State Rep. Beau LaFave, member of the House Select Committee on Reducing Car Insurance Rates, today issued the following statement criticizing the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association for raising the per-insured-vehicle assessment to $220 for the 2019-2020 period (from the current $192):

“Here we go again – yet another act of ‘March Madness’ by the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association. It’s beginning to be like clockwork – Michigan drivers can assume the cost of staying on the roads insured is bound to be more expensive each year.

“The association’s decision to increase the per-insured-vehicle assessment nearly 15 percent to $220 – a record – results from Michigan’s no-fault car insurance system being left broken for decades as Lansing fails to take action. Special interests continue to have the last laugh while Michigan motorists continue to be overburdened by the nation’s costliest insurance premiums.

“Our governor – who has previously remained silent about no-fault reforms– decided to take advantage of a news opportunity by requesting an audit of the MCCA. This is a ‘nothingburger’ – an independent audit is conducted yearly and none have found any magic money tree or corruption on behalf of the MCCA. Requesting another audit provides drivers’ pocketbooks no relief.

“It seems as though the governor forgot one of her department heads has a seat on the board that approved this increase. She should stop the games and actually work with the Legislature to come up with a solution for the many families across the state struggling to insure their cars while trying to make ends meet.

“I have worked tirelessly to get true reforms across the finish line, authoring two bills that take this critical issue seriously. I will continue this unwavering commitment, and implore the governor to put her emphasis behind real reforms and support one of my two plans or any other legislative fix that will actually cut costs.”