Cheap Car Insurance in Wisconsin

At CheapInsurance.com we’ve put together information, tips, and price comparisons to help you find cheap car insurance in Wisconsin.

Wisconsin is a great place to experience a taste of America’s Midwest and is one of the largest producers of ginseng and cheese.

With the Miller Brewing Company headquarters situated in Milwaukee, Wisconsin is also famous for its beer.

If you plan to travel by car in Wisconsin, it’s important to make sure that you have adequate car insurance.

Factors Affecting Car Insurance

Your auto coverage rates vary depending on where you live, what type of vehicle you drive, and on several other factors including your:

  • Age.
  • Gender.
  • Marital status.
  • Driving history.
  • Insurance provider.
  • Coverage type.
  • Credit rating.
  • Set deductible.

Wisconsin is an “at-fault” state, which means that when an accident occurs, the car insurance company of the person who caused the accident must pay for the injuries and damages caused.

If you cause an accident, liability insurance covers the other party’s bodily injuries, as well as damage to their vehicle or property.

These damages may also include:

  • Medical bills.
  • Property damage.
  • Lost wages.

Key Point: What Is Liability Insurance?

Liability insurance is considered to be the most basic, minimum auto insurance you can buy and it’s required in most states.

Auto liability insurance coverage helps cover the costs of the other driver’s property and bodily injuries if you’re found to be at-fault in an accident.

In Wisconsin, liability coverage is mandatory. If you’re caught driving without it, you will be fined $500 and your license may be suspended.

Offering fraudulent proof of insurance may even cost you a fine of up to $5,000.

To help you find the best deals on car insurance in the state, we’ve compared quotes from car insurers in these Wisconsin counties:

  • Milwaukee.
  • Dane.
  • Waukesha.
  • Brown.
  • Racine.

Some of the cheapest car insurance companies in the state of Wisconsin are:

  • Liberty Mutual.
  • Novo.
  • Progressive.
  • State Auto.
  • Dairyland.
  • The General.

Because the cost of car insurance in Wisconsin is dependent on your unique driving profile, we’ve gone a step further and compared the cost of auto insurance rates for these types of drivers:

  • Good drivers (those with a clean driving record).
  • Young drivers (those aged between 16 and 25).
  • Bad drivers (those with a history of traffic violations).

Car Insurance Requirements in Wisconsin

In Wisconsin, minimum liability auto insurance coverage is mandatory for all drivers.

Minimum liability insurance covers only the other car and/or that car’s driver and passengers when you are found to be at-fault for an accident.

A car insurance policy in Wisconsin must include the following minimum amounts of coverage:

  • $25,000 bodily injury liability coverage for one person in an accident caused by the owner/driver of the insured vehicle.
  • $50,000 liability coverage for total bodily injury or death liability in an accident caused by the owner/driver of the insured vehicle.
  • $10,000 liability coverage for property damage per accident caused by the owner/driver of the insured vehicle.

Key Point: Is Minimum Liability Coverage Enough?

While it may seem like a good idea to save money by getting only the minimum liability insurance required to comply with Wisconsin law, this may not be sufficient in many instances.

Let’s look at an example. Wisconsin’s minimum coverage for bodily injury liability is $25,000.

If you’ve caused a serious accident and the other party’s medical bills total $40,000, you’ll have to pay $15,000 from your pocket (the difference between $40,000 and $25,000).

Remember, liability insurance only protects third parties and doesn’t reimburse you if your car is stolen, damaged, or totaled.

Minimum Liability Car Insurance in Wisconsin

Minimum liability coverage car insurance is a popular choice because you pay much cheaper car insurance premiums.

However, it only covers the other driver’s injuries and property damage.

This means that minimum liability insurance doesn’t include protection for damage to your own vehicle, or injuries sustained by you or your passengers.

If you’re found to be at-fault in a car accident and you do not meet the minimum coverage car insurance requirements, you will be held personally responsible for paying the other party’s medical bills, legal bills, and lost wages.

As a major part of your minimum liability insurance, bodily injury insurance covers medical bills for people other than the policyholder who are injured during an accident.

We have found that on average, the cost of a minimum liability car insurance policy in Wisconsin is $146.33 per month.

Novo offers the cheapest car insurance rates for minimum liability coverage, which costs on average $119.20 per month.

Cheapest Minimum Liability Car Insurance in Wisconsin
ProviderMilwaukee CountyDane CountyWaukesha CountyBrown CountyRacine CountyAverage
Liberty Mutual$199.00$128.00$150.00$122.00$171.00$154.00
Novo$152.00$109.00$115.00$94.00$126.00$119.20
Progressive$136.00N/AN/AN/AN/A$136.00
State Auto$202.00$155.00$148.00$137.00$158.00$160.00
Dairyland$211.00$127.00$133.00$102.00$144.00$143.40
The General$232.00$153.00$154.00$133.00$155.00$165.40

Find Cheap Comprehensive Car Insurance in Wisconsin

While having a comprehensive car insurance policy is optional in Wisconsin, you should consider buying it if you can afford to.

If you don’t have comprehensive car insurance, you will need to have money set aside to cover damage to your vehicle in the event of:

  • Theft or theft of parts.
  • Non-crash damage (natural disasters, fire, flooding).
  • A broken windshield.
  • Car damage from hitting an animal.

Repairing car damage can easily amount to thousands of dollars.

Without comprehensive car insurance, you risk finding yourself in a situation where you are unable to drive your car because you cannot afford to repair it.

To help you find the cheapest comprehensive car insurance in Wisconsin, we’ve compared the rates offered by five insurers.

We found that the two cheapest insurance companies in Wisconsin are:

  • Novo with average rates of $126.80.
  • Progressive with a rate of $169.00.
Cheapest Full Coverage Insurance in Wisconsin
ProviderMilwaukee CountyDane CountyWaukesha CountyBrown CountyRacine CountyAverage
Progressive$169.00N/AN/AN/AN/A$169.00
Novo$168.00$117.00$115.00$94.00$140.00$126.80
Liberty Mutual$278.00$158.00$198.00$152.00$237.00$204.60
State Auto$234.00$173.00$171.00$154.00$185.00$183.40
Bristol West$564.00$306.00$360.00$275.00$407.00$382.40

Cheap Car Insurance in Wisconsin for Drivers with Clean Driving Records

You can qualify for good driver car insurance rates if you have a history of safe driving.

If your motor vehicle record is free of accidents and claims, you represent a low risk for the insurance company, resulting in lower premiums.

Drivers with a clean record are in a good position to find cheap car insurance. Auto insurance companies consider good drivers to be people who:

  • Have not been the cause of any car accidents.
  • Have not committed traffic offenses.
  • Have a good credit score.
  • Have not been issued speeding tickets.
  • Have no reckless driving charges.
  • Have no DUI convictions.

Companies may offer one or both of two common types of good driver discounts:

  • A discount for avoiding violations for a certain number of years.
  • A discount for avoiding accident claims for a certain number of years.

If you are a new driver without enough driving experience to qualify for a good driver discount, you may wish to consider enrolling in a defensive driving course in order to increase your road sense.

Some car insurance companies will offer an additional discount if you have completed an accredited defensive driving course.

We’ve looked at the average car insurance rates offered by car insurance companies for good drivers.

We found that on average, the cost of car insurance for good drivers in Wisconsin is $187.87 per month.

The two cheapest car insurance companies for good drivers are:

  • Novo with average rates of $122.00 per month.
  • Progressive with an average rate of $149.00 per month.
Cheapest Car Insurance for Good Drivers (Clean Driving Records) in Wisconsin
ProviderMilwaukee CountyDane CountyWaukesha CountyBrown CountyRacine CountyAverage
Progressive$149.00N/AN/AN/AN/A$149.00
Novo$152.00$109.00$115.00$94.00$140.00$122.00
Liberty Mutual$227.00$139.00$167.00$133.00$194.00$172.00
State Auto$219.00$164.00$160.00$146.00$172.00$172.20
Dairyland$253.00$141.00$153.00$115.00$168.00$166.00
Bristol West$509.00$283.00$324.00$250.00$364.00$346.00

Cheap Car Insurance in Wisconsin for High-Risk Drivers

Car insurance companies use the term ‘high risk’ to describe drivers who are more likely to make a claim against their auto insurance policy.

Some of the offenses that may lead to being considered a high-risk driver include:

  • Receiving a DUI conviction.
  • Reckless driving.
  • Speeding tickets.
  • Driving without meeting the minimum liability coverage requirements.
  • A poor credit score.
  • Unpaid insurance policy premiums.

If you are a high-risk driver, Wisconsin car insurance companies are likely to increase the cost of your insurance.

This is because you will be seen as someone who is more likely to have an accident than a good driver with a clean record.

We’ve done the hard work of comparing car insurance quotes from various companies to help you find the best rate.

On average, the cost of car insurance for high-risk drivers in Wisconsin is $305.00 per month.

  • The cheapest car insurance company for high-risk drivers is Dairyland at $215.00 per month.
  • The most expensive car insurance company for high-risk drivers is Bristol West at $473.00 per month.
Cheap Insurance for Bad Drivers in Wisconsin (DUI, traffic ticket)
ProviderMilwaukee CountyDane CountyWaukesha CountyBrown CountyRacine CountyAverage
The General$318.00$206.00$210.00$180.00$211.00$225.00
Dairyland$317.00$190.00$200.00$152.00$217.00$215.20
Bristol West$707.00$403.00$433.00$337.00$487.00$473.40

Cheapest Car Insurance in Wisconsin for Young Drivers

Since young drivers have less experience behind the wheel, insurers tend to charge them higher rates compared to more mature drivers.

A full coverage policy is recommended for teen drivers if they can afford it because they tend to get into accidents more often than adult drivers.

A minimum coverage policy, even though it is much cheaper, could ultimately cost more if a teen gets into a serious accident and has to pay for repairs completely out-of-pocket.

Good student and driver safety course discounts can help young drivers reduce their rates, as can staying on a parent’s policy for as long as possible.

On average, most drivers will see their rates become less expensive as they get older, with a significant decrease once they turn 25 years old.

We’ve compared the cost of car insurance for young drivers to help you save on auto insurance costs.

The cheapest car insurance for young drivers in Wisconsin is Novo with average rates of $126.80 per month.

The most expensive car insurance for young drivers in Wisconsin is Bristol West with average rates of $363.00 per month.

Cheapest Car Insurance for Young Drivers in Wisconsin
ProviderMilwaukee CountyDane CountyWaukesha CountyBrown CountyRacine CountyAverage
Novo$168.00$117.00$115.00$94.00$140.00$126.80
Liberty Mutual$250.00$181.00$205.00$169.00$216.00$204.20
Dairyland$189.00$160.00$164.00$128.00$132.00$154.60
The General$270.00$226.00$229.00$197.00$176.00$219.60
Bristol West$524.00$324.00$341.00$267.00$359.00$363.00

Need Cheap Car Insurance in Other States?

Out-of-state insurance is illegal in almost all U.S. states and is considered to be insurance fraud.

This means that your car insurance must be registered in the state in which you live. Some of the penalties for committing insurance fraud include:

  • Up to five years in prison.
  • A $50,000 fine.

If you plan to move from Wisconsin, you will need to find a new car insurance company in the state you move to.

You will usually have a 90-day grace period to cancel your car insurance and get car insurance in your new state.

To find the best insurance rates in other U.S. states, read our articles below:

Top Tips for Finding Affordable Car Insurance

Consider how you use your car

If you only use your car to drive short distances like to work or the grocery store, most types of standard car insurance should cover your needs.

If your needs are more extensive, you should check whether your car insurance company covers your requirements.

Unique needs may include:

  • Multiple drivers sharing one car.
  • Using your car for ridesharing.
  • Using your car for work-related deliveries.
  • Consolidating all of your insurance policies under one provider.

Take note of lender requirements

If your car is financed or leased, banks and other financial institutions are likely to require that you have liability insurance, comprehensive coverage, and collision insurance.

Full coverage car insurance protects your lender if you’re in a car accident or your car is stolen and you can no longer afford to meet your monthly payments.

You should avoid allowing your car insurance to lapse because single-interest car insurance is much more expensive than standard car insurance.

Want a personalized car insurance quote? Click here!

Compare quotes from different car insurance companies

It’s always a good idea to shop around before making a decision about car insurance.

Although you can do the research yourself, going through an insurance agent can save you a lot of time and money.

The only way to be completely certain that you’re getting the best rates is to compare car insurance quotes from multiple insurers.

To save time, you can go through a licensed insurance agent or compare quotes from different insurance providers by using our online quote finder.

Top Car Insurance Companies in Wisconsin

Bristol West

Founded in 1973, Bristol West’s national footprint makes it one of the top ten biggest insurance companies in the U.S.

Bristol West was originally created to provide high-risk drivers with affordable insurance policies and has since expanded its services to all types of drivers.

Some of the benefits offered by Bristol West include:

  • Multiple policy bundling discounts.
  • Personalized car insurance policies.
  • Rideshare coverage.
  • Medical payments.
  • Gap coverage.
  • Towing and roadside assistance.
  • Rental car reimbursement.

Get a free quote for personalized car insurance.

State Auto

Since 1921, State Auto has expanded into a $3 billion organization.

The company takes great pride in being innovative and doing things differently especially when it comes to:

  • Providing you with excellent customer service that caters to your specific needs.
  • Customized plans to suit each customer rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
  • Innovative technology to offer customers efficient claims processing, as well as the most up-to-date and streamlined insurance packages.

The company provides car insurance policies in 33 U.S. states, and it also offers homeowners insurance, personal insurance, and umbrella insurance.

Click here if you need help deciding on the best auto insurance company.

Car Insurance in Wisconsin FAQs

Do I need to have car insurance in the State of Wisconsin?

It’s essential for Wisconsin drivers to have the following minimum auto liability coverage:

  • $25,000 for injury/death to one person.
  • $50,000 for injury/death to more than one person.
  • $10,000 for damage to property.

What are the cheapest car insurance companies in Wisconsin?

The amount you pay for an auto insurance policy in Wisconsin depends on several criteria, including your age, credit score, and gender, along with your claims and driving history.

For minimum liability, the cheapest auto insurance on offer is from Novo at $119.20 and the cheapest comprehensive cover is also available from Novo for $126.80.

What is the best auto insurance company in Wisconsin?

Determining the best auto insurance company in Wisconsin comes down to individual preferences and needs.

When choosing the best auto insurance, consider what is most important to you, such as price, coverage offerings, available discounts, or customer satisfaction.

The best insurance company may not have the cheapest auto insurance rates but may excel in another important area for you.

How long do you have to insure a new car in Wisconsin?

The Wisconsin new-car insurance grace period is 2 to 30 days in most cases.

The new-car grace period is how long insured drivers are allowed to drive a newly purchased vehicle before adding it to a car insurance policy.

Is car insurance expensive in Wisconsin?

To find the cheapest Wisconsin auto insurance, we recommend comparing insurance quotes from multiple companies.

This can be a time-consuming process, so let us find the best deals for you.

Quick Wisconsin Car Insurance Facts

  • Wisconsin’s minimum coverage requirement must have policy limits of 25/50/10.
  • Approximately 13% of Wisconsin drivers are uninsured.

Minimum Wisconsin Car Insurance Coverage

Wisconsin requires drivers to have minimum insurance for bodily injury and property damage liability. This includes the following auto insurance coverages:

Property damage: $10,000 coverage for a single accident

Bodily injury/death: $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 for bodily injury per accident

Getting Cheap Car Insurance In Wisconsin

Looking for discounts? Get cheap car insurance in Wisconsin by following these tips:

  1. Compare rates. A comparison website can easily help you find the best rate. And this is where Cheap Insurance truly shines.
  2. Drive safely. Avoid accidents, speeding tickets, and DUIs, and your car insurance provider may offer you a discount.
  3. Move to the country. Your ZIP code is used to determine your insurance rates. Rural areas are cheaper than cities, so if you’ve always dreamed of country life, living there could save you money.

Wisconsin Car Insurance Discounts

Car insurance coverage in Wisconsin is cheaper than the national average, but why not save money with these possible discounts?

Good Driver: Good drivers get into fewer accidents, so they’re cheaper to insure. Many car insurance providers offer discounts for drivers with no accidents or claims. 

Good Student: Good grades in school may get you cheaper car insurance. Some drivers can save 10% or more.

Low Mileage: The more you drive, the more likely you’ll get into an accident. Drive fewer miles and save.

Driving Experience: The more experience you have driving, the less you’ll pay. That’s why teens pay higher rates than middle-aged drivers.

FAQ

What is the penalty for driving without insurance in Wisconsin?

Driving without car insurance in Wisconsin can result in a $500 fine.

What is driving like in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin has some scenic routes if you’re looking for a nice drive. Overall, though, the state’s roads are poorly maintained, so be cautious when driving. In the winter, heavy snow and ice can make the roads especially treacherous.

How can I save money on my car insurance policy in Wisconsin?

 To get cheap car insurance in Wisconsin, follow these tips:

  • Improve your credit, as it can be used to set your insurance rates.
  • Ask about the best payment options to get a discount, such as paying for your premium all at once.
  • Remove unnecessary coverage from older vehicles.

Other Types of Coverage

Wisconsin requires a minimum amount of insurance coverage to operate a vehicle. Get more protection with these additional car insurance coverages:

Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UMC)/Underinsured Motorist coverage (UIM)

Medical Payments Coverage

Physical Damage Coverage

Additional kinds of coverage 

Endorsements and Riders

  • Towing and road service
  • Rental car reimbursement
  • Gap insurance

Cities We Cover In Wisconsin

Cheap car insurance is available in Wisconsin. We cover the following cities: