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Milwaukee, Wisconsin, home to nearly 600,000 people, is known for its breweries, museums and river walk. Plan to drive to one of these attractions in the Milwaukee area? You’ll need to know the traffic laws and what’s required to insure your vehicle. We’ve done the research for you so you can choose the right insurance company for your needs.
Best Auto Insurance in Milwaukee
Milwaukee Car Insurance Overview
Here are some quick facts about vehicles and insurance in Wisconsin:
- Number of vehicles per household: 2
- Minimum state insurance requirements:
- $25,000 for the injury or death of 1 person
- $50,000 for the injury or death of more than 1 person
- $10,000 for vehicle damage as the result of an accident
- Average rate with a clean driving record: $1,911
Wisconsin Car Insurance Law Explained
You must show proof of insurance if you’re stopped by law enforcement in Wisconsin and could be fined up to $500 with no proof of insurance. Fraudulent insurance may result in a fine of up to $5,000. Here’s a breakdown of Wisconsin’s basic insurance requirements:
The minimum liability insurance you must purchase to cover the death or injury of 1 person is $25,000 and you’ll need $50,000 to cover 2 or more people involved in an auto accident — this is called bodily injury insurance. You’ll also need property damage insurance at a minimum of $10,000 to cover the cost of any damages to your car or another driver in an auto accident.
You can also purchase optional insurance in addition to the minimum liability insurance required:
- Comprehensive insurance: Covers damage for reasons other than a collision, such as a natural disaster, theft or vandalism
- Collision insurance: Covers damage as a result of a car accident
These options do not cover medical expenses for injured parties. Both comprehensive and collision insurance are usually required if you purchase a car from a bank or lender.
Milwaukee Traffic Laws You Should Know
When you’re driving in Milwaukee, you need to know some of the basic traffic laws so you can avoid tickets and citations. Here are a few worth noting:
- Texting and driving: Texting and driving, also known as distracted driving, is illegal. A police officer can stop you for this offense alone. Fines range from $20 to $400.
- Turning right on red: You can turn right at a red light after you yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.
- HOV lanes: Carpools with 2 or more occupants can use the high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes at the vehicle on-ramps. HOV lanes are marked with a diamond and provide quick access to freeways.
- Speed limits: The maximum speed limits in Wisconsin are:
- Rural freeways: 70 mph
- Urban freeways: 65 mph
- Residential areas: 35 mph
- Business districts: 30 mph
- School zones: 15 mph
Fines for speeding range from $30 to $300 plus points on your driving record.
Milwaukee Car Insurance Rates per Vehicle
Certain types of vehicles such as luxury cars or cars that are targets for theft may cause an increase in insurance rates. The most popular vehicle in Wisconsin is the Chevy Silverado 1500. If you drive a hybrid, electric or fuel-efficient car, you could receive a discount on your car insurance.
Auto Insurance Rates by Insurance Credit Score
Auto insurance companies use your insurance credit score as a factor when they determine your insurance rates. A poor credit score will result in higher rates. You can minimize the impact by shopping around for the best rates on car insurance in Milwaukee and raising your credit score.
Sign up for a free credit monitoring service, pay more than the minimum on your credit card balance and have payments automatically deducted from your bank account to keep your credit score high. Here are a few sample rates in Milwaukee based on credit scores:
| Credit Score | Cheapest Provider | Rate for State Minimum Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Poor 300–579 | American Family | $2,026 |
| Fair 580–669 | American Family | $1,335 |
| Good 670–739 | American Family | $1,179 |
| Excellent 740+ | State Farm | $1,012 |
Some lawmakers think using credit scores as a determining factor for car insurance is discriminatory and bills are being considered in several states to eliminate this practice. For now, though, it’s still legal and a prominent consideration.
Insurance for Drivers with a Clean Record in Milwaukee
It’s smart to keep a clean driving record — free of accidents, citations and points. Here are examples of insurance rates for drivers with clean records:
| Insurance Agency | State Minimum Insurance | Standard Coverage | Full Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| USAA | $1,911 | $1,986 | $2,057 |
| State Farm | $2,009 | $2,133 | $2,237 |
| Progressive | $2,937 | $3,154 | $3,295 |
| Nationwide | $5,068 | $5,224 | $5,384 |
| GEICO | $1,979 | $2,120 | $2,264 |
The state minimum insurance is required if you want to drive legally in Wisconsin. Standard coverage, also known as comprehensive coverage, is optional and covers damage related to non-accident events such as weather, fire, theft or vandalism.
Full coverage, a combination of comprehensive and collision coverage, covers damage in both accident and non-accident related incidents. Full coverage is usually mandatory if you buy a car from a bank or other lender.
Insurance Rates in Milwaukee with Driving Infractions
Common infractions that can impact your car insurance including speeding, running red lights, reckless driving and drunk driving. Some insurance companies might deny your coverage entirely if you have excessive points. Obey traffic rules if you want to know how to lower your car insurance. Here are examples of insurance rates for drivers with infractions:
| Insurance Agency | At-Fault Accident | Speed Violation | DUI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Farmers | $2,157 | $1,726 | $3,936 |
| GEICO | $2,379 | $1,910 | $2,726 |
| Nationwide | $2,456 | $2,063 | $6,262 |
| Allstate | $2,269 | $1,867 | $4,006 |
| American Family | $2,139 | $1,535 | $5,034 |
Although credit score and driving record weigh heavily in the rate determination process, there are other factors insurers consider:
- Gender
- Location
- Occupation
- Length of commute to work
- Age
- Marital status
- Health condition
Insurance companies use statistical data when considering these elements to determine your risk factor as a driver and insured customer.
More Ways to Save on Insurance in Milwaukee
There are more ways you can save on insurance, no matter your current credit score or driving record. Here are a few examples of discounts you can check into:
- Multiple car discount
- Fuel-efficient car discount
- Anti-lock brakes discount
- Raising your deductible
- Bundling home, life and auto policies
- Paying one lump sum versus monthly installments
- Good driver discount
- Good student discount
You can combine several discounts to save hundreds of dollars on your annual bill. Insurance companies want your business, so ask for the best deal they have available for your situation.
Best Milwaukee Auto Insurance Providers
Here are Benzinga’s top picks for the best auto insurance providers in Milwaukee:
1. Best Overall: American Family
American Family is the 9th best car insurance company in the nation, according to a survey by U.S. News & World Report.
- Blanket Coverage
The study measured customer satisfaction in the areas of customer service, claims resolution and overall value, among other things. American Family’s rates are highly affordable, even if your credit score is less than perfect and you have points on your driving record.
2. Cheapest Auto Insurance in Milwaukee: American Family
American Family Insurance is the best choice if you’re looking for cheap auto insurance in Milwaukee. You’ll pay hundreds of dollars less, no matter your credit situation or driving record. American Family, a Fortune 500 company, offers discounts, including a long-time customer discount and a discount if you choose automatic payment withdrawals.
- Blanket Coverage
3. Cheapest Coverage for Drivers with Infractions: American Family
American Family is almost $1,000 cheaper than the 2nd least expensive insurance company in Milwaukee.
It’s nice to know you have affordable options even if you have a few bad marks on your driving record.
4. Best for Military Personnel: USAA
Are you an active or retired member of the military or a family member of one? USAA may be a good choice for you.
- Active military members
USAA caters exclusively to military personnel, and since USAA isn’t a huge conglomerate, it offers personalized attention and excellent customer service. USAA’s rates are reasonable, too.
Your annual premium is $1,911 per year if you’ve got a clean driving record.
Drive Safe and Pay Less for Insurance in Milwaukee
There are lots of affordable options for car insurance in Milwaukee. Be sure to shop around before you sign on the dotted line to save on your insurance bill. Know the local traffic laws — it’ll help you avoid a possible spike in your insurance rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does my personal credit play a role?
Insurance carriers run credit scores to help determine policy premiums. Your insurance rates will likely be lower if you have an excellent credit score. On the other hand, your insurance rates may be higher if you have a poor credit score. Insurance companies believe credit scores are an indicator of whether you’ll make your insurance payments on time.
Is there any way I can lower my insurance premiums?
You can often get a lower premium by maintaining coverage without any gaps in coverage. You can also lower your premium with discounts like bundlings your insurance policies with one carrier. Get a customized quote to see if you can lower your premiums.
What kind of discounts are usually available?
The most common discounts available are multi-policy and auto-pay, but every company is different. Other discounts that are widely available are loyalty, good student and anti-theft device discounts.
*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.