News, Culture and NPR for Central & Northern Michigan
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
91.7FM Alpena and WCML-TV Channel 6 Alpena are off the air. Click here to learn more.

State Senate looking to reform Michigan auto insurance laws

Flickr User jon collier
/
https://flic.kr/p/7xpqA6

State lawmakers are once again considering changes to Michigan’s auto insurance laws.

But, it’s a battle they’ve been losing for years.

Republican Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey says reforming Michigan's no-fault auto insurance law is his caucus' top priority this session. 

But he’s quick to admit overcoming medical and legal lobbies will be difficult.

“That’s the biggest reason why, the biggest reason why previous attempts at reform have met with high resistance is because there’s been many businesses built on and around that statue.”

Senate Minority Leader Jim Ananich would also like to see something done to reduce Michigan’s highest-in-the-nation auto insurance rates, while still protecting people seriously injured in auto accidents.  

Ananich suggests compromise is the only likely path to reform.