Michigan Ballot Proposal D, Auto Insurance Rates and Lawsuits Initiative (1992)

Michigan Ballot Proposal D
Election date November 3, 1992
Topic Insurance policy and Tort law
Status Defeated
Type Indirect initiated state statute	Origin Citizens

Michigan Ballot Proposal D was on the ballot as an indirect initiated state statute in Michigan on November 3, 1992. It was defeated.

A “yes” vote supported this ballot initiative to: reduce auto insurance rates by 20% for policyholders selecting $250,000 in personal injury protection (PIP); require profit refunds when insurer profits exceed 5%, unless waived by the Insurance Commissioner; and limit the right to sue by raising injury standards and preventing drivers over 50% at fault from collecting damages, among other changes.

A “no” vote opposed this ballot initiative regarding auto insurance rates and lawsuits.

Election results

Michigan Ballot Proposal D
Result		Votes	Percentage
Yes		1,482,577	37.41%
No		2,480,032	62.59%

Results are officially certified.

Source

Text of measure

Ballot title

The ballot title for Ballot Proposal D was as follows:

“

BALLOT PROPOSAL D A PROPOSAL TO AMEND MICHIGAN'S AUTO INSURANCE LAWS The proposed legislative amendment would: 1) Reduce auto insurance rates by 20% (average) for policyholders accepting $250,000 in personal injury protection. Extra coverage made available at added cost. 2) Require profit refunds when underwriting profits exceed 5%, 3) Permit Insurance Commissioner to waive company's obligation to reduce rates or refund profits if needed to assure fair rate of return. 4) Allow policyholders to waive residual liability insurance. 5) Limit fees paid to health care providers. 6) Allow rate reduction for five consecutive claim-free years. 7) Require coordination of benefits with health insurance. 8) Limit right to sue by setting higher standards for injuries and prevent drivers over 50% at fault from collecting damages. Should this proposal be adopted? YES     NO

”

Path to the ballot

See also: Signature requirements for ballot measures in Michigan

An indirect initiated state statute is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that amends state statute. There are nine (9) states that allow citizens to initiate indirect state statutes.

While a direct initiative is placed on the ballot once supporters file the required number of valid signatures, an indirect initiative is first presented to the state legislature. Legislators have a certain number of days, depending on the state, to adopt the initiative into law. Should legislators take no action or reject the initiative, the initiative is put on the ballot for voters to decide.

In Michigan, the number of signatures required for an indirect initiated state statute is equal to 8% of the votes cast in the last gubernatorial election. As an indirect process, the Legislature has 40 days to adopt the initiative after signatures are certified. Otherwise, a simple majority vote is required for voter approval.

See also

1992 Measures

• 1992 Measures
• Insurance policy on the ballot
• Tort law on the ballot
• 1992 legislative sessions

Michigan

• Michigan ballot measures
• Michigan ballot measure laws

News and analysis

• Ballot measure lawsuits
• Ballot measure readability
• Ballot measure polls

External links

• Michigan Department of State, "Initiatives and Referendums Under the Constitution of the State of Michigan of 1963," December 5, 2008
• Central Michigan University, "Clare Sentinel, 27 October 1992,"