At Serafini, Michalowski, Derkacz & A-sociates, P.C., one of our areas of expertise is representing and fighting for those who have been — July 1, 2020
At Serafini, Michalowski, Derkacz & A-sociates, P.C., one of our areas of expertise is representing and fighting for those who have been injured as a result of a motor vehicle collision, whether that be against your own personal insurance company or the person whose negligence caused the collision in the first place.
On June 11, 2019, the Governor of Michigan, Gretchen Whitmer, approved and filed with the Secretary of State Act No. 21, Public Acts of 2019, commonly referred to as No-Fault Reform. Based upon our years of experienced and reading of the new law, we want to offer our guidance regarding your coverage choices as you are no doubt receiving information from your automobile insurer about renewing your policy, and the options at your disposal.
This legislation has brought significant changes to the Michigan No-Fault Act, which is the law that governs Michigan automobile insurance and the rights and duties of those Michigan residents who own and drive vehicles on our highways, as well as those who are unfortunately involved in a motor vehicle collision. You should understand that these changes only relate to the portions of your automobile insurance policy relating to Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits in the event you are injured in an accident.
The PIP benefit covers the cost of “allowable expenses” which usually consist of your expenses for medical treatment, prescriptions, durable medical equipment and transportation. In addition, for those seriously injured and unable to take care of their own personal needs such as bathing and dressing, it also pays for in-home or inpatient personal care. For most of us, these new caps do not affect other benefits such as an injured person’s entitlement to three (3) years of lost wages, as well as up to $20 per day for three years for help with household chores.
Most importantly, for now, while several changes implemented by our Legislature went into effect immediately upon the filing of the Act, the biggest change for you, the consumer, takes effect on July 2, 2020. Until now, every person involved in a motor vehicle accident has been entitled to unlimited lifetime medical benefits and other “allowable” expenses. As of July 2, 2020, the law will allow you to select the amount of PIP coverage you wish to carry. The alleged purpose of this change was to provide you, the consumer, with a “reduced” premium.
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