Cheapest car insurance in Wisconsin for a bad driving record

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

Having accidents, DUIs or traffic tickets on your driving record, will make you pay more for insurance. Most tickets will affect your rates for three to five years. A DUI can affect your rates for up to 10 years and can stay on your record for life.

CompanyAverage annual premium for clean recordAnnual 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

How much is high-risk car insurance in Wisconsin?

A bad driving record or low credit score can significantly increase rates. While high-risk car insurance averages $2,663 in Wisconsin, you can find rates as low as $1,693 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.

Keep reading as we break down high-risk car insurance factors and rates.

Select your state and risk factor below to see the insurance company and its
average annual full coverage rates.

Wisconsin
State
AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWashington, D.C.West VirginiaWisconsinWyoming
*Please select from the list
At-fault bodily injury accident
Risk Factor
1 At-fault property damage accident over 2K1 At-fault property damage accident under 2K1 comprehensive claim for over 2k1 comprehensive claim for under 2k2 At-fault property damage accident over 2k2 comprehensive claims for over 2k2 speeding tickets 11 mph or overAt-fault bodily injury accidentCareless drivingDUI/DWI first offenseDUI/DWI second offenseDistracted driving ticketDriving without a license or permitDriving without insuranceFailure to stopFailure to yieldFair creditFollowing too closelyHit and run - injuryHit and run - property damageImproper turnImproper/illegal passLapse of coverage for 7 daysLapse of coverage for 7 to 30 daysLapse of coverage for over 30 daysOperating a vehicle in a race (highway racing)Passing stopped school busPoor creditReckless drivingSR22 Filing OnlySR22 with 1 DUISeatbelt infractionSingle vehicle accident (so the drivers car only)Speeding 30+ over limitSpeeding ticket 1-10 MPH over limitSpeeding ticket 11-29 MPH over limitTalking on cellphone ticketTexting ticket
*Please select from the list
Average annual car insurance rate for At-fault bodily injury accident in Wisconsin, WI is $2,538
Show Graph View
CompanyAnnual premium for clean recordAnnual 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
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

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

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.

CompanyAverage annual premium for clean recordAnnual 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

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 or $121.

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.

CompanyAverage annual premium for clean recordAnnual 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

Cheapest car insurance in Wisconsin with a reckless driving conviction

Drivers with reckless driving conviction can get the cheapest rates from Erie Insurance at $1,450.

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.

The table below compares car insurance rates for drivers with a clean driving record and a reckless driving conviction.

CompanyAverage annual premium for clean recordAnnual 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

Cheapest car insurance in Wisconsin with bad credit

Based on our research, Travelers is the cheapest car insurance company for drivers with poor credit, averaging $1,769 or $147. Fortunately, drivers with bad credit can still find affordable auto insurance.

Your credit score may not be related to your driving skills, but it can affect your car insurance rates and put you in a higher-risk category. From an insurer's perspective, higher risk means an increased chance of filing a claimAn insurance claim is a request you make to your insurance company for coverage after your car is damaged or you have an accident. You can file a claim online, by phone, or in writing., and statistics show that drivers with lower credit scores are in this category.

Check the table below to see how your credit score affects Wisconsin car insurance.

CompanyAnnual premium for good creditAnnual 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

Cheapest car insurance after an accident in Wisconsin

Travelers has the lowest rates after an accident at $1,599. Erie Insurance also has affordable rates at $1,770.

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.

CompanyAverage annual premium for clean recordAnnual premium for one at-fault accidentAnnual 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

Cheapest car insurance in Wisconsin by city

Oshkosh has the cheapest car insurance rates in Wisconsin, averaging $2,095. However, the most expensive city is Milwaukee, with average insurance rates of $3,240.

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.

CityAverage annual premium for clean recordAnnual 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

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:

  • 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 Wisconsin 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 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.

Tip icon You might also be interested in