(The Center Square) – Michigan drivers continue to face high auto insurance costs as a bipartisan plan to lower premiums is considered by the legislature.

A new study ranks Michigan eighth nationally for auto insurance burden, finding that the state's median annual premium of $2,376 consumes 3.28% of its median household income.

That is the highest share of income in the Midwest, according to the 50-state analysis which was performed by Kuzyk Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers. The findings come as lawmakers consider a bipartisan package aimed at giving Michigan drivers more affordable insurance options.

The states with the highest auto insurance burdens include Louisiana at 5.35%, Florida at 4.15% and Kentucky at 4.02%. New Hampshire has the lowest at 1.39%.

Neighboring Ohio – ranked 40th – has a nearly identical median household income to Michigan but pays an average of $1,406 a year for auto insurance, with premiums accounting for 1.95% of household income. That means Michigan drivers pay $970 more per year.

Other nearby states also fared better than Michigan, with Indiana ranking 36th at 2.08% of household income and Wisconsin ranking 34th at 2.15%.

In late September, Rep. Jennifer Wortz, R-Quincy, testified before the state House Committee on Insurance in support of the bipartisan package she co-sponsored.

House Bills 5886-5888 would give insurers the option to offer lower levels of personal injury protection coverage statewide, including extending the current $50,000 option to all drivers. They would also eliminate the requirement for drivers to reselect lower coverage limits at every policy renewal, allowing them to keep their chosen coverage automatically.

“We have to address the rising cost of auto insurance across the state,” Wortz said during testimony. “The best way to do that is by giving Michigan drivers more choices in coverage. Families are facing higher costs across the board, and we should be looking for ways to give people more flexibility in choosing the coverage that works for their needs and their budget.”

The package would also lower Michigan's required bodily injury liability coverage minimums from $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident to $25,000 and $50,000, respectively.

According to supporters of the package, that would bring Michigan’s insurance requirements in line with those of many other states.

“Michigan drivers deserve the ability to make decisions about their insurance coverage based on their own circumstances,” Wortz said. “We can provide more affordable options while ensuring drivers have access to the protection they need.”

First proposed in April, all three bills are still waiting for a vote in the state House Committee on Insurance.