bestauto insuranceMichigan2022The Best Car Insurance in Michigan for 2022
The best car insurance companies balance financial stability, affordability and customer satisfaction. Based on that criteria, Auto-Owners Insurance Co is the best car insurance company in Michigan. It has the second-highest rank for affordability, is tied first for claims and tied second for customer satisfaction.
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Last Updated: 5/13/2022
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MoneyGeek’s research shows that Auto-Owners Insurance Co offers the best car insurance in Michigan. However, depending on your needs, the best option for you might be different. This guide breaks down the best auto insurance companies in the state for drivers on a budget, young drivers and students, those seeking great customer service, and many other important factors.
If you are looking for the most cost-effective option and the quality of service is not a concern, MoneyGeek’s research can guide you to the cheapest car insurance companies in Michigan.
bestauto insuranceMichigan2022The Best Car Insurance in Michigan
Best Overall - Auto-Owners Insurance Co
Best for Customer Service - The Hartford
Best on a Budget - Auto-Owners Insurance Co
Best Car Insurance Companies in Michigan: Overall
MoneyGeek’s ratings for the best car insurance companies in Michigan consider average cost, claims settlement and customer satisfaction.
Based on these factors, the top car insurance companies in Michigan are:
- Auto-Owners Insurance Co: MoneyGeek score of 4.4 out of 5
- MetLife: MoneyGeek score of 4.2 out of 5
USAA received a MoneyGeek score of 5 out of 5. However, it is not included in this analysis because the company only insures former or current military members.
The Top 5 Car Insurance Companies in Michigan
1
Auto-Owners Insurance Co
Score:4.4
A policy from Auto-Owners Insurance Co costs $2,299 annually. In Michigan, Auto-Owners Insurance Co ranks the second-highest for affordability, is tied second for customer satisfaction and first for claims. The company offers a package of multiple coverages to its customers.
More About Auto-Owners Insurance Co
Auto-Owners Insurance Co offers the Personal Automobile Plus package, consisting of more than 10 additional coverages at a competitive price. It protects the customer from incurred expenses like identity theft, rekeying locks, and much more. It is an add-on feature — a policy does not automatically include it.
Read MoneyGeek's Auto-Owners Insurance Co auto Insurance Review2
MetLife
Score:4.2
With an average annual cost of $2,448, MetLife has the fourth-highest affordability rating in Michigan, is tied first for claims and third for customer satisfaction. MetLife offers custom parts coverage.
More About MetLife
MetLife (now part of Farmers Insurance Group) offers custom parts coverage. If you have any modifications to your car with custom parts and those parts get damaged in the case of an accident, MetLife covers the loss. Adding this feature is possible if you have collision and comprehensive coverage.
Read MoneyGeek's MetLife auto Insurance Review3
Nationwide
Score:4.2
Costing an average of $2,561 annually, Nationwide is ranked fifth for affordability and tied second for customer satisfaction and claims. It offers identity theft coverage.
More About Nationwide
Nationwide offers identity theft reimbursement coverage to its Michigan customers. In case of fraud or identity theft with you or anyone in your household, Nationwide pays up to $25,000 to cover any losses incurred due to fraud. Identity theft is an add-on coverage; a policy does not automatically include it.
Read MoneyGeek's Nationwide auto Insurance Review4
GEICO
Score:4.1
GEICO has an average yearly cost of $2,161. It’s tied second for customer satisfaction, third for claims and is the highest-rated for affordability. GEICO offers mechanical breakdown insurance.
More About GEICO
GEICO offers mechanical breakdown insurance (MBI) for new or leased cars that are less than 15 months old and have fewer than 15,000 miles. MBI provides better coverage than a dealer’s extended warranty at a lower price and includes all systems and items. MBI is an add-on coverage that insurance companies rarely offer.
Read MoneyGeek's GEICO auto Insurance Review5
Progressive
Score:4.1
With an average annual cost of $2,408, Progressive is ranked third for affordability, tied third for claims and second for customer satisfaction. Progressive offers rideshare insurance to customers.
More About Progressive
Progressive gives you the option of adding rideshare insurance to your policy, which provides you coverage in case of an accident while you’re waiting to match for a rider. Rideshare insurance covers all of the costs incurred due to injuries, damages, repairs, or replacement of your vehicle.
Read MoneyGeek's Progressive auto Insurance ReviewHOW WE DETERMINED THE BEST INSURANCE IN MICHIGAN
MoneyGeek analyzed full-coverage car insurance policy quotes across many locations for a sample driver and collected user satisfaction and claims ratings from J.D. Power and NAIC to determine the cost of a full-coverage auto policy in Michigan. These rates may be different depending on your driver profile. MoneyGeek’s methodology provides more information.
MoneyGeek's Michigan Car Insurance Resources:
Compare the Best Insurance Options in Michigan
Generally, factors like cost, service and financial stability determine the best insurance policy in a state. However, you also have to look at what combination best fits your needs and if the company provides coverages according to your requirements. MoneyGeek used in-depth reviews to help determine the best car insurance companies in Michigan.
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Best Car Insurance in Michigan for Customer Service
MoneyGeek scored the best insurance companies in Michigan based on claims and customer satisfaction ratings without considering the cost of a policy.
According to that criteria, the auto insurance providers with the best customer service in Michigan are:
- Hartford: MoneyGeek score of 4.5 out of 5
- Cincinnati Insurance: MoneyGeek score of 4.5 out of 5
The Top 2 Car Insurance Companies in Michigan for Service Quality
1
The Hartford
Score:4.5
Hartford has the highest customer satisfaction score in Michigan: 4.5 out of 5. It is tied second for claims with a score of 4.5 out of 5.
More About The Hartford
Hartford provides full glass coverage to its customers, helping them pay for a car’s headlights, mirrors and windows repairs without any deductible. It also offers gap insurance and accident forgiveness. Hartford has good customer service, which is very important for an auto insurer when you need them in a crisis.
Read MoneyGeek's The Hartford auto Insurance Review2
Cincinnati Insurance
Score:4.5
Cincinnati Insurance is ranked second for customer satisfaction with a score of 4 out of 5 and has the highest claims rating among other companies.
More About Cincinnati Insurance
Cincinnati Insurance offers its customers the option to waive the deductible for glass replacement in case of a covered loss. Insurance providers rarely offer this coverage, and it is usually an add-on. The company also gives an option to add lock replacement coverage and trip interruption insurance to a policy.
Read MoneyGeek's Cincinnati Insurance auto Insurance ReviewBest Car Insurance in Michigan for Drivers on a Budget
MoneyGeek researched cheap car insurance companies in Michigan for people looking to buy an insurance policy with the state’s minimum required liability coverage. The companies have good customer service and affordable prices.
The top auto insurance companies in Michigan for drivers on a budget are:
- Auto-Owners Insurance Co: 4.4 out of 5
- Nationwide: 4.3 out of 5
MoneyGeek’s Pick: Auto-Owners Insurance Co
pros
An affordable car insurance policy at $1,430 per year
Offers bundling and safe driving discounts
Offers a discount if there’s an anti-theft system installed on the car
Claims rating of 4.5 out of 5
User satisfaction rating of 4 out of 5
cons
Does not offer a discount after a defensive driving course
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
With Auto-Owners Insurance Co, you can save money on car insurance premiums if you have a history of safe driving. You can also get a discount if you combine auto with other qualifying policies with the company and by insuring two or more private passenger vehicles on your auto policy.
Auto-Owners Insurance Co offers discounts to individuals who pay their premiums online and have made timely insurance payments for the previous three years.
Best Car Insurance in Michigan for Poor Driving Records
MoneyGeek analyzed the cheapest insurance companies in Michigan for people with poor driving records and scored them based on customer service and auto policy cost.
Based on these scores, the best insurance providers for bad driving records in Michigan are:
Auto-Owners Insurance Co: 4.4 out of 5 Nationwide: 4.2 out of 5
MoneyGeek’s Pick: Auto-Owners Insurance Co
pros
Insurance policy for people with a bad driving record costs $3,098 per year
Provides roadside assistance, rental car or travel reimbursement, new car replacement and gap insurance
User satisfaction rating of 4 out of 5
Claims rating of 4.5 out of 5
cons
Does not offer accident forgiveness, better car replacement, or deductible modification
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Auto-Owners Insurance Co has the best car insurance policy for people with a bad driving record in Michigan at an average cost of $3,098 per year. It has a claims rating of 4.5 out of 5 and a user satisfaction rating of 4 out of 5.
Auto-Owners Insurance Co provides the following type of coverages:
- Roadside assistance: It covers the cost of towing, flat tire replacement, or any other service if your car breaks down on the road.
- Rental car/travel reimbursement: This coverage helps pay for rental car expenses or transportation costs if your car is damaged in an accident.
- New car replacement: It covers the cost of a new car of the same make and model if your brand new car is totaled in an accident.
- Gap insurance: If you owe more on your loan than the depreciated value of the car, and it is totaled in an accident, gap insurance covers the difference.
Best Car Insurance in Michigan for a Military Background
USAA is the best insurance company in Michigan for veterans and people with a military background, according to MoneyGeek’s research. It has a score of 5 out of 5. USAA charges $704 annually for a policy with the state’s minimum required liability coverage and $1,501 per year for military drivers who have a driving record with an at-fault accident.
MoneyGeek’s Pick: USAA
pros
Low full-coverage policy cost of $1,128 annually
Offers an affordable policy for drivers with a bad driving record at $1,501 per year
Offers rideshare insurance and new vehicle discount
MoneyGeek claims and user satisfaction rating of 5 out of 5
cons
Only people with a military background are eligible
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
USAA offers one of the most affordable insurance policies in Michigan and fantastic customer service. The company has a good reputation among its customers.
USAA offers the following coverages and discounts:
- Rideshare gap coverage: It covers the cost of any losses incurred in case of an accident while you’re waiting for a rider.
- Accident forgiveness: You do not get an auto policy surcharge for your first at-fault accident if you do not have an accident on your record in the last five years.
- Car storage discount: You can save up to 60% on insuring a stored car.
- New vehicle discount: You get a discount if your car is three years old or newer.
Best Car Insurance in Michigan for Young Drivers and Students
For young drivers and students, MoneyGeek uncovered the best auto insurance companies in Michigan. These companies were ranked based on the quality of their customer service and policy cost.
The top insurance companies in Michigan for young drivers and students are:
- Progressive: 4.2 out of 5
- GEICO: 4.1 out of 5
MoneyGeek’s Pick: Progressive
pros
Affordable car insurance policy at $3,963 per year
Offers good student and distant student discount
User satisfaction rating of 4 out of 5
cons
Does not offer a driver’s education course discount
Claims rating of 3.5 out of 5
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
While adding a young driver to a full-coverage policy can be very expensive, Progressive does it while balancing good customer service and affordability. It’s important to choose a company with good customer support as you would have to contact them in case of an accident, which may happen with a young driver.
Progressive offers a discount to students with a good academic record. A student more than 100 miles away from home without a car at school also qualifies for a discount.
Best Car Insurance in Michigan for Those With New Cars
MoneyGeek analyzed the best car insurance companies in Michigan and scored them based on new car replacement and better car replacement coverage. With new car replacement coverage, you can get a brand new car of the same make and model if you total your car within a specific timeframe.
If a company offers better car replacement coverage, it pays for the most recent model of the car in case your car is totaled. This is usually an add-on feature; you have to pay more for it.
The top auto insurance company in Michigan for new cars is MetLife, which has a MoneyGeek score of 4.2 out of 5.
MoneyGeek’s Pick: MetLife
pros
Affordable full-coverage car insurance policy at $2,448 per year
Claims rating of 4.5 out of 5
Offers new car replacement
cons
Does not offer better car replacement
User satisfaction rating of 3.5 out of 5
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
MetLife is the best available option for drivers with brand-new cars as it offers new car replacement coverage. With this coverage, you can get a new car if you total your car. It’s a great feature to have since your car loses a lot of value after it leaves the lot.
MetLife’s new car replacement coverage applies for the first 15 months or 15,000 miles of car ownership, whichever comes first.
Best Car Insurance in Michigan for Low-Mileage Drivers
Many of the insurance providers in the United States are using cheap low-mileage programs or a pay-per-mile program. With this program, your car insurance premiums depend on how many miles you drive. In Michigan, Nationwide SmartMiles is the best pay-per-mile car insurance program.
MoneyGeek’s Pick: Nationwide
pros
Affordable for people who don’t drive much
MoneyGeek claims and user satisfaction rating of 4 out of 5
cons
If you’re a frequent driver, this program is very expensive
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
With Nationwide’s SmartMiles program, you pay a base rate and a variable rate, depending on how many miles you drive. If you’re on a road trip, only the first 250 miles count in a day. You can also save up to 10% if you drive safely.
How to Find the Best Car Insurance in Michigan in For You
MoneyGeek’s analysis shows that the best auto insurance company in Michigan provides a balance between cost, customer service and financial stability. If you’re looking for an insurance policy in Michigan, you should consider these factors.
MoneyGeek collected this information for you; however, you can also go through the process yourself.
1
Research Customer Service Reputations in Michigan
You can look up J.D. Power satisfaction scores and NAIC complaint ratios in Michigan for insurance providers that you want to research. Michigan’s Department of Insurance and Financial Services is also a great resource.
2
Compare Quotes for Yourself
MoneyGeek collected average car insurance quotes for a sample driver across many locations in Michigan, but not all of the state. You should always compare quotes from at least three insurance providers to get a good idea of how much insurance costs in your area.
3
Make Sure the Company Has the Coverages You Want in Michigan
Sometimes, insurance providers may advertise certain coverages and discounts which are not available in your location. Always confirm with the company that they offer the coverage or discount you want.
4
Double-Check Financial Stability Ratings
When choosing an insurance company, you should make sure that the company is financially stable. A company with a low financial stability rating may not be able to settle your claims on time.
FAQs About the Best Car Insurance in Michigan
The following frequently asked questions about the top insurance companies in Michigan will help you choose the best insurance company in the state.
Methodology
The information on car insurance costs in Michigan was collected in collaboration with Quadrant Information Services. These costs are for the driver and policy described on MoneyGeek’s methodology page unless noted otherwise.
MoneyGeek calculated scores for customer satisfaction, claims satisfaction and financial strength from industry-leading evaluations by J.D. Power, AM Best and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). The information on coverages and discounts from insurance companies were collected by MoneyGeek from insurer websites or their quote tools.
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