Michigan drivers begin to receive $400 auto insurance refund payments | News

LANSING, Mich. (WJRT) – The state of Michigan says $400 auto insurance refund payments are now being distributed to eligible drivers.

The money is coming from the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association fund. That fund reimburses auto insurance companies for claims exceeding $600,000.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said in November 2021 a $5 billion surplus in the Catastrophic Claims fund should be distributed to Michiganders.

The association’s board voted unanimously in December 2021 to return about $3 billion of excess funds while maintaining about $2 billion to continue care for catastrophic accident survivors.

The state put out the following guidelines of who qualified for the refund:

• Anyone who had a vehicle, motorcycle or RV that was insured by a policy that meets the minimum insurance requirements to operate on Michigan roads as of 11:59 p.m. on October 31, 2021, is eligible to receive a refund for that vehicle.

• Eligible Michigan policyholders will receive $400 per vehicle, or $80 per historic vehicle.

• Refunds must be delivered in the form of checks or ACH deposits. Gift cards, premium discounts, and credits against current or future balances are not allowed.

The state said auto insurance companies must send out paper checks or direct deposits to eligible Michiganders as soon as possible and no later than May 9.

Eligible drivers who have questions about the refunds were encouraged to contact their insurance companies. If further help was needed, they could contact the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services at 1-833-275-3437 or by emailing [email protected].

Click here for more details on the payments.