Wisconsin Car Insurance Laws (2026)
Wisconsin requires 25/50/10 liability coverage. Driving uninsured carries fines of up to $500.
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Writer: Jamie JohnsonInsurance and Personal Finance Writer
Writer: Jamie JohnsonInsurance and Personal Finance Writer
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6 years experience in personal finance writing
Featured on Credit Karma and Insider
Jamie is a meticulous researcher who has published 2,000+ personal finance articles. Her expertise is trusted by major brands like Bankrate and Rocket Mortgage.
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Editor: Duncan BrownLicensed P&C Agent, Copy Editor
Editor: Duncan BrownLicensed P&C Agent, Copy Editor
Qualifications:
5+ years of editing experience
4+ years of experience in print and digital media
NPN: 22341021
Duncan is an insurance copy editor with a producer‘s license for property and casualty in Massachusetts.
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Reviewer: John LeachLicensed P&C Agent, Chief Copy Editor
Reviewer: John LeachLicensed P&C Agent, Chief Copy Editor
Qualifications:
Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
10+ years editing experience
NPN: 20461358
John is Insurify’s Chief Copy Editor, helping ensure the accuracy and readability of Insurify’s content. He’s a licensed agent specializing in home and car insurance topics.
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Wisconsin law requires all drivers to have at least 25/50/10 liability coverage. Like many other states, Wisconsin also requires drivers to have uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. Understanding the car insurance requirements in Wisconsin can help you find the best coverage for your situation.
Auto insurance requirements in Wisconsin
Wisconsin requires all drivers to have liability car insurance and UM coverage. Here’s an overview of the Badger State’s minimum policy requirements:
Bodily injury liability coverage: You need $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident to help pay for injuries you cause to others in an accident.
Property damage liability coverage: You need $10,000 per accident to cover damage you cause to someone else’s property.
Uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage: You need $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident to help cover injuries caused by a driver without insurance.
Wisconsin’s bodily injury liability limits are similar to other states, but its property damage limits are on the lower side. But Wisconsin also requires UM coverage, which not every state requires.[1]
Wisconsin also requires insurers to offer medical payments (MedPay) coverage, but you can decline it. If you do purchase MedPay, you must have at least $1,000 in coverage. Insurers must also offer underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage, but you don’t have to buy it.
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Is state-minimum car insurance in Wisconsin enough coverage?
State-minimum coverage in Wisconsin is usually not enough to fully protect you financially. A serious accident can easily exceed minimum liability limits, leaving you responsible for the difference. In addition to higher liability limits, you may want to consider the following optional coverages:
Comprehensive coverage: This coverage pays for damage to your vehicle caused by deer strikes, hail, theft, and other non-collision events. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WDOT) reported almost 18,000 deer crashes in 2025, so animal collisions are a concern for all Wisconsin drivers.[2]
Collision coverage: Collision insurance pays to repair or replace your vehicle after an accident with another vehicle or object, regardless of who’s at fault.
Underinsured motorist coverage: This coverage helps pay for your injuries if a driver without enough insurance hits you. If you decide to purchase UIM coverage, you must have at least $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident.
Medical payments (MedPay): MedPay helps cover medical expenses for you and your passengers after an accident, regardless of fault.
Other add-ons: You may want to consider additional useful coverages, like roadside assistance or gap insurance.
Penalties for driving without insurance in Wisconsin
Driving without insurance in Wisconsin can result in a fine of up to $500. If you provide false proof of insurance, like using someone else’s insurance card, you face up to $5,000 in fines.
The table below shows the penalties for driving without insurance in Wisconsin.
Violation | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Driving without insurance | Up to $500 |
| Failing to show proof of insurance | Up to $10 |
| Providing fraudulent proof of insurance | Up to $5,000 |
Wisconsin’s proof-of-insurance and financial responsibility rules
Wisconsin drivers must show proof of insurance if a law enforcement officer requests it during a traffic stop or after an accident.[3] You can provide either a physical or electronic insurance card. You don’t need to provide proof of insurance when registering your vehicle or applying for a driver’s license.
But different rules apply if you’re uninsured and responsible for an accident. To avoid license and vehicle suspensions, you may need to post a security deposit, arrange installment payments, or submit documents showing you settled the claims with the other driver.[4]
If the state suspends your license, you can reinstate it by paying any applicable fees and having your insurance company file an SR-22 certificate with the Wisconsin Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). You must maintain the SR-22 for three years.[5]
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Wisconsin insurance laws FAQs
Below, we explain Wisconsin’s coverage requirements, average costs, and what happens if someone borrows your car and is in an accident.
Is it against the law not to have car insurance in Wisconsin?
Yes. Driving without insurance in Wisconsin is illegal. The state requires all drivers to have 25/50/10 liability coverage. Driving while uninsured can result in a fine of up to $500.
What happens if someone else is driving your car and gets into an accident in Wisconsin?
If someone else is driving your car with your permission and gets into an accident, your policy usually covers it. If they cause the accident, your liability insurance should pay for the other driver’s injuries and damages, up to your policy limits. Check your policy documents for your specific coverage.
How much is car insurance in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin drivers pay an average monthly rate of $91 for car insurance. Liability coverage costs an average of $57 per month, and full coverage averages $125. But your exact rates depend on factors like your driving history, deductible, and coverage options.
Is underinsured motorist coverage required in Wisconsin?
No. Wisconsin doesn’t require UM coverage, but insurers must offer it. If you purchase UM coverage, your limits must be at least $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident.
Sources
- Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance. "Frequently Asked Questions – Automobile Insurance."
- Wisconsin Department of Transportation. "Drivers cautioned to watch for deer on Wisconsin roads."
- Wisconsin Department of Transportation. "Minimum insurance requirements."
- Wisconsin Department of Transportation. "Safety responsibility law: Uninsured motorists."
- Wisconsin Department of Transportation. "SR22 Certificate (proof of insurance/financial responsibility)."
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 250 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 500+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).
Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:
- Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
- Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
- No additional coverage
- Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
- Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
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Writer: Jamie JohnsonInsurance and Personal Finance Writer
Writer: Jamie JohnsonInsurance and Personal Finance Writer
Qualifications:
6 years experience in personal finance writing
Featured on Credit Karma and Insider
Jamie is a meticulous researcher who has published 2,000+ personal finance articles. Her expertise is trusted by major brands like Bankrate and Rocket Mortgage.
Editor: Duncan BrownLicensed P&C Agent, Copy Editor
Editor: Duncan BrownLicensed P&C Agent, Copy Editor
Qualifications:
5+ years of editing experience
4+ years of experience in print and digital media
NPN: 22341021
Duncan is an insurance copy editor with a producer‘s license for property and casualty in Massachusetts.
Reviewer: John LeachLicensed P&C Agent, Chief Copy Editor
Reviewer: John LeachLicensed P&C Agent, Chief Copy Editor
Qualifications:
Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
10+ years editing experience
NPN: 20461358
John is Insurify’s Chief Copy Editor, helping ensure the accuracy and readability of Insurify’s content. He’s a licensed agent specializing in home and car insurance topics.