Tips for Buying Auto Insurance in Michigan
Automobile Policy Tips
Your Household
Make sure you disclose all drivers living in your home. If a relative/friend is staying with you and driving your cars, they need to be a listed driver on your policy.
Car Title
Each car should be titled only in the primary driver's name. Never have both spouses on a car title. This protects joint assets (home, bank accounts, etc.) from an excess judgment.
Buy Unlimited PIP (Personal Protection Insurance)
Our recent No Fault Reform (2019) allows for drivers to buy less than unlimited PIP starting in July 2020. Even if you have other health insurance, No Fault is broad and covers more expenses. If you are hurt, unable to work and can't keep your health insurance, then you have PIP as a lifetime benefit. Medicare and Medicaid don't provide adequate coverage!
Teen Drivers — Add Them to Your Policy!
If you don't disclose the teen driver in the household, then the teen is driving uninsured in your car. The insurance company can deny coverage for the collision damage and medical claims. The teen and parent (on title) can be sued together by the injured person and you may have no insurance coverage!
When you have a new student driver in the household, it is best to put your agent and insurance company on notice — email! Insurance companies will not raise your premium until the teen receives their full driver's license.
Don't let your teens break the rules! If they cause an accident while breaking the rules, this could impact your liabilities and/or your insurance company could deny your coverage.
Teen Tracking Apps
Use these with caution. They can be accessed by courts.
Independent Agency
An insurance agency that sells more than one line of insurance. For example, they sell Citizens, Auto-Owners and several other companies. Every insurance quote PINGS your credit! Several pings in a week can lower your credit score and insurers will increase your premium with a lower credit score.
An independent agency only pings your credit once and shops several lines. Bundling home, auto and umbrella frequently reduces annual insurance cost.
Umbrella Coverage
Umbrella coverage is important with the recent No Fault Reform. If you cause an accident, an umbrella policy provides liability protection from $1-5 million. This coverage is typically $300 to $500 per year. Add UM/UIM to your umbrella policy to protect your family!
Policy Basics
Bodily Injury Coverage
Coverage protection if you cause an accident. Most are split limits, so the lower number is per person and the larger number is per accident. Example—$250/$500 means $250,000 per person and no more than than $500,000 per accident (even if multiple persons are injured).
TIP — Purchase at least $250,000 or more in coverage. If you don't have enough coverage, the person can collect against you (paycheck and property).
Uninsured & Underinsured Coverage
Protects your family if someone negligently injures you and does not have adequate coverage. Under most policies this protects your family even if they are in a friend's car, school bus or walking down the road.
TIP — Purchase at least $250,000 in coverage. Citizens and Central Insurance offer up to $2 million and the annual cost is a small fraction of the policy premium.
TIP — Farm Bureau makes it near impossible to access this coverage you purchased. Do not have insurance with Farm Bureau.
Step-down Provisions
If you cause an accident and injure a family member residing in your household, these companies REDUCE bodily injury coverage to the minimum coverage! If the passenger was a stranger, that random person gets the full coverage! Why would you insure your family less than a stranger???
Avoid:
Farm Bureau, AAA, Nationwide, Grange, Progressive, USAA and Geico
Logeman, Iafrate & Logeman, P.C., is a personal injury law firm that has helped accident victims recover the compensation they need to rebuild their lives and take care of their families for over forty-five years. Our law firm has helped countless clients throughout Michigan recover losses including car accidents, uninsured accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, wrongful death, pedestrian accidents, traumatic brain injury, no fault, and more! Please feel free to contact the firm at any time for advice or for help with your personal injury claim.
This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney at Logeman & Iafrate, P.C. for advice regarding your individual situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to what matters most about your case and how we work.
Should I buy unlimited PIP coverage in Michigan?
Yes, even if you have other health insurance, No Fault PIP is broader and covers more expenses. If you're hurt and unable to work, you may lose your health insurance, but PIP provides lifetime benefits. Medicare and Medicaid don't provide adequate coverage for auto accident injuries.
Do I need to add my teenager to my auto insurance policy?
Absolutely. If you don't disclose a teen driver in your household, they're driving uninsured in your car. The insurance company can deny coverage for collision damage and medical claims. Both the teen and parent can be sued together with potentially no insurance coverage. Notify your agent when your teen gets a learner's permit - premiums won't increase until they receive their full driver's license.
Why should each car be titled in only one person's name?
Each car should be titled only in the primary driver's name, never both spouses. This protects joint assets like your home and bank accounts from an excess judgment if an accident occurs.
How much uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage should I buy?
Purchase at least $250,000 in UM/UIM coverage. Some insurers like Citizens and Central Insurance offer up to $2 million, and the annual cost is a small fraction of the policy premium. This coverage protects your family even if they're in a friend's car, on a school bus, or walking down the road.
What are step-down provisions and why should I avoid them?
Step-down provisions reduce bodily injury coverage to the minimum if you cause an accident and injure a family member in your household. If the passenger were a stranger, they would get full coverage. Companies with step-down provisions include Farm Bureau, AAA, Nationwide, Grange, Progressive, USAA, and Geico.
Is umbrella coverage worth the cost?
Yes, especially with Michigan's No Fault Reform. If you cause an accident, an umbrella policy provides liability protection from $1-5 million for typically only $300 to $500 per year. Add UM/UIM to your umbrella policy for additional family protection.
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Adrienne D. Logeman
Partner
James A. Iafrate
Partner
What Our Clients Say About Us
Cases won, lives changed, and we are happy to have helped each one of our clients.
If I could give them 100 stars I would!
"At the lowest point in my life they were there for me and got more than I expected. Mr. Logeman was amazing and Cheryl his assistant was so caring and professional. I would recommend them to anyone with a personal injury or accident. They went above and beyond for my son and I. I will forever be in their debt!"
They did wonderfully in winning our case!
"We were referred for a personal injury motorcycle accident. We had no idea even where to begin, but the caring and professional team reassured us and took off a lot of stress. They did wonderfully in winning our case, and were always great at communicating where the case was at and what was needed. I would highly recommend and if we were to ever need their services again, I wouldn't think twice about calling them up."
I could not have asked for better representation!
"Adrienne Logeman is an exceptional auto injury attorney. Adrienne put me at ease and explained every step of the process. She was composed, professional, polite and extremely competent. The jury returned a unanimous verdict in our favor. I could not have asked for better representation and care. I am very thankful for her. An incredible experience."
I truly believe you could not find a better firm to work with.
"Jim Iafrate and his staff are wonderful to work with, professional, compassionate, and do everything in their power when working on your case. I was always part of the process as communication was timely. Additionally, they know the law and will not be bullied by big insurance companies."
Jim was always available when we needed him to answer questions!
"Jim handled our case resulting from a very bad automobile accident. Both my husband and I were injured. He is very personable and efficient. He came to our home to get the details of the accident and continued to provide excellent handling of our case to the end when he reached an excellent settlement for us. We feel we became friends during this whole process."
I cannot recommended them highly enough!
"I'm so grateful to Logeman & Iafrate for taking care of my legal needs for my case. The entire staff are exceptional, professional, communicate well during the entire process."
By far the best lawyer I've ever had!
"I had the pleasure of Jim Iafrate representing me. He was professional, had excellent communication skills and is trustworthy. He always kept me up to date, was responsive and worked diligently. His abilities enabled us to settle my case in a timely manner. Thanks for your hard work Jim!"
I can not say enough about this firm they continue to advocate for me!
"I was in 2 different catastrophic car accidents. Jim Iafrate has been my attorney for many years. I can say that without a doubt he is the best attorney in this field. Jim and his staff are professional and compassionate. I highly recommend him to anyone looking for a attorney that has been in a car accident. Jim will go above and beyond for his clients."
My wife and I strongly recommend this law firm and are grateful for all their efforts.
"The attorneys at Logeman, Iafrate and Logeman were absolutely fantastic and professional in handling our case from a severe automobile accident. They provided constant support and guidance in making sure all of our medical needs were met. The staff at this firm was so helpful in all aspects of the case and subsequent trial and settlement."
I know that we can always trust their advice!
"I work with individuals that have suffered a brain injury because of an auto accident. This law practice has always been an amazing resource for them. They always put their clients first and I know that we can always trust their advice."
I would recommend James and his office to anyone!
"James and his team worked right beside our entire family during the whole process and even after. James was always available and fought hard to get my family what we deserved. He didn't back down and was uplifting through the entire process. Not only was I proud to have him as our lawyer, we were even prouder that we can now call him a friend."
Logeman & Iafrate, P.C.
2950 S State St Ste 400, Ann Arbor, MI 48104