How to Find Cheap DUI Car Insurance in Wisconsin

Though advocates in Wisconsin are calling for stricter drunk driving laws surrounding first-offense DUIs, penalties for DUIs (referred to as OWIs in this state) are pretty comprehensive. Though the state outlines fines, imprisonment, and license revocation should you operate a vehicle while intoxicated, they can't reveal how much your auto insurance premiums will go up after a DUI conviction.

Pinning down a single reliable price for insurance costs post-DUI isn't easy because there are many things to consider. How many DUIs do you have? What was your driving record before? One thing you can count on is that your auto insurance rates will rise. Though Wisconsin has relatively cheaper rates for drivers with a DUI conviction than many other states, insurance is very personal. It can vary on many factors, including (but not limited to) your driving record to date. For this reason, car insurance shopping sites that can provide you the cheapest, most personalized insurance options have become very popular.

There's no avoiding it: risky behavior like driving under the influence is never rewarded. Some people experience life-changing consequences. At the very least, you'll see your insurance rates increase. Though car insurance costs after a DUI in Wisconsin are some of the lowest in the United States, a higher monthly premium still stings.

Relative to the rest of the country, Wisconsin ranks low when it comes to statewide insurance costs for drivers after a DUI conviction. That's little consolation when you are looking at a new average premium of $295—a cost increase of 98 percent over the average that motorists without a DUI pay.

When comparing car insurance companies, don't feel obligated to analyze big names only. While many companies you'll recognize, some may be unfamiliar but can give you the same—or even a better—financial boost. The most cost-effective companies to consider in Wisconsin if you have a DUI on your record include Liberty Mutual, Travelers, and Metropolitan Property and Casualty Insurance.

You might be asking yourself how many years a DUI stays on your record in Wisconsin. As far as criminal records go, a DUI is on your record for life in this state. However, it can only be grouped with any subsequent DUIs for a period of 10 years. If you have only one DUI on your record for 10 years, the next DUI (should you get one again) is considered a first offense for penalty purposes.

Insurance companies don't necessarily abide by state lookback periods when deciding how long to consider a DUI violation. In general, rate increases for driving mistakes stick around for up to five years.