How a Speeding Ticket Impacts Your Insurance in Michigan

Premiums for car insurance in Michigan increase by an average of 26 percent following a speeding ticket, a substantial amount compared to other states. Average insurance costs vary by ZIP code, as well as other demographic information, vehicle information, and the rest of your driving history, so the rates listed below aren’t necessarily what you’ll pay with a ticket on your driving record.

Insurance companies typically look back three years on your record, so you’ll likely see increased rates during that period (though your rate may gradually decrease back to normal over time). You may also lose out on any good driver discounts you had previously. However, there are ways to minimize the cost increases you’ll face.

With a speeding ticket on your record, insurers will likely consider you a high-risk driver and raise your rates. Here’s how to get more affordable insurance from the cheapest car insurance companies in Michigan after a speeding ticket.

1. Take the Basic Driver Improvement Course (BDIC). If you receive a letter in the mail saying you’re eligible, taking a BDIC will prevent the state from adding points to your driving record and even sending the ticket information to your insurance company. Note that you’ll still have to pay the ticket and court costs. You’re eligible for this opportunity only if you have two or fewer points on your record, you were not driving a commercial vehicle, and you meet other requirements. The course itself will cost a maximum of $100 and will take at least four hours of instruction, either online or in person. Find a sponsor at https://dsvsesvc.sos.state.mi.us/TAP/_/.
2. Adjust your coverage. Minimum insurance requirements are extensive compared to other states, which is part of why Michigan car insurance is so expensive. Opting for minimum coverage will lower your bills, though could potentially leave you financially vulnerable in the event of an accident. You can also choose to increase your comprehensive/collision deductible as a middle ground. Below are the minimum coverages and limits.¹
   • Bodily injury liability coverage: $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
   • Property damage liability coverage: $1 million for accidents that occur within Michigan or $10,000 for accidents that occur outside of Michigan
   • Personal injury protection (PIP): All necessary expenses covered, including medical expenses, lost wages, and $20 per day in replacement services, in some cases
3. Opt out of PIP. Senior drivers in Michigan can opt out of personal injury protection (PIP) and save money if they have a named insured under Medicare Parts A or B, or any household members under Medicare Part C, another Michigan insurance policy, or any other qualifying health insurance.² Medicare can apply to auto accident injuries in place of PIP, ensuring you’re not paying twice for the same coverage for policies issued or renewed after July 1, 2020.
4. Join the high-risk pool. If you’ve looked everywhere and are having trouble finding high-risk car insurance in Michigan, you can join the Michigan Automobile Insurance Placement Facility as a last resort. This is more common if you have serious violations on your record in addition to a speeding ticket, like a DUI. Find an agent via https://difs.state.mi.us/locators?searchtype=InsAgent.³

In addition to higher insurance premiums, speeding in Michigan can result in a fine and points on your driver’s license.

State Penalties

The state sets the potential minimum points on your driving record and fines for speeding in its Vehicle Code.⁴ Court costs range from $29 to $44 in addition to your fine.⁵

If you’re issued a citation for speeding in Michigan, you can either plead guilty and pay the ticket, or plead not guilty and contest the ticket.

Pay the Ticket

The easiest way to pay the ticket is online at https://e.courts.michigan.gov/eTix/servlet/EtixMainServlet?Command=Search&type=TicketSearch. However, your ticket should have instructions on it with other payment options if desired.

Contest the Ticket

Contesting a ticket looks different based on where the violation occurred. For example, in Lansing, you’ll request a formal or informal hearing (attorneys are allowed at formal hearings only). If you’re found responsible, you’ll have to pay the judgment. However, you can appeal the decision within 14 days. But keep in mind that even if you appeal, you’ll have to post a bond equal to the amount of the judgment, which will be returned to you only if the decision is overturned.⁹

Given that civil infractions in Michigan come with fines only, it will probably be easier to simply pay the ticket rather than contest it and possibly go through the appeals process, especially if you have to hire a lawyer.

Besides speeding, other traffic violations that add points to your driving record and make your insurance more expensive in Michigan include the following: 

• Careless driving
• Disobeying a school crossing guard, traffic signal, or stop sign
• Drag racing
• Failing to stop and give identification at the scene of a crash, also known as a hit-and-run
• Failure to stop at a railroad crossing or school bus 
• Failure to yield, causing death or injury to an emergency responder, construction worker, or person operating implements of animal husbandry
• Failure to yield or show due caution for emergency vehicles
• Fleeing or eluding a police officer
• Having a blood alcohol content level over 0.00 percent if you are under the age of 21
• Impaired driving, otherwise known as driving under the influence (DUI)
• Improper passing
• Manslaughter, negligent homicide, or other felony involving the use of a motor vehicle
• Any moving violation that causes injury or death
• Having an open alcohol container in a vehicle
• Operating while intoxicated or with any presence of a Schedule 1 drug or cocaine
• Reckless driving
• Refusal of breath test by anyone under 21
• Refusal to take a chemical alcohol test

In Michigan, a speeding ticket will increase your insurance rates by an average of 26 percent. If you have two or fewer points on your record, you can take a Basic Driver Improvement Course and avoid insurance rate increases (you’ll still have to pay the ticket and any court costs). Auto-Owners, Progressive, Farm Bureau, and USAA are some of our top picks for the best auto insurance in Michigan after a speeding ticket. Compare quotes from several companies to find the cheapest rates.