Michigan Car Insurance Guide (Cheap Rates + Best Companies)

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Rachel Bodine

Insurance Feature Writer

Rachel Bodine graduated from college with a BA in English. She has since worked as a Feature Writer in the insurance industry and gained a deep knowledge of state and countrywide insurance laws and rates. Her research and writing focus on helping readers understand their insurance coverage and how to find savings. Her expert advice on insurance has been featured on sites like PhotoEnforced, All...

Insurance Feature Writer

Eric Stauffer

Licensed Insurance Agent

Eric Stauffer is an insurance agent and banker-turned-consumer advocate. His priority is educating individuals and families about the different types of insurance coverage. He is passionate about helping consumers find the best coverage for their budgets and personal needs. Eric is the CEO of C Street Media, a full-service marketing firm and the co-founder of ProperCents.com, a financial educat...

Licensed Insurance Agent

UPDATED: Nov 1, 2023

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Michigan
Michigan Statistic Summary
Road Miles 122,286
Registered Vehicles 7,867,924
State Population 9,995,915
Percentage of
Uninsured Motorists
20.3
Driving Deaths Speeding: 241 Drunk Driving: 311
Average Premiums Annually
Liability: $795.32 Collision: $413.83 Comprehensive: $154.85
Cheapest Provider: USAA and Progressive

Finding the right Michigan car insurance provider is crucial in meeting your needs and budget. We get that.

Perhaps you’ve been searching the internet every which way for Michigan car insurance providers, but you still haven’t found what you’re looking for. Maybe you’ve visited every page in the top results, and they left you with more questions than answers.

Life is short, and there aren’t enough hours in a day to continue a seemingly endless quest. Good news. You don’t need to look any further. We’ve compiled everything you need here in this Michigan car insurance guide to answer all of your questions.

Thanks to new car insurance laws in Michigan, what you paid for the best auto insurance in Michigan in 2016 is going to look very expensive compared to rates under the no-fault insurance reform.

You want to find the cheapest car insurance in Michigan from the best company. This is your complete guide to Michigan car insurance rates, companies, coverage, and everything else on the topic.

Find rates for several Michigan car insurance providers at once with our FREE online tool. Just enter your zip code to compare Michigan auto insurance rates now.

Table of Contents

Where to find Michigan insurance coverage and rates?

Michigan ranks fourth nationwide for uninsured drivers, which means that 20 percent of drivers there lack coverage. You probably don’t want to number among them or get into any accidents involving them, which makes your choice of an insurer that much more critical. With Michigan’s high auto insurance rates, it’s not surprising that people skip the coverage, but it’s illegal.

Below we’ll cover how much insurance you need to meet Michigan’s insurance laws, as well as where to find the cheapest  car insurance rates based on factors like age, gender, and the average cost of insurance in Michigan overall.

Did you know that Michigan doesn’t just produce cars? The Wolverine State is a manufacturing powerhouse and has become a leader in making cereals, machine tools, airplane parts, and other goods.

And it doesn’t stop there. The state also harvests its natural resources and is a major producer of mineral deposits such as iron, copper, and iodine, and beans, fruits, and vegetables.

The State is also known for bordering four of the five Great Lakes: Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, and Lake Erie. Almost half the state is made up of water. With these large bodies of water and more than 10,000 lakes and 3,288 miles of Great Lakes shoreline, Michigan keeps the commercial and sport fishing industries afloat in a big way.

What does this have to do with car insurance? Michigan is known as the car-making capital of the U.S., and we pay homage to the state’s versatility and important contributions to our country.

Cars take us where we need (and want) to go, and for or many commuters, that includes work.

Without car insurance, we wouldn’t have financial coverage in case an accident happens. It protects us, and potentially, other drivers and injured people involved, from high costs for damages.

This makes a thorough understanding of the state minimum coverage requirements all the more crucial in determining how much coverage you need and can afford.

Let’s explore this further below.

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What’s Michigan’s car culture like?

With its history and tradition of car-making, Michigan is the “king” of car culture. As the home of Ford, Fiat Chrysler, and General Motors, it’s known as the birthplace of the American car.

The Hartford states that “Not only is the history of Michigan deeply intertwined with the history of the American automobile industry but according to David Littman of DBusiness, as of 2015, ‘Michigan’s core motor vehicle industry represents 46.4 percent of Michigan’s entire manufacturing sector.'”

And this figure doesn’t include any of the other industries linked to the automobile industry.

Other major parts of the state’s car culture are the popular annual Detroit Auto Show (also known as the North American International Autos Show), Ann Arbor’s annual vintage car festival, and its historic highlight, the beloved Henry Ford Museum.

Michigan has a much-deserved devotion and respect for cars, and still makes more cars and trucks than any other state. In 2017, more than two million cars and trucks rolled off 11 Michigan assembly lines, mostly in the “Motor City” of Detroit. Like some of the trucks it produces, it’s car-making reputation remains rock-solid.

What is the Michigan minimum coverage?

Michigan is a no-fault state, meaning that both parties in an auto accident will receive benefits from their own insurance companies, no matter who’s responsible. Part of the reason Michigan car insurance rates are so high is the no-fault system.

Michigan drivers must carry liability insurance, personal property protection (PPI), and personal injury protection (PIP). Liability coverage covers the cost of any damage, injuries or deaths you cause in a car accident, while personal injury protection covers medical bills and expenses if you’re injured in a car accident. Property protection insurance will pay for repairs if you’re driving in Michigan and damage another citizen’s property (as well as buildings, parked cars or fences).

Michigan auto insurance coverages that are required by law are shown below.

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When will car insurance go down in Michigan? A new statute modifying “no-fault” insurance law goes into effect in June 2020 and should reduce the cost of car insurance in Michigan.

This video goes over the law and whether it will truly lead to lower insurance premiums. Some experts believe your savings will be limited to the new Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Choice limits of either $50,000 (drivers with Medicare only), $250,000, $500,000, or unlimited.

Drivers can choose to “opt-out” of PIP coverage.

The Michigan liability insurance requirements are:

  • $20,000 for bodily injury liability or death of one person in an accident caused by the owner of the insured vehicle
  • $40,000 for total bodily injury liability or death in an accident caused by the owner of the insured vehicle
  • $10,000 for property damage per accident caused by the owner of the insured vehicle

Type of CoverageLegal MinimumNew Minimum as of July 1, 2020
Personal Injury Protection (PIP)Unlimited; policy pays out all reasonable costs for injuries$50,000 (for drivers enrolled in Medicaid)
$250,000 all others
Personal Property Protection (PPI)$1 million$1 million
Bodily Injury Liability$20,000 per person
$40,000 per incident
$50,000 per person
$100,000 per incident
Property Damage Liability $10,000 per incident$10,000 per incident

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Your basic liability coverage will protect you if you’re sued for damages and will apply in the following situations:

  • If you’re responsible for an accident in which someone is seriously injured or killed
  • If you’re in an accident with an out-of-state driver in Michigan
  • If you’re in an accident outside of Michigan

Under the Limited Property Damage or “Mini-Tort” provision, if you are less than 50 percent at fault for an accident, you can get up to $1,000 for property damage your policy doesn’t cover, such as a deductible. In July 2020, that amount will increase to $3,000.

The state of Michigan also requires drivers to have Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage with minimums of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.

How much risk are you willing to take on? Experts advise that if you do choose to purchase liability coverage, make sure to increase the limits to 100/300/50.

Next, we’ll look at the forms of financial responsibility Michigan requires drivers to have in case they’re in an accident.

What are the forms of financial responsibility?

In Michigan, the only acceptable form of financial responsibility is car insurance. Except for people who happen to own a fleet of 25 vehicles or more – when you can apply for self-insurance for drivers – every driver must buy an insurance policy.

In case of an accident or a traffic stop, present a paper copy of your proof of insurance or prepare to show it electronically.

You can buy a policy with a limited term of at least six months, however, bear in mind that driving without insurance can lead to penalties, which we’ll cover later.

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How much is the percentage of income spent on premiums?

How much do Michigan residents pay for car insurance?

The annual per capita disposable income in Michigan — the money individuals have available to spend after taxes — is $36,419.00, or $3,034.92 a month.

The average annual car insurance premium is $1,350.58, or $112.55 a month. Wolverine State residents spend an average of 3.71 percent of their disposable income on car insurance. These rates rose slightly from 2012 to 2014.

These rates are higher than the national average of 2.37 percent, and that of border states Ohio, Indiana, and Wisconsin. Residents in those three states also pay roughly $600.00 less in annual insurance premiums than the average Michigander.

See how much you spend on car insurance below.

Next, we’ll go over the coverage rates in an average core insurance policy.

What are the average monthly car insurance rates in MI (liability, collision, comprehensive)?

Let’s take a look at the average monthly car insurance rates.

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Core coverage consists of the three main parts of a full coverage policy. This is how much Michiganders pay on average annually:

CoverageAverage Annual Premium in MichiganNational Average
Liability$795.32$538.73
Collision$413.83$322.61
Comprehensive$154.85$148.04
Total$1,364.00$1,009.38

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As shown, Michigan drivers pay more than the national average for all parts of a core insurance policy.

Is there an additional liability?

Michigan law requires drivers to carry personal injury protection (PIP) and personal liability. (As of July 2020, however, PIP will be optional.) You can choose to buy more coverage.

Is it worth paying extra money for damages or going through potential litigation if you don’t buy enough coverage? Carefully consider if you can afford to buy more coverage. If you do, you’re also getting greater protection for yourself and your loved ones.

For instance, Personal Injury Protection (PIP) can offset any expenses beyond your basic auto insurance policy. You can also buy Medical Payments Coverage or MedPay to cover at least $5,000 worth of medical expenses after an accident regardless of who’s at fault.

With so much required minimum liability insurance coverage, you might wonder why you still need to protect yourself from an uninsured motorist.

Michigan has the fourth highest number of uninsured motorists in the U.S.

The above statistic makes Uninsured Motorist coverage an appealing additional option.

As you can see above, in certain situations, you can still sue a driver responsible for a crash. If that driver is uninsured and the accident involves serious injury or death, uninsured/underinsured coverage will pay additional costs.

Loss ratios tell us how much companies pay in claims compared to the premiums they take in. A good loss ratio is neither too high — meaning the company is paying out too much in claims — nor too low (not paying enough).

Coverage TypeMichigan (2014)Nationwide (2014)
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist73.9067.33
Personal Injury Protection68.1469.50

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For PIP and Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage, Michigan’s loss ratios almost match the national averages.

Let’s explore more optional coverage options.

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Are there any add-ons, endorsements, riders?

Several insurance companies offer usage-based car insurance options in Michigan. SmartRide from Nationwide, Snapshot from Progressive, and Drive Safe & Save from State Farm are among the programs that offer auto insurance discounts based on good driving habits. Other Usage-Based Insurance programs (UBI) are also available to Michigan drivers.

These are other options you can add to a basic car insurance policy in the Wolverine State:

What are the average monthly car insurance rates by age & gender in MI?

On July 1, 2020, Michigan’s new car insurance reform law will remove gender and age from the acceptable risk factors for car insurance rates. For now, let’s see how age and gender affect rates.

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CompanyMarried 35-year old female annual rateMarried 35-year old male annual rateMarried 60-year old female annual rateMarried 60-year old male annual rateSingle 25-year old female annual rateSingle 25-year old male annual rateSingle 17-year old female annual rateSingle 17-year old male annual rateAverage Annual Rate (over 17)Average Annual Rate (17 year olds)The Difference
Allstate F&C$16,754.82$16,754.82$15,575.00$15,575.00$17,646.81$17,646.81$41,309.06$41,309.06$16,658.88$41,309.06$24,650.18
Farmers Ins Exch$6,307.90$6,307.90$5,856.52$5,856.52$7,104.64$7,104.64$13,831.87$13,831.87$6,423.02$13,831.87$7,408.85
Geico Ind$4,453.35$4,453.35$4,533.10$4,533.10$4,252.21$4,252.21$12,291.51$12,291.51$4,412.89$12,291.51$7,878.62
Liberty Mutual Fire$14,880.96$14,880.96$14,732.64$14,732.64$14,880.96$14,880.96$35,157.81$35,157.81$14,831.52$35,157.81$20,326.29
Nationwide Mutual Fire$4,477.30$4,477.30$3,979.03$3,979.03$4,907.85$4,907.85$11,785.55$11,785.55$4,454.73$11,785.55$7,330.82
Progressive Marathon$3,156.54$2,932.15$2,785.12$3,113.99$3,676.55$3,393.23$11,516.82$12,259.07$3,176.26$11,887.95$8,711.68
State Farm Mutual Auto$7,556.15$7,556.15$7,010.11$7,010.11$8,869.85$8,869.85$26,491.15$26,491.15$7,812.04$26,491.15$18,679.11
Travelers Affinity$5,839.83$5,839.83$5,012.52$5,012.52$6,344.88$6,344.88$17,631.16$17,631.16$5,732.41$17,631.16$11,898.75
USAA CIC$2,649.82$2,508.37$2,491.74$2,352.36$3,229.01$3,095.85$6,472.15$6,145.20$2,721.19$6,308.68$3,587.48

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As shown, age is more of a factor than gender in Michigan rates. The rates for 17-year-old drivers are predictably high and begin to lower by age 25 on up.

How to find the cheapest rates by ZIP code

Like the risk factor above, location will no longer affect Michigan drivers’ rates as of July 1, 2020. Until then, your zip code will still be used in calculating your rates. Take a look at how Michigan car insurance rates by ZIP code compare.

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25 Most Expensive Zip Codes in Michigan CityAverage Annual Rate by Zip CodeMost Expensive CompanyMost Expensive Annual Rate2nd Most Expensive Company2nd Most Expensive Annual RateCheapest CompanyCheapest Annual Rate2nd Cheapest Company2nd Cheapest Annual Rate
48201DETROIT$30,350.09Farmers$63,738.22Allstate$52,871.30USAA$5,458.09Progressive$10,036.37
48206DETROIT$29,791.56Farmers$61,225.89Liberty Mutual$47,565.43USAA$6,216.23Progressive$11,743.11
48227DETROIT$29,374.46Farmers$61,225.89Liberty Mutual$45,282.65USAA$6,238.69Progressive$11,774.67
48204DETROIT$29,281.79Farmers$61,633.34Liberty Mutual$45,107.37USAA$6,238.69Progressive$11,222.82
48202DETROIT$28,946.15Farmers$59,636.59Liberty Mutual$46,152.54USAA$5,458.09Progressive$10,767.83
48213DETROIT$28,556.49Allstate$52,871.30Farmers$50,002.36USAA$6,216.23Progressive$10,081.02
48210DETROIT$28,417.19Farmers$59,636.59Liberty Mutual$46,345.35USAA$4,659.88Progressive$10,835.13
48215DETROIT$28,186.14Allstate$52,871.30Farmers$48,767.38USAA$6,216.23Progressive$10,221.56
48238DETROIT$28,148.98Farmers$53,417.33Liberty Mutual$48,632.10USAA$6,336.99Progressive$10,622.96
48228DETROIT$28,073.12Farmers$60,483.39Allstate$44,530.40USAA$4,659.88Progressive$10,612.34
48216DETROIT$28,040.22Farmers$58,075.28Allstate$44,530.40USAA$5,458.09Progressive$11,048.62
48211DETROIT$28,033.06Farmers$48,674.51Liberty Mutual$48,550.18USAA$6,216.23Progressive$9,874.23
48205DETROIT$27,952.29Allstate$52,871.30Farmers$47,253.33USAA$6,216.23Progressive$10,036.44
48208DETROIT$27,867.09Farmers$50,223.16Liberty Mutual$48,684.22USAA$5,458.09Progressive$10,972.15
48226DETROIT$27,767.58Farmers$54,339.32Liberty Mutual$45,311.95USAA$5,458.09Progressive$10,493.86
48207DETROIT$27,424.94Allstate$52,871.30Farmers$47,343.17USAA$5,458.09Progressive$8,971.31
48212HAMTRAMCK$26,925.66Farmers$49,711.67Liberty Mutual$47,125.96USAA$6,216.23Progressive$9,774.02
48203HIGHLAND PARK$26,923.65Farmers$49,924.37Liberty Mutual$45,923.03USAA$6,336.99Progressive$9,871.02
48224DETROIT$26,758.51Allstate$52,871.30Farmers$48,424.52USAA$6,216.23Nationwide$11,346.83
48214DETROIT$26,730.26Allstate$52,871.30Farmers$44,390.45USAA$5,458.09Progressive$10,100.43
48209DETROIT$26,710.79Farmers$50,223.16Liberty Mutual$46,345.35USAA$4,904.33Progressive$9,855.96
48126DEARBORN$26,665.38Farmers$68,626.75Allstate$39,997.84USAA$4,659.88Progressive$9,695.00
48234DETROIT$26,566.42Farmers$45,563.29Allstate$44,722.83USAA$6,216.23Progressive$9,703.04
48235DETROIT$26,516.65Farmers$49,920.53Allstate$44,530.40USAA$6,336.99Progressive$9,917.37
48223DETROIT$26,031.27Farmers$47,170.49Allstate$44,530.40USAA$6,034.15Progressive$10,045.03

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25 Least Expensive Zip Codes in MichiganCityAverage Annual Rate by Zip CodesMost Expensive CompanyMost Expensive Annual Rate2nd Most Expensive Company2nd Most Expensive Annual RateCheapest CompanyCheapest Annual Rate2nd Cheapest Company2nd Cheapest Annual Rate
48880SAINT LOUIS$7,916.29Allstate$17,625.93Liberty Mutual$13,023.88USAA$3,489.43Progressive$4,430.90
48883SHEPHERD$7,958.69Allstate$17,642.89Liberty Mutual$13,023.88USAA$3,630.14Progressive$4,438.08
48894WESTPHALIA$8,036.93Allstate$17,180.01Liberty Mutual$16,459.31USAA$3,356.40Nationwide$3,787.40
48642MIDLAND$8,127.79Allstate$18,874.11Liberty Mutual$13,023.88USAA$3,157.97Progressive$4,355.62
48640MIDLAND$8,134.85Allstate$19,119.13Liberty Mutual$13,023.88USAA$3,157.97Progressive$3,672.71
48837GRAND LEDGE$8,153.32Allstate$17,357.46Liberty Mutual$16,459.31USAA$3,581.27Progressive$4,262.59
48104ANN ARBOR$8,224.45Allstate$19,974.06Liberty Mutual$15,223.99USAA$3,025.88Nationwide$3,820.88
48822EAGLE$8,229.45Allstate$17,324.08Liberty Mutual$16,459.31USAA$3,252.85Progressive$4,367.96
48657SANFORD$8,231.24Allstate$18,874.11Liberty Mutual$13,023.88USAA$3,397.49Progressive$4,182.70
48611AUBURN$8,242.98Allstate$19,119.13Liberty Mutual$13,023.88USAA$3,368.16Progressive$4,696.57
48615BRECKENRIDGE$8,248.57Allstate$17,625.93Liberty Mutual$13,023.88USAA$3,397.49Progressive$4,718.81
48821DIMONDALE$8,262.31Allstate$17,665.20Liberty Mutual$16,459.31USAA$3,288.33Progressive$4,150.50
49401ALLENDALE$8,267.02Allstate$20,296.94Liberty Mutual$16,202.49USAA$3,449.84Nationwide$4,244.16
49464ZEELAND$8,271.79Allstate$20,336.07Liberty Mutual$16,202.49USAA$3,285.66Nationwide$4,426.99
48623FREELAND$8,279.45Allstate$19,119.13Liberty Mutual$13,023.88USAA$3,368.16Progressive$4,298.98
48820DEWITT$8,285.75Allstate$17,793.59Liberty Mutual$16,459.31USAA$3,280.92Progressive$3,878.41
48813CHARLOTTE$8,295.51Allstate$20,260.84Liberty Mutual$16,459.31USAA$3,252.85Nationwide$3,709.93
49426HUDSONVILLE$8,302.44Allstate$20,336.07Liberty Mutual$17,839.53USAA$3,285.66Nationwide$4,244.16
48109ANN ARBOR$8,302.99Allstate$20,708.83Liberty Mutual$15,223.99USAA$3,058.33Nationwide$3,820.88
48618COLEMAN$8,309.23Allstate$18,855.96Liberty Mutual$13,023.88USAA$3,397.49Progressive$4,764.09
48808BATH$8,310.66Allstate$17,762.57Liberty Mutual$16,459.31USAA$3,280.92Progressive$4,291.31
48628HOPE$8,315.01Allstate$18,955.45Liberty Mutual$13,023.88USAA$3,157.97Geico$4,834.01
49417GRAND HAVEN$8,327.06Allstate$20,317.57Liberty Mutual$16,202.49USAA$3,449.84Progressive$4,139.17
48103ANN ARBOR$8,357.87Allstate$19,829.22Liberty Mutual$15,223.99USAA$3,025.88Nationwide$4,001.28
48842HOLT$8,360.88Allstate$19,620.20Liberty Mutual$16,459.31USAA$3,636.68Progressive$4,546.52

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Rates tend to be higher in big cities such as Detroit, and lower in areas where fewer people live — contrast the rates there with those in central Michigan.

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How to find the cheapest rates by city

These are the average annual premiums in Michigan organized by city for each insurer.

10 Most Expensive Cities in Michigan Average Annual Rate by CityMost Expensive CompanyMost Expensive Annual Rate2nd Most Expensive Company2nd Most Expensive Annual RateCheapest CompanyCheapest Annual Rate2nd Cheapest Company2nd Cheapest Annual Rate
Detroit$26,301.11Farmers$48,386.05Allstate$44,360.80USAA$5,711.92Progressive$9,787.83
Dearborn$20,920.85Farmers$43,870.92Allstate$34,532.14USAA$4,558.38Progressive$7,929.02
River Rouge$19,405.58Farmers$38,258.61Liberty Mutual$29,346.83USAA$4,904.33Progressive$7,807.04
Harper Woods$19,225.22Farmers$40,532.15Allstate$32,227.55USAA$4,601.02Nationwide$8,109.90
Oak Park$18,716.04Allstate$40,770.62Farmers$36,397.40USAA$4,786.60Progressive$7,523.92
Ecorse$18,154.01Farmers$31,827.17Allstate$28,418.62USAA$4,904.33Progressive$7,299.62
Southfield$17,774.85Allstate$43,653.03Liberty Mutual$27,805.12USAA$4,542.02Progressive$7,093.28
Inkster$16,984.97Allstate$32,881.20Farmers$27,287.68USAA$4,405.52Progressive$7,204.78
Lathrup Village$16,742.91Allstate$33,371.80Liberty Mutual$27,805.12USAA$4,294.61Progressive$7,688.55
Melvindale$16,544.22Allstate$28,635.20Farmers$25,624.76USAA$4,904.33Progressive$7,052.12

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10 Least Expensive Cities in Michigan Average Annual by CityMost Expensive CompanyMost Expensive Annual Rate2nd Most Expensive Company2nd Most Expensive Annual RateCheapest CompanyCheapest Annual Rate2nd Cheapest Company2nd Cheapest Annual Rate
St. Louis$7,916.29Allstate$17,625.93Liberty Mutual$13,023.88USAA$3,489.43Progressive$4,430.90
Shepherd$7,958.69Allstate$17,642.89Liberty Mutual$13,023.88USAA$3,630.14Progressive$4,438.08
Westphalia$8,036.93Allstate$17,180.01Liberty Mutual$16,459.31USAA$3,356.40Nationwide$3,787.40
Midland$8,131.32Allstate$18,996.62Liberty Mutual$13,023.88USAA$3,157.97Progressive$4,014.16
Grand Ledge$8,153.32Allstate$17,357.46Liberty Mutual$16,459.31USAA$3,581.27Progressive$4,262.59
Sanford$8,231.24Allstate$18,874.11Liberty Mutual$13,023.88USAA$3,397.49Progressive$4,182.70
Auburn$8,242.98Allstate$19,119.13Liberty Mutual$13,023.88USAA$3,368.16Progressive$4,696.57
Breckenridge$8,248.57Allstate$17,625.93Liberty Mutual$13,023.88USAA$3,397.49Progressive$4,718.81
Dimondale$8,262.31Allstate$17,665.20Liberty Mutual$16,459.31USAA$3,288.33Progressive$4,150.50
Allendale$8,267.02Allstate$20,296.94Liberty Mutual$16,202.49USAA$3,449.84Nationwide$4,244.16

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Rates tend to increase around Detroit and decrease around the college town of Ann Arbor.

Who are the best Michigan car insurance companies?

From national insurers, State Farm to Michigan-based Auto-Owners Insurance, car insurance shoppers have a lot of options. This can make it hard to decide on the one that’s right for you and your needs at a time when the best rates are all the rage.

And you also want adequate coverage for the hard-earned money you’ll pay. The frustration can make you put off your search until tomorrow.

But, we’ve gathered all the information you need right now — company financial ratings, reviews, and rates — to help you make a choice you’ll feel comfortable with. Check out the best car insurance in Michigan below.

Let’s learn more below.

What’s the financial rating of the largest auto insurance companies?

AM Best grades insurance companies based on their financial stability. Below are their ratings for each of the top ten companies in the Wolverine State.

CompanyFinancial Rating
AllstateA+
Auto-OwnersA++
Automobile Club MIA+
GeicoA++
HanoverA
Liberty MutualA
Michigan Farm BureauN/A
ProgressiveA+
State FarmA++
USAAA++

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You may recall that loss ratios show how much a company pays in claims compared to how much it earns in premiums. Companies that show loss ratios of more than 100 percent have paid more than they earned in premiums.

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Which companies have the best ratings?

J.D. Power ratings reveal how a company handles customer satisfaction. Their U.S. Auto Insurance Study follows a five-factor survey to rate companies overall. For the most part, regional insurers such as Auto-Owners, top the list.

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JD Power North Central Region

Which companies have the most complaints in Michigan?

The complaint data we’ve gathered for the top ten companies in Michigan includes a complaint ratio. It shows how many complaints a company received per $1 million in premiums written. So, the more policies a company writes may add to a higher ratio compared to smaller companies that generate fewer claims.

As you’ll see below, of the top 10, Liberty Mutual has the highest complaint ratio in Michigan while State Farm has received the highest number of complaints.

CompanyNumber of complaints2017 Direct Premiums WrittenComplaint ratio
Allied Property And Casualty Insurance Company3$30,560,3640.1
Allstate Fire And Casualty Insurance Company18$235,240,5770.08
Allstate Insurance Company5$48,717,7860.1
Allstate Property And Casualty Insurance Company31$312,004,5680.1
Amco Insurance Company3$24,433,0960.12
American Bankers Insurance Company Of Florida1$1,588,9380.63
American Country Insurance Company1$3,662,1580.27
Amerisure Insurance Company3$4,289,6910.7
Amerisure Mutual Insurance Company2$2,876,3520.7
Amica Mutual Insurance Company1$14,882,2220.07
Auto Club Group Insurance Company30$283,757,4160.11
Auto Club Insurance Association3$35,051,4370.09
Auto-Owners Insurance Company10$154,836,9540.06
Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Insurance Company1$10,604,3380.09
Bristol West Preferred Insurance Company9$27,492,6500.33
Canal Insurance Company1$3,148,1250.32
Cherokee Insurance Company2$39,323,2250.05
Church Mutual Insurance Company1$1,248,0580.8
Cincinnati Insurance Company, The4$87,514,9570.05
Citizens Insurance Company Of America11$28,250,6030.39
Citizens Insurance Company Of The Midwest17$508,858,7200.03
Dairyland Insurance Company1$1,362,6640.73
Essentia Insurance Company1$19,144,1640.05
Esurance Property And Casualty Insurance Company30$121,760,1270.25
Everest National Insurance Company13$56,633,6650.23
Farm Bureau General Insurance Company Of Michigan33$374,608,3070.09
Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company Of Michigan6$72,386,7740.08
Farmers Insurance Exchange10$119,656,1950.08
Federal Insurance Company1$4,563,7630.22
Foremost Insurance Company Grand Rapids, Michigan1$10,204,0370.1
Frankenmuth Mutual Insurance Company6$183,971,4160.03
Fremont Insurance Company6$115,351,5960.05
Geico Indemnity Company17$131,509,6890.13
Grange Insurance Company Of Michigan4$26,358,2940.15
Hartford Insurance Company Of The Midwest1$7,948,6890.13
Hastings Mutual Insurance Company5$51,034,6960.1
Home-Owners Insurance Company26$826,675,7340.03
Horace Mann Property & Casualty Insurance Company1$2,190,1120.46
Ids Property Casualty Insurance Company13$43,321,4930.3
Integon National Insurance Company6$53,756,1960.11
Liberty Mutual Fire Insurance Company12$41,699,6000.29
Lm General Insurance Company37$236,675,0640.16
Lm Insurance Corporation4$9,226,7650.43
Meemic Insurance Company10$316,736,1650.03
Memberselect Insurance Company54$682,332,7080.08
Metropolitan Direct Property And Casualty Insurance Company4$4,430,5480.9
Metropolitan Group Property And Casualty Insurance Company6$46,428,7210.13
Mic General Insurance Corporation5$34,654,2820.14
Michigan Automobile Insurance Placement Facility2$43,213,4770.05
Michigan Insurance Company3$50,784,9150.06
Michigan Millers Mutual Insurance Company1$8,283,0770.12
National General Insurance Company4$14,777,8360.27
National Liability & Fire Insurance Company1$3,853,6920.26
Nationwide Agribusiness Insurance Company1$2,458,5650.41
Northland Insurance Company3$14,120,9750.21
Ohio Security Insurance Company1$9,051,5740.11
Pioneer State Mutual Insurance Company10$149,818,4600.07
Progressive Marathon Insurance Company73$769,122,8430.09
Progressive Michigan Insurance Company40$530,621,2020.08
Property And Casualty Insurance Company Of Hartford6$20,434,0660.29
Protective Insurance Company1$5,287,9420.19
Repwest Insurance Company1$2,269,6230.44
Safeco Insurance Company Of Illinois8$108,029,9550.07
Secura Insurance, A Mutual Company1$16,250,0570.06
State Auto Property And Casualty Insurance Company1$4,622,6560.22
State Farm Fire And Casualty Company7$4,144,4501.69
State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company76$1,665,551,6310.05
Teachers Insurance Company1$8,434,4540.12
Titan Indemnity Company1$3,821,6020.26
Travelers Indemnity Company Of America, The2$5,084,9070.39
Trumbull Insurance Company11$79,512,1240.14
United Services Automobile Association8$73,548,2680.11
Usa Underwriters11$5,316,4342.07
Usaa Casualty Insurance Company20$197,608,3790.1
Valley Forge Insurance Company1$2,028,4300.49
Westfield Insurance Company3$37,605,2430.08
Wolverine Mutual Insurance Company2$22,303,6030.09

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Who are the cheapest companies in Michigan?

Below, we’ve ranked the top 10 largest companies based on their rates.

CompanyAverage Annual Rate+/- Compared to State Average (rate)+/- Compared to State Average (%)
Allstate$22,821.42$12,394.66+54.31%
Farmers$8,275.23-$2,151.53-26.00%
Geico$6,382.54-$4,044.22-63.36%
Liberty Mutual$19,913.09$9,486.33+47.64%
Nationwide Mutual$6,287.43-$4,139.33-65.84%
Progressive$5,354.18-$5,072.58-94.74%
State Farm$12,481.81$2,055.05+16.46%
Travelers$8,707.10-$1,719.67-19.75%
USAA$3,618.06-$6,808.70-188.19%

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USAA, which serves veterans and active military members, has emerged as the cheapest option car insurance option in Michigan, with rates around 188 percent below average. Progressive follows closely behind at more than 94 percent below the state average.

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What are the commute rates by company?

As it turns out, the distance a driver commutes doesn’t affect rates much. These are the rates for average commutes with annual mileage estimates.

Company10 miles commute. 6000 annual mileage.25 miles commute. 12000 annual mileage.
Allstate$22,821.42$22,821.42
Farmers$8,275.23$8,275.23
Geico$6,236.05$6,529.03
Liberty Mutual$19,223.85$20,602.33
Nationwide$6,287.43$6,287.43
Progressive$5,354.18$5,354.18
State Farm$12,142.23$12,821.40
Travelers$8,657.15$8,757.05
USAA$3,576.60$3,659.52

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Six major factors affect car insurance rates in Michigan. Which auto insurance factors will affect rates the most? Find out below:

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What are the coverage level rates by company?

These are the average amounts you can expect to pay based on your coverage level.

As shown, the rates change slightly between companies, so it helps to explore all of your options.

CompanyLow CoverageMedium CoverageHigh Coverage
Allstate$22,238.06$22,873.48$23,352.73
Farmers$8,048.64$8,253.96$8,523.10
Geico$5,987.51$6,327.85$6,832.27
Liberty Mutual$19,452.55$19,868.02$20,418.71
Nationwide$6,579.61$6,181.29$6,101.40
Progressive$5,188.80$5,360.96$5,512.79
State Farm$11,845.05$12,560.38$13,040.02
Travelers$8,616.35$8,716.50$8,788.45
USAA$3,511.28$3,626.86$3,716.05

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What are the credit history rates by company?

Your credit history is another risk factor that will no longer influence car insurance rates in Michigan as of July 1, 2020. In the meantime, let’s see how your credit score can affect your rates.

CompanyGood CreditFair CreditPoor Credit
Allstate$14,598.09$19,170.49$34,695.69
Farmers$6,364.70$6,881.67$11,579.33
Geico$4,903.24$6,031.66$8,212.73
Liberty Mutual$10,042.90$18,192.56$31,503.82
Nationwide$5,041.07$5,932.40$7,888.82
Progressive$4,678.78$5,198.94$6,184.82
State Farm$6,948.71$10,240.44$20,256.29
Travelers$8,544.17$8,653.62$8,923.51
USAA$2,350.18$3,088.55$5,415.46

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What are the driving record rates by company?

Your driving record will continue to factor into your car insurance rates in Michigan regardless of the changes in the basis of calculating premiums in 2020.

These are companies’ different insurance rates for common driving violations. Even one accident, speeding ticket, or DUI can boost your rates by hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars. Allstate drivers face the biggest increase with one DUI — nearly $40,000. Unfortunately, everyone pays a price when a DUI is involved.

CompanyClean RecordOne accidentOne speeding ticketOne DUI
Allstate$11,113.69$14,863.20$15,547.99$49,760.80
Farmers$6,933.96$8,878.82$8,539.80$8,748.36
Geico$2,247.29$4,746.86$4,151.13$14,384.88
Liberty Mutual$13,939.21$16,814.63$17,841.37$31,057.16
Nationwide$5,376.80$7,181.07$6,059.11$6,532.75
Progressive$4,533.62$5,964.06$5,557.63$5,361.42
State Farm$7,942.35$9,521.29$11,889.70$20,573.92
Travelers$5,891.56$8,413.93$6,966.74$13,556.16
USAA$2,910.44$3,631.64$3,172.10$4,758.07

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Who are the largest car insurance companies in Michigan?

Market share and the number of premiums written reveal the industry leaders based on their size. Not to be outdone, local insurers Frankenmuth and the Michigan Farm Bureau made the list several spots below the leader, State Farm.

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CompanyDirect Premiums WrittenLoss RatioMarket Share
State Farm$1,662,96653.42%18.54%
Automobile Club MI$1,421,253109.36%15.84%
Progressive$1,261,15068.76%14.06%
Auto-Owners$888,71690.82%9.91%
Allstate$731,916109.93%8.16%
The Hanover$535,02067.97%5.96%
Michigan Farm Bureau$410,89565.71%4.58%
Liberty Mutual$390,07966.52%4.35%
USAA$271,15788.71%3.02%
Frankenmuth$157,96266.30%1.76%

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What is the number of insurers by state?

Michigan has 65 domestic car insurance companies incorporated in the state. There are also 786 foreign insurance companies are licensed to do business in Michigan but formed in other states.

Property & Casualty InsuranceNumber
Domestic65
Foreign786
Total851

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What are the Michigan laws?

It can be hard to keep on top of car insurance, vehicle and driver licensing, and other road rules, especially when they change often.

And then you hope that you can understand them.

So, we’ve removed the jargon and kept the lingo simple while we stuck to only the laws you should obey — and the consequences if you don’t.

To find out what you need to know, learn more below.

What are the car insurance laws?

Here we’ll go into how car insurance laws enacted by the Michigan legislature affect rates in the Wolverine State.

As we stated earlier, Michigan passed a car insurance reform bill, which was signed into law in June 2019 and may reduce rates for many drivers.

Let’s discover more about how the state insurance rates are set.

How Michigan car insurance rates are determined

Each state determines the type of law, the threshold that applies there, the type and amount of liability insurance required, and the system they use to approve insurance rates and forms.

Insurance companies in Michigan are subject to the regulations the state insurance commissioner sets. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) has the final say over the rules and regulations that meet their fair competition standards.

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How to get windshield coverage

Michigan law allows car owners to use aftermarket parts in windshield repair, but the shop must state that specifically in the estimate. Car owners can also choose their own repair shop, however, they may need to cover the cost of any price differences if they do so.

Companies can offer a windshield replacement and repair coverage option in their policies, but they don’t have to provide them. Comprehensive coverage generally includes this as part of the policies subject to a deductible.

How to get high-risk insurance

High-risk drivers can find it hard to qualify for auto insurance coverage. The Michigan Automobile Insurance Placement Facility (MAIPF) helps drivers who can’t get coverage on the open market, however, it’s the last resort for those who have been turned down before.

It can come to the rescue for drivers who need to restart with a clean slate and eventually buy a standard policy. It operates as a risk pool in which drivers are assigned to a certain insurance company as a group, to keep rates within the maximum state limits. It’s not cheap, but it’s a way to get the insurance the state law requires.

How to get low-cost insurance

Michigan doesn’t currently offer a plan to help get lower insurance premiums, however, it can pay to shop around for the best rates.

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What is considered automobile insurance fraud in Michigan?

Michigan’s 2019 car insurance reform law allowed for the formation of an anti-fraud unit to investigate insurance fraud.

Insurance fraud, which includes lying about, concealing, or omitting information related to a claim, is illegal in Michigan. It carries a penalty of up to five years and fines of up to $50,000. Those who commit this crime also face restitution and other civil penalties.

The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services estimates that 15 percent of insurance claims in 2012 showed signs of possible fraud.

What’s the statute of limitations?

Michigan’s statute of limitations determines how long you have to file a lawsuit or make a claim. In the Wolverine State, the time limit for bodily injury liability and property damage claims is three years.

What are the state-specific laws?

One of the driving laws unique to Michigan is the Michigan Left. This “Thru-Turn” lets drivers make left turns past an intersection and do a U-turn. They can then return to the intersection to take a right turn.

Michigan drivers must follow the Michigan Left laws at intersections where they are at rather than taking a standard left turn.

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What are the vehicle licensing laws?

Michigan’s Secretary of State handles all licensing for drivers and vehicles.

Through their online ExpressSOS portal, residents can renew their registrations and drivers’ licenses, update or change their addresses, and access their driving histories. They can also look up vehicle registration and insurance information.

Michigan complies with the REAL ID Act Congress passed and Homeland Security enforces. This means a driver’s license or state ID is an acceptable form of identification at federal facilities, airports, and nuclear power plants.

As of October 1, 2020, anyone who flies on a commercial flight or enters a federal facility must have a REAL ID-compliant form of identification.

What are the penalties for driving without insurance?

Driving without insurance is a misdemeanor crime in Michigan, and can lead to fines and prison time.

Under Michigan law, a police officer can fine a driver who doesn’t show proof of insurance — even if they have it. As we mentioned before, your proof of insurance is evidence that you can pay for damages from an accident. Nowadays, showing proof of insurance can be as easy as taking out your smartphone or tablet PC.

Potential penalties for driving without insurance include:

  • $200 to $400 in fines
  • Up to one year in jail
  • License suspension of up to 30 days, or until you provide proof of insurance
  • $25 to $125 reinstatement fee

On top of that, Michigan police can look up your license plate number to see if you have insurance before they pull you over.

What are the teen driving laws?

Michigan requires teen drivers to go through a Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) system to keep them safe on the road while they learn to drive.

Though driving restrictions are lifted at age 17, young drivers can’t get away “scot-free.” A parent or guardian can choose to revoke a teen’s permission to drive until age 18.

Young Driver Licensing LawsAge RestrictionsPassenger RestrictionsTime Restrictions
Learner's Permit14 and 9 months; permit applicants younger than 18 must have completed the first segment of driver educationno more than 1 passenger younger than 21 (family members excepted)10 p.m.-5 a.m.
Provisional License6 months holding period
50 hours, 10 of which must be at night
no more than 1 passenger younger than 21 (family members excepted)10 p.m.-5 a.m.
Full License16; Neither driver education nor an intermediate license is required for license applicants 18 and older.Lifted after 6 months and age 17 or until age 18 (min. age 17).Lifted after 6 months and age 17 or until age 18 (min. age 17).

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What are the license renewal procedures for older drivers and the general population?

All Michigan drivers must renew their licenses every four years, regardless of their age, according to the Insurance Insitute for Highway Safety (IIHS). And every Michigander who’s also a U.S. citizen can renew online or by mail on every second renewal. Michigan doesn’t have any renewal laws specific to older drivers.

Renewal ProceduresGeneral PopulationOlder Population
License renewal cycle4 years4 years
Mail or online renewal permittedboth, every other renewalboth, every other renewal
Proof of adequate vision required at renewalwhen renewing in personwhen renewing in person

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Every in-person renewal requires a vision test. You’ll need to bring any prescription eyewear and pay a fee.

What is the law for new residents?

New Michigan residents age 18 or older must register and title their vehicles and turn over the title from their former state of residence within 30 days.

For a $25 fee, those who apply for a license must show proof of residency and/or employment and bring their Social Security numbers. With a valid license from another state or one that has been expired for less than four years, the Secretary of State office may waive the required written and driving skills test. But you’ll still need to take a vision test.

Drivers from another country with temporary status in the United States can receive a temporary license.

What is meant by Negligent Operator Treatment System (NOTS)?

Michigan uses a points system for violations. Points range between two and six depending on the offense, and include the following:

  • Two points: minor moving violations such as speeding ten mph or less over the limit, refusing a breathalyzer (under age 21), open alcohol containers
  • Three points: careless driving, speeding 11-15 mph over the limit, failure to obey traffic lights or stop signs, or to stop at a railroad crossing
  • Four points: Drag racing, driving while visibly impaired, speeding 16 mph or more over the limit, or any BAC while under age 21
  • Six points: a felony involving the use of a motor vehicle (such as manslaughter), driving under the influence, reckless driving, fleeing a police officer

If you rack up 12 points, your license will be suspended.

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What are the rules of the road?

Now, let’s explore some of the major laws that can affect your driving record and the safety of everyone on the road.

Fault vs. No-Fault: What’s the difference?

As we mentioned above, Michigan is a “no-fault” state. It’s also the only no-fault state where PIP injury benefits are unlimited, but that will change in July 2020 when the new insurance reform laws go into effect, which will also make lower PIP limit choices available.

Under the new law, drivers will be able to sue for excess medical benefits rather than for specific circumstances that limit lawsuits.

What are the seat belt and car seat laws?

Michigan law requires drivers and passengers over age 16 to wear a seat belt or face fines starting at $25 for failure to do so.

These are the state’s child restraint laws, which apply to those 15 and under:

  • Children under four must be in the rear seat if available
  • All children eight and under and under four-feet, nine inches tall must be in an appropriate car seat or booster seat.
  • All children ages eight to 15 and at least 57 inches tall must wear a seat belt in the front and back seats

The minimum fine for violating the child restraint law is $10.

Learn more about the basics of Michigan car seat laws in this video:

In Michigan, it’s illegal for anyone under age 18 to ride in the cargo area of a truck unless it’s moving at 16 mph or less.

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What are the keep right and move over laws?

Michigan drivers must keep right to let faster vehicles pass. These are a few exceptions to the rule:

  • When passing another vehicle on the left
  • When making a left turn
  • In heavy traffic
  • On a freeway with more than three lanes

Drivers also have to move over or if not possible, slow down to ten mph below the speed limit when they pass a stopped emergency vehicle with flashing lights, a tow truck, a garbage truck, or utility or construction vehicles. This applies to drivers in all lanes.

Fines for violation of the law are $400.00 on up.

This video explains Michigan’s recently expanded “move over” laws:

The organization Move Over Michigan is a helpful resource in explaining the laws. It’s dedicated to promoting the state’s “move over” laws and informing people about initiatives to keep law enforcement, emergency service attendants, and road service workers safe.

Speed limits

Vehicle TypeRural InterstatesUrban InterstatesOther Limited Access RoadsOther Roads
Passenger Vehicles70/75 where designated707055
Trucks65707055

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Ridesharing

Farmers and State Farm currently provide ridesharing insurance in Michigan.

The state requires all drivers for Uber, Lyft, and similar services pass background checks and have their vehicles inspected regularly. State law also places limits on the driving records of anyone who drives for a rideshare company.

Rideshare drivers must have $1 million in liability insurance when they carry a passenger and $50,000 in liability when drivers aren’t using their vehicles for ridesharing.

In keeping with Michigan’s no-fault laws, in case of an accident, the passenger’s PIP coverage will serve as the primary coverage. When the passenger doesn’t have coverage, the rideshare driver or company will be responsible for the coverage.

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Automation on the road

In Michigan, it’s legal to test and deploy autonomous vehicles, but the operator must have a license and liability insurance.

Safety laws

In this section, we’ll cover Michigan rules and regulations in place to keep everyone safe, including laws regarding driving under the influence and cell phone use.

OWI laws

As shown below, in Michigan, Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) can lead to severe penalties. The legal blood alcohol limit (BAC) in the state is 0.08 percent and the High BAC limit is 0.15 percent.

Offense NumberLicense SuspensionFineIncarcerationOther Penalties
First6 months - possible restricted license after 30 days$100-$5005 days to 1 year OR 30-90 hours community service6 point on record
Possible interlock device
Second1 year minimum
5 years if previous conviction within past 7 years
$200-$1,000 plus $1,000 driver responsibility fee30 days minimum up to 1 year
48 hours must be served in jail/workhouse
License plate confiscated
Vehicle immobilized 60-90 days or forfeited
6 points on license
ThirdMinimum 1 year
5 years if previous conviction within past 7 years
$500-$5,000 plus $1,000 driver responsibility fee1-5 yearsLicense plate confiscated
Vehicle immobilized 1-3 years or forfeited
Possible registration denial or vehicle forfeiture
6 points on record

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Marijuana-impaired driving laws

Marijuana is legal in Michigan, but there’s currently is no allowable legal amount of THC, the chemical that causes a “high,” in a driver’s bloodstream. Violators will face OWI penalties. Police officers can arrest drugged driving offenders based on a sobriety test similar to the one used to detect alcohol abuse.

Distracted driving laws

Texting while driving is illegal for all Wolverine State drivers. Michigan doesn’t have any statewide hand-held cell phone bans except for drivers with a learner’s permit or a Level 1 or Level 2 graduated license (integrated voice-operated systems excepted).

The cities of Detroit and Troy have enacted bans on handheld cell phone use while driving, and others are following suit. This video goes over Michigan’s distracted driving laws, including how they affect teen drivers:

Now, let’s get ready to learn more about driving in Michigan.

What’s the driving in Michigan like?

Michigan drivers face a lot of risks on and off the road, and not everyone is aware of them. It can be easy to forget about the facts and statistics, but they’re more than just numbers. Just how safe are the streets?

We’ve got all the information you need. We’ll cover vehicle theft, crash stats, underage drinking, EMS response times, and the state of transportation.

So, look no further and keep scrolling.

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Vehicle theft in Michigan

These are the top ten vehicles stolen in the Wolverine State:

Make/ModelNumber of Thefts
Chevrolet Impala733
Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size)585
Ford Pickup (Full Size)530
Dodge Caravan528
Dodge Charger477
Chevrolet Trailblazer462
Chevrolet Malibu451
Pontiac Grand Prix418
Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee407
Ford Fusion355

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Vehicle theft by city

Find out how many vehicles were stolen in Michigan and where they were located. How did your city rank?

CityMotor
Vehicle
Thefts (2017
Addison Township5
Adrian Township1
Akron0
Albion15
Allegan2
Allen Park60
Alma2
Almont3
Alpena4
Ann Arbor99
Argentine Township2
Armada1
Auburn Hills26
Au Gres0
Bad Axe3
Bancroft0
Bangor2
Baroda-Lake Township3
Barryton0
Barry Township2
Bath Township4
Battle Creek94
Bay City59
Beaverton0
Belding3
Bellaire0
Belleville7
Bellevue0
Benton Harbor33
Benton Township47
Berkley8
Berrien Springs-Oronoko Township2
Beverly Hills0
Big Rapids1
Birch Run0
Birmingham5
Blackman Township43
Blissfield1
Bloomfield Hills3
Bloomfield Township24
Boyne City7
Brandon Township4
Breckenridge1
Bridgeport Township5
Bridgman4
Brighton3
Bronson2
Brown City1
Brownstown Township35
Buchanan4
Buena Vista Township14
Burton51
Cadillac10
Calumet0
Cambridge Township1
Canton Township57
Capac0
Carleton2
Caro4
Carrollton Township2
Carson City0
Caseville0
Caspian-Gaastra0
Cass City2
Cassopolis1
Center Line30
Central Lake0
Charlevoix5
Charlotte9
Cheboygan1
Chelsea1
Chesaning0
Chesterfield Township32
Chikaming Township1
Chocolay Township3
Clare5
Clarkston0
Clawson3
Clayton Township3
Clay Township3
Clinton2
Clinton Township155
Clio1
Coldwater5
Coleman1
Coloma Township1
Colon0
Columbia Township3
Commerce Township11
Constantine4
Corunna1
Covert Township3
Croswell3
Crystal Falls0
Davison4
Davison Township4
Dearborn278
Dearborn Heights132
Decatur0
Denton Township1
Detroit8,155
Dewitt2
Dewitt Township4
Dryden Township2
Durand2
East Grand Rapids4
East Jordan0
East Lansing137
Eastpointe181
Eaton Rapids5
Eau Claire1
Ecorse46
Elk Rapids0
Elkton1
Elsie0
Emmett Township17
Erie Township0
Escanaba8
Essexville0
Evart1
Fair Haven Township0
Farmington6
Farmington Hills77
Fennville0
Fenton11
Ferndale57
Flat Rock15
Flint274
Flint Township95
Flushing0
Flushing Township2
Forsyth Township5
Fowlerville2
Frankenmuth2
Frankfort1
Franklin3
Fraser27
Fremont6
Fruitport Township11
Gaines Township3
Galesburg0
Galien0
Garden City38
Garfield Township0
Gaylord6
Genesee Township11
Gerrish Township1
Gibraltar9
Gladstone2
Gladwin1
Grand Beach0
Grand Blanc5
Grand Blanc Township24
Grand Haven11
Grand Ledge4
Grand Rapids363
Grandville23
Grant1
Grayling1
Green Oak Township7
Greenville6
Grosse Ile Township1
Grosse Pointe5
Grosse Pointe Farms3
Grosse Pointe Park13
Grosse Pointe Shores0
Grosse Pointe Woods20
Hamburg Township5
Hampton Township9
Hamtramck118
Hancock2
Harbor Beach1
Harbor Springs0
Harper Woods73
Hart0
Hartford6
Hastings1
Hazel Park60
Highland Park104
Highland Township14
Hillsdale6
Holland27
Holly2
Hopkins0
Houghton4
Howell6
Hudson0
Huntington Woods3
Huron Township18
Imlay City1
Independence Township11
Inkster89
Ionia9
Iron Mountain0
Iron River0
Ironwood5
Ishpeming9
Jackson108
Jonesville3
Kalamazoo332
Kalamazoo Township57
Kalkaska1
Keego Harbor2
Kentwood76
Kinde0
Kingsford0
Kinross Township1
Laingsburg0
Lake Angelus0
Lake Linden0
Lake Odessa1
Lake Orion2
Lakeview0
Lansing399
Lansing Township20
Lapeer15
Lapeer Township0
Lathrup Village2
Laurium0
Lawton1
Lennon0
Leslie0
Lexington0
Lincoln Park156
Lincoln Township5
Linden0
Litchfield0
Livonia129
Lowell3
Ludington3
Luna Pier1
Lyon Township4
Mackinac Island0
Mackinaw City0
Madison Heights59
Madison Township8
Mancelona0
Manistee0
Manistique1
Marenisco Township0
Marine City2
Marlette0
Marquette13
Marshall7
Marysville3
Mason11
Mattawan3
Mayville0
Melvindale43
Mendon0
Menominee4
Meridian Township30
Metamora Township2
Metro Police Authority of Genesee County7
Michiana0
Midland10
Milan4
Milford2
Millington1
Monroe32
Montague1
Montrose Township5
Morenci0
Morrice0
Mount Morris6
Mount Morris Township34
Mount Pleasant18
Munising1
Muskegon197
Muskegon Heights47
Muskegon Township25
Napoleon Township2
Nashville1
Negaunee2
Newaygo5
New Baltimore4
New Buffalo1
New Era0
New Lothrop0
Niles39
Northfield Township1
North Muskegon1
Northville2
Northville Township15
Norton Shores27
Norway0
Novi32
Oakland Township2
Oak Park74
Olivet0
Ontwa Township-Edwardsburg8
Orchard Lake0
Orion Township11
Oscoda Township2
Otisville1
Otsego3
Ovid0
Owendale0
Owosso9
Oxford2
Oxford Township3
Paw Paw3
Peck0
Pentwater0
Perry2
Petoskey0
Pigeon0
Pinckney1
Pinconning0
Pittsfield Township31
Plainwell1
Pleasant Ridge2
Plymouth5
Plymouth Township22
Pontiac222
Portage59
Port Austin0
Port Huron37
Portland0
Port Sanilac0
Potterville0
Prairieville Township0
Quincy0
Raisin Township0
Reading1
Redford Township212
Reed City0
Reese1
Richfield Township, Genesee County4
Richfield Township, Roscommon County1
Richland2
Richland Township, Saginaw County0
Richmond2
River Rouge27
Riverview35
Rochester2
Rochester Hills18
Rockford1
Rockwood1
Rogers City1
Romeo2
Romulus114
Roosevelt Park9
Roseville119
Rothbury0
Royal Oak51
Saginaw75
Saginaw Township26
Saline3
Sand Lake0
Sandusky2
Saugatuck-Douglas1
Sault Ste. Marie9
Schoolcraft1
Scottville0
Sebewaing0
Shelby Township31
Shepherd2
Somerset Township0
Southfield263
Southgate78
South Haven8
South Lyon4
South Rockwood1
Sparta1
Spring Arbor Township1
Springfield Township8
Stanton0
St. Charles1
St. Clair1
St. Clair Shores45
Sterling Heights107
St. Ignace2
St. Johns2
St. Joseph4
St. Joseph Township6
St. Louis1
Stockbridge0
Sturgis16
Sumpter Township8
Sylvan Lake1
Tawas1
Taylor181
Tecumseh4
Thetford Township1
Thomas Township2
Three Rivers15
Tittabawassee Township3
Traverse City14
Trenton18
Troy67
Tuscarora Township2
Ubly0
Unadilla Township3
Utica6
Van Buren Township69
Vassar1
Vernon0
Vicksburg1
Walker15
Walled Lake2
Warren437
Waterford Township68
Watervliet2
Wayland2
Wayne43
West Bloomfield Township16
West Branch0
Westland139
White Cloud0
Whitehall0
White Lake Township12
White Pigeon1
Williamston0
Wixom17
Wolverine Lake1
Wyandotte48
Wyoming210
Yale2
Ypsilanti43
Zeeland3
Zilwaukee1

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Road fatalities in Michigan

These are some details about fatal crashes involving weather and light conditions, speeding, alcohol, and other factors.

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Fatal crashes by weather and light condition

Most crashes occurred in normal daylight conditions when more cars are on the road.

Weather ConditionDaylightDark, but LightedDarkDawn or DuskOther / UnknownTotal
Normal413140195302780
Rain2927273086
Snow/Sleet228144048
Other7671021
Unknown002024
TOTAL471181245384939

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Fatalities (all crashes) by county

Most of the crashes tended to take place in the more populated counties.

County2017 Fatalities
Alcona County2
Alger County1
Allegan County13
Alpena County3
Antrim County4
Arenac County7
Baraga County0
Barry County11
Bay County5
Benzie County0
Berrien County20
Branch County2
Calhoun County19
Cass County15
Charlevoix County3
Cheboygan County3
Chippewa County2
Clare County3
Clinton County2
Crawford County4
Delta County10
Dickinson County5
Eaton County14
Emmet County2
Genesee County38
Gladwin County3
Gogebic County3
Grand Traverse County8
Gratiot County5
Hillsdale County5
Houghton County2
Huron County6
Ingham County26
Ionia County10
Iosco County3
Iron County1
Isabella County12
Jackson County20
Kalamazoo County38
Kalkaska County3
Kent County69
Keweenaw County0
Lake County1
Lapeer County11
Leelanau County3
Lenawee County16
Livingston County23
Luce County3
Mackinac County4
Macomb County42
Manistee County3
Marquette County4
Mason County9
Mecosta County4
Menominee County2
Midland County18
Missaukee County0
Monroe County23
Montcalm County23
Montmorency County1
Muskegon County17
Newaygo County12
Oakland County69
Oceana County2
Ogemaw County5
Ontonagon County1
Osceola County6
Oscoda County2
Otsego County7
Ottawa County17
Presque Isle County1
Roscommon County3
Saginaw County22
Sanilac County5
Schoolcraft County1
Shiawassee County6
St. Clair County14
St. Joseph County11
Tuscola County14
Van Buren County17
Washtenaw County39
Wayne County161
Wexford County6

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Traffic fatalities

More fatalities in Michigan occurred in urban areas where more people live.

TypeNumber of Fatalities
Traffic Fatalities 1,030
Passenger Vehicle Occupant Fatalities (All Seat Positions)660
Motorcyclist Fatalities150
Drivers Involved in Fatal Crashes1,488
Pedestrian Fatalities156
Bicyclist and other Cyclist Fatalities 21

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Fatalities by person type

This chart shows crashes that involved vehicle occupants, pedestrians, motorcyclists, and cyclists.

Person TypeNumber
Occupants (Enclosed Vehicles)696
Motorcyclists150
Nonoccupants184

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Fatalities by crash type

About half of the fatal crashes were single-vehicle accidents and roadway departures.

Crash TypeNumber
Single Vehicle519
Involving a Large Truck88
Involving Speeding241
Involving a Rollover224
Involving a Roadway Departure429
Involving an Intersection (or Intersection Related)268

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Five-year trend for the top 10 counties

In recent years, the numbers stayed solid, while some counties saw lower figures.

County20132014201520162017
Wayne County171174190201161
Kent County4855645769
Oakland County5663678069
Macomb County5346616342
Washtenaw County3330272639
Genesee County2933335038
Kalamazoo County3616273538
Ingham County1721172526
Livingston County1519122223
Monroe County2727131823
Top Ten Counties498492536590528
All Other Counties449409431475502
All Counties94790196710651030

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Fatalities involving speed by county

Fortunately, there were fewer speeding-related deaths than deaths from other driving hazards.

County20132014201520162017
Wayne County5049575857
Kent County912131316
Oakland County121081012
Kalamazoo County11412811
Cass County44318
Ingham County56378
Macomb County15315108
Livingston County56257
Monroe County55137
Calhoun County731356
Genesee County691086
Muskegon County46356
Washtenaw County6121456
St. Joseph County60025
Jackson County34584
Newaygo County20314
Arenac County10103
Barry County31103
Cheboygan County42033
Dickinson County10003
Eaton County32753
Ionia County10323
Lenawee County02343
Ogemaw County13243
Saginaw County62943
Delta County10102
Iosco County20112
Isabella County12612
Kalkaska County50222
Mason County10002
Ottawa County15152
Shiawassee County21312
St. Clair County64162
Van Buren County441082
Wexford County22332
Alcona County10001
Alger County20021
Alpena County11101
Berrien County33441
Branch County02111
Crawford County03111
Emmet County23101
Gogebic County00101
Grand Traverse60621
Hillsdale County06011
Houghton County00001
Iron County02041
Lake County00001
Lapeer County52121
Leelanau County02151
Luce County00011
Mackinac County10011
Marquette County11011
Midland County11201
Montcalm County22011
Presque Isle County01211
Roscommon County21251
Sanilac County04101
Allegan County33440
Antrim County22020
Baraga County10000
Bay County34500
Benzie County21100
Charlevoix County12210
Chippewa County42000
Clare County10110
Clinton County03110
Gladwin County10000
Gratiot County13100
Huron County12100
Keweenaw County00000
Manistee County11000
Mecosta County13100
Menominee County23000
Missaukee County11210
Montmorency County10010
Oceana County01010
Ontonagon County00010
Osceola County32200
Oscoda County00010
Otsego County22200
Schoolcraft County10000
Tuscola County13110

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Fatalities in crashes involving an alcohol-impaired driver

In some counties, compared to fatalities involving speed in those counties (above), the numbers were lower.

County20132014201520162017
Wayne County4734486154
Oakland County914172218
Kent County1414141316
Macomb County1411141414
Monroe County6123612
Washtenaw County10109312
Jackson County224311
Genesee County108111210
Kalamazoo County701069
Calhoun County53558
Cass County10208
Ingham County54867
Montcalm County41117
Tuscola County05107
Livingston County310236
Saginaw County43946
Lenawee County41015
Muskegon County42325
Van Buren County45735
Allegan County35254
Isabella County24734
Lapeer County55234
Ottawa County25434
St. Joseph County31114
Barry County42023
Berrien County52863
Ionia County21333
Midland County21613
Newaygo County21113
Osceola County01413
Shiawassee County12453
St. Clair County65643
Arenac County21002
Cheboygan County42002
Clinton County01052
Crawford County12002
Dickinson County10002
Gratiot County21002
Luce County00002
Mackinac County10102
Marquette County21002
Mason County00002
Mecosta County21302
Oceana County01112
Ogemaw County00002
Otsego County10202
Alpena County00001
Antrim County12111
Bay County33721
Branch County11421
Charlevoix County11211
Chippewa County51311
Clare County21211
Delta County10101
Eaton County62321
Gladwin County01311
Grand Traverse County21301
Hillsdale County14001
Houghton County10101
Leelanau County00001
Manistee County10011
Menominee County20101
Presque Isle County00111
Roscommon County20131
Sanilac County01101
Alcona County10110
Alger County20000
Baraga County00100
Benzie County10100
Emmet County01210
Gogebic County00100
Huron County11130
Iosco County00100
Iron County01030
Kalkaska County10020
Keweenaw County00000
Lake County01010
Missaukee County10010
Montmorency County11010
Ontonagon County01000
Oscoda County00010
Schoolcraft County00010
Wexford County42020

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Teen drinking and driving

As the figures show, officers catch a lot of underage drinkers who drive.

Teens and Drunk DrivingData
Alcohol-Impaired Driving Fatalities Per 100K Population1.2
Higher/Lower Than National Average (1.2)same
DUI Arrest (Under 18 years old)194
DUI Arrests (Under 18 years old) Total Per Million People88.54
US Rank of Under 18 DUI Arrests23rd

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EMS response time

Emergency crew response times tend to be lower in urban rather than rural areas.

LocationTime of Crash to NotificationArrivalArrival at Scene to HospitalTime of Crash to Hospital
Rural2.67 minutes10.41 minutesN/AN/A
Urban2.01 minutes5.44 minutesN/AN/A

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Transportation

How do Michiganders get around and how’s the traffic? Let’s find the answers to those questions in the data about car ownership, commute times, and methods of transportation below.

Car ownership

For a state with a solid reputation for car-making, Michigan surprisingly falls a little bit below the national average when it comes to owning two cars.

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Commute time

Michigan also trails the national average slightly in commute time at 23.5 minutes versus 25.3 minutes.

 

Commuter transportation

Most Michiganders drove alone while carpooling ranked a distant second.

Traffic congestion in Michigan

The Motor City, Detroit, is the 27th most congested city in North America and ranks 146th worldwide.

According to INRIX’s scorecard, Detroit drivers spend an average of 66 minutes in congested traffic daily.

TomTom data reveals that on average, Detroit drivers face a 16 percent increase in travel time. That time rises to 23 percent in peak morning traffic and 41 percent during the evening. On highways, the time expands to about 11 percent, while on non-highways, it rises 19 percent.

This extra travel time amounts to 20 minutes per day or a total of 76 hours yearly.

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