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Drivers with a clean record can expect to pay between $687 and $1,067 for state minimum coverage, depending on their provider. Check out the recommendations below to score the best and cheapest car insurance provider in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Car Insurance Overview
Are you a resident of the Badger state and think you might need to change up your car insurance company? Here are some fast facts you might want to know:
- Wisconsin households own an average of 2 vehicles.
- State minimum insurance involves $25,000 worth of bodily injury liability coverage per person and $50,000 bodily injury liability coverage per accident.
- Wisconsin drivers also must have at least $10,000 worth of coverage for property damage and $25,000 in uninsured motorist coverage per person.
Wisconsin Car Insurance Law Explained
Car insurance is a legal requirement if you want to operate a motor vehicle in Wisconsin. The state’s minimum car insurance requirements are as follows:
- Bodily injury liability coverage: Bodily injury liability coverage offers compensation to drivers who you injure during a collision. You must have coverage for at least $25,000 worth of injuries per person and a total of $50,000 per accident to drive in Wisconsin.
- Property damage liability coverage: Property damage liability coverage offers compensation to anyone whose property you damage during a collision. You must have at least $10,000 worth of property damage liability coverage in Wisconsin.
- Uninsured motorist coverage: Uninsured motorist coverage offers you financial compensation if you’re involved in an accident with a driver who doesn’t have car insurance. You must have at least $25,000 worth of uninsured motorist coverage per person and $50,000 per accident in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin law dictates that anyone caught driving without state minimum insurance may face a fine of up to $500 on their first offense. Other possible penalties include suspension of your driver’s license and vehicle registration.
The state’s minimum car insurance only includes compensation for you if you’re involved in an accident with a motorist who doesn’t have insurance. You may want to consider adding optional coverages like:
- Collision coverage: Collision coverage provides financial compensation for you if your vehicle is damaged during a collision with another vehicle.
- Comprehensive coverage: Comprehensive coverage provides compensation if your vehicle is damaged during a non-collision incident. Some examples include damage from hail, burglaries and vandalism.
Wisconsin Car Insurance Rates per Vehicle
Car insurance providers use safety data and reports to determine how much you’ll pay for car insurance. You’re less likely to be injured in an accident if you drive a car with more advanced safety features. This means that you’ll pay less on average for your car insurance compared to a vehicle that scores lower in safety ratings.
Insurance providers may also charge more for especially fast or flashy vehicles. You’ll pay more for insurance if you drive a car that’s more susceptible to damage, requires expensive foreign parts to repair or that is a common theft target. You can minimize your insurance premiums by maintaining a great driving record and installing anti-theft devices.
Car Insurance Rates by Insurance Credit Score
Your credit score can affect how much you pay for car insurance. You’re statistically less likely to file a claim if you have a high credit score. Insurance companies also view policyholders with a great credit score as more responsible and reliable. On the other hand, insurance companies might view you as a riskier driver if you have bad credit or no credit. Take some time to raise your credit score and save hundreds of dollars every year on car insurance.
Let’s take a look at just how important your credit score is when you get car insurance in Wisconsin.
Insurance for Drivers With a Clean Record
You need to follow the rules of the road if you want cheap car insurance. Your driving record is one of the most influential factors that affect how much you pay. Insurance companies will see you as a much less risky driver to insure if you’ve never been in an accident. Know and follow local traffic laws, wear your seatbelt and avoid speeding to keep your driving record clear and give you access to the lowest rates on the market.
Let’s look at some examples of quotes for drivers with a clean driving record. We’re comparing 3 types of coverage:
- State minimum coverage: The minimum amount of car insurance you must have to legally operate a motor vehicle in Wisconsin.
- Standard coverage: The minimum required liability insurance plus collision coverage.
- Full coverage: State-minimum liability coverage, collision coverage and comprehensive coverage.
| Insurance Company | State Minimum Insurance | Standard Coverage | Full Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Erie | $687 | $1,351 | $1,907 |
| American National | $980 | $1,695 | $1,812 |
| Central | $790 | $1,692 | $2,405 |
| Hastings Mutual | $1,076 | $1,565 | $2,662 |
| First Chicago Insurance | $728 | $1,586 | $2,534 |
Insurance Rates with Driving Infractions
You’ll pay more for car insurance if you have driving infractions on your record. Drivers with past infractions are statistically more likely to file a claim, which makes them riskier in the eyes of insurance providers. But not every type of driving infraction will affect your premium in the same way. Some infractions will only temporarily raise your rate and others will follow you for years.
Let’s take a look at how your premium can be affected if you have driving infractions on your record. We’ll compare 3 common infractions:
- At-fault accident: A collision that you partially or entirely caused.
- Speed violation: Ticketed for driving too far above (or in some cases, too far below) the posted speed limit.
- DUI: Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. A DUI is a criminal offense and is one of the most serious driving violations. You’ll pay much more for insurance if you have a DUI on your record.
| Insurance Company | At-Fault Accident | Speed Violation | DUI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meemic | $2,231 | $1,716 | $5,714 |
| Safeco | $2,343 | $1,504 | $6,103 |
| Penn National | $3,186 | $1,566 | $4,791 |
| Hanover | $2,679 | $1,717 | $5,112 |
| Selective | $2,458 | $1,796 | $6,906 |
Best Car Insurance Providers in Wisconsin
We’ve rounded up some of the best car insurance providers to help you get the affordable coverage you need.
1. Best Overall: Shelter Insurance
Shelter Insurance is one of the top-rated auto insurance providers in Wisconsin. Shelter took home J.D. Power’s top ranking for the Central U.S. Shelter Insurance policyholders consistently praised the company’s attentive agents and intuitive claims process.
No matter what type of insurance you need, chances are that Shelter Insurance provides it — and offers a matching discount as well. Policies are available for everything from state-minimum coverage to loss-of-use protection; Shelter Insurance is one of Wisconsin’s top choices when it comes to auto insurance.
- Blanket Coverage
2. Cheapest Car Insurance in Wisconsin: American Family
In our review, American Family offered some of the most consistently low rates and quotes among all car insurance providers in Wisconsin.
American Family is especially affordable if you have low or no credit and it offers the best rates for drivers with credit scores below 740 points.
You can almost certainly get the best rate possible with American Family if you have an infraction on your driving record. Policies for drivers with accidents, speed violations and even DUIs are over $1,000 less expensive through American Family. This makes American Family our top choice for affordable policies that don’t skimp on coverage.
- Rideshare drivers
3. Best Coverage for Multiple Cars: State Farm
You need to focus on balancing cost-saving measures with reliable coverage If you have more than one car that you want to insure.
State Farm offers a wide range of discounts, including a multi-vehicle policy discount.
When you insure 2 or more vehicles through State Farm, you can save as much as 20% on both of your policies. Other discounts (ranging from good grades discounts for students and discounts for vehicles with anti-theft devices) are also expansive.
- Active military members
4. Best for Military Personnel: USAA
USAA is a special auto insurance provider that offers discounted policies to members of the armed forces, veterans and their immediate family members.
Though you must meet service requirements before you can buy a policy with USAA, the company offers some of the most affordable rates in Wisconsin.
You can manage your USAA account both online and through its app, and the company prides itself on offering an attentive customer service experience. You can even save more by bundling your USAA auto coverage with a home, life or renters insurance policy.
Find the Lowest Rate
Thinking about how to lower your car insurance premium? The key lies in the quotes. Don’t be afraid to collect as many quotes as possible before you make your decision. Get quotes from at least 5 insurance providers and compare prices and coverages. This will allow you to rank policy choices and find the one that’s right for you.
Related content: Best Cheap Car Insurance in Kentucky, Best Chicago Car Insurance.
*Quotes were obtained using the following profile: base 2015 Toyota Camry, male, 40-years-old. Policies reflect state minimum coverage options. We make every effort to provide the most accurate quotes based on the profile above. Due to the many combined variables involved in insurance quotes, the only way to get an accurate quote is to enter your own information through our partners' secure websites.
About Sarah Horvath
Sarah is an expert in the insurance, investing for retirement and cryptocurrency space.