Speeding Ticket Impact on Insurance in Michigan

Premiums for car insurance in Michigan increase by an average of 52 percent following a speeding ticket, a substantial amount compared to other states. Of course, 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.

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 a defensive driving course. You may be able to get lower auto insurance rates by taking a defensive driving course with some insurance providers. Ask your agent what discounts are available.
2. 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. You’ll still have to pay the ticket and court costs, however. 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/_/.
3. Get minimum coverage. Michigan’s minimum coverage is the cheapest option, although it’s still pretty extensive compared to other states and is one of the reasons why Michigan car insurance is so expensive. Below are the minimum coverages and limits.
   • 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
4. 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.
5. 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. Find an agent via https://difs.state.mi.us/locators?searchtype=InsAgent.³

The good news is that, besides higher insurance premiums, speeding in Michigan will land you only a fine and points on your driver’s license — not imprisonment, community service, or other, more severe penalties.

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. Your ticket should have instructions on it with other payment options, however.

Contest the Ticket

Contesting a ticket looks different based on where the violation occurred. 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

Finding the best auto insurance in Michigan is certainly harder with a bad driving record, especially since the state doesn’t allow companies to base rates on credit score, marital status, or gender. That means that driving history is more influential when determining your premium, and you won’t benefit from having good credit, being married, or being female, as you may in other states.

However, a speeding ticket won’t stay on your record forever, so in the meantime, try not to incur any additional traffic violations to keep your rates low and your wallet full.