How bad does a DUI mess up car insurance in Michigan?

Yeah, I hear you on the usage-based stuff - mine flagged me for “hard acceleration” just merging onto the highway. After my DUI, my rates basically tripled overnight, and the SR-22 was a pain to keep track of. What helped me was switching to liability only and shopping around every six months. It’s not fun, but keeping a clean record after really does make a difference over time. Michigan’s no-fault is brutal, though... those medical coverages are no joke.

Man, the SR-22 is like a clingy ex - just when you think you’re done, it pops up again. I totally get the pain with Michigan’s no-fault too... my premiums went up just for living here, and that’s without a DUI. Did you notice any companies that were actually decent about rates after the DUI, or is it just a game of “who’s less terrible”? I feel like every six months I’m rolling the dice.

Did you notice any companies that were actually decent about rates after the DUI, or is it just a game of “who’s less terrible”?

Honestly, it really does feel like picking the “least awful” option every renewal. I tried Progressive and GEICO - both quoted me numbers that made my jaw drop. Ended up with State Farm, which was still rough but not as brutal. Have you tried any of the smaller Michigan-based companies? Sometimes they sneak in with better rates, but it’s hit or miss.

Title: How bad does a DUI mess up car insurance in Michigan?

I get what you mean about the “least awful” thing, but honestly, I had a different experience with the smaller companies. I tried Frankenmuth and Auto-Owners after my incident, and they were actually worse than the big names for me. Maybe it’s just my age or zip code, but their quotes were wild - like, not even close to affordable.

I ended up sticking with Progressive even though it stung, just because their customer service was less of a headache. I guess it really depends on your driving history and maybe luck? Some people swear by local agents, but I didn’t have much luck there either.

One thing I did notice - taking a defensive driving course helped a tiny bit with the rate. Not a miracle fix, but every little bit counts when you’re getting hammered for a mistake.

I totally get what you mean about the smaller companies not always being cheaper. I tried shopping around after my DUI too, and it felt like every quote was just a punch to the gut. Ended up with Geico, but only because they let me do monthly payments without a huge down payment. Did you notice if your rates dropped at all after a year or two, or is it just a waiting game until the DUI falls off? Curious if anyone’s actually seen a real decrease before the 5-year mark...