Money Was the Motivator for No-Fault Reform – Not Michigan Drivers or Car Crash Survivors
The Silent Crash podcast, news outlets and government watchdogs have explored the wealthy players and financial motivations behind No-Fault reform. It details the efforts to repeal or break No-Fault by the Insurance Alliance of Michigan (auto insurance industry lobby), Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, Quicken Loans owner Dan Gilbert, Senators Mike Shirkey and Lana Theis, and others. The prizes:
- A $28 billion pot of gold sitting at the MCCA catastrophic fund, which PA-22 allows to go to insurance companies instead of crash survivors
- Donations from insurance companies to senators and their families
- Money to fulfill “fix the damn roads” campaign promises
- Coveted buildings in Detroit
- Revenue increases for the City of Detroit
What was not at stake despite the publicity: lowering auto insurance rates and helping care for accident survivors.
The following is a compilation of some of the articles that look into this hidden story and follow the money trail.
Silent Crash Podcast
- Episode #3 (A Tale of Two Men)
- Episode #4 (Lies, Damned Lies, and… Politics)
- Episode #5 (Will the Senator Please Raise)
- Episode #8 (The Doctor is Still In… Is a Fix In, Too?)
- Episode #10 (Legacy in the Making)
Crain’s Detroit
- Gilbert planning no-fault petition campaign; Medicaid costs could swell if drivers can opt out | Crain’s Detroit Business (crainsdetroit.com)
- Gilbert pressures Whitmer with auto insurance ballot initiative plan (detroitnews.com)
- Gilbert planning no-fault petition campaign; Medicaid costs could swell if drivers can opt out | Crain’s Detroit Business (crainsdetroit.com)
- Dan Gilbert’s Point Man Jared Fleisher On Reforming Auto Insurance In Michigan from Daily Detroit on RadioPublic
- Dan Gilbert, other employers could lower employees’ auto insurance costs — but nobody knows how much | Crain’s Detroit Business (crainsdetroit.com)
- Quicken, Lear and DTE lobbying for auto insurance reform | Crain’s Detroit Business (crainsdetroit.com)
Michigan Campaign Finance Network
