70 percent support no-fault reform package
Lansing,
Mich. – Michigan voters are tired of paying high auto insurance rates and
strongly support a no-fault reform package of bills pending in the State House
according to a poll of Michigan voters released today by the National Federation
of Independent Business (NFIB).
“Seventy
percent of voters support the no-fault reform package that would lower rates by
reducing the costs of medical care without reducing unlimited lifetime
benefits,” said NFIB State Director Charlie Owens. “The poll certainly
indicates drivers are sick and tired of paying some of the highest auto
insurance rates in the nation and they’re looking for the legislature to do
something about it.”
The poll
asked a number of questions of Michigan voters regarding their perceptions and
feelings towards no-fault auto insurance. Highlights of the poll’s findings
include:
- 70 percent
of Michigan voters believe their auto insurance rates are too high. Not a
single voter thought their rates were too low.
- 60 percent
thought Michigan rates were higher than other states. Only three percent
thought they were lower.
- 68 percent
support giving drivers the choice of buying a lower level of medical coverage
in order to reduce the cost of insurance. Michigan law currently mandates
purchasing unlimited coverage
- 84 percent
support efforts to stop hospitals and other medical providers from charging
auto accident patients 300 percent more than charged to other patients.
- 73 percent
supported establishing an Auto Insurance Fraud Authority.
“D” Insurance
The poll
also showed strong support for the “D” insurance program being pushed by
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan. Fifty-eight percent of statewide voters supported
the program to allow voters in some urban areas the option to purchase $275,000
in medical coverage to help lower their rates. Only 23 percent of the voters
opposed the idea.
- Among
Detroit voters, 72 percent said they supported the “D” insurance plan. Only 19
percent of voters opposed.
- 94 percent
of Detroit voters thought their auto insurance was too high.
- Statewide
support for “D” insurance increased to 63 percent if the option was offered to
all drivers and not just those in urban areas.
“Legislative
mandates that raise auto insurance rates are bad for Michigan’s economy,
Michigan’s small businesses, and Michigan’s drivers,” added Owens. “Mandating
drivers pay higher costs than they need to pay is just like imposing a tax on
every driver in Michigan. It’s time the legislature stepped up and provided
some relief.”
According to
Owens, the proposed no-fault reform legislation (S.B. 248) protects the
unlimited lifetime benefits for Michigan drivers, establishes a Fraud
Authority, limits medical providers from billing auto insurance companies 150
percent of Medicare rates, limits attendant care to 24 hours per day and
establishes a maximum rate of $15 per hour ($131,000 per year) for family
members and establishes and new fund for catastrophic claims that is run by a
public board.
“These survey results are consistent with our own small business
member responses to a survey conducted in 2013,” said Owens. “In that survey,
an overwhelming percentage of small business owners supported getting rid of
Michigan’s unlimited lifetime medical benefits as part of a proposal to reform
the auto insurance system.”
