LANSING, Mich. (Oct. 14, 2025) — Today, Chair Mary Cavanagh (D-Redford Twp.) and the Senate Committee on Finance, Insurance, and Consumer Protection voted to pass a bill package to ensure greater transparency and accountability in the insurance industry and better protect Michigan consumers from unfair, deceptive practices. Senate Bills 543–550 would equip the Michigan Dept. of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) with the tools needed to better enforce insurance code regulations and violations.
“Advancing these bills from the committee today puts us one step closer to further protecting Michigan consumers and helps put a stop to unscrupulous and sometimes exploitative insurer practices,” said Sen. Cavanagh. “Too many Michiganders, particularly Detroiters, have been taken advantage of by companies that deny or delay legitimate claims, sometimes even retroactively canceling coverage and seizing their vehicles, leaving consumers unprotected on top of already egregious premium costs. Insurance should be a promise to consumers to have protection when they need it the most. But right now, many companies are shirking their responsibility and not upholding their end of the bargain, raking in record profits while delaying and denying legitimate claims. This legislation will give the state the necessary tools to fight back and put the customer first especially during times when our residents need it most.”
BACKGROUND:
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Increase fines for violations of the Insurance Code, ensuring bad actors are held accountable (SB 543);
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Ban post-claim underwriting, requiring insurers to complete all underwriting before issuing a policy (SB 544);
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Improve underwriting transparency by requiring insurers to provide consumers with written notice if a material change is made to their auto or homeowners policies (SB 545);
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Expand penalties for insurers that pay claims late (SB 546);
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Strengthen utilization review compliance (SB 547);
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Establish a market conduct examination framework to ensure insurer compliance with the rules of the marketplace (SB 548);
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Enhance cybersecurity safety for consumers (SB 549); and
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Improve transparency in auto insurer manuals (SB 550).