Cheapest car insurance for high-risk drivers in Wisconsin

Which company has the cheapest car insurance in Wisconsin for a bad driving record?

Travelers, Erie Insurance, Nationwide provides affordable car insurance for high-risk drivers with bad driving record in Wisconsin.

Traffic infractions, accidents and DUIs wind up on your driving record, meaning you'll pay higher car insurance rates in addition to any fines assessed. While most violations only affect your insurance rates for a few years, a DUI may affect rates for a decade and never be removed from your record.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for high-risk driver
Travelers	$1,089	$1,693
Erie Insurance	$1,313	$1,831
Nationwide	$1,287	$2,423
GEICO	$1,195	$2,441
State Farm	$2,378	$2,569
Progressive	$2,128	$2,943
Allstate	$2,515	$3,177
Farmers	$2,139	$3,963
USAA	$984	$1,428

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How much is high-risk car insurance in Wisconsin?

A problematic driving record or poor credit score may mean higher insurance rates, but affordable options exist. In Wisconsin, high-risk car insurance costs $2,663 per year. However, you can get rates as low as $1,693 annually from Travelers.

Many things can make you a high-risk driver, but some affect your rates more than others. For example, having multiple speeding tickets or a ticket for speeding in a school zone will increase your rates more than a single basic speeding ticket.

Read on as we explain high-risk car insurance factors and rates below.

Average annual car insurance rate for At-fault bodily injury accident in Wisconsin, WI is $2,538

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Company	Annual premium for clean record	Annual premium after violation
USAA	$984	$1,434
Travelers	$1,089	$1,645
Erie Insurance	$1,313	$1,770
Nationwide	$1,287	$2,300
GEICO	$1,195	$2,398
State Farm	$2,378	$2,787
Farmers	$2,139	$3,310
Progressive	$2,128	$3,723
Allstate	$2,515	$4,078

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Average annual rate

PEOPLE ASK:

Who is considered a high-risk driver in Wisconsin?

Each insurance company has its own rules for deciding who is a high-risk driver. But usually, things like a DUI, several tickets or accidents, or serious violations like reckless driving will put you in the high-risk category.

What company offers the cheapest car insurance in Wisconsin after a DUI?

While many insurers offer coverage after a DUI, Travelers has the lowest rate at $1,723 a year.

Driving under the influence (DUI) is a major traffic violation that will hurt your driving record. It can increase auto insurance rates for almost a decade in addition to fines and other penalties. Multiple DUIs will increase your premiums even more, but improving your driving habits can help you get better rates over time.

The table below shows the average car insurance rates for a clean record vs. a DUI in Wisconsin.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for a DUI
Travelers	$1,089	$1,723
Erie Insurance	$1,313	$2,091
Progressive	$2,128	$2,393
State Farm	$2,378	$2,583
Nationwide	$1,287	$2,990
GEICO	$1,195	$3,016
Allstate	$2,515	$3,202
Farmers	$2,139	$4,508
USAA	$984	$1,817

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What is the cheapest car insurance in Wisconsin with multiple tickets?

The cheapest insurer for drivers with multiple tickets is Erie Insurance, with rates averaging $1,450 annually or $121 monthly.

One ticket will affect car insurance rates, but multiple tickets will increase rates by a lot more. Repeated failure to obey speed limits and traffic laws means insurers are more likely to pay claims because of your risky driving.

This table shows Wisconsin drivers how much multiple tickets increase premiums.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium with a speeding ticket
Erie Insurance	$1,313	$1,450
Travelers	$1,089	$1,649
Nationwide	$1,287	$2,236
GEICO	$1,195	$2,342
State Farm	$2,378	$2,583
Progressive	$2,128	$2,823
Allstate	$2,515	$2,896
Farmers	$2,139	$3,275
USAA	$984	$1,152

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Key insight

Two minor tickets can sometimes cost you more on insurance in the end than one major violation.

Which company offers the cheapest insurance for reckless driving in Wisconsin?

Erie Insurance offers the cheapest rates for drivers with reckless driving convictions at $1,450 per year.

A single ticket can raise your car insurance premiums, but multiple tickets will push them even higher. Repeatedly violating speed limits and other traffic laws signals risky behavior, increasing the likelihood that insurers will have to pay claims.

You can be charged with reckless driving for many reasons, such as excessive speed, multiple accidents in a short time or street racing. Regardless of the cause, a reckless driving conviction raises car insurance rates.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for reckless driving
Erie Insurance	$1,313	$1,450
Travelers	$1,089	$1,723
State Farm	$2,378	$2,583
GEICO	$1,195	$2,742
Nationwide	$1,287	$2,990
Allstate	$2,515	$3,202
Progressive	$2,128	$3,230
Farmers	$2,139	$4,667
USAA	$984	$1,428

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Key insight

A reckless driving conviction can limit your car insurance options and significantly raise rates, so shopping around is critical.

Which company has the cheapest car insurance for drivers with bad credit in Wisconsin?

In Wisconsin, Travelers provides the lowest premiums for drivers with poor credit, averaging $1,769 per year or $147 per month. Even with a low credit score, you can still find affordable auto insurance.

While your credit score doesn't reflect your driving ability, it can impact your car insurance rates and place you in a higher-risk category. Insurers view lower credit scores as an indicator of increased risk based on statistics showing that these drivers are more likely to file claims.

Check the table below to see how credit scores impact car insurance costs in Wisconsin.

Company	Annual premium for good credit	Annual premium for bad credit
Travelers	$1,089	$1,769
Nationwide	$1,287	$1,850
GEICO	$1,195	$1,860
State Farm	$2,378	$2,501
Erie Insurance	$1,313	$3,099
Progressive	$2,128	$3,572
Allstate	$2,515	$3,971
Farmers	$2,139	$4,778
USAA	$984	$1,863

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What company has the cheapest car insurance in Wisconsin after an accident?

Travelers offers the lowest rates after an accident, averaging $1,599 per year. Erie Insurance is another budget-friendly option, with rates around $1,770 a year.

Drivers with accidents on their record usually pay higher insurance premiums than drivers with a clean record. A single accident can raise your rates, and multiple accidents can push them even higher.

This table shows car insurance rates for drivers with a clean record, a single at fault accident, and multiple accidents.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for one at-fault accident	Annual premium for multiple accident
Travelers	$1,089	$1,599	$2,058
Erie Insurance	$1,313	$1,770	$2,517
Nationwide	$1,287	$2,300	$3,170
GEICO	$1,195	$2,398	$3,942
State Farm	$2,378	$2,787	$2,787
Farmers	$2,139	$3,310	$5,121
Progressive	$2,128	$3,723	$5,411
Allstate	$2,515	$4,078	$5,681
USAA	$984	$1,434	$2,285

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Key insight

Accident forgiveness programs can prevent rate increases, but eligibility varies by insurer, and often only minor accidents qualify.

Which city has the cheapest car insurance for high-risk drivers in Wisconsin?

Oshkosh has the cheapest car insurance rates in Wisconsin at $2,095 per year. But the most expensive city is Milwaukee with rates of $3,240 per year.

Your location in Wisconsin also matters. For example, if you live in an area with heavy traffic or a high vehicle theft rate, rates will reflect the increased chance of claims.

City	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for high-risk driver
Oshkosh	$1,357	$2,095
Sheboygan	$1,394	$2,182
Sun Prairie	$1,457	$2,268
Eau Claire	$1,491	$2,337
Menomonee Falls	$1,484	$2,340
Evansville	$1,499	$2,349
Wausau	$1,526	$2,365
Madison	$1,524	$2,402
Portage	$1,581	$2,478
Cudahy	$1,651	$2,670
Milwaukee	$2,013	$3,240

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How can high-risk drivers lower their car insurance rates in Wisconsin?

Finding affordable car insurance in Wisconsin is possible, even with a bad driving record. Ways to lower car insurance rates include:

Where you live in Wisconsin also affects car insurance rates. For example, if you live in a high-traffic or high-theft area, rates will increase because your vehicle is more likely to be damaged or stolen.

Carefully consider filing claims. Paying for minor damage out of pocket may be cheaper than filing an insurance claim and increasing rates for years.
Avoid costly infractions. Drive carefully to avoid adding traffic infractions to your record. Tickets only affect insurance rates for a few years, which will decrease if more tickets aren't added.
Improve your credit score. Raising your credit score lowers car insurance rates. Make on-time payments and consider credit usage to improve your rating.
Take a defensive driving course. Many insurance companies offer a discount for doing so, and some states remove driver's license points for successfully completing the class.
Shop around for coverage. Every car insurance company weighs factors differently and offers different rates. Compare quotes to find the cheapest rates.

PEOPLE ASK:

How long are you considered a high-risk driver in Wisconsin?

Three years is common, but how long you are considered a high-risk driver in California depends on the insurance company's guidelines. The state determines how long a violation stays on your record, but the insurance company determines how long you're charged for that violation.

Are Wisconsin's insurance requirements for high-risk drivers?

If you're a high-risk driver in Wisconsin, you might need to file an SR-22. This is a form that your car insurance company sends in to show you have the required minimum insurance coverage. The court will let you know how long you need to keep the SR-22.

An SR-22 isn't a type of insurance; it's just a form. You don't need special coverage, but your rates might be higher because you're considered high-risk. Also, not all insurance companies offer coverage for high-risk drivers or handle SR-22 filings.

Methodology

170+

insurance companies analyzed

34,000+

ZIP codes examined

$53M

insurance quotes analyzed

National and state average rates are based on three coverage levels: state minimum, 50/100/50 liability-only, and full coverage with 100/300/100 liability and $500 deductibles.

All base rate averages are based on our full coverage data set. This data set is based on: