As the year comes to a close, many Michigan drivers focus on holiday celebrations and winter travel plans. But December is also the ideal time to review your insurance coverage—especially your Michigan No-Fault policy, UM/UIM protection, and health insurance. When January 1 arrives, several changes may take effect that directly impact your financial security after a crash.

Over the past several years, Michigan’s No-Fault reforms have shifted what is—and isn’t—covered after an accident. At the same time, insurers routinely adjust premiums, benefit structures, and exclusions at the start of the calendar year. Even small policy gaps can create major financial exposure, particularly when medical bills, long-term care needs, or lost wages are involved.

For more than 50 years of combined experience, the attorneys at Liss, Shapero & Mitnick have helped Michigan clients understand their insurance policies, navigate catastrophic injury claims, and resolve disputes with auto insurers and health plans. Consistent with the firm’s culture of clarity, integrity, and client-first representation, our entire team works together to empower clients with the information they need to make confident, well-informed decisions.

Michigan No-Fault Coverage: What You Should Review Before Jan 1

A thorough policy review begins with understanding your Michigan No-Fault benefits. These provisions determine what medical care, wage loss, and support you receive after a crash.

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Levels

Michigan drivers can choose from several PIP medical coverage tiers:

• Unlimited PIP – The highest level of protection, ensuring lifelong medical care and rehabilitation
• $500,000 or $250,000 caps – Lower-cost options but may leave serious injury victims underprotected
• $50,000 Medicare-qualified option – Only available to certain Medicare-eligible drivers

Each option dramatically affects access to medical treatment, long-term rehabilitation, and the ability to recover from catastrophic injuries. If your PIP limit is too low, you may face substantial out-of-pocket costs—or be forced to rely on health insurance that may not fully cover auto-related care.

Coordination of Benefits

Is your auto insurance coordinated or uncoordinated?

• Coordinated policies require health insurance to pay first. This can save money upfront but may increase deductibles and out-of-pocket costs—especially after January 1 plan resets.
• Uncoordinated policies ensure auto insurance pays first, providing broader immediate coverage but often at a higher premium.

Understanding this distinction is essential before your health plan resets for the new year.

Attendant Care & In-Home Services

No-Fault benefits include:

• In-home nursing
• Personal assistance
• Family-provided attendant care
• Household replacement services

But Michigan’s fee schedule restrictions limit what caregivers can charge, which may affect the level of care available. Reviewing your policy now ensures you understand whether your coverage sufficiently supports these crucial services after a serious injury.

Allowable Expenses & Replacement Services

Post–No-Fault reform, many drivers don’t realize:

• Some benefits have changed
• Certain services may have daily or hourly caps
• Long-term treatment options may be limited based on PIP selection

A year-end policy review helps you confirm what is still covered—and where potential gaps exist.

UM & UIM Coverage: Your Safety Net Against Uninsured Drivers

UM (Uninsured Motorist) and UIM (Underinsured Motorist) are among the most important—and most misunderstood—protections available to Michigan drivers.

Why UM/UIM Is More Important Than Ever

Michigan continues to have a significant number of uninsured drivers. Even fully insured drivers often carry only the state minimum liability limits, which are far too low to cover serious injuries. This means:

• A single crash can leave victims without adequate compensation
• Your own UM/UIM coverage may be the only financial protection available

What UM Covers

UM benefits apply when:

• The at-fault driver has no insurance
• You are injured in a hit-and-run incident
• A phantom driver causes a crash but cannot be identified

Without UM, injured victims may have no recourse for compensation.

What UIM Covers

UIM kicks in when:

• The at-fault driver’s insurance is insufficient to cover your injuries
• Your total losses exceed the other driver’s policy limits
• You need additional compensation for long-term medical care, pain and suffering, or lost wages

UIM bridges the financial “gap” between the at-fault driver’s policy and the true cost of your losses.

Why LSM Strongly Recommends Higher Limits

Increasing UM/UIM limits is one of the most cost-effective ways to protect your family. Higher limits:

• Provide crucial financial support after serious injury
• Reduce reliance on health insurance or personal savings
• Shield families from devastating out-of-pocket expenses

The attorneys at LSM often see catastrophic injuries made far worse because drivers unknowingly purchased bare-minimum UM/UIM coverage. A simple policy update can prevent immense hardship.

Health Insurance & No-Fault: What Changes on January 1

Deductible & Out-of-Pocket Resets

Most health insurance plans reset deductibles, copays, and maximum out-of-pocket limits on January 1. For drivers with coordinated No-Fault policies, this reset can mean:

• Higher upfront medical costs after an accident
• Delayed access to certain treatments
• Increased reliance on health plan approvals

If your health insurance pays first under a coordinated policy, these resets can create unexpected financial exposure.

Network Changes

Health insurers frequently update their provider networks at the start of the year. This can impact:

• Which doctors, specialists, or rehabilitation centers remain “in-network”
• Where you can receive post-accident care
• Whether your preferred medical providers will still accept your insurance

After an auto accident, having limited access to specialists—especially neurologists, orthopedists, and physical therapists—can significantly affect recovery.

“Coordination of Benefits” Surprises

In recent years, some health plans have quietly changed their rules regarding auto-related injuries. These surprises can include:

• Exclusions for motor vehicle accident treatment
• Requirements that auto insurance pay first, even when your plan is coordinated
• Restrictions on certain forms of rehabilitation or long-term care

Confirming your plan’s coordination rules before January 1 can prevent disputes between insurers and protect your access to care.

Medicaid, Medicare & Employer Plan Updates

Government and employer-sponsored plans often institute new policies each year that affect No-Fault interactions:

• Medicare and Medicaid may alter coverage levels or approved providers
• Employer plans may introduce new deductibles or adjust cost-sharing
• Seniors and disabled individuals must be especially careful, as their PIP coverage level can drastically affect post-accident benefits

Choosing the wrong PIP option—especially the Medicare-qualified choice—can leave injured drivers with limited long-term care access.

How LSM Helps Clients Understand & Improve Their Coverage

Complimentary Policy Review

LSM offers free evaluations of:

• No-Fault policies
• UM/UIM limits
• Liability coverage
• Health and employer insurance coordination
• Umbrella policies

We help clients understand what they truly have—and what they still need.

Explaining Complex Coverage in Plain Language

Michigan’s insurance system is notoriously confusing. Our attorneys break down:

• PIP options
• Coordination rules
• UM/UIM benefits
• Post-reform changes

We eliminate complexity so clients can make decisions confidently.

Identifying Hidden Risks

LSM’s review often uncovers:

• Dangerous exclusions
• Insufficient limits
• Outdated coverage choices
• Policy terms that could cost clients thousands after a crash

Recognizing these risks early is essential to preventing financial hardship.

Recommending Cost-Effective Upgrades

Often, modest premium increases can provide substantial protection, especially when increasing UM/UIM limits or adding collision coverage. We help clients make high-impact, low-cost policy enhancements.

Full-Team Support

At LSM, every client gets the benefit of the entire legal team, not just one attorney—one of the core elements that sets the firm apart. This collaborative approach ensures:

• Thorough reviews
• Clear explanations
• Personalized recommendations
• Support rooted in decades of Michigan No-Fault experience

A New Year Brings New Risks—Protect Yourself Before the Ball Drops.

As Michigan drivers face unpredictable winter weather, rising uninsured driver rates, and shifting insurance rules, now is the smartest moment to review and strengthen your auto and health coverage.

Michigan families deserve clarity, confidence, and protection, especially during the winter months when risks are highest.

At Liss, Shapero & Mitnick, we are committed to providing transparent guidance, compassionate support, and expert insight, backed by the full strength of our collaborative, team-driven culture.

If you’re unsure whether your No-Fault, UM/UIM, or health insurance coverage is strong enough for the year ahead, now is the perfect time to review it. A short conversation today can safeguard your family against major financial risks tomorrow.

Liss, Shapero & Mitnick, Personal Injury Attorneys 📍 2695 Coolidge Highway, Berkley, MI 48072
📞 248-584-1300
📞 Toll-Free: 1-855-LISS-LAW (1-855-547-7529)

Your consultation is always free.
Your story matters. And at LSM, your rights come first.