What car insurance costs in Wisconsin

Wisconsin's bill compared with the U.S.

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) publishes what insurers collected per insured car in each state. Its 2023 tables, the latest by state, put the average Wisconsin expenditure at $922, up 14% from $810 in 2022, the same rate of increase as the country as a whole. A car carrying liability, collision and comprehensive had a combined average premium of $1,000.

Liability ($447) and collision ($315) are both far below the national averages, by about 39% and 32%. Comprehensive is the exception: at $239 it is essentially the U.S. figure. So comprehensive makes up a larger share of a Wisconsin full-coverage bill than it does nationally, which makes its deductible one of the first places to look when you review your policy. See limits and deductibles.

What Wisconsin adds to every policy

You may not drive in Wisconsin without liability insurance. The minimum is $25,000 for injury or death of one person, $50,000 for injury or death of two or more people and $10,000 for property damage.

• Uninsured motorist coverage of at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident, for bodily injury only, is mandatory.
• Underinsured motorist coverage is not mandatory. Your insurer must tell you it is available, and you may reject it. If you buy it, the limits must be at least $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident.
• Medical payments coverage of at least $1,000 per person must be included in the policy, but the named insured may reject it.

The Insurance Research Council estimated that 15.6% of Wisconsin drivers were uninsured in 2023, close to the 15.4% national rate. Because the required uninsured motorist coverage pays only for injuries, damage to your own car from an uninsured driver falls to your own collision coverage, if you carry it.

Credit and rate filings in Wisconsin

The Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI) requires insurers to file surcharges with it and to apply them uniformly. Rate differences between classes of drivers also need credible supporting information filed with the OCI.

Insurers may use credit information, but it must not be used in a way that is unfairly discriminatory. The OCI's position is that credit should not be the sole reason to refuse an application, cancel a new policy within its first 60 days or nonrenew a policy. If credit leads to a denial, you can review the report for accuracy at no charge. More on credit-based insurance scores.

The Wisconsin Automobile Insurance Plan

If several insurers have turned you down, you can likely get coverage through the Wisconsin Automobile Insurance Plan (WAIP), created by state law. The OCI warns that its rates are usually somewhat higher than in the voluntary market and suggests you keep shopping while you are on the plan. WAIP can be reached at 800-827-5964. Our guide to assigned risk plans covers the process.

Ways to trim a Wisconsin premium

1. 1 Shop around. The OCI's consumer guide says prices for the same coverage can vary greatly between insurers, so compare at least three quotes on matching limits.
2. 2 Ask about the discounts the OCI lists. Its guide mentions a package discount of up to 15% for home and auto with one insurer, good student discounts that typically run 10% to 20% for a B average, multi-car, claim-free, nonsmoker and pay-in-full discounts, and usage-based programs.
3. 3 Test the deductible. The deductible break-even calculator shows how many claim-free years a higher deductible needs to pay off.
4. 4 Complain in writing. Contact the insurer or agent first. If that fails, file online at the OCI's complaints page; the OCI does not accept complaints by phone, but you can call 1-800-236-8517 for help.

Questions drivers ask