Wisconsin Car Insurance
Everything You Need to Know About Auto Insurance in Wisconsin
Wisconsin earned the nickname the Badger State as a nod to the 19th-century miners who slept in caves they burrowed while mining for lead. The state’s landscape includes buttes, woodlands, beaches, and ample farmland where farmers grow crops like corn and green beans. This beautiful state offers abundant adventures for its nearly 6 million residents — kayak the Milwaukee River, bicycle along Lake Michigan, hike Peninsula State Park to the Eagle Bluff Lighthouse, or visit the majestic Witches Gulch, a slot canyon formed by sandstone cliffs in South Central Wisconsin.
Other popular excursions include visiting the National Historic Cheesemaking Center Museum in Monroe, the Wisconsin State Capitol in Madison, or the nearby shops and restaurants. The state’s low cost of living, vibrant arts scene, and healthy job market are also significant draws.
Extreme temperature shifts in recent years have caused an abundance of buckled roads across the state. When paired with road crews fixing the damage, especially on dangerous stretches of roadway like SR-190 in Milwaukee, it all adds up to hazardous driving conditions.
Be sure to set yourself up with the best auto insurance in Wisconsin at competitive rates before you set out. The expert agents at InsureOne are here to help so you can drive with the assurance that you have financial protection for unexpected mishaps along the way.
How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Wisconsin?
You may be pleased to know that state rates are on the lower side. Drivers pay an average yearly rate of $2,026 for full coverage car insurance and $479 for minimum liability, while the national average is $2,014 for full coverage and $622 for minimum coverage.
This affordable car insurance in Wisconsin is due, in part, to fewer cities with large populations and fewer cars on the roads, which means a lower accident and claim rate. Still, rates have surged in recent years as the risk of severe weather, including floods, high winds, and tornado warnings — like those in Brown and Calumet Counties — destroys property and heightens the risk of accidents. Modern technological advancements in vehicles have also increased the cost of car repairs, leading to higher auto coverage rates.
What Does It Mean If Wisconsin Is an At-Fault State?
Drivers responsible for a crash in at-fault states pay for the damage they have caused, including lost wages and pain and suffering. In no-fault states, each driver pays their own medical expenses from an accident, but the negligent driver pays for the property damage. Wisconsin is an at-fault state — the negligent driver pays for both property damage and medical expenses they cause. Your agent can clarify Wisconsin’s at-fault rules and how they apply to your situation and customized policy — and then find you the best car insurance in Wisconsin.
Affordable Car Insurance Rates Comparison by Cities in Wisconsin
If you compare car insurance quotes in Wisconsin with your friend who lives in a smaller Wisconsin town, know that your rates may vary due to your differing personal information.
The following chart shows population size from highest to lowest and each city’s accompanying rates:
| City | Full Coverage Insurance | Liability Insurance Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee | $226 | $54 |
| Madison | $175 | $40 |
| Green Bay | $166 | $34 |
| Racine | $188 | $48 |
| Oshkosh | $156 | $34 |
| Oak Creek | $182 | $47 |
| Muskego | $161 | $41 |
| Hartford | $175 | $38 |
| Portage | $166 | $34 |
We arrive at our average auto insurance costs by using a male driver, aged 30, with a clean driving record. Liability insurance coverage is the state‑required minimum. Full coverage is a 100K/300K/100K policy. Your costs will be different and based on your individual factors.
How Bundling Can Save Money in Wisconsin
When you need more than one type of coverage or even auto insurance on multiple vehicles, you can bundle those policies for a multi-policy discount. Just like many other people in Janesville or Appleton, if you bundle your car and homeowners coverage, you can save up to 25% off your policies in Wisconsin. If you are a renter, you can save up to 15% off your policies by bundling your auto and renters coverage. This straightforward process also streamlines your bill paying and policy paperwork management.
No matter where you are in the state, Milwaukee, Madison, Waukesha, or anywhere else, ask your InsureOne agent about bundling. Your one-stop-shop agent can help you with snowmobile insurance, RV, landlord, boat, or any other type of coverage to help you save a bundle on the best car insurance in Wisconsin.
Auto Insurance Discounts in Wisconsin
Besides bundling, there are other ways to save on your coverage. One of these ways is by applying discounts, such as:
- Military
- Pay in full
- Claim free
- Senior driver
- Good student
- Passive restraints
Your agent can also compare car insurance quotes in Wisconsin with different coverage levels and deductibles to find the best personalized policy for your needs at a rate that fits your lifestyle.
Wisconsin Car Insurance Laws
Wisconsin auto insurance laws require drivers to have auto coverage, which provides financial protection for you, your family, and other drivers on the road.
Some other Wisconsin laws:
- Wisconsin DMV requirements may require you to submit proof of coverage at the Insurance Reporting of Crash page if you are involved in a crash.
- The state has a comparative negligence law, which means drivers frequently share responsibility for an accident when fault is shared.
The following sections go into greater depth about Wisconsin’s car insurance laws.
What Are the Mandatory Car Insurance Requirements in Wisconsin?
Some drivers may think they are covered for all damage, regardless of the type of insurance they have, but each type provides different coverage. Wisconsin auto insurance laws require liability coverage, which pays for the damage you cause to other drivers up to the following limits:
- $25,000 for bodily injury per person
- $50,000 for bodily injury per accident
- $10,000 for property damage per accident
The state also requires drivers to maintain the following uninsured motorist coverage:
- $25,000 bodily injury for one person
- $50,000 bodily injury per accident
These minimum car insurance requirements in Wisconsin may not go far, given the rising costs of medical services and car repairs, which is why some drivers increase their policy limits. Liability also excludes your own damage. For your own vehicle crash-related damage, you need collision insurance. To cover incidents such as vandalism, fire, or theft, you need comprehensive coverage.
Adding collision and comprehensive gives you full coverage car insurance in Wisconsin. You may also want to consider add-ons like road service and rental car coverage for extra protection and to get you back on the road quicker. Your agent can tell you about all the auto insurance options and compare car insurance quotes in Wisconsin to help you determine a policy that fits your requirements.
What Is the Penalty for Driving Without Insurance in Wisconsin?
You must show proof of coverage to law enforcement when requested to do so at a traffic stop or in an accident. Consequences vary according to the situation and may include:
- A fine of up to $500 for driving without coverage
- A fine of up to $10 for failure to show proof of coverage
- A fine of up to $5,000 for driving with fraudulent proof of coverage
In some cases, you may be subject to an SR-22 insurance requirement in Wisconsin for up to three years, which means higher rates. Your agent will file the SR-22 insurance certificate with the state as proof of coverage and can answer questions about how these requirements apply to your unique circumstances.
What Factors Does Wisconsin Law Allow in Determining Your Premiums?
The key factors insurers look at when figuring out your premium are the following:
- Sex
- Your age
- Marital status
- Your ZIP code
- Insurance coverage history
- How you use your car (telematics)
- Your car information (make, model, age, safety features)
The Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance allows insurers to review credit scores, but an insurer may not refuse coverage solely based on a credit score. You can reach out to an expert agent if you have questions about how your personal information applies to your policy.
What Happens If I Damage Property?
If you accidentally run a red light at Cass Street and US-53 in La Crosse and crash into another vehicle, your insurance is ready to help. Your agent needs driver information (name, address, phone number, license plate number, etc.), witness name and phone number, and a record, including photos, of the incident and weather conditions. File a police report and call your insurance company to find out what documents they need for your claim.
Your insurer will pay for damage up to policy limits, so if that car needs a major quarter panel replacement that costs $12,000, exceeding your $10,000 in liability property damage, you will be responsible for covering the rest on your own.
To avoid such a financial scenario, ask your agent about increasing your liability coverage and about full coverage car insurance in Wisconsin.
Driving Conditions in Wisconsin
The state experiences the gorgeous four seasons and the weather that accompanies each one. Depending on the time of year, you may run into snow, sleet, black ice, fog, high winds, thunderstorms, or elevated temperatures. The highways pass over and through rolling farmlands, rivers, lakes, forests, and twisting hills in the Driftless Area of southwestern Wisconsin. You may experience limited lighting and wildlife encounters in rural areas.
Drivers on I-94 may encounter heavy traffic near Milwaukee, especially on weekends and during rush hour. Interstate 90, which travels through La Crosse, and I-39 to Stevens Point and other central Wisconsin cities, may have clearer roads in winter, as they are among the first to receive snow removal.
You may view current conditions at 511 Wisconsin to ensure the roads on your trip are safe. Another way to ensure your safety is to plan ahead by purchasing the best auto coverage.
How Many Crashes Occur in Wisconsin?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported 530 fatal motor vehicle accidents in the state in 2023. The chart below shows the location of some of these accidents:
| City | Annual Average Number of Fatal Car Crashes |
|---|---|
| Milwaukee | 70 |
| Madison | 16 |
| Green Bay | 3 |
| Racine | 8 |
| Oshkosh | 1 |
| Oak Creek | 1 |
| Muskego | 1 |
| Hartford | 0 |
| Portage | 1 |
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorists in Wisconsin
In Wisconsin, 15.6% of drivers were uninsured in 2023, putting you at increased risk of financial harm. The state requires drivers to purchase uninsured motorist coverage to help cover bodily injury expenses from an accident with an uninsured driver, a hit-and-run driver, or a driver lacking adequate coverage. Consider adding uninsured motorist property damage to help cover your vehicle expenses in an accident with one of these drivers.
Get the Best Car Insurance in Wisconsin Today
There is no need to search the internet for “How to get affordable car insurance in Wisconsin?” or “SR-22 insurance in Wisconsin,” or even “Auto insurance near me.” InsureOne agents are ready to do all the shopping for you. We provide concierge service to help you find the best choices for high-quality coverage at competitive rates.
If you are ready to experience white-glove service and find top-tier insurance to protect yourself and your assets, reach out for help in English or Spanish. You can call us at (800) 836-2240, fill out an online form, or drop by your local Wisconsin office.
FAQs
How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Wisconsin?
Rates vary according to your unique information, but state drivers pay an average yearly rate of $2,026 for full coverage car insurance in Wisconsin and $479 for minimum liability insurance.
What Are the Minimum Car Insurance Requirements in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin mandates that drivers must carry $25,000 in bodily injury or death per person, $50,000 in bodily injury or death per accident, and $10,000 in property damage liability to conform to Wisconsin DMV insurance requirements.
Minimum car insurance requirements also mandate that drivers must carry uninsured motorist coverage for bodily injury in the amounts of $25,000 for one person in one accident and $50,000 per accident.
Is Wisconsin an At-Fault or No-Fault State for Car Insurance?
Wisconsin is an at-fault state. The driver who caused the crash pays for the damage through insurance or out of pocket when expenses exceed policy limits.
What Factors Influence Car Insurance Rates in Wisconsin?
Factors that influence your rate include your driving record, age, car details, and where you live. This information helps your agent determine your risk of filing a claim.