Cheap Car Insurance in Wisconsin (2023)

With an average monthly premium of $165 per month, Wisconsin drivers live in the 14th-cheapest state for car insurance. But some Badger State drivers have habits that could negatively affect car insurance rates in their state. As of Sept. 30, 2022, about 12% of Wisconsin drivers and passengers still don’t wear seatbelts, and 444 people died in car crashes in the state, according to Wisconsin Department of Transportation data.^[1]

Drivers who want to save even more should shop around for quotes from multiple providers to find the cheapest car insurance. The process starts by comparing quotes using online quote-comparison tools.

Best cheap car insurance in Wisconsin: State Farm

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State Farm

Best Cheap Car Insurance Wisconsin

Car insurance costs for Wisconsin drivers vary significantly based on the insurance company. Each company assesses the risk associated with your personal information, driving history, and other factors. State Farm offers the cheapest average monthly rates, at $74, but other cheap car insurance options are also available through USAA and Travelers.

Learn More: Best Car Insurance Companies

What to know about minimum car insurance requirements in Wisconsin

All motor vehicles operated or parked on Wisconsin roadways are required to be insured. Proof of insurance must be carried in your car at all times and must be available when:

• Requested by law enforcement

• Renewing vehicle registration, if requested by the DMV

• The vehicle is involved in a car accident

The minimum liability insurance requirements for private passenger vehicles in Wisconsin are:^[2]

• $25,000 per person for bodily injury/$50,000 per accident for bodily injury: As a major part of your liability insurance, bodily injury coverage covers medical bills for people other than the policyholder who are injured during an accident. Wisconsin is an at-fault state, meaning the driver who is responsible for the collision is also responsible for paying for any resulting expenses, either through their car insurance provider or out of pocket.

• $10,000 per accident for property damage: If it’s determined that an insured driver is at fault for an accident, this coverage pays for repairs to the property of the other involved parties. Additionally, property damage coverage can cover legal costs if the insured driver is involved in a lawsuit following the accident.

• $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury and $25,000 per accident for uninsured/underinsured motorist property damage: Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage pays for costs caused by a driver with little or no insurance after a car accident. In Wisconsin, drivers are only required to purchase coverage for bodily injury.

Wisconsin DMV information

The Wisconsin Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has services for drivers, vehicles, and other tasks. You can renew or replace your driver’s license, schedule a road test, apply for a vehicle title and plate, change your address, and get a copy of your driving record. Some of these services are available online, including renewing or replacing your driver’s license.^[3]

Public transportation in Wisconsin

If you don’t own a car, your options for transportation are public transit, biking, and walking. The state of Wisconsin’s public transit system includes buses, trains, and ferries. These systems operate at both county-wide and multi-county levels. It runs throughout the state and can get you from city to city, including from Eau Claire to Milwaukee.

Tips for getting cheap car insurance in Wisconsin

When looking for the cheapest car insurance rates, the best thing to do is to compare quotes from multiple auto insurance companies. Online comparison tools make it easy to compare policies across top car insurers in Wisconsin. To lower your rates, try seeking out car insurance discounts, opting for liability-only coverage, bundling multiple vehicles, and more.

Liability-only vs. full-coverage insurance in Wisconsin

If you live in Wisconsin, you can opt to carry liability-only auto insurance, which pays for expenses related to injuries and damage to the other party’s car if you cause an accident. Each state sets its own minimums for how much liability insurance it requires drivers to carry. Liability-only insurance can make sense if:

• You have a low-value vehicle.

• You can afford to repair or replace your car out of your own pocket.

• Getting the cheapest insurance possible is your top priority.

For a higher level of protection, you can choose full-coverage insurance, which includes basic liability plus collision and comprehensive coverage. Collision coverage pays for damages to your car, even if you’re at fault for an accident. Comprehensive pays for damages caused by events out of your control, like vandalism, weather, and animals. Typically, auto lenders and leasing companies require drivers to carry full coverage on a car they’ve financed.

You may also opt for full coverage if:

• You have a high-value vehicle.

• You wouldn’t be able to afford to repair or replace your car out of pocket.

• Your car’s actual cash value (the payout you’d likely get if your car is totaled) exceeds your annual premium to carry full coverage.

Here’s a look at the cheapest auto insurance in Wisconsin by policy type.

How your driving history affects Wisconsin car insurance rates

Your driving history is the factor that most influences your car insurance costs. Good drivers — whose records are free of serious traffic violations like speeding tickets or reckless driving — tend to get the best car insurance rates in Wisconsin. But infractions like driving under the influence or at-fault accidents can significantly increase insurance costs.

Here’s a look at average monthly quotes for the cheapest car insurance in Wisconsin based on driving and accident history.

See More: High-Risk Car Insurance Wisconsin

See More: SR-22 Car Insurance Wisconsin

SR-22 insurance in Wisconsin

An SR-22 is a document you submit to the Wisconsin Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The certificate is typically required of high-risk drivers. For example, you may need an SR-22 in Wisconsin if you want to get an occupational license after your driver’s license is suspended or revoked, to reinstate your driving privileges, or to drive with a sponsor if you’re under age 18.

Below, you’ll find a list of the companies offering SR-22 services in Wisconsin.

How credit scores affect Wisconsin car insurance quotes

Insurance companies in Wisconsin can use your credit score as another way to determine risk. Generally, people with excellent or good credit scores can qualify for lower car insurance premiums than people with average or poor credit scores.

See More: Bad Credit Car Insurance Wisconsin

How your city affects Wisconsin insurance quotes

The ZIP code you call home is tied to different levels of risk, which impacts your auto insurance rates. A few factors tied to your location include average commuting times, crime rates, and population. Drivers living in densely populated cities tend to pay more for car insurance than those in smaller towns or suburban areas. Find the average rate based on your location below.

How your age affects your Wisconsin car insurance rates

Because insurers generally equate age with experience level, your age will significantly affect how much you pay for car insurance. New drivers, who tend to be teens or people in their early 20s, typically pay more for insurance than drivers 25 and older.

The following table gives a high-level view of how age can affect insurance rates.

Quotes for younger drivers

Car insurance rates for younger drivers are typically higher than for other age groups. Younger drivers, especially teenagers, are more likely to get into an accident, multiple studies show. Having moving violations on their driving records can also increase car insurance rates for young Wisconsin drivers. The following table provides some examples of how infractions can affect auto insurance rates in Wisconsin for young drivers.

Quotes for middle-aged drivers

If drivers maintain good records throughout their teens and 20s, they’ll likely see lower rates as they grow older. Still, moving violations can increase car insurance rates for middle-aged drivers. The following table provides insight into how an accident or DUI can affect auto insurance rates for middle-aged drivers in Wisconsin.

Quotes for senior drivers

Seniors typically pay some of the lowest car insurance rates of any age group. They typically drive fewer miles than working-age drivers and tend to have higher credit scores — two factors that can reduce insurance rates. However, an accident or DUI will push rates higher for most senior drivers. The following table provides insight into what senior drivers in Wisconsin can expect to pay for car insurance with an accident or DUI on their records.

Wisconsin car insurance FAQs