We commend Governor Granholm and state lawmakers for igniting new dialogue on efforts to reduce auto insurance November 30th in Lansing, yet we believe the latest legislative plan misses the mark. When the state’s no fault law was enacted in 1972, Michigan drivers were provided with the most generous injury protection anywhere in the country – medical coverage for life. But unlimited benefits come with a price, and many drivers cannot afford to be wasteful any more.

Our coalition supports reforms that would allow drivers choices in the level of personal injury protection coverage they are required to buy. Dropping the mandated unlimited coverage to a $50,000 level, for instance, would still be the highest amount required in the country. For many people struggling, variations in coverage levels could be the deciding factor whether or not they keep auto insurance.

It’s a long road to fixing this problem, but we believe this is a first step to making insurance affordable to all drivers.