Cheapest car insurance for high-risk drivers in Wisconsin

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 youll 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.

Although you may be labeled high-risk for many reasons, some factors raise rates more than others. For example, multiple speeding tickets may significantly raise car insurance rates, but so can a single ticket for excessive speed in a school zone.

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 high-risk for insurance 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.

Cheapest car insurance in Wisconsin with a DUI

Although many insurance companies provide coverage after a DUI, Travelers offers the most affordable rate at $1,723 a year.

Driving under the influence (DUI) is a serious traffic violation that damages your driving record. It can raise auto insurance premiums for nearly 10 years, on top of fines and other penalties. Multiple DUIs drive rates even higher, but consistent safe driving over time can gradually lead to lower premiums.

The table below compares average car insurance premiums in Wisconsin for drivers with a clean record versus those with a DUI.

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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Cheapest car insurance in Wisconsin with multiple tickets

Erie Insurance is the cheapest car insurance company for drivers with multiple traffic tickets, with an average rate of $1,450 a year or $121 a month.

While one traffic ticket can affect car insurance rates, multiple tickets can significantly increase those rates. Failure to obey speed limits and traffic laws leads insurers to believe they will eventually have to pay claims due to 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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Cheapest car insurance in Wisconsin with a reckless driving conviction

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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Cheapest car insurance in Wisconsin with bad credit

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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Cheapest car insurance after an accident in Wisconsin

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 driving records see higher rates than drivers who avoid crashes. While car insurance increases after one accident, multiple accidents significantly increase rates.

This table compares rates for drivers with a clean driving record, one 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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Cheapest car insurance in Wisconsin by city

In Wisconsin, the lowest car insurance rates are found in Oshkosh, averaging $2,095 annually. On the other hand, Milwaukee has the highest rates at $3,240 a year.

Where you live in Wisconsin matters, too. If you're in an area with heavy traffic or a high rate of vehicle theft, your premiums will rise to reflect the increased likelihood 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 to reduce car insurance rates in Wisconsin for a bad driving record

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.

Wisconsin car insurance laws for high-risk drivers

If you're considered a high-risk driver in Wisconsin, you may be required to file an SR-22. This form is filled out by your car insurance company, stating that you have at least the minimum required coverage. The court will let you know how long you must file an SR-22.

Although an SR-22 is typically called insurance, it is only the form. You don't need special insurance coverage, but rates are much higher for high-risk drivers and not all carriers insure such drivers.

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:

A 40-year-old driver
A clean record
Good credit
State minimum insurance, which includes liability coverage and may also include personal injury protection, medical payments and uninsured motorist coverage

Best company rankings use the rate data outline above, as well as:

Customer complaints ratios from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) complaints database, where a score of 1.00 is considered the baseline and anything below is a low complaint volume while anything above is considered a high volume.
Overall customer satisfaction ratings from J.D. Power's U.S. Auto Insurance Study, where companies are scored out of 1,000.
AM Best financial ratings were used to indicate financial stability, where the best possible score is A++.