Getting a DUI in Michigan can result in serious consequences. Convicted drivers may face legal penalties and fines, as well as expensive car insurance premiums. In fact, Bankrate’s analysis of data from Quadrant Information Services found that the cost of car insurance increases by an average of 156 percent for drivers who are convicted of a DUI in Michigan. And in some instances, insurance coverage could be denied altogether.
DUIs in Michigan
Michigan laws and penalties for driving under the influence can vary based on the situation and driver’s age. Bankrate’s insurance editorial team explains how the state defines driving under the influence (DUI) and the penalties you might face if you’re caught doing so.
DUI laws in Michigan
It is a crime in Michigan to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or higher if you’re of legal drinking age. For drivers under the age of 21, the legal limit is lower, at just 0.02. Penalties become more severe if the driver’s BAC is 0.17 or higher.
Note that drivers can be arrested regardless of BAC if a police officer finds signs of driving impairment. Michigan also treats driving with a Schedule 1 controlled substance as a DUI — unless the driver has a valid medical marijuana card and is only found with marijuana in their system.
DUI penalties in Michigan
There are different criminal penalties for drunk driving convictions in Michigan. Penalties for a first-offense driver with a BAC of under 0.17 include:
- Jail time of up to 93 days
- Community service of up to 360 hours
- Fines of up to $500
- 180-day license suspension
- Six points added to your driving record
For a first offense with a BAC of 0.17 or higher, with no prior DUI convictions in the last seven years, penalties may include:
- Jail time of up to 180 days
- Community service of up to 360 hours
- Fines of up to $700
- Possible one-year license suspension
- Six points added to your driving record
- Mandatory alcohol treatment program
- Installation of an ignition interlock device
In contrast, if a driver causes an accident where alcohol was a factor and someone was killed, they will face possible prison time of 15 years, fines up to $10,000 and mandatory vehicle immobilization.
Further, Michigan DUI laws require you to have SR-22 insurance if your license is suspended or revoked after a DUI conviction. An SR-22 indicates you are meeting your state’s minimum car insurance requirements. Not all insurers offer SR-22s, and if yours does not, you will need to switch to a company that does provide this service. Drivers needing SR-22s must maintain these documents for three years in Michigan.
DUI penalties for underage drinkers in Michigan
Drivers under the age of 21 found with a BAC of 0.02 or greater, can be charged with a DUI. If it’s your first offense, you might face these penalties:
- 30-day restricted driver’s license
- Fines up to $250
- Community service
- 4 points added to your license
- $125 license reinstatement fee
- $500 Driver Responsibility payment for two years
If it’s your second offense as an underage drinker, the penalties become more severe:
- 90-day restricted driver’s license
- Fines up to $500
- Community service
- $125 license reinstatement fee
- $500 Driver Responsibility payment for two years
- Up to 93 days in jail
- Substantial insurance premium increase or cancellation
How does a DUI affect car insurance in Michigan?
Michigan’s average car insurance rates are already higher than the national average at $3,010 for an annual full coverage policy compared to $2,329 for drivers with clean records. If you add a DUI conviction to the mix, rates typically increase a great deal. Michigan drivers with a DUI pay an average of $7,714 per year for full coverage and $2,374 per year for minimum coverage. It’s also possible that an insurer will refuse to renew your policy, and you may have difficulty purchasing a new policy.
On the national level, full coverage auto insurance increases an average of 95 percent following a DUI, but in Michigan, the average increase is much higher at 156 percent. Michigan limits the factors insurers may use to determine car insurance rates, so your driving record may play an even bigger role. Plus, a single DUI infraction can cause your insurer to place you in the high-risk driver category. Insurance companies typically charge elevated premiums for high-risk drivers, and some companies choose not to insure high-risk drivers at all.
How long a DUI affects your insurance in Michigan depends in part on your provider. A DUI conviction stays on your criminal record for your lifetime in Michigan. Still, insurers usually only consider convictions within the past three to 10 years when determining your premium, depending on the company.
Cheap auto insurance after a DUI in Michigan
Finding good car insurance within your budget after a DUI may be tough, but there are carriers that could offer fairly affordable average rates for high-risk drivers. Keep in mind that Michigan is one of the most expensive states for car insurance even for those with a spotless driving record.
As you can see below, your quoted premium after a DUI may vary greatly based on the carrier you choose. Additionally, your rates will differ based on other factors, such as your vehicle type. This is why most insurance professionals recommend comparing quotes from several companies to find the cheapest and best carrier for your needs. If you’re looking for car insurance in Michigan after a DUI, you might consider getting a quote from the following companies.
| Secura | $1,493 | $6,071 | 307% |
| USAA | $1,768 | $3,305 | 87% |
| Auto-Owners | $2,227 | $4,900 | 120% |
| Grange Insurance | $2,728 | $4,119 | 51% |
| Pioneer State | $2,805 | $5,258 | 87% |
How to find affordable car insurance in Michigan after a DUI
Being convicted of a DUI will likely cause your car insurance premium to increase significantly, which is why many drivers look for a more affordable carrier. Here are a few strategies that could help you save on car insurance:
- Shop around: Rates vary by provider, so you might be able to get the same level of coverage for less with a different insurance company. Request several quotes for the same coverage types and amounts in order to find the cheapest company for you.
- Look into discounts: Even though you probably won’t get a safe driver discount, you might be eligible for other popular discounts like a multi-car discount, bundling discount or telematics discount.
- Maintain a good driving record: Practice safe driving habits so you don’t add violations to your driving record, which would cause your insurance premium to tick up further. Also, ask your insurance provider if you could earn a discount for completing an approved defensive driving course.
Frequently asked questions
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Most insurance companies will cover a claim following a DUI; however, you might want to read through your policy to see if there are exclusions. Since Michigan is a no-fault state, each driver would file a claim with their own insurance company, and since every driver is required to have personal injury protection, insurance will most likely cover a DUI.
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Yes, a DUI will go on your criminal record as well as your driving record, but in 2022, DUI laws in Michigan changed. Michigan passed a law forgiving a single DUI in a person’s lifetime. To expunge a DUI from your criminal record, the driver must not have killed anyone in the incident and must wait 5 years. Even then, the DUI will remain on the person’s driving record, just not on their criminal record.
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The best car insurance company in Michigan is different for every driver. Insurance is highly personalized and drivers value different things from their insurance providers. So, what’s best for you might not be best for your neighbor. For example, if you have a DUI, the best company for you might be one that specializes in high-risk auto insurance. Or if you have multiple policies, the best provider might be the one that offers a substantial bundling discount. Before you shop for insurance, it can help to determine what you’re looking for in an insurance company.
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If your license was revoked because of a DUI conviction in Michigan, you will need your insurance company to file an SR-22 form with the DMV on your behalf. This is a statement of financial responsibility that indicates that you have at least the legal minimum required insurance coverage in Michigan. If your license has been suspended, this may be required for reinstatement, along with fees and other conditions. It does not automatically give you permission to drive again.
Methodology
Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze August 2024 rates for all ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Rates are weighted based on the population density in each geographic region. Quoted rates are based on a single, 40-year-old male and female driver with a clean driving record, good credit and the following full coverage limits:
- $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $50,000 property damage liability per accident
- $100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
- $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
- $500 collision deductible
- $500 comprehensive deductible
To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverage that meets each state’s requirements. Our base profile drivers own a 2022 Toyota Camry, commute five days a week and drive 12,000 miles annually.
These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes.
Incidents: Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the following incidents applied: clean record (base) and a single DUI conviction.
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