Governor's Plans For Insurance Reform Unclear

By Laura Weber

Governor Rick Snyder says he wants to reform insurance regulations this fall. But there is confusion at the state Capitol over just how sweeping those proposed changes will be.

The topic of insurance reform came up when Governor Snyder was asked about his support for a repeal of Michigan's motorcyclist helmet law. Snyder says he would like to include that repeal with other changes to insurance regulations, such as requiring bikers who doff their helmets to pay higher premiums.

Republican Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville says he asked Snyder about a helmet law repeal at the beginning of the year.

"He just talked about it in somewhat general terms, but says that he thought this is an insurance issue that related to safety and he has other insurance issues that he would like to address in total," he says.

But even Richardville is not clear on what other changes to insurance rules Snyder would like to make, or how wide-ranging those changes might be. Richardville says he does expect the issues to surface when lawmakers return to regular session meetings this fall.