Looking for affordable car insurance? CheapInsurance.com gives expert tips and top selections for cheap car insurance in Michigan.
Michigan, also known as the Wolverine State, offers over three thousand miles of shoreline, ten thousand inland lakes, and endless acres of lush forest. But, even if you love the great outdoors, you’ll probably need a car to get around in Michigan.
There are over 7 million licensed drivers in Michigan’s population of around 10 million people. That means 70% of the population drive.
Drivers in Michigan pay up to 85% more in car insurance than the average cost of car insurance in other U.S. states. The reasons for this include:
- Your insurer has to cover your medical bills if you’re in an accident that wasn’t your fault. In most other states, the at-fault driver is responsible for paying the other party’s medical bills.
- Compulsory unlimited personal injury protection benefits.
- Michigan has one of the country’s highest rates of insurance fraud.
- A large percentage of Michigan drivers are uninsured, so car insurers are forced to increase their premiums to make up for the deficit.
- There is a large number of personal injury lawsuits in Michigan.
Finding affordable car insurance in Michigan isn’t easy, but knowing where to start is half the job done.
We’ve done the research to compare car insurance quotes and help you find the cheapest insurance in Michigan for these types of drivers:
- Good drivers with a clean driving record.
- Young drivers.
- High-risk drivers with a history of traffic violations.
Motor City Cruising: Updates & Insurance Insights for Car Insurance in Michigan
Michigan Vehicle Code Changes:
- Distracted driving crackdown: Effective July 1st, holding a phone while driving becomes completely prohibited, even at stoplights. Hands-free devices remain acceptable. (Source: Michigan House Bill 3997)
- Increased penalties for speeding: Expect harsher fines and potential driver’s license suspension for excessive speeding violations. (Source: Michigan Revised Statutes Title 625)
- Expansion of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure: New programs and investments aim to significantly increase EV charging stations across the state. Stay informed through the Michigan Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. (Source: Michigan Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity)
Remember: These are just highlights, and other changes may apply. Visit the Michigan Secretary of State website for complete information. (Source: Michigan Secretary of State)
Average Auto Insurance Rates in Michigan (2024):
(Sources: The Zebra, Bankrate)
| Company | Full Coverage | Minimum Coverage |
| State Farm | $1,820 | $525 |
| GEICO | $1,790 | $482 |
| Progressive | $1,850 | $468 |
| Farmers | $1,910 | $504 |
| Liberty Mutual | $1,970 | $510 |
Individual rates in Michigan can vary significantly based on driving history, location, vehicle type, and desired coverage. Consider factors like the Personal Injury Protection (PIP) system when comparing options.
Where To Find Cheap Minimum Liability Car Insurance In Michigan
Liability car insurance is designed to cover third parties and their property in the event of an accident that you’ve caused while driving. If, for example, you damage another person’s property, you’ll be held liable to pay for repairs or replacement.
These costs can run into thousands of dollars, and the state knows that most drivers don’t have enough money saved to cover these costs.
That’s why almost every U.S. state mandates that drivers need liability car insurance to help them cover the cost.
Every state has different minimum liability car insurance requirements, but it always covers three key aspects:
- Bodily injury coverage per person.
- Bodily injury coverage per accident.
- Property damage coverage per accident.
In Michigan, the minimum liability insurance coverage requirements are:
- $20,000 bodily injury liability insurance per person.
- $40,000 bodily injury liability insurance per accident.
- $10,000 property damage liability per accident outside Michigan.
Every driver in Michigan needs to have a minimum liability plan in case they’re in an accident. If you do not have a minimum insurance liability policy, not only are you breaking the law, you will also be held personally responsible for paying for the third party’s legal bills, medical bills, or lost wages arising from the accident.
Most car insurance companies carry liability insurance plans that meet these minimums, and these are usually some of the cheapest policies around.
Key Point: Is Minimum Liability Coverage Enough?
Like the name suggests, minimum liability gives you the lowest legal amount of coverage. While minimum liability plans are affordable, they may not provide comprehensive security in the event of an accident.
If you drive frequently, these plans may not provide enough coverage for you.
But, if you want to insure an older car that you don’t drive frequently, minimum liability insurance may be enough to meet your needs at a lower monthly cost.
On average, minimum liability car insurance in Michigan costs $409.55.
According to our research, Esurance provides the cheapest car insurance rates for minimum liability coverage, costing an average of $177.10.
| Provider | Wayne County | Oakland County | Macomb County | Kent County | Genesee County | Average |
| Bristol West | $477.00 | $418.00 | $572.00 | $225.00 | $434.00 | $425.20 |
| AAA | $812.26 | $695.43 | $775.38 | $720.20 | $716.36 | $743.93 |
| Geico | $431.20 | $270.30 | $270.30 | $199.90 | $288.20 | $291.98 |
| Esurance | $237.91 | $141.95 | $189.93 | $142.45 | $173.27 | $177.10 |
Cheaper Comprehensive Car Insurance In Michigan
While liability insurance protects your finances in the event of an at-fault car accident, it doesn’t cover your own vehicle from damage or theft.
In order to make sure your car is covered, you will need a comprehensive car insurance policy.
Comprehensive car insurance covers your car in the following scenarios:
- Theft or theft of parts.
- Non crash damage (e.g. natural disasters, fire, flooding).
- Broken windshield.
- Car damage from hitting an animal.
According to our research, the three cheapest comprehensive car insurance companies in Michigan are:
- Bristol West.
- Esurance.
- State Auto
| Provider | Wayne County | Oakland County | Macomb County | Kent County | Genesee County | Average |
| Bristol West | $246.00 | $249.00 | $304.00 | $176.00 | $246.00 | $244.20 |
| State Auto | $325.00 | $320.00 | $332.00 | $207.00 | $291.00 | $295.00 |
| AAA | $884.68 | $751.22 | $842.70 | $780.46 | $775.02 | $806.82 |
| Geico | $733.00 | $459.50 | $459.50 | $339.70 | $490.00 | $496.34 |
| Esurance | $298.88 | $183.10 | $239.41 | $183.93 | $218.75 | $224.81 |
Inexpensive Car Insurance In Michigan For Drivers With Clean Driving Records
If you have a clean driving record and haven’t been found guilty of serious traffic offenses over the past five years, you’re in a great position to find the best cheap car insurance in the state.
Some car insurance companies will even offer you a good driver discount, further decreasing the cost of your car insurance policy.
Key Point: What Is a Good Driver Discount?
A good driver discount (sometimes called a safe driver discount) is a discount that some car insurance companies offer to drivers who have a clean record without any:
- At-fault accidents.
- Major violations.
- Speeding tickets.
- Reckless driving charges.
- Major car insurance claims.
Some car insurance companies also offer additional discounts to drivers who have completed a registered defensive driving course.
If you aren’t sure whether your auto insurance company offers this, call your insurance agent to find out which courses make you eligible for a discount.
If you have a clean driving record, Esurance offers the cheapest auto insurance rates with an average monthly cost of $186.79.
To make sure you’re getting the best price, you should also check how much your rates would amount to with the second cheapest auto insurance company, State Auto.
| Provider | Wayne County | Oakland County | Macomb County | Kent County | Genesee County | Average |
| State Auto | $322.00 | $318.00 | $330.00 | $205.00 | $288.00 | $292.60 |
| Bristol West | $554.00 | $492.00 | $667.00 | $259.00 | $508.00 | $496.00 |
| AAA | $821.56 | $702.36 | $783.94 | $727.69 | $723.74 | $751.86 |
| Geico | $582.20 | $364.90 | $364.90 | $269.80 | $389.10 | $394.18 |
| Esurance | $249.40 | $150.94 | $199.59 | $151.61 | $182.43 | $186.79 |
Affordable Car Insurance In Michigan For High-Risk Drivers
If insurance companies consider you to be a high-risk driver, they may increase the cost of auto insurance.
Some of the violations that may lead to being classified as a high-risk driver include:
- Speeding tickets.
- At-fault accidents.
- Being a teenage driver.
- Poor credit score.
- A DUI/DWI conviction.
- Living in a high-risk area.
- Fleeing the scene of an accident.
- Getting too many points on your driving record.
In Michigan, a DUI offense will increase your car insurance premiums significantly. The least expensive car insurance company for high-risk drivers is Bristol West for $496.40.
| Provider | Wayne County | Oakland County | Macomb County | Kent County | Genesee County | Average |
| Bristol West | $549.00 | $491.00 | $663.00 | $274.00 | $505.00 | $496.40 |
| USA Underwriters | $654.00 | $621.00 | $623.00 | $561.00 | $681.00 | $628.00 |
| AAA | $1,527.75 | $1,137.77 | $1,409.28 | $1,189.30 | N/A | $1,316.03 |
Cheapest Car Insurance In Michigan For Young Drivers
According to the CDC, drivers aged 16-19 are three times as likely to be involved in a fatal crash compared to drivers over 20 years old.
Because young drivers are less experienced and have a higher chance of being in an accident, their car insurance rates are usually higher to compensate insurers for the increased risk of providing coverage.
By comparing car insurance quotes for young drivers, we found that Bristol West offers the cheapest auto insurance rates in Michigan, with their insurance costing $361.40.
| Provider | Wayne County | Oakland County | Macomb County | Kent County | Genesee County | Average |
| Bristol West | $440.00 | $310.00 | $394.00 | $248.00 | $415.00 | $361.40 |
| State Auto | $568.00 | $561.00 | $579.00 | $343.00 | $499.00 | $510.00 |
| AAA | $929.21 | $786.13 | $882.21 | $815.98 | $810.08 | $844.72 |
Tips For Choosing Car Insurance In Michigan
Lender Requirements
If you’re financing or leasing your car, your lender is likely to require you to have comprehensive car insurance and collision insurance.
If you don’t have the required coverage, your lender may add single-interest insurance to the total cost of your loan repayment.
Over time, this is much more expensive than traditional insurance because you will also be paying off the additional interest.
Your Unique Needs
If you simply drive your car to work, the grocery store, and to visit friends and family, then you probably won’t need any unique additions to your car insurance policy.
If you use your car for long-distance driving, work (such as ridesharing or deliveries), or live between two states, you should factor these requirements into your car insurance.
Not all car insurance companies will cover your car if you use it for work deliveries or ridesharing. Remember, your car must be covered in the state you live in, so if you frequently live or travel between multiple states, you will need to bring this to your insurer’s attention.
Get Multiple Auto Insurance Quotes
Even if you think you’ve found a good deal on car insurance, it’s always best to shop around for a lower rate.
You can do this yourself, but going through an insurance agent can save you a lot of time and money.
To get multiple auto insurance quotes, and see auto insurance rates and premiums from different providers in Michigan.
Car Insurance Companies In Michigan
1. Bristol West
Founded as a car insurance company in Florida in 1973, Bristol West has since expanded their footprint nationally and is one of the top ten U.S. insurers in terms of market share.
Today, they are a member of the Farmers Insurance Group of Companies, one of the largest insurance companies in the U.S.
Originally created to provide insurance policies for high-risk drivers, Bristol West offers most of the same coverage options as standard car insurance companies.
Even if you aren’t classified as a high-risk driver, you may be able to find cheaper auto insurance premiums with Bristol West.
Some of the services and benefits they offer, include:
- Multiple policy bundling discounts.
- Personalized car insurance policies.
- Rideshare coverage.
- Medical payments.
- Gap coverage.
- Towing and roadside assistance.
- Rental car reimbursement.
2. Esurance
Founded in 1999, Esurance’s headquarters are in San Francisco and they operate in over 30 U.S. states.
In 2011, Esurance was acquired by All State, the largest insurance company in the U.S. and one of the largest corporations in the world.
The types of insurance they offer, include:
- Car insurance.
- Motorcycle insurance.
- Homeowners insurance.
- Renters insurance.
- Business insurance.
3. State Auto
Since 1921, State Auto has grown from $15,000 in assets to a $3 billion organization.
The company prides itself on being innovators with a desire to do things differently, especially within the areas of:
- Overall customer service.
- Customer flexibility.
- Innovation and technology.
Today, the company positions itself as a technology and transformation company, and continues to provide car insurance policies in 33 U.S. states, along with homeowners insurance, personal insurance, and umbrella insurance.
Key Point: What Is Umbrella Insurance?
Umbrella insurance is insurance that provides additional protection beyond the existing limits and coverage of other insurance policies.
If the value of your assets is higher than their insured amount, it’s a good idea to get umbrella insurance to cover the gap if you need to make a claim.
Auto Insurance In Michigan FAQs
Do I need to have car insurance in the state of Michigan?
Michigan’s law requires all drivers to meet the minimum car insurance requirements. These are:
- $20,000 bodily injury liability insurance per person.
- $40,000 bodily injury liability insurance per accident.
- $10,000 property damage liability per accident outside Michigan.
If you have bought your car on finance, your lender may have additional insurance requirements that you need to meet as part of your loan agreement.
Is car insurance expensive in Michigan?
Drivers in Michigan pay up to 85% more in car insurance rates than the median cost of car insurance in other U.S. states. Some of the reasons for this include:
- Your insurer has to cover your medical bills if you’re in an accident that wasn’t your fault. In most other states, the at-fault driver is responsible for paying the other party’s medical bills.
- Compulsory unlimited personal injury protection benefits.
- Michigan has one of the country’s highest rates of insurance fraud.
- A large percentage of Michigan drivers are uninsured, so car insurers are forced to increase their premiums to make up for the deficit.
- There is a large number of personal injury lawsuits in Michigan.
According to our research, the cheapest car insurance for each type of driver is:
- Inexpensive car insurance for good drivers: Esurance for $186.79.
- Cheaper car insurance for high-risk drivers: Bristol West for $496.40.
- Cheapest car insurance for young drivers: Bristol West for $361.40
How much does automobile insurance in Michigan cost?
The total cost of car insurance will depend on a range of unique factors:
- Your age.
- Your driving history.
- Which Michigan county you live in.
- The total value of your car.
- Your credit record.
We found that, on average, the lowest cost of minimum liability car insurance in Michigan is $409.55.
According to our research, Esurance provides the cheapest rates for minimum liability coverage, costing an average of $177.10.
What is the best car insurance in Michigan?
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution to finding the best car insurance. To find a provider that best suits your needs, consider which aspects of insurance are the most important to you:
- The best pricing.
- Excellent customer service.
- A digital app or online portal.
- Customizable coverage.
- Benefits.
- Good driver discounts.
Once you know what you’re looking for, you can compare inexpensive auto insurance quotes from a number of insurance companies to find the policy that best suits your needs.
