District 9 News & Updates

Paul Wojno
State Senator
District 9

DRIVERS SHOULD REVIEW AUTO INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR VEHICLE-DEER COLLISIONS 

The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) is reminding consumers to review their auto insurance coverage to make sure they understand what coverage may be available in the event of damage caused by a vehicle-deer collision. Although these types of crashes occur all year round, the fall deer hunting season, coupled with shorter daylight periods, often increases the number of them, which can cost thousands of dollars to repair. 

To make sure that you are protected against this type of damage, you should discuss your current auto insurance policy with your licensed insurance agent or company. In most cases, you will need to buy optional comprehensive coverage. Comprehensive pays if your car is stolen, or for repairs if it is damaged by a falling object, fire, flood, vandalism, or collision with an animal. 

Here are a few tips on what to do after a deer collision: 

• Pull off the road, turn on your emergency flashers, and be cautious of other traffic if you exit your vehicle.  
• Report the crash to the nearest police agency and your insurance company or agent.  
• Document the incident. If it is safe to do so, take photographs of the roadway, your surroundings, damage to your vehicle, and any injuries you or your passengers sustained. If witnesses stop, take down their account of what occurred, and ask for their contact information.  
• Do not approach the deer. Wounded animals can be dangerous, and an animal that appears to be dead may only be stunned.  
• Do not assume your vehicle is safe to drive. Double-check that your car is drivable after colliding with a deer. Look for leaking fluid, loose parts, tire damage, broken lights, a hood that will not latch, and other safety hazards. If your vehicle seems unsafe in any way, call for a tow.  

If you have questions or concerns with your insurance policy or wish to file a complaint, contact DIFS at 833-ASK-DIFS Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or visit Michigan.gov/DIFScomplaints. 

MICHIGANDERS GETTING ADDITIONAL GROCERY ASSISTANCE IN NOVEMBER 

On Tuesday, Nov. 15, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced all Michigan families who are eligible for food assistance benefits will receive at least an additional $95 monthly payment in November to help lower the cost of groceries ahead of Thanksgiving. 

Eligible clients who receive food assistance will receive additional benefits on their Bridge Card between Nov. 12-21. These benefits are loaded onto Bridge Cards as a separate payment from the assistance provided earlier in the month. 

All households eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) receive an increase of at least $95 monthly, even if they are already receiving the maximum payment or are close to that amount. Households that received more than $95 to bring them to the maximum payment for their group size will continue to receive that larger amount.  

Below are the maximum allowable benefits for SNAP customers based on their respective household size:  

• One Person: $281 
• Two Persons: $516 
• Three Persons: $740 
• Four Persons: $939 
• Five Persons: $1,116 
• Six Persons: $1,339 
• Seven Persons: $1,480 
• Eight Persons: $1,691 

Eligible families do not need to re-apply to receive the additional benefits. People who receive food assistance can check their benefits balance on their Michigan Bridge Card by going online to Michigan.gov/MIBridges or calling a consumer service representative toll-free at 888-678-8914. They can ask questions about the additional benefits by calling or emailing their caseworker.    

Customer service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Spanish and Arabic service is available. If you are deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing or speech-impaired, call the Michigan Relay Center at 7-1-1. 

WINTER WEATHER INSURANCE TIPS 

It is Winter Hazards Awareness Week in Michigan, and the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) is reminding Michiganders to review their insurance documents while taking steps to prevent winter-related damage. Winter storms and freezing temperatures can damage your home or vehicle, so it’s important to have insurance coverage that financially protects you if severe winter weather strikes. 

Understanding how your insurance policies work and what they cover is key to a quick recovery.  

Here are a few tips that can help give you peace of mind this winter: 

Tips for Homeowners 

Homeowners insurance policies usually cover damages resulting from things like burst pipes, ice dams, wind, or a building collapse caused by the weight of ice or snow but will often exclude coverage for damages resulting from power outages unless the outage was caused by a covered peril such as wind, ice, or snow.  

Homeowners should review their insurance policy and take the following steps to help prevent winter damage: 

• Keep your home heated to at least 65 degrees to prevent frozen pipes. If you are away from your home for an extended period, have someone check your home to catch any burst pipes as soon as possible.  
• Keep gutters clean to prevent ice damming, which occurs when melting ice backs up under roof shingles before freezing again.  
• Remove trees that have died or are rotting to prevent branches from falling under the weight of snow or ice.  

Tips for Auto Owners 

Driving in winter weather can be hazardous even if you are driving carefully. Coverages you may consider purchasing, or confirming you currently have, include:  

• Collision Coverage provides coverage for damage to your vehicle while driving, should your vehicle collide with another vehicle or hit a tree or utility pole from loss of traction due to ice and snow.  
• Comprehensive Coverage provides coverage when your vehicle has sustained damage that did not result from a collision. Examples include damage from falling tree limbs, hail, or vandalism.  
• Property Protection provides coverage for damage unintentionally caused to another person’s property, for example if you slide off the road and damage someone’s mailbox. This coverage is one of the three mandatory coverages required to drive legally in Michigan.  

For more tips on preparing your family for winter, visit the Michigan State Police’s Emergency Management & Homeland Security Division preparedness website at Michigan.gov/MIReady. For questions or concerns about your insurance, contact DIFS 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 877-999-6442, or file a complaint by visiting Michigan.gov/DIFScomplaints.