8+ years writing about insurance, taxes, and personal finance
Certified public accountant
Janet applies her experience in personal finance, taxes, and accounting to make complex financial topics accessible. Her byline has appeared on numerous web media.
Featured in
Licensed auto and home insurance agent
4+ years in content creation and marketing
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.
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Corporate communications director for Insurance Information Institute
20+ years in insurance and communications
As Director, Corporate Communications for Triple-I, Mark serves as the non-profit’s national spokesperson, sharing information and education on a wide array of insurance issues.
Updated November 7, 2024
At Insurify, our goal is to help customers compare insurance products and find the best policy for them. We strive to provide open, honest, and unbiased information about the insurance products and services we review. Our hard-working team of data analysts, insurance experts, insurance agents, editors and writers, has put in thousands of hours of research to create the content found on our site.
We do receive compensation when a sale or referral occurs from many of the insurance providers and marketing partners on our site. That may impact which products we display and where they appear on our site. But it does not influence our meticulously researched editorial content, what we write about, or any reviews or recommendations we may make. We do not guarantee favorable reviews or any coverage at all in exchange for compensation.
Table of contents
On average, Detroit drivers pay $372 per month for car insurance. By comparison, the Michigan state average is $241 per month. At the national level, drivers pay a monthly average of $158.
Michigan has the highest car insurance costs of any state, Insurify data shows. High accident frequency and severity, a high rate of vehicle theft and vandalism, and a high rate of uninsured motorists contribute to the cost of car insurance in the state and in Detroit.[1]
Auto-Owners offers the cheapest liability insurance rates in Detroit.
Insurers in Michigan can’t consider your credit history when setting rates.
Teen drivers pay an average of $549 per month for full coverage.
Cheapest car insurance companies in Detroit
Finding affordable car insurance in Detroit can be tricky. The right policy for you will depend on your coverage needs, location, driving history, and more. Always compare quotes before buying a policy.
Below are some of the cheapest car insurance companies in Detroit.
Best insurer for bundling: Auto-Owners
User Reviews | 4.0 |
---|---|
IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 8.5 /10 |
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. | $93/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. | $165/mo |
Drivers appreciate the friendly customer service, competitive initial rates, and professional agents but dislike the frequent price increases and complicated claims process.
Drivers appreciate the friendly customer service, competitive initial rates, and professional agents but dislike the frequent price increases and complicated claims process.
Debra
November 3, 2024
Excellent
Scotty
November 2, 2024
They are a bunch of crooks. My policy has increased every single time, and I've only had one small claim.
Dana
October 31, 2024
Average
Auto-Owners offers competitive rates for drivers in Detroit and several discounts for bundling, going claims-free, paperless billing, and more.
Policies for home, auto, life, and business insurance
Only one deductible applies if you bundle home and auto insurance and have a claim that involves both
Quotes only available through an Auto-Owners independent agent
No 24/7 claims service
Best insurer for military families: USAA
User Reviews | 4.9 |
---|---|
IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 9.4 /10 |
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. | $94/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. | $167/mo |
Drivers appreciate the ease of working with the carrier, competitive rates, and responsive service but dislike the price increases and lack of rideshare add-ons in some areas.
Drivers appreciate the ease of working with the carrier, competitive rates, and responsive service but dislike the price increases and lack of rideshare add-ons in some areas.
Tom
November 7, 2024
A Large Company Managed Inefficiently
Martin
November 6, 2024
Sharing My Experience with You
Richard
November 5, 2024
Excellent
USAA offers a variety of insurance policies for active-duty military members, veterans, and their families. You may be able to qualify for insurance from USAA if you have a current or past family member serving in the military.
Mobile app allows you to access ID cards, request policy changes, pay your bill, and manage claims
Available in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories, and some international locations
Only covers passenger vehicles and trucks — no motorcycles, ATVs, RVs, boats, or personal watercraft
Coverage only available to members of the military community
Best insurer for discounts: GEICO
User Reviews | 4.0 |
---|---|
IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 9.0 /10 |
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. | $143/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. | $252/mo |
Drivers appreciate the excellent customer service and initial low prices but dislike the frequent price increases.
Drivers appreciate the excellent customer service and initial low prices but dislike the frequent price increases.
Elizabeth
November 7, 2024
Average Car Insurance
Robert
November 7, 2024
Geico Insurance
Samuel
November 6, 2024
Ripoff
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.
Competitive rates and variety of discounts
Mobile app has excellent customer ratings
Below-average J.D. Power customer satisfaction rating
Gap insurance not available
How to get the cheapest car insurance in Detroit
Insurance companies base their rates on several factors, including your age and the year, make, and model of your vehicle. While some of these factors are outside your control, you can take steps to find affordable car insurance and keep your rates low.
Jeffrey L. Brewer, vice president of public affairs at the American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA), recommends the following:
Adjust your coverage. “Increase your deductible and lower non-essential coverage like glass, rental car, and roadside service,” Brewer says.
Consider a usage-based policy. “Some insurers offer savings for signing up for these programs and will offer additional savings based on how you drive. The safer the driving behavior, the greater the discount,” Brewer says.
Ask for discounts that may be available. “Ask your insurer if they have billing method discounts or other discount programs,” Brewer says.
Shop around. Brewer recommends you shop around with different companies. “As you shop, make sure you are comparing apples to apples regarding the coverage and service,” Brewer says. “Buying the cheapest policy is not necessarily the best decision for every driver. Consider the type of vehicle that is being insured and the assets you need to protect.”
Cheapest liability-only car insurance in Detroit: Auto-Owners
Liability-only car insurance is a type of auto insurance that covers the cost of damages to other vehicles, pedestrians, or property caused by the insured driver, but not damage to the driver’s own vehicle.2
Liability-only coverage is cheaper than full-coverage car insurance, so you may be interested if you have an older model car that isn’t worth a lot. But if you have a car payment, your lender or leasing company will probably require you to carry full coverage.
The table below shows the companies offering the cheapest liability-only policies in Detroit. The cheapest insurer for liability-only car insurance in Detroit is Auto-Owners, with a cost of $93 per month.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Monthly Quote ▲▼ |
---|---|
Auto-Owners | $93 |
USAA | $94 |
Chubb | $102 |
GEICO | $143 |
Safeco | $156 |
Progressive | $179 |
Nationwide | $190 |
State Farm | $193 |
Direct Auto | $218 |
Travelers | $224 |
Bristol West | $270 |
Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Detroit: Auto-Owners
Full-coverage auto insurance includes liability coverage as well as collision and comprehensive coverage, which pay for damage to your own vehicle caused by a covered claim. Collision coverage can pay for an accident with another vehicle or when your vehicle hits another object, like a phone pole. Comprehensive insurance covers non-collision-related claims, such as vehicle theft or vandalism.
You can find the cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Detroit from Auto-Owners, at a rate of $165 per month.
The table below shows the insurance companies offering the cheapest full-coverage policies in Detroit.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Monthly Quote ▲▼ |
---|---|
Auto-Owners | $165 |
USAA | $167 |
Chubb | $182 |
Safeco | $247 |
GEICO | $252 |
Progressive | $264 |
Nationwide | $337 |
State Farm | $342 |
Travelers | $397 |
Direct Auto | $446 |
Bristol West | $486 |
Cheapest recent rates near Detroit, Michigan
Drivers using Insurify have found quotes as cheap as $54/mo for liability only and $110/mo for full coverage in Detroit and other Michigan cities.
*Quotes generated for Insurify users in and around Detroit, Michigan within the last 10 days. Last updated on November 7, 2024
*Quotes generated for Insurify users in and around Detroit, Michigan within the last 10 days. Last updated on November 7, 2024
Car insurance requirements in Michigan
Michigan is a no-fault state for car insurance.3 This means that drivers receive compensation from their insurance company after an accident, regardless of who caused the accident.
All drivers must carry a minimum amount of residual bodily injury and property damage liability coverage, as well as property protection insurance (PPI). PPI pays for damage to other people’s property in Michigan caused by your car. But it doesn’t apply to other cars unless they’re parked.
Most drivers must also purchase a minimum amount of personal injury protection (PIP), which pays for medical expenses, recovery, and rehabilitation after an auto accident for the rest of your life, up to the chosen limit. Only Medicaid recipients who meet certain criteria can opt out of carrying PIP medical coverage.4
Coverage ▲▼ | Minimum Requirements ▲▼ |
---|---|
Residual bodily injury liability | $50,000 per person / $100,000 per accident |
Residual property damage liability | $10,000 for damage outside Michigan |
Personal injury protection | $250,000 per person per accident |
Property protection insurance | $1 million for damage in Michigan |
For peace of mind behind the wheel, you should consider carrying more than the minimum coverages on your auto insurance policy. Some other coverages to consider include:
Comprehensive coverage
This reimburses you for theft or damage to your car due to events other than a collision, such as theft, vandalism, fire, or severe weather hazards, including snow, ice, and hail.
Collision coverage
This reimburses you for damage to your vehicle due to a collision with another vehicle or an object such as a tree, fence, or light pole. Collision also covers rollover accidents and damage from hitting a pothole.
Glass coverage
This coverage pays to repair or replace your car windshield, windows, and sunroof with no deductible.
Gap insurance
This pays the difference between the fair market value of your car and what you owe on your car loan if it’s totaled in an accident or stolen.5
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
More than 25% of Michigan motorists drive without insurance. That percentage is likely higher in Detroit, where car insurance premiums consume about 18% of a household’s annual pre-tax income.6 Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage can help pay your costs if you’re in an accident with a driver who has no insurance or too little insurance. It also provides coverage for hit-and-run accidents.
Cheapest car insurance for Detroit drivers with an incident
Incidents can include at-fault accidents, speeding tickets, operating while intoxicated (DUI), and other moving violations. Having these on your record can increase your car insurance rates above what drivers with a clean driving record pay. This is because insurance companies see you as a higher risk, and they charge higher premiums to offset that risk.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket: Auto-Owners
If you have a speeding ticket on your record, you’ll likely face a rate increase, depending on the severity of the incident and whether it was your first offense.Detroit drivers with speeding tickets face average monthly rates of $478 for full coverage and $411 for a liability-only policy, Insurify data shows. The following table shows the cheapest car insurance options available in Detroit, Michigan, for drivers with speeding tickets on their records.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Quote: Full Coverage ▲▼ | Average Quote: Liability Only ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Auto-Owners | $198 | $111 |
USAA | $198 | $112 |
Chubb | $220 | $123 |
Safeco | $298 | $188 |
GEICO | $300 | $170 |
Progressive | $313 | $212 |
State Farm | $402 | $227 |
Nationwide | $405 | $228 |
Travelers | $476 | $269 |
Direct Auto | $530 | $259 |
Bristol West | $578 | $321 |
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident: Auto-Owners
Finding affordable insurance after an at-fault accident can be challenging. Insurers consider you a risky driver, so they’ll increase your rates to account for that extra risk. Accident forgiveness coverage can hold your premium steady after your first at-fault accident, but you’ll need to buy it before getting into an accident.
An at-fault accident pushes the average monthly cost of car insurance in Detroit to $515 for full coverage and $443 for liability only. You can still find affordable premiums with the right insurers, though. The table below shows the best cheap options for Detroit drivers with an at-fault accident on their record.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Quote: Full Coverage ▲▼ | Average Quote: Liability Only ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Auto-Owners | $211 | $119 |
USAA | $213 | $120 |
Chubb | $234 | $131 |
Safeco | $307 | $194 |
GEICO | $322 | $183 |
Progressive | $341 | $231 |
State Farm | $433 | $244 |
Nationwide | $434 | $244 |
Travelers | $509 | $287 |
Direct Auto | $580 | $284 |
Bristol West | $615 | $341 |
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI: Auto-Owners
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol can be a costly mistake that affects your car insurance rates for years. Finding cheap car insurance can be tough if you’ve been convicted of a DUI. In fact, the average monthly cost of full-coverage car insurance for Detroit drivers with a DUI is $595, while liability coverage averages $512 per month with a DUI.
The table below shows the insurance companies offering the most competitive rates for Detroit drivers with a DUI.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Quote: Full Coverage ▲▼ | Average Quote: Liability Only ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Auto-Owners | $259 | $146 |
USAA | $262 | $148 |
Chubb | $286 | $160 |
Safeco | $388 | $245 |
GEICO | $396 | $224 |
Progressive | $414 | $281 |
Nationwide | $529 | $298 |
State Farm | $537 | $303 |
Travelers | $623 | $352 |
Direct Auto | $700 | $342 |
Bristol West | $763 | $424 |
Cheapest car insurance for seniors: Auto-Owners
Drivers 70 and older have higher rates of fatal crashes per mile driven than middle-aged drivers, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.7 As a result, insurance companies tend to increase rates for senior drivers.
On average, Detroit seniors pay $353 for full-coverage car insurance and $303 for liability-only policies. If you’re a senior driver looking for affordable car insurance in Detroit, the companies below offer some of the most competitive monthly rates.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Quote: Full Coverage ▲▼ | Average Quote: Liability Only ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Auto-Owners | $135 | $76 |
Chubb | $138 | $77 |
USAA | $138 | $78 |
Progressive | $197 | $133 |
GEICO | $208 | $118 |
Safeco | $215 | $136 |
Nationwide | $262 | $147 |
State Farm | $276 | $156 |
Travelers | $322 | $182 |
Direct Auto | $361 | $176 |
Bristol West | $403 | $224 |
Cheapest car insurance for teens: USAA
Car insurance companies typically charge higher rates for young drivers because they have less experience behind the wheel and are prone to taking risks that more mature drivers might not take. Teens and their families can help keep rates low by staying on their parents’ policy and taking advantage of discounts many insurance companies offer, such as those for good students and completing a driver training course.8
Minors can’t legally buy their own car insurance policy without written consent from a parent or guardian. In Detroit, the average cost of car insurance for teen drivers is $472 per month for a liability policy. The following table illustrates what top insurers charge teen drivers in Detroit.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Quote: Full Coverage ▲▼ | Average Quote: Liability Only ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
USAA | $247 | $139 |
Auto-Owners | $249 | $140 |
Chubb | $309 | $173 |
GEICO | $352 | $200 |
Progressive | $421 | $285 |
Safeco | $447 | $283 |
Nationwide | $519 | $293 |
State Farm | $519 | $293 |
Travelers | $642 | $362 |
Direct Auto | $729 | $356 |
Bristol West | $731 | $406 |
Is car insurance more expensive in Detroit?
Yes. The cost of car insurance in Detroit is significantly higher than the national average and has been for several years. Average monthly premiums in Detroit are $400 for full coverage and $344 for liability-only coverage, according to Insurify data. Nationwide, the average monthly premiums are $211 for full coverage and $104 for liability-only coverage.
One of the reasons for this large discrepancy has historically been Michigan’s unique form of no-fault insurance. Until July 1, 2020, insurance companies in the state had to offer unlimited PIP coverage, meaning they were on the hook for unlimited medical damages in the event of an accident.[2]
In 2020, that system was replaced by a tiered system that allows Michigan drivers to purchase lower PIP limits.
More cities in Michigan
The cost of car insurance in Detroit is significantly higher than in other Michigan cities. For example, the average monthly rate in Detroit is $372, compared to Flint’s average rate of $278. The following table shows average monthly car insurance costs in other Michigan cities.
City ▲▼ | Average Monthly Quote ▲▼ |
---|---|
Ann Arbor | $221 |
Dearborn | $380 |
Flint | $278 |
Grand Rapids | $222 |
Kalamazoo | $244 |
Lansing | $216 |
Rochester | $249 |
Warren | $288 |
Detroit 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 auto insurance in Detroit.
How much is car insurance in Detroit?
The total average cost of car insurance per month in Detroit is $372. Detroit drivers pay an average of $400 per month for full-coverage insurance and $344 per month for liability coverage. Your exact rate will depend on your insurer, age, driving record, vehicle type, chosen coverage level, and more.
What are the best car insurance companies in Detroit?
Auto-Owners is the best car insurance company in Detroit, with an Insurify Quality (IQ) Score of 8.5 out of 5 and an AM Best financial strength rating of A++ (Superior). Of the insurers Insurify has rate data for, other top Detroit choices include USAA and GEICO.
Which companies offer the cheapest car insurance in Detroit?
Auto-Owners is the cheapest insurer for Detroit drivers, with liability-only policies starting at $93 per month. USAA and Chubb are the second- and third-cheapest insurance companies in Detroit, with monthly liability rates as low as $94 and $102, respectively.
How do credit scores affect car insurance in Detroit?
Insurance companies are no longer allowed to use credit information as a rating factor in Michigan, so credit no longer affects car insurance rates in Detroit.
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
- 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.
Related articles
More cities in Michigan
Sources
- ABC - WXYZ Detroit. "New stats show Detroit car thefts rose 45% in 2022."
- University of Michigan. "Auto Insurance and Economic Mobility in Michigan."
Janet Berry-Johnson, CPA is a freelance writer with a background in accounting and income tax planning and preparation. She's passionate about making complicated financial topics accessible to readers. She lives in Omaha, Nebraska with her husband and son and their rescue dog, Dexter. Visit her website at www.jberryjohnson.com.
Licensed auto and home insurance agent
4+ years in content creation and marketing
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.
Featured in
Corporate communications director for Insurance Information Institute
20+ years in insurance and communications
As Director, Corporate Communications for Triple-I, Mark serves as the non-profit’s national spokesperson, sharing information and education on a wide array of insurance issues.