Wisconsin drivers with a serious driving violation may need to file an SR-22 form through their insurer to prove they meet the state’s minimum insurance requirements.
3+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.
Amber Benka is a licensed insurance agent specializing in auto, home, commercial, life, and health insurance. She has owned the R.A.L Insurance Agency for four years.
Save up to $717 by comparing quotes from the top 100+ insurance companies
Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
Based on 3,806+ reviews
4.8/5
Advertiser Disclosure
At Insurify, our goal is to help customers compare insurance products and find the best policy for them. We strive to provide open, honest, and unbiased information about the insurance products and services we review. Our hard-working team of data analysts, insurance experts, insurance agents, editors and writers, has put in thousands of hours of research to create the content found on our site.
We do receive compensation when a sale or referral occurs from many of the insurance providers and marketing partners on our site. That may impact which products we display and where they appear on our site. But it does not influence our meticulously researched editorial content, what we write about, or any reviews or recommendations we may make. We do not guarantee favorable reviews or any coverage at all in exchange for compensation.
Why you can trust Insurify: Comparing accurate insurance quotes should never put you at risk of spam. We earn an agent commission only if you buy a policy based on our quotes. Our editorial team follows a rigorous set of editorial standards and operates independently from our insurance partners. Learn more.
The state of Wisconsin may require you to file an SR-22 form if you previously committed a serious driving violation. You may face license suspension as a result of a DUI, reckless driving, or an uninsured driving conviction. An SR-22 form verifies that you meet the minimum insurance requirements to legally drive in the state.
Here’s what you need to know about SR-22 insurance in the Badger State, including how it works and how it affects insurance costs.
Quick Facts
If you have a serious driving offense on your record, like a DUI or reckless driving charge, you may need to file an SR-22 form.
An SR-22 form confirms that you meet the minimum insurance requirements to legally drive in Wisconsin.
Your car insurance company will have to file an SR-22 form on your behalf.
What is SR-22 insurance in Wisconsin and when do you need it?
Though not technically car insurance, an SR-22 form certifies that a driver has met the state’s minimum car insurance requirements after a serious traffic offense conviction, like a DUI or reckless driving. Your car insurance company will need to file the SR-22 form with the Wisconsin Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). In most cases, filing an SR-22 form leads to higher car insurance rates because it puts the driver in the high-risk category.
The minimum liability coverage requirements in Wisconsin are:[1]
$10,000 per accident for property damage liability
Find Wisconsin Car Insurance
Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
Based on 3,806+ reviews
4.8/5
How can you get an SR-22 in Wisconsin?
You might need to file an SR-22 form in Wisconsin if any of these situations apply to you:
You want to acquire an occupational driver’s license after license suspension or revocation.
You hope to reinstate a driver’s license after the revocation of your driving privileges or vehicle registration.
You wish to reinstate your driver’s license after it’s been revoked under the uninsured motorists/safety responsibility law.
You’re under the age of 18 and want to drive without a sponsor.[2]
Your car insurance company will likely file an SR-22 form electronically or mail a paper copy to the Wisconsin DMV. If it doesn’t, you can also fax or email the actual certificate to the DMV on your own. Your SR-22 form should include the following information:
Wisconsin typically only requires you to keep an SR-22 form for three years. But you may need to have an SR-22 form on file longer, depending on your particular violation and circumstances. You should verify how long you need an SR-22 to avoid lapses that force you to restart the process.
How much is SR-22 insurance in Wisconsin?
Your car insurance provider will likely charge you a filing fee if you request it to file an SR-22 with the Wisconsin DMV. This fee can vary by company, but Progressive, for example, charges about $25.
In general, an SR-22 on your record will lead to higher premiums than if you had a clean record free of violations. Car insurance companies will view you as a high-risk driver and charge you higher premiums as a result. Since auto insurance rates vary greatly by provider, you should shop around and compare all your options. Otherwise, you may pay more than you have to for a policy.
Cheapest companies for SR-22 insurance in Wisconsin
While auto insurance with an SR-22 filed in the Badger State can be costly, you can still lower your premiums. To do this, try searching for providers that specialize in high-risk car insurance and offer discounts that apply to you.
The table below shows which car insurance companies offer the cheapest rates for SR-22 insurance in Wisconsin.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Cheapest insurance companies in Milwaukee with SR-22
The average monthly rates for car insurance with SR-22 coverage in Milwaukee — Wisconsin’s most populated city — start at $368 but can go up to $484, depending on the car insurance provider you choose. The table below shows average monthly quotes from different auto insurance providers for SR-22 drivers in Milwaukee.
Insurance Company
Average Monthly Quote
Liberty Mutual
$368
Dairyland
$375
Bristol West
$469
The General
$484
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
How SR-22 insurance affects driving record and future rates in Wisconsin
If you have to file an SR-22 form, Wisconsin car insurers will classify you as a high-risk driver and charge more expensive premiums in the future. But you may be able to save money on your policy and improve your driving record while you have an SR-22.
Here are some things you can do that might help you lower your premiums:
Keep your SR-22 for as long as necessary. Wisconsin usually requires SR-22 forms to remain on file for three years. If you cancel your auto insurance sooner, you’ll have to start the process over again. Don’t get rid of your form until you don’t need it anymore.
Comparison shop. You should shop around and compare rates and coverage options from multiple insurance companies because rates vary by insurer. You may have to choose a different provider to land the cheapest premium.
Drive responsibly. To reduce the risk of convictions in the future, make it a priority to drive safely. More convictions can lead to a license revocation or suspension and increase the amount of time you need an SR-22 filed with the Wisconsin DMV.
Look for discounts. Find out whether any discounts apply to you. You may qualify for discounts for membership in an organization, low mileage, loyalty to the insurer, or even installing safety features in your vehicle. “Some insurance companies offer discounts for installing a dash cam and/or accelerometer in your car in order to check your driving habits, but this isn’t always available,” says Ben Michael, founder and managing partner of Michael & Associates.
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about SR-22 insurance in the Badger State.
How long do you have to hold an SR-22 in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin typically requires you to have SR-22 insurance for three years. This three-year period will reset following any lapse in coverage. So don’t cancel your policy early, and avoid further license revocation or suspension.
How do you get rid of an SR-22 in Wisconsin?
You can’t remove an SR-22 form from your record for at least three years. Once the three-year period expires, you can contact your car insurance company and ask it to remove the SR-22 from your policy.
What happens to your SR-22 in Wisconsin if you move?
Since SR-22 insurance doesn’t transfer between states, you’ll need to get a new auto insurance policy if you move out of Wisconsin. When you do, let the provider know you need to have an SR-22 form so it can file one on your behalf. Before you make the move, make sure you understand the SR-22 or FR-44 laws in your new state.
Do you need an SR-22 in Wisconsin if you don’t have a car?
It depends. If you don’t own a car in Wisconsin but want an auto policy because you need to rent a car or drive someone else’s vehicle, you’ll need to purchase nonowner SR-22 insurance. You can’t drive legally without it.
Anna Baluch is a Cleveland-based personal finance and insurance expert. With an MBA from Roosevelt University, she enjoys writing educational content that helps people make smart financial decisions. Her work can be seen across the internet on many publications, including Freedom Debt Relief, Credit Karma, RateGenius, and the Balance. Connect with Anna on LinkedIn.
Edited byKatie PowersAuto and Life Insurance Editor
Katie PowersAuto and Life Insurance Editor
Licensed auto and home insurance agent
3+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.
Amber Benka is a licensed insurance agent specializing in auto, home, commercial, life, and health insurance. She has owned the R.A.L Insurance Agency for four years.
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)