What are no-fault insurance benefits and how do I get them?

No-fault insurance benefits are paid to any Michigan resident who is injured in an accident involving a motor vehicle.

There are basically three benefits: medical, wage loss and replacement services. You obtain these benefits by filing a claim for no-fault benefits with the proper motor vehicle insurance company.

You must file the claim within a year of the accident date or lose the right to receive your no-fault benefits.

Why doesn't the negligent driver's insurance company have to pay my medical bills?

In Michigan, we have a priority system as part of the No-Fault Law. It states whenever you are hurt in an accident involving a motor vehicle you look to your own automobile insurance first. This applies even if you are walking, riding a bike or in someone else's vehicle when the accident occurs.

If you do not own an insured vehicle on the date of the accident, your No-Fault benefits will be paid by the automobile insurance carrier of any relative with whom you are living on date the accident occurs. If you do not live with a relative who has an insured automobile on the day of the accident, your No-Fault benefits will be paid by the owner and/or operator of the vehicle you were in at the time of the accident. 

If all else fails and there is no other available auto insurance, the State of Michigan will assign a company to you to fully pay all the benefits you are entitled to. Sound complicated? Call us for a free consultation, we’ll sort it all out for you!

What are medical no-fault benefits?

Under Michigan law, if you receive treatment for injuries suffered in an auto accident, you are entitled to have your medical bills paid by a motor vehicle insurance carrier.

The treatment received must be for the injuries suffered as a result of the auto accident and the services and charges must be reasonable and necessary for the treatment of the injury.

These medical benefits are life-time benefits; you are still entitled to them even if, following the accident, you no longer insure yourself with the same motor vehicle insurance carrier.

What does it mean to have coordinated benefits?

If you paid a lower premium and elected to have your medical benefits coordinated, you agreed to submit your bills to your health insurance carrier first.

Whatever costs are not covered by that insurer will be paid by the motor vehicle insurance company. This area of the law is very complicated. In order to fully understand the law and your rights, please contact us.

Are medical benefits restricted to just medical bills?

No. Medical benefits include round-trip mileage driven for any treatment or medical purpose relating to an accident.

They also include the costs of rehabilitation, accommodations and, possibly, vocational training to assist an injured person.