Michigan requires a minimum of $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident for bodily injury liability insurance.
In Michigan, you can choose to purchase full coverage auto insurance, which includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage. This type of insurance provides more comprehensive protection for your vehicle and financial well-being.
Liability insurance covers damages to other people or property in an accident, but it doesn't cover damages to your own vehicle. This is why purchasing full coverage is often a good idea, especially if you have a newer or more expensive car.
Full coverage auto insurance typically includes a deductible, which is the amount you pay out-of-pocket for repairs or replacements. In Michigan, the deductible for collision and comprehensive coverage can range from $100 to $1,000.
Types of Coverage
Michigan requires four types of car insurance coverage for full coverage liability auto: Personal Injury Protection (PIP), Property Protection Insurance (PPI), Residual Bodily Injury Liability (BI), and Property Damage (PD). PIP provides reimbursement for medical expenses and lost wages in the event of an auto accident.
There are also optional coverages like collision and comprehensive coverage, which cover damages to your vehicle beyond accidents, such as natural disasters, vandalism, and motor vehicle theft. If you can't afford the recommended liability limits, get as much insurance as you can afford.
Here are the recommended liability limits in Michigan:
More Coverages
If you're looking to add extra protection to your Michigan car insurance policy, there are a few options to consider. You can add uninsured motorist coverage to protect yourself in case of an accident with someone who doesn't have insurance.
Collision coverage is also a good idea, as it covers damages to your vehicle in the event of an accident that's your fault or if you hit a pothole. Comprehensive coverage, on the other hand, covers damages from natural disasters, vandalism, and theft.
Here are the recommended liability limits for your Michigan car insurance policy:
If you can't afford these limits, get as much insurance as you can, even if it means paying more in premiums. It's better to have more coverage later on, especially if you have a claim.
Total Loss Threshold
Most states have their own rules about what constitutes a total loss, so it's not always a straightforward calculation.
In Michigan, for example, a car is considered a total loss if repairs would cost more than 75 percent of its actual market value.
Each state has its own threshold, so it's essential to check your state's laws to understand the specific rules that apply to you.
A car with $10,000 worth of damages would be declared a total loss in Michigan, even if repairs cost less than $10,000, because it would exceed the 75 percent threshold.
Michigan Liability Auto
In Michigan, the minimum auto liability insurance requirement is 50/100/50, but experts recommend higher limits to protect your assets and financial security.
Many drivers in Michigan should consider buying liability auto insurance limits of 100/300/100 to ensure adequate protection.
Liability coverage only covers property damage and bodily injuries of others up to the limits of your policy, it does not protect your car or your body if you are injured.
If you're at fault in an accident and have only liability coverage, you'll be responsible for your own medical bills and vehicle repairs, and those for others beyond the limits of your policy.
In Michigan, you can protect your vehicle by getting additional types of auto insurance coverage, such as collision coverage, comprehensive coverage, personal injury protection (PIP), and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
Insurance Requirements
Michigan has some of the most complicated car insurance requirements in the nation, which may contribute to the state's high insurance costs. The minimum car insurance in Michigan is $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for bodily injury liability, and $1 million for property damage liability within Michigan or $10,000 for accidents that occur outside of Michigan.
For policies issued or renewed after July 1, 2020, the requirements changed. Personal injury protection (PIP) is now required, but the minimum limits change based on your and your resident relatives' current health insurance. If you are required to have PIP, the minimum limits are $50,000, $250,000, or no minimum at all.
The four mandatory types of car insurance coverage in Michigan are: Personal Injury Protection (PIP), Property Protection Insurance (PPI), Residual Bodily Injury Liability (BI), and Property Damage (PD). The minimum requirements for these coverages are: $1 million for PPI, $250,000 and $500,000 for BI, and $10,000 for PD outside of Michigan.
Minimum Requirements
Michigan has some of the most complicated car insurance requirements in the nation, which may contribute to the state's high insurance costs.
The minimum car insurance requirements in Michigan are quite specific. Bodily injury liability coverage is required, with a minimum of $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident.
To break it down further, here are the minimum requirements for each type of coverage:
It's worth noting that the requirements changed for policies issued or renewed after July 1, 2020. For example, Personal Injury Protection (PIP) now has different minimum limits depending on your existing health and auto coverage.
If you're required to buy PIP, the minimum limits will change based on you and your resident relatives' current health insurance.
Statutes of Limitations
Statutes of Limitations are crucial to keep in mind when dealing with insurance claims. If you have a personal injury or property damage claim, you must file it in three years, the statute of limitations for claims in Michigan.
Failing to meet the statute of limitations can result in a claim being denied or dismissed. This can be a costly mistake, so it's essential to understand the time frame for filing a claim.
In Michigan, the statute of limitations for claims is three years, which is a standard timeframe for many types of claims. This means that you have three years from the date of the incident to file a claim and seek compensation.
Cancellation and Nonrenewal Notifications
In Michigan, insurance companies are required to notify you before canceling or nonrenewing your policy. This means you'll have some time to get a new policy before your old one expires.
Companies have different notification periods depending on the reason for cancellation. If they're canceling your policy due to fraud, misrepresentation, driver's license suspension, or driver's license revocation, they have 30 days to notify you.
If your policy is being canceled due to nonpayment, the company only needs to give you 10 days' notice. This is a shorter window, so be sure to stay on top of your payments to avoid losing coverage.
Nonrenewal notifications are a bit longer, with companies needing to give you 20 days' notice before your policy expires.
Here's a quick rundown of the notification periods for different reasons:
Make sure you get a new policy before your old one ends to avoid a lapse in coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is considered full coverage auto insurance in Michigan?
In Michigan, full coverage auto insurance includes collision and comprehensive coverage, providing additional protection beyond minimum liability coverage. This type of policy helps pay for damages from accidents and non-accident-related incidents.
What is the new law for car insurance in Michigan?
As of July 2, 2020, Michigan law requires drivers to carry bodily injury liability insurance with minimum coverage limits of $250,000 and $500,000. This new law aims to provide greater protection for individuals injured in car accidents.
Who pays for car damage in a no-fault state in Michigan?
In a no-fault state like Michigan, the other driver's insurance will pay for repairs to your car if you're hit while parked, but otherwise, collision and comprehensive coverage are responsible for damages. Check your policy to see which type of coverage applies to your situation.
Sources
- https://www.autoinsurance.com/states/michigan/
- https://www.michiganautolaw.com/buying-car-insurance/types-of-car-insurance/
- https://wallethub.com/answers/ci/what-is-full-coverage-insurance-in-michigan-1000149-2140705961/
- https://www.carinsurance.com/state/liability-insurance-in-michigan/
- https://www.goosehead.com/insurance-resources/what-is-full-coverage-auto-insurance/
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