LANSING — Today, the House of Representatives voted down House Bill 5013, which would make sweeping changes to Michigan’s no-fault auto insurance system. In response, state Rep. William Sowerby (D-Clinton Township) issued the following statement:
“I voted no on House Bill 5013 because drivers deserve real rate relief and no-fault reforms, and this bill fails to achieve them. This bill failed because it offered a vague possibility of rate cuts if drivers agree to severe reductions in benefits and even then, insurance companies can still charge high rates if they claim they are not making a profit. Furthermore, this plan does not even address the unfair use of discriminatory non-driving factors such as credit score, zip code, age, and education level to set rates. Legislation I can vote for, and what we should be considering, is the bipartisan Fair and Affordable No-Fault Reform package because it would give drivers the reforms they deserve. This plan would lower rates while still maintaining medical coverage. It addresses fraud and transparency, and bans the practice of using non-driving factors to set rates. These are the reforms drivers want, and this is the plan we should be voting on.”