Partner Joel Ashton Speaks at NAIFA Event

Joel Ashton, a partner in our Livonia office, was the guest speaker at the Michigan Chapter of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors’ (NAIFA) Virtual Event held on June 18, 2024.

Mr. Ashton spoke to insurance and financial advisors on the current state of the Michigan No-Fault Act following the substantial amendments of 2019 with a focus on helping the advisors best serve their customers.

He provided an overview of the Michigan No-Fault Act, reviewed the amendments that took place in 2019, and offered an update on the current status of the Act five years later.  Given the prevalence of insureds opting for lower personal injury protection (PIP) coverage -or opting out of the coverage altogether- he gave real world examples of the results of lesser coverage resulting in the inability to pay medical bills, and to obtain needed treatment, to emphasize recommending lifetime PIP medical expense coverage.  Similarly, given the increased risk presented by bodily injury liability claims now including excess PIP expenses, he urged recommending $250,000 per person/$500,000 per occurrence bodily injury coverage as well as the optional UM and UIM coverage.

Joel Ashton is a partner in our Livonia office where he focuses his practice on insurance defense, including Michigan No-Fault claims (PIP, automobile negligence, uninsured/ underinsured motorist), as well as premises liability and general negligence. His practice also includes the defense of contract and liability claims, contract interpretation issues, subrogation claims involving automobile, fire and casualty, commercial, and related coverage. Mr. Ashton maintains an AV Preeminent Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, which is the highest possible rating an attorney can achieve for both ethical standards and legal ability. He may be reached at (734) 261-2400 or jashton@cmda-law.com.