In Michigan's no-fault insurance, who pays the deductible?

There are 12 no-fault states for car insurance: Florida, Hawaii, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, and Utah. In these no-fault states, each driver’s car insurance provider pays their medical claims after an accident regardless of who was at fault.

No-Fault Insurance States

• Florida
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• Hawaii
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• New Jersey
• New York
• North Dakota
• Pennsylvania
• Utah

A no-fault insurance system limits the ability of drivers and passengers to sue for additional compensation. Drivers in no-fault states can sue for injuries only if they are determined to be “severe” – the legal definition of which varies from state to state. No-fault rules only apply to injuries, however. Property damage claims in no-fault states are still paid by the at-fault driver’s liability insurance.

Special Types of No-Fault States

"Choice" No-Fault States

• Kentucky
• New Jersey
• Pennsylvania

Of the 12 “pure” no-fault states, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Kentucky are the only ones that give drivers an option to choose between buying a no-fault insurance policy and a traditional auto liability insurance policy.

"Add-on" No-Fault States

• Arkansas
• Delaware
• District of Columbia
• Maryland
• Oregon
• South Dakota
• Texas
• Virginia
• Washington

Besides the 12 no-fault states, some “add-on” states have auto liability insurance laws that are a blend of the no-fault and at-fault insurance systems. These add-on states are not considered to be true no-fault states by the Insurance Information Institute because they do not restrict or place limits on a driver’s right to sue for additional compensation.

Finally, at-fault states follow a tort system, which assigns responsibility for an accident to a driver or drivers. At-fault states also allow injured parties to sue negligent drivers for injuries, as well as pain and suffering, without restrictions. Most U.S. states are at-fault states.

Insurance Rates in No-Fault States

Drivers who live in one of the 12 no-fault insurance states can expect to pay more for auto insurance than those in at-fault states. Insurance fraud is more common in no-fault states, given that claims are paid regardless of who was at fault, providing an incentive for some individuals to exaggerate the extent of their injuries. Those heightened rates of fraud, combined with mandatory PIP insurance, raise costs for auto insurers, which are passed on to consumers.

It should be no surprise that the three most expensive states in WalletHub’s Cheap Car Insurance Study – Michigan, New York, and New Jersey – are all no-fault states. So if you live in a no-fault state or will be moving to one, be sure to compare quotes so that you can get an auto insurance policy that fits your needs and your budget.

A collision deductible waiver helps drivers save money on their deductible after an accident with an uninsured driver. Collision damage waivers typically apply only to accidents where an identified driver without insurance is completely at fault. A notable exception is California, where collision deductible waivers can be used in hit-and-run accidents. ... read full answer

When a Collision Deductible Waiver Is a Good Idea

Collision deductible waivers are similar to uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD) insurance, so a waiver is usually redundant if you are already required by your state to have UMPD. In states where UMPD is optional or unavailable, collision deductible waivers can be a great alternative for the same type of coverage. However, keep in mind that you cannot purchase a collision deductible waiver without collision insurance.

Collision Deductible Waiver Cost

The cost of a collision deductible waiver is usually less than $50 for your entire policy term. Although collision deductible waivers can only be used in a limited number of situations, their low cost means they are a good investment if you want to avoid any out-of-pocket expenses in the event that you’re hit by an uninsured motorist.

Finally, it should be noted that collision deductible waivers are different from collision damage waivers, which are sold by rental car companies to cover damage to their vehicles.

A collision insurance deductible is the amount of money that a driver must pay out-of-pocket when filing a collision insurance claim. Collision insurance pays to repair or replace a car damaged in an accident, and a driver must pay their collision deductible before their insurance company will cover the remaining costs.... read full answer

Collision Deductible Example

Say you are at fault in an accident that causes $10,000 in damage and you have a collision deductible of $1,000. You are responsible for covering your $1,000 collision deductible out-of-pocket in order for your insurance company to pay the remaining $9,000.

Collision Deductible Amounts

Collision deductibles typically range from $100 to $1,000, and you select your deductible amount when you purchase your policy. The higher your deductible, the cheaper your premium will be. Although it’s tempting to get a higher deductible in order to pay less upfront, you should only choose a deductible that you can afford to pay if your car is suddenly damaged in an accident.