Dispute over insurance fund records returns to state appeals court

LANSING (AP) — The Michigan Supreme Court has ordered a lower court to take another look at a dispute over public access to records of an auto insurance fund.

The state appeals court must decide whether the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association is a public body covered by the Freedom of Information Act. Once that step is taken, the appeals court must look any possible conflict between the records law and Michigan's Constitution.

The insurance fund was created by lawmakers to reimburse insurers for catastrophic claims that exceed $545,000. Owners pay $150 per vehicle per year on top of their regular insurance. The rate can change each year.

A coalition of health care, labor and consumer organizations wants information on how the fund calculates rates.