Car Insurance in Detroit


Key Takeaways
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Travelers offers the cheapest car insurance in Detroit. GEICO, Auto Owners, Progressive and Allstate also provide coverage in the city.

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Car insurance in Detroit costs an average of $1,671 per year for minimum coverage and $3,470 per year for full coverage.

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Travelers also offers the cheapest car insurance in Michigan at $301 per year for minimum coverage and $945 per year for full coverage.

Who Has the Cheapest Car Insurance in Detroit?

Adult drivers with Travelers pay Detroit's cheapest rates at $692 annually for minimum coverage. Young drivers with GEICO pay $1,614 per year, 133% more than clean-record adults with Travelers.

Senior drivers from Auto Owners pay $1,650 annually, 138% more than adults with Travelers. Drivers with a DUI from Progressive pay $1,733 per year, 151% more than clean-record adults with Travelers.

Detroit's notoriously high insurance costs make finding the right carrier absolutely critical for managing expenses.

Adult DriversGeico$83
Young DriversGeico$134
Senior DriversProgressive$138
Drivers With An AccidentAuto Owners$117
Drivers With Bad CreditGeico$141
Drivers With Newer CarsGeico$110
Drivers With A DUIProgressive$144
Drivers With A Speeding TicketAuto Owners$132
Drivers With Old CarsGeico$88
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Cheapest Detroit Car Insurance by Company

Travelers offers Detroit's lowest car insurance rates at $692 annually for minimum coverage and $2,160 for full coverage, 59% below the city average of $1,671. GEICO and Auto-Owners charge $991 and $1,406 per year for minimum coverage.

Prices vary widely between insurers, so compare quotes from multiple companies. Detroit drivers pay some of the highest insurance rates in the country, making comparison shopping essential for savings.

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

Cheapest Detroit Car Insurance by Age

Young drivers pay $1,614 annually with GEICO for minimum coverage, the highest rate among age groups. Adult drivers get better rates at $692 per year from Travelers.

Senior drivers pay $1,650 annually with Auto-Owners, about 138% more than adults with Travelers. Different insurers offer the best rates depending on your age, so compare quotes for your demographic.

Data filtered by:
Adult Drivers
Travelers$58$692
Geico$83$991
Auto Owners$104$1,253
Allstate$113$1,361
AAA$116$1,397

Cheapest Detroit Car Insurance by Driving Record

At-fault accidents produce substantial rates at $1,406 per year with Auto Owners. Speeding tickets result in steep penalties at $1,252 with Travelers.

DUIs create the highest rate increases at $1,733 annually with Progressive, adding over $1,000 to yearly costs compared to clean-record rates with Travelers. After any violation, comparing quotes becomes critical.

Detroit's high violation penalties compound the already expensive baseline rates in this challenging market.

Data filtered by:
At Fault Accident ($1000-$1999 Prop Dmg)
Auto Owners$117$1,406
Travelers$154$1,842
AAA$157$1,888
Allstate$165$1,984
Frankenmuth Insurance$171$2,056

Best Car Insurance Companies in Detroit

Travelers ranks among the best insurers in Detroit, earning a MoneyGeek score of 95 out of 100. It offers affordable rates, dependable coverage, and great customer satisfaction, along with one of the lowest complaint rates in the state. It’s a solid choice for drivers who want reliable protection without high costs.

AAA also offers good prices, excellent service, and member perks like roadside assistance. It’s a great fit for drivers who value strong claims support and personal attention.

Travelers95225
Auto-Owners93316
Progressive89432
GEICO89187
Allstate83594
Travelers

Travelers: Best Overall Value

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  • Great customer service ratings

  • Lower-than-average rates in Detroit

  • Several coverage options available

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  • Fewer add-on coverages

  • Limited digital tools compared to competitors

COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

Travelers is a top choice for Detroit drivers thanks to its low rates and reliable service. Its prices are well below the city average, which makes it appealing for anyone looking to save money without cutting back on coverage. 

Customers also appreciate the smooth claims process and responsive support team. The only drawback is that it doesn’t offer as many add-ons as some competitors.

Auto-Owners

Auto-Owners: Best Customer Service

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  • Excellent customer satisfaction

  • Strong claims support

  • Great coverage for accident-prone drivers

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  • Rates are slightly higher than average

  • Limited online tools and features

COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

Auto-Owners is among Detroit’s top car insurance providers, known for its great customer service and dependable claims support. It’s a solid choice for drivers with past accidents or speeding tickets since its rates stay reasonable in those cases. 

The company’s local agents offer personal, hands-on help that many customers appreciate. Rates are a bit higher than some competitors, but many drivers say the service makes up for it.

How Much Is Car Insurance in Detroit?

Car insurance in Detroit costs an average of $1,671 per year for minimum coverage and $3,470 per year for full coverage. These rates far exceed the Michigan state average of $623 for minimum coverage.

Auto Owners offers rates below the city average at $1,406 for minimum coverage. Detroit drivers face some of the nation's highest insurance premiums, making thorough comparison shopping absolutely essential.

Full Coverage$289$3,470
Minimum Coverage$139$1,671

Detroit Car Insurance Costs by ZIP Code

In Detroit, car insurance rates by ZIP code range from $96 to $363 per month. ZIP code 48207 is the most expensive, while 48242 is the cheapest. Check the average rates for your ZIP code on the table below.

Data filtered by:
48201
48201$141$296

How to Get the Best Cheap Detroit Car Insurance

Detroit drivers pay some of the highest car insurance rates in the country. This guide shows you how to lower your costs while maintaining the coverage you need.

  1. 1
    Know your coverage requirements

    Figure out what kind of coverage makes sense for you as a Detroit driver. Use our car insurance coverage needs calculator to estimate the right level of protection based on your vehicle’s value and personal assets. 

    It also helps to consider your car’s age, driving habits, and how much risk you’re comfortable taking.

  2. 2
    Explore alternative insurance options

    Check out different types of car insurance that might help you save. If you don’t drive often, pay-per-mile coverage could be a better fit. Don’t own a car? A non-owner policy may give you the protection you need.

  3. 3
    Check average rates in your area

    Look into the average car insurance costs in your area. Knowing what drivers in your neighborhood typically pay helps you spot good deals and avoid overpaying.

  4. 4
    Stack up available discounts

    Maximize your savings with car insurance discount opportunities. You can bundle multiple policies or get multi-car discounts for extra savings. Safe driver programs and security features may also help lower your rates.

  5. 5
    Research insurance company ratings

    Before choosing an insurer, check customer reviews and financial strength ratings. Go with companies that have solid reputations for fair claims handling and helpful customer service.

  6. 6
    Get quotes from multiple providers

    Reach out to at least three insurers for quotes. You can use a mix of local agents, company websites or online comparison tools. Make sure each quote includes the same coverage limits and deductibles so you can compare accurately.

  7. 7
    Review your policy annually

    Mark your calendar to review your policy every year. Life changes such as better credit, a clean driving record or a new car can lead to lower rates. Because some insurers raise prices over time, comparing options regularly can help you save money.

Cheapest Car Insurance in Detroit: Bottom Line

Car insurance rates in Detroit vary based on your age, driving record and credit score. While GEICO and Travelers offer the lowest average premiums, compare quotes from multiple providers to find your best rate.

Cheap Detroit Car Insurance: FAQ

This FAQ offers straightforward answers about getting affordable car insurance in Detroit, with no confusing jargon or sales talk.

What is the cheapest car insurance company in Detroit, Michigan?

Who offers the best car insurance in Detroit?

What is the average cost of car insurance in Detroit?

Is car insurance in Detroit expensive?

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

To help Detroit drivers find the most affordable auto insurance companies, MoneyGeek analyzed auto insurance rates based on data and information from the Department of Insurance and Financial Services  and Quadrant Information Services. We studied all ZIP codes in the city and hundreds of thousands of quotes for 12 companies offering auto insurance in Michigan to tailor options as closely as possible to you.

Detroit Driver Profile

MoneyGeek created a sample driver profile to calculate car insurance quote averages with the following characteristics:

  • 40-year-old male
  • 2012 Toyota Camry LE
  • Clean driving record
  • Drives 12,000 miles per year
  • Good credit
  • Valid driver’s license
  • Currently insured
  • No claims history

We adjusted some factors like age, driving record, credit score and military status to identify the best insurance companies for different types of drivers.

Coverage Levels in Detroit

MoneyGeek compared the most affordable insurers for both minimum and full coverage auto policies.

The minimum coverage requirements in Michigan are:

  • $30,000 bodily injury liability per person
  • $60,000 bodily injury liability per accident
  • $25,000 property damage liability per accident

For a full coverage policy, we used the following coverage limits:

  • $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
  • $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
  • $100,000 property damage liability per accident
  • Comprehensive and collision insurance, each with a $1,000 deductible

Our Best Company Rating Methodology

We rated all insurers using the following criteria and scoring scale:

  • Affordability (60% of score): To get this score, we evaluated quotes for various common driver profiles and compared rates to the competition within the city.
  • Customer experience (30% of score): We used sources such as agency reviews on Google, J.D. Power, AM Best and forums like Reddit to gauge customer sentiment and experiences across the board.
  • Coverage options (10% of score): This score considers the number of coverage options a provider offers and the uniqueness of the offering and benefits.

About Mark Fitzpatrick


Mark Fitzpatrick headshot

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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