Michigan Personal Lines Law & Coverage Rules
This chapter covers the Michigan-specific personal lines rules that sit on top of the shared national property & casualty fundamentals: who regulates insurance in Michigan, the state's no-fault auto system and mandatory personal injury protection (PIP), the minimum liability limits drivers must carry, and the notice rules that govern cancellation and nonrenewal of personal policies. The coverage figures below were checked against Michigan statute (MCL) this session; always confirm current numbers with DIFS before advising a client.
The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS)
Insurance in Michigan is regulated at the state level by the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS), the combined insurance and financial-institutions regulator (formerly the Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation). DIFS licenses producers, approves policy forms and rates, investigates complaints, and enforces the state insurance code. There is no federal insurance department — knowing that Michigan's own regulator, not a bank or a federal body, oversees personal lines is a common exam point. Official site: https://www.michigan.gov/difs.
Michigan Is a No-Fault Auto State (PIP Required)
Michigan is a no-fault auto insurance state: after a crash, an injured person turns first to his or her own policy's personal injury protection (PIP) for medical and related benefits regardless of who caused the accident, rather than suing the other driver for those benefits. Every personal auto policy must include PIP. Since the 2020 no-fault reform, drivers choose a PIP medical coverage level (including capped options and, for those with qualifying health coverage, an opt-out), which changed how much PIP a policy carries. Because these options and any Medicare-related conditions can change, verify the current PIP choices with DIFS.
Minimum Auto Liability Limits (250/500/10 default)
In addition to PIP, a Michigan auto policy must carry bodily-injury and property-damage liability. Under MCL 500.3009, the default minimum limits after July 1, 2020 are $250,000 per person and $500,000 per accident for bodily injury, plus $10,000 property damage (written 250/500/10). A named insured may sign a form electing lower bodily-injury limits down to at least $50,000 per person / $100,000 per accident (50/100). Producers should explain that the higher default limits better protect the insured's assets. Source: MCL 500.3009; verify current figures with DIFS.
Cancellation and Nonrenewal Notice
State law limits the reasons an insurer may cancel a personal auto or homeowners policy mid-term (for example nonpayment of premium or material misrepresentation) and requires advance written notice of cancellation or nonrenewal to the insured. The exact number of days depends on the reason and the line of business; do not memorize a single number — verify the current Michigan notice periods directly with DIFS.
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State-specific details
State exam facts
- State regulator
- Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services
- Exam vendor
- PSI
Who regulates personal lines insurance licensing in Michigan?
The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) issues the Personal Lines authority and contracts with PSI Services. Personal Lines is a limited P&C license for personal coverage.
What lines does the Michigan Personal Lines license cover?
The Michigan Personal Lines license covers personal auto, homeowners, dwelling/fire, and personal umbrella for individuals and families; commercial property/casualty requires the full P&C license.
What score do I need to pass the Michigan Personal Lines exam?
Michigan passing scores vary by exam and are not the standard 70% used in most states, so confirm the current threshold for the Personal Lines exam with DIFS/PSI before testing.
Sources: https://www.michigan.gov/difs, https://www.psiexams.com/
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