June 24, 2026
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Sabeen
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You were in a car accident. You’re hurt. Your doctor recommends treatment — maybe physical therapy, maybe surgery, maybe ongoing pain management. You file a claim with your auto insurance company, expecting them to cover it under your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits.
Then the letter arrives: Claim Denied.
If this has happened to you, you’re not alone. As a Michigan personal injury attorney, I see this every single week. Insurance companies denying, delaying, or cutting off legitimate medical treatment for car accident victims is one of the most common — and most frustrating — problems in Michigan No-Fault law.
Here’s what you need to know about your rights, and what you can do about it.
Your Right to PIP Benefits Under Michigan No-Fault Law
Michigan’s No-Fault Insurance Act (MCL 500.3101 et seq.) requires auto insurance companies to pay for “reasonably necessary” medical expenses that result from a motor vehicle accident. This is known as Personal Injury Protection, or PIP.
Under the law, your PIP benefits can cover:
- Emergency room visits and hospital stays
- Surgery and specialist consultations
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Prescription medications
- Chiropractic care
- In-home attendant care and nursing services
- Medical equipment (wheelchairs, braces, etc.)
The key phrase is “reasonably necessary.” If your treating physician says you need the treatment, there’s a strong argument that it qualifies. But insurance companies don’t always see it that way — or more accurately, they don’t always want to see it that way.
Why Insurance Companies Deny Medical Claims
Let’s be direct: insurance companies are businesses. Their profit increases when they pay out fewer claims. That doesn’t mean every denial is bad faith, but it does mean the system isn’t set up to give you the benefit of the doubt.
Common reasons insurers deny or cut off your medical treatment include:
- Independent Medical Examination (IME): The insurance company sends you to a doctor they chose, who concludes your treatment isn’t necessary. These exams are often biased — the doctor is being paid by the insurer, not by you.
- Utilization review: A behind-the-scenes review where the insurer’s medical staff decides your treatment doesn’t meet their internal guidelines.
- Claiming the injury isn’t accident-related: The insurer argues your condition is pre-existing or degenerative, not caused by the crash.
- Paperwork issues: Missing documentation, late filings, or clerical errors that the insurer uses as a reason to deny.
- Policy limits: Since the 2019 Michigan No-Fault reform, many drivers chose lower PIP coverage levels. If you selected a limited policy, your benefits may have a cap.
What You Should Do Right Now
If your insurance company has denied your medical treatment after a Michigan car accident, don’t panic — but don’t ignore it either. Here are the steps I recommend:
1. Get the Denial in Writing
Make sure you have a written explanation of why your claim was denied. Under Michigan law, insurers must provide a reasonable explanation. If they haven’t, request one immediately.
2. Don’t Stop Treating
This is critical. Many accident victims stop going to the doctor when their insurance cuts them off because they’re worried about the bills. But gaps in treatment can actually hurt your case — the insurance company will later argue that if you were really injured, you would have kept treating. Talk to your medical provider about continuing care while the dispute is resolved.
3. Keep Detailed Records
Save every piece of paper: denial letters, medical records, bills, prescriptions, correspondence with the insurance company. Document your symptoms, how the injury affects your daily life, and any conversations you have with adjusters.
4. Be Cautious with the Insurance Adjuster
Insurance adjusters may seem friendly, but their job is to minimize what the company pays. Don’t give recorded statements without legal advice. Don’t sign medical authorizations that give the insurer blanket access to your entire medical history.
5. Talk to a Michigan Car Accident Lawyer
This is the most important step. Michigan No-Fault law is complex, and the rules have changed significantly since the 2019 reform. An experienced attorney can evaluate your denial, determine whether the insurer is acting in bad faith, and fight to get your benefits reinstated.
In Michigan, you generally have one year from the date each benefit was due to file a lawsuit for unpaid PIP benefits (MCL 500.3145). Don’t let that deadline pass.
The 2019 No-Fault Reform: What Changed
Michigan’s 2019 No-Fault reform gave drivers the option to choose different levels of PIP coverage — from unlimited lifetime benefits down to as low as $50,000. If you chose a lower coverage level before your accident, your available benefits may be limited.
However, even with reduced coverage, your insurer still must pay for reasonably necessary treatment up to your policy limit. A denial within your coverage limits is still challengeable.
If you’re unsure what level of PIP coverage you selected, check your declarations page or call your insurance agent. Understanding your policy is the first step in knowing what you’re owed.
You Shouldn’t Have to Fight for the Benefits You Paid For
Every month, Michigan drivers pay auto insurance premiums — some of the highest in the country. Those premiums buy you the right to receive medical care when you’re injured in an accident. When an insurance company takes your money and then refuses to pay your claims, that’s not just unfair. It may be a violation of Michigan law.
You have the right to challenge a denial. You have the right to continue receiving medical treatment. And you have the right to an attorney who will hold the insurance company accountable.
Injured in a Michigan Car Accident? Let’s Talk.
If your auto insurance company has denied or cut off your medical treatment after an accident, The Seva Law Firm can help. We fight for Michigan accident victims every day, and we don’t get paid unless you do.
Call us today for a free consultation:
(248) 385-5704
The Seva Law Firm
100 W. Big Beaver Rd, Suite 500
Troy, MI 48084
sevafirm.com