Michigan's Automobile and Homeowner Insurance Consumer Advocate Butch Hollowell held four public hearings around the state of Michigan last November to hear from consumers and industry experts about the affordability of auto insurance and oversight of the industry.

The purpose of the Auto Insurance Affordability hearings was to receive testimony from consumers, industry experts and other stakeholders to address two basic questions: 1) Are Michigan's auto insurance rates affordable?, and 2) Has Michigan's deregulation of the insurance industry allowed for adequate oversight of auto insurance rates?

More than 250 citizens attended the hearings, which were held in Grand Rapids, Bay City, Detroit and Marquette. Expert testimony was provided by consumer experts as well as representatives from the insurance industry.

Testimony received at the hearing is being used to develop the Advocate's recommendations for auto insurance reform, to be contained in the Advocate's Annual Report to the Governor.