Wisconsin drivers have one of the cheapest automobile insurance rates in the US. Full coverage policies are particularly cheap although liability only policies are affordable and well below the country average too. Having low base rates to start with means that you can get relatively low premiums here even if your records are less than perfect. Despite low premiums, the number of uninsured drivers is similar to the national average at 13%. Also, 35% of traffic deaths are alcohol related in the state and higher than the country average. Badger State’s Rustic Roads Program maintains “scenic, lightly travelled country roads” for motorists to enjoy.
The State Minimum Vehicle Insurance Requirements
Here are the minimum liability requirements;
- $25,000 for bodily injury or death per person.
- $50,000 total for bodily injury or death per accident.
- $10,000 for property damage.
Wisconsin also requires uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, which can pay for injuries caused to you by a driver with insufficient or no insurance with the following limits:
- $25,000 in uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
- $50,000 in uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
According to state laws, livestock have the right of way on any highway.
The state sets the minimum requirements as a basic coverage you must have. You should increase the liability limits to get protected better against claims people may make against you if you ever cause an accident. Also, you should take advantage of cheap full coverage car insurance here and get physical damages coverage for your own automobile, unless it has lost its value.
Wisconsin Auto Insurance Rates
Drivers here are luckier than most others in the country because the average state required minimum coverage costs $358 and that is $264 cheaper than the US average. Usually, this is the result of cumulative efforts to drive safe, and low auto theft and accident numbers. Rural setting of America’s Dairyland and highly competitive environment helps in keeping the prices low.
Another reason behind affordable automobile insurance premiums is the lack of large cities that keeps accidents and claims down. Wisconsin had 1 death per 100 million vehicle miles traveled in 2013, according to Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI). To emphasize how safe driving in the Badger State is, there were other states with double that number in the same year.
The average full coverage car insurance is fairly cheap at $1,292. The US average is $722 more expensive than WI. There are several states in the US where residents pay more than that for liability only coverage. That is why it is always a good idea to check how much a decent policy is going to cost you if you have liability only at the moment.
WI enjoys great low rates but the same cannot be said for its largest city Milwaukee as it doesn’t enjoy low auto insurance prices compared to the average or the other cities. Motorists have to pay 36% higher premiums in Milwaukee in comparison to state average. This is probably due to the factors that make it expensive in most other large cities like dense population, higher accidents, auto theft and vandalism. When you live in cities, you can benefit more from shopping around because you are likely to save more dollars due to higher premiums.
The Cheapest Wisconsin Car Insurers
The premiums are cheap here but this doesn’t mean you cannot save money anymore. One of the easiest ways to lower your premium is to find the lowest priced companies in your zip code and they are listed for you below;
- Erie
- Integrity Insurance
- State Farm
- West Bend
- Auto-Owners
Rates are fairly uniform throughout the state and these companies usually hold their positions with slight variations. However, Milwaukee premiums are nearly twice more expensive and the cheapest price is offered by Erie, GEICO and Auto-owners. You should also get quotes from the above vehicle insurers and a few others in the beer city.
Interesting Wisconsin Auto Insurance and Driving Facts
- In Wisconsin, Unless the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) explicitly demands proof of insurance for driver’s license issuance or vehicle registration, there exists no obligatory mandate to furnish such evidence. However, it’s important to note that proof of insurance might be necessary as a prerequisite for regaining a suspended or revoked driver’s license.
- Driving a motor vehicle without insurance coverage could lead to a potential fine of up to $500. Presenting falsified proof of insurance, might result in a fine of up to $5,000.
- Although it is still lower than many states, auto thefts have been on the rise in WI. Between 2020 and 2021, auto thefts increased astonishing 40%.
- In Wisconsin, driving laws include reducing speed to 15 mph near schools, children, loading vehicles, safety zones, and parks. The state’s “reasonable and prudent” law mandates adjusting speed for conditions like curves, intersections, and weather. This also applies to passing workers and in adverse conditions like congestion, fog, and snow to prevent accidents.
- Wisconsin mandates seat belt use for drivers and passengers over four years old in both front and rear seats with three-point belts. Children under four need appropriate restraints. The state’s seat belt law permits law enforcement to stop and ticket drivers for non-compliance, resulting in a small fine and no points on the driving record.
There are many things you should pay attention to and how car insurance prices work may be one of them. The whole point in shopping around is to find those special offers. To put it differently, your goal should not solely be to find the least expensive or most comprehensive policy. Instead, aim to secure a suitable auto insurance coverage that offers both quality and affordability.