Michigan Car Insurance with a DUI

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Ross Martin

Insurance Writer

Credentials
  • 5+ years in the Insurance Industry

Ross joined The Zebra as a writer and researcher in 2019. He specializes in writing insurance content to help shoppers make informed decisions.

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If you get a DUI in Michigan, your auto insurance is going to get more expensive — it's just a matter of by how much.


How will a DUI alter car insurance premiums in Michigan?


In Michigan, a DUI can lift your annual auto insurance cost by an average of $6,063. That’s 82% more than the nationwide average rate jump after a DUI.


AUTO INSURANCE WITH A DUI IN MICHIGAN — AVERAGE ANNUAL COST
Location Avg. Annual Rate — no DUI Avg. Annual Rate — with DUI Avg. Increase After DUI
Michigan $3,096 $9,159 +196%
United States $1,548 $2,556 +65%

Purchasing car insurance in Michigan after a DUI conviction


Purchasing cheap auto coverage after a DUI conviction isn’t straightforward. In fact, a DUI typically brings about a bigger cost increase than any other driving transgression — more than reckless driving, racing, or an at-fault accident. Michigan is an exceedingly unfortunate state in which to perpetrate a DUI: its insurance rate hikes are among America's harshest.


Affordable car insurance with a DUI in Michigan

If you’re convicted of a DWI or DUI offense in Michigan, it’s crucial to examine all possible insurance choices carefully. Car insurance rates following a DUI can vary widely depending on the company. For instance, the cheapest car insurance company with a DUI in Michigan, Progressive, provides yearly prices 72% better than the state average insurance premium after a DUI. The second-cheapest company for car insurance after a DUI in Michigan is State Farm, while the most expensive company is Allstate, with premiums 258% more than average.


CAR INSURANCE PREMIUMS AFTER A DUI IN MICHIGAN — BY PROVIDER
Insurance Company Avg. Annual Rate — After DUI
Progressive $2,558
State Farm $6,624
AAA $6,950
The Hanover $7,922

There is no car insurance company in particular that sells inexpensive DUI auto insurance. The best way to limit your losses post-DUI citation is to assess multiple insurers.

Compare auto insurance quotes online or reach out to an insurance agent to weigh the choices and find a sensible option.

Learn more about car insurance and DUI infractions.

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Michigan DUI laws

Michigan considers a driver to be operating while intoxicated — or OWI — when their blood alcohol concentration measures 0.08% or higher. Commercial drivers are OWI if their BAC reads 0.04% or higher.

As a zero-tolerance state, it's not allowed for those under the legal drinking age of 21 to drink and drive. Those whose BAC reads 0.02% or higher will be arrested.

Michigan also applies penalties to those who appear to be intoxicated, or operating while visibly impaired (OWVI). OWVI charges are based upon officers' observations of an alleged offender's inability to drive.


OWI laws and penalties in Michigan

First-time OWI offenses in Michigan lead to:

  • Up to 93 days in jail
  • $100 to $500 in fines
  • $1,000 Driver Responsibility Fee
  • License suspension for 30 days
  • Possible requirement to perform 360 hours of community service
  • Possible vehicle immobilization
  • Possible requirement to install and use an ignition interlock device
  • Six points added to driving record

A second OWI conviction within seven years leads to harsher penalties, such as:

  • Five days to one year in jail
  • $200 to $1,000 in fines
  • $1,000 Driver Responsibility Fee
  • License revocation for one year (or a five year minimum if license was revoked in the prior seven years)
  • Possible requirement to perform 30 to 90 days of community service
  • License plate confiscation
  • Vehicle immobilization for 90 to 180 days, unless forfeited
  • Possible vehicle forfeiture
  • Six points added to driving record

The third OWI conviction in Michigan within a lifetime is a felony and results in:

  • 30 days to one year in jail (with probation) or one to five years in prison
  • $500 to $5,000 in fines
  • $1,000 Driver Responsibility Fee
  • License revocation and denial for a minimum of one year
  • 60 to 180 days of community service
  • Vehicle immobilization for one to three years, unless forfeited
  • Possible vehicle forfeiture
  • Denial of vehicle registration
  • Six points added to driving record

In addition, there are harsher penalties for an OWI offense in Michigan where the offender's BAC reads 0.17% or higher. Penalties for an OWI with a high blood alcohol content are:

  • Up to 180 days in jail
  • $200 to $700 in fines
  • $1,000 Driver Responsibility Fee
  • License suspension for one year
  • Up to 360 hours of community service
  • Possible requirement to install an interlock ignition device
  • Possible license plate confiscation if IID is not used
  • Mandatory vehicle immobilization if IID is not used but vehicle is still operated
  • Six points added to driving record

OWVI penalties in Michigan

First-time OWVI offenses in Michigan lead to:

  • Up to 93 days in jail
  • Up to $300 in fines
  • $500 Driver Responsibility Fee
  • License suspension for 90 days
  • Possible requirement to perform 360 hours of community service
  • Possible vehicle immobilization
  • Four points added to driving record

A second OWVI conviction within seven years leads to harsher penalties, such as:

  • Five days to one year in jail
  • $200 to $1,000 in fines
  • $500 Driver Responsibility Fee
  • License revocation and denial for a minimum of one year (or a minimum of five if offender has a prior conviction within the last seven years)
  • License plate confiscation
  • Vehicle immobilization for 90 to 180 days, unless forfeited
  • Possible vehicle forfeiture
  • Four points added to driving record

The third OWI conviction in Michigan within a lifetime is a felony and results in:

  • 30 days to one year in jail (with probation) or one to five years in prison
  • $500 to $5,000 in fines
  • $500 Driver Responsibility Fee
  • License revocation and denial for a minimum of one year
  • 60 to 180 days of community service
  • Vehicle immobilization for one to three years, unless forfeited
  • Possible vehicle forfeiture
  • Denial of vehicle registration
  • Four points added to driving record

In Michigan, OWI or OWVI offenses that lead to injury or death or driving on a suspended or revoked license significantly increase penalties.


OWI penalties for underage drinkers in Michigan

Drivers under 21 years old charged with OWI in Michigan are subject to harsh penalties.

For a first-time underage OWI, offenders will:

  • Owe up to $250 in fines
  • Owe a Driver Responsibility Fee of $500
  • May be required to perform 360 hours of community service
  • Receive a restricted license for 30 days
  • Receive four points on their driving record

A second underage OWI offense leads to:

  • Up to 93 days in jail
  • Up to $500 in fines
  • $500 Driver Responsibility Fee
  • Up to 60 days of community service
  • License suspension for 90 days, or up to a minimum one-year revocation and denial if a previous OWI conviction exists
  • Four points added to driving record

Sources and references:

https://www.michigan.gov