Gov. Gretchen Whitmer annouced auto insurance refund checks this week. | Governor Gretchen Whitmer/Twitter
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer annouced auto insurance refund checks this week. | Governor Gretchen Whitmer/Twitter
Motorists in the state are set to receive a financial boost after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) Director Anita Fox announced that the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association (MCCA) will provide $3 billion to the state's auto insurers.
MCCA honored Whitmer's request to give the surplus funds back to drivers while keeping $2 billion to provide for tragic car accident victims, a press release issued this week by the governor's office said.
The state's car insurers will now give qualified policyholders refunds of $400 per automobile and $80 per historic vehicle if they were insured under the state's policy on minimum insurance requirements as of Oct. 31, 2021, the press release said.
"After Gov. Whitmer called on the MCCA to issue these refunds and the MCCA announced its plan, DIFS issued guidance to auto insurers to ensure that these refunds are sent out as quickly as possible, and in no case later than May 9, 2022," Fox said in the release. "Our goal is to make sure that Michiganders understand the eligibility requirements and to help ensure that this money makes it into consumers' pockets as quickly and securely as possible. DIFS stands ready to answer questions or help resolve any concerns that Michiganders may have regarding their refunds."
Those who are eligible and have not received their checks by the deadline should notify their car insurance carrier, and those customers who cannot resolve the problem with the carrier can call DIFS at 833-ASK-DIFS (833-275-3437) or email them at autoinsurance@michigan.gov.
"These $400 refunds are game-changers for so many Michigan families," Whitmer said in the release. "I called for these refunds because I am committed to lowering costs for Michiganders and putting money back in people's pockets. They are possible because we worked across the aisle to pass bipartisan auto insurance reform, and we will keep working together to grow our economy and build a state where families can thrive."
DIFS is providing a FAQ website at Michigan.gov/MCCArefund that contains relevant information on how to obtain a refund, the press release said.
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