Car Insurance Claim Process in Michigan ExplainedGoldman & Associates Law Firm

Detroit MI Auto Insurance Claims

There are many types of Michigan auto insurance claims if you get into an accident in Detroit, MI. You can make a claim against the driver of the other vehicle; you might have to make a claim against the owner of the car; you may also be able to make a claim against the person who was serving the driver alcohol if alcohol is a factor in the accident. Each of these claims will have a time period that is allowed for filing a claim. Filing a claim does not mean you are suing someone. Many claims are settled and never make into a court room. Having a Detroit car accident attorney to assist you in the process will ensure you get the settlement you deserve. It is Okay to ask for help when trying to ensure your rights are protected when you are a victim of someones negligent driving.

The State of Michigan Requires No-fault Insurance on Vehicles

The state of Michigan requires drivers to have no-fault insurance on every vehicle in order for it to be legally driven. There are different amounts of coverage available to drivers, but every registered vehicle must have at least basic coverage. Driving a vehicle that is not covered is against the law. Anyone who gets into an accident while driving a car that is not covered by insurance can be held personally liable. If a person is injured in a personal injury car accident and the driver of the other car does not have insurance coverage it is important to call a Detroit car accident attorney right away.

Different levels of Coverage

It is important to remember that there are different levels of coverage that can be applied to your car. Two of them are full coverage or comprehensive coverage. Full coverage does not mean that everything is covered, despite how it sounds. Full coverage usually does not cover medical payments coverage, uninsured motorist coverage, or customized parts on your vehicle. Comprehensive coverage only covers damage to your vehicle that does not come from a collision. This type of coverage will pay for damage from storms. It will also pay for damages due to theft. If your car is stolen it may also pay toward the replacement of the vehicle. If you only have comprehensive coverage and get into an accident, this coverage will not pay for the damages to your vehicle.

Does it Cost to File a Claim With the Insurance Company?

It does not usually cost to file a claim with the insurance company, however you may have a deductible that will need to be satisfied before the insurance company will pay on your claim. There may be other costs to you if you do not follow the rules of your insurance company for repairs and service to your vehicle. Some insurance companies have inspection and repair shops that you must go to in order to ensure your claim is paid fully. You should always check with your insurance company to ensure you go to an approved center and will not add any extra out of pocket costs to yourself during this process.

Mini Torts in Michigan

Mini torts are an option for a Michigan car accident victim to collect some money from the at fault party if the damages to be recovered total less than $1000. This is a claim that allows you to collect money from the negligent party. The maximum amount of money you can receive is $1000. I mini tort is something you can pursue if you are less than 50% at fault in the accident. You must have either a deductible to pay or the damages would not be covered by your collision coverage on your vehicle. If you do not have collision coverage on your vehicle because Michigan does not require drivers to have it, a mini tort can get you up to $1000 towards the damages on your vehicle caused by the accident. A mini tort does not coverage injuries received by you or your passengers. You will have to contact the other partys insurance company to see what they require to file a mini tort.

File a Claim with Your Insurance Company

You have to contact your insurance company to file a claim. If there is paperwork to fill out or forms to sign they will let you know. Be prepared to hand over copies of any information you collected at the accident scene, including: