FILE--In this March 18, 2019, file photo, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer listens to Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., in Clawson, Mich. Whitmer has ordered a review of Michigan auto insurers' use of non-driving factors to set premiums and their pricing of policies that coordinate medical coverage with drivers' health insurance. The Democrat's move Wednesday comes as Republican lawmakers prepare to soon unveil legislation designed to reduce what on average are the country's highest car insurance rates. Whitmer says the state must take a "hard look" at how insurers set rates to ensure their practices are lawful. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya_File)

LANSING (AP) — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Wednesday ordered a review of how Michigan’s auto insurers use non-driving factors such as education and credit scores to set premiums that rank among the nation’s highest.

The Democrat’s directive also includes an examination of how insurers price policies that coordinate medical coverage with drivers’ health insurance, and arrives as Republican lawmakers prepare to unveil legislation designed to reduce car insurance rates.

“Auto insurance rates must be fair and reasonable,” Whitmer said in a statement. “We must take a hard look at how auto insurers are setting rates to ensure these practices are lawful and to determine how we can achieve complete and lasting reform for Michiganders.”

The use of non-driving factors such as education, homeownership, occupation and credit scores is legal in the state. The law bars insurers from using sex or marital status as rating factors for policies issued on an individual basis, though policies issued on a group basis are exempt.

Michigan is the only state to require unlimited coverage for medical expenses resulting from auto crashes. It also allows health providers to bill car insurers much more for care than health insurers pay. The annual fee to cover personal injury protection benefits exceeding $550,000 will rise to a record $220 per vehicle this summer.

While medical costs are factors in Michigan’s high rates — and issues the GOP legislative majority intends to address — Whitmer said she is committed to using the power of her office to study other dynamics, too. Democratic legislators in particular have said allowing non-driving factors in rate-setting is discriminatory, especially in the Detroit — where residents pay $5,414 a year in premiums. That is more than double the state average, which is almost double the national average, according to a University of Michigan report cited by Whitmer.

The insurance department will identify what specific non-driving factors are being used and how they are being applied, and make recommendations for legislation, rules or other measures.