Attorney answers question on the serious consequences of driving without auto insurance in Michigan
I can’t stress how dangerous it is to drive a car without insurance. As an attorney who focuses his legal practice on helping people injured in car accident cases, I see a side to the insurance debate that many others do not. The potential legal penalties of driving without Michigan No Fault insurance might not be one of the most exciting topics at parties, but many people have no idea how important insurance is – until it is too late.
In Michigan, where I primarily practice law, there’s a huge problem in cities like Detroit. Car insurance rates in these cities are among the highest in the nation, so car insurance can be cost-prohibitive for many city residents. I also often hear from cash-strapped college students wondering how they can afford car insurance and what happens to them if they just skip it.
Let me share with you what happens from my own experience: The consequences are drastic and severe. Here’s a recent question I received from one of our student readers:
Q. “Steven, I am 20 years old and a full time college student. I drive a car valued at $5,000. My insurance premiums are almost $7,000 per year. I cannot afford car insurance. Therefore I have a few questions for you. Presuming I do not have automobile insurance, since I have medical coverage through my parents, will I be covered for any medical injuries sustained in a car accident regardless of who is at fault? Also, if I have Long Term Disability insurance, isn’t the No Fault PIP irrelevant? So the way I see it, by not carrying insurance I am foregoing mini-tort protection which is unnecessary for a $5,000 car, and I can’t sue for pain and suffering, however my LTD insurance will cover 60% of my work loss. The biggest risk is that I could be sued. But how many law suits are actually won against individuals who don’t carry car insurance? They can’t collect what I don’t have or won’t earn. Thoughts and insight will be greatly appreciated. THANK YOU! JMC”
A. Unfortunately, the penalties in Michigan for driving without insurance are huge. The owner of an uninsured vehicle involved in the accident is responsible for reimbursing any and all auto insurers that pay No-Fault benefits for the car accident, regardless of fault. That means even if the other driver causes the car accident, you have to pay back the other driver’s insurance company for what they pay out in No Fault PIP benefits to the at-fault driver who hit you! And, even worse, you are completely barred from bringing a lawsuit of your own to seek compensation for your injuries and pain and suffering from the car accident.
Failure to pay this money back will result in suspension of your license and potentially having to file bankruptcy to avoid such a suspension.
I answered this question in greater detail in my blog post, “Top 9 dangers of driving uninsured in Michigan.”
Related information:
Are you an out-of-state student in a Michigan college? Beware of this insurance trap!
