Drunk, Joyriding Husband Covered by Insurance in Michigan for Crash

May 27, 2011

A western Michigan man excluded from his wife’s insurance policy still is eligible for benefits in a drunken crash, thanks to a line of court decisions that covers joyriders from the same family.

The state appeals court this week reluctantly overturned a ruling from an Ottawa County judge and said two Grand Rapids hospitals can be reimbursed for the care of Ryan DeYoung.

DeYoung in 2008 took his wife’s Bravada without permission and was in a crash while intoxicated. He was specifically excluded from her insurance.

But the appeals court says a line of cases beginning in 1992 at the Michigan Supreme Court grants coverage to joyriding family members of the insured. The three-judge panel says it doesn’t agree but says it must follow legal precedent.

Topics Michigan

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Latest Comments

  • February 4, 2012 at 7:00 pm
    mary jones says:
    I purchased no fault insurance for mother who and listed other hh member as a designated driver. In my discussion with company, they quoted a rate that I accepted based on one... read more
  • June 10, 2011 at 11:38 am
    Stat Guy says:
    In Pennsylavania, I could not exclude my stepson so long as he was a member of our household. He was listed as a non-driver but PA doesn't want folks with a drivers license t... read more
  • June 7, 2011 at 9:39 am
    Irritated Michigan Agents says:
    In Michigan, you can exclude anyone on an insurance policy. It is up to the company whether or not they allowing excluding, but we find it a lot with couples whose spouse has... read more

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