Auto Insurance In Wisconsin: How Much Does It Cost?

If you're driving in Wisconsin, it's important to have the right auto insurance to cover you and your vehicle in case of an accident. Wisconsin requires drivers to have auto liability coverage, including bodily injury liability and property damage liability, as well as uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage. The minimum coverage requirements in Wisconsin are $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury liability, $10,000 per accident for property damage liability, and $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage. In 2023, the average cost of liability-only auto insurance in Wisconsin was $75 per month, while in 2020, the average cost of full coverage was $821 per year.

Average cost of car insurance in Wisconsin

The average cost of car insurance in Wisconsin depends on several factors, including the type of coverage, age, driving history, and location. According to Liberty Mutual, the average cost of car insurance in Wisconsin was $1,202 per year in 2021, which is 21% lower than the national average.

In Wisconsin, drivers are required to have a minimum amount of auto liability coverage, including bodily injury liability and property damage liability. The minimum requirements for bodily injury liability are $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident, while the minimum requirement for property damage liability is $10,000 per accident. Additionally, Wisconsin requires drivers to have uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage with minimum limits of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. These minimum coverage requirements are often referred to as "state Liability minimums" or "full coverage."

While these are the minimum requirements, it is recommended to consider additional coverage for more financial protection. Comprehensive coverage, for example, helps pay for damages caused by events like hail, fire, or theft, while collision coverage helps cover the cost of repairing your car after an accident with another vehicle. If you lease or finance your car, lenders usually require comprehensive and collision coverage in addition to the state-mandated minimums.

The cost of car insurance in Wisconsin can vary depending on the insurance provider. For example, Progressive offers a liability-only auto insurance policy for a single driver and a single car, which costs an average of $75 per month in 2023. On the other hand, the Farmers Flex® Personal Auto policy allows customers to choose their desired coverage at a flexible price.

Wisconsin's minimum auto insurance requirements

In Wisconsin, it is illegal to drive without insurance. The state requires drivers to have liability car insurance, which covers only the other car and/or that car's driver and passengers when the insured driver is at fault for an accident.

Wisconsin drivers must have a car insurance policy with the following minimum coverages:

• Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
• Property Damage Liability: $10,000 per accident.
• Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.

Uninsured motorist coverage pays for medical claims that are the fault of a driver with no insurance or in the case of a hit-and-run. Underinsured motorist coverage applies to personal injuries caused by a driver with inadequate insurance. It kicks in after their personal injury coverage limit has been reached.

While these are the minimum insurance requirements in Wisconsin, drivers may opt for more coverage to better protect their financial assets, their vehicle, and their passengers.

What's considered full coverage in Wisconsin?

In Wisconsin, "full coverage" car insurance can be interpreted differently by different people. The state of Wisconsin requires you to have the state Liability minimums of 25/50/10. This means that drivers in Wisconsin are required to have car insurance coverage for:

• Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident
• Property Damage Liability: $10,000 per accident
• Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident

However, "full car insurance" or "full coverage" is often considered to include the state minimums, as well as Comprehensive Coverage and Collision Coverage. Comprehensive Coverage helps pay for damages caused by events like hail, fire, or theft. Collision Coverage helps cover the cost of fixing damage to your car from an accident with another car. For leased or financed cars, most lenders require having both Comprehensive and Collision Coverage.

The average cost of car insurance in Wisconsin is $34 per month for minimum coverage and $85 for full coverage. The average annual cost of full coverage car insurance in Wisconsin is $1,022, while the state minimum coverage is typically around $403.

Liability insurance requirements in Wisconsin

As of June 1, 2010, Wisconsin requires all automobile owners to carry insurance on each of their vehicles. The minimum coverage liability limits are 25/50/10, meaning $25,000 for bodily injury liability per person, $50,000 for bodily injury liability per accident, and $10,000 for property damage liability per accident. Drivers are also required to have uninsured motorist coverage of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.

Wisconsin is an at-fault state, meaning the at-fault driver's insurance typically covers the costs of bodily injury and property damage resulting from an accident. The state's minimum coverage requirements are meant to safeguard drivers against the financial consequences of a mishap. While these are the legal minimums, it is recommended that drivers purchase the highest level of coverage they can comfortably afford to ensure they are adequately covered in the event of an accident.

In addition to the mandatory liability and uninsured motorist coverage, Wisconsin drivers may also opt for various add-on coverages, such as collision coverage, comprehensive coverage, underinsured motorist coverage, medical payments coverage, and rental reimbursement coverage. While not required by law, these optional protections can provide additional financial safeguards in the event of an accident.

It is important to note that the cost of car insurance in Wisconsin can vary depending on factors such as age, with drivers between the ages of 22 and 29 typically facing higher premiums due to their higher risk profile. Regardless of the cost, maintaining at least the state-mandated minimum coverage is essential to comply with the law and avoid penalties for driving without insurance.

Is Wisconsin a no-fault insurance state?

Wisconsin is not a no-fault insurance state. Instead, it operates under a traditional fault-based or "at-fault" system, also known as a tort system. This means that the person deemed at fault for a car accident is responsible for paying for any resulting harm, including injuries and property damage. The at-fault driver's insurance will cover these costs up to their policy limit.

In a no-fault state, drivers are required to carry personal injury protection (PIP) insurance to cover their own medical expenses after an accident, regardless of who is at fault. In Wisconsin, this is not required, and drivers can file lawsuits to seek compensation for medical expenses.

Wisconsin's insurance requirements include liability coverage for bodily injury to others and property damage, as well as uninsured motorist coverage for bodily injury. The minimum coverage amounts are $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury liability, $10,000 per accident for property damage liability, and $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage.

Frequently asked questions