How a speeding ticket impacts your insurance in Michigan
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If you get cited for speeding in Michigan, you may be wondering how the ticket will affect your car insurance premiums. To give you an idea of what to expect, Bankrate reviewed rate data from Quadrant Information Services. Michigan drivers pay, on average, $3,245 annually for full coverage post-ticket versus $2,691 annually prior to a ticket. The hike for minimum insurance coverage is typically less severe at an average of $1,311 per year after a speeding conviction compared to $1,104 per year pre-conviction.
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Compare auto insurance rates
Save on auto insurance with quotes from trusted providers like:
Drivers switch & save an average of $750+/year
Are you overpaying for auto insurance?
Safe drivers choose Allstate®
Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.
How much is a speeding ticket in Michigan?
Michigan’s car insurance laws can be complex, and that is reflected in how speeding tickets are charged. The cost of a speeding ticket in Michigan varies based on the severity of the infraction, the type of road and the county. In Branch County, for example, Michigan drivers can expect to pay the following for speeding tickets:
- 1-5 mph over the speed limit: $115
- 6-10 mph over the speed limit: $125
- 11-15 mph over the speed limit: $135
- 16 mph or more over the speed limit: Charged at the discretion of the court system
Each Michigan speeding ticket also comes with driver’s license points. A general speeding ticket in Michigan will result in two driver’s license points, but the number of points varies depending on how fast the driver was going and what the police officer deems appropriate. For instance, a Michigan speeding ticket for going 1 to 5 mph over the speed limit is typically one point, but going 16 to 25 mph over could mean four points on your license. If you receive 12 points within a two-year period, you’ll be required to take a driver assessment reexamination and pay a $125 fee to get your license reinstated.
How much does a speeding ticket increase your car insurance in Michigan?
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, excessive speed was a contributing factor in nearly 30 percent of all traffic fatalities that occurred in 2020. Speeding increases your chances of being involved in an accident, which also increases the chances that your insurance company will have to pay out a claim. As a result, insurance companies generally increase premiums after you receive a speeding ticket, because they deem you a riskier driver.
Michigan drivers could potentially see a premium increase of $554 per year for full coverage after getting a speeding ticket, as demonstrated in the table below. It’s important to note, however, that your driving record is just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to determining your rate. In Michigan, your company may use several rating factors when deciding how much to charge you for car insurance.
Note that, unlike many states, Michigan prohibits providers from considering gender when setting insurance rates, but providers can take your driving history, age and vehicle make and model into account (among other factors). As a result, you may pay more or less than the state average.
| Average annual full coverage premium before speeding a ticket conviction | Average annual full coverage premium after a speeding ticket conviction | Percent increase | |
|---|---|---|---|
| State average | $2,691 | $3,245 | 21% |
How to lower your car insurance after a speeding ticket in Michigan
You will likely pay more for car insurance after a speeding ticket conviction. This is because auto insurance companies are more likely to consider you a higher risk to insure and compensate for that risk through increased premiums over the next several years. However, there are ways you might be able to lower your premium even with a speeding ticket on file.
Read more: Cheapest car insurance in Michigan
Get quotes from other car insurance companies
Not every insurance company in Michigan views speeding tickets the same way. Some companies may penalize a speeding ticket more heavily than others, for example.
If you have recently seen an increase in your premium due to a speeding ticket, you might want to request quotes from several providers to see if you can find a carrier that offers you a lower rate. Based on our research, Geico and USAA may be among the cheapest car insurance companies in Michigan after a speeding ticket, but prices vary widely.
The table below shows the average cost of car insurance before and after a ticket from some of the largest insurance companies in Michigan.
| Car insurance company | Average annual full coverage premium before speeding ticket | Average annual full coverage premium after speeding ticket | Percentage increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geico | $1,346 | $2,998 | 123% |
| USAA | $1,375 | $1,793 | 30% |
| Progressive | $1,769 | $2,255 | 27% |
| Auto-Owners | $2,152 | $2,455 | 14% |
| Grange | $2,897 | $3,173 | 10% |
*Premiums are average annual full coverage premiums for 40-year-olds
While the average cost of your insurance is an important factor, it isn’t the only consideration you should think about when shopping for coverage, though. Available discounts, coverage types, policy features and customer satisfaction can all help you decide if a carrier is right for you.
Look for discounts
Most major car insurance companies have at least a few discounts that you might be able to use to lower your premium. If you bundle your home and car insurance with the same company, for example, you could see substantial savings. You might also save if you insure two or more cars with the same company. You may even be able to stack discounts to save more.
Here are a few other discounts that could lower your rate:
- Sign up for your insurance provider’s telematics program
- Take a defensive driving course
- Agree to paperless billing for your payments and policy documents
- Maintain good grades to enjoy a good student discount
Frequently asked questions
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The best car insurance company will vary by driver. Each driver has a different set of needs and wants when buying coverage and premiums will fluctuate based on your individual rating factors. Understanding your circumstances and then getting several quotes from different companies might help you find an option that suits your needs and budget. If you’d like advice on selecting coverage types and choosing appropriate policy limits, experts recommend speaking with an insurance agent.
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You are not required to inform your insurance company about a speeding violation. The Department of Motor Vehicles may inform them, or they could find out when re-checking your driving record prior to your policy renewal.
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The cheapest car insurance will vary by driver since policies are priced based on several factors that are individual to the driver. Insurance companies consider things like age, location, gender (if the state allows), credit history (if the state allows) and more. However, the way in which these factors are weighed depends on the company. This is why it’s usually worth it to request quotes from several insurance providers before settling on a policy. That being said, Bankrate’s research found that Auto-Owners, USAA and Geico offer some of the most competitive rates for car insurance following a speeding ticket.
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Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze 2023 rates for ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Rates are weighted based on the population density in each geographic region. Quoted rates are based on a 40-year-old male and female driver with a clean driving record, good credit and the following full coverage limits:
- $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $50,000 property damage liability per accident
- $100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
- $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
- $500 collision deductible
- $500 comprehensive deductible
To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverage that meets each state’s requirements. Our base profile drivers own a 2021 Toyota Camry, commute five days a week and drive 12,000 miles annually.
These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes.
Incidents: Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the following incidents applied: clean record (base), single speeding ticket.
Gender: The following states do not use gender as a determining factor in calculating premiums: California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, North Carolina, Pennsylvania.
Age: Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile (40 years) applied. Age is not a contributing rating factor in Hawaii and Massachusetts due to state regulations.
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