Auto Insurance Reform: What to Expect in The Future

There have been many changes in the insurance sector over the last couple of decades, and one of the segments that has experienced tremendous reforms is auto insurance. Auto insurance is poised to undergo more extreme changes soon, thanks to the fast-evolving environment. As a car owner in Rochester Hills, MI, here are the auto insurance reforms that you should expect in the future.

A Reduction in Premiums and Cost of Insurance

Autonomous vehicles are already catching on momentum, and they will soon be the norm thanks to improved autonomous technology. Autonomous cars are perceived to be safer than standard vehicles because of the numerous driver-assist and safety technologies. At Guy Hurley McNeil, we believe that drivers will experience up to a 26% reduction in the premiums and the cost of their insurance due to this improved safety.

A Reduction in Claims Denials

Most auto insurance claims that insurers deny are turned down based on a lack of sufficient evidence supporting the car owner’s claim. However, moving into the feature, most vehicles will be fitted with multiple cameras that record what’s happening around the car at all times. The captured footage will be irrefutable evidence for car owners making claims on theft or accident compensation. This means they will likely get compensated, and there will be reduced claims denials.

An Increase in Damage Severity

Although autonomous vehicles will reduce the likelihood of accidents, the accidents will cause more severe damage to the cars. This is because, in the future, cars will have more sensors like radar mounted on their bumpers to enable autonomous driving. Damage to the front bumper resulting from an accident will also mean damage to the radar, resulting in more expensive repairs. Those with lean coverage will feel the pinch of the increased damage severity and the associated high repair cost the most because they have to pay for most repairs out of pocket.

Contact Guy Hurley McNeil to get the best auto insurance deal in Rochester Hills, MI.

This is How Michigan Auto Insurance Reform Affects Motorists

If you are a motorist in Michigan or any other state, you need to stay in touch with the state requirements to ensure you don’t fall on the wrong side of the law. In Michigan, for instance, there was an update of car insurance laws in 2020 that you need to know about. At Guy Hurley McNeil in Rochester Hills, MI, we take a deep dive to help you understand how the reforms affect you.

Michigan auto insurance reform

Until 2020, the Michigan law required motorists to purchase unlimited Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance. This coverage gave the injured optimal protection by covering medical expenses, partial wages lost, and final costs.

While this coverage favored the victims, it had its downside. The insurance companies faced expensive claims, fraud, and legal suits from medical providers. Insurance companies raised car insurance rates to ensure that their costs were covered, making Michigan one of the most expensive states to insure vehicles.

After long debates between drivers and lawmakers on reducing car insurance rates, change finally came on July 2, 2020. Here are some of the reforms introduced:

  • There were new PIP insurance coverage options — motorists could either keep the unlimited PIP coverages or opt for lower coverages with greater discounts.
  • Increased liability coverage — previously, drivers needed to maintain a minimum of $20,000 for one person killed and twice the amount for multiple persons killed in a road accident. Today, motorists must carry $250,000 for one person killed and twice the amount for multiple persons. However, drivers can apply to reduce the amounts to $50,000 and $100,000, respectively.

If you need to learn more about Michigan car insurance in Rochester Hills, MI, don’t hesitate to contact Guy Hurley McNeil for more information. Our work is not to sell you coverages only. We educate you about the policy you are interested in so that you can have sufficient information to make an informed decision.

 

Michigan Auto Insurance: What No-Fault Auto Insurance Reform Means

Michigan no-fault auto insurance reform is confusing a lot of Michigan drivers. These are changes to auto insurance laws that every driver should be aware of so that you can get the best coverage for your needs.

At Guy Hurley McNeil, we can help Rochester Hills, MI drivers to decode Michigan no-fault auto insurance reform so that you can keep your coverage up to date. 

Follow this guide for some tips on what Michigan no-fault auto insurance reform means.

Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

PIP coverage is the coverage you get for damages after an accident that goes beyond medical and includes lost wages and pain and suffering. Unlimited PIP insurance is no longer available. 

There are coverage selections for drivers on Medicaid, and not on Medicaid. If you have Medicare, you can now choose to opt out of PIP protection.

Attendant Care

Auto insurance companies will no longer offer attendant care for more than 56 hours weekly. If you are in an accident and require home care afterwards, you will not get coverage for family-provided care for more than 56 hours a week. 

If the care is provided by a nurse or practitioner, this does not apply.

Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association (MCCA)

Reform here indicates that the MCCA will continue paying for the health care costs of accident victims in a catastrophic accident, but only if you selected unlimited no-fault PIP medical coverage.

Bodily Injury Liability

This reform has increased the limits on bodily injury liability.  You will be permitted to purchase lower limits of bodily injury liability for third party car insurance.

Get Help Understanding Changes

These are just a few of the changes that have come to Michigan’s no-fault auto insurance reform. We can help you understand them all. At Guy Hurley McNeil, we want Rochester Hills, MI drivers to have the coverage they need, without paying too much. Call us for a quote today.

How Are Consumers Protected Under the Auto Insurance Reformed Plans in Rochester Hills, MI?

Governor Whitmer changed the way auto insurance is practiced in the state of Michigan in an unprecedented way. Anyone purchasing an auto insurance policy after July 2020 will benefit from maintaining the best coverage options at a lower cost and enjoy unparalleled consumer protections. Guy Hurley McNeil has analyzed the changes and presents the following summary of the benefits.

1. The what that insurance companies set their rates has changed.

Insurance companies can no longer count applicants’ sex, marital status, and what zip code they reside in to set the insurance rates. Other non-driving factors that no longer apply are the applicant’s education, occupation, and credit score.

2. A new Fraud Investigation Unit was established to reduce insurance fraud.

Fraudulent insurance claims drive up the premiums for everyone. The Fraud Investigation Unit will work with law enforcement to deter anyone from submitting fraudulent claims, thereby reducing fraudulent claims burden on the system.

3. Consumer’s who lapsed their policies will not be penalized.

The new law prohibits insurers from charging reinstatement fees or increase premiums because the driver did not pay their insurance premium for a period of time. This amnesty needs to be redeemed by applying for insurance coverage before January 1, 2022.

4. Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) needs to approve insurer’s rates.

Before an insurance company sets new rates and policies that will be charged to the consumers, they need to obtain approval from DIFS.

5. Increased Fines and Penalties.

The reformed plan sets much higher fines for insurance companies and their agents if they violate the law in any way.

If you are about to purchase a new auto insurance policy, chat the Guy Hurley McNeil in Rochester Hills, MI, and let him help you choose the policy that regards all the above benefits and provides the most value to your unique circumstances.

What was included with the auto insurance reform in Michigan?

Those that are in the Rochester Hills, MI area are going to want to own a car to get around the area. This typically also requires that you have auto insurance. When looking for a new auto insurance plan here, it is important to consider the recent Michigan auto insurance reform. This reform included notable changes to law and coverage options in the state.

Prior Personal Injury Protection Requirements

Similar to other states, those that want to drive a car in Michigan need to have liability insurance. This state also included a requirement to have Personal Injury Protection, or PIP, the coverage that ultimately provides unlimited insurance coverage if someone is injured in an accident. While this provides great coverage, it can also be expensive to have as there is ultimately not a cap on what coverage can be provided in a bad accident. This has made auto coverage expensive for many drivers.

Reformed Personal Injury Protection

A big change with the Michigan insurance law is that there are now insurance policy caps when it comes to PIP. When a car owner has selected a new policy, there will have several PIP insurance caps to choose from and the legal requirement for coverage has been lowered considerably. Those that are going to build a new plan will be able to choose a PIP that provides them with comfort and allows for premiums that fit within their budget.

If you would like to get an auto insurance plan in the Rochester Hills, MI area, it would be a good idea for you to work with Guy Hurley McNeil. The team with Guy Hurley McNeil understands the laws around auto insurance in Michigan and can help to explain to you how insurance reform impacts your requirements and help you build an ideal plan.

Changes Coming To Auto Insurance: What You Should Know

If you are a Michigan driver, you may have heard of the Michigan Auto Insurance Reform. This is a new law that went into effect in July 2020. Understanding these new auto insurance laws is essential to your safety and your auto insurance budget. At Guy Hurley McNeil, serving Rochester Hills, MI, we want to help you make good insurance choices. Keep reading to learn more about Michigan Auto Insurance Reform and how it can affect you. 

What Is The Michigan Auto Insurance Reform?

The reform is a set of new laws in place governing auto insurance in Michigan. The part of the reform which will most affect your insurance budget, however, is the No-Fault Insurance Reform Law. This law makes it mandatory for drivers to carry no-fault insurance but allows for great flexibility. Under this law, drivers can choose from four levels of PIP coverage.

Why Is This Changing?

In the past, Michigan required that all drivers carry unlimited personal injury protection insurance or PIP. Over the years, this requirement made insurance costs rise higher and higher, making Michigan auto insurance rates the 4th highest in the country. 

Under the new law, individuals will have the right to choose levels of PIP insurance. Unlimited coverage is still available, but for those who do not wish to carry unlimited coverage, you will be able to choose a less expensive package. This can help you save on your personal auto insurance, and over time it can help to bring auto insurance costs down in general as well. 

If you would like to learn more about these important changes, please contact us at Guy Hurley McNeil, serving Rochester Hills, MI. 

Michigan’s No Fault Auto Insurance Reform Cuts Funding to Car Accident Survivors

Michigan is considered to have the most expensive auto insurance in the country. As such, Michigan lawmakers have been working on auto insurance reform bills since 2019, to reduce the costs of car insurance. With this legislation however, there have been some unfortunate trickle effects on Michigan residents. The new auto insurance reform laws are resulting in a loss of funding of benefits to Michigan car accident survivors. 

The end result is that Michigan residents that need their benefits to continue after a car accident are seeing dramatic cuts to their car accident payouts. At Guy Hurley McNeil serving Rochester Hills, MI, we want you to be covered in every event that may impact your car insurance.

Who is Impacted Under Michigan’s Auto Insurance Reform?

Both beneficiaries and the services they use are being impacted by Michigan’s auto insurance reform. Insurance companies are not. This is how your auto insurance premiums are being reduced, which is what the reform is all about.

To start, Michigan residents that have been injured in a car accident and are receiving benefits for care will see a reduction in reimbursements rates by 45 percent. That means that the centers that serve accident victims will be reimbursed 55 percent of what they were receiving in January 2019. That will be in effect July 1, 2021.

Will There be a Reform to Auto Reform?

Some lawmakers are concerned about the impact this reform is having on Michigan residents and businesses. Some are saying that some rehabilitation services will not be able to survive this loss of funding.

In addition to the burdens now placed on accident victims that paid for their premiums at higher rates years ago, rehabilitation centers are experiencing budget cuts and job losses as a result of this reform.

There are two bills working their way through the Michigan state legislature that could prevent these changes. Those are SB 314 in the Senate and House Bill 4486.

Get a Quote for Auto Insurance

At Guy Hurley McNeil serving Rochester Hills, MI, we want you to be covered for every event that will impact your car insurance. Contact us for a quote and to talk about what this auto reform means for you and your family.

What is auto insurance reform?

Your auto insurance plan in Rochester Hills, MI may qualify for a discount, thanks to new auto reform policies. The state of Michigan has adopted new laws that now allow car owners to forgo purchasing personal injury protection (PIP) if they have a qualifying health insurance plan. The agents at Guy Hurley McNeil can provide a full explanation as to how auto insurance reform can positively impact your policy. 

Why is PIP coverage required?

Michigan is a no-fault state, which means that all drivers must have insurance that pays for personal medical bills. You cannot necessarily sue the driver who rear-ended you for personal injury in Rochester Hills, MI. 

Personal injury protection (PIP) provides the coverage needed to pay for your medical expenses regardless of whether you caused an accident. Generally speaking, Michigan drivers must furnish proof of PIP coverage that pays at least $25,000 for damages. 

Changes to the rules

Under the new auto insurance reform laws, drivers with health insurance through their employers may qualify for a waiver of the required PIP coverage. Those seniors with Medicare may also be able to forgo coverage. 

Not everyone with health insurance qualifies for a PIP waiver. Individuals with high deductibles, for instance, may still need to have a plan. It is not best to assume that your health plan qualifies you for a PIP waiver. You should speak with a professional in the auto insurance field before dropping your plan. 

Call Guy Hurley McNeil for help!

We are experienced in auto insurance and can thoroughly explain how the new auto insurance reform laws impact you and your indemnity policy. Call Guy Hurley today to see if you can save money on PIP coverage. 

What is auto insurance reform?

Michigan’s new auto reform law went into effect on July 1, 2020. The new measure gives auto owners in Rochester Hills, MI more options in terms of personal injury protection (PIP). The agents at Huy Hurley McNeil can help you understand how the new auto reform law affects your budget and lifestyle. 

What does the new auto reform law change?

The new auto reform law gives individuals in Michigan the choice to opt-out of personal injury protection. Michigan is a no-fault state, which typically means drivers are responsible for their own medical bills and wages lost regardless of who is at fault in an accident. 

In past times, Michigan as a no-fault state meant PIP coverage was required. The new auto reform law, however, makes it possible for those who have health insurance through an employer to opt-out of purchasing the additional protection. 

Who else qualifies to opt-out of PIP coverage?

Those who have Medicare insurance in Rochester Hills MI may also choose to opt-out of PIP coverage. All health insurance policies, regardless of whether or not they are provided by an employer, require deductibles of $6,000 or less to meet the PIP opt-out standards. 

How does the new auto reform law apply to your situation?

The new auto reform law may save money if you qualify to opt-out of PIP coverage in Rochester Hills, MI. It is best, however, to speak with an insurance agent at Guy Hurley McNeil before deciding to go without protection. 

Call Guy Hurley McNeil today to learn more about Michigan’s new auto reform law and to get started with a quote for auto insurance!

3 Benefits of Taking a Defensive Driving Class

Defensive driving courses are a great way to reduce the number of points you have on your license or to get a discount on your insurance premiums. There are also other benefits as well that make taking the class well worth the time and money. In Rochester Hills, MI, the agents at Guy Hurley McNeil are able to provide sound advice on how to be as safe as possible while driving.

Brings You Up to Date on New Laws

Taking a defensive driving class will bring you up to date about any new laws or driving regulations that you may have overlooked or not heard of. In some cases, new laws are passed or changes are made to existing laws, and very little is discussed about it. A defensive driving class will keep you up to speed.

Reinforces What You Already Know

A good defensive driving course will reinforce what you already know. People who have been driving for several years can sometimes forget certain driving techniques or strategies that can help prevent them from being involved in an accident. Taking a defensive driving course is just one way to be reminded of many of the things you may have forgotten about over the years.

Become a Better Driver

Another advantage is that a good defensive driving class will teach you new driving techniques that will make you a better driver. With today’s advanced technology, it is much easier to avoid being a victim of a reckless driver.

Residents who live in Rochester Hills, MI can call the office of Guy Hurley McNeil and get all of the answers they need when it comes to auto insurance and learning how to become a better driver. You can schedule a consultation with them at any time and get the answers you need.