Michigan car insurance: minimums, SR-22 rules and costs

Last updated: November 12, 2026

Michigan policies come with bodily injury liability limits of $250,000 per person and $500,000 per accident unless you choose lower limits (as low as $50,000/$100,000) in writing. You also need $10,000 of property damage liability and personal injury protection (PIP). In 2023, insured drivers in Michigan spent an average of $1,443.45 on car insurance, 13% above the national average of $1,281.60, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). That makes Michigan the 12th most expensive of the 50 states and D.C. by that measure.

Minimum car insurance required in Michigan

Coverage	Minimum
Bodily injury liability, per person	$250,000 by default, or $50,000 if you choose lower limits in writing
Bodily injury liability, per accident	$500,000 by default, or $100,000 if you choose lower limits in writing
Property damage liability, per accident	$10,000
Personal injury protection (PIP)	Required (you choose the PIP medical level)

Michigan's default limits are 250/500/10. You can choose lower limits of 50/100/10, but only with written consent.

Michigan drivers pick a PIP medical coverage level: unlimited, up to $500,000, up to $250,000 (with or without exclusions for people who have qualifying health coverage), up to $50,000 for some Medicaid enrollees, or an opt-out for people with Medicare Parts A and B. If you don't choose, you get unlimited PIP medical coverage by default.

Is Michigan a no-fault state?

Yes. Michigan is one of 12 states with a no-fault auto insurance law, according to the Insurance Information Institute. Your own personal injury protection pays your medical bills after a crash, whoever caused it. You can only sue the other driver for pain and suffering once your injuries pass a verbal (descriptive) threshold.

SR-22 rules in Michigan

Under Michigan's Vehicle Code (MCL 257.518), you can give proof of financial responsibility by having an authorized insurer file a certificate with the Secretary of State showing you have a liability policy in force. Any vehicle registered to someone who has to file proof must be listed on that certificate.

The statute doesn't call it an SR-22, and the Secretary of State decides when proof is required. Ask the Secretary of State how long yours must stay on file.

What drives car insurance costs in Michigan

Average spending in Michigan fell 4% from 2019 to 2023, compared with 19% nationwide. Here's average annual spending per insured vehicle, from the NAIC:

Year	Michigan average	U.S. average
2019	$1,498.59	$1,075.08
2020	$1,420.58	$1,047.76
2021	$1,341.78	$1,060.23
2022	$1,339.53	$1,124.45
2023	$1,443.45	$1,281.60

The NAIC's "average expenditure" is total written premium divided by insured vehicles. It isn't a quote, and your own price depends on your driver profile and the coverage you choose.

Uninsured drivers. An estimated 22.3% of drivers in Michigan were uninsured in 2023, higher than the national estimate of 15.4%. That's the 4th highest rate among the 50 states and D.C. When more drivers are uninsured, insured drivers' own uninsured motorist coverage pays more claims, which pushes up its price.
Crash deaths. Michigan recorded 1,098 motor vehicle crash deaths in 2024, or 1.10 per 100 million miles driven, lower than the U.S. rate of 1.19 (the 20th lowest of the 50 states and D.C.). Severe crashes drive up bodily injury claim costs.
Where and how crashes happen. In 2024, 41% of Michigan's crash deaths happened in rural areas (U.S.: 41%), 25% involved speeding (U.S.: 29%), and 14% of those killed were pedestrians (U.S.: 18%).
No-fault rules. Mandatory PIP means every policy pays for its own driver's medical costs, which shapes what you pay for that part of the policy.

Ways to save on car insurance in Michigan

Compare at least three quotes. Insurers weigh the same facts differently, so prices for the same driver in Michigan can vary widely. More ways to lower your bill.
Don't drop uninsured motorist coverage to save money. With roughly 1 in 4 drivers in Michigan uninsured, it's what pays your injury bills if one of them hits you. How UM coverage works.
Shop at renewal. Even where prices rise more slowly, your own renewal can jump after a claim, a move or a new car. When to compare.
Review your PIP options. In a no-fault state, PIP is a big part of the bill. Ask how different PIP limits, deductibles or coordination with your health insurance change the price.
Pick a deductible you can actually pay. Raising it lowers your premium, but only if you could cover it after a claim. How deductibles work.
Choose your PIP medical level on purpose. Lower PIP medical levels, or an exclusion if your health plan covers auto injuries, can lower your premium. If you opt out, the people excluded have no PIP medical coverage under the policy.
Ask about discounts. Common ones include safe driver, multi-car, bundling, paying in full, good student and usage-based programs. They're not always applied automatically.

See other states in our car insurance guides by state.

Sources

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DriveCheaper may be paid by companies shown on this site. How we make money. This page is general information, not insurance or legal advice. Laws and prices change, so confirm details with your insurer or your state's insurance department or DMV.