Wisconsin Auto Insurance

Auto insurance in Wisconsin

Auto insurance is something all vehicle owners are obliged to have, with the added benefit of having a form of protection in case of accidents. Whether the respective vehicle is used for personal or professional purposes, adequate insurance is a must. If there is no insurance or the vehicle owner has failed to renew an existing policy, he/she is liable for fines of up to $1,000 or might have his/her driving documents suspended, for up to six months. This can refer to either the driver's license or vehicle registration. If you are interested in discovering more information on the topic of auto insurance in Wisconsin, just keep on reading this article.

What type of car insurance do you legally need in Wisconsin?

According to the Mandatory Liability Insurance Act, all Wisconsin residents who intend to operate a moving vehicle must be covered by a liability insurance policy. If the mandatory insurance is missing, the respective vehicle registration might be suspended for several months or more. The online insurance verification system can be used by the local authorities to determine whether a vehicle is insured or not.

For a resident to operate a vehicle in the state of Wisconsin, the associated car insurance must comply with certain guidelines. These include: bodily injury liability ($50,000 per accident and $25,000 per person), property damage liability ($10,000 per accident), uninsured motorist bodily injury ($50,000 per accident and $25,000 per person), and property damage liability ($1,000 per person). The full coverage insurance is more recommended than the minimum liability coverage, as you can add options, such as comprehensive and collision insurance. It is always a good idea to choose a higher liability coverage limit than the one imposed by the law in Wisconsin. In this way, you will be protected, should the worst-case scenario take place.

The sums mentioned above refer to the amounts an insurance provider might pay, should you be involved in an accident for which you are at fault. The law states it clearly that all vehicle owners should carry a copy of their insurance policy while driving. Driving without insurance is illegal in Wisconsin, with consequences including legal fines and the suspension of your driving documents (driver's license, vehicle registration). Jail time might be legally enforced for those who continue to operate a vehicle without valid insurance, as this represents a repeated infraction.

Average cost of auto insurance in Wisconsin

The state minimum auto insurance policy in Wisconsin has a value of $381. However, a full coverage insurance policy has an average value of $1,202 per year. Collision and comprehensive coverages might not always be included in this policy, which means you will have to pay extra for them. Some of the factors influencing the overall insurance rates include: marital status, gender, age, driving record, location, number of miles driven, the presence of prior insurance, vehicle, etc. The best insurance policy is the one that offers a wide coverage, instead of the most affordable one.

The average cost of car insurance varies from one state to the other, that is something all vehicle owners are aware of. Such variations have been known for both the minimum coverage and the full version, including when it comes to options such as comprehensive and collision insurance. As for the factors influencing these values, you might find the following: road conditions, how many uninsured drivers there are in the city, number of drivers in accordance with the general population, at-fault accidents, accidents caused by weather elements or conditions, etc.

Wisconsin has a significantly lower rate for the average car insurance to the national median, which is around $1,770. The states with the most expensive auto insurance policies include: California, Colorado, Florida, Louisiana, Michigan, Nevada, New York, and Pennsylvania. As for the most affordable states, these are: Maine, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, Tennessee, Washington, and Wisconsin. New York has the most expensive policies of this kind, with $2,996 for the full coverage and $1,339 for the minimum one. Maine is the most affordable, with $876 for the full coverage policy and $227 for the minimum version.

Within the state of Wisconsin, you might also notice certain differences between the various cities. Green Bay has some of the most affordable rates to offer, while Milwaukee stands at the top of the list in terms of costs. The average annual premiums are as follows: Green Bay - $1,133; Madison - $1,237; Kenosha - $1,392; Racine - $1,395; Milwaukee - $1,826.

The age of the driver stands as one of the top factors influencing the value of auto insurance. Young drivers typically pay more for this type of insurance, as they are seen by insurance companies as irresponsible and more likely to cause accidents. A teenage must cover an annual premium of over $7,700, in contrast to a middle-aged driver, who might be accustomed to a premium close to $2,000. Gender differences are present as well, with men benefitting from more attractive rates. Married couples have access to the most affordable coverages, in contrast to those who are divorced, single, or widowed.

The driver's credit history represents another important factors considered when calculating the value of a potential policy. Exceptional credit means that the driver will actually save significant sums on his/her auto insurance premium, in contrast to someone with a poor credit history. Higher rates are seen in those with prior driving offenses, such as DUI or DWI, reckless driving, at-fault accidents, or speeding. The type of coverage also plays a role in the insurance rate fluctuation. Vehicle owners can add both comprehensive and collision to the state minimum policy, thus increasing the level of protection offered.

Did not find your city or county on the list? Please use our auto insurance companies search box at the top to locate all the best auto insurance quotes in Wisconsin. Find car insurance in Wisconsin by city, zip code or county name.

Finding the right auto insurance in Wisconsin

If you need help choosing the right insurance policy, perhaps you might consider our expert assistance. Thanks to the experience and knowledge accumulated in the field of auto insurance, we are able to match vehicle owners with the best policies for their needs and budget. Just give us a call and we will offer all the necessary support. This service is free-of-charge.