Best Car Insurance in Wisconsin

Last Updated on February 1, 2021

Wisconsin is one of the cheapest states in America for car insurance. In fact, Wisconsin is typically one of the top five cheapest states in the country for auto insurance.

Statewide, the average Wisconsin driver pays roughly $1,112 per year for car insurance, which is much lower than the nationwide average of around $1,400 per year. However, rates vary widely across the state. Drivers in big cities pay much higher rates than drivers in rural areas.Best Car Insurance in Wisconsin

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Top 10 Auto Insurance Companies in Wisconsin

Wisconsin drivers have plenty of options for car insurance. All major nationwide car insurance companies serve drivers in Wisconsin, and drivers can also choose from several smaller, local companies.

The best auto insurance companies in Wisconsin include all of the following:

1) Pekin Insurance

Based in Pekin, Illinois, Pekin Insurance offers competitively-priced auto insurance throughout Wisconsin and neighboring states. The company is particularly popular for those with other insurance needs, as Pekin offers a full suite of insurance products and services. The average driver in Wisconsin pays $802 per year for full coverage car insurance with Pekin Insurance.

2) State Farm

State Farm is the largest car insurance company in the United States, and they’re also one of the cheapest insurers in Wisconsin. State Farm charges just $815 per year for full coverage car insurance in Wisconsin, on average, making it one of the best-value options in the state.

3) Rockford Mutual

Another Illinois-based company, Rockford Mutual offers home, auto, and business insurance throughout Illinois, Wisconsin, and other neighboring states. Rockford Mutual is known for competitive rates and a local approach to car insurance, charging drivers roughly $832 per year for full coverage car insurance, making them one of the best-value insurers in the state of Wisconsin.

4) Secura Insurance

Secura Insurance is based in Neenah, Wisconsin. The company operates in 12 states and has sold property and casualty insurance since 1900. Today, Secura Insurance continues to insure thousands of drivers across Wisconsin, emphasizing a local approach to car insurance along with a large network of local agents based in communities across Wisconsin. Based on our model driver profiles, the average Wisconsin driver pays around $933 per year with Secura.

5) GEICO

GEICO is the second-largest insurance company in the United States, and they’re frequently among the cheapest insurers nationwide. In Wisconsin, GEICO combines competitive prices with the amenities of a multi-billion dollar insurer, which means you get powerful coverage at a discount rate. Expect to pay as little as $934 per year for full coverage car insurance with GEICO in Wisconsin.

6) USAA

USAA car insurance in Wisconsin is available to members of the military and their families. If you qualify for membership, then USAA car insurance is one of the best-value options in Wisconsin. Drivers frequently pay as little as $700 per year for full coverage car insurance while enjoying the amenities of higher-end plans. The average USAA driver in Wisconsin pays around $967 per year.

7) Wisconsin Farm Bureau

Wisconsin Farm Bureau is one of many Farm Bureau offices across the United States. Farm Bureau members enjoy discounted rates on farm equipment and auto insurance – along with other perks. Wisconsin Farm Bureau is one of the most affordable companies in the state for those interested in minimum liability insurance, with some drivers paying just $230 per year for minimum liability insurance with Wisconsin Farm Bureau.

8) Hastings Mutual

Hastings Mutual is a Michigan-based insurance company serving customers in Wisconsin and other nearby states. Hastings Mutual combines great prices with strong customer service. It’s not the cheapest car insurance company in Wisconsin, but Hastings Mutual continues to provide discount rates to customers across the state, charging around $1,054 per year, on average, based on our model driver profiles.

9) Erie Insurance

Erie is frequently ranked as one of the best car insurance companies in the United States for customer service. Erie is rarely the cheapest provider, but it’s popular among those willing to pay slightly higher rates for significantly better service. Erie has some of the best claims satisfaction ratings in Wisconsin, and drivers can pay around $1,099 per year for full coverage car insurance with Erie in Wisconsin, on average.

10) Western National

Western National is a private mutual insurance company with over 100 years of experience. Well-known in Wisconsin, Michigan, and other nearby states, Western National charges competitive prices while maintaining a strong presence across Wisconsin – particularly in rural areas of the state. The average Western National driver pays around $1,106 per year.

Wisconsin Insurance Requirements

You must have car insurance to drive in Wisconsin. Like other states, Wisconsin requires drivers to carry certain minimum liability insurance limits, including:

  • $25,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per person
  • $50,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per accident
  • $10,000 of property damage liability coverage

Driving Without Insurance in Wisconsin

It’s illegal to drive without insurance in Wisconsin.

You must show proof of insurance at traffic stops, accidents, or whenever requested by law enforcement. If you fail to provide proof of insurance, then you could face severe penalties, including:

  • A fine of up to $500 (if caught operating a motor vehicle without insurance)
  • A fine of up to $10 (if caught without insurance at a traffic stop or accident)
  • A fine of up to $5,000 (if caught offering fraudulent proof of insurance)

Overall, Wisconsin has lower penalties for driving without insurance compared to other states. However, insurers could significantly increase rates if you are caught without insurance, which means you could face further financial penalties beyond what is listed above.

Car Insurance in Wisconsin with DUI

Wisconsin is one of the top 10 states in America for DUIs, currently ranking 9th overall among states with the most DUIs. Although penalties for a DUI in Wisconsin seem severe, Wisconsin’s DUI penalties are less serious than other states, and many insurance companies continue to charge competitive rates after a single DUI:

  • Erie: $1,002 per year
  • GEICO: $1,015 per year
  • State Farm: $1,032 per year
  • Western National: $1,064 per year
  • Allstate: $1,342 per year

Car Insurance in Wisconsin with At-Fault Accidents

Accidents remain on your record in Wisconsin for up to seven years. Some insurance companies track accident history back seven years, checking for any history of at-fault accidents, then raising rates. Other insurance companies have relatively light penalties for at-fault accidents, including:

  • State Farm: $990 per year
  • GEICO: $992 per year
  • State Farm: $1,016 per year
  • Western National: $1,021 per year
  • Allstate: $1,123 per year

Car Insurance in Wisconsin with Speeding Tickets

Car insurance companies don’t treat speeding tickets as seriously as at-fault accidents or DUIs. However, drivers with multiple speeding tickets or a single serious violation could face stiff penalties.

Some insurance companies ignore a single speeding ticket, while others raise rates by 10% or more. The following companies are known for offering low car insurance premiums in Wisconsin even after a speeding ticket:

  • USAA: $743 per year
  • GEICO: $799 per year
  • State Farm: $890 per year
  • Erie: $901 per year
  • Allstate: $912 per year

Car Insurance in Wisconsin for Young Drivers

Statistically, drivers under age 25 are the riskiest drivers to insure. If you are a teenage driver in Wisconsin, then you could pay over $5,000 per year for car insurance. Fortunately, some car insurance companies welcome young drivers into their insurance pool, charging relatively cheap rates compared to other providers.

  • Wisconsin Farm Bureau: $1,623 per year
  • GEICO: $1,795 per year
  • State Farm: $2,069 per year
  • Secura: $2,111 per year
  • Pekin: $2,132 per year

Car Insurance in Wisconsin with Poor Credit

If you have poor credit, then you’re a riskier driver to insure. Statistically, drivers with poor credit tend to make more claims than drivers with good credit. Most Wisconsin insurance companies check your credit score before assigning a policy. However, some insurers are friendlier to drivers with a low credit score than others, including:

  • Pekin: $1,021 per year
  • GEICO: $1,311 per year
  • Travelers: $1,452 per year
  • Wisconsin Farm Bureau: $1,457 per year
  • Progressive: $1,599 per year

SR-22 Insurance in Wisconsin

Wisconsin requires certain drivers to obtain an SR-22 certificate as proof of insurance. If you were recently convicted of a serious driving offense (like a DUI or at-fault accident), then you could be required to obtain an SR-22 form.

An SR-22 form is not insurance: it’s simply a form proving you meet Wisconsin’s minimum auto insurance liability limits. The state requires certain high-risk drivers to obtain this form to verify coverage. Without this form, you may not be able to reinstate your license.

All major car insurance providers in Wisconsin provide SR-22 certificates. You can obtain an SR-22 certificate simply by contacting your insurance company. Many insurers even let you compare SR-22 quotes in Wisconsin online.

When an insurance company in Wisconsin files an SR-22 form on your behalf, you pay a flat fee ranging from $15 to $50. SR-22 insurance is also more expensive than ordinary insurance: because you’re a higher risk driver, you’ll pay higher rates for car insurance.

Once the DMV receives your SR-22 form, the DMV should quickly reinstate your license, and you can drive as you normally would again.

Conclusion: How to Find the Best Auto Insurance in Wisconsin

Finding the best auto insurance in Wisconsin is easy: spend a few minutes comparing quotes online, then pick the company that best matches your needs.

Wisconsin has some of the cheapest car insurance in the country. By comparing quotes, taking advantage of discounts, and choosing the right company, you can pay even less while enjoying the best car insurance in Wisconsin.