Driving Without Insurance in Michigan

An owner or registrant who drives, or allows driving of, a vehicle without the required no-fault security is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $200 to $500, up to 1 year in jail, or both; a driver who knows the owner has no insurance is also guilty. If found responsible for the civil infraction of failing to have insurance, the court may require the driver's license to be surrendered and order it suspended unless proof of insurance is submitted. An uninsured vehicle owner also cannot collect damages under the mini-tort provision for damage to that vehicle.

The owner or driver must produce evidence of insurance when a police officer asks. A certificate of insurance in paper or electronic form is accepted; when an electronic copy is shown on a phone or other device, the officer may view only the certificate and showing it is not consent to search the device. Failing to produce proof, or not having the required insurance, is a civil infraction; if the driver shows the court before the appearance date that the vehicle was insured, no fine or costs are assessed (a fee of up to $25 may apply). Proof of Michigan no-fault insurance is required to register a vehicle.