How a speeding ticket impacts your insurance in Michigan
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To help Michiganders better understand how their car insurance rates may be affected after a speeding ticket, Bankrate reviewed average premiums for the largest carriers in Michigan. According to our research and data sourced from analytics company Quadrant Information Services, you could expect an increase of $554 per year on your Michigan car insurance after getting a speeding ticket.
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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.
However, knowing what to expect is only half of the battle — you may also wonder what car insurance companies are the cheapest in Michigan after a speeding ticket. Bankrate shares our expert insight so you can find the most competitive rates.
How much is a speeding ticket in Michigan?
Michigan’s 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 ticket, what type of road you were on and what county you were in. 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 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 you receive will vary depending on how fast you were going and how the police officer writes the ticket. For instance, driving 16 to 25 miles per hour (mph) over the speed limit can add three points to your license. If you receive 12 points, your license will be suspended and you will likely have to pay a $125 fee to get it reinstated.
How much does a speeding ticket increase your car insurance in Michigan?
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), 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 may now deem you a riskier driver.
Michigan drivers could expect a premium increase of $554 per year 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, including your driving history and the type of vehicle you drive. 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 | Premium increase | |
|---|---|---|---|
| State average | $2,691 | $3,245 | $554 |
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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, a single speeding ticket 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
These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes.
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 the next several years. However, you can employ some techniques to lower your premium even with a speeding ticket on file.
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 shop around to see if you can find a carrier who offers you a lower rate. Based on our research, USAA and Progressive 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 a speeding ticket conviction | Average annual full coverage premium after a speeding ticket conviction | Premium increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| USAA | $1,375 | $1,793 | $418 |
| Progressive | $1,769 | $2,255 | $486 |
| Auto-Owners | $2,152 | $2,455 | $303 |
| Frankenmuth | $2,538 | $3,012 | $474 |
| American Select Insurance Company | $2,404 | $2,749 | $345 |
| Geico | $1,346 | $2,998 | $1,652 |
| Grange | $2,897 | $3,172 | $275 |
| Travelers | $2,246 | $4,260 | $2,014 |
| Nationwide | $3,186 | $3,606 | $420 |
| Amco Insurance | $3,490 | $4,530 | $1,040 |
| Encompass | $4,012 | $4,476 | $464 |
| Bristol West | $4,554 | $5,323 | $769 |
| State Farm | $4,343 | $5,280 | $937 |
| Farmers | $4,441 | $5,863 | $1,422 |
*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. Available discounts, coverage types, policy features and third-party scores can all help you decide if a carrier is right for you.
Utilize 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 on both policies. You might also save if you insure two or more cars with the same company, sign up for automatic payments or go paperless for your bills and policy documents.
Consider the car you drive
The type of car you drive, including your vehicle’s specific make and model, has a huge impact on the rates you’ll pay for car insurance. Some vehicles are more expensive to insure than others, which could be due to a higher price of parts and labor or a greater statistical likelihood of accidents. Getting a different car might not be the most practical step to take to lower your premium, but if you are already looking for a different car, getting quotes on a few makes and models could help you avoid premium surprises.
Other speeding ticket considerations
Your speeding ticket will likely come with fines and higher insurance premiums, but could come with other consequences too. Depending on the severity of your ticket, you may have to appear in court. If the circumstances warrant it, you may even have your license suspended.
Additionally, not every county in Michigan allows online payment for speeding tickets. Before assuming you can make an online payment after a speeding ticket, you may want to verify if the county participates in the online payment program.
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. Understanding your personal wants and needs and then getting several quotes from different companies might help you find an option that fits your circumstances.
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Insurance companies view speeding tickets as indications of risky driving behavior. Such behavior might mean you are more likely to file a claim in the future, which would result in the insurance company potentially paying out for the damages that you cause or sustain. Because insurance is based on risk, high-risk drivers are generally charged a higher premium to compensate for the greater likelihood of a claim payout.
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Once you have a ticket on your driving record, you’ll likely face increased premiums for several years. Most insurance companies charge for tickets for three to five years, but the specific timeframe will vary by company. Changing insurance companies won’t make the surcharge go away, either; insurance companies view your past driving history to accurately rate your policy.
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