Michigan · Uninsured driver · Updated Oct 2026

Hit by an uninsured driver in Michigan: coverage, penalties and what to do

Your coverage, the penalties and how to claim your losses.

Short answer

Driving without no-fault insurance is a misdemeanor: fine of $200 to $500, up to 1 year in jail, or both (MCL 500.3102); DIFS says a court may also suspend your license for 30 days or until you show proof of insurance. Not required.

Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage
Not required
Minimum liability
250/500/10
Insurance system
No-fault

Uninsured motorist coverage in Michigan

Uninsured / underinsured motorist (UM/UIM)
Not required. DIFS lists uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage among the optional coverages you can choose to buy (DIFS 'Your Guide to Auto Insurance' FAQ).
Liability minimum
250/500/10 by default; you may choose lower bodily injury limits of 50/100 on a signed form (MCL 500.3009). Plus PIP and $1 million PPI.
Official text
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Compare every state in the minimum insurance table.

If the other driver has no insurance in Michigan

  • An uninsured owner hurt while driving their own car gets no PIP benefits and cannot sue for pain and suffering (MCL 500.3113, 500.3135(2)(c)).
  • If the at-fault driver is uninsured, your optional uninsured motorist coverage may pay if you bought it.

State forms and programs in Michigan

  • If you are hurt and no insurance applies to you, you may apply to the Michigan Assigned Claims Plan (MACP); DIFS says MACP medical benefits are capped at $250,000.

Penalties for driving uninsured in Michigan

  • Driving without no-fault insurance is a misdemeanor: fine of $200 to $500, up to 1 year in jail, or both (MCL 500.3102); DIFS says a court may also suspend your license for 30 days or until you show proof of insurance.

No-fault benefits in Michigan

Michigan is a no-fault state for injuries: your own personal injury protection (PIP) pays your first medical bills and lost income, whoever caused the crash. You can sue the other driver for injuries only in some cases, described below. Every policy must carry PIP, property protection insurance (PPI) and residual liability. For policies issued or renewed after July 1, 2020, you choose a PIP medical limit: unlimited, $500,000, $250,000, $250,000 with exclusions (if you have qualifying health coverage), $50,000 (Medicaid enrollees) or no PIP medical (Medicare Parts A and B).

More facts for Michigan

  • Mini-tort: you can recover up to $3,000 of uninsured car damage from the at-fault driver, in small claims court whenever possible (MCL 500.3135(3)(e), (4)).

How fast an insurer must handle a claim in Michigan

  • PIP benefits are overdue if not paid within 30 days after the insurer gets reasonable proof of the loss, and overdue amounts earn 12% interest a year (MCL 500.3142).
  • For other claims, the insurer must tell you in writing what proof of loss it needs within 30 days, and pay within 60 days after proof of loss, or owe 12% interest; for third-party claims interest applies only if liability is not reasonably in dispute and a court finds bad faith (MCL 500.2006).

Claiming from the uninsured driver in Michigan

Small claims limit for car damage in Michigan: $7,000 for people and businesses. Mini-tort claims up to $3,000 must be filed in small claims whenever possible. Michigan small claims guide on Small Claims Map

Step by step if an uninsured driver hits you in Michigan

  1. Report the crash to the police. If anyone is hurt or killed, or total property damage looks like $1,000 or more, you must report the crash right away at the nearest police station or to the nearest police officer. Reporting a crash in Michigan and getting the police report
  2. Write down the other car's plate and get witness names.
  3. Claim under your uninsured motorist coverage; in Michigan it is not required.
  4. File your PIP claim on time; Michigan's no-fault benefits don't depend on who caused the crash.
  5. If your coverage doesn't pay everything, sue the driver before the deadline: 3 years for both property damage and injury. Deadlines to sue in Michigan, with the calculator

Free help in Michigan

Questions about uninsured drivers in Michigan

Is uninsured motorist coverage required in Michigan?

Not required. DIFS lists uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage among the optional coverages you can choose to buy (DIFS 'Your Guide to Auto Insurance' FAQ).

What happens if you drive without insurance in Michigan?

Driving without no-fault insurance is a misdemeanor: fine of $200 to $500, up to 1 year in jail, or both (MCL 500.3102); DIFS says a court may also suspend your license for 30 days or until you show proof of insurance.

What can I do if an uninsured driver hits me in Michigan?

An uninsured owner hurt while driving their own car gets no PIP benefits and cannot sue for pain and suffering (MCL 500.3113, 500.3135(2)(c)). If the at-fault driver is uninsured, your optional uninsured motorist coverage may pay if you bought it. If you are hurt and no insurance applies to you, you may apply to the Michigan Assigned Claims Plan (MACP); DIFS says MACP medical benefits are capped at $250,000.

What is the minimum car insurance in Michigan?

250/500/10 by default; you may choose lower bodily injury limits of 50/100 on a signed form (MCL 500.3009). Plus PIP and $1 million PPI.

How long do I have to sue an uninsured driver in Michigan?

3 years for property damage and 3 years for injury.

How fast must an insurer handle a car insurance claim in Michigan?

PIP benefits are overdue if not paid within 30 days after the insurer gets reasonable proof of the loss, and overdue amounts earn 12% interest a year (MCL 500.3142). For other claims, the insurer must tell you in writing what proof of loss it needs within 30 days, and pay within 60 days after proof of loss, or owe 12% interest; for third-party claims interest applies only if liability is not reasonably in dispute and a court finds bad faith (MCL 500.2006).

More for Michigan drivers

Nearby states

Sources

Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.