Wisconsin law requires drivers to buy liability insurance with coverage limits of 25/50/10 and uninsured motorist coverage with bodily injury limits of 25/50.

Written by Jessica Barrett

Edited by Kathleen Flear

Reviewed by Brice Regling

Updated on Jan 31, 2024

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Car Insurance Requirements in Wisconsin
Is minimum coverage the most cost-effective option?
Optional coverage in Wisconsin
Penalties for driving without insurance in Wisconsin
FAQs

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Wisconsin car insurance laws require all drivers to buy $25,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per person/$50,000 per accident and $10,000 of property damage liability. You must also purchase uninsured motorist coverage with bodily injury limits of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.

Car Insurance Requirements in Wisconsin

If you’re a driver in Wisconsin, state

car insurance

laws require you to have auto insurance coverage that meets the following limits:

$25,000 per person in bodily injury liability

$50,000 per accident bodily injury liability

$10,000 in property damage liability

$25,000 per person in uninsured motorist bodily injury

$50,000 per accident in uninsured motorist bodily injury

State minimum coverage is the cheapest option.

When you shop for insurance with Jerry, we’ll automatically prefill your coverage selections with the state minimums.

Here’s how those coverages break down if you need to make a claim:

Bodily injury liability

covers the cost of personal injuries and lost wages for the other driver up to your car insurance policy limits if you are at fault.

Property damage liability

covers the cost of personal property damage for any other parties involved in an accident up to your policy limits when you are at fault.

Uninsured motorist coverage

pays for injuries caused by an uninsured driver or hit-and-run accident.

Your insurance company must also offer you underinsured motorist coverage and MedPay in minimum amounts of $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident and $1,000, respectively. These are optional coverages but if you do not want them, you must reject them in writing.

Is minimum coverage the most cost-effective option?

Purchasing only minimum limits might be the cheapest option on a monthly basis, but it could leave you financially vulnerable after an accident. Here’s why:

Insufficient liability coverage: The state minimum policy will only cover $50,000 in medical expenses and $10,000 in property damage. Costs stemming from a serious accident could easily exceed these limits, opening you up to a lawsuit.

No physical damage coverage for your vehicle: A state minimum policy doesn’t include any protection for your vehicle. If your car is stolen or damaged, you’ll have to pay out of pocket for the repairs or replacement.

Josh Damico

Vice President Insurance Operations

A general rule that I recommend is to carry enough coverage to protect your current and future assets – at least $100,000/$300,000 of liability coverage is recommended, but you may need more coverage depending on your financial situation.

You’ll need more coverage if you lease or finance your vehicle: Your lender will require you to purchase full coverage options for the duration of your lease or loan term, including comprehensive coverage and collision coverage.

If you’re shopping with Jerry, you can adjust your liability limits and add full coverage options to see how it impacts your annual premium.

Play around with your selections to find the sweet spot between coverage and savings.

The average cost of state minimum insurance in the state of Wisconsin is $1,231 per year or $102 per month, while the average cost of a full coverage policy is $1,668 per year or $139 per month.

Remember: Car insurance premiums differ depending on many factors. Insurers look at age, location, driving record, and the type of vehicle you drive (among many other things) when calculating car insurance costs. The only way to ensure you’re not overpaying is to compare

car insurance quotes

from multiple insurance providers.

Every driver profile is different, and so is every quote.

Jerry gives you the options you need to get the coverage you need without breaking the bank.

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Optional coverage in Wisconsin

Wisconsin’s state requirements will only cover damages and medical bills for others in the event of a car accident. For greater peace of mind and financial protection, it’s a good idea to add some full coverage options to your policy:

Comprehensive coverage: Protects your car from loss or damage typically not caused by collisions, such as car theft, vandalism, natural disasters, or hitting an animal.

Collision coverage: Pays for damage to your car after a collision with an inanimate object or another vehicle.

Underinsured motorist coverage (UIM): Covers bodily injury resulting from an accident with a driver who has insufficient liability insurance up to your policy limits.

MedPay

: Covers medical expenses for you and your passengers following a crash, even if you are at fault.

Gap insurance

: Covers the difference between your car’s

actual cash value

and the amount owing on your loan or lease if your vehicle is totaled.

Roadside assistance: Also known as

towing and labor coverage

, this pays for towing, tire changes, battery jumpstarts, and more.

Learn More:

Your guide to the 6 types of car insurance

Penalties for driving without insurance in Wisconsin

If you’re caught driving without

proof of insurance

in Wisconsin, you may face the following penalties:

Fine up to $500

Suspension of your driver’s license + $60 reinstatement fee

Suspension of vehicle registration

SR-22

filing requirement for at least three years

FAQs

What are the auto insurance requirements in Wisconsin?

All drivers in Wisconsin must carry liability insurance that follows the 25/50/10 rule, plus 25/50 in uninsured motorist coverage.

Does car insurance follow the car or the driver in Wisconsin?

A car insurance policy typically follows the vehicle. If you let someone borrow your car, they’ll be protected by your car insurance policy under permissive use unless they are excluded from the policy. The same is true if you have permission to borrow someone else’s vehicle.