Car Insurance Requirements in Wisconsin (2024)

In Wisconsin, drivers must carry bodily injury liability, property damage liability, and uninsured motorist coverage.

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Updated September 5, 2024

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Cheapest recent rates in Wisconsin

Recent Wisconsin car insurance prices for Chevrolet, KIA, Hyundai , and more.

A Eau Claire, Wisconsin driver just saved on coverage for their Toyota Highlander with this quote from First Chicago.

A Seymour, Wisconsin driver just saved on coverage for their Ford Explorer with this quote from GAINSCO.

We just helped a driver in Superior, Wisconsin cover their Chevrolet Equinox with this quote from The General.

Bristol West helped a Dodge Journey driver in Portage, Wisconsin save on car insurance with this quote.

A Milwaukee, Wisconsin driver just saved on coverage for their Nissan Sentra with this quote from National General.

*Quotes generated for Insurify users from Wisconsin within the last 10 days. Last updated on September 5, 2024

Rates shown are real-time Insurify user quotes from 100+ insurance companies and Quadrant Information Services data. Insurify’s algorithm excludes anomalous quotes and anonymizes personal details, then displays refined quotes by price, date, and insurer popularity up to 10 days ago from September 5, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

A Green Bay, Wisconsin driver just saved on coverage for their Chevrolet Cruze with this quote from Certainly.

A Two Rivers, Wisconsin driver just saved on coverage for their Chevrolet Equinox with this quote from First Chicago.

We just helped a driver in Waupun, Wisconsin cover their Chevrolet Malibu with this quote from The General.

Bristol West helped a Volkswagen Jetta driver in Brookfield, Wisconsin save on car insurance with this quote.

A Milwaukee, Wisconsin driver just saved on coverage for their Cadillac SRX with this quote from GAINSCO.

We just helped a driver in Stoughton, Wisconsin cover their Jeep Cherokee with this quote from Safeco.

National General helped a Chevrolet Malibu driver in Waupun, Wisconsin save on car insurance with this quote.

*Quotes generated for Insurify users from Wisconsin within the last 10 days. Last updated on September 5, 2024

Rates shown are real-time Insurify user quotes from 100+ insurance companies and Quadrant Information Services data. Insurify’s algorithm excludes anomalous quotes and anonymizes personal details, then displays refined quotes by price, date, and insurer popularity up to 10 days ago from September 5, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

Table of contents

• WI requirements
• Is minimum coverage enough?
• Liability only
• Full coverage
• Penalties of no insurance
• Optional coverages
• FAQs

• WI requirements
• Is minimum coverage enough?
• Liability only
• Full coverage
• Penalties of no insurance
• Optional coverages
• FAQs

Table of contents

• WI requirements
• Is minimum coverage enough?
• Liability only
• Full coverage
• Penalties of no insurance
• Optional coverages
• FAQs

• WI requirements
• Is minimum coverage enough?
• Liability only
• Full coverage
• Penalties of no insurance
• Optional coverages
• FAQs

The state you live and drive in can affect your car insurance premiums down to your ZIP code, city, and local laws. [1] Most U.S. states require drivers to purchase a minimum amount of liability insurance, and the amounts vary by state. If you live in Wisconsin, you’ll want to know how much car insurance you need to legally drive on the road and stay protected.

Here’s what you need to know about Wisconsin car insurance requirements.

• About 13.3% of drivers in Wisconsin are uninsured. [2]
• Motorists caught driving without insurance in Wisconsin face a fine of up to $500.
• Because Wisconsin is an at-fault state, the driver who causes an accident is legally obligated to cover the financial cost of the other driver’s resulting injury and damage. [3]

Find Cheap Wisconsin Car Insurance

Liability coverage starts at $62 per month

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Wisconsin car insurance requirements

Wisconsin law requires drivers in the state to purchase a minimum amount of liability insurance and uninsured motorist coverage to drive legally. [4]

Here are the specific minimum requirements:

• Bodily injury liability: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident
• Property damage liability: $10,000 for property damage per accident
• Uninsured motorist bodily injury: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident

Bodily injury liability coverage

Bodily injury coverage is one component of liability insurance. As the name suggests, it covers your liability for any bodily injury or even death that you cause to another driver in a car accident. [5]

It’s important to note that this coverage doesn’t pay for any medical bills you might incur in the event of an accident.

Property damage liability coverage

The other component of required liability insurance in Wisconsin is property damage coverage.

If you cause an auto accident that damages the other party’s vehicle, this aspect of your liability insurance pays for the costs associated with repairing it. However, it doesn’t cover any damage to your car.

Uninsured motorist coverage

Though Wisconsin requires all drivers to have minimum liability coverage, some Wisconsin drivers on the road don’t have insurance. Uninsured motorist coverage protects you in the event that an uninsured driver hits you and doesn’t have insurance to pay for the bodily injury that you may experience.

The Wisconsin Automobile Insurance Plan

WAIP

The state of Wisconsin offers a unique program for high-risk drivers who struggle to obtain a traditional insurance policy. If you’ve tried to get auto insurance coverage through standard and non-standard insurance companies and aren’t eligible for a policy, you can look to the Wisconsin Automobile Insurance Plan (WAIP). [6]

The program started in 1949 and provides private passenger personal auto insurance to drivers who may not qualify for a car insurance policy. While this is an option, expect to pay higher rates under this program. If you’d like more information about the application or how to get a policy through the program, you can send an email to [email protected] or call 1 (800) 827-5964.

Do you need more than state-minimum coverage in Wisconsin?

You must meet the insurance minimums set by Wisconsin law. Liability insurance coverage in Wisconsin includes bodily injury liability, property damage liability, and uninsured motorist coverage. This basic coverage can pay for the other driver’s costs if you cause an accident and protects you if you have an auto accident with an uninsured driver.

However, it’s generally a good idea to get higher limits for liability coverage and secure protection for your vehicle with full-coverage car insurance — which typically includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage. This will cover your property damage if you have damage from a collision with another vehicle, severe weather, or vandalism.

Liability-only coverage comes with the most affordable car insurance rates, but it can leave you vulnerable with its limited protections. The average cost of car insurance in Wisconsin is $62 per month for liability coverage and $149 for full coverage.

Generally, you can consider buying liability-only car insurance if you have an older vehicle. Each year, your car depreciates, so it may not make sense to get full-coverage car insurance. But if you have a new car (especially if you have a car loan) and want protection for various scenarios, full-coverage insurance is the best option.

The cost of liability-only car insurance in Wisconsin

The average cost of liability-only car insurance in Wisconsin is $62 per month.

The minimum coverage in Wisconsin pays for expenses for injuries or damages you cause the other driver, but it doesn’t cover any of your costs. It has limited protection, but rates tend to cost much less than full-coverage car insurance.

Below, you can see average monthly quotes for liability-only car insurance in Wisconsin from various insurance companies.