Do Traffic Misdemeanors in Michigan Cause Auto Insurance Rates to Increase?
If you’ve been charged with a traffic misdemeanor in Michigan — such as reckless driving, fleeing and eluding, or OWI — you’re likely concerned about more than just fines or possible jail time. One very real consequence that many people don’t fully appreciate until later is how a traffic conviction can affect your auto insurance premiums.
Understanding how insurance companies view traffic misdemeanors can help you prepare for the financial impact and make better decisions about your defense.
How Insurance Companies Use Driving Records
Insurance companies regularly review your driving record to set insurance premiums. A clean record typically earns lower rates because it suggests you are a low-risk driver. In contrast, convictions on your record — especially serious ones — signal a higher risk, and insurers respond by raising rates.
In Michigan, insurers may look at:
Traffic tickets
Accidents where you were at fault
Criminal traffic convictions (misdemeanors)
License suspensions or revocations
Even if a misdemeanor is not a “crime of moral turpitude,” it can still affect your insurance.
Common Traffic Misdemeanors That Can Increase Your Insurance
Fleeing and Eluding
When you fail to stop for police, insurers view this as aggressive or dangerous driving. This often results in a significant premium increase.
Reckless Driving
A reckless driving conviction tells insurers that your driving behavior creates greater risk, and that risk is often reflected in your rates.
Operating While Intoxicated (OWI)
An OWI conviction is among the most serious traffic-related misdemeanors. Insurers typically view drunk driving as high risk, and rates can spike dramatically.
Driving While License Suspended (DWLS)
Insurance companies may raise your rates if you are convicted of driving without proper authorization.
How Much Can Insurance Go Up?
Michigan does not set specific limits on how much insurers can increase premiums after a conviction, but the impact can be significant. Common effects include:
Substantial rate increases for several years
Loss of good-driver discounts
Cancellation or non-renewal of your policy
Being shifted into high-risk or non-standard insurance markets
The exact amount varies by insurer, your driving history, and the severity of the offense, but a major traffic misdemeanor — especially one involving harm or risk to others — often results in noticeable premium hikes.
How Long Does it Stay on Your Record?
In Michigan, a traffic misdemeanor conviction typically remains on your driving and criminal record for several years, and insurers can use that information during that period. Some offenses may stay on your record longer or indefinitely (for example, OWI or fleeing and eluding).
Can You Fight a Traffic Misdemeanor to Protect Your Insurance?
Yes — and this is where legal strategy matters.
A conviction doesn’t have to be inevitable. A skilled criminal defense attorney will:
Review whether the traffic stop was lawful
Challenge the accuracy of police observations or tests
File motions to suppress evidence if your rights were violated
Negotiate plea deals to lesser offenses that may carry less insurance impact
Seek alternatives that avoid a conviction entirely, such as diversion programs or reduced charges
For example, if your attorney can have a reckless driving charge reduced to a non-moving violation, that can significantly reduce or even eliminate the insurance consequences.
What If You Already Have Increased Rates?
If your premiums have already gone up due to a traffic misdemeanor:
Ask your agent whether the offense is the reason for the increase
Shop multiple insurance companies — rates can vary widely
Consider completing a driving safety course (some insurers offer discounts)
Maintain a clean record going forward to improve eligibility for lower premiums
Even with a conviction, good driving behavior over time can help stabilize your insurance costs.
Why Strong Legal Representation Matters
Traffic misdemeanors may seem “minor” compared to felonies, but they can have lasting financial consequences — including increased insurance rates that affect your budget for years.
An experienced attorney can make the difference between a conviction that raises your premiums and a resolution that protects your driving record.
Protect Your Record and Your Wallet
If you’re facing a traffic misdemeanor in Michigan, don’t wait. Getting informed, aggressive legal defense early can help you avoid or minimize the long-term impact on both your record and your insurance rates.
Contact Rosenthal Law, PLLC today for a consultation and personalized defense strategy that protects your rights and your future.
