Compare Wisconsin Car Insurance Rates [2023]
Wisconsin requires drivers to carry liability car insurance in the amount of 25/50/10. If you compare Wisconsin car insurance rates, a minimum liability insurance policy is the cheapest at an average of $32/mo. Full coverage Wisconsin insurance is still affordable, though, as it averages $101/mo.
Free Car Insurance Comparison
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Joel Ohman
Founder & CFP®
Joel Ohman is the CEO of a private equity backed digital media company. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, author, angel investor, and serial entrepreneur who loves creating new things, whether books or businesses. He has also previously served as the founder and resident CFP® of a national insurance agency, Real Time Health Quotes. He has an MBA from the University of South Florida. Jo...
Founder & CFP®
UPDATED: Aug 24, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident car insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one car insurance company and cannot guarantee quotes from any single company.
Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from top car companies please enter your ZIP code above to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Aug 24, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident car insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one car insurance company and cannot guarantee quotes from any single company.
Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from top car companies please enter your ZIP code above to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
Wisconsin Summary Statistics | Details |
---|---|
Road Miles | Total in State: 115,543 Vehicle Miles Driven: 65.3 billion |
Vehicles | Registered in State: 6.07 million Stolen: 9,919 |
Population | 5,813,568 |
Most Popular Vehicle | Chevrolet Silverado 1500 |
Uninsured Drivers | 14.3% Rank: 15th |
Traffic Fatalities | 2017 Total: 613 Speeding: 180 Drunk Driving: 190 |
Average Annual Premiums | Liability: $374 Collision: $226 Comprehensive: $137 Combined: $737 |
Cheapest Provider | American Family |
- Wisconsin drivers have to carry liability car insurance in the amount of 25/50/10
- A minimum liability insurance policy in Wisconsin is an average of $32/mo
- Comparing Wisconsin insurance rates will make sure you get the cheapest rate
Taking the time to compare Wisconsin car insurance rates from the best car insurance companies will ensure you get the best rates on your insurance policy. While it may be tempting to carry the bare minimum of insurance in Wisconsin, full coverage provides complete protection for you and your vehicle.
Read on to learn about what coverages you should carry, Wisconsin car insurance laws, and more. If you want to jump right into finding cheap Wisconsin car insurance, enter your ZIP code to get car insurance quotes in Wisconsin today.
Wisconsin Car Insurance Rates
Trying to wade through the waters of confusing laws and jargon about the hundreds of car insurance companies in Wisconsin is a tough and uncomfortable task. Mercifully, we’ve mucked our way through all the discomforting data and details, so you don’t have to.
- Car Insurance Rates in Wisconsin
- Compare Wausau, WI Car Insurance Rates [2023]
- Compare South Milwaukee, WI Car Insurance Rates [2023]
- Compare Port Washington, WI Car Insurance Rates [2023]
- Compare Omro, WI Car Insurance Rates [2023]
- Compare Manitowoc, WI Car Insurance Rates [2023]
- Compare Kaukauna, WI Car Insurance Rates [2023]
- Compare Janesville, WI Car Insurance Rates [2023]
- Compare Iron River, WI Car Insurance Rates [2023]
- Compare Ashland, WI Car Insurance Rates [2023]
We will show you all the relevant facts and figures you need to make your choice for your car insurance needs. We’ll help you to understand the requirements of Wisconsin, what you may want for coverage, and where you can get it at the best rates.
Wisconsin Minimum Coverage
Wisconsin is a traditional, “at fault” state, meaning that the person who was at fault for causing the car accident is also responsible for any resulting harm and damages. All drivers in Wisconsin are required to carry minimum liability car insurance coverage levels of 25/50/10 to satisfy basic overage. This means that car owners must carry the following minimum levels of liability insurance:
- $25,000 for bodily injury or death per person in an accident caused by the owner of the insured vehicle
- $50,000 for total bodily injury or death per accident caused by the owner of the insured vehicle
- $10,000 for property damage per accident caused by the owner of the insured vehicle
The state of Wisconsin requires its residents to carry the following limits for uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage:
- $25,000 for injury per person for both UM and UIM
- $50,000 for injury per accident for UM and UIM
Motorists who are unable or unwilling to provide proof of insurance at a traffic stop or after an accident may face a $10 fine, but driving without insurance at all can result in a fine of up to $500.
How much risk you’re willing to assume is solely up to you. You must do a cost-benefit analysis to decide whether the basic, legal minimums required by the state of Wisconsin are enough to protect your current and future assets. Know, too, that the cost for minimum coverage is unique from state to state.
Drivers that have substantial wealth to protect should purchase liability coverage with increased limits of 100/300/50.
Moving on, we will look at the amount of money that motorists in Wisconsin spend on auto insurance. The amount you will actually pay will more than likely differ from these given amounts; however, this data should serve as an informative baseline that you can use to draw conclusions about your personal circumstance.
Premiums as a Percentage of Income
There is a saying about the American tax law that states the following: “The guy who said that the truth never hurts never had to fill out a form 1040.”This anonymous one-liner highlights the major impact of income taxes on Disposable Personal Income (DPI). Your DPI is the amount of money you get to keep after taxes are taken out by the government.
STATE | Full Coverage 2014 | Disposable Income 2014 | Insurance as % of Income 2014 | Full Coverage 2013 | Disposable Income 2013 | Insurance as % of Income 2013 | Full Coverage 2012 | Disposable Income 2012 | Insurance as % of Income 2012 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wisconsin | $716.83 | $39,433.00 | 1.82% | $689.77 | $37,835.00 | 1.82% | $666.79 | $38,044.00 | 1.75% |
The best full coverage car insurance policy will include liability, comprehensive, and collision insurance. Here’s a peek at the average cost of each individual element:
Coverage Type | Average Annual Cost in 2015 | National Average |
---|---|---|
Liability | $374.37 | $538.73 |
Collision | $226 | $322.61 |
Comprehensive | $136.81 | $148.04 |
Full | $737.18 | $1,009.38 |
Now that we have sorted through some data about auto insurance costs to the individual consumer, let’s take a look at some important statistics about the Wisconsin car insurance companies themselves.
Loss Ratio
First, let’s take a look at loss ratio and how it affects your insurance. The insurance loss ratio is the proportion of incurred losses compared to earned premiums expressed as a percentage.
A high loss ratio means that an insurance company has paid out too many claims, which will subsequently lead to a rise in future premiums for all consumers.
For example, if an auto insurer collects $100,000 of premiums in a given year and pays out $55,000 in claims, the company’s loss ratio is 55 percent ($55,000 incurred losses/$100,000 earned premiums).
Add-ons, Endorsements, Riders
According to the Insurance Information Institute, a little over 14 percent of drivers in Wisconsin (14.3 to be exact) are driving without insurance, which ranks as just the 15th highest percentage in the nation.
Pay-per-mile car insurance plans offered by companies like Metromile are growing in their popularity, unfortunately, they are not yet active in Wisconsin. Other usage-based auto insurance programs (UBI) are active and available to drivers in Wisconsin.
You can read about UBI programs in our American Family KnowYourDrive program review to learn about the discounts offered to drivers based on their driving habits and capabilities.
In addition to these add-ons, there are several more optional enhancements that you can explore to decide which ones may be right for you:
- GAP insurance
- Personal Umbrella Policy (PUP)
- Rental Car Reimbursement
- Emergency Roadside Assistance
- Mechanical Breakdown Insurance
- Non-Owner Car Insurance
- Modified Car Insurance Coverage
- Classic Car Insurance
Average Monthly Car Insurance Rates by Age & Gender in WI
Let’s take a look at the table below to see which gender would enjoy the more affordable rates as drivers.
Company | Single 17-year old female | Single 17-year old male | Single 25-year old female | Single 25-year old male | Married 35-year old female | Married 35-year old male | Married 60-year old female | Married 60-year old male |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Allstate P&C | $7,334.19 | $9,404.12 | $2,294.78 | $2,492.10 | $2,260.76 | $2,382.47 | $2,088.63 | $2,308.36 |
American Family Ins | $2,844.04 | $3,134.61 | $1,135.28 | $1,209.31 | $958.90 | $1,002.57 | $907.25 | $914.15 |
Mid-Century Ins Co | $9,058.32 | $9,384.83 | $2,174.00 | $2,277.36 | $1,914.63 | $1,915.25 | $1,697.53 | $1,797.98 |
Geico Cas | $4,301.84 | $4,635.16 | $1,195.24 | $1,231.20 | $1,292.65 | $1,428.00 | $1,341.28 | $1,540.98 |
SAFECO Ins Co of IL | $5,989.99 | $6,720.07 | $1,882.36 | $2,040.80 | $1,770.81 | $1,933.28 | $1,431.26 | $1,626.57 |
AMCO Insurance | $7,388.96 | $11,333.17 | $4,379.28 | $5,192.67 | $3,597.48 | $3,785.31 | $2,981.78 | $3,141.26 |
Artisan and Truckers Casualty | $6,692.88 | $7,551.66 | $2,112.73 | $2,290.54 | $1,760.63 | $1,676.02 | $1,442.61 | $1,504.23 |
State Farm Mutual Auto | $3,833.87 | $4,845.21 | $1,516.77 | $1,732.41 | $1,345.30 | $1,345.30 | $1,195.81 | $1,195.81 |
USAA | $3,367.35 | $3,901.46 | $1,705.43 | $1,869.61 | $1,315.46 | $1,311.45 | $1,193.74 | $1,212.48 |
Here’s a look at the Most Expensive Demographic rates in Wisconsin. Which company offers the best value for you and your loved ones?
Company | Demographic | Average Annual Rate | Rank |
---|---|---|---|
AMCO Insurance | Single 17-year old male | $11,333.17 | 1 |
Allstate P&C | Single 17-year old male | $9,404.12 | 2 |
Mid-Century Ins Co | Single 17-year old male | $9,384.83 | 3 |
Mid-Century Ins Co | Single 17-year old female | $9,058.32 | 4 |
Artisan and Truckers Casualty | Single 17-year old male | $7,551.66 | 5 |
AMCO Insurance | Single 17-year old female | $7,388.96 | 6 |
Allstate P&C | Single 17-year old female | $7,334.19 | 7 |
SAFECO Ins Co of IL | Single 17-year old male | $6,720.07 | 8 |
Artisan and Truckers Casualty | Single 17-year old female | $6,692.88 | 9 |
SAFECO Ins Co of IL | Single 17-year old female | $5,989.99 | 10 |
AMCO Insurance | Single 25-year old male | $5,192.67 | 11 |
State Farm Mutual Auto | Single 17-year old male | $4,845.21 | 12 |
Geico Cas | Single 17-year old male | $4,635.16 | 13 |
AMCO Insurance | Single 25-year old female | $4,379.28 | 14 |
Geico Cas | Single 17-year old female | $4,301.84 | 15 |
USAA | Single 17-year old male | $3,901.46 | 16 |
State Farm Mutual Auto | Single 17-year old female | $3,833.87 | 17 |
AMCO Insurance | Married 35-year old male | $3,785.31 | 18 |
AMCO Insurance | Married 35-year old female | $3,597.48 | 19 |
USAA | Single 17-year old female | $3,367.35 | 20 |
AMCO Insurance | Married 60-year old male | $3,141.26 | 21 |
American Family Ins | Single 17-year old male | $3,134.61 | 22 |
AMCO Insurance | Married 60-year old female | $2,981.78 | 23 |
American Family Ins | Single 17-year old female | $2,844.04 | 24 |
Allstate P&C | Single 25-year old male | $2,492.10 | 25 |
Allstate P&C | Married 35-year old male | $2,382.47 | 26 |
Allstate P&C | Married 60-year old male | $2,308.36 | 27 |
Allstate P&C | Single 25-year old female | $2,294.78 | 28 |
Artisan and Truckers Casualty | Single 25-year old male | $2,290.54 | 29 |
Mid-Century Ins Co | Single 25-year old male | $2,277.36 | 30 |
Allstate P&C | Married 35-year old female | $2,260.76 | 31 |
Mid-Century Ins Co | Single 25-year old female | $2,174.00 | 32 |
Artisan and Truckers Casualty | Single 25-year old female | $2,112.73 | 33 |
Allstate P&C | Married 60-year old female | $2,088.63 | 34 |
SAFECO Ins Co of IL | Single 25-year old male | $2,040.80 | 35 |
SAFECO Ins Co of IL | Married 35-year old male | $1,933.28 | 36 |
Mid-Century Ins Co | Married 35-year old male | $1,915.25 | 37 |
Mid-Century Ins Co | Married 35-year old female | $1,914.63 | 38 |
SAFECO Ins Co of IL | Single 25-year old female | $1,882.36 | 39 |
USAA | Single 25-year old male | $1,869.61 | 40 |
Mid-Century Ins Co | Married 60-year old male | $1,797.98 | 41 |
SAFECO Ins Co of IL | Married 35-year old female | $1,770.81 | 42 |
Artisan and Truckers Casualty | Married 35-year old female | $1,760.63 | 43 |
State Farm Mutual Auto | Single 25-year old male | $1,732.41 | 44 |
USAA | Single 25-year old female | $1,705.43 | 45 |
Mid-Century Ins Co | Married 60-year old female | $1,697.53 | 46 |
Artisan and Truckers Casualty | Married 35-year old male | $1,676.02 | 47 |
SAFECO Ins Co of IL | Married 60-year old male | $1,626.57 | 48 |
Geico Cas | Married 60-year old male | $1,540.98 | 49 |
State Farm Mutual Auto | Single 25-year old female | $1,516.77 | 50 |
Artisan and Truckers Casualty | Married 60-year old male | $1,504.23 | 51 |
Artisan and Truckers Casualty | Married 60-year old female | $1,442.61 | 52 |
SAFECO Ins Co of IL | Married 60-year old female | $1,431.26 | 53 |
Geico Cas | Married 35-year old male | $1,428.00 | 54 |
State Farm Mutual Auto | Married 35-year old female | $1,345.30 | 55 |
State Farm Mutual Auto | Married 35-year old male | $1,345.30 | 55 |
Geico Cas | Married 60-year old female | $1,341.28 | 57 |
USAA | Married 35-year old female | $1,315.46 | 58 |
USAA | Married 35-year old male | $1,311.45 | 59 |
Car insurance for young male drivers is typically the most. For example, a married 35-year-old male in Wisconsin will pay $1,428.00 annually on his premiums with Geico compared to $3,785.31 with AMCO.
Wisconsin Insurance Rates by ZIP Code
Are you more likely to get higher car insurance premiums in Madison or Milwaukee? Do the residents of Green Bay enjoy lower premiums than citizens in Appleton? To answer these questions, we need to take a look at the most expensive ZIP codes in Wisconsin. Here are charts with the average annual premiums in Wisconsin broken down by zip code for each insurance carrier:
Cheapest ZIP Codes in Wisconsin | City | Average Annual Rate by ZIP Codes | Most Expensive Company | Most Expensive Annual Rate | 2nd Most Expensive Company | 2nd Most Expensive Annual Rate | Cheapest Company | Cheapest Annual Rate | 2nd Cheapest Company | 2nd Cheapest Annual Rate |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
54130 | KAUKAUNA | $2,491.30 | Nationwide | $4,220.90 | Farmers | $3,365.95 | American Family | $1,325.23 | Geico | $1,652.89 |
53081 | SHEBOYGAN | $2,494.36 | Nationwide | $3,861.19 | Farmers | $3,449.82 | American Family | $1,282.73 | USAA | $1,631.12 |
54136 | KIMBERLY | $2,506.22 | Nationwide | $4,220.90 | Farmers | $3,392.03 | American Family | $1,324.07 | Geico | $1,648.45 |
54311 | GREEN BAY | $2,510.86 | Nationwide | $4,176.89 | Farmers | $3,349.88 | American Family | $1,428.76 | Geico | $1,670.01 |
53085 | SHEBOYGAN FALLS | $2,513.86 | Nationwide | $3,861.19 | Farmers | $3,570.64 | American Family | $1,300.22 | USAA | $1,633.42 |
54113 | COMBINED LOCKS | $2,518.18 | Nationwide | $4,220.90 | Farmers | $3,392.03 | American Family | $1,320.94 | Geico | $1,652.89 |
54301 | GREEN BAY | $2,519.58 | Nationwide | $4,176.89 | Farmers | $3,474.80 | American Family | $1,312.84 | Geico | $1,683.22 |
53083 | SHEBOYGAN | $2,521.05 | Nationwide | $3,861.19 | Farmers | $3,499.01 | American Family | $1,261.88 | USAA | $1,631.12 |
54115 | DE PERE | $2,521.59 | Nationwide | $4,176.89 | Allstate | $3,373.77 | American Family | $1,356.11 | Geico | $1,670.01 |
53044 | KOHLER | $2,525.46 | Nationwide | $3,861.19 | Farmers | $3,570.64 | American Family | $1,261.88 | USAA | $1,631.12 |
54304 | GREEN BAY | $2,526.11 | Nationwide | $4,176.89 | Farmers | $3,474.80 | American Family | $1,399.48 | Geico | $1,683.22 |
54956 | NEENAH | $2,538.80 | Nationwide | $4,220.90 | Allstate | $3,674.96 | American Family | $1,316.63 | Geico | $1,648.45 |
54123 | FOREST JUNCTION | $2,540.14 | Nationwide | $4,174.98 | Farmers | $3,399.89 | American Family | $1,289.92 | USAA | $1,751.92 |
54302 | GREEN BAY | $2,540.45 | Nationwide | $4,176.89 | Farmers | $3,474.80 | American Family | $1,544.78 | Geico | $1,683.22 |
54303 | GREEN BAY | $2,541.33 | Nationwide | $4,176.89 | Farmers | $3,474.80 | American Family | $1,385.56 | Geico | $1,683.22 |
54952 | MENASHA | $2,541.36 | Nationwide | $4,174.98 | Farmers | $3,396.10 | American Family | $1,329.05 | Geico | $1,648.45 |
54313 | GREEN BAY | $2,545.82 | Nationwide | $4,176.89 | Farmers | $3,349.88 | American Family | $1,325.38 | Geico | $1,670.01 |
54915 | APPLETON | $2,552.14 | Nationwide | $4,220.90 | Allstate | $3,683.58 | American Family | $1,308.75 | Geico | $1,648.45 |
54110 | BRILLION | $2,556.05 | Nationwide | $4,174.98 | Farmers | $3,423.05 | American Family | $1,289.92 | USAA | $1,751.92 |
54155 | ONEIDA | $2,556.22 | Nationwide | $4,176.89 | Allstate | $3,353.35 | American Family | $1,356.11 | USAA | $1,788.03 |
54140 | LITTLE CHUTE | $2,561.22 | Nationwide | $4,220.90 | Allstate | $3,683.58 | American Family | $1,323.76 | Geico | $1,652.89 |
53020 | ELKHART LAKE | $2,564.46 | Nationwide | $4,174.98 | Farmers | $3,469.07 | American Family | $1,343.88 | USAA | $1,633.42 |
54914 | APPLETON | $2,568.06 | Nationwide | $4,220.90 | Allstate | $3,674.96 | American Family | $1,397.78 | Geico | $1,648.45 |
53073 | PLYMOUTH | $2,570.18 | Nationwide | $4,174.98 | Farmers | $3,570.64 | American Family | $1,315.70 | USAA | $1,633.42 |
54913 | APPLETON | $2,573.22 | Nationwide | $4,220.90 | Allstate | $3,674.96 | American Family | $1,349.38 | Geico | $1,652.89 |
Next, the most expensive zip codes.
Most Expensive ZIP Codes in Wisconsin | City | Average Annual Rate by ZIP Code | Most Expensive Company | Most Expensive Annual Rate | 2nd Most Expensive Company | 2nd Most Expensive Annual Rate | Cheapest Company | Cheapest Annual Rate | 2nd Cheapest Company | 2nd Cheapest Annual Rate |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
53206 | MILWAUKEE | $5,102.46 | Nationwide | $9,162.87 | Allstate | $6,835.70 | American Family | $2,057.23 | USAA | $2,851.01 |
53216 | MILWAUKEE | $5,010.47 | Nationwide | $9,051.09 | Allstate | $6,835.70 | American Family | $2,095.87 | USAA | $2,859.72 |
53205 | MILWAUKEE | $4,815.48 | Nationwide | $9,162.87 | Allstate | $6,645.94 | American Family | $2,013.75 | USAA | $2,851.01 |
53212 | MILWAUKEE | $4,770.80 | Nationwide | $9,162.87 | Allstate | $6,785.91 | American Family | $1,964.02 | USAA | $2,851.01 |
53210 | MILWAUKEE | $4,751.86 | Nationwide | $9,051.09 | Allstate | $6,331.60 | American Family | $1,989.90 | USAA | $2,859.72 |
53233 | MILWAUKEE | $4,657.36 | Nationwide | $9,162.87 | Allstate | $6,464.17 | American Family | $2,012.43 | USAA | $2,851.01 |
53204 | MILWAUKEE | $4,566.46 | Nationwide | $9,162.87 | Allstate | $6,645.94 | American Family | $2,007.62 | USAA | $2,851.01 |
53218 | MILWAUKEE | $4,508.38 | Allstate | $6,983.45 | Farmers | $6,282.99 | American Family | $2,102.37 | USAA | $2,331.50 |
53209 | MILWAUKEE | $4,400.48 | Allstate | $6,983.45 | Farmers | $6,282.99 | American Family | $1,764.77 | USAA | $2,247.46 |
53203 | MILWAUKEE | $4,379.97 | Nationwide | $9,162.87 | Farmers | $5,501.63 | American Family | $2,015.65 | USAA | $2,851.01 |
53208 | MILWAUKEE | $4,254.76 | Allstate | $6,321.24 | Nationwide | $6,195.71 | American Family | $2,053.73 | USAA | $2,244.28 |
53215 | MILWAUKEE | $4,169.07 | Allstate | $6,308.98 | Nationwide | $6,195.71 | American Family | $2,045.70 | USAA | $2,449.64 |
53202 | MILWAUKEE | $4,107.54 | Nationwide | $9,162.87 | Allstate | $4,886.72 | American Family | $2,012.80 | USAA | $2,311.63 |
53225 | MILWAUKEE | $3,983.62 | Nationwide | $5,835.34 | Allstate | $5,734.60 | American Family | $1,905.69 | USAA | $2,331.50 |
53224 | MILWAUKEE | $3,958.34 | Allstate | $5,987.59 | Nationwide | $5,835.34 | American Family | $1,939.50 | USAA | $2,281.41 |
53223 | MILWAUKEE | $3,957.10 | Allstate | $5,987.59 | Nationwide | $5,835.34 | American Family | $2,016.17 | USAA | $2,281.41 |
53222 | MILWAUKEE | $3,782.96 | Nationwide | $5,835.34 | Allstate | $5,719.90 | American Family | $1,816.85 | USAA | $2,260.05 |
53211 | MILWAUKEE | $3,747.76 | Nationwide | $6,195.71 | Allstate | $4,883.51 | American Family | $1,922.76 | USAA | $2,127.31 |
54818 | BRILL | $3,647.62 | Progressive | $7,590.37 | Nationwide | $5,667.48 | American Family | $1,585.14 | USAA | $2,090.03 |
53219 | MILWAUKEE | $3,629.96 | Nationwide | $6,195.71 | Farmers | $4,649.36 | American Family | $1,861.10 | USAA | $2,073.02 |
54434 | JUMP RIVER | $3,572.87 | Progressive | $7,590.37 | Nationwide | $5,797.61 | American Family | $1,557.59 | State Farm | $2,072.49 |
54532 | HEAFFORD JUNCTION | $3,569.38 | Progressive | $7,590.37 | Nationwide | $5,797.61 | American Family | $1,442.50 | State Farm | $2,072.49 |
54439 | HANNIBAL | $3,561.28 | Progressive | $7,590.37 | Nationwide | $5,797.61 | American Family | $1,453.20 | State Farm | $2,072.49 |
53214 | MILWAUKEE | $3,554.42 | Nationwide | $6,195.71 | Farmers | $4,649.36 | American Family | $1,987.16 | USAA | $2,060.76 |
53207 | MILWAUKEE | $3,515.05 | Nationwide | $6,195.71 | Farmers | $4,649.36 | American Family | $2,015.05 | USAA | $2,075.48 |
Wisconsin Insurance Rates by City
Where did your hometown rank statewide? Do the co-eds at Marquette University in Milwaukee fare better than the politicians in Madison? Let’s see how your city and neighborhood compare to the state average. These are the lists of the least expensive and most expensive cities in Wisconsin.
Cheapest Cities in Wisconsin | Average Annual Rate by City | Most Expensive Company | Most Expensive Annual Rate | 2nd Most Expensive Company | 2nd Most Expensive Annual Rate | Cheapest Company | Cheapest Annual Rate | 2nd Cheapest Company | 2nd Cheapest Annual Rate |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kaukauna | $2,491.30 | Nationwide | $4,220.90 | Farmers | $3,365.95 | American Family | $1,325.23 | Geico | $1,652.89 |
Sheboygan | $2,494.36 | Nationwide | $3,861.19 | Farmers | $3,449.82 | American Family | $1,282.73 | USAA | $1,631.12 |
Kimberly | $2,506.22 | Nationwide | $4,220.90 | Farmers | $3,392.03 | American Family | $1,324.07 | Geico | $1,648.45 |
Sheboygan Falls | $2,513.86 | Nationwide | $3,861.19 | Farmers | $3,570.64 | American Family | $1,300.22 | USAA | $1,633.42 |
Combined Locks | $2,518.18 | Nationwide | $4,220.90 | Farmers | $3,392.03 | American Family | $1,320.94 | Geico | $1,652.89 |
Howards Grove | $2,521.05 | Nationwide | $3,861.19 | Farmers | $3,499.01 | American Family | $1,261.88 | USAA | $1,631.12 |
De Pere | $2,521.59 | Nationwide | $4,176.89 | Allstate | $3,373.77 | American Family | $1,356.11 | Geico | $1,670.01 |
Kohler | $2,525.45 | Nationwide | $3,861.19 | Farmers | $3,570.64 | American Family | $1,261.88 | USAA | $1,631.12 |
Bellevue | $2,525.66 | Nationwide | $4,176.89 | Farmers | $3,412.35 | American Family | $1,486.77 | Geico | $1,676.62 |
Ashwaubenon | $2,535.96 | Nationwide | $4,176.89 | Farmers | $3,412.35 | American Family | $1,362.43 | Geico | $1,676.62 |
Neenah | $2,538.80 | Nationwide | $4,220.90 | Allstate | $3,674.96 | American Family | $1,316.63 | Geico | $1,648.45 |
Forest Junction | $2,540.14 | Nationwide | $4,174.98 | Farmers | $3,399.89 | American Family | $1,289.92 | USAA | $1,751.92 |
Green Bay | $2,541.34 | Nationwide | $4,176.89 | Farmers | $3,474.80 | American Family | $1,385.56 | Geico | $1,683.22 |
Menasha | $2,541.36 | Nationwide | $4,174.98 | Farmers | $3,396.10 | American Family | $1,329.05 | Geico | $1,648.45 |
Brillion | $2,556.05 | Nationwide | $4,174.98 | Farmers | $3,423.05 | American Family | $1,289.92 | USAA | $1,751.92 |
Hobart | $2,556.22 | Nationwide | $4,176.89 | Allstate | $3,353.35 | American Family | $1,356.11 | USAA | $1,788.03 |
Allouez | $2,561.19 | Nationwide | $4,176.89 | Farmers | $3,576.57 | American Family | $1,333.95 | Geico | $1,683.22 |
Little Chute | $2,561.22 | Nationwide | $4,220.90 | Allstate | $3,683.58 | American Family | $1,323.76 | Geico | $1,652.89 |
Elkhart Lake | $2,564.46 | Nationwide | $4,174.98 | Farmers | $3,469.07 | American Family | $1,343.88 | USAA | $1,633.42 |
Plymouth | $2,570.18 | Nationwide | $4,174.98 | Farmers | $3,570.64 | American Family | $1,315.70 | USAA | $1,633.42 |
Appleton | $2,570.34 | Nationwide | $4,220.90 | Allstate | $3,679.27 | American Family | $1,367.48 | Geico | $1,649.56 |
Greenville | $2,573.51 | Nationwide | $4,220.90 | Allstate | $3,674.96 | American Family | $1,318.93 | Geico | $1,652.89 |
Chilton | $2,578.45 | Nationwide | $4,174.98 | Allstate | $3,418.28 | American Family | $1,311.89 | USAA | $1,751.92 |
Cleveland | $2,585.53 | Nationwide | $4,175.53 | Farmers | $3,469.07 | American Family | $1,337.15 | USAA | $1,615.95 |
Suamico | $2,588.38 | Nationwide | $4,176.89 | Farmers | $3,515.06 | American Family | $1,340.49 | Geico | $1,670.01 |
The most expensive cities are next.
Most Expensive Cities in Wisconsin | Average Annual Rate by City | Most Expensive Company | Most Expensive Annual Rate | 2nd Most Expensive Company | 2nd Most Expensive Annual Rate | Cheapest Company | Cheapest Annual Rate | 2nd Cheapest Company | 2nd Cheapest Annual Rate |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Brown Deer | $4,178.79 | Allstate | $6,485.52 | Nationwide | $6,015.52 | American Family | $1,890.47 | USAA | $2,264.43 |
Milwaukee | $4,161.26 | Nationwide | $7,219.59 | Allstate | $5,621.38 | American Family | $1,973.06 | USAA | $2,434.41 |
Brill | $3,647.62 | Progressive | $7,590.37 | Nationwide | $5,667.48 | American Family | $1,585.14 | USAA | $2,090.03 |
Jump River | $3,572.87 | Progressive | $7,590.37 | Nationwide | $5,797.61 | American Family | $1,557.59 | State Farm | $2,072.49 |
Heafford Junction | $3,569.38 | Progressive | $7,590.37 | Nationwide | $5,797.61 | American Family | $1,442.50 | State Farm | $2,072.49 |
Hannibal | $3,561.27 | Progressive | $7,590.37 | Nationwide | $5,797.61 | American Family | $1,453.20 | State Farm | $2,072.49 |
Galloway | $3,475.38 | Progressive | $7,590.37 | Nationwide | $5,117.13 | American Family | $1,557.59 | USAA | $2,046.34 |
Mikana | $3,466.47 | Farmers | $5,843.46 | Nationwide | $5,667.48 | American Family | $1,585.14 | USAA | $2,090.03 |
St. Francis | $3,461.08 | Nationwide | $6,195.71 | Farmers | $4,649.36 | American Family | $1,759.85 | USAA | $2,049.94 |
Bayside | $3,396.38 | Nationwide | $4,938.69 | Allstate | $4,883.51 | American Family | $1,672.72 | USAA | $1,955.86 |
Elmwood Park | $3,363.02 | Nationwide | $5,481.23 | Allstate | $4,580.92 | American Family | $1,795.49 | USAA | $2,140.26 |
Greenfield | $3,358.65 | Nationwide | $5,357.70 | Farmers | $4,606.33 | American Family | $1,714.21 | USAA | $2,010.57 |
Cudahy | $3,345.01 | Nationwide | $6,195.71 | Farmers | $4,649.36 | American Family | $1,620.79 | USAA | $2,049.94 |
Hertel | $3,344.17 | Nationwide | $5,946.74 | Farmers | $4,574.93 | American Family | $1,595.78 | State Farm | $2,116.33 |
Webster | $3,292.41 | Nationwide | $5,946.74 | Farmers | $4,574.93 | American Family | $1,594.49 | USAA | $2,133.57 |
Hayward | $3,264.76 | Nationwide | $5,797.61 | Farmers | $4,176.65 | American Family | $1,519.25 | USAA | $2,155.89 |
Minong | $3,262.41 | Nationwide | $5,946.74 | Farmers | $4,176.65 | American Family | $1,586.80 | USAA | $2,133.57 |
Gordon | $3,261.36 | Nationwide | $6,056.27 | Farmers | $3,991.81 | American Family | $1,606.76 | USAA | $2,167.16 |
Spooner | $3,257.94 | Nationwide | $5,946.74 | Farmers | $4,198.52 | American Family | $1,574.94 | USAA | $2,133.57 |
Stone Lake | $3,252.68 | Nationwide | $5,946.74 | Farmers | $4,176.65 | American Family | $1,595.06 | USAA | $2,133.57 |
Springbrook | $3,252.01 | Nationwide | $5,946.74 | Farmers | $4,176.65 | American Family | $1,595.06 | USAA | $2,133.57 |
Trego | $3,251.33 | Nationwide | $5,946.74 | Farmers | $4,176.65 | American Family | $1,597.88 | USAA | $2,133.57 |
Shell Lake | $3,246.88 | Nationwide | $5,946.74 | Farmers | $4,014.10 | American Family | $1,568.99 | USAA | $2,133.57 |
Maplewood | $3,246.07 | Progressive | $7,590.37 | Nationwide | $4,497.68 | American Family | $1,344.11 | State Farm | $1,778.65 |
Kenosha | $3,245.87 | Nationwide | $5,377.01 | Allstate | $4,602.37 | American Family | $1,726.42 | USAA | $2,238.51 |
Free Car Insurance Comparison
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap car insurance rates.
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
The Best Wisconsin Car Insurance Companies
The late, great Packers QB Bart Starr was a class act on and off the field. His reputation as a leader on the gridiron and as a mentor in the community is above reproach. Unfortunately, we all can’t be Bart Starr. And very few people on the planet, never mind a car company, can boast a public reputation as stellar as Bryan Bartlett Starr.
The public perception of a car insurance company can be a leading indicator of the kind of rates and service it provides to its consumers. We’ll show how the top companies in Wisconsin rate in the areas of financial stability and customer satisfaction.
Financial Ratings
AM Best is a credit rating agency. It evaluates insurance companies and grades them based on their financial stability. The table below shows the ten largest insurance companies in Wisconsin as measured by direct premiums written with their AM Best rating.
Company | Direct Premiums Written | AM Best Rating |
---|---|---|
American Family Insurance Group | $583,243 | A |
Progressive Group | $530,761 | A+ |
State Farm Group | $468,020 | A++ |
Allstate Insurance Group | $146,726 | A+ |
Geico | $146,184 | A++ |
Acuity a Mutual Insurance Co | $111,548 | A+ |
Erie Insurance Group | $97,480 | A+ |
West Bend Mutual Insurance Co | $92,535 | A |
Liberty Mutual Group | $78,174 | A |
USAA Group | $72,958 | A++ |
Customer Satisfaction Ratings
Companies in Wisconsin with the Most and Least Complaints
Some relationships start out with the best intentions, but they slowly begin to waste away or drift apart under the pressures that life throws their way. Other relationships feature unlikely unions of disparate parts that, at first glance, would threaten to produce a monstrous disaster; yet, instead, that unexpected grouping results in something extraordinary that will stand the test of time.
Whatever the initial status of the relationship may have been, when the consumer’s experience with an insurance company has transformed into a dark, twisted fantasy of a nightmare, he or she can file a complaint. Those complaints, justified or not, contribute to a company’s complaint ratios.
The complaint ratio is how many complaints a company receives per one million dollars of business written. The Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance will respond to each complaint in the order in which it was received.
Largest Car Insurance Companies in Wisconsin
This chart gives a visual representation of the top car insurance companies with the largest market share in Wisconsin.
Company | Direct Premiums Written | Loss Ratio | Market Share |
---|---|---|---|
American Family Insurance Group | $583,243 | 59.38% | 18.73% |
Progressive Group | $530,761 | 58.50% | 17.05% |
State Farm Group | $468,020 | 64.86% | 15.03% |
Allstate Insurance Group | $146,726 | 59.92% | 4.71% |
Geico | $146,184 | 70.43% | 4.69% |
Acuity a Mutual Insurance Co | $111,548 | 67.80% | 3.58% |
Erie Insurance Group | $97,480 | 77.43% | 3.13% |
West Bend Mutual Insurance Co | $92,535 | 54.56% | 2.97% |
Liberty Mutual Group | $78,174 | 61.17% | 2.51% |
USAA Group | $72,958 | 77.68% | 2.34% |
There are 987 car insurance companies registered in the state of Wisconsin. Of the 987, 174 of them are homegrown; while 813 are foreign.
Wisconsin Car Insurance Rates by Company
Now, we’re going to compare and contrast the top car insurance companies to see which of them gives the best rates on average in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Rates by Carrier and Commute
Group | 10-mile commute/6,000 annual mileage | 25-mile commute/12,000 annual mileage |
---|---|---|
Allstate | $3,728.72 | $3,912.63 |
American Family | $1,487.57 | $1,538.96 |
Farmers | $3,777.49 | $3,777.49 |
Geico | $2,077.44 | $2,164.15 |
Liberty Mutual | $2,924.39 | $2,924.39 |
Nationwide | $5,224.99 | $5,224.99 |
Progressive | $3,128.91 | $3,128.91 |
State Farm | $2,074.01 | $2,178.62 |
USAA | $1,958.85 | $2,010.39 |
Wisconsin Rates by Carrier and Coverage Level
Company | Annual Rate with High Coverage | Annual Rate with Medium Coverage | Annual Rate with Low Coverage |
---|---|---|---|
Allstate | $3,996.08 | $3,811.28 | $3,654.68 |
American Family | $1,518.91 | $1,527.11 | $1,493.77 |
Farmers | $4,100.98 | $3,748.00 | $3,483.48 |
Geico | $2,263.97 | $2,119.69 | $1,978.72 |
Liberty Mutual | $3,133.59 | $2,951.27 | $2,688.32 |
Nationwide | $5,383.51 | $5,223.68 | $5,067.77 |
Progressive | $3,295.33 | $3,154.18 | $2,937.23 |
State Farm | $2,236.73 | $2,132.87 | $2,009.33 |
USAA | $2,056.95 | $1,986.37 | $1,910.55 |
Wisconsin Rates by Carrier and Credit History
Company | Annual Rate with Good Credit | Annual Rate with Fair Credit | Annual Rate with Poor Credit |
---|---|---|---|
Allstate | $2,993.20 | $3,450.95 | $5,017.88 |
American Family | $1,178.86 | $1,334.71 | $2,026.23 |
Farmers | $3,451.72 | $3,609.50 | $4,271.24 |
Geico | $1,593.81 | $1,985.07 | $2,783.50 |
Liberty Mutual | $2,005.82 | $2,546.86 | $4,220.50 |
Nationwide | $4,900.57 | $4,900.57 | $5,873.82 |
Progressive | $2,806.94 | $3,020.30 | $3,559.49 |
State Farm | $1,386.69 | $1,820.90 | $3,171.35 |
USAA | $1,288.58 | $1,612.94 | $3,052.34 |
Wisconsin Rates by Carrier and Driving Record
Needless to say, having cups and cups of alcohol before driving is a reckless decision that will endanger the lives of those around you and will significantly increase your car insurance premiums if you need to get car insurance after a DUI.
How much your rates increase due to accumulating points on your license will be up to the discretion of each individual insurer. Each insurance company uses its own underwriting protocols when assessing risk.
Here is a summary of how top car insurance companies in Wisconsin penalize various driving infractions:
Company | Clean Record | With 1 Speeding Violation | With 1 Accident | With 1 DUI |
---|---|---|---|---|
Allstate | $3,121.09 | $3,867.28 | $4,288.02 | $4,006.31 |
American Family | $1,447.69 | $1,535.12 | $1,535.12 | $1,535.12 |
Farmers | $3,291.98 | $3,725.87 | $4,156.55 | $3,935.54 |
Geico | $1,468.48 | $1,909.84 | $2,378.98 | $2,725.87 |
Liberty Mutual | $2,235.20 | $2,985.72 | $3,178.56 | $3,298.08 |
Nationwide | $4,417.75 | $5,109.89 | $5,109.89 | $6,262.41 |
Progressive | $2,864.87 | $3,206.37 | $3,470.52 | $2,973.89 |
State Farm | $1,955.72 | $2,126.31 | $2,296.91 | $2,126.31 |
USAA | $1,554.36 | $1,773.31 | $1,959.72 | $2,651.10 |
Wisconsin Rates by Carrier and Demographic
Company | Demographic | Average Annual Rate |
---|---|---|
USAA | Married 35-year old male | $1,311.45 |
USAA | Married 35-year old female | $1,315.46 |
Geico Cas | Married 60-year old female | $1,341.28 |
State Farm Mutual Auto | Married 35-year old female | $1,345.30 |
State Farm Mutual Auto | Married 35-year old male | $1,345.30 |
Geico Cas | Married 35-year old male | $1,428.00 |
SAFECO Ins Co of IL | Married 60-year old female | $1,431.26 |
Artisan and Truckers Casualty | Married 60-year old female | $1,442.61 |
Artisan and Truckers Casualty | Married 60-year old male | $1,504.23 |
State Farm Mutual Auto | Single 25-year old female | $1,516.77 |
Geico Cas | Married 60-year old male | $1,540.98 |
SAFECO Ins Co of IL | Married 60-year old male | $1,626.57 |
Artisan and Truckers Casualty | Married 35-year old male | $1,676.02 |
Mid-Century Ins Co | Married 60-year old female | $1,697.53 |
USAA | Single 25-year old female | $1,705.43 |
State Farm Mutual Auto | Single 25-year old male | $1,732.41 |
Artisan and Truckers Casualty | Married 35-year old female | $1,760.63 |
SAFECO Ins Co of IL | Married 35-year old female | $1,770.81 |
Mid-Century Ins Co | Married 60-year old male | $1,797.98 |
USAA | Single 25-year old male | $1,869.61 |
SAFECO Ins Co of IL | Single 25-year old female | $1,882.36 |
Mid-Century Ins Co | Married 35-year old female | $1,914.63 |
Mid-Century Ins Co | Married 35-year old male | $1,915.25 |
SAFECO Ins Co of IL | Married 35-year old male | $1,933.28 |
SAFECO Ins Co of IL | Single 25-year old male | $2,040.80 |
Allstate P&C | Married 60-year old female | $2,088.63 |
Artisan and Truckers Casualty | Single 25-year old female | $2,112.73 |
Mid-Century Ins Co | Single 25-year old female | $2,174.00 |
Allstate P&C | Married 35-year old female | $2,260.76 |
Mid-Century Ins Co | Single 25-year old male | $2,277.36 |
Artisan and Truckers Casualty | Single 25-year old male | $2,290.54 |
Allstate P&C | Single 25-year old female | $2,294.78 |
Allstate P&C | Married 60-year old male | $2,308.36 |
Allstate P&C | Married 35-year old male | $2,382.47 |
Allstate P&C | Single 25-year old male | $2,492.10 |
American Family Ins | Single 17-year old female | $2,844.04 |
AMCO Insurance | Married 60-year old female | $2,981.78 |
American Family Ins | Single 17-year old male | $3,134.61 |
AMCO Insurance | Married 60-year old male | $3,141.26 |
USAA | Single 17-year old female | $3,367.35 |
AMCO Insurance | Married 35-year old female | $3,597.48 |
AMCO Insurance | Married 35-year old male | $3,785.31 |
State Farm Mutual Auto | Single 17-year old female | $3,833.87 |
USAA | Single 17-year old male | $3,901.46 |
Geico Cas | Single 17-year old female | $4,301.84 |
AMCO Insurance | Single 25-year old female | $4,379.28 |
Geico Cas | Single 17-year old male | $4,635.16 |
State Farm Mutual Auto | Single 17-year old male | $4,845.21 |
AMCO Insurance | Single 25-year old male | $5,192.67 |
SAFECO Ins Co of IL | Single 17-year old female | $5,989.99 |
Artisan and Truckers Casualty | Single 17-year old female | $6,692.88 |
SAFECO Ins Co of IL | Single 17-year old male | $6,720.07 |
Allstate P&C | Single 17-year old female | $7,334.19 |
AMCO Insurance | Single 17-year old female | $7,388.96 |
Artisan and Truckers Casualty | Single 17-year old male | $7,551.66 |
Mid-Century Ins Co | Single 17-year old female | $9,058.32 |
Mid-Century Ins Co | Single 17-year old male | $9,384.83 |
Allstate P&C | Single 17-year old male | $9,404.12 |
AMCO Insurance | Single 17-year old male | $11,333.17 |
Note: The company you choose should provide the best quality coverage based on your specific needs. Be sure to make all your dreams of saving money on your car insurance premiums come true by doing it your way, based on your own situation and nobody else’s. Compare and contrast rates from multiple car insurance companies to make sure you’re getting the best deal on your auto insurance.
Another way to keep your premiums low is to maintain a spotless driving record. Knowing the traffic laws and following them will help your record to stay as clean as possible. We’ll review the laws of the land in Wisconsin to help you keep your driving record impressive. High-risk car insurance comes with a high price.
Wisconsin Car Insurance Laws
Thumbing through page after page of all the state traffic statutes would be hardly the best use of your time. We’ve compiled the most relevant rules and regulations for you to know when driving in Wisconsin.
Car Insurance Laws
State insurance commissioners are afforded lots of leeway and authority to administer laws and regulations on the auto insurance industry in their respective commonwealths. Each state determines the type of tort law and threshold (if any) that applies in the state, the type and amount of liability insurance required, and the system used for approval of insurer rates and forms.
Insurance companies in Wisconsin are subject to the regulations set by that state’s insurance commissioner. Ultimately, all rates and regulations must meet the fair competition standards set by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).
High-Risk Insurance
If you are the owner of an uninsured vehicle and had only your registration privileges withdrawn under the safety responsibility law, you are required to carry SR-22 car insurance for all vehicles owned by you.
Windshield Coverage
Wisconsin law places no specific requirements on insurance companies to provide broken windshield car insurance; however, the companies can choose to offer such protection along with their comprehensive car insurance coverage.
The insurance companies can choose aftermarket parts for the windshield if the parts are at least equal in like, kind, and quality in terms of fit, quality, and performance. The insurer has the right to select the repair vendor. The customer has the right to choose the repair vendor but may have to pay the difference in the quote.
Automobile Insurance Fraud in Wisconsin
Insurance fraud is the second-largest economic crime in America. Premium rates are raised dramatically by insurance companies and passed on to consumers in attempts to combat fraud. There are two classifications of fraud: hard and soft.
- Hard Fraud – A purposefully fabricated claim or accident
- Soft Fraud – A misrepresentation of information to the insurance company
Soft fraud is more common than hard fraud. Twenty to 40 percent of consumers admitted to lying to their insurer about one of the following:
- Number of annual miles driven
- Number of drivers in the household
- How the vehicle would be used
Insurance fraud is a crime no matter how you slice it. Even the “little, white lie” you tell to get a lower rate can lead to harmful consequences. That kind of willful misrepresentation of facts is called known as “rate evasion” and is a $16 billion annual expense to auto insurers. If you suspect insurance fraud or have been the victim of fraud, you can contact the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
Statute of Limitations
Wisconsin’s statute of limitations for filing a claim is three years for both personal injury and property damage.
Vehicle Licensing Laws
Wisconsin’s DMV, which is a division of the Department of Transportation (WisDOT), has an online portal where residents can perform tasks such as renewing their registrations and driver’s licenses, updating or changing their addresses, and retrieving their driving history.
Proof of Financial Responsibility
Wisconsin’s statutes regarding Proof of Financial Responsibility, which can be found on the Wisconsin Department of Transportation website, require all drivers to show proof of financial responsibility whenever requested by a law enforcement officer. Failure to provide such proof may result in a citation or fine.
Teen Driver Laws
In Wisconsin, driver’s education is required for permit applicants younger than 18. During the learner’s stage, permit holders may carry three passengers if supervised by a driving instructor in a dual-control vehicle. Permit holders 16 and older may carry one passenger 25 or older who has been licensed for at least two years. Driver’s education is mandatory for all license applicants under the age of 18 in the Badger State.
License Type | Minimum Age | Mandatory Holding Period | Required Supervised Driving | Time Restrictions | Nighttime Restrictions | Passenger Restrictions |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Instructional Permit (Class D) | 15 years, 6 months | 6 months | 30 hours, 10 of which must be at night | Midnight to 5 a.m. | 9 months or until age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 16, 9 mos.) | 9 months or until age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 16, 9 mos.); No more than one passenger except for immediate family |
Probationary License | 16 | 9 months or until age 18 | If under the age of 18: 30 hours, 10 of which must be at night | Midnight to 5 a.m. if under the age of 18 | 9 months or until age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 16, 9 mos.) | 9 months or until age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 16, 9 mos.); If under the age of 18, no more than one passenger except for immediate family |
Regular License | 19 | NA | NA | None | None | None |
The safety of teenage drivers is a top priority of the Wisconsin DOT. The Department of Transportation has curated a handful of additional resources and information to assist teenage drivers and their families.
Older Driver License Renewal
The state of Wisconsin practices equal opportunity when it comes to its license renewal procedures. All drivers must renew every eight years. Drivers of all ages must show proof of adequate vision at every renewal. And no renewals are yet eligible to be done online or through the mail.
New Resident Licensing
New Wisconsin residents with an out-of-state driver’s license or nondriver license have 60 days to register for a Wisconsin license and must provide the following documents:
- Proof of name and date of birth
- Proof of identity
- Proof of citizenship or legal status in the U.S.
- Proof of Wisconsin residency
- Proof of Social Security Number
For additional information regarding new resident licensing and registration, visit this webpage.
REAL ID
Wisconsin is in full compliance with the REAL ID Act passed by Congress and enforced by Homeland Security. This means that a driver’s license or state ID issued by the Badger State is an acceptable form of identification at federal facilities, airports, and nuclear power plants.
As of October 1, 2020, anyone wishing to fly on a commercial flight or enter a federal facility must have a REAL ID-compliant form of identification.
Penalties for Driving Without Insurance in Wisconsin
The Department of Transportation makes the rules in Wisconsin. Your job is to make sure you follow those rules or face serious consequences.
You can be caught one of three ways for driving without insurance in Wisconsin. The first way is through your lender. They check your insurance policy regularly to ensure you have one. If you don’t, they send you a notice requiring immediate action or they issue a policy for you.
You can also be caught driving without insurance if you’re pulled over for any reason or involved in a car accident. If either of these things occurs, you’re facing serious penalties.
If you are caught driving without insurance, you’re forced to pay up to $510 in fines.
Your license and registration are then suspended until you buy insurance and prove you have a policy. Once you do this, you can pay a $60 fee to reinstate your license with the state. You are then required to prove you have a valid insurance policy every month for three years. If you are caught driving without insurance because you are involved in an accident, the penalties are worse.
- The fines are the same
- You’re also required to pay for repairs to your car
- You have to cover your medical bills
- You could become the victim of a lawsuit if the other driver chooses to sue
- Your license and registration are suspended for up to three years
If this happens, you don’t get to purchase insurance and then reinstate your license at your own pace. You must purchase insurance and prove it monthly for three years, but you must also wait out the terms of your suspension. Once your suspension is lifted, you may reinstate your license and registration for $110.
Rules of the Road
Wisconsinites are known as polite motorists, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that driving through the Badger State is without its share of hazards. Whether you’re driving in perfect conditions or trying to drive safely in bad weather, here’s what you need to know about the traffic laws in Wisconsin.
Keep Right and Move Over Laws
Wisconsin law requires drivers to keep right if driving slower than the average speed of traffic around you unless passing or turning left.
WisDOT created a handy brochure to help Wisconsin residents better understand its “Move Over” Law.
Speed Limits
Type of Roadway | Speed Limit |
---|---|
Rural Interstates | 70 mph |
Urban Interstates | 70 mph |
Other Limited Access Roads | 70 mph |
Other Roads | 55 mph |
Seat Belt Laws
Seat belt laws require the driver and all front-seat passengers aged 8 and older to wear a seat belt.
Read more: Do seat belt laws impact my car insurance?
Car Seat Laws
Children younger than one-year-old and all children who weigh less than 20 pounds are required to be in a rear-facing car seat. Children ages 1-3 years old who weigh at least 20 pounds but less than 40 pounds must be in either a rear-facing or a forward-facing car seat.
Children who are between the ages of 4-7 who both weigh at least 40 pounds but less than 80 pounds and who are less than 57 inches tall are required to be in a forward-facing car seat or booster seat.
Pickup Trucks Cargo Area
Wisconsin law prohibits or puts restrictions on riding in the cargo areas of a truck with the following exceptions: farm operations, parades, deer hunting; employees, and people riding in truck bodies in spaces intended for merchandise.
Safety Laws
Promoting safety and preventing chaos are the ultimate goals of any traffic laws. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) has developed resources and initiatives in the hopes of reducing roadway fatalities and injuries.
Also, WisDOT’s Traffic Safety division has developed resources such as training videos and mobile apps and initiatives such as “The Power of Zero” to promote traffic safety and stem the tide of vehicular fatalities in the state. The Badger State has produced its Strategic Highway Safety Plan in accordance with the National Highway Traffic Saftey Administration (NHTSA).
DUI Laws
The Blood-Alcohol Content (BAC) limit in Wisconsin is 0.08 percent; the High BAC limit is between 0.17 percent and above. The OWI (Operating While Impaired) penalties in the state of Wisconsin can be found in the underneath table.
OWI in Wisconsin | 1st Offense | 2nd Offense | 3rd Offense | 4th Offense | 5th Offense |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jail | NA; Unless passenger under 16 in vehicle: Five days to Six months | Up to Six months | 45 days to Two years; Possible felony charges | Class H felony; 60 days to Six years | Class G felony; Six months to 10 years |
Fines and Penalties | $150 to $300 | $150 to $1,100 | $600 to $2,000 | $600 to $10,000 | $600 to $25,000 |
License Suspension | Up to Nine months | 12 to 18 months | 24 to 36 months | 24 to 36 months | 24 to 36 months |
IID** Required | Yes for High BAC; Six points on license | Yes; alcohol assement required; Six points on license | Yes; alcohol assement required; Six points on license | Required for One to Three Years | Required for One to Three Years |
Being convicted of a DUI in Wisconsin has serious consequences. The difficulty of getting car insurance after a DUI is one such consequence. The lesson here is simple: don’t drink and drive!
Drug-Impaired Driving Laws
At present, Wisconsin has a zero-tolerance policy for THC only.
Wisconsin Can’t-Miss Facts
Here are some fascinating trinkets of knowledge about Wisconsin, the Badger State.
Vehicle Theft in Wisconsin
Home is where the heart is, but it’s also where most auto thefts take place. Here is the chart of the top stolen vehicles in the state of Wisconsin.
Make/Model | Year of Vehicle | Thefts |
---|---|---|
Dodge Caravan | 2002 | 1,035 |
Honda Civic | 1998 | 470 |
Honda Accord | 1997 | 450 |
Chrysler Town & Country | 2002 | 313 |
Chevrolet Impala | 2007 | 232 |
Dodge Stratus | 2002 | 209 |
Toyota Camry | 2007 | 191 |
Chevrolet Malibu | 2015 | 179 |
Dodge Intrepid | 2002 | 179 |
Honda CR-V | 2000 | 172 |
As you can see, motor vehicles manufactured in either the United States or Japan are the prime targets for larceny in the state of Wisconsin.
Vehicle Theft by City
The table below gives a breakdown of the top cities for auto theft within the state.
City | Motor vehicle theft |
---|---|
Milwaukee | 4,384 |
Madison | 253 |
Superior | 100 |
Green Bay | 98 |
Racine | 95 |
West Allis | 92 |
Kenosha | 73 |
Eau Claire | 48 |
Wauwatosa | 47 |
Beloit | 45 |
La Crosse | 43 |
Oshkosh | 39 |
Waukesha | 38 |
Janesville | 37 |
Fond du Lac | 31 |
Sheboygan | 31 |
Appleton | 30 |
Oak Creek | 29 |
Wausau | 28 |
Glendale | 27 |
Mount Pleasant | 26 |
Greenfield | 24 |
Shorewood | 24 |
Cudahy | 22 |
West Milwaukee | 22 |
South Milwaukee | 19 |
Fitchburg | 17 |
Sun Prairie | 17 |
Town of Madison3 | 17 |
Manitowoc | 16 |
Marinette | 16 |
Shawano | 16 |
Wisconsin Rapids | 16 |
Ashwaubenon | 14 |
Watertown | 14 |
West Bend | 14 |
Antigo | 13 |
Brown Deer | 12 |
Grand Chute | 12 |
Menomonie | 11 |
Menomonee Falls | 10 |
Muskego | 10 |
Ashland | 9 |
Brookfield | 9 |
Monroe | 9 |
Neenah | 9 |
River Falls | 9 |
Chippewa Falls | 8 |
Delavan | 8 |
Hudson | 8 |
Pleasant Prairie | 8 |
Waunakee | 8 |
Beloit Town | 7 |
Brookfield Township | 7 |
Everest | 7 |
Greendale | 7 |
Lake Hallie | 7 |
Merrill | 7 |
Middleton | 7 |
Plymouth | 7 |
Port Washington | 7 |
Town of Menasha | 7 |
Two Rivers | 7 |
Caledonia | 6 |
Delavan Town | 6 |
Kaukauna | 6 |
Lake Delton | 6 |
Marshfield | 6 |
Menasha | 6 |
Tomah | 6 |
Baraboo | 5 |
Butler | 5 |
Edgerton | 5 |
Hobart-Lawrence | 5 |
Jefferson | 5 |
Lake Geneva | 5 |
McFarland3 | 5 |
Mequon | 5 |
Monona | 5 |
North Fond du Lac | 5 |
Rhinelander | 5 |
Saukville | 5 |
Stevens Point | 5 |
Whitewater | 5 |
Adams | 4 |
Eagle River | 4 |
Elm Grove | 4 |
Fort Atkinson | 4 |
Hartford | 4 |
Holmen | 4 |
Mineral Point | 4 |
Minocqua | 4 |
Mukwonago | 4 |
Oconto | 4 |
Omro | 4 |
Sheboygan Falls | 4 |
Sparta | 4 |
Spooner | 4 |
St. Francis | 4 |
Stoughton | 4 |
Wisconsin Dells | 4 |
Amery | 3 |
Berlin | 3 |
Darlington | 3 |
De Pere | 3 |
East Troy | 3 |
Germantown | 3 |
Hartland | 3 |
Kiel | 3 |
Kronenwetter | 3 |
Mauston | 3 |
Mosinee | 3 |
New London | 3 |
Siren | 3 |
St. Croix Falls | 3 |
Sturtevant | 3 |
Viroqua | 3 |
Waupun | 3 |
West Salem | 3 |
Whitefish Bay | 3 |
Arcadia | 2 |
Barneveld | 2 |
Black River Falls | 2 |
Bloomfield | 2 |
Brodhead | 2 |
Campbell Township | 2 |
Clintonville | 2 |
Colby-Abbotsford | 2 |
Cottage Grove | 2 |
Elkhorn | 2 |
Evansville | 2 |
Grantsburg | 2 |
Hales Corners | 2 |
Hayward | 2 |
Horicon | 2 |
Jackson | 2 |
Medford | 2 |
New Glarus | 2 |
New Richmond | 2 |
Oconomowoc | 2 |
Onalaska3 | 2 |
Platteville | 2 |
Prescott | 2 |
Princeton | 2 |
Waupaca | 2 |
Westfield | 2 |
Albany | 1 |
Algoma | 1 |
Beaver Dam | 1 |
Big Bend | 1 |
Blair | 1 |
Cedarburg | 1 |
Cleveland | 1 |
Clinton | 1 |
Columbus | 1 |
Cornell | 1 |
Crandon | 1 |
Cumberland | 1 |
Deforest3 | 1 |
Fountain City | 1 |
Fox Valley Metro | 1 |
Grafton | 1 |
Grand Rapids | 1 |
Green Lake | 1 |
Iron Ridge | 1 |
Kewaskum | 1 |
Ladysmith | 1 |
Luxemburg | 1 |
Mayville | 1 |
Milton | 1 |
Neshkoro | 1 |
Niagara | 1 |
Oconomowoc Town | 1 |
Oregon3 | 1 |
Osceola | 1 |
Park Falls | 1 |
Pepin | 1 |
Pewaukee Village | 1 |
Phillips | 1 |
Plainfield | 1 |
Portage | 1 |
Reedsburg | 1 |
Richland Center | 1 |
Ripon | 1 |
Rothschild | 1 |
Seymour | 1 |
Silver Lake | 1 |
Slinger | 1 |
Strum | 1 |
Tomahawk | 1 |
Town of East Troy | 1 |
Valders | 1 |
Verona | 1 |
Walworth | 1 |
Wautoma | 1 |
Williams Bay | 1 |
Alma | 0 |
Altoona | 0 |
Athens | 0 |
Avoca | 0 |
Bangor | 0 |
Bayfield | 0 |
Belleville | 0 |
Blanchardville | 0 |
Bloomer | 0 |
Blue Mounds | 0 |
Boscobel | 0 |
Brandon-Fairwater | 0 |
Brillion | 0 |
Burlington | 0 |
Campbellsport | 0 |
Cashton | 0 |
Chenequa | 0 |
Chetek | 0 |
Chilton | 0 |
Cross Plains3 | 0 |
Cuba City | 0 |
Dane | 0 |
Delafield | 0 |
Denmark | 0 |
Dodgeville | 0 |
Durand | 0 |
Edgar | 0 |
Eleva | 0 |
Elkhart Lake | 0 |
Elk Mound | 0 |
Ellsworth | 0 |
Elroy | 0 |
Endeavor | 0 |
Fall Creek | 0 |
Fall River | 0 |
Fennimore | 0 |
Fontana | 0 |
Fox Lake | 0 |
Fox Point | 0 |
Frederic | 0 |
Freedom | 0 |
Geneva Town | 0 |
Genoa City | 0 |
Gilman | 0 |
Hazel Green | 0 |
Highland | 0 |
Hortonville | 0 |
Independence | 0 |
Iron River | 0 |
Juneau | 0 |
Kewaunee | 0 |
Kohler | 0 |
Lake Mills | 0 |
Lancaster | 0 |
Lodi | 0 |
Lomira | 0 |
Manawa | 0 |
Marathon City | 0 |
Marion | 0 |
Markesan | 0 |
Marshall Village3 | 0 |
Mishicot | 0 |
Montello | 0 |
Mount Horeb | 0 |
Mukwonago Town | 0 |
Neillsville | 0 |
New Holstein | 0 |
New Lisbon | 0 |
North Hudson | 0 |
North Prairie | 0 |
Osseo | 0 |
Oxford | 0 |
Palmyra | 0 |
Peshtigo | 0 |
Plover | 0 |
Poynette | 0 |
Prairie du Chien | 0 |
Pulaski | 0 |
River Hills | 0 |
Rome Town | 0 |
Rosendale | 0 |
Sauk Prairie | 0 |
Shiocton | 0 |
Shorewood Hills3 | 0 |
Spring Green | 0 |
Stanley | 0 |
Sturgeon Bay | 0 |
Summit | 0 |
Theresa | 0 |
Thiensville | 0 |
Trempealeau | 0 |
Twin Lakes | 0 |
Washburn | 0 |
Waterloo | 0 |
Westby | 0 |
Whitehall | 0 |
Winneconne | 0 |
Woodruff | 0 |
Risky and Harmful Behavior
Below is a harrowing statistics of all driving-related fatalities in Wisconsin.
Fatality by Speeding and OWI
Cause of Fatality | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Speeding | 198 | 203 | 202 | 195 | 209 | 178 | 168 | 167 | 212 | 180 |
DUI-related | 205 | 209 | 203 | 197 | 202 | 177 | 165 | 188 | 197 | 190 |
Fatal Crashes in Top 10 Counties (Five-Year Trend)
County | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Milwaukee County | 46 | 66 | 81 | 74 | 86 |
Dane County | 35 | 29 | 30 | 38 | 32 |
Waukesha County | 28 | 24 | 10 | 27 | 26 |
Brown County | 9 | 9 | 15 | 18 | 25 |
Walworth County | 11 | 12 | 14 | 24 | 21 |
Dodge County | 9 | 14 | 11 | 12 | 20 |
Outagamie County | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 20 |
Kenosha County | 19 | 17 | 6 | 18 | 18 |
Shawano County | 5 | 10 | 6 | 8 | 16 |
Marathon County | 19 | 9 | 15 | 9 | 15 |
Fatality Rates Rural vs. Urban
Roadway Type | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rural | 153 | 138 | 115 | 127 | 127 | 117 | 109 | 112 | 126 | N/A |
Urban | 63 | 59 | 74 | 71 | 79 | 63 | 57 | 68 | 61 | N/A |
Fatalities by Person Type
Person Type | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Passenger Vehicle Occupant | 423 | 408 | 384 | 396 | 417 | 376 | 362 | 388 | 431 | 437 |
Motorcyclist | 89 | 84 | 105 | 88 | 117 | 85 | 73 | 81 | 85 | 77 |
Pedestrian | 53 | 38 | 52 | 57 | 45 | 37 | 45 | 57 | 51 | 56 |
Bicyclist and Other Cyclist | 9 | 7 | 9 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 4 | 15 | 11 | 7 |
Transportation
Here is a chart of the details car ownership stats in Wisconsin.
Car Ownership
Commute Time
At 21.1 minutes, drivers in Wisconsin have significantly less commute time than the national average of 25.3 minutes. Only 1.62 percent of drivers in Wisconsin experience a “super commute” of 90 minutes or more. According to Inrix, Milwaukee is the 37th most congested city in the United States and ranks 171st in the world. Drivers in Madison spent 61 hours in congested traffic in 2018.
Commuter Transportation
You are now fully caught up on all the relevant stats and statutes concerning auto insurance in the state of Wisconsin.
Now that you know how to compare Wisconsin car insurance rates, enter your ZIP code to get started on finding affordable Wisconsin car insurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the average car insurance rates in Wisconsin?
The average car insurance rates in Wisconsin are $61/month.
What are the minimum coverage requirements for car insurance in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin requires a minimum of 25/50/10 for bodily injury and property damage coverage, uninsured motorist coverage, and MedPay coverage.
Do I need to have car insurance in Wisconsin?
Yes, car insurance is mandatory in Wisconsin.
How can I compare car insurance rates in Wisconsin?
To compare car insurance rates in Wisconsin, you can use a free quote tool by entering your ZIP code. The more quotes you compare, the more chances you have to save.
What is the penalty for driving without insurance in Wisconsin?
Motorists who are unable or unwilling to provide proof of insurance at a traffic stop or after an accident may face a $10 fine. Driving without insurance at all can result in a fine of up to $500.
What is the cheapest car insurance company in Wisconsin?
Some companies that are cheaper include State Farm, Geico, and USAA.
Free Car Insurance Comparison
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap car insurance rates.
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Joel Ohman
Founder & CFP®
Joel Ohman is the CEO of a private equity backed digital media company. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, author, angel investor, and serial entrepreneur who loves creating new things, whether books or businesses. He has also previously served as the founder and resident CFP® of a national insurance agency, Real Time Health Quotes. He has an MBA from the University of South Florida. Jo...
Founder & CFP®
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.