takes away drivers’ vital medical protections without doing anything to save them money on auto insurance
I was recently quoted as a Michigan insurance attorney source on a story in DBusiness Magazine. This story was about auto insurance company abuse tactics and how injured people are often taken advantage of after auto accidents. Here’s a blog I wrote about the insurance abuse story.
I want to share a letter I wrote to the editor of DBusiness after the story. My letter is about HB 4936, an insurance No-Fault “reform” bill that will ravage the rights of Michigan citizens:
I was honored to be included in DBusiness’s November story, “Delay, deny, defend,” which addressed many of the serious problems plaguing Michigan’s No-Fault system.
With regard to the hot button issue of No-Fault “reform,” it must be emphasized that the bills being considered right now by Michigan lawmakers are horrendously anti-consumer.
They strip drivers’ of their right to vital, life-altering medical benefits after a car crash. But the bills will do nothing to save Michigan drivers money on their auto insurance.
The lack of savings for consumers is now so obvious and undeniable that Michigan’s auto insurance companies have finally stopped misleading the public about it in their “guest writer” pieces and letters to the editor.
Sadly, with Republicans controlling all three branches of Michigan government, there is little or no chance of cost savings for Michigan drivers now or any time in the near future. The bills will increase profits for Michigan insurance companies (already the nation’s highest) by taking away important No-Fault benefits from the rest of us.
Until Michigan law is changed to allow meaningful regulation of auto insurance prices – and especially profits – to ensure reasonableness, expect little change. Systemic abuse such as the cut-off doctor IME industry will continue and continue to worsen until lawmakers have the courage to strengthen Michigan’s Consumer Protection Act and to allow bad faith and punitive damages. Michigan drivers will continue to be at the mercy of Michigan’s exceedingly profitable and increasingly unaccountable auto insurance companies.
– Steve Gursten is one of the nation’s top insurance lawyers. He is head of Michigan Auto Law and president of the Motor Vehicle Trial Lawyers Association. Steve has received the highest verdict in the state for a car accident or truck accident victim in 2008, 2009 and 2010, according to Michigan Lawyers Weekly. He frequently writes about No-Fault insurance and insurance company abuse, and is available for comment.
Related information to protect yourselves:
Your Michigan No-Fault insurance benefits
Help save Michigan No-Fault: Write your representatives
Michigan’s 6 worst insurance companies
Michigan Auto Law is the largest law firm exclusively handling car accident, truck accident and motorcycle accident cases throughout the entire state. We have offices in Farmington Hills, Detroit, Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids and Sterling Heights to better serve you. Call (248) 353-7575 for a free consultation with one of our insurance lawyers.
