Michigan drivers will need to choose among several medical coverage options after the new auto insurance law goes into effect after July 1.
With these changes in mind, the Michigan Health & Hospital Association launched a new public education campaign, “Big Changes Ahead” and website, DriveProtected.org, to help motorists prepare and then make a decision that works for them.
The association, which advocates for health care providers, urges caution when choosing personal injury protections.
“We have seen people when they are severely injured,” said Ruthanne Sudderth, senior vice president of public affairs and communications for MHA. “We want them to weigh the savings versus the risks. If you can afford it, we want people to buy unlimited.”
There were nearly 313,000 crashes in 2018, according to MHA data.
“Our focus is getting people to ask the right questions and shop around,” Sudderth added.
Personal injury protection changes
Michigan drivers for the first time will have the option to choose lower levels of medical coverage when buying or renewing their policies rather than only having lifetime coverage as their option.
Opting for less than full coverage can result in high out-of-pocket medical costs down the road if injured in a car crash, according to MHA.
The PIP options under the new law, with some exceptions and exclusions, are:
- Unlimited medical coverage per person per accident.
- Up to $500,000 in medical coverage per person per accident.
- Up to $250,000 in medical coverage per person per accident.
- Up to $250,000 in medical coverage per person per accident with exclusions (under certain conditions).
- Up to $50,000 in coverage per person per accident (under certain conditions).
- PIP opt-out (under certain conditions).
About the public education campaign
MHA launched the public education campaign after research found the state’s 7.2 million licensed drivers are largely unfamiliar with the new auto no-fault law.
Escalent, a southeast Michigan research company, found only 12% of insured motorists are “very familiar” and 35% are “a little familiar” with the new law while 53% have just “heard of it” or are “not at all familiar.”
The company also found that 38% of insured Michigan motorists and 52% of those who have no auto insurance either have been in a serious car crash or know someone who has been in a serious crash.
The public education campaign includes radio, billboard, and social media paid ads across Michigan, earned media activities and the DriveProtected.org website, where consumers can find answers to their questions about the new auto no-fault insurance law.
“Roughly four out of every 10 Michigan motorists have been in a serious crash or know someone who has,” Brian Peters, chief executive officer of MHA, said in a statement. “Drivers who purchase less medical coverage may see some initial savings in their auto insurance premiums, but they need to understand the potential risk they’re taking if they are injured in a car accident.”
Contact LSJ reporter Kristan Obeng at KObeng@lsj.com or 517-267-1344. Follow her on Twitter @KrissyObeng.
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Michigan's new no-fault auto insurance law is nearly here. Are you prepared? - Lansing State Journal
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