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Melanie Lockert is a personal finance and insurance writer who has been writing for Compare.com since 2023. Her work has also appeared on Allure, Business Insider, Credit Karma, Fortune, and more. She’s also the founder of the blog and author of the book, “Dear Debt” in which she chronicled her journey out of $81,000 of student loan debt.
Melanie is also the co-founder of the Lola Retreat and host of the Mental Health and Wealth show podcast.
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Lequita Westbrooks is an insurance editor at Compare.com. Her writing and editing experiences span several industries, including insurance, personal finance, higher education, and more. She excels at explaining complex topics like auto insurance in simple, easy-to-understand language and is passionate about helping readers save money. Lequita graduated from the University of South Florida, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in English.
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While we make money through partnerships with some of the brands we discuss in our articles, our editorial team operates 100% independently, and these partners never influence or affect the topics, reviews, ratings, or recommendations we provide. We never guarantee favorable reviews or mentions in exchange for compensation from any brands or partners, and we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure our content is always independent, truthful, and unbiased.
Michigan drivers must purchase no-fault auto insurance to drive legally in the state, which drives up the cost of insurance. Detroit drivers can expect to pay an average premium of $364 per month, according to Compare.com data.
Though Michigan’s auto insurance rates can be high, you have more options to look into. Auto-Owners is just one insurer offering affordable coverage in the city. Use this guide to find out where and how to get cheap car insurance in Detroit.
Auto-Owners is Detroit’s cheapest auto insurer, at $98 per month on average.
The average Detroit driver pays around $334 per month for liability insurance and $394 for full coverage.
Michigan requires drivers to have at least 50/100/10 in liability limits plus personal injury coverage and property protection insurance.
The average cost of car insurance in Detroit is $364 per month. But this is just a guidepost, and your personal rate may be higher or lower depending on your unique driving profile and coverage needs.
Here’s how the average car insurance rates in Detroit compare to state and national averages, according to Compare.com data
Location ▲▼ | Average Monthly Premium: Liability Insurance ▲▼ | Average Monthly Premium: Full Coverage ▲▼ | Average Monthly Premium: All Policies ▲▼ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit | $334 | $394 | $364 |
| Michigan | $173 | $294 | $233 |
| National average | $107 | $197 | $152 |
Detroit drivers pay an average of $334 per month for liability-only insurance and $394 per month for full coverage.
Fortunately, several car insurance companies offer affordable rates and a range of benefits — let’s take a closer look.
Compare personalized quotes from Detroit’s top insurers.
Though average car insurance rates are expensive in Detroit, you can save in several ways. For example, looking into discounts, comparing car insurance quotes, and choosing the right car insurance company based on your coverage needs can lead to lower rates.
Below are five of the cheapest car insurance companies and each company’s average premium in Detroit, according to Compare.com data.
Company ▲▼ | Average Monthly Premium ▲▼ |
|---|---|
| Auto-Owners | $98 |
| USAA | $99 |
| Chubb | $107 |
| GEICO | $149 |
| Safeco | $163 |
| Nationwide | $200 |
| State Farm | $203 |
| Progressive | $206 |
| Direct Auto | $232 |
| Travelers | $235 |
Auto-Owners has the cheapest car insurance in Detroit, with average rates of $98 per month.
Next, we’ll explore the best auto insurance companies in Detroit for different demographics.
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Car insurance needs vary, so the “best” company for you may not be the best for someone else. We selected the insurance companies below based on average rates, discounts, coverage types, and customer ratings and reviews.
Average premium: $61 per month
Compare.com Rating: 4.43 out of 5
Offers gap insurance
Various discount options available
Below average rates
Low customer ratings on Better Business Bureau (BBB)
Must work with independent insurance agent
Frequent complaints about claims
Teen drivers pay the highest car insurance rates of any age group, but Auto-Owners is our top choice for young drivers in Detroit. Its average rate is among the lowest in Detroit.
But Detroit teens can save even more. Auto-Owners offers a good student discount of up to 20% for a B average or higher, a student away at school discount, and a teen driver monitoring discount.
Average premium: $88 per month
Compare.com Rating: 4.65 out of 5
Competitive car insurance rates
Mechanical breakdown insurance available
AM Best financial strength rating of A++ (Superior)
Higher-than-average number of complaints
Gap insurance not available
Low customer ratings with BBB
GEICO is our top pick for Detroit drivers looking for the best discounts. Not only does GEICO offer affordable coverage, but the company also has among the highest number of discounts in the industry. It offers discounts for safety features, good students, military service, defensive driving, and more.
Average premium: $74 per month
Compare.com Rating: 4.91 out of 5
10% bundling discount
Highly rated mobile app
AM Best financial strength rating of A++ (Superior)
Many complaints on BBB
Low ratings on Trustpilot
Only available to military members and their families
USAA offers numerous financial products to the military and veteran community. If you live in Detroit and qualify for USAA membership, the company offers some of the lowest auto insurance rates and various discounts. Members can get more savings through USAA’s SafePilot telematics program and process auto claims through its highly rated mobile app.
Compare personalized quotes from Detroit’s cheapest companies.
Your total car insurance costs will depend on your coverage levels. The cheapest insurance policy available is liability insurance that meets your state's minimum requirements. In Detroit, this type of policy costs an average of $338 per month, according to our research.
Liability insurance covers any injuries or damage to another driver’s vehicle — but it doesn’t help if there’s damage to your vehicle.
The chart below shows Detroit’s cheapest companies for liability-only insurance, according to Compare.com data.
Industry experts recommend buying more than the state’s minimum limits. For added benefits, you can consider full-coverage car insurance — if you have a loan or lease, the bank or leasing company will require full coverage. Next, let’s take a look at which insurers offer Detroit residents some of the best full-coverage rates.
Full-coverage car insurance goes beyond state-minimum requirements and includes additional coverage, such as collision insurance and comprehensive coverage, for further protection. It comes with a higher price tag but also protects you and your property.
A full-coverage policy protects you when you cause injury or damage to others. It also protects you if you have a car accident or if events like theft, fires, or floods damage your vehicle.
This chart shows the cheapest car insurance options in Detroit for full coverage, according to Compare.com data.
Keep in mind that your actual rates will likely be different since factors like your age and driving record affect your rates. We’ll explore these in more detail below.
Your age is another factor that affects your car insurance rates. Young adults generally pay higher premiums because they lack experience and tend to get into more accidents. But premiums tend to decline as you age. Drivers in their 60s qualify for lower rates, but there’s an uptick once you reach your 70s, as coordination and cognition may be in decline.
The table below shows how age can influence your auto premiums in Detroit, according to Compare.com data.
Age Group ▲▼ | Citywide Average Monthly Premium ▲▼ | Cheapest Insurer ▲▼ | Cheapest Insurer’s Average Monthly Premium ▲▼ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teens | $509 | Auto-Owners | $150 |
| 40s | $342 | Auto-Owners | $91 |
| Seniors | $323 | Auto-Owners | $80 |
Insurance companies look at a 16-year-old getting their driver’s license much differently than a senior with decades of experience. Let’s take a closer look at why.
Teenagers are the most expensive demographic to insure. For example, adding a teen driver to your policy raises costs by an average of nearly $1,200 per year, according to our research. Teenagers have higher crash rates, and they’re one of the top causes of death among this group, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
Detroit teens pay an average of $509 per month for car insurance, according to our data. Still, it’s possible to find relatively affordable car insurance policies for teens. Auto-Owners offers the cheapest average car insurance policy for teens in Detroit, at $150 per month.
As you approach retirement age, you can take advantage of lower car insurance rates. Older drivers have more experience and may drive less once they’ve stopped working. Senior drivers don’t have the same risk factors and have fewer accidents, according to the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I).
Detroit seniors pay some of the cheapest rates in the city, at $323 per month. But they can find even cheaper rates with Auto-Owners, at an average monthly premium of $80.
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Your driving record — which shows your driving history and any traffic incidents — also influences your insurance costs. Once you have an incident on your record, insurance companies consider you a higher risk and charge you higher rates.
The table below highlights the average monthly premium in Detroit based on different driving records, along with the cheapest insurance company and its average rates for each, according to Compare.com data.
Driving Record ▲▼ | Citywide Average Monthly Premium ▲▼ | Cheapest Insurer ▲▼ | Cheapest Insurer’s Average Monthly Premium ▲▼ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clean record | $364 | Auto-Owners | $98 |
| Speeding ticket | $422 | USAA | $117 |
| At-fault accident | $446 | Auto-Owners | $124 |
| DUI | $519 | Auto-Owners | $150 |
If you drive over the speed limit in Detroit and get a ticket, your rates will increase. Speeding is considered a high-risk behavior that endangers you and others on the road. After one speeding ticket, average rates go up by 27% nationwide, according to Compare.com data.
We found that drivers in Detroit pay an average monthly premium of $422 after a speeding ticket but can score a cheaper rate with USAA. The company’s average monthly premium is $117.
An at-fault accident can have a major influence on your car insurance premiums because of the potential for injuries and property damage. We found that average rates increase by 34% after an accident.
If you have an accident on your record, you’ll typically pay around $446 per month in Detroit, according to our data. Auto-Owners has the most affordable rates in Detroit after an at-fault accident. Its average monthly premium is $124.
A DUI conviction has the most significant effect on your auto insurance rates. Driving intoxicated affects your decision-making, cognition, and coordination, which puts you and others on the road at serious risk. Just one DUI increases average premiums by 50%, according to Compare.com data.
The average Detroit driver pays a monthly premium of $519 after a DUI conviction. This group can look into Auto-Owners for cheap car insurance in Detroit. It offers the lowest rate on average, at $150 per month.
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Michigan overhauled its car insurance laws after July 1, 2020. The new law prohibits insurance companies from limiting coverage, charging reinstatement fees, or increasing premiums if you’re uninsured for a period of time. That said, Michigan is a no-fault state, which means each driver’s insurance company pays for injuries and medical bills, regardless of fault.
Here are the state’s minimum requirements:
$50,000 residual bodily injury liability coverage per person
$100,000 residual bodily injury liability coverage per accident
$10,000 residual property damage liability coverage in another state
Choose the level of personal injury protection (PIP), which pays for medical bills (unlimited, $500,000, $250,000, $250,000 with medical exclusions, $50,000, and medical opt-out)
$1 million in property protection insurance (PPI)
Default BI and PD coverage is much higher than this, but the lowest default BI and PD coverage limit you can purchase is 50/100/10, according to the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services.
If you go with the default coverage, the limits are:
$250,000 residual bodily injury liability coverage per person
$500,000 residual bodily injury liability coverage per accident
$10,000 residual property damage liability coverage in another state
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Getting car insurance in Detroit can be costly — Michigan has some of the highest auto insurance premiums in the country, according to our research. While your exact rate will depend on your driving history, ZIP code, and coverage options, Detroit drivers have access to several ways to get cheaper coverage.
Here’s how to get cheaper car insurance in Detroit:
Play it safe. Any incidents on your driving record can drive up prices. Focus on safety — wear your seat belt, put your cell phone out of reach, and avoid driving while intoxicated — to lower your rates long-term. Maintaining a clean driving record is the best way to save.
Bundle policies. Insurance companies offer a multi-policy discount when you buy two or more insurance products with the company. So if you have renters or home insurance, you may stand to save more if you insure them under one roof.
Review car insurance discounts. Many car insurers offer discounts. Call your agent and ask what you qualify for to get the greatest savings.
Compare quotes. To find the cheapest car insurance in Detroit, compare multiple insurance companies. Get quotes and review coverage options to get the best rates.
Compare personalized quotes from the cheapest insurers in Detroit.
If you’re looking for car insurance in Detroit, here are some common questions and answers to help you lower your costs.
Auto-Owners currently has the cheapest car insurance in Detroit, with an average rate of $98 per month, according to Compare.com data. Remember that insurance rates vary by person, driving history, and coverage levels.
Car insurance rates are an average cost of $364 per month in Detroit, according to our analysis. The average Detroit driver pays $334 per month for liability insurance and $394 for full coverage. But your rates could be lower or higher based on your driving history and the insurance company you choose.
Michigan requires drivers to purchase $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident in residual bodily injury liability insurance, and $10,000 in property damage liability in other states. You must also have personal injury protection (PIP) coverage and $1 million in property protection insurance (PPI).
If you drive without insurance in Detroit, Michigan, you may face license suspension for 30 days, have a misdemeanor, pay a fine of up to $500, and serve a jail sentence of up to one year.
Auto-Owners offers the cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Michigan, at $111 per month, according to Compare.com data. But the exact premium you get will depend on the level of coverage, driving history, and more.
State of Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services, “Consumer Protections,” accessed December 4, 2024.
State of Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services, “Choosing Bodily Injury Coverage,” accessed December 4, 2024.
Michigan Legislature, “MCL - Section 500.3009,” accessed December 4, 2024.
State of Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services, “Choosing PIP Medical Coverage,” accessed December 4, 2024.
Insurance Information Institute, “Auto insurance basics—understanding your coverage,” accessed December 4, 2024.
State of Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services, “Brief Explanation of Michigan No-Fault Insurance,” accessed December 4, 2024.
Insurance Information Institute, “What determines the price of an auto insurance policy?,” accessed December 4, 2024.
Insurance Information Institute, “Facts + Statistics: Auto insurance,” accessed December 4, 2024.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, “Teenagers,” accessed December 4, 2024.
Data scientists at Compare.com analyzed more than 50 million real-time auto insurance quotes from more than 75 partner insurers in order to compile the rates and statistics seen in this article. Compare.com’s auto insurance data includes coverage analysis and details on drivers’ vehicles, driving records, insurance histories, and demographic information.
All the rates listed in this article have been collected from a combination of real Compare.com quotes and external insurance rate data gathered in collaboration with Quadrant Information Services. Compare.com uses these observations to provide readers with insights into how auto insurance companies determine their premiums.
Compare.com's #1 goal is to save you money. We publish resources that are based on hard-hitting data and years of industry experience to help you make more informed decisions with your wallet.
Learn more about us, our team, and what makes us tick.
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Melanie Lockert is a personal finance and insurance writer who has been writing for Compare.com since 2023. Her work has also appeared on Allure, Business Insider, Credit Karma, Fortune, and more. She’s also the founder of the blog and author of the book, “Dear Debt” in which she chronicled her journey out of $81,000 of student loan debt.
Melanie is also the co-founder of the Lola Retreat and host of the Mental Health and Wealth show podcast.
Lequita Westbrooks is an insurance editor at Compare.com. Her writing and editing experiences span several industries, including insurance, personal finance, higher education, and more. She excels at explaining complex topics like auto insurance in simple, easy-to-understand language and is passionate about helping readers save money. Lequita graduated from the University of South Florida, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in English.
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