Whereas, In Michigan, insurance fraud is a felony, however it is estimated that 10 percent of all property/casualty insurance claims in Michigan are fraudulent; and,

Whereas, The Coalition Against Insurance Fraud estimates insurance fraud costs Americans $80 billion annually and the average Michigan family pays $950 in additional premiums annually as a result; and,

Whereas, Michigan residents pay for insurance fraud through not only higher insurance rates but also with higher taxes and inflated prices for goods and services; and,

Whereas, The National Insurance Crime Bureau, Coalition Against Insurance Fraud, Insurance Institute of Michigan, Help Eliminate Auto Thefts, Michigan Association of Vehicle Theft Investigators, Anti-Car Theft Campaign, Michigan Chapter of International Association of Special Investigation Units, which represents 52 insurance carriers, and Michigan Arson Prevention Committee have joined together and are committed to educating Michigan residents and combating the crime of insurance fraud;

Now, Therefore, be it Resolved, That I, Jennifer M. Granholm, governor of the state of Michigan, do hereby proclaim the week of October 11, 2009, Insurance Fraud Awareness Week in Michigan. I encourage all residents of this state to recognize the costly consequences of insurance fraud.