Can You Get Car Insurance Without a Driver’s License in Michigan?
It’s possible to get car insurance without a driver’s license in Michigan, but it will be more expensive than if you buy coverage as a licensed driver.
without a driver’s license, but it might be best to hold off until you become a licensed driver. By law, you cannot register a vehicle through the Michigan Department of Motor Vehicles without proof of insurance.
Though it is possible, getting car insurance without a valid driver’s license in the state of Michigan can be more expensive than for licensed drivers, especially if your license is suspended.
For many drivers with suspended licenses, SR-22 insurance—which confirms liability coverage—is a necessity. Some insurance companies may offer policies even for high-risk drivers.
It's also important to think about the state's minimum insurance requirements, which are usually pretty high, and how factors like license status, risk level, and coverage requirements affect insurance premiums.
Do you need car insurance coverage if you don’t have a driver’s license?
It depends on your situation.
One reason you may be browsing auto insurance rates when you don’t have a Michigan driver’s license is that you’ve had your license suspended due to a traffic violation such as a
(sometimes referred to as SR-22 insurance). An SR-22 is a certificate submitted by an insurance agent on your behalf that verifies you are maintaining at least liability insurance according to
. Unfortunately, some insurance companies won’t insure drivers who need to file an SR-22—which means you could wind up getting dropped by your provider and forced to find a new one.
If your insurance provider does not provide SR-22 insurance, you will have to sign up with a different provider to avoid a lapse in coverage. However, you may have a bit of a grace period to find new auto coverage—providers will generally provide a month at minimum before your policy will be non-renewed.
Make sure you check with your insurance agent to confirm when coverage will no longer be provided.
If you’re a teen driver preparing to take the driver’s license test, you should be insured even if you just have your learner’s permit. Whether you want to be added to a family member’s existing auto insurance policy or are over 18 and want to purchase a policy on your own, make sure you consider a few options before signing up for car insurance.
do not sell insurance policies to unlicensed drivers in Michigan or elsewhere because they don’t meet these providers' insurance requirements.
Typically, when you shop for an insurance quote you’ll be asked for your driver’s license number. Auto insurance companies use your driver’s license number to look into your driving history, so if you don’t have a license or a driving record, a provider can refuse to cover you—and many do.
If you still want your car to be protected while you are not driving it, you have a few options that may not require a driver’s license. One way is to purchase insurance and list yourself as an
. Auto insurers will require you to disclose the names of all adults living at the same address, with the policyholder listed as the primary driver. However, some insurance providers will not allow the owner or co-owner of a policy to be excluded from the policy.
So, if you’ve been listed as an excluded driver on an insurance policy and are caught operating the insured vehicle, you will be treated as an uninsured driver, even if it’s your car. Driving without insurance is a serious offense in Michigan that comes with fines and up to one year in jail—especially if you get into an
, which will provide coverage for your vehicle while it is not being driven. Your ability to acquire this coverage without a license may vary between providers, so make sure you shop around to find the insurance company that will work for you.
Can you buy non-owner auto insurance without a driver’s license in Michigan?
is a little different than a traditional auto policy because it follows the driver rather than the car.
The concept behind non-owner insurance may appeal to drivers who are planning to get their Michigan driver’s license and purchase a car but haven’t yet. While providers like GEICO,
It’s not easy to find an insurance company willing to cover you while you have a suspended license—but it is possible. You should also anticipate that your premium may be expensive due to the suspension.
If you have to file an SR-22, the first step is looking for an insurer that will file the SR-22 for you, such as
. Most insurers charge a fee to file an SR-22, usually around $25.
You may have an easier time finding coverage if the court allows you to obtain a restricted driver’s license from the Michigan DMV. With a restricted license, you’ll be able to drive under certain conditions, such as to and from work. Depending on the circumstances of your license suspension you may not qualify for a restricted license—like if you have multiple convictions for DUI or
The truth is, providers don’t love selling insurance policies to high-risk drivers because of the likelihood that a claim will be filed against them, which costs insurers money. For this reason,
—whether they be teens, accident-prone motorists, or drivers with a tendency to break traffic laws—pay more for coverage than experienced drivers with a
If you need to buy car insurance with a suspended license to avoid a lapse in coverage, a good place to start is by comparing rates from insurance companies that specialize in insuring high-risk drivers. Providers like
only. Even if you’re not driving a vehicle it can still sustain damage. With a comprehensive insurance policy, your vehicle repairs or even vehicle replacement will be covered in the event of weather-related damage, vandalism, or theft—but you will need to pay a deductible beforehand.
made it simple and painless to find a plan. Yay!” —Vic L.
FAQs
What are the minimum car insurance requirements in Michigan?
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Michigan amended its insurance laws in 2020, but residents are still subject to some of the most robust coverage limits in the US. The minimum liability limits legally required in Michigan are $50,000 for
, with the $50,000 option only being available to Medicaid recipients. You can opt out of PIP coverage if you can prove your insurance covers car accident injuries.
That’s not all. Michigan drivers also have to carry $1 million of
How much car insurance can you get without a driver’s license?
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Legally speaking, you can get a full coverage car insurance policy without a driver’s license—but it might not be easy to find. Many big-name insurance companies like GEICO and State Farm won’t sell a car insurance policy to an unlicensed driver.
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