Maskay guide

Moved to Michigan with out-of-state car insurance: do you have to replace it?

For a passenger car, van or light truck, Michigan’s answer is unusually direct: an out-of-state insurance policy is not accepted to register or renew the vehicle. You need a Michigan No-Fault policy. That does not necessarily mean changing insurance companies. Ask the current carrier whether it can issue Michigan coverage for the new garaging address; if not, arrange a Michigan policy before cancelling the old one. Keep the effective dates continuous, because proof of the Michigan policy is required for the title, plate and renewal transactions.

Maskay editorial team Updated

Michigan No-Fault has three required parts

The state describes three basic coverages that must be carried on every vehicle: Personal Injury Protection (PIP), Property Protection Insurance (PPI), and residual bodily-injury/property-damage liability (BI/PD). PPI pays up to $1 million for damage the insured vehicle causes to other people’s property in Michigan, including buildings, fences and properly parked vehicles. BI/PD addresses certain claims when the driver is legally responsible for another person’s injury or death, and damage to property outside Michigan. The state’s default BI limits are $250,000 per injured person and $500,000 per crash; a driver may select lower limits, but not below $50,000 per person and $100,000 per crash.

PIP medical coverage is selected from six options: unlimited, $500,000, $250,000, $250,000 with exclusions, $50,000 or an eligible opt-out. Eligibility for reduced or no PIP medical coverage depends on the named insured’s health coverage and, in some choices, coverage for household members. For July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, Michigan’s qualifying-health-coverage test includes an individual deductible of $6,579 or less, provided the policy does not exclude or limit injuries from auto accidents; Medicare Parts A and B can also qualify. If no PIP choice is made, unlimited PIP medical coverage is the default.

Find an agent by city and verify more than a storefront

Michigan’s Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) locator lets consumers search licensed agents and agencies by city or ZIP code. Before sharing money or personal documents, confirm the producer’s active Michigan license and appointment with the insurer, then compare written quotes using the same PIP selection, BI limits, drivers and deductibles. A local office sign alone does not establish that a seller is licensed or authorized to bind the policy.

These choices matter because Michigan’s No-Fault policy is not a single flat package. The insurer should explain the PIP and BI forms and the consequences of limits; ask for written confirmation that the selected coverage applies to every household driver and meets the Secretary of State’s registration requirement. DIFS accepts consumer questions at 877-999-6442. Once the Michigan policy begins, submit its proof to Secretary of State and only then close the prior-state contract.

Verification

Sources & references

Sources for the information and reporting discussed in this guide.

  1. New Michigan residents ↗ Primary source www.michigan.gov · Accessed September 28, 2026

    MASKAY Michigan · documentary evidence shared by English and Spanish editions.

  2. Frequently Asked Questions ↗ Primary source www.michigan.gov · Accessed September 28, 2026

    MASKAY Michigan · documentary evidence shared by English and Spanish editions.

  3. Choosing PIP Medical Coverage ↗ Primary source www.michigan.gov · Accessed September 28, 2026

    MASKAY Michigan · documentary evidence shared by English and Spanish editions.

  4. Choosing Bodily Injury Coverage ↗ Primary source www.michigan.gov · Accessed September 28, 2026

    MASKAY Michigan · documentary evidence shared by English and Spanish editions.

  5. DIFS Reminds Consumers to Verify That Their Insurance Agent Is Licensed When Buying and Renewing Insurance Policies ↗ Primary source www.michigan.gov · Accessed September 28, 2026

    MASKAY Michigan · documentary evidence shared by English and Spanish editions.

  6. www.michigan.gov ↗ Primary source www.michigan.gov · Accessed September 28, 2026

    MASKAY Michigan · documentary evidence shared by English and Spanish editions.

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