Cheapest Car Insurance in Detroit (2026 Rates)


Quick Take
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GEICO: Most affordable for diverse driver types at $82 monthly for minimum coverage and $135 for full coverage. Drivers save 31% compared to Detroit's average rates.

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Travelers: Runner-up for affordability with $57 minimum and $180 full coverage monthly. It's especially competitive for drivers with an accident or drivers with a speeding ticket.

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Auto-Owners: Stands out with budget-friendly options for young drivers and senior drivers, making it a smart choice for age-specific savings.

Cheapest by Coverage and Driver Profile in Detroit:

Cheapest Car Insurance in Detroit by Coverage Type

Travelers charges the lowest minimum coverage rates in Detroit at $57 monthly, 47% below the city average. GEICO ranks second at $82 monthly with 52% savings. GEICO leads full coverage pricing at $135 monthly, 52% under Detroit's average. Travelers' full coverage costs $180 monthly, delivering 47% savings. Your rates depend on your ZIP code and driving record. Compare quotes from multiple insurers to find your best price.

Travelers$58$180-47%
Geico$83$135-52%
Auto Owners$104$204-32%
Allstate$113$263-17%
Progressive$118$201-29%

Not in Detroit? Read more about the cheapest car insurance or the best car insurance in Michigan.

Cheapest Detroit Car Insurance for Teen and Young Drivers

Young drivers in Detroit pay high rates due to their inexperience. GEICO offers the lowest premiums at $242 monthly, followed by Auto-Owners at $290 and Allstate at $477.

You'll save money by staying on your parents' policy rather than buying your own. Defensive driving courses reduce premiums by 5% to 15% with most insurers.

Geico$242$2,907-62%
Auto Owners$290$3,482-54%
Allstate$477$5,729-25%
AAA$538$6,456-15%
Progressive$611$7,327-4%

Cheapest Detroit Car Insurance for Senior Drivers

Progressive offers Detroit seniors the lowest full coverage rates at $238 monthly. Auto-Owners charges $250 monthly, and GEICO costs $272.

Seniors qualify for accident forgiveness with most insurers, protecting rates after a first at-fault claim. Defensive driving courses cut premiums up to 10% for three years.

Progressive$238$2,861-36%
Auto Owners$251$3,007-32%
Geico$272$3,265-27%
Allstate$284$3,409-23%
AAA$315$3,777-15%

Cheapest Detroit Car Insurance by Driving Record

Violations increase your rates, but some insurers charge less than others. Progressive offers the lowest DUI rates at $144 monthly for minimum coverage. Auto-Owners ranks second at $242.

Travelers charges the least for speeding tickets at $104 monthly, followed by Auto-Owners at $132. Auto-Owners leads for at-fault accidents at $117 monthly, with Travelers second at $153.

Speeding tickets affect rates for three to five years. DUIs impact premiums up to 10 years. Compare quotes from multiple insurers after any violation as prices can vary.

At-Fault AccidentAuto Owners$117-42%
At-Fault AccidentTravelers$154-24%
DUIProgressive$144-66%
DUIAuto Owners$242-43%
Speeding TicketTravelers$104-50%
Speeding TicketAuto Owners$132-36%

Detroit Car Insurance Costs by ZIP Code

Your ZIP code affects your Detroit car insurance rates. Drivers in 48207 pay $363 monthly for full coverage, while 48242 residents pay $202, a $161 monthly difference.

Traffic density, crime rates and accident frequency vary by neighborhood, creating these price gaps across the city.

Most Expensive ZIP Codes in Detroit
48207$363
48219$341
48209$340
48213$309
48206$301
48214$300
48205$300
48227$299
48204$296
48201$296
Least Expensive ZIP Codes in Detroit
48242$202
48243$228
48233$229
48217$265
48223$271
48224$279
48203$281
48216$285
48221$285
48228$287

Choose Your Best Detroit Car Insurance Company

Travelers ranks highest in Detroit with a MoneyGeek score of 94 out of 100. The insurer offers the lowest average premiums while maintaining strong customer satisfaction ratings.

Auto-Owners, Progressive, GEICO and Allstate complete the top five. Auto-Owners earns perfect customer experience scores, Progressive provides extensive coverage options, and GEICO maintains competitive rates.

Travelers95225
Auto Owners93316
Progressive89432
Geico89187
Allstate83594
Travelers

Travelers: Best Overall

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  • Mobile app claims filing with repair shop network

  • Accident forgiveness protects your driving record

  • IntelliDrive rewards safe driving with discounts

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  • Limited rideshare coverage for Uber and Lyft drivers

  • Less flexibility customizing coverage than most competitors

COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

Travelers' MyTravelers app provides 24/7 policy management and roadside assistance, essential during Detroit winters. The company charges the lowest rates for speeding tickets and DUI violations.

Travelers processes claims through pre-approved repair shops and offers comprehensive coverage for theft and weather damage. Gap insurance and accident forgiveness add extra protection for Detroit drivers.

Auto-Owners

Auto-Owners: Second Best Overall

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  • Top-rated customer service and claims experience

  • Century of Michigan insurance expertise and knowledge

  • Diminishing deductible rewards for safe driving

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  • Only available in 26 states nationwide

  • No mobile app for claims or policy management

  • Weaker coverage options than most competitors

COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

Auto-Owners charges the lowest rates for drivers with accidents and violations. The insurer ranks second for young and senior drivers in Detroit.

Auto-Owners maintains a local agency network with 24/7 digital claims handling. The company provides uninsured motorist protection and comprehensive coverage, backed by over a century of Michigan experience.

How to Lower Your Car Insurance Rates in Detroit

Detroit drivers know insurance costs here can drain your budget, but smart shopping strategies make affordable coverage achievable.

  1. 1
    Bundle and Save

    Combine auto with home or renters insurance for 15% to 25% savings. Add multi-car discounts (10% to 25% per vehicle) plus good driver and paperless billing perks. Detroit drivers can stack these for 30% to 40% total reductions.

  2. 2
    Consider a Higher Deductible

    Increasing your deductible from $500 to $1,000 cuts premiums by 10% to 15% yearly. Make sure you can cover the higher out-of-pocket cost if you file a claim. This strategy works best with emergency savings.

  3. 3
    Review Your Policy Yearly

    Insurance companies regularly adjust rates based on Detroit's changing risk factors. Your driving record cleans up after three years, potentially qualifying you for better rates. Annual shopping ensures you catch these opportunities.

Cheap Detroit Car Insurance: FAQ

We break down coverage options and costs to help you get the financial protection you need at the best price.

Is car insurance in Detroit expensive?

How We Chose the Best and Cheapest Car Insurance in Detroit, MI

Finding affordable car insurance in Detroit starts with understanding how insurers price policies across the city. Traffic congestion, theft risk and Michigan’s insurance requirements all shape your premium. Even within city limits, drivers in ZIP code 48207 often pay much more than those in 48242.

We partnered with the Department of Insurance and Financial Services and Quadrant Information Services to analyze hundreds of thousands of quotes from 12 insurers across every Detroit ZIP code. 

Our ratings for the best car insurance in Detroit are calculated by a weighted score incorporating affordability (60%), customer experience (30%) and coverage options (10%). 

Read more about our methodology, which reveals which insurers maintain competitive rates across Detroit neighborhoods and driver categories while delivering reliable claims service, not just advertised rates for perfect-record drivers.

About Mark Fitzpatrick


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Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. With over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, he conducts original research and creates tailored content for all types of buyers. His insights have been featured in publications like CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.

Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!

He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.


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