📊 Wisconsin at a Glance
Avg Annual Premium
$1,850
full coverage
National Ranking
#14
cheapest
vs National Avg
-$847
below avg
Uninsured Rate
13.4%
#22 nationally
⚠️ Critical: $10,000 Property Damage Trap
Wisconsin has one of the lowest property damage limits in the country at just $10,000. The average new car costs nearly $50,000—if you hit someone's car while carrying minimum coverage, you could owe $40,000+ out of pocket. Increase this immediately!
📋 Wisconsin Minimum Coverage Requirements
| Coverage Type | Minimum Required |
|---|---|
| Bodily Injury (per person) | $25,000 |
| Bodily Injury (per accident) | $50,000 |
| Property Damage | $10,000 ⚠️ |
| Uninsured Motorist (UM) | Required: $25,000/$50,000 |
| MedPay (Medical Payments) | Must be offered (optional to buy) |
⚠️ Action required: The $10,000 PD limit is absurdly low. Increase to at least $50,000—even $100,000 if you have assets to protect. The additional premium is minimal compared to the risk.
🏥 Wisconsin's MedPay Requirement
Wisconsin requires insurers to offer Medical Payments (MedPay) coverage, though you're not required to buy it.
What MedPay Covers:
- • Your medical expenses after accident
- • Passenger medical expenses
- • Pays regardless of fault
- • No deductible typically
Should You Buy It?
- • Yes if high health deductible
- • Yes if you carry passengers
- • Maybe skip if excellent health coverage
- • Typical cost: $10-30/month
⚖️ How Wisconsin's Insurance System Works
At-Fault (Tort) State
The at-fault driver's insurance pays. You can sue for damages beyond insurance limits.
Modified Comparative Fault
You can recover if you're 50% or less at fault. At 51%+ fault, you get nothing.
💰 Cheapest & Most Expensive Cities
✓ Cheapest Cities
✗ Most Expensive Cities
Milwaukee-area cities (including Racine and Kenosha near Chicago) are significantly more expensive. Rural Wisconsin offers great rates.
🏆 Best Insurance Companies in Wisconsin
| Insurer | Best For |
|---|---|
| State Farm | Major presence, bundling |
| GEICO | Good drivers (often cheapest) |
| American Family | Headquartered in Madison! Strong local choice |
| Erie Insurance | Rate Lock feature |
| Rural Mutual | Farm/rural Wisconsin drivers |
Pro tip: American Family Insurance is headquartered in Madison, WI. They often have excellent rates for Wisconsin drivers and strong local service.
🎁 Available Discounts
Defensive driving course
Good student discount
Bundle home + auto
Telematics/safe driver
💡 Tips for Wisconsin Drivers
- ✓ Increase property damage to $50K+ - The $10K minimum is dangerously low
- ✓ Quote American Family - Madison-based, often competitive
- ✓ Consider MedPay - WI requires it to be offered; often worth buying
- ✓ Winter driving prep - Comprehensive covers winter damage
- ✓ Use WI OCI - oci.wi.gov for rate comparisons and complaints
The Bottom Line
Wisconsin has affordable rates ($1,850/year, 14th cheapest) but a dangerous trap: the $10,000 property damage minimum won't cover even minor damage to modern cars. Increase this immediately—it's the most important upgrade you can make.
Best strategy: Quote American Family (headquartered in Madison) alongside GEICO. Increase PD to at least $50K-100K. Consider MedPay if you have a high health insurance deductible. Bundle home+auto for significant savings.