Auto Insurance: Wisconsin's Minimum Requirements And You

In Wisconsin, drivers must have a minimum level of auto insurance to protect against financial consequences in the event of an accident. The minimum coverage requirements in the state are designed to ensure that drivers can cover the costs of potential damages or injuries caused to others in a collision. This is especially important as Wisconsin operates as an ''at-fault' state, meaning the responsible party is liable for any damages in an accident. So, what exactly are the minimum auto insurance requirements in the Badger State?

Bodily injury liability insurance

In Wisconsin, liability car insurance is a legal requirement for all drivers. This type of insurance covers only the other driver and their passengers in the event that you are found to be at fault for an accident. The minimum coverage amounts for bodily injury liability insurance in the state of Wisconsin are as follows:

• $25,000 bodily injury liability for one person
• $50,000 bodily injury liability for more than one person
• $25,000 bodily injury liability per person
• $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident to you and your passengers

This means that if you are at fault for an accident in Wisconsin, your insurance will cover up to $25,000 of bodily injury claims for each person involved, with a total limit of $50,000 per accident. This coverage can help pay for medical expenses, lost wages, and other costs associated with injuries sustained in the accident.

It's important to note that these minimum requirements are just a starting point, and you may want to consider purchasing additional coverage to protect yourself financially in the event of a serious accident. The minimum requirements may not be sufficient to cover all costs associated with an accident, especially if there are significant injuries or property damage involved.

Additionally, Wisconsin also requires drivers to have uninsured motorist coverage. This type of insurance pays for medical claims if you are in an accident caused by a driver who does not have insurance or in the case of a hit-and-run. The minimum coverage amount for uninsured motorist bodily injury liability in Wisconsin is:

• $50,000 bodily injury liability per person
• $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident to you and your passengers

Property damage liability

In Wisconsin, liability car insurance is mandatory for all drivers. The minimum property damage liability insurance coverage in the state is $10,000 per accident.

Liability insurance is typically represented in three numbers on a policy, like "25/50/10." The first two numbers represent how much bodily injury coverage you have per person and per accident, respectively, while the third is the policy's property damage liability limit.

For example, let's say your car insurance policy has a property damage liability limit of $10,000. If you rear-end another car at a red light and cause $4,500 in damage, your insurer would cover all the repair costs because the total is lower than your policy's property damage liability limit. However, if the accident caused $10,500 in damage, your insurer would only pay up to your policy's limit, leaving you responsible for the remaining $500.

While the minimum car insurance requirements in Wisconsin provide a baseline, they are not meant to be a cap on how much coverage you can or should get. You may opt for more coverage than the state minimums to better protect your financial assets and your vehicle.

Uninsured motorist coverage

In the state of Wisconsin, liability car insurance is a requirement for all drivers. This covers the other driver and their passengers when you are found to be at fault for an accident. The minimum liability insurance requirements in the state are as follows:

• $25,000 bodily injury liability per person
• $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident
• $10,000 property damage liability per accident

In addition to these minimum requirements, drivers in Wisconsin are also required to have uninsured motorist coverage. This type of insurance covers medical claims that are the fault of another driver when they do not have insurance or in the case of a hit-and-run. The minimum requirements for uninsured motorist coverage are:

• $25,000 bodily injury liability per person
• $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident

In addition to uninsured motorist coverage, it is also worth considering underinsured motorist coverage. This type of insurance kicks in when the other driver has insurance but their coverage is inadequate to cover the full extent of the damages. Underinsured motorist coverage will cover the difference between the other driver's insurance limits and the total cost of your damages. This can provide valuable financial protection in the event of a serious accident.

While the minimum insurance requirements in Wisconsin are set to ensure that drivers have basic financial protection in the event of an accident, it is important to consider your own financial situation and needs. You may opt for more coverage than the state minimums to ensure that you and your vehicle are fully protected. This can include higher liability limits, as well as additional types of coverage such as collision insurance, comprehensive insurance, and rental car reimbursement.

Underinsured motorist coverage

In the state of Wisconsin, liability car insurance is a requirement for all drivers. This insurance covers the other driver and/or their passengers when you are found to be at fault for an accident. The minimum liability insurance requirements in Wisconsin are as follows:

• $25,000 bodily injury liability per person
• $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident
• $10,000 property damage liability per accident

In addition to liability insurance, Wisconsin drivers are also required to have uninsured motorist coverage. This type of coverage pays for medical claims that are the fault of an uninsured driver or in the case of a hit-and-run. Underinsured motorist coverage is also available as an optional extra.

In Wisconsin, the minimum underinsured motorist coverage limits are $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident. This means that if you are injured by a driver who has insufficient insurance coverage, your underinsured motorist coverage will provide additional protection up to the specified limits.

While the minimum insurance requirements in Wisconsin are meant to provide a baseline, they are not intended to restrict the amount of coverage you can or should obtain. You may opt for higher coverage limits to better protect yourself, your passengers, and your financial assets in the event of an accident.

Proof of insurance

In Wisconsin, drivers are required to have liability car insurance and carry proof of that insurance during a police stop. This proof of insurance is a document provided by your insurance company that shows you have an active insurance policy that meets state requirements.

You can obtain proof of car insurance right after you purchase a policy. It is often in the form of an ID card, printed or electronic, that you can keep with you or in your vehicle. The insurance company may provide this card through their mobile app, by email, or by mail. You can also access your proof of insurance by calling your insurance company or logging in to your account online.

The proof of insurance will include basic information such as the name and address of the insurance company, the effective date and expiration date of the policy, the policyholder's name, and the year, make, model, and vehicle identification number (VIN) of the insured vehicle(s). It indicates that you have at least the state-required minimum amount of coverage, but it does not show your coverage selections and limits.

In Wisconsin, the minimum car insurance requirements for liability insurance are:

• $25,000 bodily injury liability per person
• $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident
• $10,000 property damage liability per accident

Uninsured motorist coverage is also available and pays medical claims that are the fault of an uninsured driver or in the case of a hit-and-run. Underinsured motorist coverage applies to personal injuries caused by a driver with inadequate insurance and kicks in after their personal injury coverage has reached its maximum.

Frequently asked questions