Car Insurance for High-Risk Drivers in Michigan (2026)

Auto-Owners is the cheapest auto insurance company for high-risk drivers in Michigan. Its liability premiums average $88 per month.

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Daria Kelly Uhlig
Daria Kelly UhligHome Insurance Writer, Realtor
  • Licensed Realtor with 10+ years in personal finance content

  • Contributor to Nasdaq and USA Today

Daria is a licensed Realtor and resort property manager specializing in personal finance, real estate, and insurance topics. In her spare time, she practices photography.

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MacKenzie Korris
MacKenzie KorrisLicensed P&C Agent, Insurance Copy Editor
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  • 10+ years editing experience

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MacKenzie Korris is an insurance copy editor with a producer’s license for property and casualty insurance in Missouri.

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Reviewed byJohn Leach
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Quick Facts
  • Auto-Owners and USAA are the cheapest insurers for high-risk drivers in Michigan, with liability-only premiums averaging $88 and $89 per month.

  • Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, and Rochester have above-average numbers of high-risk drivers, according to Insurify data.

  • Michigan drivers with less-serious moving violations can take a state-approved basic driver improvement course (BDIC) to avoid having their infractions reported to their insurance companies.

Average cost of high-risk car insurance in Michigan

High-risk drivers — drivers with an incident on their records — pay an average of $285 per month for a full-coverage policy (liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage) and $163 for liability coverage in Michigan, according to Insurify data. 

While that’s higher than the state’s average full-coverage premium of $228 per month, the cost rises with the severity of the incident.

The following table shows how different types of incidents affect insurance rates in Michigan. The cost for a high-risk driver who needs to file a certificate of financial responsibility is especially notable, as it increases the cost of liability coverage by more than 100%. 

Driver Profile
Average Monthly Cost: Liability Only
Average Monthly Cost: Full Coverage
Clean record$130$228
Speeding ticket$153$268
At-fault accident$154$270
OWI$209$367
Disclaimer: Table data is based on real-time Michigan quotes from Insurify’s network of 500+ insurance partners. Actual rates may vary depending on the policyholder’s individual profile and coverage needs.

Find Cheap Car Insurance in Michigan

Liability policies average $163/mo. for drivers with an incident

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Cheapest car insurance in Michigan by violation

The cheapest insurance companies for Michigan drivers with violations are Auto-Owners, USAA, and Chubb. The average rates for those drivers are $88, $89, and $96, respectively. 

By comparison, drivers with no incidents pay monthly averages of $68, $69, and $75, respectively. Different incidents have different effects on your car insurance rates. An accident or operating while intoxicated (OWI) conviction, for example, will usually cause a larger rate increase than a speeding ticket.

Cheapest rates for high-risk drivers with OWIs in Michigan

The cheapest average rate for high-risk Michigan drivers with OWIs is $99 per month, and it comes from Auto-Owners.

While just 0.67% of the state’s drivers have OWIs, those drivers can save an average of up to 66% by selecting the auto insurance company with the lowest rate compared to the company with the highest, according to Insurify data.

The below rates in Michigan are estimated rates current as of: Monday, August 31 at 5:00 PM PDT. 
Insurance Company
Average Monthly Quote: Full Coverage With OWI
Average Monthly Quote: Liability Only With OWI
Auto-Owners$170$99
USAA$179$105
Chubb$195$114
Progressive$262$180
Safeco$322$184
Liberty Mutual$351$196
National General$356$160
GEICO$367$248
State Farm$368$214
Bristol West$412$210
Travelers$426$249
Allstate$438$209
Direct Auto$447$210
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time Michigan car insurance quotes from Insurify's 500+ partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual car insurance quotes in Michigan may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Cheapest rates for MI drivers with at-fault accidents

Auto-Owners is the cheapest insurer for Michigan drivers with at-fault accidents, with liability premiums averaging $86 per month.

That rate can save the 2.97% of Michiganders who have an accident on their record up to 66% compared to the highest-cost coverage, per Insurify data.

The below rates in Michigan are estimated rates current as of: Monday, August 31 at 5:00 PM PDT. 
Insurance Company
Average Monthly Quote: Full Coverage With At-Fault Accident
Average Monthly Quote: Liability Only With At-Fault Accident
Auto-Owners$148$86
USAA$151$88
Chubb$163$95
Progressive$193$133
Safeco$256$147
Liberty Mutual$292$163
National General$296$133
GEICO$302$204
State Farm$306$178
Allstate$322$154
Bristol West$341$174
Travelers$361$211
Direct Auto$381$179
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time Michigan car insurance quotes from Insurify's 500+ partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual car insurance quotes in Michigan may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Cheapest rates for drivers with speeding tickets in Michigan

Auto-Owners has the lowest average rates for Michigan drivers with speeding tickets, at $86 per month. Tickets are the most frequent incident Insurify data measures, and 3.42% of Michigan drivers have one. The number increases to 4.08% and 4.25%, respectively, for drivers in Rochester and Kalamazoo, but you might be able to avoid the rate increase by taking an approved basic driver improvement course.

The below rates in Michigan are estimated rates current as of: Monday, August 31 at 5:00 PM PDT. 
Insurance Company
Average Monthly Quote: Full Coverage With Speeding Ticket
Average Monthly Quote: Liability Only With Speeding Ticket
Auto-Owners$147$86
USAA$147$86
Chubb$158$93
Progressive$192$132
Safeco$248$142
National General$283$127
Liberty Mutual$285$159
State Farm$297$173
GEICO$305$206
Allstate$320$153
Bristol West$332$169
Travelers$352$206
Direct Auto$359$169
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time Michigan car insurance quotes from Insurify's 500+ partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual car insurance quotes in Michigan may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Best Michigan auto insurance companies for high-risk drivers

The best auto insurance companies for high-risk drivers aren’t always the cheapest. Factors like financial strength, customer satisfaction, claims handling, and physical agency locations can be as important as affordability when you have a history of driving incidents and need coverage.

The below rates in Michigan are estimated rates current as of: Monday, August 31 at 5:00 PM PDT. 
Insurance Company
Average Monthly Quote: Liability Only
Progressive$133
GEICO$204
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time Michigan car insurance quotes from Insurify's 500+ partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual car insurance quotes in Michigan may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Progressive: Best for wide availability

JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
648
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.
8.7 /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.
$112/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.
$163/mo
Details
How drivers feel about Progressive

Customers appreciate the insurer’s good customer service and initial affordability but dislike the consistent price increases and complex claims process.

Based on analysis of verified reviews collected by Insurify

Best in Michigan for
Competitive rates
Easy buying process
Telematics program
Showing 75 reviews from Michigan driversSee all 9,079 Progressive reviews
Sonny
Verified Review
Shop Around for Sure
Not cheap enough—too expensive.
Antonio
Verified Review
Roller Coaster Ride
I didn’t feel valued, and I was held accountable for their clerical errors and inaccurate information. Verification and alerts should be emailed to the policyholder’s original email address for confirmation before changing an email address, as well as phone numbers.
Kaliya
Verified Review
Good coverage, but you pay for it!
It’s just too expensive.
NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
0.97
A.M. Best
A.M. Best analyzes an insurer’s financials, operating performance, business profile, and other factors to generate an opinion-based rating of a company’s financial and credit strength. Ratings range from A++ (exceptional) to D (poor).
A+
Why we picked this company

Progressive works with independent agents, which gives it a much wider reach compared to companies with exclusive agencies. You may not have to travel far to meet with an agent about your special insurance needs.

Pros
  • Multiple discounts

  • Live customer service by phone 24/7

  • Small accident forgiveness applies automatically in most states

Cons
  • Participation in Snapshot telematics program can result in a rate increase

  • Name Your Price tool builds policies based on your budget, but doesn’t provide discounts

  • Some customers complain of unexpectedly high rate increases upon renewal

Nationwide: Best for usage-based insurance

User Reviews
4.3
Details
4.3
Best choice in MichiganBased on 1,028 verified driver reviews and ratings
Nationwide's score
Industry average
Coverage options4.13.2
Customer service4.03.6
Discounts3.72.9
Policy transparency3.93.1
Value3.52.9
How drivers feel about Nationwide

Drivers appreciate the helpful and knowledgeable customer service but dislike the frequent and significant rate increases. Some also found the claims process to be slow and frustrating.

Based on analysis of verified reviews collected by Insurify

Best in Michigan for
Usage-based savings
Accident forgiveness
Recreational vehicle coverage
Showing recent national reviewsSee all 528 Nationwide reviews
William
Verified Review
Average hourly worker being ripped off by an insurance company
I would highly, highly, highly—really, highly—not recommend getting service with National General through Nationwide. For starters, I had a set locked-in monthly rate, and by the second and third month it was raised by $20. What was really disturbing is that I made my second-month payment three days early, and at the same time I set up autopay. Then three days later they tried to take the payment out again, and I didn’t have enough in the account to cover it. They charged me a late fee. When I called and explained that I paid three days early and then set up autopay for future payments, I felt it was a mistake on their end to withdraw the money again. They said it was my fault and that the late fee would stand, and there was nothing they could do. They were willing to let me split the late fee into two payments. On the following month’s payment, I calculated my monthly charge plus half of the late fee, but because they didn’t document what they agreed to, there still wasn’t enough money to cover it. Then I was hit with another late payment. I called again and got the same result: the late fee would stand and there was nothing they could do. I live paycheck to paycheck and work an hourly job, so I calculate what I need in my account for upcoming monthly bills. Please be careful about who you select for auto insurance, but I would definitely not recommend getting any type of insurance through Nationwide.
Karolyn
Verified Review
Great
Good company. No problems. Always ready to help at any time.
Katherline
Verified Review
Excellent
No comment. I haven't had to use them for any repairs in a while.
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
688
NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
0.7
A.M. Best
A.M. Best analyzes an insurer’s financials, operating performance, business profile, and other factors to generate an opinion-based rating of a company’s financial and credit strength. Ratings range from A++ (exceptional) to D (poor).
A+
Why we picked this company

Nationwide has two usage-based auto insurance products. SmartRide is a telematics program that can reduce your premiums by up to 40% if you drive safely — potentially a good money saver for high-risk drivers. SmartMiles is a lower-cost miles-based program that can cost less than a standard full-coverage policy if you drive infrequently or stay close to home.

Pros
  • Money-saving usage-based insurance

  • Excellent Insurify Quality Score

  • Good selection of optional coverages, including accident forgiveness and towing/labor coverage

Cons
  • High average rates for high-risk drivers

  • Physical presence restricted mostly to Traverse City area

  • Fewer discounts compared to other companies

GEICO: Best for low prices

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.
9.2 /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.
$162/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.
$240/mo
Details
4.0
Best choice in MichiganBased on 20,688 verified driver reviews and ratings
GEICO's score
Industry average
Coverage options4.03.2
Customer service4.13.6
Discounts3.92.9
Policy transparency4.03.1
Value3.92.9
How drivers feel about GEICO

Customers appreciate the reliability and customer service but find the rates to be high and increase frequently, even without claims or accidents. The app has improved, but some find the claims process lacking.

Based on analysis of verified reviews collected by Insurify

Best in Michigan for
Teen drivers
Cheap rates
Accident forgiveness
Showing 3 reviews from Michigan driversSee all 8,179 GEICO reviews
Shanea
Verified Review
The Only Insurance Company That Insured Me at a Decent Price
Good, but I’m looking for something cheaper.
Allen
Verified Purchase
Geico - The Best!
Just great! Pricing is great! Options are great!
Ken
Verified Review
Rates
All good... never had to use the insurance. The only issue is the price of coverage is crazy out of control.
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
641
NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
0.59
A.M. Best
A.M. Best analyzes an insurer’s financials, operating performance, business profile, and other factors to generate an opinion-based rating of a company’s financial and credit strength. Ratings range from A++ (exceptional) to D (poor).
A++
Why we picked this company

GEICO’s average rates for Michigan drivers with an incident are lower than high-risk-driver rates at most other Michigan auto insurance companies, including Progressive and Nationwide. A broad range of discounts, including those for membership in certain organizations, maximizes savings.

Although your own rate will depend on many factors, GEICO is a good starting point if you’re looking for the lowest-cost coverage that fits your needs.

Pros
  • Highly competitive rates in Michigan

  • Highest Insurify Quality Score among Michigan insurers

  • Wide selection of discounts, including for safety equipment

Cons
  • Only one agent physically located in Michigan (Detroit)

  • Screening process makes it difficult to get customer service by phone

  • Doesn’t offer gap insurance

How we chose the best car insurance companies for high-risk driversexpand/collapse

When choosing the best car insurance companies for high-risk drivers, we compared factors like costs for drivers with an incident, available discounts, customer service options, customer satisfaction ratings, and overall financial stability. The companies we’ve listed above offer competitive rates, a range of discounts, accessible customer service teams, and high customer satisfaction and financial stability ratings.

How to find cheaper car insurance for high-risk drivers in Michigan

If it’s been several years since you’ve shopped for auto insurance in Michigan, you might have more ways to save as a result of new auto insurance laws that went into effect in 2020. Below are some ways to reduce your costs.

  • Select the correct amount of personal injury protection (PIP) from the six levels available. Consider opting for lower or no coverage if you’re covered by Medicare and your household members have their own medical expenses coverage.[1]

  • Choose bodily injury liability coverage carefully. The default coverages are now five times the state minimums of $50,000 per person and $100,000 per incident.[2]

  • Consider a group policy. See if you’re eligible for a group policy through your employer or an organization you belong to.

  • Find an independent insurance agent. Work with an independent insurance agent who sells policies from several insurers.

  • Apply for coverage from the Michigan Automobile Insurance Placement Facility. If your high-risk status makes getting quotes or finding insurance difficult, ask your agent to help you apply for coverage through the Michigan Automobile Insurance Placement Facility.[3]

Michigan minimum car insurance requirements for high-risk drivers

Some states require drivers with severe violations to carry extra liability coverage or have their agents confirm their coverage with a certificate of financial responsibility, often referred to as an SR-22 or FR-44.

Michigan is different. Drivers only need certification of qualifying no-fault insurance coverage if they caused an accident while driving without insurance, received a financial responsibility judgment from a court, and want a financial-responsibility restricted license while they make payments on the judgment.[4] Michigan law doesn’t use the terms SR-22 or FR-44.

The following table shows Michigan’s minimum coverage requirements.

Coverage Type
Michigan Minimum Requirement
What It Covers
Bodily injury liability per person$50,000Injuries for one individual resulting from an accident you cause
Bodily injury liability per accident$100,000Total limit for all bodily injuries resulting from an accident you cause
Property damage liability$10,000Property damage occurring in another state
Property protection insurance$1 millionNo-fault coverage for damage you cause to someone else’s property
Personal injury protection (PIP)$250,000 (selectable); $0 or $50,000 for Medicare beneficiariesYour medical expenses, limited to $0 for no coverage to unlimited, depending on the option you choose

Who is a high-risk driver in Michigan?

“High-risk” is not an official designation under Michigan law, so you won’t need an SR-22 or FR-44 due to a bad driving record.

Michigan law uses a point system for traffic-violation convictions. While speeding earns you between two and four points, depending on how fast you were going, more serious violations, including reckless driving and OWI, earn as many as six points. You can be convicted of an OWI with a blood-alcohol content of 0.08% or more if you’re age 21 or older, or .02% or more if you’re younger than 21.[5]

The law requires drivers to take a driver assessment reexamination if they accumulate 12 or more points in a two-year period.

Shop for High-Risk Car Insurance in Michigan

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How long will Michigan consider you a high-risk driver?

Speeding tickets and most other traffic convictions stay on your driving record for at least seven to 10 years under Michigan law. The most severe violations, including convictions for OWIs and fatalities, stay on your record permanently.[6] 

You might be able to avoid points and insurance reporting for minor infractions by taking a basic driver improvement course.[7] Regardless, the impact of violations on your car insurance usually lessens within a few years as long as you maintain a clean record.

Michigan high-risk drivers insurance FAQs

High auto insurance rates can make it difficult for Michigan drivers to find high-risk auto insurance they can afford. Answers to the following questions will help you avoid paying more than you need to.

How much is high-risk insurance in Michigan?

Michigan drivers with an incident on their records pay an average of $285 per month for full-coverage insurance, according to Insurify data. The amount you pay will depend on the type of incident and other factors, including your age, where you live, the car you drive, and how much time has passed since your incident.

What company offers the cheapest car insurance in Michigan after an OWI?

At $99 per month, Auto-Owners has the lowest average monthly insurance premiums for liability coverage with an OWI.

How can you lower your high-risk car insurance rates in Michigan?

You can select the right coverage amounts to lower high-risk car insurance rates in Michigan. Other strategies include maintaining a clean driving history, increasing your collision deductible to the highest amount you can afford, and comparing rate quotes from a few different car insurance companies to find the best value.

If you’re 65 or older, also consider taking a defensive driving course.

Sources

  1. Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services. "Brief Explanation of Michigan No-Fault Insurance."
  2. Michigan.gov. "Choosing Bodily Injury Coverage."
  3. Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services. "Michigan’s Auto Insurance Law Has Changed."
  4. Michigan Department of State. "Financial responsibility restricted licenses."
  5. Michigan State Police. "Impaired Driving Law."
  6. Michigan.gov. "Your Driving Record."
  7. Michigan Department of State. "Basic Driver Improvement Course (BDIC) eligibility."

Methodology

Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 250 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 500+ 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.

Daria Kelly Uhlig
Written byDaria Kelly UhligHome Insurance Writer, Realtor
Daria Kelly Uhlig
Daria Kelly UhligHome Insurance Writer, Realtor
  • Licensed Realtor with 10+ years in personal finance content

  • Contributor to Nasdaq and USA Today

Daria is a licensed Realtor and resort property manager specializing in personal finance, real estate, and insurance topics. In her spare time, she practices photography.

Featured in

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Daria is a licensed Realtor and resort property manager specializing in personal finance, real estate, and insurance topics. In her spare time, she practices photography.

MacKenzie Korris
Edited byMacKenzie KorrisLicensed P&C Agent, Insurance Copy Editor
MacKenzie Korris
MacKenzie KorrisLicensed P&C Agent, Insurance Copy Editor
  • Licensed property and casualty insurance agent

  • 10+ years editing experience

  • NPN: 21630969

MacKenzie Korris is an insurance copy editor with a producer’s license for property and casualty insurance in Missouri.

John Leach
Reviewed byJohn LeachLicensed P&C Agent, Chief Copy Editor
Photo of an Insurify author
John LeachLicensed P&C Agent, Chief Copy Editor
  • Licensed property and casualty insurance agent

  • 10+ years editing experience

  • NPN: 20461358

John is Insurify’s Chief Copy Editor, helping ensure the accuracy and readability of Insurify’s content. He’s a licensed agent specializing in home and car insurance topics.

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