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Michigan Insurance Defense Questions & Answers
0 Answers | Asked in Insurance Bad Faith and Insurance Defense for Michigan on
Q: Large claim against secondary insurance through Uber. They were paying at first but stopped. Please advise

Atlantic insurance company said state law is preventing them from paying, even though they were covering medical expenses. Progressive has been paying lost wages and medical with no issues. I was driving Uber waiting for passenger when accident occurred. Been totally disabled with neck and back... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Insurance Bad Faith and Insurance Defense for Michigan on
Q: What happens if you do a roof for someone with insurance and they only give you two of the three checks issued to them?
Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Sep 30, 2024

A Michigan attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for a month. Until you are able to consult with a local attorney, the most inexpensive starting point could be to take it up with the insurance carrier. They could speak with the insured and politely advise that those checks are... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Insurance Defense and Car Accidents for Michigan on
Q: Can someone make a claim on your insurance if they don’t have insurance?

I simply bumped someone on the road, technically my fault. No damages, we don’t call the cops but I provide my id and insurance bc I’m dense. She texts me two days later asking for money for a deductible and when I tell her I’m not responsible she states if I pay her, she will not go through... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Jan 20, 2024

Addendum - if you do reach a settlement, make sure that you have a signed release from the other side. A well-drafted release form confirms settlement terms and serves to wrap up the claim without leaving any loose ends. If your carrier agrees to make a payment, they will require a release anyway.... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Insurance Bad Faith, Consumer Law, Banking and Insurance Defense for Michigan on
Q: Can my lending bank add insurance cost to my account for retroactive insurance?

I purchased a used truck in May 2023. As usual, I called the insurance company to add it to my policy on May 17, 2023, the date I purchased the truck. A couple months later, I received a letter from my bank stating that since they didn't receive documentation of insurance on my truck, that... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Oct 17, 2023

A Michigan attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for three weeks. It isn't fully clear what caused the misunderstanding here - a local attorney could probably sort out better after reviewing the file in detail. But a financial institution can require insurance. Good luck

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law, Banking, Business Law and Insurance Defense for Michigan on
Q: Mortgage company forcing me to pay for their inspection on an insurance claim to release insurance check.

The current mortgage company acquired my loan a few years ago as the original lender sold it off. I have never been late, have a credit score of well over 800, paid extra over the years, and have 23 months until the loan will be satisfied. As such I have over 90% of the equity (even by the... View More

Kenneth V Zichi
Kenneth V Zichi
answered on Jul 11, 2023

What does your mortgage say? IF it says they can randomly require you pay for inspections, then yes, they can do what you describe. If it says they can force you to pay for inspections whenever work is done on the property that too is something they can do.

If it doesn't say that,...
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1 Answer | Asked in Insurance Defense for Michigan on
Q: I have a hearing in michigan for no proof of auto insurance and no registration. I had insurance, so will be thrown out?

I got pulled over without proof of insurance and no registration. I however just got insurance that morning so if I bring my proof to court. Will they just throw my case out?

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Jan 5, 2023

You have (had) 10 days to bring proof of insurance. The registration is a different matter.

1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury, Insurance Defense, Municipal Law and Small Claims for Michigan on
Q: Am I responsible for removing my trampoline from a privately owned golf course's pond?

My trampoline flew into a pond owned by a privately owned golf course during a major wind storm. The trampoline was anchored down and was ripped out by the wind. I live in an HOA that is next to the golf course. The trampoline is destroyed. Am I responsible for cleaning it up out of the pond?

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Dec 14, 2021

What is the golf course owners saying? Even though it's an act of God, someone will still have to pay. Either the golf course will just do it on their own, or they will contact the HOA and the HOA will pay, and may end up tracing it back to you.

It may be worth your while to contact...
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1 Answer | Asked in Insurance Defense for Michigan on
Q: Hit by insurance less driver cartotaled Trying to sue but can’t find the lady now as it appears she moved. What do I do

My wife was hit from behind by an insurance less driver about 6 months ago. We decided to sue as my wives car was totaled. The person who hit us appears to have moved and after about 3 attempts to have her served we’ve had no luck. The total damages equal about 4K and we had to take out a loan... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Sep 1, 2021

You need to talk with a civil attorney who deals with auto insurance. I'm not sure you have much recourse other than through "mini tort", which is limited to your deductible.

One other thing to keep in mind is that if this woman had no insurance and is now no where to be...
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1 Answer | Asked in Insurance Bad Faith and Insurance Defense for Michigan on
Q: Why would a life insurance company ask what state and country you were born in?
Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on May 13, 2021

Risk analysis and calculation, as well as identity purposes.

1 Answer | Asked in Insurance Defense for Michigan on
Q: Would a rescinded auto insurance policy affect my premiums for new car insurance or be relevant information?
Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Mar 12, 2021

I think an insurance company may find the reason for the rescission to be relevant, and could affect your premiums or eligibility for coverage.

1 Answer | Asked in Insurance Defense for Michigan on
Q: I have questions about having medical records release.

I'm struggling to find help in my situation about having my deceased father's medical records release to his insurance company. I am the original beneficiary on his policy, but his oldest daughter had my name removed from his policy. I wish I can afford a lawyer to guide me through this... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Jan 7, 2021

It doesn't sound like your issue is necessarily with the insurance company. Their job is complete when they pay out the policy to the named beneficiary; they don't get into disputes like this. Your avenue of relief might be through the probate court; if a probate administration has not... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets and Insurance Defense for Michigan on
Q: I lost my insurance 2 years ago and had an accident. Their insurance is trying to get me to pay $6000 for her repair.

I was given a ticket for impeding traffic. I did hit the back left side panel of her car.

Mark Bredow
Mark Bredow
answered on Jun 23, 2020

Michigan is a No-Fault state. This means that all drivers are required to purchase insurance on their vehicles and that if there is an accident, regardless of who is at fault, each driver's insurance pays to cover their own medical bills, lost wages and damage to their own vehicle. The... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Banking, Civil Litigation, Contracts and Insurance Defense for Michigan on
Q: So my grandfather passed away then 4 weeks later my grandmother pass before my grandfathers insurance came in!

My grandmother may pass before the check is deposited into her account how can my mom or uncles save it before it goes back to insurance

Thomas. R. Morris
Thomas. R. Morris
answered on Apr 6, 2020

The question is not altogether clear to me, but it sounds like the insurance payment is property of your grandmother's estate, and that a probate case needs to be commenced in order to deal with the payment. An attorney with the whole picture will be able to guide you through the probate... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents and Insurance Defense for Michigan on
Q: Can I be sued in Michigan for hitting a building, if it's my fault?

I hit a building and it's my fault (negligent in parking lot, no drugs or alcohol involved). Can my insurance company deny the building owner's claim? Can the building owner (or their insurance company) sue me for damages?

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Feb 22, 2020

The answer is "yes" to both your questions. Although I'm not sure why the insurance company would deny a valid claim unless they were denying coverage for any number of reasons found in your contract with them. In which case the building owner could certainly sue you personally.

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1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents and Insurance Defense for Michigan on
Q: Q: Can I be sued in the event that a leased vehicle I cosigned for Is involved in an accident?

I will be cosigning for a lease vehicle for someone who has a poor credit score.

MY name will appear on the vehicles registration with the owners. This individual will be carrying their own and only auto insurance on the vehicle.

Macomb, MI

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Jan 20, 2020

Usually only the driver is sued; if you cosigned you aren't necessarily a registered owner. If you are, you need to make sure insurance is on that vehicle.

3 Answers | Asked in Contracts, Insurance Defense and Car Accidents for Michigan on
Q: Should I accept this offer from the insurance company, or should I get more money?

I was in a car accident a couple of weeks ago. We were at a stop waiting for traffic to clear to turn left when the car behind us did not stop and went right into us. It was a hit and run, but they were caught. Both cars were totaled. I was the passenger in the car, and have been going to a... View More

Bruce Alexander Minnick
Bruce Alexander Minnick
answered on Apr 16, 2019

This is a perfect example why non-lawyers should never agree to do anything important when offered by a complete stranger--over the telephone? Really? There may still be time for you to extract yourself from the clutches of this uncaring insurance company--if you call a lawyer and ask for help. Do... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Contracts, Real Estate Law, Insurance Defense and Landlord - Tenant for Michigan on
Q: Who is responsible in case of an accidental apartment fire?

My roommates and I recently had a kitchen fire in the apartment due to turning on the wrong burner. The lessor replaced the appliances, brought in a cleaning crew, and then billed us! We were not given any chance to hire/buy anything ourselves. Are we liable for the bill? Note, it does NOT state... View More

Thomas. R. Morris
Thomas. R. Morris
answered on Nov 13, 2017

I would look more closely at the lease. You may be responsible to return the property undamaged at the conclusion of the lease. That clause, I suspect, imposes liability on you. Sorry to not have a favorable answer. Were the fire to have been the fault of the equipment supplied by the landlord,... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Real Estate Law and Insurance Defense for Michigan on
Q: Fiancee's grandma quit claim deedeed house to us and herself and passed a week later...

My fiancee's grandmother quit claim deeded her home to myself, my fiance, and herself, and passed a week later. The insurance policy was in her name which they were notified of her death. Our home burnt down 8 months after she passed. She had no will and no estate, insurance adjuster says that... View More

Kenneth V Zichi
Kenneth V Zichi
answered on Oct 31, 2017

This may or may not actually be required depending on how the deed was written and recorded (was it done by an attorney or did someone go on the internet and ineffectively 'try' to do this on their own?) HOWEVER, if indeed you do need to open an estate, you need to petition the Probate... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Insurance Defense and Probate for Michigan on
Q: grandma and mom passed awat .grandma had a life insurance policy on my mom. Do I get the policy.

grandma had 5 other kids who received something in their name. She always told me I was in place of my mother

Kenneth V Zichi
Kenneth V Zichi
answered on Apr 29, 2017

Your question is not clear. What did your grandmother's will/beneficiary designations say? She left things to the 5 other grandkids but apparently not you? What exactly are you asking?

-- This answer is offered for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or...
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