Cheapest car insurance in Wisconsin for 2025

Drivers in the Badger State may be pleased to know that the average rate of car insurance is below the national average. Wisconsin drivers pay an average premium of $446 for state-mandated minimum coverage, while full coverage, which includes optional collision and comprehensive insurance, is available for an average annual cost of $1,935. To create this guide to the cheapest car insurance in WI, Bankrate sourced average rates from Quadrant Information Services and looked at other indicators of quality to help you find cheap auto insurance in WI.

Key takeaways

• Cheapest company for minimum coverage: Geico
• Cheapest company for full coverage: Travelers
• Cheapest company for drivers with prior incidents: Geico
• Cheapest company for young drivers: Rural Mutual

Like most states, Wisconsin requires drivers to carry a minimum amount of coverage to drive on public roads legally. Minimum coverage is generally the cheapest option for car insurance, so it may be a good choice if you are pinching pennies. But keep in mind that it does not offer the most robust protection. It does not, for example, include coverage for damage to your own vehicle in an at-fault accident. And the low liability limits may leave you with out-of-pocket costs if you are involved in an accident with extensive damage or injuries. If you feel that minimum coverage is right for you, Geico tends to be the cheapest option based on average rates from Quadrant Information Services.

Minimum coverage requirements for Wisconsin drivers

Car insurance is a legal requirement in Wisconsin, as it is in most states. Drivers must carry at least 25/50/10 personal liability insurance, as well as uninsured motorist coverage. This means that, to drive legally in Wisconsin, you must carry at least:

• $25,000 bodily injury liability per person
• $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident
• $10,000 property damage liability per accident
• $25,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
• $50,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident

Drivers who purchase minimum coverage often pay some of the lowest rates. However, cost is not the only factor when purchasing an auto insurance policy. Wisconsin’s minimum insurance requirement may not be enough to cover the full cost of an at-fault accident. If you cause an accident and the cost of the damages and injuries exceeds your insurance amount, you are responsible for those bills out of pocket. To better protect your finances, most insurance agents recommend that you purchase higher liability limits if you are able to.

Additionally, minimum coverage insurance does not include any coverage for your vehicle. If you need or want coverage for your own vehicle you will need full coverage, which includes both comprehensive and collision. Talk to your agent regarding the proper level of insurance for your needs.

Full coverage, as the name suggests, offers more robust protection than minimum insurance. Unlike minimum insurance, full coverage provides financial protection for your own car if it is damaged in an at-fault accident. It also provides help for damage caused by non-accident-related causes, such as theft, vandalism or severe weather. Typically, the cheapest insurer in Wisconsin for full coverage is Travelers.

Perhaps the easiest way to get cheap auto insurance in WI is to have a clean driving record. Drivers with past infractions tend to pay more since insurers perceive them to be at a higher risk of filing pricey claims. At-fault accidents, speeding tickets and DUIs are all events that can have a major impact on your premium.

• Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a ticket: Geico
• Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident: Geico
• Cheapest car insurance for high-risk drivers: Western National

Cheapest insurance companies for drivers in Wisconsin with a speeding ticket: Geico

Getting a speeding ticket conviction in Wisconsin is very likely to impact your car insurance premiums. The average cost of minimum coverage in the state with one speeding ticket on your record is $524 per year, and full coverage costs an average of $2,326 per year after a speeding ticket conviction. The following companies have lower average rates, though, so if you have a speeding ticket, you might want to consider getting quotes.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers in Wisconsin with an at-fault accident: Geico

If you are found to be the cause of an accident in Wisconsin, you will likely see your rate increase unless you have an accident forgiveness endorsement on your policy. You may face an increase even if you are not at fault since some insurers will see this as an indication of increased risk. Consider asking for quotes from the following companies if your rate increases after an accident.

Cheapest rates in Wisconsin for high-risk drivers: Western National

Whether you are considered a high-risk driver may vary from insurer to insurer, so it can make sense to shop around for quotes if you have marks on your license. If you are turned down by one carrier, that does not mean that others will do the same. A DUI conviction is probably the most serious moving violation, and some insurance companies will not do business with a driver with one or more on their record. If you think you're considered a high-risk driver, you may want to consider the companies listed below, which have low average rates for drivers in this category.

Young drivers lack experience and are still maturing, so they tend to be viewed as higher risk by insurance companies. That makes finding Wisconsin cheap car insurance for young adults somewhat tricky.

• Cheapest car insurance for insuring a teen driver: Rural Mutual
• Cheapest car insurance for teens with a ticket: Erie
• Cheapest car insurance for teens with an at-fault accident: Erie
• Cheapest car insurance for young drivers with a DUI: Geico

Cheapest Wisconsin car insurance for insuring a teen driver: Rural Mutual

Insurers take your age into account when determining rates. Teen drivers tend to earn the highest premiums, mainly because they lack experience behind the wheel and may engage in risky behavior like texting while driving. This makes them at higher risk of filing claims, and insurers respond to risk, in general, by increasing rates. There are a few ways you can help keep your teen driver's rate low, though, including teen discounts, which can include discounts for young drivers who are good students. Based on our research, the cheapest car insurance in Wisconsin for a household with a teen driver comes from Rural Mutual, Erie and Geico.

Cheapest Wisconsin car insurance for teens with a ticket: Erie

Adding a ticket to your driving record will always increase your premiums, and this is no less true for teenagers. If you’re a young driver and have a ticket in your past, consider Erie for the cheapest coverage.

Cheapest Wisconsin car insurance for teens with an at-fault accident: Erie

If you cause an accident, you’ll have to pay for the damages and deal with higher insurance rates going forward due to your higher perceived risk. The rates below reflect the average cost for 18-year-old drivers on their own policy with an at-fault accident on their record. If you’re a teen driver who caused an accident, Erie likely has the cheapest coverage option.

Cheapest Wisconsin car insurance for young drivers with a DUI: Geico

If a young driver has a DUI on their record, they’ll generally see their insurance costs rise significantly. They might also have trouble finding an insurer willing to underwrite a policy. These insurers are usually willing to give young drivers with a DUI a policy, with Geico typically offering the lowest rates.

Most insurers offer at least a few savings opportunities to help you lower your premium, and it’s no different in Wisconsin. If you’re looking for Wisconsin car insurance savings, it might be helpful to search for a company that has a few discounts that you qualify for. While every company has its own selection of car insurance discounts, they generally fit into these categories:

• Bundling discount: If you are happy with your car insurance company, consider purchasing your home, condo or renters insurance from them as well to earn a discount on your rate. This is called bundling and is a common discount for most insurers.
• Professional discounts: A few insurers offer discounts to individuals who work in certain professions. This may include teachers, first responders or other health care professionals. Active military members may also be eligible for savings.
• Safety discounts: Does your car have airbags, anti-lock brakes or other common safety devices? They could be good for a discount from many insurers.
• Billing discounts: These easy-to-earn discounts come in several forms. You might save money simply by arranging for electronic payments of your bill or by paying the whole premium at the beginning of the service period. Other insurers offer a discount if you agree to receive policy documents via email rather than postal mail.
• Safe driver discounts: Many insurers will decrease your premium if you take a defensive driving course, which also may make you less likely to be in an accident. Others discount the rate of drivers who make no claims on their policy for a certain number of years, often three to five.
• Telematics discounts: If you are generally a safe and careful driver, consider signing up for your insurer's telematics program. These use a mobile app to monitor your driving in real time, rewarding good drivers with a significant discount. However, some versions may also increase your premium if you exhibit unsafe driving practices.

To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverage that meets each state’s requirements. These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes. Your quotes will differ.