WHY YOU CAN TRUST JERRY
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The average cost of basic liability car insurance in Michigan is $2,619 per year. Opting for full-coverage car insurance in Michigan will leave you with an average cost of $2,767 per year. In comparison, the national average is $1,627 per year to buy basic liability car insurance and $2,297 per year to buy full-coverage car insurance.
The average cost of basic liability car insurance in Michigan is $2,619 per year. Opting for full-coverage car insurance in Michigan will leave you with an average cost of $2,767 per year. In comparison, the national average is $1,627 per year to buy basic liability car insurance and $2,297 per year to buy full-coverage car insurance.
Compare Best Car Insurance Quotes in Michigan
Car insurance rates are determined by a vast constellation of factors, from your driving history and past car accidents to your ZIP code, age, and even marital status! That’s why working with a super-fast broker like Jerry makes sense. Through the power of AI, Jerry can simplify the comparison process while taking every one of those all-important variables into account.
Here are some real quotes and savings from customers in Michigan who switched with Jerry:
| Quote Date | Car | Before Jerry | After Jerry | City | Name | Age | Insurance Company |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 10, 2023 | Jeep Cherokee Latitude | $608/mo. | $456/mo. | Oak Park | Jessie B. | 26 | Progressive |
| March 3, 2023 | Chrysler Town & Country Touring L | $200/mo. | $127/mo. | Hudsonville | Evelyn F. | 47 | Progressive |
| March 2, 2023 | Audi A6 Premium Plus | $160/mo. | $118/mo. | Norton Shores | Victor C. | 29 | Progressive |
| March 2, 2023 | Pontiac Firebird | $90/mo. | $84/mo. | Niles | Patrick W. | 25 | Progressive |
| February 27, 2023 | Chevrolet Impala LT | $300/mo. | $209/mo. | Clio | Randall K. | 26 | Progressive |
Best car insurance companies in Michigan
Michigan car insurance costs are the highest in the country, which makes finding the best company for you a priority.
There are plenty of auto insurance companies offering reliable coverage to Michigan drivers. GEICO, Progressive, and USAA are among the most popular, but you can also find competitive rates with companies like Allstate or Travelers.
But no single company has the lowest car insurance premiums for every driver. That’s because each company uses a different methodology to set your rate—and they’ll weigh factors like credit score, driving record, and insurance claims history a little differently. The best company for a driver with good credit and two speeding tickets is probably different from the best company for a safe driver with poor credit.
| Insurance Company | Average Cost | Annual Savings with Jerry | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clearcover | $3,197 | $1,420 | |
| Travelers | $2,843 | $1,413 | |
| Nationwide | $2,791 | $1,135 | |
| National General | $3,127 | $1,033 | |
| Progressive | $3,072 | $978 | |
| Safeco | $2,849 | $928 | |
| State Auto | $2,919 | $822 | |
| Dairyland | $3,267 | $809 | |
| Kemper | $1,272 | $331 | |
| Allstate | $1,680 | $164 | |
| Compare Prices | |||
Michigan car insurance FAQs
Is insurance expensive in Michigan?
Insurance is considerably expensive in Michigan. Not only is the annual average cost of car insurance in Michigan well above the national average, but Michigan is also one of the most expensive states for car insurance—if not the most expensive.
Is $200 a lot for car insurance in Michigan?
With car insurance being so expensive in Michigan, paying $200 a month could be considered a steal. It is well below the average monthly rates for full coverage and liability-only policies, which tend to fall between $250 and $300.
Why are Michigan auto rates so high?
Michigan car insurance rates are high for a multitude of reasons. First and foremost, the state has high minimum insurance requirements. Michigan law requires higher limits and more types of coverage for its drivers than any other state, partly due to it being a no-fault state.
Michigan also has the second-highest rate of uninsured motorists—one in every four drivers. Once you factor in extreme Michigan winters, several cities with high property crime indices, and a dense population of drivers, it’s no wonder that Michigan’s auto rates are so high.
Why is Michigan car insurance so expensive?
There’s no way to sugarcoat it: Michigan is the most expensive state for car insurance. If you live in the Wolverine State, there’s a good chance that you’re paying an annual premium that’s well above the national average.
What makes car insurance in Michigan so expensive? One simple answer is that Michigan is a no-fault state with extremely high minimum coverage requirements. While many states only require basic liability insurance to get behind the wheel, Michigan law requires drivers to buy huge amounts of personal injury protection (PIP) and property protection insurance (PPI), along with high minimum liability limits (more on these in a minute).
But that’s not the only reason Michiganders pay more for coverage. Michigan has the second-highest rate of uninsured motorists (just behind Mississippi), no doubt thanks to the state’s insanely expensive premiums. Unfortunately, the 25.5% of residents who don’t carry minimum car insurance drive up costs for everyone else.
Add some seriously treacherous winter weather, cities with tons of property crime, and a high rate of car ownership into the mix, and you’re looking at the perfect storm for the highest average car insurance premiums in the country.
But enough of the depressing stuff. Despite those grim realities, it’s not impossible to find affordable insurance in Michigan. You just need to know where to look—and Jerry does.
Michigan car insurance requirements
Each state has minimum insurance requirements that you must meet before you can legally hit the road.
Liability insurance is the only coverage that is required by law. Remember those sky-high state minimums? In Michigan, you need at least $50,000 per person / $100,000 per accident in bodily injury liability, $15,000 per accident in property damage liability, $1,000,000 in property protection, and personal injury protection that varies with a minimum $50,000 in coverage if not enrolled in Medicare Parts A & B.
How much insurance do I need in Michigan?
Michigan requires $50,000 per person for bodily injury liability, $100,000 of bodily injury liability per accident, and $15,000 of property damage liability per accident. Drivers also need to carry personal injury protection coverage (PIP) and property protection.
What do you need if you’re pulled over?
If you get pulled over, you are required to show your driver’s license, proof of insurance, and registration. Thankfully, digital insurance ID cards are accepted by police and the DMV so you will always have your stored proof of insurance available 24/7 in the Jerry app.
Is Michigan a no-fault state?
Yes, Michigan is a no-fault state. This means you must carry personal injury protection (PIP) coverage which immediately pays for injuries to you and your passengers regardless of who is at fault for the accident or if you have health insurance. However, fault, or liability, is still a factor for property damage and bodily injury claims.
Minimum insurance can protect others when you’re in an accident, and your PIP coverage supplements any health insurance you carry to cover your own medical costs. A full-coverage car insurance policy, on the other hand, includes comprehensive coverage and collision insurance, which will pay for your medical expenses and repairs due to a range of incidents, from car theft to a collision.
Take a look at the graph below to understand how much you’re paying for each.
Cheap car insurance with a DUI or speeding ticket in Michigan
In Michigan, violation points remain on your record for two years. Insurers see you as a high-risk driver, which impacts policy rates, driving privileges, and even your credit score. While a serious charge like a DUI or reckless driving conviction will have the biggest impact on your premium, even a simple speeding ticket can cause your rate to jump.
Jerry doesn’t care what’s in your past—we’re all about reducing your car insurance costs to clear the way for the future.
| Driving Violation | Average Cost | Annual Savings with Jerry |
|---|---|---|
| Clean Record | $2,406 | $755 |
| Passing School Bus | $4,906 | $2,464 |
| Careless Driving | $4,129 | $1,630 |
| Driving on Sus. License | $4,074 | $1,554 |
| Improper Passing | $3,752 | $1,478 |
| Suspension | $3,492 | $1,170 |
| Illegal Turn | $3,464 | $1,164 |
| Failure to Obey Traffic Sign | $3,311 | $1,138 |
| Speeding under 15 | $2,891 | $921 |
| DUI | $2,584 | $790 |
Insurance Cost With a DUI in Michigan
If you get a DUI in Michigan, you can expect your car insurance to increase by an average of $85 annually.
Read More
Insurance Cost With a Reckless Driving Citation in Michigan
If you have a reckless driving citation, you should expect your insurance to increase to an average of $415.25 per month.
Read More
Michigan auto insurance rates by age
Age is a significant factor for insurance companies. Young drivers have less experience and are statistically more likely to engage in riskier driving behavior. For this reason, insurance premiums tend to be high.
How can young drivers save money on car insurance in Michigan?
- Michigan’s graduated licensing system helps teach young drivers how to drive by gradually increasing driving privileges through three licensing levels
- State-approved defensive driving courses can help secure lower rates for drivers who lack experience
- Maintaining a good average can qualify student drivers for a good student discount
- Michigan’s graduated licensing system helps teach young drivers how to drive by gradually increasing driving privileges through three licensing levels
- State-approved defensive driving courses can help secure lower rates for drivers who lack experience
- Maintaining a good average can qualify student drivers for a good student discount
While most young drivers are unlikely to find rates as low as their parents, shopping around and maintaining a clean driving record can help get something affordable.
Average cost of car insurance in Michigan by city
Michigan has over 7.2 million licensed drivers—but a whopping 25% of them don’t carry even a basic auto insurance policy. And the state’s unique no-fault insurance system means that rates tend to be high across the state.
That said, premiums do vary depending on where in Michigan you live. Detroit car insurance costs are the highest in the nation, but across the state in Grand Rapids, insurance costs are considerably lower. And up in the UP, Marquette car insurance costs are even lower thanks to a lower population density and lower crime rates!
Here’s a more specific breakdown of insurance prices for Jerry customers across Michigan:
| City | Average Cost | Annual Savings with Jerry |
|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor | $2,131 | $812 |
| Detroit | $2,513 | $721 |
| Flint | $2,324 | $743 |
| Grand Rapids | $2,133 | $821 |
| Ionia | $1,989 | $945 |
| Kalamazoo | $2,119 | $757 |
| Lansing | $2,223 | $820 |
| Saginaw | $2,165 | $759 |
| Warren | $2,322 | $743 |
| Ypsilanti | $2,257 | $785 |
Least Expensive Cities in Michigan
Drivers in Kalamazoo can get the cheapest insurance rates in Michigan, though their annual insurance costs are still going to be relatively high at an annual rate of $1,679.
City With Highest Rates of Accidents in Michigan
7.54% of drivers in Kalamazoo have an at-fault accident on their record already, which will be a factor that drives up prices in the area.
Read More
Cities With the Longest Commute Times in Michigan
With an average commute of 40.5 minutes, the city of Almont has the longest commute in Michigan. Drivers in Almont will have higher rates due to increased mileage and traffic.
Read More
Cost to insure your car in Michigan
Your vehicle also impacts your car insurance rates. For a popular, mid-range vehicle like the best-selling Ford F-150, insurance costs are fairly low.
Relatively inexpensive cars typically have lower insurance rates because they cost less to repair or replace if you’re in an accident. You’ll pay even less if you don’t drive very often, since this minimizes your risk of a claim.
But the exact specifications of your vehicle make a difference, too. If you own a pricier F-150 model or one with a V8 engine, you’ll pay more due to the greater value and higher violation risk associated with that vehicle.
Want to see how your model measures up? Check out the table below.
| Car | Average Cost | Annual Savings with Jerry |
|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Equinox LT | $2,389 | $901 |
| Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo | $2,194 | $872 |
| Ford Fusion SE | $2,238 | $782 |
| Dodge Ram 1500 | $2,101 | $685 |
| Gmc Terrain SLE | $1,892 | $630 |
Most Popular Car in Michigan
The most popular vehicle in Michigan is the Ram Pickup 1500. Pickup 1500 owners pay around $1,743 annually in car insurance, but Jerry can find them cheaper rates.
Read More
Do you need more than the minimum car insurance in Michigan?
Most states have minimum insurance requirements that you must meet to hit the road.
Sticking to the minimum insurance requirements will get you the best rates—but you might be missing out on important coverage.
Take uninsured motorist coverage as an example. With 25% of the state uninsured, you’ve got about a one in four chance of being in an accident with a driver without liability insurance to cover your costs. Remember, liability insurance only covers other drivers’ costs in an at-fault accident.
And if your car is damaged by anything other than an accident, good luck getting coverage without a full-coverage car insurance policy that includes comprehensive coverage. When you look at the potential costs of an uncovered accident, the value of adding extra coverage becomes clear.
The features below go over some risk factors that make additional coverage options worth it in Michigan.
Michigan ranks 30th for traffic and infrastructure, putting Michigan in the lower half of states for busy roads. Higher rates of traffic mean higher collisions, so drivers should consider collision coverage.
Read More
18,385 vehicles were stolen in Michigan in 2020. Michigan drivers should buy comprehensive insurance for theft coverage, among other non-collision damages.
In Michigan, 25.50% of drivers are uninsured—that’s over a quarter of all drivers on the road. This increases your chances of being in an accident with an uninsured driver, and if that happens, you’ll want uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage to have your back.
Read More
Michigan drivers rate their roads 3.89/10, making Michigan’s roads some of the worst in the country. Bad road conditions can damage your car—and they can even leave you stranded in a worst-case scenario. Make sure you have roadside assistance to help you out.
How to save money on car insurance in Michigan
While Michigan’s insurance rates might be pricier than average, that doesn’t mean you can’t bring them down a bit. Here are the best ways to do that.
Shop around for quotes
Comparison shopping is the best way to find the lowest rates on car insurance, hands down. You should aim to gather quotes from at least three different insurance companies, which can be time-consuming on your own. Enlist the help of an insurance broker or car insurance comparison app like Jerry to save time (and headaches!).
Look for discounts
Virtually every company offers discounts—and many let you stack discounts for even bigger savings. Here are some of the most popular discounts in Michigan:
Here are some of the most popular ones for drivers in Michigan:
Clean Driving Record Discounts
Clean Driving Record Discounts
Insurers are more likely to give discounts to customers with clean driving records. This happens because safe drivers are less likely to file a claim, so insurers don’t have to payout as often—and the driver gets some of the savings, too.
Bundling Discounts
Bundling Discounts
Drivers who bundle their auto and home insurance with the same carrier can qualify for a bundling discount.
Safety Ratings and Anti-theft Discounts
Safety Ratings and Anti-theft Discounts
Insurance carriers will offer lower rates to drivers who own highly rated vehicles for safety and anti-theft technology and features. These vehicles present a lower risk, which means it’s less likely insurers will need to pay for claims, and drivers get to share in the savings.
Increase your deductible
Your deductible is the amount you have to pay for a claim before your insurance kicks in to cover the rest. Increasing your deductible will lower your premium—and it might make sense for you to do that.
Before you inquire about raising your deductible, do a quick financial check to figure out if you can afford to pay the deductible in full each time you have to make a claim.
By R.E. Fulton
Updated on Mar 23, 2023
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear, Director of Content.
Compare Best Car Insurance Quotes in Michigan
Best car insurance companies in Michigan
Michigan car insurance FAQs
Why is Michigan car insurance so expensive?
Michigan car insurance requirements
Cheap car insurance with a DUI or speeding ticket in Michigan
Michigan auto insurance rates by age
Average cost of car insurance in Michigan by city
Cost to insure your car in Michigan
Do you need more than the minimum car insurance in Michigan?
How to save money on car insurance in Michigan
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