Non-Residents and Michigan No-Fault Coverage: The 30-Day Rule

If you are visiting Michigan, you do not have to purchase Michigan car insurance. However, if you and your car plan on spending at least 30 days in Michigan in any calendar year, you must carry Michigan no-fault insurance.

It is important to contact a Michigan insurance agent to make sure you are compliant with the law. Failing to do so can result in lost benefits and legal penalties.

QUICK SUMMARY: NON-RESIDENTS & INSURANCE 

• The 30-Day Rule: If you drive your car in Michigan for more than 30 days total in a year, you need Michigan insurance.
• "Aggregate" Time: The days do not have to be consecutive (e.g., 10 days in June + 20 days in July = 30 days).
• The Penalty: If you fail to get insurance, you may be disqualified from No-Fault medical benefits (PIP).
• Can I Sue? Yes. Even if you violate the insurance rule, you can still sue the at-fault driver for pain and suffering (Goings v. Giacomantonio-Snow).
  

The General Rule for Michigan Residents

First, let’s start with what the general rule is for Michigan residents who own a vehicle. Under the law, an owner of a vehicle must maintain personal injury protection insurance and liability insurance during the time the motor vehicle is driven or moved on a roadway (MCL 500.3101(1)).

Failing to abide by this rule can lead to severe penalties, including:

• No PIP Benefits: Under MCL 500.3113(b), a car owner who fails to maintain car insurance cannot make a claim for any no-fault, personal injury protection benefits. They are excluded from making a claim for medical bills, lost wages, replacement services and a host of other benefits.
• No Pain and Suffering: Under MCL 500.3135(2)(c), a person driving their own uninsured vehicle cannot make a claim for pain and suffering damages against the negligent driver.
• No Claim for Vehicle Damage: The owner of an uninsured vehicle cannot make a claim against the at-fault driver for any vehicle damage, unless the property damage was caused intentionally.

Non-Residents: The 30-Day Rule

Under MCL 500.3102(1), a nonresident owner or registrant of a vehicle not registered in Michigan must obtain Michigan No-Fault insurance if they operate that vehicle in the state for an aggregate of more than 30 days in a calendar year.

What Does "Aggregate Time" Mean?

The law specifies an "aggregate" of 30 days, meaning the days do not have to be consecutive.

• Example: If you are an out-of-state student at Michigan State, Western Michigan, or Grand Valley University and have a vehicle at school for more than 30 days, it must be registered and insured here in Michigan.

If you fail to do so, you will have violated the statute. This applies to anybody, even parents who in the aggregate stay in Michigan for more than 30 days during a calendar year.

Is There a Grace Period for Out-of-State Residents?

Not really. If you move to Michigan and intend to reside in the Great Lakes State, you must purchase Michigan no-fault insurance. Once you become a Michigan resident, the requirement to have Michigan No-Fault insurance is typically immediate upon registering the vehicle in the state.

Penalties for Non-Residents Failing to Have Insurance

If a non-resident violates the 30-day rule, they face significant risks:

1. No access to PIP benefits: Under MCL 500.3113(b), a car owner who fails to maintain car insurance cannot make a claim for any no-fault, personal injury protection benefits. They are excluded from making a claim for medical bills, lost wages, replacement services and a host of other benefits.
2. No Claim for Vehicle Damage: The owner of an uninsured vehicle cannot make a claim against the at-fault driver for any vehicle damage, unless the property damage was caused intentionally.
3. Criminal Penalty: A non-resident can be held guilty of a misdemeanor. A person convicted of a misdemeanor under this section shall be fined not less than $200.00 nor more than $500.00, imprisoned for not more than 1 year, or both.

Can Non-Residents Still Sue for Pain and Suffering?

Yes.

In Goings v. Giacomantonio-Snow, the Michigan Court of Appeals held that a non-resident’s failure to maintain Michigan no-fault insurance (even if they drive more than 30 days) does not bar them from recovering non-economic damages under MCL 500.3135(2)(c). In 2025, the Michigan Supreme Court did not agree to review this holding.

The Case Details:
The plaintiff in Goings was injured in a car accident. He lived in Toledo, Ohio but spent a lot of time in Michigan for work. There was evidence indicating he spent numerous nights in Michigan as well. The insurance company for the defendant driver tried to dismiss his case, arguing that because Goings failed to have Michigan PIP insurance, he was precluded from getting pain and suffering compensation.

The Ruling:
The Court held that even though the plaintiff was a non-resident, and there was evidence he used his car in Michigan for more than 30 days during the year, he could still bring a case for pain and suffering against the negligent driver.

Who is Considered a Car "Owner" in Michigan?

The law defines a car owner to include any person "having the use of a motor vehicle, under a lease or otherwise, for a period that is greater than 30 days." (MCL 500.3101(1)(l)(i)).

There are multiple ways a person can be considered an owner:

• Title owner: The title for the vehicle is in their name.
• Registered owner: The vehicle is registered to them.
• Constructive owner: The driver has exclusive or regular use of the vehicle with an intent to use it for more than 30 days.

Example:
Jane uses her boyfriend’s car every day for 60 days. Even though the car is registered to her boyfriend, Jane will be considered a "statutory owner" under MCL 500.3101(1)(l)(i) and must purchase Michigan no-fault insurance.

Contact Our Michigan No-Fault Lawyers

If you are a non-resident injured in a Michigan car accident, the laws can be confusing. Do not let an insurance company deny your claim without a fight.

Call 1-800-LEE-FREE (1-800-533-3733) today for a free consultation. We will review your case and help you understand your rights.