How A Speeding Ticket Impacts Your Insurance In Michigan
Your insurance premium will increase by about 20% after a speeding ticket in Michigan. However, each city in Michigan will have different policies to determine how you much you’ll owe for a speeding ticket.
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According to the Michigan Department of Transportation, in 2023, over 1,090 people lost their lives on Michigan’s roads, and around 40,990 died in traffic accidents across the U.S. With speed-related accidents increasing, police in Michigan are increasing their enforcement efforts this year.
With 9 years as a licensed insurance agent, I’ve assisted many drivers in finding auto insurance to manage the effects of a speeding ticket. There are ways to get affordable coverage even after receiving a ticket. Let me explain how a speeding ticket can impact your car insurance in Michigan.
Key Takeaways
In 2022, Michigan saw 26,700 crashes linked to speeding, marking an 8.7 percent rise from the 24,555 speed-related accidents in 2021.
After getting a speeding ticket, you might see an increase of $554 a year in your Michigan car insurance. Most of the serious speeding crashes happened when the roads were snowy.
In Michigan, speeding is considered a civil infraction, which means if you get a ticket, you’ll get a fine. You won’t go to jail or be required to do community service, but a major consequence is that your insurance costs will go up.
Do Speeding Tickets Affect Insurance In Michigan?
Average insurance costs can differ by ZIP code, as well as other factors like your demographics, vehicle details, and driving history.
Michigan drivers with clean driving records pay about $2,899 a year for full coverage and $929 a year for minimum coverage. After getting a speeding ticket, these drivers might see their costs go up by between 23% and 21%.
How A Speeding Ticket Impacts Your Insurance In Michigan
A good driving record can help lower your insurance rates. However, just one mistake, such as a speeding ticket, can increase your car insurance costs. The rise in rates can be significant, depending on the insurance company.
Here are some examples of how one speeding ticket can impact your insurance rates and how various companies may react.
| Provider | Clean Record | Speeding Ticket | Increase |
| Auto-Owners | $2,105 | $2,399 | 13% |
| Farmers | $4,395 | $5,832 | 30% |
| GEICO | $1,320 | $2,985 | 120% |
| State Farm | $4,315 | $5,276 | 20% |
| Nationwide | $3,174 | $3,596 | 11% |
After getting a speeding ticket, you can compare insurance quotes. Looking around can help you find the best rate from different insurers.
WHEN YOU KNOW YOU KNOW: Over 70% of Michigan drivers have reported feeling unsafe due to speeding vehicles on the roads, despite most being aware of the dangers.
How To Lower Your Premiums After A Ticket
Receiving a speeding ticket in Michigan will increase your insurance rates. However, there are steps you can take to lower your car insurance costs even after getting a ticket. Here’s how to find affordable car insurance in Michigan.
Get Minimum Coverage
Minimum coverage can be a good option to lower your premium in Michigan after a speeding ticket because it typically has lower costs compared to full coverage. This means you’ll pay less each month, making it easier on your budget.
Michigan’s minimum coverage is the most affordable option, though it’s still quite expensive compared to other states. It includes:
- Bodily injury liability coverage of $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident.
- Property damage liability coverage of $1m for accidents.
Defensive Driving Courses
Taking a defensive driving course after receiving a speeding ticket can be a great way to improve your driving skills and potentially lower your insurance rates. These courses teach safe driving techniques and strategies to help you avoid future traffic violations. Many insurance companies offer discounts for completing such courses, which can offset the increased costs from your ticket.
Opt Out Of PIP
Senior drivers in Michigan can choose to opt out of personal injury protection (PIP) to save money if they have someone named on their policy with Medicare Parts A or B, or if any household members are covered by Medicare Part C.
Shop Around
Shopping around for car insurance is an important step in finding the best coverage at the best price. By comparing quotes from different insurance companies, you can see how rates vary and identify potential savings. Each insurer has different criteria for pricing, so what might be expensive with one company could be more affordable with another.
TIME INFRACTIONS: In Michigan, if you accumulate 12 points on your driving record within two years, you will need to undergo a driver assessment reexamination and pay a $125 fee to have your license reinstated.
Does A First-Time Speeding Ticket Affect Insurance?
A first-time speeding ticket can affect your insurance in Michigan. Insurance companies often increase premiums after a speeding ticket, as it suggests a higher risk of future incidents.
While the exact increase can vary based on your insurance provider and your overall driving record, it’s common for rates to go up. It’s important to check with your insurer to understand how a speeding ticket might impact your specific situation.
CONSEQUENCES: In Michigan, speeds of 1 to 5 MPH over the limit are considered civil infractions, while speeds of 6 to 10 MPH over are Class C misdemeanors. Speeds between 11 to 15 MPH over the limit are Class B misdemeanors, and speeds of 26 MPH or more over the limit, as well as reckless driving, are classified as Class A misdemeanors.
How To Find Affordable Insurance After A Speeding Ticket
Speeding tickets can result in higher insurance rates, so it's important to look at your options closely. Here’s how to find affordable car insurance in Michigan.
Basic Driver Improvement Course
Completing a Basic Driver Improvement Course can stop the state from adding points to your driving record and from sharing the ticket information with your insurance company. However, you will still need to pay the ticket and any court fees.
Get Quotes From Other Car Insurance Companies
Getting quotes from different car insurance companies in Michigan is a smart way to find the best deal. Each company has its own way of setting rates, so comparing quotes can show you big differences in prices. Start by knowing what coverage you currently have and what you need. Then, contact several companies to ask for quotes, either online or by phone.
Pay attention to the coverage options and any discounts they offer, as some may fit your needs better than others. For example, in Michigan, Nationwide is known for having the lowest increase in premiums after a speeding ticket (11%).
Look For Discounts
When searching for car insurance, it’s important to look for discounts that can help you save money. Many insurance companies offer various discounts, such as for safe driving, being a good student, or bundling multiple policies like home and auto insurance. Some companies even provide discounts for completing a defensive driving course.
What To Do After Getting A Speeding Ticket
When you receive a speeding ticket, you have two choices: you can pay the fine and accept the penalties, or you can contest the ticket.
Paying The Ticket
The best way to pay the ticket is doing it online on this website. Here, you’ll find all the instructions along with the payment options.
Contesting The Ticket
If you believe the speeding ticket was unfair, you can hire a lawyer who specializes in traffic law to help you fight it. However, it’s important to consider the costs of hiring a lawyer and going to court compared to the ticket fine and any increase in your insurance rates.
You can contest the ticket. If you are found responsible, you will need to pay the judgment. However, you can appeal the decision within 14 days. Remember that if you choose to appeal, you’ll need to pay a bond equal to the judgment amount, which will be refunded only if the ruling is changed.
How Long Does A Speeding Ticket Stay On My Record In Michigan?
In Michigan, a speeding ticket typically stays on your driving record for 3 years from the date of the violation. However, the points associated with the ticket may remain on your record for 2 years.
How Much Is A Ticket In Michigan?
In Michigan, the fines for speeding tickets can vary depending on several factors, including where the offense happened and how fast you were driving.
| Fine by MPH over limit | Posted Limit | School Zone | Construction Zone |
| 1 to 5 | $10 | $143 | $147 |
| 6 to 9 | $20 | $164 | $167 |
| 10 to 14 | $30 | $176 | $180 |
| 15 to 19 | $40 | $196 | $191 |
| 20 to 29 | $50 | $210 | $215 |
| 30 plus | $50 | $230 | $233 |
Driving more than thirty miles per hour over the speed limit is considered reckless driving. This kind of behavior is treated more seriously than other violations because it shows a lack of respect for traffic laws and endangers others on the road.
Penalties For Speeding
In Michigan, if you speed, you’ll only face a fine and points on your driver’s license, along with higher insurance rates. You won’t have to worry about jail time, community service, or other harsh penalties.
Point System
Every speeding ticket in Michigan adds points to your driver’s license. A standard speeding ticket usually results in 2 points, but the number can vary based on how fast you were going and what the police officer decides.
For example, if you go 1 to 5 mph over the speed limit, it typically adds one point, while going 16 to 25 mph over can lead to four points. If you accumulate 12 points within two years, you’ll need to take a driver assessment test and pay a $125 fee to have your license reinstated.
It is important to note that state fines are minimums, so actual fines for speeding in various municipalities may be much more expensive.
DANGEROUS FACTOR: In Michigan, speeding was a factor in 27% of all traffic fatalities in 2022, according to state data from the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning.
FAQs
What is the cheapest car insurance after a speeding ticket?
The cheapest car insurance after a speeding ticket varies by insurer and your individual circumstances. Additionally, consider looking for companies known for competitive rates, such as Geico, State Farm, or Progressive. Be sure to ask about any available discounts and coverage options to find the most affordable policy that meets your needs.
Our research indicates that Nationwide may raise rates by just 11 percent after a speeding ticket, which is lowest as compared to other insurance rates that we found.
How do I get a speeding ticket off my insurance?
To potentially get a speeding ticket off your insurance in Michigan, you can complete a defensive driving course, which some insurers may recognize and offer discounts for. You should also contact your insurance company to see if they can remove the ticket after a certain period, especially if you maintain a clean driving record.
In Michigan, points from a speeding ticket typically stay on your record for two years, so waiting for them to expire can also help lower your rates over time. Additionally, consider shopping around for quotes from different insurers, as some may have more lenient policies regarding speeding tickets.
Will my insurance company find out about my speeding ticket immediately?
Your insurance company will likely find out about your speeding ticket fairly quickly. In Michigan, traffic violations are reported to the state, and that information can be shared with insurance companies during their regular updates. However, it might take a little time for them to process the information and adjust your rates.
Sources
⇅- Michigan Department Of Transportation – Traffic and safety
- Michigan Auto Law – Michigan School Zone Speed Limit Laws: What You Need To Know
- My Improv – How much is a speeding ticket in Michigan
