Statement from state Rep. Abdullah Hammoud (D-Dearborn) on his opposition to House Bill 5013

LANSING — Today, the Michigan House of Representatives voted on House Bill 5013, which makes various changes to the state’s auto no-fault insurance system. The bill failed to pass. In response, state Rep. Abdullah Hammoud (D-Dearborn) issued the following statement:

“Exorbitant auto insurance premiums are a real problem in Dearborn and across Michigan. However, House Bill 5013 addresses only the symptoms of this problem, not the cause. HB 5013 doesn’t prohibit insurers from using non-driving factors — such as ZIP code, credit score and occupation — to artificially raise rates. Instead, it actually increases costs to taxpayers by shifting costs to Medicaid and forces accident victims to go into bankruptcy to get the benefits they need. Though this bill failed, there is a bipartisan package of legislation that addresses these and other factors that will drive down the cost of insurance and provide real relief for Michigan drivers, so it is time that the Fair and Affordable No-Fault Reform package receives a hearing soon.”