Michigan Car Insurance Guide (Cheap Rates + Best Companies)
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Jeffrey Johnson
Insurance Lawyer
Jeffrey Johnson is a legal writer with a focus on personal injury. He has worked on personal injury and sovereign immunity litigation in addition to experience in family, estate, and criminal law. He earned a J.D. from the University of Baltimore and has worked in legal offices and non-profits in Maryland, Texas, and North Carolina. He has also earned an MFA in screenwriting from Chapman Univer...
Insurance Lawyer
UPDATED: Sep 7, 2023
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Uninsured Motorists 20.3
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.
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.
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 Coverage | Legal Minimum | New 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 |
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.
Core coverage consists of the three main parts of a full coverage policy. This is how much Michiganders pay on average annually:
| Coverage | Average Annual Premium in Michigan | National Average |
|---|---|---|
| Liability | $795.32 | $538.73 |
| Collision | $413.83 | $322.61 |
| Comprehensive | $154.85 | $148.04 |
| Total | $1,364.00 | $1,009.38 |
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 Type | Michigan (2014) | Nationwide (2014) |
|---|---|---|
| Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist | 73.90 | 67.33 |
| Personal Injury Protection | 68.14 | 69.50 |
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:
- Guaranteed Auto Protection (GAP)
- Personal Umbrella Policy (PUP)
- Rental Reimbursement
- Pay-as-You-Drive or Usage-Based Insurance
- Emergency Roadside Assistance
- Mechanical Breakdown Insurance
- Non-Owner Car Insurance
- Modified Car Insurance Coverage
- Classic Car Insurance
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.
| Company | Married 35-year old female annual rate | Married 35-year old male annual rate | Married 60-year old female annual rate | Married 60-year old male annual rate | Single 25-year old female annual rate | Single 25-year old male annual rate | Single 17-year old female annual rate | Single 17-year old male annual rate | Average 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 |
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.
| 25 Most Expensive Zip Codes in Michigan | City | Average Annual Rate by Zip Code | Most Expensive Company | Most Expensive Annual Rate | 2nd Most Expensive Company | 2nd Most Expensive Annual Rate | Cheapest Company | Cheapest Annual Rate | 2nd Cheapest Company | 2nd Cheapest Annual Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 48201 | DETROIT | $30,350.09 | Farmers | $63,738.22 | Allstate | $52,871.30 | USAA | $5,458.09 | Progressive | $10,036.37 |
| 48206 | DETROIT | $29,791.56 | Farmers | $61,225.89 | Liberty Mutual | $47,565.43 | USAA | $6,216.23 | Progressive | $11,743.11 |
| 48227 | DETROIT | $29,374.46 | Farmers | $61,225.89 | Liberty Mutual | $45,282.65 | USAA | $6,238.69 | Progressive | $11,774.67 |
| 48204 | DETROIT | $29,281.79 | Farmers | $61,633.34 | Liberty Mutual | $45,107.37 | USAA | $6,238.69 | Progressive | $11,222.82 |
| 48202 | DETROIT | $28,946.15 | Farmers | $59,636.59 | Liberty Mutual | $46,152.54 | USAA | $5,458.09 | Progressive | $10,767.83 |
| 48213 | DETROIT | $28,556.49 | Allstate | $52,871.30 | Farmers | $50,002.36 | USAA | $6,216.23 | Progressive | $10,081.02 |
| 48210 | DETROIT | $28,417.19 | Farmers | $59,636.59 | Liberty Mutual | $46,345.35 | USAA | $4,659.88 | Progressive | $10,835.13 |
| 48215 | DETROIT | $28,186.14 | Allstate | $52,871.30 | Farmers | $48,767.38 | USAA | $6,216.23 | Progressive | $10,221.56 |
| 48238 | DETROIT | $28,148.98 | Farmers | $53,417.33 | Liberty Mutual | $48,632.10 | USAA | $6,336.99 | Progressive | $10,622.96 |
| 48228 | DETROIT | $28,073.12 | Farmers | $60,483.39 | Allstate | $44,530.40 | USAA | $4,659.88 | Progressive | $10,612.34 |
| 48216 | DETROIT | $28,040.22 | Farmers | $58,075.28 | Allstate | $44,530.40 | USAA | $5,458.09 | Progressive | $11,048.62 |
| 48211 | DETROIT | $28,033.06 | Farmers | $48,674.51 | Liberty Mutual | $48,550.18 | USAA | $6,216.23 | Progressive | $9,874.23 |
| 48205 | DETROIT | $27,952.29 | Allstate | $52,871.30 | Farmers | $47,253.33 | USAA | $6,216.23 | Progressive | $10,036.44 |
| 48208 | DETROIT | $27,867.09 | Farmers | $50,223.16 | Liberty Mutual | $48,684.22 | USAA | $5,458.09 | Progressive | $10,972.15 |
| 48226 | DETROIT | $27,767.58 | Farmers | $54,339.32 | Liberty Mutual | $45,311.95 | USAA | $5,458.09 | Progressive | $10,493.86 |
| 48207 | DETROIT | $27,424.94 | Allstate | $52,871.30 | Farmers | $47,343.17 | USAA | $5,458.09 | Progressive | $8,971.31 |
| 48212 | HAMTRAMCK | $26,925.66 | Farmers | $49,711.67 | Liberty Mutual | $47,125.96 | USAA | $6,216.23 | Progressive | $9,774.02 |
| 48203 | HIGHLAND PARK | $26,923.65 | Farmers | $49,924.37 | Liberty Mutual | $45,923.03 | USAA | $6,336.99 | Progressive | $9,871.02 |
| 48224 | DETROIT | $26,758.51 | Allstate | $52,871.30 | Farmers | $48,424.52 | USAA | $6,216.23 | Nationwide | $11,346.83 |
| 48214 | DETROIT | $26,730.26 | Allstate | $52,871.30 | Farmers | $44,390.45 | USAA | $5,458.09 | Progressive | $10,100.43 |
| 48209 | DETROIT | $26,710.79 | Farmers | $50,223.16 | Liberty Mutual | $46,345.35 | USAA | $4,904.33 | Progressive | $9,855.96 |
| 48126 | DEARBORN | $26,665.38 | Farmers | $68,626.75 | Allstate | $39,997.84 | USAA | $4,659.88 | Progressive | $9,695.00 |
| 48234 | DETROIT | $26,566.42 | Farmers | $45,563.29 | Allstate | $44,722.83 | USAA | $6,216.23 | Progressive | $9,703.04 |
| 48235 | DETROIT | $26,516.65 | Farmers | $49,920.53 | Allstate | $44,530.40 | USAA | $6,336.99 | Progressive | $9,917.37 |
| 48223 | DETROIT | $26,031.27 | Farmers | $47,170.49 | Allstate | $44,530.40 | USAA | $6,034.15 | Progressive | $10,045.03 |
| 25 Least Expensive Zip Codes in Michigan | City | Average Annual Rate by Zip Codes | Most Expensive Company | Most Expensive Annual Rate | 2nd Most Expensive Company | 2nd Most Expensive Annual Rate | Cheapest Company | Cheapest Annual Rate | 2nd Cheapest Company | 2nd Cheapest Annual Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 48880 | SAINT LOUIS | $7,916.29 | Allstate | $17,625.93 | Liberty Mutual | $13,023.88 | USAA | $3,489.43 | Progressive | $4,430.90 |
| 48883 | SHEPHERD | $7,958.69 | Allstate | $17,642.89 | Liberty Mutual | $13,023.88 | USAA | $3,630.14 | Progressive | $4,438.08 |
| 48894 | WESTPHALIA | $8,036.93 | Allstate | $17,180.01 | Liberty Mutual | $16,459.31 | USAA | $3,356.40 | Nationwide | $3,787.40 |
| 48642 | MIDLAND | $8,127.79 | Allstate | $18,874.11 | Liberty Mutual | $13,023.88 | USAA | $3,157.97 | Progressive | $4,355.62 |
| 48640 | MIDLAND | $8,134.85 | Allstate | $19,119.13 | Liberty Mutual | $13,023.88 | USAA | $3,157.97 | Progressive | $3,672.71 |
| 48837 | GRAND LEDGE | $8,153.32 | Allstate | $17,357.46 | Liberty Mutual | $16,459.31 | USAA | $3,581.27 | Progressive | $4,262.59 |
| 48104 | ANN ARBOR | $8,224.45 | Allstate | $19,974.06 | Liberty Mutual | $15,223.99 | USAA | $3,025.88 | Nationwide | $3,820.88 |
| 48822 | EAGLE | $8,229.45 | Allstate | $17,324.08 | Liberty Mutual | $16,459.31 | USAA | $3,252.85 | Progressive | $4,367.96 |
| 48657 | SANFORD | $8,231.24 | Allstate | $18,874.11 | Liberty Mutual | $13,023.88 | USAA | $3,397.49 | Progressive | $4,182.70 |
| 48611 | AUBURN | $8,242.98 | Allstate | $19,119.13 | Liberty Mutual | $13,023.88 | USAA | $3,368.16 | Progressive | $4,696.57 |
| 48615 | BRECKENRIDGE | $8,248.57 | Allstate | $17,625.93 | Liberty Mutual | $13,023.88 | USAA | $3,397.49 | Progressive | $4,718.81 |
| 48821 | DIMONDALE | $8,262.31 | Allstate | $17,665.20 | Liberty Mutual | $16,459.31 | USAA | $3,288.33 | Progressive | $4,150.50 |
| 49401 | ALLENDALE | $8,267.02 | Allstate | $20,296.94 | Liberty Mutual | $16,202.49 | USAA | $3,449.84 | Nationwide | $4,244.16 |
| 49464 | ZEELAND | $8,271.79 | Allstate | $20,336.07 | Liberty Mutual | $16,202.49 | USAA | $3,285.66 | Nationwide | $4,426.99 |
| 48623 | FREELAND | $8,279.45 | Allstate | $19,119.13 | Liberty Mutual | $13,023.88 | USAA | $3,368.16 | Progressive | $4,298.98 |
| 48820 | DEWITT | $8,285.75 | Allstate | $17,793.59 | Liberty Mutual | $16,459.31 | USAA | $3,280.92 | Progressive | $3,878.41 |
| 48813 | CHARLOTTE | $8,295.51 | Allstate | $20,260.84 | Liberty Mutual | $16,459.31 | USAA | $3,252.85 | Nationwide | $3,709.93 |
| 49426 | HUDSONVILLE | $8,302.44 | Allstate | $20,336.07 | Liberty Mutual | $17,839.53 | USAA | $3,285.66 | Nationwide | $4,244.16 |
| 48109 | ANN ARBOR | $8,302.99 | Allstate | $20,708.83 | Liberty Mutual | $15,223.99 | USAA | $3,058.33 | Nationwide | $3,820.88 |
| 48618 | COLEMAN | $8,309.23 | Allstate | $18,855.96 | Liberty Mutual | $13,023.88 | USAA | $3,397.49 | Progressive | $4,764.09 |
| 48808 | BATH | $8,310.66 | Allstate | $17,762.57 | Liberty Mutual | $16,459.31 | USAA | $3,280.92 | Progressive | $4,291.31 |
| 48628 | HOPE | $8,315.01 | Allstate | $18,955.45 | Liberty Mutual | $13,023.88 | USAA | $3,157.97 | Geico | $4,834.01 |
| 49417 | GRAND HAVEN | $8,327.06 | Allstate | $20,317.57 | Liberty Mutual | $16,202.49 | USAA | $3,449.84 | Progressive | $4,139.17 |
| 48103 | ANN ARBOR | $8,357.87 | Allstate | $19,829.22 | Liberty Mutual | $15,223.99 | USAA | $3,025.88 | Nationwide | $4,001.28 |
| 48842 | HOLT | $8,360.88 | Allstate | $19,620.20 | Liberty Mutual | $16,459.31 | USAA | $3,636.68 | Progressive | $4,546.52 |
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 City | Most Expensive Company | Most Expensive Annual Rate | 2nd Most Expensive Company | 2nd Most Expensive Annual Rate | Cheapest Company | Cheapest Annual Rate | 2nd Cheapest Company | 2nd Cheapest Annual Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit | $26,301.11 | Farmers | $48,386.05 | Allstate | $44,360.80 | USAA | $5,711.92 | Progressive | $9,787.83 |
| Dearborn | $20,920.85 | Farmers | $43,870.92 | Allstate | $34,532.14 | USAA | $4,558.38 | Progressive | $7,929.02 |
| River Rouge | $19,405.58 | Farmers | $38,258.61 | Liberty Mutual | $29,346.83 | USAA | $4,904.33 | Progressive | $7,807.04 |
| Harper Woods | $19,225.22 | Farmers | $40,532.15 | Allstate | $32,227.55 | USAA | $4,601.02 | Nationwide | $8,109.90 |
| Oak Park | $18,716.04 | Allstate | $40,770.62 | Farmers | $36,397.40 | USAA | $4,786.60 | Progressive | $7,523.92 |
| Ecorse | $18,154.01 | Farmers | $31,827.17 | Allstate | $28,418.62 | USAA | $4,904.33 | Progressive | $7,299.62 |
| Southfield | $17,774.85 | Allstate | $43,653.03 | Liberty Mutual | $27,805.12 | USAA | $4,542.02 | Progressive | $7,093.28 |
| Inkster | $16,984.97 | Allstate | $32,881.20 | Farmers | $27,287.68 | USAA | $4,405.52 | Progressive | $7,204.78 |
| Lathrup Village | $16,742.91 | Allstate | $33,371.80 | Liberty Mutual | $27,805.12 | USAA | $4,294.61 | Progressive | $7,688.55 |
| Melvindale | $16,544.22 | Allstate | $28,635.20 | Farmers | $25,624.76 | USAA | $4,904.33 | Progressive | $7,052.12 |
| 10 Least Expensive Cities in Michigan | Average Annual by City | Most Expensive Company | Most Expensive Annual Rate | 2nd Most Expensive Company | 2nd Most Expensive Annual Rate | Cheapest Company | Cheapest Annual Rate | 2nd Cheapest Company | 2nd Cheapest Annual Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis | $7,916.29 | Allstate | $17,625.93 | Liberty Mutual | $13,023.88 | USAA | $3,489.43 | Progressive | $4,430.90 |
| Shepherd | $7,958.69 | Allstate | $17,642.89 | Liberty Mutual | $13,023.88 | USAA | $3,630.14 | Progressive | $4,438.08 |
| Westphalia | $8,036.93 | Allstate | $17,180.01 | Liberty Mutual | $16,459.31 | USAA | $3,356.40 | Nationwide | $3,787.40 |
| Midland | $8,131.32 | Allstate | $18,996.62 | Liberty Mutual | $13,023.88 | USAA | $3,157.97 | Progressive | $4,014.16 |
| Grand Ledge | $8,153.32 | Allstate | $17,357.46 | Liberty Mutual | $16,459.31 | USAA | $3,581.27 | Progressive | $4,262.59 |
| Sanford | $8,231.24 | Allstate | $18,874.11 | Liberty Mutual | $13,023.88 | USAA | $3,397.49 | Progressive | $4,182.70 |
| Auburn | $8,242.98 | Allstate | $19,119.13 | Liberty Mutual | $13,023.88 | USAA | $3,368.16 | Progressive | $4,696.57 |
| Breckenridge | $8,248.57 | Allstate | $17,625.93 | Liberty Mutual | $13,023.88 | USAA | $3,397.49 | Progressive | $4,718.81 |
| Dimondale | $8,262.31 | Allstate | $17,665.20 | Liberty Mutual | $16,459.31 | USAA | $3,288.33 | Progressive | $4,150.50 |
| Allendale | $8,267.02 | Allstate | $20,296.94 | Liberty Mutual | $16,202.49 | USAA | $3,449.84 | Nationwide | $4,244.16 |
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.
| Company | Financial Rating |
|---|---|
| Allstate | A+ |
| Auto-Owners | A++ |
| Automobile Club MI | A+ |
| Geico | A++ |
| Hanover | A |
| Liberty Mutual | A |
| Michigan Farm Bureau | N/A |
| Progressive | A+ |
| State Farm | A++ |
| USAA | A++ |
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.
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.
| Company | Number of complaints | 2017 Direct Premiums Written | Complaint ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allied Property And Casualty Insurance Company | 3 | $30,560,364 | 0.1 |
| Allstate Fire And Casualty Insurance Company | 18 | $235,240,577 | 0.08 |
| Allstate Insurance Company | 5 | $48,717,786 | 0.1 |
| Allstate Property And Casualty Insurance Company | 31 | $312,004,568 | 0.1 |
| Amco Insurance Company | 3 | $24,433,096 | 0.12 |
| American Bankers Insurance Company Of Florida | 1 | $1,588,938 | 0.63 |
| American Country Insurance Company | 1 | $3,662,158 | 0.27 |
| Amerisure Insurance Company | 3 | $4,289,691 | 0.7 |
| Amerisure Mutual Insurance Company | 2 | $2,876,352 | 0.7 |
| Amica Mutual Insurance Company | 1 | $14,882,222 | 0.07 |
| Auto Club Group Insurance Company | 30 | $283,757,416 | 0.11 |
| Auto Club Insurance Association | 3 | $35,051,437 | 0.09 |
| Auto-Owners Insurance Company | 10 | $154,836,954 | 0.06 |
| Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Insurance Company | 1 | $10,604,338 | 0.09 |
| Bristol West Preferred Insurance Company | 9 | $27,492,650 | 0.33 |
| Canal Insurance Company | 1 | $3,148,125 | 0.32 |
| Cherokee Insurance Company | 2 | $39,323,225 | 0.05 |
| Church Mutual Insurance Company | 1 | $1,248,058 | 0.8 |
| Cincinnati Insurance Company, The | 4 | $87,514,957 | 0.05 |
| Citizens Insurance Company Of America | 11 | $28,250,603 | 0.39 |
| Citizens Insurance Company Of The Midwest | 17 | $508,858,720 | 0.03 |
| Dairyland Insurance Company | 1 | $1,362,664 | 0.73 |
| Essentia Insurance Company | 1 | $19,144,164 | 0.05 |
| Esurance Property And Casualty Insurance Company | 30 | $121,760,127 | 0.25 |
| Everest National Insurance Company | 13 | $56,633,665 | 0.23 |
| Farm Bureau General Insurance Company Of Michigan | 33 | $374,608,307 | 0.09 |
| Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company Of Michigan | 6 | $72,386,774 | 0.08 |
| Farmers Insurance Exchange | 10 | $119,656,195 | 0.08 |
| Federal Insurance Company | 1 | $4,563,763 | 0.22 |
| Foremost Insurance Company Grand Rapids, Michigan | 1 | $10,204,037 | 0.1 |
| Frankenmuth Mutual Insurance Company | 6 | $183,971,416 | 0.03 |
| Fremont Insurance Company | 6 | $115,351,596 | 0.05 |
| Geico Indemnity Company | 17 | $131,509,689 | 0.13 |
| Grange Insurance Company Of Michigan | 4 | $26,358,294 | 0.15 |
| Hartford Insurance Company Of The Midwest | 1 | $7,948,689 | 0.13 |
| Hastings Mutual Insurance Company | 5 | $51,034,696 | 0.1 |
| Home-Owners Insurance Company | 26 | $826,675,734 | 0.03 |
| Horace Mann Property & Casualty Insurance Company | 1 | $2,190,112 | 0.46 |
| Ids Property Casualty Insurance Company | 13 | $43,321,493 | 0.3 |
| Integon National Insurance Company | 6 | $53,756,196 | 0.11 |
| Liberty Mutual Fire Insurance Company | 12 | $41,699,600 | 0.29 |
| Lm General Insurance Company | 37 | $236,675,064 | 0.16 |
| Lm Insurance Corporation | 4 | $9,226,765 | 0.43 |
| Meemic Insurance Company | 10 | $316,736,165 | 0.03 |
| Memberselect Insurance Company | 54 | $682,332,708 | 0.08 |
| Metropolitan Direct Property And Casualty Insurance Company | 4 | $4,430,548 | 0.9 |
| Metropolitan Group Property And Casualty Insurance Company | 6 | $46,428,721 | 0.13 |
| Mic General Insurance Corporation | 5 | $34,654,282 | 0.14 |
| Michigan Automobile Insurance Placement Facility | 2 | $43,213,477 | 0.05 |
| Michigan Insurance Company | 3 | $50,784,915 | 0.06 |
| Michigan Millers Mutual Insurance Company | 1 | $8,283,077 | 0.12 |
| National General Insurance Company | 4 | $14,777,836 | 0.27 |
| National Liability & Fire Insurance Company | 1 | $3,853,692 | 0.26 |
| Nationwide Agribusiness Insurance Company | 1 | $2,458,565 | 0.41 |
| Northland Insurance Company | 3 | $14,120,975 | 0.21 |
| Ohio Security Insurance Company | 1 | $9,051,574 | 0.11 |
| Pioneer State Mutual Insurance Company | 10 | $149,818,460 | 0.07 |
| Progressive Marathon Insurance Company | 73 | $769,122,843 | 0.09 |
| Progressive Michigan Insurance Company | 40 | $530,621,202 | 0.08 |
| Property And Casualty Insurance Company Of Hartford | 6 | $20,434,066 | 0.29 |
| Protective Insurance Company | 1 | $5,287,942 | 0.19 |
| Repwest Insurance Company | 1 | $2,269,623 | 0.44 |
| Safeco Insurance Company Of Illinois | 8 | $108,029,955 | 0.07 |
| Secura Insurance, A Mutual Company | 1 | $16,250,057 | 0.06 |
| State Auto Property And Casualty Insurance Company | 1 | $4,622,656 | 0.22 |
| State Farm Fire And Casualty Company | 7 | $4,144,450 | 1.69 |
| State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company | 76 | $1,665,551,631 | 0.05 |
| Teachers Insurance Company | 1 | $8,434,454 | 0.12 |
| Titan Indemnity Company | 1 | $3,821,602 | 0.26 |
| Travelers Indemnity Company Of America, The | 2 | $5,084,907 | 0.39 |
| Trumbull Insurance Company | 11 | $79,512,124 | 0.14 |
| United Services Automobile Association | 8 | $73,548,268 | 0.11 |
| Usa Underwriters | 11 | $5,316,434 | 2.07 |
| Usaa Casualty Insurance Company | 20 | $197,608,379 | 0.1 |
| Valley Forge Insurance Company | 1 | $2,028,430 | 0.49 |
| Westfield Insurance Company | 3 | $37,605,243 | 0.08 |
| Wolverine Mutual Insurance Company | 2 | $22,303,603 | 0.09 |
Who are the cheapest companies in Michigan?
Below, we’ve ranked the top 10 largest companies based on their rates.
| Company | Average 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% |
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.
| Company | 10 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 |
Six major factors affect car insurance rates in Michigan. Which auto insurance factors will affect rates the most? Find out below:
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.
| Company | Low Coverage | Medium Coverage | High 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 |
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.
| Company | Good Credit | Fair Credit | Poor 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.
| Company | Clean Record | One accident | One speeding ticket | One 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 |
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.
| Company | Direct Premiums Written | Loss Ratio | Market Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| State Farm | $1,662,966 | 53.42% | 18.54% |
| Automobile Club MI | $1,421,253 | 109.36% | 15.84% |
| Progressive | $1,261,150 | 68.76% | 14.06% |
| Auto-Owners | $888,716 | 90.82% | 9.91% |
| Allstate | $731,916 | 109.93% | 8.16% |
| The Hanover | $535,020 | 67.97% | 5.96% |
| Michigan Farm Bureau | $410,895 | 65.71% | 4.58% |
| Liberty Mutual | $390,079 | 66.52% | 4.35% |
| USAA | $271,157 | 88.71% | 3.02% |
| Frankenmuth | $157,962 | 66.30% | 1.76% |
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 Insurance | Number |
|---|---|
| Domestic | 65 |
| Foreign | 786 |
| Total | 851 |
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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 Laws | Age Restrictions | Passenger Restrictions | Time Restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Learner's Permit | 14 and 9 months; permit applicants younger than 18 must have completed the first segment of driver education | no more than 1 passenger younger than 21 (family members excepted) | 10 p.m.-5 a.m. |
| Provisional License | 6 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 License | 16; 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 Procedures | General Population | Older Population |
|---|---|---|
| License renewal cycle | 4 years | 4 years |
| Mail or online renewal permitted | both, every other renewal | both, every other renewal |
| Proof of adequate vision required at renewal | when renewing in person | when renewing in person |
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 Type | Rural Interstates | Urban Interstates | Other Limited Access Roads | Other Roads |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passenger Vehicles | 70/75 where designated | 70 | 70 | 55 |
| Trucks | 65 | 70 | 70 | 55 |
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 Number | License Suspension | Fine | Incarceration | Other Penalties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First | 6 months - possible restricted license after 30 days | $100-$500 | 5 days to 1 year OR 30-90 hours community service | 6 point on record Possible interlock device |
| Second | 1 year minimum 5 years if previous conviction within past 7 years | $200-$1,000 plus $1,000 driver responsibility fee | 30 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 |
| Third | Minimum 1 year 5 years if previous conviction within past 7 years | $500-$5,000 plus $1,000 driver responsibility fee | 1-5 years | License 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/Model | Number of Thefts |
|---|---|
| Chevrolet Impala | 733 |
| Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size) | 585 |
| Ford Pickup (Full Size) | 530 |
| Dodge Caravan | 528 |
| Dodge Charger | 477 |
| Chevrolet Trailblazer | 462 |
| Chevrolet Malibu | 451 |
| Pontiac Grand Prix | 418 |
| Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee | 407 |
| Ford Fusion | 355 |
Vehicle theft by city
Find out how many vehicles were stolen in Michigan and where they were located. How did your city rank?
| City | Motor Vehicle Thefts (2017 |
|---|---|
| Addison Township | 5 |
| Adrian Township | 1 |
| Akron | 0 |
| Albion | 15 |
| Allegan | 2 |
| Allen Park | 60 |
| Alma | 2 |
| Almont | 3 |
| Alpena | 4 |
| Ann Arbor | 99 |
| Argentine Township | 2 |
| Armada | 1 |
| Auburn Hills | 26 |
| Au Gres | 0 |
| Bad Axe | 3 |
| Bancroft | 0 |
| Bangor | 2 |
| Baroda-Lake Township | 3 |
| Barryton | 0 |
| Barry Township | 2 |
| Bath Township | 4 |
| Battle Creek | 94 |
| Bay City | 59 |
| Beaverton | 0 |
| Belding | 3 |
| Bellaire | 0 |
| Belleville | 7 |
| Bellevue | 0 |
| Benton Harbor | 33 |
| Benton Township | 47 |
| Berkley | 8 |
| Berrien Springs-Oronoko Township | 2 |
| Beverly Hills | 0 |
| Big Rapids | 1 |
| Birch Run | 0 |
| Birmingham | 5 |
| Blackman Township | 43 |
| Blissfield | 1 |
| Bloomfield Hills | 3 |
| Bloomfield Township | 24 |
| Boyne City | 7 |
| Brandon Township | 4 |
| Breckenridge | 1 |
| Bridgeport Township | 5 |
| Bridgman | 4 |
| Brighton | 3 |
| Bronson | 2 |
| Brown City | 1 |
| Brownstown Township | 35 |
| Buchanan | 4 |
| Buena Vista Township | 14 |
| Burton | 51 |
| Cadillac | 10 |
| Calumet | 0 |
| Cambridge Township | 1 |
| Canton Township | 57 |
| Capac | 0 |
| Carleton | 2 |
| Caro | 4 |
| Carrollton Township | 2 |
| Carson City | 0 |
| Caseville | 0 |
| Caspian-Gaastra | 0 |
| Cass City | 2 |
| Cassopolis | 1 |
| Center Line | 30 |
| Central Lake | 0 |
| Charlevoix | 5 |
| Charlotte | 9 |
| Cheboygan | 1 |
| Chelsea | 1 |
| Chesaning | 0 |
| Chesterfield Township | 32 |
| Chikaming Township | 1 |
| Chocolay Township | 3 |
| Clare | 5 |
| Clarkston | 0 |
| Clawson | 3 |
| Clayton Township | 3 |
| Clay Township | 3 |
| Clinton | 2 |
| Clinton Township | 155 |
| Clio | 1 |
| Coldwater | 5 |
| Coleman | 1 |
| Coloma Township | 1 |
| Colon | 0 |
| Columbia Township | 3 |
| Commerce Township | 11 |
| Constantine | 4 |
| Corunna | 1 |
| Covert Township | 3 |
| Croswell | 3 |
| Crystal Falls | 0 |
| Davison | 4 |
| Davison Township | 4 |
| Dearborn | 278 |
| Dearborn Heights | 132 |
| Decatur | 0 |
| Denton Township | 1 |
| Detroit | 8,155 |
| Dewitt | 2 |
| Dewitt Township | 4 |
| Dryden Township | 2 |
| Durand | 2 |
| East Grand Rapids | 4 |
| East Jordan | 0 |
| East Lansing | 137 |
| Eastpointe | 181 |
| Eaton Rapids | 5 |
| Eau Claire | 1 |
| Ecorse | 46 |
| Elk Rapids | 0 |
| Elkton | 1 |
| Elsie | 0 |
| Emmett Township | 17 |
| Erie Township | 0 |
| Escanaba | 8 |
| Essexville | 0 |
| Evart | 1 |
| Fair Haven Township | 0 |
| Farmington | 6 |
| Farmington Hills | 77 |
| Fennville | 0 |
| Fenton | 11 |
| Ferndale | 57 |
| Flat Rock | 15 |
| Flint | 274 |
| Flint Township | 95 |
| Flushing | 0 |
| Flushing Township | 2 |
| Forsyth Township | 5 |
| Fowlerville | 2 |
| Frankenmuth | 2 |
| Frankfort | 1 |
| Franklin | 3 |
| Fraser | 27 |
| Fremont | 6 |
| Fruitport Township | 11 |
| Gaines Township | 3 |
| Galesburg | 0 |
| Galien | 0 |
| Garden City | 38 |
| Garfield Township | 0 |
| Gaylord | 6 |
| Genesee Township | 11 |
| Gerrish Township | 1 |
| Gibraltar | 9 |
| Gladstone | 2 |
| Gladwin | 1 |
| Grand Beach | 0 |
| Grand Blanc | 5 |
| Grand Blanc Township | 24 |
| Grand Haven | 11 |
| Grand Ledge | 4 |
| Grand Rapids | 363 |
| Grandville | 23 |
| Grant | 1 |
| Grayling | 1 |
| Green Oak Township | 7 |
| Greenville | 6 |
| Grosse Ile Township | 1 |
| Grosse Pointe | 5 |
| Grosse Pointe Farms | 3 |
| Grosse Pointe Park | 13 |
| Grosse Pointe Shores | 0 |
| Grosse Pointe Woods | 20 |
| Hamburg Township | 5 |
| Hampton Township | 9 |
| Hamtramck | 118 |
| Hancock | 2 |
| Harbor Beach | 1 |
| Harbor Springs | 0 |
| Harper Woods | 73 |
| Hart | 0 |
| Hartford | 6 |
| Hastings | 1 |
| Hazel Park | 60 |
| Highland Park | 104 |
| Highland Township | 14 |
| Hillsdale | 6 |
| Holland | 27 |
| Holly | 2 |
| Hopkins | 0 |
| Houghton | 4 |
| Howell | 6 |
| Hudson | 0 |
| Huntington Woods | 3 |
| Huron Township | 18 |
| Imlay City | 1 |
| Independence Township | 11 |
| Inkster | 89 |
| Ionia | 9 |
| Iron Mountain | 0 |
| Iron River | 0 |
| Ironwood | 5 |
| Ishpeming | 9 |
| Jackson | 108 |
| Jonesville | 3 |
| Kalamazoo | 332 |
| Kalamazoo Township | 57 |
| Kalkaska | 1 |
| Keego Harbor | 2 |
| Kentwood | 76 |
| Kinde | 0 |
| Kingsford | 0 |
| Kinross Township | 1 |
| Laingsburg | 0 |
| Lake Angelus | 0 |
| Lake Linden | 0 |
| Lake Odessa | 1 |
| Lake Orion | 2 |
| Lakeview | 0 |
| Lansing | 399 |
| Lansing Township | 20 |
| Lapeer | 15 |
| Lapeer Township | 0 |
| Lathrup Village | 2 |
| Laurium | 0 |
| Lawton | 1 |
| Lennon | 0 |
| Leslie | 0 |
| Lexington | 0 |
| Lincoln Park | 156 |
| Lincoln Township | 5 |
| Linden | 0 |
| Litchfield | 0 |
| Livonia | 129 |
| Lowell | 3 |
| Ludington | 3 |
| Luna Pier | 1 |
| Lyon Township | 4 |
| Mackinac Island | 0 |
| Mackinaw City | 0 |
| Madison Heights | 59 |
| Madison Township | 8 |
| Mancelona | 0 |
| Manistee | 0 |
| Manistique | 1 |
| Marenisco Township | 0 |
| Marine City | 2 |
| Marlette | 0 |
| Marquette | 13 |
| Marshall | 7 |
| Marysville | 3 |
| Mason | 11 |
| Mattawan | 3 |
| Mayville | 0 |
| Melvindale | 43 |
| Mendon | 0 |
| Menominee | 4 |
| Meridian Township | 30 |
| Metamora Township | 2 |
| Metro Police Authority of Genesee County | 7 |
| Michiana | 0 |
| Midland | 10 |
| Milan | 4 |
| Milford | 2 |
| Millington | 1 |
| Monroe | 32 |
| Montague | 1 |
| Montrose Township | 5 |
| Morenci | 0 |
| Morrice | 0 |
| Mount Morris | 6 |
| Mount Morris Township | 34 |
| Mount Pleasant | 18 |
| Munising | 1 |
| Muskegon | 197 |
| Muskegon Heights | 47 |
| Muskegon Township | 25 |
| Napoleon Township | 2 |
| Nashville | 1 |
| Negaunee | 2 |
| Newaygo | 5 |
| New Baltimore | 4 |
| New Buffalo | 1 |
| New Era | 0 |
| New Lothrop | 0 |
| Niles | 39 |
| Northfield Township | 1 |
| North Muskegon | 1 |
| Northville | 2 |
| Northville Township | 15 |
| Norton Shores | 27 |
| Norway | 0 |
| Novi | 32 |
| Oakland Township | 2 |
| Oak Park | 74 |
| Olivet | 0 |
| Ontwa Township-Edwardsburg | 8 |
| Orchard Lake | 0 |
| Orion Township | 11 |
| Oscoda Township | 2 |
| Otisville | 1 |
| Otsego | 3 |
| Ovid | 0 |
| Owendale | 0 |
| Owosso | 9 |
| Oxford | 2 |
| Oxford Township | 3 |
| Paw Paw | 3 |
| Peck | 0 |
| Pentwater | 0 |
| Perry | 2 |
| Petoskey | 0 |
| Pigeon | 0 |
| Pinckney | 1 |
| Pinconning | 0 |
| Pittsfield Township | 31 |
| Plainwell | 1 |
| Pleasant Ridge | 2 |
| Plymouth | 5 |
| Plymouth Township | 22 |
| Pontiac | 222 |
| Portage | 59 |
| Port Austin | 0 |
| Port Huron | 37 |
| Portland | 0 |
| Port Sanilac | 0 |
| Potterville | 0 |
| Prairieville Township | 0 |
| Quincy | 0 |
| Raisin Township | 0 |
| Reading | 1 |
| Redford Township | 212 |
| Reed City | 0 |
| Reese | 1 |
| Richfield Township, Genesee County | 4 |
| Richfield Township, Roscommon County | 1 |
| Richland | 2 |
| Richland Township, Saginaw County | 0 |
| Richmond | 2 |
| River Rouge | 27 |
| Riverview | 35 |
| Rochester | 2 |
| Rochester Hills | 18 |
| Rockford | 1 |
| Rockwood | 1 |
| Rogers City | 1 |
| Romeo | 2 |
| Romulus | 114 |
| Roosevelt Park | 9 |
| Roseville | 119 |
| Rothbury | 0 |
| Royal Oak | 51 |
| Saginaw | 75 |
| Saginaw Township | 26 |
| Saline | 3 |
| Sand Lake | 0 |
| Sandusky | 2 |
| Saugatuck-Douglas | 1 |
| Sault Ste. Marie | 9 |
| Schoolcraft | 1 |
| Scottville | 0 |
| Sebewaing | 0 |
| Shelby Township | 31 |
| Shepherd | 2 |
| Somerset Township | 0 |
| Southfield | 263 |
| Southgate | 78 |
| South Haven | 8 |
| South Lyon | 4 |
| South Rockwood | 1 |
| Sparta | 1 |
| Spring Arbor Township | 1 |
| Springfield Township | 8 |
| Stanton | 0 |
| St. Charles | 1 |
| St. Clair | 1 |
| St. Clair Shores | 45 |
| Sterling Heights | 107 |
| St. Ignace | 2 |
| St. Johns | 2 |
| St. Joseph | 4 |
| St. Joseph Township | 6 |
| St. Louis | 1 |
| Stockbridge | 0 |
| Sturgis | 16 |
| Sumpter Township | 8 |
| Sylvan Lake | 1 |
| Tawas | 1 |
| Taylor | 181 |
| Tecumseh | 4 |
| Thetford Township | 1 |
| Thomas Township | 2 |
| Three Rivers | 15 |
| Tittabawassee Township | 3 |
| Traverse City | 14 |
| Trenton | 18 |
| Troy | 67 |
| Tuscarora Township | 2 |
| Ubly | 0 |
| Unadilla Township | 3 |
| Utica | 6 |
| Van Buren Township | 69 |
| Vassar | 1 |
| Vernon | 0 |
| Vicksburg | 1 |
| Walker | 15 |
| Walled Lake | 2 |
| Warren | 437 |
| Waterford Township | 68 |
| Watervliet | 2 |
| Wayland | 2 |
| Wayne | 43 |
| West Bloomfield Township | 16 |
| West Branch | 0 |
| Westland | 139 |
| White Cloud | 0 |
| Whitehall | 0 |
| White Lake Township | 12 |
| White Pigeon | 1 |
| Williamston | 0 |
| Wixom | 17 |
| Wolverine Lake | 1 |
| Wyandotte | 48 |
| Wyoming | 210 |
| Yale | 2 |
| Ypsilanti | 43 |
| Zeeland | 3 |
| Zilwaukee | 1 |
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 Condition | Daylight | Dark, but Lighted | Dark | Dawn or Dusk | Other / Unknown | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Normal | 413 | 140 | 195 | 30 | 2 | 780 |
| Rain | 29 | 27 | 27 | 3 | 0 | 86 |
| Snow/Sleet | 22 | 8 | 14 | 4 | 0 | 48 |
| Other | 7 | 6 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 21 |
| Unknown | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| TOTAL | 471 | 181 | 245 | 38 | 4 | 939 |
Fatalities (all crashes) by county
Most of the crashes tended to take place in the more populated counties.
| County | 2017 Fatalities |
|---|---|
| Alcona County | 2 |
| Alger County | 1 |
| Allegan County | 13 |
| Alpena County | 3 |
| Antrim County | 4 |
| Arenac County | 7 |
| Baraga County | 0 |
| Barry County | 11 |
| Bay County | 5 |
| Benzie County | 0 |
| Berrien County | 20 |
| Branch County | 2 |
| Calhoun County | 19 |
| Cass County | 15 |
| Charlevoix County | 3 |
| Cheboygan County | 3 |
| Chippewa County | 2 |
| Clare County | 3 |
| Clinton County | 2 |
| Crawford County | 4 |
| Delta County | 10 |
| Dickinson County | 5 |
| Eaton County | 14 |
| Emmet County | 2 |
| Genesee County | 38 |
| Gladwin County | 3 |
| Gogebic County | 3 |
| Grand Traverse County | 8 |
| Gratiot County | 5 |
| Hillsdale County | 5 |
| Houghton County | 2 |
| Huron County | 6 |
| Ingham County | 26 |
| Ionia County | 10 |
| Iosco County | 3 |
| Iron County | 1 |
| Isabella County | 12 |
| Jackson County | 20 |
| Kalamazoo County | 38 |
| Kalkaska County | 3 |
| Kent County | 69 |
| Keweenaw County | 0 |
| Lake County | 1 |
| Lapeer County | 11 |
| Leelanau County | 3 |
| Lenawee County | 16 |
| Livingston County | 23 |
| Luce County | 3 |
| Mackinac County | 4 |
| Macomb County | 42 |
| Manistee County | 3 |
| Marquette County | 4 |
| Mason County | 9 |
| Mecosta County | 4 |
| Menominee County | 2 |
| Midland County | 18 |
| Missaukee County | 0 |
| Monroe County | 23 |
| Montcalm County | 23 |
| Montmorency County | 1 |
| Muskegon County | 17 |
| Newaygo County | 12 |
| Oakland County | 69 |
| Oceana County | 2 |
| Ogemaw County | 5 |
| Ontonagon County | 1 |
| Osceola County | 6 |
| Oscoda County | 2 |
| Otsego County | 7 |
| Ottawa County | 17 |
| Presque Isle County | 1 |
| Roscommon County | 3 |
| Saginaw County | 22 |
| Sanilac County | 5 |
| Schoolcraft County | 1 |
| Shiawassee County | 6 |
| St. Clair County | 14 |
| St. Joseph County | 11 |
| Tuscola County | 14 |
| Van Buren County | 17 |
| Washtenaw County | 39 |
| Wayne County | 161 |
| Wexford County | 6 |
Traffic fatalities
More fatalities in Michigan occurred in urban areas where more people live.
| Type | Number of Fatalities |
|---|---|
| Traffic Fatalities | 1,030 |
| Passenger Vehicle Occupant Fatalities (All Seat Positions) | 660 |
| Motorcyclist Fatalities | 150 |
| Drivers Involved in Fatal Crashes | 1,488 |
| Pedestrian Fatalities | 156 |
| 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 Type | Number |
|---|---|
| Occupants (Enclosed Vehicles) | 696 |
| Motorcyclists | 150 |
| Nonoccupants | 184 |
Fatalities by crash type
About half of the fatal crashes were single-vehicle accidents and roadway departures.
| Crash Type | Number |
|---|---|
| Single Vehicle | 519 |
| Involving a Large Truck | 88 |
| Involving Speeding | 241 |
| Involving a Rollover | 224 |
| Involving a Roadway Departure | 429 |
| Involving an Intersection (or Intersection Related) | 268 |
Five-year trend for the top 10 counties
In recent years, the numbers stayed solid, while some counties saw lower figures.
| County | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wayne County | 171 | 174 | 190 | 201 | 161 |
| Kent County | 48 | 55 | 64 | 57 | 69 |
| Oakland County | 56 | 63 | 67 | 80 | 69 |
| Macomb County | 53 | 46 | 61 | 63 | 42 |
| Washtenaw County | 33 | 30 | 27 | 26 | 39 |
| Genesee County | 29 | 33 | 33 | 50 | 38 |
| Kalamazoo County | 36 | 16 | 27 | 35 | 38 |
| Ingham County | 17 | 21 | 17 | 25 | 26 |
| Livingston County | 15 | 19 | 12 | 22 | 23 |
| Monroe County | 27 | 27 | 13 | 18 | 23 |
| Top Ten Counties | 498 | 492 | 536 | 590 | 528 |
| All Other Counties | 449 | 409 | 431 | 475 | 502 |
| All Counties | 947 | 901 | 967 | 1065 | 1030 |
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Fatalities involving speed by county
Fortunately, there were fewer speeding-related deaths than deaths from other driving hazards.
| County | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wayne County | 50 | 49 | 57 | 58 | 57 |
| Kent County | 9 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 16 |
| Oakland County | 12 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 12 |
| Kalamazoo County | 11 | 4 | 12 | 8 | 11 |
| Cass County | 4 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 8 |
| Ingham County | 5 | 6 | 3 | 7 | 8 |
| Macomb County | 15 | 3 | 15 | 10 | 8 |
| Livingston County | 5 | 6 | 2 | 5 | 7 |
| Monroe County | 5 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 7 |
| Calhoun County | 7 | 3 | 13 | 5 | 6 |
| Genesee County | 6 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Muskegon County | 4 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 6 |
| Washtenaw County | 6 | 12 | 14 | 5 | 6 |
| St. Joseph County | 6 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 |
| Jackson County | 3 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Newaygo County | 2 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| Arenac County | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Barry County | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Cheboygan County | 4 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Dickinson County | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Eaton County | 3 | 2 | 7 | 5 | 3 |
| Ionia County | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Lenawee County | 0 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| Ogemaw County | 1 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 3 |
| Saginaw County | 6 | 2 | 9 | 4 | 3 |
| Delta County | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Iosco County | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Isabella County | 1 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 2 |
| Kalkaska County | 5 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Mason County | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Ottawa County | 1 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 2 |
| Shiawassee County | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| St. Clair County | 6 | 4 | 1 | 6 | 2 |
| Van Buren County | 4 | 4 | 10 | 8 | 2 |
| Wexford County | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| Alcona County | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Alger County | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| Alpena County | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Berrien County | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 1 |
| Branch County | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Crawford County | 0 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Emmet County | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Gogebic County | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Grand Traverse | 6 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 1 |
| Hillsdale County | 0 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Houghton County | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Iron County | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 1 |
| Lake County | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Lapeer County | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Leelanau County | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 1 |
| Luce County | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Mackinac County | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Marquette County | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Midland County | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Montcalm County | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Presque Isle County | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Roscommon County | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 1 |
| Sanilac County | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Allegan County | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| Antrim County | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Baraga County | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bay County | 3 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Benzie County | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Charlevoix County | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Chippewa County | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Clare County | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Clinton County | 0 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Gladwin County | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Gratiot County | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Huron County | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Keweenaw County | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Manistee County | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mecosta County | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Menominee County | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Missaukee County | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Montmorency County | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Oceana County | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Ontonagon County | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Osceola County | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Oscoda County | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Otsego County | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Schoolcraft County | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tuscola County | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Fatalities in crashes involving an alcohol-impaired driver
In some counties, compared to fatalities involving speed in those counties (above), the numbers were lower.
| County | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wayne County | 47 | 34 | 48 | 61 | 54 |
| Oakland County | 9 | 14 | 17 | 22 | 18 |
| Kent County | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 16 |
| Macomb County | 14 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 14 |
| Monroe County | 6 | 12 | 3 | 6 | 12 |
| Washtenaw County | 10 | 10 | 9 | 3 | 12 |
| Jackson County | 2 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 11 |
| Genesee County | 10 | 8 | 11 | 12 | 10 |
| Kalamazoo County | 7 | 0 | 10 | 6 | 9 |
| Calhoun County | 5 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 8 |
| Cass County | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 8 |
| Ingham County | 5 | 4 | 8 | 6 | 7 |
| Montcalm County | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 |
| Tuscola County | 0 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 7 |
| Livingston County | 3 | 10 | 2 | 3 | 6 |
| Saginaw County | 4 | 3 | 9 | 4 | 6 |
| Lenawee County | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 |
| Muskegon County | 4 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 5 |
| Van Buren County | 4 | 5 | 7 | 3 | 5 |
| Allegan County | 3 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Isabella County | 2 | 4 | 7 | 3 | 4 |
| Lapeer County | 5 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| Ottawa County | 2 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| St. Joseph County | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| Barry County | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Berrien County | 5 | 2 | 8 | 6 | 3 |
| Ionia County | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Midland County | 2 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 3 |
| Newaygo County | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Osceola County | 0 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 3 |
| Shiawassee County | 1 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 3 |
| St. Clair County | 6 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 3 |
| Arenac County | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Cheboygan County | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Clinton County | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 2 |
| Crawford County | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Dickinson County | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Gratiot County | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Luce County | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Mackinac County | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Marquette County | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Mason County | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Mecosta County | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| Oceana County | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Ogemaw County | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Otsego County | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Alpena County | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Antrim County | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Bay County | 3 | 3 | 7 | 2 | 1 |
| Branch County | 1 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| Charlevoix County | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Chippewa County | 5 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| Clare County | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Delta County | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Eaton County | 6 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Gladwin County | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| Grand Traverse County | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| Hillsdale County | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Houghton County | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Leelanau County | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Manistee County | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Menominee County | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Presque Isle County | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Roscommon County | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| Sanilac County | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Alcona County | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Alger County | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Baraga County | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Benzie County | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Emmet County | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Gogebic County | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Huron County | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| Iosco County | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Iron County | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Kalkaska County | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Keweenaw County | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Lake County | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Missaukee County | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Montmorency County | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Ontonagon County | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Oscoda County | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Schoolcraft County | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Wexford County | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
Teen drinking and driving
As the figures show, officers catch a lot of underage drinkers who drive.
| Teens and Drunk Driving | Data |
|---|---|
| Alcohol-Impaired Driving Fatalities Per 100K Population | 1.2 |
| Higher/Lower Than National Average (1.2) | same |
| DUI Arrest (Under 18 years old) | 194 |
| DUI Arrests (Under 18 years old) Total Per Million People | 88.54 |
| US Rank of Under 18 DUI Arrests | 23rd |
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EMS response time
Emergency crew response times tend to be lower in urban rather than rural areas.
| Location | Time of Crash to Notification | Arrival | Arrival at Scene to Hospital | Time of Crash to Hospital |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rural | 2.67 minutes | 10.41 minutes | N/A | N/A |
| Urban | 2.01 minutes | 5.44 minutes | N/A | N/A |
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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