One of the moments we have been waiting for in Michigan is getting money back into our pockets from paying so much premium in car insurance, especially in the last decade. Mandatory fees, associated with an auto insurance policy in Michigan, include those from the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association (MCCA). The fee started at $3 per vehicle in 1978, but the MCCA has required us to pay quite a bit in fees per vehicle over the past decade with increasing costs over time. The assessments per vehicle over the years are as follows:

2011 = $145

2012 = $175

2013 = $186

2014 = $186

2015 = $150

2016 = $160

2017 = $170

2018 = $192

2019 = $220

2020 = $100 (Michigan Auto Insurance Reform began)

2021 = $86

On December 6, 2021 Director Anita Fox with the Department of Insurance and Financial Services released a notice stating the MCCA will be returning approximately $3 billion of excess surplus funds to its member insurance companies (MCCA letter to Director Fox). Insurance companies will then refund policyholders that had a policy  in effect on 10/31/21 at 11:59 p.m. EST. The amount refunded to these policy holders will be $400 for every car that was subject to the MCCA fee at this time. The amount for historical vehicles is 20% or $80 of the refund per car. The MCCA is anticipating to distribute this surplus to its member insurance companies, at the earliest March 9, 2022. Insurance companies will have no longer than 60 days after receiving the funds to issue out the refund checks to individual qualifying policy holders. Each insurance company will have more information available as they identify a specific timeframe and the steps to issue these refund checks.  

Giving back during the Holiday Season is important. So many years we rush around from store to store trying to find that one perfect gift for that special someone and we stand in long lines on Black Friday just to get the best deals. There are many of us that are fortunate just to have the opportunity to even shop for a gift. We may be able to provide for our own families and for ourselves, but there are many children out there that will not have a gift to open on Christmas morning.

The truth is that Santa Claus is not just make-believe. There are different names that he has gone by in the past and not all of them are fictitious characters. He represents the act of giving freely without the recognition, thanks, praise or reciprocation. It is being kind and generous. It is remembering the holidays should be filled with fun, happiness, love, joy and best of all…MAGIC! Santa is the energy and spirit in every one of us. We just need to have the hope that we can all bring him back to life!

Macomb Insurance Mart has decided to be a local drop off for Marine Toys for Tots. Please bring in any new, unwrapped toy to our office for donation. You may also DONATE in other ways to this organization. We believe in who Santa Claus is and what he stands for. Hopefully, you will also choose to be a part of the joy that a child receives when they wake up Christmas morning to realize that Santa does exist.