General Discussion
Showing Original Post only (View all)Michigan Auto Insurance - WTF??? [View all]
From the headline (and my profile) you can tell I live in Michigan. We are in our 40s, and have good driving records. My husband's employer provides a decent quality medical insurance.
My husband and I have two cars and thankfully both are "paid off." One is a 2003 Chevy Trailblazer, and the other is a 2006 Pontiac Vibe. Both have over 100,000 miles on them. We have "PL/PD" ("Personal Liability/Property Damage" and "Comprehensive" (hit a deer/tree falls on them) insurance, and pay "monthly" premiums. This time last year that premium was $140 per month for both cars, with a $500 deductible. (This translated to $1,680 per year for two old cars.)
In August of last year our rates went up by $50 per month. (That means they went up $600 per year.) I contacted our agent, increased our deductible to $1,000, modified a few "options" and got it down to $25 more per month. (That meant $300 per year, with monthly payments of $165 per month.)
This month it went up *AGAIN*. We are now at $220 per month. That is a $55 per month increase, also known as $660 per year.
We have had no claims, or tickets. I called the agent, and was told Michigan had "mandated" these increases. I am a cynical sort, and made a couple of phone calls to other agents (all of whom were able to pull up our records to see we are insured).
The "best" rate I was able to get quoted was for $235 per month (wtf!), which translates to $2,820 per year. Per the woman quoting, $1,898 annually (or $949 per six month period) is for "lifetime coverage of medical expenses" to be coordinated with our medical insurer in case of a "serious" accident. The other $942 annually (or $471 per six month period) is actually the "PL/PD" coverage on our cars.
http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2009/03/michigan_auto_insurance_rates.html
Tuesday March 31 2009
Michigan auto insurance rates going up
Michigan motorists will pay $20 more per vehicle for unlimited medical coverage in their auto policies, $104.58 to $124.89 effective July 1, the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association decided Monday.
The MCCA, created in 1978, is a risk pool that reimburses auto insurers for medical and long-term disability claims that exceed $460,000. In a statement, the association said "the assessment increased this year primarily because investment returns decreased during the last year while claim costs continued to increase."
Michigan is the only state with unlimited lifetime medical coverage for auto accident victims. In most states, health coverage is optional. In states where coverage is mandated, New York has the highest coverage limit, $50,000.
In 2008, when the stock markets tanked by more than 40 percent, the MCCA paid out $724 million in claims costs. The new $124 assessment includes $101 to handle claims and $24 to address an estimated deficit of $2.2 billion, or nearly $323 per insured vehicle. The assessment was highest in 2005 when it was set at more than $141 per vehicle. Since 1979, there have more than 23,100 claims. The MCCA expects to receive 1,050 new claims during the upcoming period from July 1 through June 30, 2010.
http://www.wilx.com/news/headlines/Auto_Insurance_Rates_Going_Up_At_Least_30_143017565.html
March 16, 2012
Auto Insurance Rates Going Up At Least $30
Michigan drivers will pay $30 more for auto insurance starting July 1 to care for accident victims who have brain damage, paralysis or other catastrophic injuries, raising the annual fee to $175 per vehicle.
The Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association announced the 21 percent premium increase Friday.
Lawmakers are discussing bills that would allow motorists to choose among various levels of personal injury protection coverage, rather than mandating uncapped coverage. Opponents say that wouldn't guarantee lower rates.
Regular auto insurance policies handle coverage up to $500,000, after which all insured motorists are assessed the additional fee to cover more severe cases.
The association covers medical bills for roughly 12,800 accident victims across the state. Last year it paid out $927 million in claims resulting from catastrophic injuries.
May I politely point out that $175 per vehicle is NOT "$1,898 annually (or $949 per six month period)" -- and a google/search on the state's website isn't helping *at all* -- http://www.michigan.gov/lara/0,4601,7-154-35299_10555_13222_13224-66774--,00.html
And now, I just went on line to "Progressive", typed in the information, and received a quot for $163 per month, which is cheaper yet - what is going on here? Anybody have a clue???
Thanks in advance!!!