MI Insurance Required and Extensive

Residents of the Wolverine State are well aware that if they own and operate an automobile the cost of ownership can be exorbitant. Aside from the normal ownership costs of vehicles including oil changes, tires, tune ups, gasoline, etc., Michigan’s motorists are also required by law to maintain the mandated auto insurance coverage set by the state. Unfortunately, the requirements are quite extensive and generally lead to high premiums for drivers. In fact, the average amount paid by consumers for automobile policies are among the highest in the nation and in a city such as Detroit, a motorist may be looking at an annual premium of over $4,000.

One of the major reasons that the cost of Michigan car insurance coverage can become very expensive is due to the fact that the state enforces one of, if not the most comprehensive No-Fault insurance systems in the United States to cover the expenses arising from traffic accidents. The majority of states follow the tort system and require motorists to purchase liability coverage to pay for bodily injuries and property damage that a policyholder may cause to a third party. MI mandates that this type of protection be maintained by motorists as well as purchasing policies that will cover the insured for their injuries in the event of an accident regardless of who is to be found at fault. This type of system is believed to be effective in ensuring that a person receives the compensation needed should they be injured and suffer losses in an auto collision.

As mentioned, policies must contain extensive coverage consisting of various types of protection. Motorists must carry Residual Liability to cover the bodily injury and/or property damage that they may cause to another person. The minimum limits required are $20,000 for bodily injuries to one person, $40,000 for bodily injuries to two or more people and $10,000 for property damage caused in another state. In addition, drivers must also obtain Property Protection with a limit of $1 million to pay for damages sustained to another person’s property. This will pay for damage caused to such items as poles, fences, buildings and legally parked vehicles.

The most extensive portion of a MI automobile policy is probably Personally Injury Protection (PIP). This covers injuries sustained by the insured and will pay all medical expenses incurred that result from a traffic accident regardless of who is at fault. Additionally, the policyholder will receive 85% of the income that they would have earned if they are unable to work following the incident for up to three years. The maximum amount that can be received by policyholders is $4,929 monthly and is adjusted each year; the last adjustment took place October 1, 2010. If the insured is killed in the accident then the benefits will be transferred to the household family members. Although the cost of coverage in the Wolverine state can be a bit costly it does come with its benefits. Residents may want to refer to the publication titled, Brief Explanation of Michigan No-Fault Insurance to get additional information regarding policies.

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Make Sure to Get Insurance Questions Answered

Aside from purchasing a home or vehicles, obtaining automobile coverage is one of the most important purchases made American motorists and not only from a legal aspect. Of course, abiding by the car insurance laws of an individual’s particular state in which they reside should be the first concern of a driver, getting the right type of coverage can be of equal importance. Far too many people purchase vehicle policies without fully understanding what exactly it is that they are buying and asking or finding the answer to a particular question can be extremely beneficial.

Insuring automobiles and drivers can be very complicated when one takes into consideration all of the different types of coverage, options available and the various companies that are willing to offer policies. Consumers should take the time to get the answers to any auto insurance coverage questions that may come to mind to help ensure that the ideal protection is located to best secure assets and cover the numerous risks that exist while behind the wheel. There are many ways to go about getting inquiries answered about the various aspects of a vehicle policy and making that the options available when insuring automobiles can be the difference between being adequately protected following an accident or being susceptible to unexpected expenses.

Unfortunately, there are many individuals that simply purchase a policy that will fulfill the requirements set by the law or the coverage that is recommended by an agent, friend or family member. While recommendations from such individuals is always a good thing, it may not always be correct. Motorists should take the time to understand what options that they have to choose from and what can be beneficial for their particular situation.

For instance, a state such as California only requires motorists to carry $5,000 in property damage liability which can easily be used up following a collision involving an expensive vehicle or striking a building. What many may not be aware of is that once the $5,000 limit is exceeded, the policyholder will be responsible for paying the other party for anything over this amount and following a legal proceeding, a judge can rule that the person’s assets be used to pay for damages; this can include savings, stocks, bonds, homes and even future wages. Asking the question, “Do I need more coverage?” can help avoid such a scenario and the answer is usually a resounding yes. For not much more in premium dollars, a driver may be able to obtain $50,000 in property damage liability and would be glad they did if they ever find themselves in such a situation.

A great place to obtain an answer regarding auto insurance is to speak with an industry professional such as a licensed agent. Agents can be a helpful resource in guiding a consumer to the right type of coverage that will properly protect against potential risks and help secure assets. If a person wishes they may be able to “pick the brain” of an agent to get every question that they may have answered. One other great resource and trustworthy is that of state insurance regulators which often offer consumer guides to help residents understand the options that they have to choose from. Consumers can always call the regulator as well and speak to a representative if they are uncertain about something. The bottom line is that getting insured should not be done prior to obtaining the answers to any lingering questions and there are resources that would be happy to help.

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