Reading Michigan Auto Coverage After an Injury Crash

An auto policy is a collection of coverages and conditions, not a promise that one insurer pays every accident-related loss. After an injury crash, identify the policy in force and the specific coverage being discussed.

Read the documents in order

Start with the declarations to identify the named insureds, vehicles, limits, and effective dates. Then review selection forms, exclusions, and endorsements. The declarations are a useful index but may not contain the condition that decides a disputed claim.

Keep the application and written change requests where relevant. If a page or endorsement is missing, request it rather than evaluating the policy from a partial copy.

Match the loss to the coverage

• PIP: investigate eligibility, priority, selected medical coverage, and the particular benefit.
• Liability: investigate legally responsible conduct and recoverable damages.
• Collision: review the actual repair coverage, type, and deductible.
• UM/UIM: review the optional endorsement and its insured-person, notice, and settlement conditions.

Get the insurer’s position in writing

Ask which provision or legal rule supports the position and what information is still requested. A disagreement about medical necessity differs from an exclusion or an allegation that notice was late. Keep requests, submissions, payment records, and decisions in a dated file.

Reporting requirements under law and policy also need attention. Do not rely on the older claim that property-damage-only crashes need reporting only when a vehicle owner is absent; applicable requirements must be checked for the actual event.

Use the coverage map and preserve deadlines

See which claim covers what, PIP questions, and UM/UIM conditions. For a denied benefit, the denial-response guide explains records to collect. Our no-fault practice can review the disputed provision and timeline.

Talk with Logeman & Iafrate

Request a free consultation or call (734) 994-0200 to discuss your situation with our Ann Arbor office. Bring the relevant records and any insurer correspondence. Advice about your claim depends on the facts, coverage, and applicable deadlines.

General information only; this article is not legal advice for an individual case.

Is the declarations page the complete policy?

No. Endorsements, exclusions, elections, and other terms may be essential.

Does one denial settle all coverage questions?

No. Identify the coverage and reason at issue; other claims may require separate analysis.