Best car insurance in Detroit, MI (2024)

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Latisha CatchatoorianFreelance contributorLatisha Catchatoorian is a freelance insurance writer at Policygenius, specializing in auto insurance.&Rachael BrennanSenior Editor & Licensed Auto Insurance ExpertRachael Brennan is a senior editor and a licensed auto insurance expert at Policygenius. Her work has also been featured in MoneyGeek, Clearsurance, Adweek, Boston Globe, The Ladders, and AutoInsurance.com.

Edited by

Anna SwartzAnna SwartzSenior Managing Editor & Auto Insurance ExpertAnna Swartz is a senior managing editor and auto insurance expert at Policygenius, where she oversees our car insurance coverage. Previously, she was a senior staff writer at Mic.com, as well as an associate writer at The Dodo.
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Maria FilindrasMaria FilindrasFinancial AdvisorMaria Filindras is a financial advisor, a licensed Life & Health insurance agent in California, and a member of the Financial Review Council at Policygenius.

Updated|3 min read

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The average cost of full coverage car insurance in Detroit is $5,609 per year, which is $3,184 more expensive per year than the statewide average cost in Michigan. Despite the high average costs of coverage, Detroit drivers can still save on car insurance.

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When it comes to car insurance, the best way to save money is to compare quotes from different companies. Policygenius helps you see options from top companies and choose the coverage that’s right for you.

Key takeaways

  • USAA has the lowest average car insurance rate in Detroit at $1,756 per year

  • GEICO has the lowest average rate for drivers with bad credit in Detroit

  • Michigan minimum liability requirements are $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident in bodily injury liability, and $10,000 in property damage liability

Methodology & why you can trust our rates

Policygenius has analyzed car insurance rates provided by Quadrant Information Services for every ZIP code in all 50 states plus Washington, D.C. For full coverage policies, the following coverage limits were used:

  • Bodily injury liability: $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident

  • Property damage liability: $50,000

  • Uninsured/underinsured motorist: $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident

  • Comprehensive: $500 deductible

  • Collision: $500 deductible

In some cases, additional coverages were added where required by state or insurer.

Rates for overall average rate, rates by ZIP code, and cheapest companies determined using averages for single drivers ages 30, 35, and 45. Our sample vehicle was a 2017 Toyota Camry LE driven 10,000 miles/year.

Rates for driving violations and “Poor” credit determined using average rates for a single male 30-year-old driver with a credit score under 578.

Some carriers may be represented by affiliates or subsidiaries. Rates provided are a sample of costs. Your actual quotes may differ.

Cheapest car insurance companies in Detroit, MI

While all companies will use the same basic information to determine your rates, premiums can vary from company to company. Here are the cheapest car insurance companies in Detroit:

Company

Average cost

JD Power Rating

USAA

$1,756

890

GEICO

$1,995

874

Progressive

$2,872

861

MetLife

$2,883

--

Donegal

$3,231

--

Cheapest car insurance rates by ZIP code in Detroit, MI

Your ZIP code is a major factor when it comes to how insurance companies calculate your car insurance rates. This is due, in part, to the number of car thefts, auto accidents, and traffic tickets in a given ZIP code.

ZIP code

Average cost

48242

$4,314

48217

$5,085

48228

$5,431

48223

$5,483

48219

$5,501

48243

$5,537

48233

$5,539

48203

$5,550

48226

$5,555

48221

$5,598

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Choosing the right car insurance company in Detroit, MI

Choosing the best car insurance company means finding the right coverage at an affordable price. With so much information out there, it can be hard to sift through it all and find the right insurance for you.

Policygenius makes it easier by showing you options from top companies, so you can feel confident you're making the right choice.

Car insurance rates for drivers with driving violations in Detroit, MI

Insurers use your motor vehicle report (MVR), also known as your driving record, as a factor when determining your insurance rates. If you have any driving violations (such as a DUI or DWI) or have been in an accident, this affects your rate because you are seen as more of a risk.

Violation

USAA

GEICO

Progressive

MetLife

Donegal

At-fault accident

$2,595

$5,345

$3,805

$5,471

$5,117

DUI

$3,340

$13,983

$3,258

$6,428

$8,673

Suspended license

$3,340

$4,544

$3,664

$7,027

$3,538

Open container

$3,340

$10,183

$3,573

$3,416

$8,673

Expired registration

$2,338

$4,544

$3,573

$3,416

$3,538

Driving without lights

$2,338

$4,544

$3,573

$3,416

$3,538

Running a red light

$2,338

$4,544

$3,573

$3,416

$4,016

Following too closely

$2,338

$4,544

$3,573

$3,416

$3,538

Hit and run

$3,340

$7,235

$3,664

$6,428

$8,673

Not-at-fault accident

$1,804

$1,995

$3,698

$3,256

$3,353

Passing a school bus

$3,058

$4,544

$3,573

$3,416

$3,538

Reckless driving

$3,058

$5,345

$3,664

$6,428

$8,673

Speeding

$2,583

$4,544

$3,494

$3,654

$5,685

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Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI in Detroit, MI

Detroit drivers pay an average of $5,609 per year for car insurance, which are among the highest rates in the country, but drivers in Detroit with a DUI or DWI will pay even higher car insurance rates. The average annual car insurance rate for drivers in Michigan with a DUI is $6,469 per year, which is 15% higher than the Detroit average but, depending on the insurance company you choose, drivers in Detroit could easily pay more than $10,000 per year for car insurance with a DUI.

But choosing the right car insurance company can save you thousands of dollars per year. According to our research, the companies with the lowest rates for drivers with a DUI in Detroit are Progressive, USAA, and Metlife.

Company

Rates for drivers with DUIs

Progressive

$3,258

USAA

$3,340

MetLife

$6,428

Donegal

$8,673

GEICO

$13,983

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket in Detroit, MI

Detroit drivers with a speeding ticket or other moving violation should expect to pay more for car insurance. The average cost of car insurance for a driver with a speeding ticket in Michigan is $3,629 per year, but drivers in Detroit could pay $5,000 or more per year.

But Detroit drivers with a speeding ticket can still save money on car insurance, even with higher-than-average rates. We found the companies offering the lowest rates for drivers in Michigan with a speeding ticket are USAA, Progressive, and Metlife.

Company

Rates for drivers with speeding tickets

USAA

$2,583

Progressive

$3,494

MetLife

$3,654

GEICO

$4,544

Donegal

$5,685

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with bad credit in Detroit, MI

Drivers with low credit scores can expect to pay more for car insurance. Since your credit history can impact your insurance rates, it is especially important to compare rates across several companies if you have poor credit.

Company

Rates for drivers with bad credit

GEICO

$3,330

USAA

$4,197

Progressive

$5,347

Donegal

$5,864

MetLife

$5,967

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Buying car insurance in Detroit, MI

Michigan state law requires that all licensed drivers have at least a minimum amount of car insurance.

  • Bodily injury liability coverage per person: $ $20,000

  • Bodily injury liability coverage per accident: $40,000

  • Property damage liability coverage: $10,000

  • Personal injury protection (PIP): Amount varies depending on health insurance (see notes)

The exact amount of PIP required for you will depend on your health insurance coverage. Michigan also requires drivers to have property protection insurance (PPI), with a minimum limit of $1 million in property damage coverage.

How to get cheap car insurance in Detroit, MI

Insurance in Detroit is expensive, but there are many discounts available, including:

  • Safe driver discount: Having a clean driving record can make you an attractive customer to insurance companies and keep your premiums low.

  • Bundling discount: Many companies offer a discount if you purchase multiple types of insurance policies (such as auto and home) as a way to encourage you to use their business.

  • Loyalty discount: If you’ve been with the same auto insurance company for multiple years, some companies will provide you with a discount to reward you for your loyalty.

  • Professional discount: Some companies offer discounts for certain employers and professions, such as teachers or public servants (like firefighters). 

  • Low mileage discount: Drivers who don’t spend much time on the road are often entitled to a lower rate than drivers who have long commutes.

  • Military discount: Several insurance companies offer a discount to active military members and their families.

Frequently asked questions

Which company has the cheapest car insurance in Detroit?

The cheapest average car insurance in Detroit is from USAA, though the company is only available to drivers affiliated with the military or a part of a military family. Most people can also get cheap rates from State Farm.

Why is insurance in Detroit so much higher than other cities in Michigan?

Detroit has one of the highest population densities in the state of Michigan, so there are more drivers and a higher likelihood of accidents compared to other cities. Related factors, like higher crime rates in some parts of Detroit, may also lead insurance companies to charge higher rates.

How much car insurance do I need in Detroit?

Detroit drivers must meet Michigan’s minimum liability requirements, which include bodily injury liability of $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident, as well as $10,000 in property damage liability.

How much is car insurance per month in Michigan?

The average cost of car insurance in Michigan is $202 per month, or $2,425 per year.

Authors

Latisha Catchatoorian is a freelance insurance writer at Policygenius, specializing in auto insurance.

Rachael Brennan is a senior editor and a licensed auto insurance expert at Policygenius. Her work has also been featured in MoneyGeek, Clearsurance, Adweek, Boston Globe, The Ladders, and AutoInsurance.com.

Editor

Anna Swartz is a senior managing editor and auto insurance expert at Policygenius, where she oversees our car insurance coverage. Previously, she was a senior staff writer at Mic.com, as well as an associate writer at The Dodo.

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