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Cheapest Car Insurance In Michigan
The cheapest car insurance in Michigan is from USAA at $1,918 per year for full-coverage protection and $383 per year for a minimum liability policy
Daniel Robinson is a writer based in Greenville, N.C. with expertise in auto insurance, loans, warranty options and more. Away from the keyboard, Daniel spends time with his wife and son, plays guitar and obsesses over the Beatles and Baltimore Orioles.
RaShawn Mitchner is a MarketWatch Guides team senior editor covering personal finance topics and insurance. She’s spent over a decade writing and editing articles about how to save money on things including travel, entertainment and household services.
Senior Editor
We at the MarketWatch Guides team reviewed the best car insurance and cheapest car insurance companies in the industry to help drivers find affordable coverage. In this article, we’ll go over our recommendations for the cheapest Michigan car insurance. We’ll also provide estimates for drivers from different profiles and key information about Michigan insurance laws and regulations.
Key Takeaways:
According to data from Quadrant Information Services, Michigan drivers will find the cheapest full-coverage car insurance rates from USAA at $1,918 per year or $160 per month.
USAA also offers the cheapest minimum-liability car insurance coverage in the Wolverine State at $383 per year or $32 per month.
USAA is only available to military members and their families, so if you aren’t eligible for its coverage, Progressive is the cheapest in Michigan at $2,209 per year or $184 per month.
The average cost for a full-coverage policy in Michigan is $3,643 per year or $304 per month. This is about 81% more than the national average of $2,008 per year.
Here’s a breakdown of how we reviewed and rated the top auto insurance providers
130
Providers ReviewedOur team looked at over 100 of the top auto insurance providers in the U.S., from national providers like USAA, Travelers and State Farm to regional providers like Erie Insurance.
8,500
Data Points AnalyzedTo properly score each auto insurance provider, we looked at cost data, claims processes, customer review scores, industry standing, available discounts, coverages and add-ons.
800
Research HoursOur team put in the time so you don’t have to, evaluating cost data, reading customer reviews and researching companies to determine the most reliable options for coverage.
12,500
Customers SurveyedWe asked thousands of customers to describe their experience with their auto insurance provider to understand how real customers feel about their insurers.
Even though insurance coverage rates are much higher in Michigan than the national average, you still have a good chance at finding great car insurance in Michigan at excellent rates.
Here, we’ll look at the cheapest car insurance companies and coverage options in the state, beginning with the most affordable providers and coverage options.
Cheapest Michigan Car Insurance Companies
There are many options for cheap car insurance in Michigan. Some of the cheapest options are Progressive, USAA, Auto-Owners Insurance, Michigan Farm Bureau and Frankenmuth Insurance. Below are the overall and cost ratings for these providers:
*Our research team considers nationwide factors when scoring providers. However, the order of providers in this table is specific to car insurance in Michigan.
Cheapest Michigan Car Insurance Coverage
Coverage level has a major impact on rates. Many quotes from providers include estimates for minimum liability and full coverage car insurance. While minimum liability is all that’s required in most states, it’s a good idea for drivers to consider full coverage auto insurance.
Below are the cheapest auto insurance options in Michigan for both coverage types.
Cheapest Liability Car Insurance in Michigan
Minimum car insurance coverage in the Great Lakes State tends to cost $1,360 per year or $113 per month on average. This makes it nearly 117% costlier than the national average of $627. The table below shows the car insurance providers that offer the cheapest state minimum coverage in Michigan.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Michigan
Estimated Monthly Rate
Estimated Annual Rate
USAA
$32
$383
Auto-Owners
$42
$500
Pioneer State Mutual
$53
$638
Michigan Farm Bureau
$78
$933
Frankenmuth
$86
$1,037
Progressive
$118
$1,413
State Farm
$124
$1,492
Farmers
$197
$2,367
*All drivers in Michigan are required to have minimum liability coverage, which is the cheapest car insurance coverage level.
Cheapest Full Coverage Car Insurance in Michigan
Michigan has some of the most expensive car insurance rates in the nation. However, we found that rates can be as low as $1,918 per year, or $160 per month, for a full coverage policy. This table shows the cheapest providers on average for full coverage in the Wolverine state:
Cheapest Car Insurance in Michigan
Estimated Monthly Rate
Estimated Annual Rate
USAA
$160
$1,918
Progressive
$184
$2,209
Auto-Owners
$211
$2,526
Pioneer State Mutual
$222
$2,666
Michigan Farm Bureau
$234
$2,806
Frankenmuth
$263
$3,152
State Farm
$272
$3,262
Automobile Club Michigan
$311
$3,734
*These rates are based on a 35-year-old driver with good credit and a clean driving history. Your rates will vary depending on a number of factors.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Michigan
Your age and driving history will impact how much you pay for auto insurance in Michigan. Below we compare cheap car insurance estimates for Michigan drivers in these categories.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Michigan for Young Drivers
Young drivers can pay significantly more for car insurance than older adults. The series of tables below shows the cheapest car insurance for young drivers in Michigan, along with estimated monthly and annual costs.
Cheapest Michigan Car Insurance for 16-Year-Olds
Young drivers in Michigan can expect to pay some of the highest car insurance costs in the state at an average of $12,921 per year or $1,077 per month. According to our research, Auto-Owners Insurance tends to have some of the cheapest rates on average for 16-year-old drivers in the state, costing $4,614 per year or $385 per month.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Michigan
Estimated Monthly Rate
Estimated Annual Rate
Auto-Owners Insurance
$385
$4,614
Michigan Farm Bureau
$433
$5,192
USAA
$588
$7,053
Pioneer State Mutual
$589
$7,065
Frankenmuth
$596
$7,147
Cheapest Michigan Car Insurance for 17-Year-Olds
When it comes to car insurance for 17-year-olds, Auto-Owners Insurance offers the most affordable coverage on average, costing $4,776 per year or $398 per month. USAA and Michigan Farm Bureau are also options worth considering for cheaper coverage.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Michigan
Estimated Monthly Rate
Estimated Annual Rate
Auto-Owners Insurance
$398
$4,776
USAA
$404
$4,852
Michigan Farm Bureau
$498
$5,973
Pioneer State Mutual
$714
$8,570
Automobile Club Michigan
$729
$8,749
*Rates taken from 2022 information.
Cheapest Michigan Car Insurance for 18-Year-Olds
18-year-old Michigan motorists may find slightly cheaper rates than 16- and 17-year-olds. On average, drivers can find cheap car insurance in the Wolverine State for $4,158 per year or $347 per month through USAA.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Michigan
Estimated Monthly Rate
Estimated Annual Rate
USAA
$347
$4,158
Auto-Owners Insurance
$363
$4,359
Michigan Farm Bureau
$475
$5,701
Pioneer State Mutual
$649
$7,790
Progressive
$661
$7,926
*Rates taken from 2022 information.
Cheapest Michigan Car Insurance for 21-Year-Olds
According to our research, Michigan drivers in their 20s pay significantly less for full coverage car insurance than teen drivers. Progressive and USAA are the cheapest car insurance providers on average for 21-year-old drivers, costing $2,513 per year and $209per month.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Michigan
Estimated Monthly Rate
Estimated Annual Rate
Progressive
$209
$2,513
USAA
$211
$2,531
Auto-Owners Insurance
$297
$3,567
Michigan Farm Bureau
$407
$4,878
Automobile Club Michigan
$421
$5,053
*Rates taken from 2022 information.
Cheapest Michigan Car Insurance for 25-Year-Olds
Our research shows USAA is the cheapest car insurance provider for 25-year-olds in Michigan. Drivers pay an average of $2,267 per year or $189 per month for a car insurance premium with the insurer.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Michigan
Estimated Monthly Rate
Estimated Annual Rate
USAA
$189
$2,267
Progressive
$208
$2,500
Auto-Owners Insurance
$212
$2,712
Pioneer State Mutual
$329
$3,176
Michigan Farm Bureau
$336
$3,373
Cheap Car Insurance in Michigan for Adult Drivers
As drivers gain more experience, the cost of their car insurance policy will go down. Michigan drivers in their 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s tend to pay cheaper rates on average, while 70-year-old drivers and older may see their rates slightly increase.
The sections below detail the cheapest companies for car insurance in Michigan for adult drivers, with Progressive consistently offering the cheapest average rates.
Cheapest Michigan Car Insurance for 30-Year-Old Drivers
Progressive offers the cheapest coverage for 30-year-old Michigan drivers, at $1,559 per year or $130 per month. USAA comes in at a close second, at $1,757 per year or $146 per month for comprehensive coverage.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Michigan
Estimated Monthly Rate
Estimated Annual Rate
Progressive
$130
$1,559
USAA
$146
$1,757
Auto-Owners
$199
$2,382
Michigan Farm Bureau
$291
$3,487
Pioneer State Mutual
$293
$3,515
*Costs were taken from 2022 information.
Cheapest Michigan Car Insurance for 40-Year-Old Drivers
Progressive continues to offer the cheapest average rates, at $1,508 per year or $126 per month. This is 16% cheaper than the national average of $1,755 for 40-year-old drivers.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Michigan
Estimated Monthly Rate
Estimated Annual Rate
Progressive
$126
$1,508
USAA
$140
$1,684
Auto-Owners
$198
$2,371
Frankenmuth
$265
$3,175
Michigan Farm Bureau
$274
$3,282
*Costs were taken from 2022 information.
Cheapest Michigan Car Insurance for 50-Year-Old Drivers
Progressive and USAA both offer cheaper rates to Michigan drivers than the national average for 50-year-old drivers, which is $1,658 per year or $138 per month. Progressive’s rate of $1,434 per year or $120 per month is almost 16% less than the national average for this age group, $1,658.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Michigan
Estimated Monthly Rate
Estimated Annual Rate
Progressive
$120
$1,434
USAA
$134
$1,608
Auto-Owners
$191
$2,290
Frankenmuth
$240
$2,877
Michigan Farm Bureau
$254
$3,047
*Costs were taken from 2022 information.
Cheapest Michigan Car Insurance for 65-Year-Old Drivers
The cheapest Michigan car insurance rates for 65-year-old drivers are similar to rates for drivers 50 years of age. Progressive and USAA offer the cheapest rates once in the state once again.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Michigan
Estimated Monthly Rate
Estimated Annual Rate
Progressive
$120
$1,438
USAA
$134
$1,612
Auto-Owners
$182
$2,186
Frankenmuth
$222
$2,666
Pioneer State Mutual
$247
$2,963
*Costs were taken from 2022 information.
Cheapest Michigan Car Insurance for 75-Year-Old Drivers
75-year-old Michigan drivers will see their rates slightly increase at this age, but it’s still possible to keep your costs relatively low. Progressive’s average rate of $1,683 per year is about 14% cheaper than the national average of $1,912 for drivers at this age.Estimated Annual Rate
Cheapest Car Insurance in Michigan
Estimated Monthly Rate
Estimated Annual Rate
Progressive
$140
$1,683
USAA
$151
$1,815
Auto-Owners
$199
$2,390
Pioneer State Mutual
$261
$3,133
Michigan Farm Bureau
$270
$3,236
*Costs were taken from 2022 information.
Cheapest Michigan Car Insurance for High-Risk Drivers
At-risk drivers who have had a speeding ticket, DUI or recent accident can pay more for auto insurance. The sections below provide estimates for the cheapest car insurance rates for drivers who fit these driver profiles.
Cheapest Michigan Car Insurance for Drivers With a Speeding Ticket
Insurers raise your rates for moving violations like speeding tickets. Michigan drivers with a speeding ticket pay an average of $5,606 per year, or $467 per month. Progressive tends to offer the cheapest coverage with estimates starting at $2,586 per year, or $216 per month.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Michigan
Estimated Monthly Rate
Estimated Annual Rate
Progressive
$216
$2,586
USAA
$221
$2,654
Auto-Owners Insurance
$320
$3,840
Michigan Farm Bureau
$368
$4,415
Pioneer State Mutual
$373
$4,477
Cheapest Michigan Car Insurance for Drivers With a Recent Accident
You can expect to see higher rates for car insurance in Michigan following an at-fault accident. The average Michigan driver with a recent accident pays about $5,204 per year, or $434 per month. USAA tends to offer the cheapest coverage for these drivers with estimates starting at $2,706 per year, or $226 per month.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Michigan
Estimated Monthly Rate
Estimated Annual Rate
USAA
$226
$2,706
Progressive
$229
$2,749
Auto-Owners Insurance
$247
$2,963
Pioneer State Mutual
$266
$3,196
Michigan Farm Bureau
$270
$3,243
Cheapest Michigan Car Insurance for Drivers With a DUI
If you’re found guilty of a DUI, you’ll typically pay much higher rates for auto coverage. The average rate estimate for full coverage insurance for drivers with a DUI in Michigan is $8,260 per year, or $688 per month. Progressive offers the cheapest coverage for Michigan drivers with a DUI, with estimates starting at $2,446 per year, or $204 per month.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Michigan
Estimated Monthly Rate
Estimated Annual Rate
Progressive
$204
$2,446
USAA
$280
$3,355
Pioneer State Mutual
$432
$5,182
Auto-Owners Insurance
$475
$5,704
Farmers
$526
$6,315
Car Insurance Deals in Michigan
Drivers in Michigan can save on car insurance premiums with various providers. The table below shows some of the discounts that the cheapest providers in Michigan offer.
Michigan Car Insurance Discounts
Progressive
USAA
Auto-Owners Insurance
Frankenmuth Insurance
Michigan Farm Bureau
Multi-policy
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
Multi-vehicle
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
Safe driver
✔
✔
✔
Student
✔
✔
✔
Defensive driving
✔
Driver training
✔
New vehicle
✔
Car safety equipment
✔
✔
Loyalty
✔
✔
Military
✔
Paid in Full Discount
✔
✔
✔
✔
Paperless Billing
✔
✔
Advance Quote
✔
✔
✔
Loss History
✔
✔
*These are the standard car insurance discounts offered by each company. Discount availability can vary by state, so you’ll need to speak with an insurance agent to find out which car insurance discounts you may qualify for.
Car Insurance Discounts in Michigan
Most providers will offer various discounts that help different types of drivers save money on their car insurance. It’s important to take a look at the discounts each provider offers and see which ones you’re eligible for. You can also reach out to your insurance agent to see if you’re eligible for any discounts you aren’t aware of.
Here is more information on the most common discounts offered by providers:
Military: Applies to both active military members and veterans
Multi-vehicle: Insuring multiple vehicles on the same policy or combining insurance policies
Multi-policy: Bundle two or more insurance policies with the same company
Homeowners: If you own a home, you may qualify for this discount
Senior: Drivers who are typically 55 and over will qualify for this discount
Good student: College and high school students under 25 who maintain a B average in their courses
Good driver: Applies to drivers who have a clean driving record (no DUIs, no at-fault accidents or speeding tickets)
Defensive driver: Typically earned by taking a defensive driving course
Driver training: Get a discount by taking a driver education course
New car: Given when drivers purchase a new car that is 3 years or younger
Safe car: Typically applies to cars that have safety features such as anti-theft technology
Paperless: Receive a discount for opting in to paperless billing
Pay-in-full:Save money on car insurance by paying your full premium upfront
Best Cheap Car Insurance in Michigan
For those who would like to know about the cheapest auto insurance companies in the Great Lakes State, the sections below contain more detailed information:
#1 Progressive: Best for Tech-Savvy Drivers
9/10
Overview
As one of the largest car insurance companies in Michigan, Progressive is known for having some of the cheapest rates on average. It offers a range of insurance discounts, including a usage-based program called Snapshot®, and many drivers find affordable coverage.
The company is an especially affordable option for high-risk drivers who have a ticket, car accident or DUI on their recent driving record.
J.D. Power claims satisfaction rating: 870/1,000 AM Best financial strength rating: A+ Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating: A
Pros & Cons
ProsGreat rates for adult drivers in MichiganLow costs for high-risk driversConsIts usage-based program may raise your rates
#2 USAA: Best for Military Members
9.2/10
Overview
USAA is the best choice for military members, veterans and military families. If you qualify for coverage, you may find cheaper prices with USAA than any other provider. USAA has more than 10 discounts for car insurance in Michigan, including safe driver, good student, new vehicle and military installation discounts.
It also stands out for its high customer satisfaction ratings and scored among the top three providers in the 2023 J.D. Power Auto Claims Satisfaction Study℠.
J.D. Power claims satisfaction rating: 900/1,000 AM Best financial strength rating: A++ BBB rating: NR
Pros & Cons
ProsExcellent coverage for military and veteransHigh financial strength rating from AM BestConsOnly available for military members, veterans and their families
#3 Auto-Owners Insurance: Best for Young Drivers
8.8/10
Overview
Based in Lansing, Mich., Auto-Owners Insurance has been around since 1916. The regional provider offers some of the lowest rates in the state for many types of drivers, but especially teen drivers in Michigan. It also has an A+ rating and accreditation with the BBB and a strong AM Best financial strength rating.
Auto-Owners offers coverage options like gap insurance, diminished value coverage and more in addition to its standard coverage offerings.
J.D. Power claims satisfaction rating: 888/1,000 AM Best financial strength rating: A++ BBB rating: A+
Pros & Cons
ProsCheapest average rates for teens in MichiganHigh BBB and AM Best ratingsLow rates for high-risk driversConsNo online quote option
#4 Michigan Farm Bureau: Best for Local Coverage
8.2/10
Overview
Michigan Farm Bureau is only available in — you guessed it — the state of Michigan. It has a large network of local insurance agents, making it a great option for those who prefer in-person service. It offers some of the lowest rates for both teen and adult drivers in the Great Lakes State, providing discount opportunities such as multi-policy, multi-vehicle, safe driver and more.
You’ll also find a usage-based app called FB Drives Michigan! through Michigan Farm Bureau that rewards safe drivers by tracking their habits behind the wheel and applying discounts to annual premiums.
ProsProvides a usage-based insurance programGood rates for high-risk and teen drivers in MichiganLarge network of local insurance agentsConsSubpar BBB rating
#5 Frankenmuth Insurance: Good Coverage Options
9/10
Overview
Frankenmuth Insurance is a small provider that sells auto, home, life and other insurance products in Michigan and Ohio. While its rates tend to be a bit higher than their competitors, the insurer offers a range of coverage options.
Frankenmuth provides standard auto coverage plus towing, 24/7 roadside assistance and rental car coverage. Drivers can also get collector car insurance and insurance for non-standard vehicles through the company.
Industry Standing
J.D. Power claims satisfaction rating: Not rated AM Best financial strength rating: A- BBB rating: A+
Pros & Cons
ProsLow rates for 16-year-old Michigan driversOffers collector car insuranceConsNot the cheapest for adult drivers
Average Car Insurance Cost in Michigan
The average estimated rate for full coverage car insurance in Michigan is $3,643 per year or $304 per month. That’s about 81% more expensive than the national average of $2,008 per year. It also makes Michigan one of the most expensive states in the country for auto coverage.
The graphic below shows how Michigan stacks up with the rest of the color in terms of car insurance cost:
Michigan Car Insurance Cost by Age
The price for car insurance in Michigan is far above the national average. However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t find affordable coverage in the state. Our research shows that young drivers pay the highest car insurance premiums with rates lowering in their early 20s.
Age
Estimated Monthly Rate
Estimated Annual Rate
16
$1,077
$12,921
17*
$960
$11,518
18*
$874
$10,489
19*
$651
$7,810
21*
$521
$6,257
25
$353
$4,230
30*
$325
$3,902
35
$304
$3,643
40*
$314
$3,771
45
$294
$3,531
50*
$299
$3,583
55
$270
$3,244
65*
$284
$3,409
75*
$319
$3,832
*Rates taken from 2022 information.
As you can see, the younger you are, the more you’ll likely pay for auto insurance in Michigan.
Cheapest Michigan Car Insurance by City
Car insurance rates vary across the state of Michigan, even when you control all of the factors. Michigan motorists tend to pay higher car insurance premiums in urban areas like Detroit and Flint. The table below shows average estimates for full coverage insurance in different Michigan cities.
City in Michigan
Estimated Monthly Cost
Estimated Annual Cost
Portage
$189
$2,270
Ann Arbor
$202
$2,426
Battle Creek
$204
$2,443
Kalamazoo
$205
$2,464
Lansing
$213
$2,552
Wyoming
$214
$2,563
Grand Rapids
$221
$2,652
Kentwood
$223
$2,676
Livonia
$233
$2,796
Royal Oak
$239
$2,871
Novi
$244
$2,928
Westland
$246
$2,948
Rochester Hills
$247
$2,958
St. Clair Shores
$250
$2,995
Taylor
$252
$3,021
Troy
$255
$3,063
Farmington Hills
$257
$3,088
Flint
$262
$3,139
Pontiac
$269
$3,222
Dearborn Heights
$284
$3,408
Sterling Heights
$285
$3,420
Warren
$299
$3,591
Southfield
$311
$3,728
Dearborn
$340
$4,079
Detroit
$367
$4,407
*Average rates above apply to the top three companies in each city. **Rates taken from 2022 information.
Is the Cost of Michigan Auto Insurance Going Down?
In the past, Michigan required drivers to buy unlimited personal injury protection (PIP) coverage, which made insurance expensive. On July 1, 2020, laws changed to allow drivers in the state of Michigan to purchase varying levels of PIP insurance or even opt out of it completely.
Michigan also added consumer protections beginning in July 2020. It prohibited companies from using marital status, gender, homeownership, credit score, educational level, occupation and ZIP codes in setting car insurance rates. Locations and credit scores have previously been two heavily weighted factors for car insurance in Michigan, so some drivers may see cheaper auto insurance rates following this change.
Factors That Affect Michigan Car Insurance Rates
It’s important to note that you can likely find quality car insurance in Michigan for less than the state average premium, depending on your circumstances. Your rates will vary based on a number of variables about you and your vehicle.
Michigan is a no-fault state, meaning your insurance coverage pays for your medical bills regardless of who caused an accident. Even though Michigan operates under a no-fault system, drivers can sue each other for damages following an accident. Therefore, all drivers in the state must carry at least the following amounts and types of liability insurance:
Bodily injury liability: $20,000 per person, $40,000 per accident
Property damage liability: $10,000 per accident
The state requires Michigan car insurance companies to offer bodily injury liability insurance with coverage limits of $250,000 and $500,000, but drivers can choose different amounts down to the minimum coverage limits listed above.
Michigan Car Insurance Laws
As we mentioned earlier, Michigan car insurance laws changed in 2020. Previously, the state required all drivers to carry unlimited PIP coverage, but there are now coverage levels available, which include:
Unlimited PIP coverage per person/accident
Up to $500,000 per person/accident
Up to $250,000 per person/accident
Up to $50,000 per person/accident
Opt out (only if health insurance covers accident-related injuries)
With these new options in place, Michigan is requiring insurance companies to lower average PIP premiums based on the selected coverage amount. For example, unlimited PIP plans will cost 10% less on average, and $50,000 PIP plans will cost 45% less on average. However, individual drivers may see varying degrees of discounts.
Michigan also requires property protection insurance (PPI). This pays for damage you cause to other people’s property, including cars, fences, garage doors and more. It pays up to $1 million in damages.
Is it Illegal to Drive Without Car Insurance in Michigan?
It is illegal to drive a car without the required insurance in Michigan. If you’re caught driving without proper coverage, you can be charged with a misdemeanor criminal offense. As a result, you can face a fine of between $200 and $500, have your driver’s license suspended and spend up to one year in jail.
How To Get Car Insurance in Michigan
Progressive is generally the cheapest option for auto insurance in Michigan and is our top pick for drivers in the state. USAA, Auto-Owners Insurance, Frankenmuth Insurance and Michigan Farm Bureau are all great options as well.
The main thing to keep in mind is that the cost of car insurance in Michigan depends on your individual situation and how a company weighs different factors. To find the best deal, compare free quotes from multiple providers.
Compare Car Insurance Rates
Get matched with a top provider and compare instant quotes in just a few clicks
In this article, we reviewed the cheapest auto insurance companies, coverage and rates in the state of Michigan. We also looked at average cost of car insurance and coverage requirements in the Wolverine State. While you only need to purchase the minimum required coverage limits in Michigan, we recommend considering a more robust policy that includes collision coverage and comprehensive coverage.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Michigan: FAQ
Below are some common frequently asked questions about cheap car insurance in Michigan:
According to our research, USAA offers the cheapest full coverage car insurance in Michigan, costing $1,918 per year or $160 per month on average. It also offers the most affordable minimum coverage for Michigan drivers at $383 per year or $32 per month.
One of the main reasons car insurance in Michigan is so expensive is that the state requires high levels of liability and PIP coverage. Other factors like extreme cold and property crime rates in several cities also factor in.
In Michigan, the owner of a vehicle must obtain parental permission from the buyer in order to legally sell a vehicle to someone under the age of 18.
If your teenage driver is not yet licensed and is learning, most no-fault policies in Michigan do not require you to add them to your policy. Once your teenager has completed their requirements and becomes licensed, however, you will need to talk to your insurer about adding them to your policy.
Auto Insurance Rating Methodology
The car insurance marketplace can be pretty intimidating. We at the MarketWatch Guides team have put in hundreds of hours of research to make it easier for you to navigate the auto insurance world and find the right provider for your coverage needs and budget.
We’ve analyzed more than 130 auto insurers and have graded them on a variety of ranking factors. The end result was an overall rating for each company that reflects its performance in five key areas. From major national providers such as Geico and Progressive to smaller regional insurance companies such as Erie, you can trust our evaluation of the auto coverage market.
Our Rating System for Auto Insurers
To create our car insurance company rating methodology, we considered coverage, optional protections and average cost data from Quadrant Information Services. We also weighed ratings from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and credit rating agency AM Best. In addition to gathering hundreds of data points, we conducted a survey of 1,000 consumers with auto insurance to understand what mattered most to them when shopping for coverage.
These are the five categories we used to create our auto insurance company ratings:
Industry Standing
Availability
Coverage
Cost and Discounts
Customer Experience
Factors We Use To Score Auto Insurance Companies
We begin our scoring process by giving each provider a rating out of 100, then later translate that into a score on a 10-point scale. This overall score is based on the average of a company’s rating in five main categories. The sections below offer expanded details on each of these categories. Note that some percentages are rounded for clarity.
Industry Standing (20%)
This category encompasses a provider’s reputation in the auto insurance industry. These are a few of the important factors that contribute to its rating:
Market share (8%):We use a provider’s market share, as determined by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), as a key indicator of industry standing. A provider earns maximum points if it has a market share of 15% or more and has written 40 billion premiums or more in the previous year.
Years in business (4%):Auto insurers with long track records have an advantage, with those having been in business for 80 years or more earning maximum points.
BBB rating (4%):The BBB rates companies for how quickly they respond to complaints and how well they communicate with customers. A high grade and accreditation from the BBB goes a long way in our rankings.
AM Best rating (4%):Major credit rating agency AM Best gives insurers grades of up to A++ for financial strength. As you would expect, names like Travelers, State Farm and Geico carry A++ ratings.
Availability (20%)
The size of an insurer and the availability of its policies are the key considerations here. These are the specific criteria we use:
Exclusions (10%):A few providers lose points in this category for having eligibility restrictions. (USAA, AAA and AARP are some examples.)
State availability (5%):A few providers in our rankings only serve a handful of states. Being available across the country is an advantage in this category.
Insurer size (5%):The larger the provider, the higher the availability score.
Coverage (20%)
Beyond the standard auto insurance coverage options, we look for extra add-on protections an insurer offers, like roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement and more. These are a few of the specific things we consider for this category:
Usage-based insurance programs:Most of our top-ranked insurers give drivers the opportunity to save money by tracking safe driving habits.
Benefits:Roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement, trip interruption coverage and accident forgiveness are among the extra benefits we look for when evaluating auto insurers. The more the benefits, the higher the rating.
Extra coverages:Offering additional coverages like pet insurance, windshield protection, and custom parts and equipment insurance help companies improve their coverage rating.
Coverage ratings from consumers: We consider the results of our car insurance survey, which asked nearly 7,000 drivers how they would rate their providers’ coverage options. Providers with a rating of 4.0 to 5.0 — higher than the average across all providers — earn the most points.
Cost and Discounts (20%)
Coverage rates play a significant role in any driver’s choice of auto insurance. We use cost data from Quadrant Information Services to compare rates for various driver profiles. We also consider how many discounts a provider offers. Finally, the results of our car insurance survey play a part here.
Here’s a look at the key variables we weigh when we rate insurers in this category:
Rates compared to the national average:Companies that can beat the average national cost of full-coverage auto insurance have a leg up here.
Rate change:We also keep a close eye on how rates change year after year.
Quotes for various driver profiles:We use cost data to help drivers with various violations on their record and drivers of all ages to get a complete picture of each provider’s rates.
Total number of discounts:Multi-vehicle, bundling and good student discounts are pretty common, but providers that go beyond traditional savings opportunities such as with accident forgiveness or safe driving discounts get higher ratings in this category.
Customer Experience (20%)
Along with BBB and Trustpilot ratings, we also consider the results of our survey when we rate companies for customer experience. We also look at J.D. Power studies, NAIC complaint data and customer ratings of a company’s mobile app and/or usage-based insurance app.
These are the major factors we analyze for this category:
Online customer ratings:We comb through BBB and Trustpilot to see what customers are saying about auto insurance companies.
NAIC complaint index:The NAIC divides a provider’s share of complaints in the U.S. auto insurance market by its share of premiums to arrive at this figure.
J.D. Power studies:J.D. Power ranks auto insurers by overall customer satisfaction, how easy it is to buy a policy and the ease of the claims process.
App ratings:How users on the App Store and the Google Play Store rate a provider’s mobile app factors into our ratings in this category.
The Bottom Line: How To Choose the Right Auto Insurance Company
We rank auto insurance companies to help you find the best match for your budget and unique coverage needs. The information we gather on insurers in our roundup articles (that consist of multiple insurance providers) helps us rank them and add context to our reviews of individual companies.
To get the auto coverage you need at the best possible price, we recommend comparing quotes from multiple providers.