What's The Holdup With D-Insurance? Mayor Says Half Of Detroit Drivers Still Driving Dirty

DETROIT (WWJ) - Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan is getting riled up when asked about the holdup in providing affordable auto insurance to Detroiters.

Duggan says soon-to-be-released poll results show his proposed city-owned "D-Insurance" program — which is awaiting approval by Gov. Rick Snyder and lawmakers in Lansing — is "overwhelmingly" supported by Detroiters.

The delay up on implementing the program, Duggan, who formerly served as CEO of the Detroit Medical Center, believes is thanks to his former colleagues in the health care system.

Under Michigan law, health care providers are allowed to charge much more for treatment of auto injuries.

"(Opponents of the plan) are being paid by the health care industry," Mayor Duggan told WWJ's Vickie Thomas. "There's no other possible reason you could be against D-Insurance unless you're being funded by my former colleagues."

Detroit auto insurance rates are the highest in the country, and the mayor had hoped to see his plan in place by January 2016.

He says he's angry and disappointed.

"Half of the drivers in the city of Detroit today are driving illegally. People who need to get in a car to get to a job to make a living can't afford the car insurance, and we're forcing them to drive as criminals," Duggan said.

"What is happening today is completely immoral, they know it's immoral, and yet they're still fighting this."

The gist of the D plan: The city would seek bids from auto insurance companies to provide at least $25,000 for medical care and cap catastrophic coverage at an additional $250,000. Costs beyond that would be the responsibility of a driver's health insurer.

A study showed potential savings of $600 to $2,300 for city drivers.