17+ years in insurance and personal finance writing
In-depth knowledge of home and real estate topics
Angela is an insurance and personal finance expert who uses her experience to create content that helps readers understand important and complex topics.
As Insurify’s home and pet insurance editor, Danny also specializes in auto insurance. His goal is to help consumers navigate the complex world of insurance buying.
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
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Michigan is the most expensive state for car insurance, Insurify data shows. High state coverage requirements, severe winter weather, and a relatively high percentage of uninsured drivers all contribute to the high costs of insurance in the Great Lakes State.[1]
The overall average monthly insurance rate in Michigan is $231 — exceeding the national average by more than 66%. Michigan drivers will need to compare quotes from multiple car insurance companies to find the best deal available to them. Maintaining a clean driving record can also help drivers find lower rates.
Quick Facts
The average cost of car insurance in Michigan is $231 per month.
Auto-Owners Insurance is the cheapest top insurer in Michigan, with average rates of around $150 per month.
Detroit has some of the most expensive car insurance rates in the country, at $613 per month on average.
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Best car insurance companies in Michigan
Finding the best auto insurance company for you will take a little work. While Michigan drivers have plenty of options when choosing an insurance company, you’ll want to consider your needs, budget, and risks when finding the right fit for your family. The insurer with the lowest rates might not be the best fit.
As you’re researching, consider the type of policy you want and whether or not you have unique circumstances (like a spotty driving record) that could affect your rates.
Best insurer for drivers with a clean record: Auto-Owners
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
4.1
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
834
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured ’s own damages.
$68/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$106/mo
Auto-Owners Insurance opened its doors in 1916 and now offers coverage to nearly 3 million people. Auto-Owners operates in 26 states and offers a range of products, including auto insurance, life insurance, and business insurance.
Pros
Some of the cheapest rates in Michigan
Variety of coverages and products
Based in Michigan
Cons
Available in only 26 states
Many complaints on Trustpilot
Quotes not available online
I’ve had no problems with them, and they’re cheaper than any other insurer for the coverage I have.
Dean - April 26, 2019
Verified
Good customer service
Debora - February 12, 2019
Verified
Their staff is always friendly, they answer all my questions, and I may stay with them. Regardless, I’m researching other options because my rates are so high due to two accidents in 2016.
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
4.3
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
891
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$68/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$107/mo
USAA is the top auto insurance choice for military members and their families in Michigan. USAA consistently scores high on customer satisfaction studies from J.D. Power and has a strong Insurify Quality (IQ) Score.
Pros
Affordable rates
Exceptional customer service ranking by J.D. Power
Usage-based insurance available
Cons
Limited to military members, veterans, spouses, and children
More affordable insurers in Michigan
Fewer coverage options
Overall poor service, took a safe driving discount away because I wasn’t driving enough.
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
4.3
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
847
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$103/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$162/mo
GEICO offers a broad range of coverage options and discounts, including roadside assistance coverage starting at just $14 per year. You can also get rental reimbursement and mechanical breakdown coverage to help you get back on the road.
Pros
Competitive rates
Variety of discounts
Mobile app has excellent customer ratings
Cons
Below-average J.D. Power customer satisfaction rating
Gap insurance not available
Not the cheapest insurer in Michigan
Good communication
John - February 4, 2023
Verified
They offer the best rate.
Shannon - February 1, 2023
Verified
Any time I called them, they were on top of it and gave me an answer right away.
Car insurance rates in Michigan rose a shocking 31% in the first six months of 2023, according to Insurify’s latest report. Michigan continues to be the most expensive state for car insurance in the country, with the average driver spending 4.4% of their household income on car insurance payments — the highest proportion in the country.
The Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association (MCCA), which manages the state’s catastrophic claims fund, added a recoupment fee for policyholders on July 1, 2023. This move, along with industry-wide rate hikes, means Michigan drivers will face even higher car insurance premiums before the end of 2023.
"The rising cost of auto parts, and damage from more frequent and severe storms, driven by climate change, are pushing car insurance rates higher across the country,” says Evelyn Pimplaskar, director of content at Insurify. "While rates rose 17% nationally so far in 2023, Michigan has more than outpaced that increase. Rates there soared 31%. And Michigan drivers could see even more increases before the end of the year. To get a good rate, they’ll need to do their research and shop around for a policy."
Cheapest liability-only car insurance in Michigan
All Michigan drivers must have at least liability-only car insurance to legally operate a vehicle in the state. Liability insurance pays for personal injury protection and property damage expenses for other drivers involved in an accident with your vehicle, but it doesn’t offer personal injury or property damage protection for you or your vehicle.
If you’re looking for the cheapest car insurance, a liability-only policy will be less expensive than full coverage and could be a good option for your needs. If you’re worried about medical expenses, liability might not be the right choice for you.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Monday, September 18 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Michigan
Drivers who want more protection should opt for full-coverage car insurance. A full-coverage policy offers the state-minimum requirements for liability and additional protection for your vehicle in an accident through collision and comprehensive coverage.
Full coverage is ideal for drivers who have an auto loan or who can’t afford repairs or a replacement if their vehicle is damaged or totaled in an accident. Full coverage will cost more, but it offers more protection. High-risk drivers may also consider a full-coverage policy for maximum security.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Monday, September 18 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Car insurance requirements in Michigan
Michigan is a no-fault state, so insurance companies must pay out no matter who’s at fault in an accident. In addition, Michigan drivers must carry no-fault insurance. Michigan insurance companies utilize eligibility points to determine who qualifies for coverage with their company. These eligibility points aren’t the same as points the state uses on a driver’s record.[2]
Insurance companies can decline to offer coverage if you have six or more points. The most significant point offenders are driving more than 15 miles per hour over the speed limit and second offenses on any incident or accident where you’re at fault. Michigan drivers must also carry personal injury protection (PIP) and property protection insurance.
Coverage
Minimum Requirements
Bodily injury liability
$20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident
Property damage liability
$10,000
Though not required, the following coverages can be helpful to carry if you want more thorough protection than the state minimum:
Collision coverage
Collision insurance covers the cost of damages to your vehicle if you collide with another car or object.[3]
Comprehensive coverage
Comprehensive insurance provides coverage for damage to your vehicle from anything not related to a collision, such as fire, robbery, or theft.
Mini-tort coverage
Limited property damage liability insurance provides extra protection if you’re found 50% more at fault for a car accident and the other driver’s insurance won’t cover damages.
Towing and rental car coverage
You may opt to purchase towing and rental coverage to pay the cost of moving your vehicle and paying for a rental while your car is in the shop.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
An uninsured/underinsured motorist policy offers additional protection against injuries or damages from a driver without insurance or a driver with a policy that won’t cover medical expenses or car repairs.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident
It may be more difficult to secure cheap car insurance with incidents on your driving record. Insurance companies typically consider incidents like at-fault accidents, speeding tickets, DUIs, and other moving violations as risky behaviors.
Since insurance companies are required to pay for damages in Michigan, regardless of fault, any increased risky behavior could increase the cost of your policy. Michigan drivers could see the average cost of their policy increase significantly, depending on the type of incident.
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Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket
Speeding tickets may affect the cost of your insurance in Michigan. Michigan operates on a point system, with drivers accumulating points for certain traffic convictions. Speeding infractions typically result in two to four points, depending on how many miles over the posted limit you were driving when pulled over. Multiple speeding tickets can be a sign that you’re a risky driver, and the cost of your car insurance could increase.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Monday, September 18 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident
Drivers with at-fault accidents may accumulate points on their driving record and pay more for car insurance. Drivers with six or more violations or accumulating 12 points within two years must retake their driver’s test. Here are the cheapest car insurance companies for drivers with at-fault accidents on their records in Michigan.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Monday, September 18 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI
Michigan law allows insurance companies to deny insurance coverage to drivers with a history of a DUI in the past three years. Since drivers with a DUI conviction are considered higher risk (and may even require an SR-22 certificate), drivers should expect to pay a higher premium. Additionally, drivers with a DUI conviction may have fewer options — though some insurers still offer affordable quotes, as seen below.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Monday, September 18 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Cheapest car insurance for seniors
Senior drivers can expect to pay a little more once they reach age 75. The increased rate offsets some of the higher risks senior drivers experience. Common causes of accidents in seniors include physical and mental decline or medication complications.[4] The cheapest car insurance companies for senior drivers in Michigan can be found below.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Monday, September 18 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Cheapest car insurance for teens
Young drivers typically face higher insurance premiums than older drivers because insurance companies view them as more likely to file a claim. Drivers between the ages of 16 and 19 are more likely to be involved in a car accident than any other age group, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).[5]
Teen drivers can secure lower insurance costs in many different ways, such as staying on their parents’ policy, obtaining a safe-driving certification, and applying for a good student discount.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Monday, September 18 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Common factors that insurers consider when setting car insurance rates include a driver’s history, age, credit score, and where they live. The type of coverage you choose, like liability insurance or full coverage, will affect the cost of your policy, too. Here are a few tips for finding the cheapest car insurance in Michigan:
Look for discounts. Check with auto insurance companies to see what discounts they offer. You may also find discounts through your work, local organizations (like the AARP), or safe driver programs.
Compare rates from multiple insurance companies. To ensure you get the best rates, compare coverage options between at least three insurance companies. Compare the cost of coverage with the amount they offer and find one that best fits your needs.
Opt for minimum coverage. If you own your vehicle and could afford to replace it or cover the cost of repairs in an accident, opting for liability-only coverage could save you a lot of money. You won’t have as much protection, but your premium will cost less since you’re taking on more risk.
Bundle multiple policies. Many insurance companies offer several types of insurance products, including auto insurance, home insurance, and renters insurance. Ask your insurer if you can bundle your policies for a discounted rate. Bundled policies often offer the best deal for households with multiple insurance products.
Find Cheap Car Insurance in Michigan
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Michigan car insurance quotes by credit tier
Michigan allows car insurance companies to use credit scores when determining premiums. However, the state prohibits companies from using credit scores to deny, cancel, or refuse a driver’s insurance renewal. Insurance companies must also notify the customer that it’s using their credit score.[6]
Drivers with excellent or good credit scores are likely to get lower rates and premium payment options for basic insurance than drivers with poor credit scores. The table below shows what the average driver in Michigan may expect to pay based on their credit score.
Rates by Credit Tier
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Michigan car insurance FAQs
Finding the right car insurance can be challenging. Below, you’ll find answers to some commonly asked questions about how to find the best car insurance in Michigan.
How much is car insurance in Michigan?
Car insurance in Michigan costs $359 per month, on average. Drivers in the state pay $478 per month for full-coverage insurance and $240 per month for liability coverage. Your exact rate will depend on your insurer, driving record, age, credit history, vehicle type, chosen coverage level, and more.
Why is car insurance so expensive in Michigan?
Car insurance in Michigan is so expensive partly because it’s a no-fault state, meaning drivers must carry personal injury protection insurance to cover damages regardless of who caused a given accident. This extra coverage isn’t required in most states, so Michigan drivers have to bear the burden of higher insurance premiums.
What are the best car insurance companies in Michigan?
With an Insurify Quality (IQ) Score of 4.0 out of 5 and an A.M. Best financial strength rating of A++ (Superior), Auto-Owners is the best car insurance company in Michigan. Of the insurers Insurify has rate data for, other top Michigan auto insurers include USAA and GEICO.
How much car insurance do you need in Michigan?
Drivers in Michigan must carry $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident in bodily injury liability insurance, as well as $10,000 in property damage liability coverage. Michigan drivers must also carry personal injury protection and property protection insurance.
Is Michigan a no-fault state?
Yes. Michigan is a no-fault state. This means drivers responsible for an auto accident are responsible for covering the costs of resulting damage and injury for the other driver and their passengers.
Insurify Insights
How Michigan Drivers Measure Up
While most drivers know that car insurance quotes are determined in part by your personal driving history, many may be unaware that rates are also impacted by the average risk of the drivers around you as well. Check out Insurify's latest analysis of driving records in Michigan below:
Methodology
Drawing from an internal database of over 4 million car insurance applications, the research team at Insurify analyzes patterns in car ownership and driver behavior - including how Michigan drivers measure up to their fellow motorists across the United States in areas including speeding, DUIs, and more. Insurify Insights publishes data-driven articles, trend analyses, and national rankings each week on all factors related to cars and those who drive them.
Chevrolet Malibu
Most Popular Car in Michigan
#40
State with the Most Speeding Tickets Rank
#50
State with the Moving Violations Rank
#36
State with the Most DUIs Rank
#36
State with the most Suspended Licenses
While car accidents are a sadly unavoidable feature of time spent on the road, rates of accidents do vary from city to city and from state to state. Michigan is the #50 state in the country for drivers with an at-fault accident on their driving record.
Rank among states: #50
Percent of drivers in Michigan with an accident: 4.1%
While driving while intoxicated is never acceptable, it’s a more common offense than many assume. Michigan is the #36 state in the country for drivers with a prior drunk driving conviction.
Rank among states: #36
Percent of drivers in Michigan with a DUI: 1%
Reckless driving refers to a specific traffic violation: when drivers willfully act dangerously in spite of the risks they’re imposing on both themselves and others. Michigan is the #17 state in the country for drivers with a reckless driving offense on record.
Rank among states: #17
Percent of drivers in Michigan with a reckless driving offense: 1.5%
The Insurify team classifies rude drivers as those who commit one or more of the following driving offenses: failure to yield or failure to stop, improper backing, passing where prohibited, tailgating, street racing, or hit-and-run. Michigan is the #20 state in the country for drivers with a rude driving violation on record.
Rank among states: #20
Percent of drivers in Michigan with a rude driving violation: 1.7%
Exceeding the speed limit can endanger others and have a serious impact on your insurance costs. Michigan is the #40 state in the country for drivers with a speeding ticket on record.
Rank among states: #40
Percent of drivers in Michigan with a speeding ticket: 6.8%
Failing to yield the right of way isn’t just frustrating for other drivers; it’s dangerous, too. Michigan is the #47 state in the country for drivers with a failure to yield violation on record.
Rank among states: #47
Percent of drivers in Michigan with a failure to yield violation: 0%
Insurify Insights
Insurify's team of data scientists and content specialists presents Insurify Insights, a series of automotive, home, and health studies focusing on the topics that impact us all. through expert analysis of over 4 million car insurance applications and an array of top data sources, the Insurify Insights team produces new data-driven articles, trend analyses, regional superlatives, and national rankings every week. See Insurify Insights as featured in Forbes, Fox News, USA Today, NPR, and more.
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 50+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).
Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:
Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
No additional coverage
Full-coverage premium averages correspond to the same bodily injury and property damage limits in addition to:
Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.
Angela Brown is a freelance writer with 17 years of professional writing and editing experience. She specializes in finance, real estate, and insurance content. Angela uses her experience to create easy-to-understand content that helps consumers understand tough topics better. When she’s not working, she enjoys spending time with her family and planning vacations.
As Insurify’s home and pet insurance editor, Danny also specializes in auto insurance. His goal is to help consumers navigate the complex world of insurance buying.
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Auto-Owners
USAA
GEICO
