Speaker of the House Lee Chatfield and state Rep. Jason Wentworth, chair of the House Select Committee on Reducing Car Insurance Rates, today issued the following statements in response to the Michigan House approving no-fault car insurance reform:

Speaker Chatfield: “This has been a top priority for the House of Representatives, because it is a top priority for the people we represent. Everyone in Michigan, from every corner of the state, is overpaying for their car insurance and that has real, lasting effects on household budgets. It is well past time we fixed this rigged system and achieve meaningful solution. This historic bill is our best chance to guarantee lower auto insurance rates, increase consumer protections, lower hospital bills, and help Michigan families in every community around the state make ends meet. Solutions like this are exactly what the people of Michigan sent us here to do.”

Rep. Wentworth: “Here’s the bottom line: Michigan families are sick and tired of paying astronomical car insurance rates they cannot afford. The House has delivered a real, long-lasting fix to the state’s broken no-fault car insurance system because that’s what drivers demand and deserve. It’s a clear top priority. We were successful because we took a different approach from years past. By creating a special committee solely dedicated to reducing costs for every motorist across the state, we were able to spend the past 15 weeks taking testimony, hearing from Michigan drivers and their families and meeting with every stakeholder working on this issue in an inclusive, transparent and deliberative process. We rolled up our sleeves, set our differences aside and approached the issue with open minds to come up with a plan to lead the way to a better Michigan. We delivered.”