Best Cheap Car Insurance Companies for High-Risk Drivers in Michigan


The cost of car insurance can be significantly higher if you have a serious or multiple violations on your record since insurers will classify you as a high-risk driver. You can, however, save on the premium by comparing quotes from different providers to get the most affordable car insurance for high-risk drivers.

MoneyGeek found that, overall, Nationwide is the best high-risk auto insurance company for drivers in Michigan looking for a balance of quality service and affordability. Nationwide is also the cheapest at an average cost of $2,822 per year.

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2024

Best Companies for High-Risk Drivers in 2023

Driving violations like a DUI, at-fault accidents and reckless driving make you a high-risk driver, increasing the cost of car insurance since drivers with poor records are considered more likely to file claims. Inexperienced drivers, such as teen drivers, are also considered high-risk even and will typically pay higher rates for car insurance.

If you are shopping for car insurance with a bad driving record in Michigan, you can expect to pay around 42% more for car insurance compared to a driver with a clean record.

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WHAT EXACTLY IS A HIGH-RISK DRIVER?

Auto insurance companies will classify you as a high-risk driver if your profile makes you more likely to file a claim. That includes drivers with a history of violations, young and inexperienced drivers, as well as those who drive certain types of cars.

Some driver profiles that get high-risk auto insurance in Michigan include:

  • Drivers with a history of traffic violations or at-fault accidents
  • Drivers with a DUI conviction
  • Drivers caught driving with a suspended or revoked license
  • Young drivers with a lack of driving experience
  • Drivers who drive sports cars or participate in drag racing

Cheapest Car Insurance in Michigan for High-Risk Drivers

If you are looking for affordable high-risk car insurance in Michigan, Nationwide offers the cheapest rate at an average cost of $2,822 per year. You can learn more about Nationwide in our review and see why it is a good fit for high-risk drivers in Michigan.

Nationwide$2,822
Progressive$3,082
Auto-Owners Insurance Co$3,656
Esurance$4,243
Mercury$4,959
GEICO$5,373
State Farm$6,470
Travelers$8,762
Hanover$9,497
Allstate$10,170
Farmers$12,104
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SR-22 INSURANCE

Drivers in Michigan that are convicted of serious traffic offenses like driving under the influence (DUI) are required to obtain SR-22 insurance. SR-22 insurance in Michigan is a form your auto insurer files on your behalf as proof that you have auto insurance that meets the minimum car insurance requirements of the state.

Best Car Insurance in Michigan for High-Risk Drivers

Nationwide offers the best insurance for high-risk drivers in Michigan, with a MoneyGeek score of 93 out of 100. Nationwide rates highly for affordability and has above-average ratings for claims and customer satisfaction.

The second-best high-risk car insurance company in Michigan, scoring 91 out of 100, is Auto-Owners Insurance Co. You can read more about its coverages and discounts in our review.


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NationwideBest for High-Risk Drivers
Score:40

0.2/5

Affordability Rating

4.5/5

Satisfaction Rating

4/5

Claims Rating

4.5/5

Financial Stability Rating

Geek Quick Take
Geek Quick Take

Nationwide’s high-risk auto insurance costs an average of $2,822 per year in Michigan – around 18% more than the average cost of insurance for drivers with a clean record.

More About Nationwide

Nationwide offers identity theft coverage as an add-on to protect policyholders in case of identity fraud. A total loss deductible waiver is another available add-on to a policy.

However, Nationwide does not offer new or better car replacement coverages.

Policyholders can take advantage of discounts like bundling, multiple car, good student, anti-theft system and paperless to make their premium more affordable.

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Auto-Owners Insurance
Score:NaN
There are no ratings for this company
Geek Quick Take
Geek Quick Take

Auto-Owners Insurance Co offers high-risk car insurance in Michigan at an average cost of $3,656 per year. That is roughly 41% higher than the cost of auto insurance with a clean driving record.

More About Auto-Owners Insurance

Auto-Owners Insurance Co rates highly for claims and affordability. The company offers unique add-on coverages like diminished value, which compensates for the reduced value of a car after an accident.

Policyholders can also get new car replacement or gap insurance.

Auto-Owners Insurance Co also offers common discounts, including bundling, airbag and good student, plus an anti-theft system and an anti-lock brake discount.

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MONEYGEEK EXPERT TIP

Car insurance can be costly, especially if you are looking for quality service alongside good coverage. Although Michigan does not have a government program to assist low-income drivers with the cost, drivers looking for affordable car insurance can compare low-Income car Insurance in Michigan to find the cheapest options.

Cheapest Car Insurance in Michigan for Drivers With a DUI

Progressive offers the cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI in Michigan at an average cost of $2,590 per year. MoneyGeek reviewed Progressive auto insurance to help you learn more about the coverage options and discounts it offers.

For drivers with a military background, USAA could also be an affordable option for car insurance with a DUI in Michigan.

Progressive$2,590
Nationwide$2,909
Esurance$4,000
Mercury$4,602
Auto-Owners Insurance Co$4,882
State Farm$9,117
GEICO$10,115
Hanover$11,170
Farmers$12,174
Travelers$13,980
Allstate$19,238
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LOOK-BACK PERIODS

A DUI conviction will remain on your driving record for a specified timeframe, known as the look-back period. In Michigan, the look-back period is seven years for a second offense, but the third and subsequent DUI convictions result in a lifetime look-back period.

States normally have long look-back periods so repeat offenders can be easily identified and receive harsher penalties.

Cheapest Car Insurance in Michigan for Teenage Drivers

GEICO offers the most affordable car insurance for teen drivers in Michigan at an average cost of $13,020 per year. Rates for 16-year-olds are typically higher than average rates for 19-year-olds — only a few years of driving experience can reduce the policy premium by around 80%.

You can find out more about car insurance from GEICO in our review.

GEICO$13,020
Nationwide$13,136
Progressive$15,740
State Farm$21,056
Allstate$24,268
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MONEYGEEK EXPERT TIP

Car insurance rates for teens can be quite costly because they are considered inexperienced and more likely to get into crashes. Although full coverage may be more expensive, it is the better choice for teen drivers since they need comprehensive coverage with added protection in case of an accident. To get affordable car insurance for teens, shop around and compare rates to get the cheapest policy.

How Much Does Car Insurance Cost for High-Risk Drivers in Michigan?

Car insurance for high-risk drivers in Michigan costs around 42% more than the average cost of car insurance for drivers with a clean record. A driver with a clean record pays an average of $3,564 per year, while a high-risk driver pays roughly $6,467 for the same policy. That’s a difference of roughly $2,903.

Annual Car Insurance Cost in MI for Low-Risk vs. High-Risk Drivers

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Annual Premium

Low-Risk Driver

$3,564
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Annual Premium

High-Risk Driver

$6,467
In Michigan, high-risk drivers pay:$2,903 more

This is 81% more expensive.

You can get a car insurance estimate based on your details using MoneyGeek’s Michigan car insurance calculator. Simply enter your age, vehicle type, driving violation, coverage requirements and other details into the calculator for a personalized estimate. That way, you can see which company may be the cheapest for you and what is affecting your rate the most.

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Can You Still Get Car Insurance in Michigan if Insurers Refuse to Insure You?

Car insurance companies are not required by law to provide coverage to everyone. That means they can refuse to cover you if your profile is too risky or for other reasons. If you find yourself in such a situation, it is still possible to get car insurance with a residual market plan.

Residual market plans are offered by the Automobile Insurance Plan Service Office (AIPSO). AIPSO provides its services in the auto insurance residual market to help high-risk drivers get coverage.

Michigan Automobile Insurance Plan

The Michigan Automobile Insurance Placement Facility (MAIPF) was established to ensure that high-risk drivers who cannot get car insurance from the voluntary market get access to coverage. The plan was instituted under Chapter 33 of the Michigan Insurance Code. It is important to keep in mind that coverage from MAIPF can only be bought through insurance agents licensed in Michigan.

    building icon

    Office Hours

    8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday

    subscribe icon

    Email

    info@maipf.org

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    Phone

    734-464-1100

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    Fax

    734-464-0009

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    Mailing Address

    MAIPF, P.O. Box 532318, Livonia, MI 48153-2318

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Frequently Asked Questions

To help you learn more about high-risk auto insurance in Michigan, MoneyGeek answered commonly asked questions below.

Which car insurance company is best for high-risk drivers in Michigan?
How much does car insurance in Michigan cost for high-risk drivers?
Who do insurers classify as a high-risk driver?
Where do I get car insurance coverage in Michigan if insurers reject my application?

Methodology

MoneyGeek calculated average rates using full coverage car insurance policies with 100/300/100 liability insurance and comprehensive and collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible. Minimum coverage car insurance policy rates were calculated based on each state’s minimum car insurance requirement.

To calculate rates for high-risk drivers, MoneyGeek averaged the premiums insurance companies charge for three of the most common driving violations: speeding, at-fault accident and DUI.

To determine the best car insurance company for high-risk drivers, MoneyGeek scored companies based on affordability, customer satisfaction and complaints — obtained from J.D. Power surveys and NAIC complaint scores — and financial strength ratings as calculated by AM Best. Affordability received the greatest weighting in our calculations.

About Mark Fitzpatrick


Mark Fitzpatrick headshot

Mark Fitzpatrick is a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer and MoneyGeek's Head of Insurance. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research and creating personalized content for every kind of buyer. He has been quoted in several insurance-related publications, including CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.

Fitzpatrick earned a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He is passionate about using his knowledge of economics and insurance to bring transparency around financial topics and help others feel confident in their money moves.


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