Wisconsin car insurance laws and requirements: What is changing in 2025

Q: Will my bare minimum car insurance cover me in another state?

Yes , your car insurance covers claims in another state, even if the minimums are higher in the other state.

Wisconsin car insurance laws

Wisconsin requires that drivers carry at least 25/50/10.

These limits are in place to ease the financial burden for drivers who cause an accident and for the victims. The at-fault driver knows their insurer will cover medical expenses and property damage up to a certain amount, and victims can more readily access funds to pay for accident costs.

However, coverage limits are very low and will not cover expenses from a serious accident. To be better protected, Wisconsin drivers should consider increasing liability limits and adding coverage, such as collision and comprehensive.

Wisconsin car insurance requirements

Wisconsin requires the following coverage:

Liability. There are two parts to liability coverage. First, bodily injury liability pays medical costs associated with an accident, such as doctor visits, surgery, and prescriptions. Second, property damage liability covers repairing or replacing items such as vehicles, fences, or buildings.

Wisconsin liability minimums are 25/50/10.

The average cost of a minimum coverage policy is $365. However, Erie Insurance has the lowest minimum car insurance rates, averaging $207.

The table below shows the top insurers' average rates for minimum coverage in Wisconsin.

Company	Average annual premium	Average monthly premium
Erie Insurance	$207	$17
Geico	$215	$18
West Bend Insurance Company	$296	$25
Acuity Insurance	$314	$26
Travelers	$319	$27
Nationwide	$337	$28
Progressive	$371	$31
State Farm	$438	$37
Farmers	$566	$47
Allstate	$747	$62
USAA	$215	$18

Read our methodology

Wisconsin car insurance cost for minimum coverage limits

On average, state minimum car insurance costs $365. Car insurance rates for minimum coverage vary by company and driver. The table below shows average rates for drivers with minimum coverage in Wisconsin.

The cheapest company for minimum coverage in Wisconsin is Erie Insurance at an average rate of $207 annually.

State minimum coverage limit	25/50/10
Average annual premium	$365
Average monthly premium	$30

Read our methodology

Are the Wisconsin minimum coverage requirements changing in 2025?

Wisconsin car insurance requirements will not change in 2025. You do not need to make any changes if you have minimum coverage. If mandatory coverage changes in the future, your insurer will inform you, along with any rate changes.

Why do limits change?

"Several states have minimum requirements of property damage of $10,000-$25,000," says Zack Pope, agency manager at David Pope Insurance in Missouri. "[Given] the current values of vehicles, that's extremely antiquated values of coverage and a main reason that I personally do not offer less than 100/300/100 to customers. It is significantly easier to see a car on the road that is valued at $100,000 than it has been in the past."

What does minimum car insurance cover in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin requires drivers to carry at least a minimum amount of car insurance to help offset accident costs.

Wisconsin drivers are required to carry liability coverage. Bodily injury liability helps pay for injuries you cause to others in an accident. Property damage liability covers items damaged in an accident, such as another vehicle, fence, or other property.

Wisconsin is a no-fault state, meaning your insurer pays for your injuries and damages regardless of who caused the accident. The law requires you to carry personal injury protectionPersonal injury protection (PIP) pays for your medical, hospital and funeral expenses resulting from a car accident, regardless of who's at fault. (PIP) to pay medical costs, such as doctor visits and prescriptions.

PEOPLE ASK:

Is Wisconsin minimum car insurance enough?

It may not be. Even a moderately serious accident could exceed the state minimum limits of 25/50/10, and minimum coverage may not cover all accident costs. Furthermore, state minimums do not cover your vehicle; you need to add comprehensive and collision coverage.

How much car insurance is enough in Wisconsin?

Car insurance isn't one size fits all. The amount of coverage you need depends on your assets, net worth and risk level.

For example, if you are financially stable and can afford to pay out of pocket for medical costs and repairs, you may keep insurance limits low. However, you may be sued for the cost difference if you have a sizeable net worth and don't carry enough insurance to cover expenses.

Additionally, if you drive very little or have a short commute, your chances of causing an accident are relatively low. Also, you may choose to skip coverages such as collision and comprehensive if your car isn't worth much, or you can afford to pay for a new vehicle if yours is damaged. However, if you have a loan or lease you will be required to carry this coverage by your lender.

Consider your financial situation when determining how much car insurance you need.

Wisconsin penalties for driving without car insurance

Since Wisconsin requires its drivers to carry car insurance, failing to do so has consequences. Although you may be tempted to skip coverage to save money, you'll wind up paying heavily in the long run.

Failing to carry Wisconsin car insurance has penalties including those listed below. Keep in mind that repeated infractions have more severe penalties, such as jail time.

Fines	$500
Other penalties	License and registration suspension
Jail time	No

Read our methodology

Wisconsin minimum coverage cost by age group

Younger drivers pay for more car insurance because they lack experience behind the wheel. Fortunately, rates decrease as drivers age.

The table below breaks down the cost of car insurance for various age groups. Erie Insurance has the best rates for teens with minimum coverage averaging $477. Erie Insurance offers the cheapest coverage for adults at $210.

Additionally, females and males pay different rates. The average rate for a 40-year-old female is $373, and the average rate for a 40-year-old male is $357, a difference of $16.

Male

Male
Female

Age	Company	Male annual premium	Male monthly premium
16	Erie Insurance	$632	$53
16	Geico	$1,272	$106
16	Progressive	$1,437	$120
16	Travelers	$1,759	$147
16	Nationwide	$1,872	$156
16	State Farm	$1,986	$166
16	West Bend Insurance Company	$2,008	$167
16	Acuity Insurance	$2,199	$183
16	Farmers	$3,897	$325
16	Allstate	$6,521	$543
17	Erie Insurance	$541	$45
17	Geico	$931	$78
17	West Bend Insurance Company	$1,220	$102
17	Progressive	$1,287	$107
17	Travelers	$1,406	$117
17	State Farm	$1,719	$143
17	Nationwide	$1,794	$150
17	Acuity Insurance	$1,893	$158
17	Farmers	$2,737	$228
17	Allstate	$3,160	$263
18	Erie Insurance	$463	$39
18	Geico	$701	$58
18	Travelers	$959	$80
18	Progressive	$1,047	$87
18	West Bend Insurance Company	$1,220	$102
18	State Farm	$1,469	$122
18	Nationwide	$1,478	$123
18	Acuity Insurance	$1,797	$150
18	Allstate	$2,325	$194
18	Farmers	$2,333	$194
19	Erie Insurance	$419	$35
19	Geico	$475	$40
19	Progressive	$777	$65
19	Travelers	$789	$66
19	West Bend Insurance Company	$876	$73
19	Acuity Insurance	$1,196	$100
19	State Farm	$1,235	$103
19	Nationwide	$1,260	$105
19	Farmers	$1,411	$118
19	Allstate	$1,485	$124
20	Erie Insurance	$382	$32
20	Geico	$399	$33
20	Travelers	$661	$55
20	Progressive	$688	$57
20	West Bend Insurance Company	$867	$72
20	Acuity Insurance	$921	$77
20	State Farm	$1,060	$88
20	Nationwide	$1,103	$92
20	Farmers	$1,255	$105
20	Allstate	$1,289	$107
21	Geico	$306	$26
21	Erie Insurance	$361	$30
21	Travelers	$554	$46
21	Acuity Insurance	$568	$47
21	Progressive	$597	$50
21	Nationwide	$660	$55
21	West Bend Insurance Company	$668	$56
21	State Farm	$887	$74
21	Farmers	$972	$81
21	Allstate	$1,099	$92
22	Geico	$279	$23
22	Erie Insurance	$333	$28
22	Acuity Insurance	$497	$41
22	Travelers	$502	$42
22	Progressive	$544	$45
22	Nationwide	$579	$48
22	West Bend Insurance Company	$601	$50
22	State Farm	$789	$66
22	Farmers	$924	$77
22	Allstate	$993	$83
23	Geico	$263	$22
23	Erie Insurance	$316	$26
23	Acuity Insurance	$445	$37
23	Travelers	$458	$38
23	Progressive	$497	$41
23	Nationwide	$536	$45
23	West Bend Insurance Company	$543	$45
23	State Farm	$685	$57
23	Farmers	$851	$71
23	Allstate	$941	$78
24	Geico	$251	$21
24	Erie Insurance	$265	$22
24	Travelers	$432	$36
24	Acuity Insurance	$438	$37
24	Progressive	$463	$39
24	Nationwide	$499	$42
24	West Bend Insurance Company	$533	$44
24	State Farm	$599	$50
24	Farmers	$823	$69
24	Allstate	$895	$75
25	Geico	$229	$19
25	Erie Insurance	$255	$21
25	Travelers	$356	$30
25	West Bend Insurance Company	$360	$30
25	Acuity Insurance	$379	$32
25	Progressive	$415	$35
25	Nationwide	$437	$36
25	State Farm	$528	$44
25	Farmers	$601	$50
25	Allstate	$852	$71
30	Geico	$208	$17
30	Erie Insurance	$221	$18
30	West Bend Insurance Company	$311	$26
30	Acuity Insurance	$336	$28
30	Travelers	$349	$29
30	Nationwide	$369	$31
30	Progressive	$379	$32
30	State Farm	$437	$36
30	Farmers	$560	$47
30	Allstate	$758	$63
35	Erie Insurance	$207	$17
35	Geico	$208	$17
35	West Bend Insurance Company	$311	$26
35	Acuity Insurance	$319	$27
35	Nationwide	$345	$29
35	Travelers	$348	$29
35	Progressive	$362	$30
35	State Farm	$431	$36
35	Farmers	$535	$45
35	Allstate	$752	$63
40	Erie Insurance	$204	$17
40	Geico	$209	$17
40	West Bend Insurance Company	$292	$24
40	Acuity Insurance	$305	$25
40	Travelers	$324	$27
40	Nationwide	$329	$27
40	Progressive	$356	$30
40	State Farm	$438	$37
40	Farmers	$524	$44
40	Allstate	$746	$62
45	Erie Insurance	$198	$17
45	Geico	$209	$17
45	West Bend Insurance Company	$290	$24
45	Acuity Insurance	$306	$26
45	Nationwide	$323	$27
45	Travelers	$324	$27
45	Progressive	$354	$30
45	State Farm	$441	$37
45	Farmers	$512	$43
45	Allstate	$745	$62
50	Erie Insurance	$194	$16
50	Geico	$209	$17
50	West Bend Insurance Company	$282	$24
50	Acuity Insurance	$299	$25
50	Nationwide	$317	$26
50	Travelers	$324	$27
50	Progressive	$339	$28
50	State Farm	$433	$36
50	Farmers	$497	$41
50	Allstate	$739	$62
55	Erie Insurance	$190	$16
55	Geico	$209	$17
55	West Bend Insurance Company	$277	$23
55	Travelers	$309	$26
55	Acuity Insurance	$311	$26
55	Nationwide	$314	$26
55	Progressive	$345	$29
55	State Farm	$423	$35
55	Farmers	$479	$40
55	Allstate	$720	$60
60	Erie Insurance	$192	$16
60	Geico	$216	$18
60	West Bend Insurance Company	$293	$24
60	Travelers	$313	$26
60	Nationwide	$314	$26
60	Acuity Insurance	$342	$29
60	Progressive	$342	$29
60	State Farm	$413	$34
60	Farmers	$491	$41
60	Allstate	$728	$61
65	Erie Insurance	$202	$17
65	Geico	$224	$19
65	West Bend Insurance Company	$313	$26
65	Nationwide	$323	$27
65	Travelers	$337	$28
65	Acuity Insurance	$342	$29
65	Progressive	$350	$29
65	State Farm	$415	$35
65	Farmers	$591	$49
65	Allstate	$735	$61
70	Erie Insurance	$219	$18
70	Geico	$343	$29
70	West Bend Insurance Company	$350	$29
70	Nationwide	$356	$30
70	Acuity Insurance	$359	$30
70	Travelers	$359	$30
70	Progressive	$381	$32
70	State Farm	$438	$37
70	Farmers	$647	$54
70	Allstate	$785	$65
75	Erie Insurance	$253	$21
75	Acuity Insurance	$373	$31
75	Geico	$374	$31
75	Travelers	$398	$33
75	Nationwide	$403	$34
75	West Bend Insurance Company	$442	$37
75	Progressive	$446	$37
75	State Farm	$491	$41
75	Farmers	$716	$60
75	Allstate	$891	$74
16	USAA	$1,087	$91
17	USAA	$715	$60
18	USAA	$561	$47
19	USAA	$469	$39
20	USAA	$428	$36
21	USAA	$330	$28
22	USAA	$311	$26
23	USAA	$291	$24
24	USAA	$280	$23
25	USAA	$267	$22
30	USAA	$224	$19
35	USAA	$219	$18
40	USAA	$213	$18
45	USAA	$208	$17
50	USAA	$204	$17
55	USAA	$202	$17
60	USAA	$202	$17
65	USAA	$216	$18
70	USAA	$250	$21
75	USAA	$290	$24

Read our methodology

Age	Company	Female annual premium	Female monthly premium
16	Erie Insurance	$537	$45
16	Geico	$1,314	$110
16	Progressive	$1,331	$111
16	Travelers	$1,323	$110
16	Nationwide	$1,715	$143
16	State Farm	$1,561	$130
16	West Bend Insurance Company	$2,083	$174
16	Acuity Insurance	$2,133	$178
16	Farmers	$3,510	$293
16	Allstate	$6,433	$536
17	Erie Insurance	$457	$38
17	Geico	$984	$82
17	West Bend Insurance Company	$1,101	$92
17	Progressive	$1,187	$99
17	Travelers	$1,082	$90
17	State Farm	$1,347	$112
17	Nationwide	$1,646	$137
17	Acuity Insurance	$1,837	$153
17	Farmers	$2,496	$208
17	Allstate	$3,141	$262
18	Erie Insurance	$400	$33
18	Geico	$691	$58
18	Travelers	$759	$63
18	Progressive	$987	$82
18	West Bend Insurance Company	$932	$78
18	State Farm	$1,165	$97
18	Nationwide	$1,356	$113
18	Acuity Insurance	$1,722	$144
18	Allstate	$2,296	$191
18	Farmers	$2,155	$180
19	Erie Insurance	$365	$30
19	Geico	$474	$40
19	Progressive	$734	$61
19	Travelers	$640	$53
19	West Bend Insurance Company	$760	$63
19	Acuity Insurance	$1,055	$88
19	State Farm	$997	$83
19	Nationwide	$1,131	$94
19	Farmers	$1,326	$111
19	Allstate	$1,470	$123
20	Erie Insurance	$342	$29
20	Geico	$393	$33
20	Travelers	$553	$46
20	Progressive	$662	$55
20	West Bend Insurance Company	$728	$61
20	Acuity Insurance	$811	$68
20	State Farm	$877	$73
20	Nationwide	$1,005	$84
20	Farmers	$1,176	$98
20	Allstate	$1,278	$107
21	Geico	$311	$26
21	Erie Insurance	$320	$27
21	Travelers	$480	$40
21	Acuity Insurance	$514	$43
21	Progressive	$604	$50
21	Nationwide	$607	$51
21	West Bend Insurance Company	$627	$52
21	State Farm	$746	$62
21	Farmers	$889	$74
21	Allstate	$1,095	$91
22	Geico	$282	$24
22	Erie Insurance	$306	$26
22	Acuity Insurance	$450	$38
22	Travelers	$446	$37
22	Progressive	$572	$48
22	Nationwide	$536	$45
22	West Bend Insurance Company	$578	$48
22	State Farm	$680	$57
22	Farmers	$842	$70
22	Allstate	$990	$83
23	Geico	$274	$23
23	Erie Insurance	$304	$25
23	Acuity Insurance	$392	$33
23	Travelers	$427	$36
23	Progressive	$520	$43
23	Nationwide	$496	$41
23	West Bend Insurance Company	$491	$41
23	State Farm	$598	$50
23	Farmers	$790	$66
23	Allstate	$939	$78
24	Geico	$267	$22
24	Erie Insurance	$290	$24
24	Travelers	$419	$35
24	Acuity Insurance	$386	$32
24	Progressive	$482	$40
24	Nationwide	$463	$39
24	West Bend Insurance Company	$465	$39
24	State Farm	$543	$45
24	Farmers	$778	$65
24	Allstate	$893	$74
25	Geico	$243	$20
25	Erie Insurance	$279	$23
25	Travelers	$345	$29
25	West Bend Insurance Company	$329	$27
25	Acuity Insurance	$329	$27
25	Progressive	$450	$38
25	Nationwide	$405	$34
25	State Farm	$490	$41
25	Farmers	$576	$48
25	Allstate	$852	$71
30	Geico	$220	$18
30	Erie Insurance	$238	$20
30	West Bend Insurance Company	$316	$26
30	Acuity Insurance	$344	$29
30	Travelers	$338	$28
30	Nationwide	$363	$30
30	Progressive	$416	$35
30	State Farm	$437	$36
30	Farmers	$568	$47
30	Allstate	$758	$63
35	Erie Insurance	$221	$18
35	Geico	$220	$18
35	West Bend Insurance Company	$310	$26
35	Acuity Insurance	$316	$26
35	Nationwide	$357	$30
35	Travelers	$336	$28
35	Progressive	$400	$33
35	State Farm	$433	$36
35	Farmers	$577	$48
35	Allstate	$753	$63
40	Erie Insurance	$211	$18
40	Geico	$221	$18
40	West Bend Insurance Company	$300	$25
40	Acuity Insurance	$323	$27
40	Travelers	$314	$26
40	Nationwide	$345	$29
40	Progressive	$387	$32
40	State Farm	$438	$37
40	Farmers	$608	$51
40	Allstate	$747	$62
45	Erie Insurance	$202	$17
45	Geico	$219	$18
45	West Bend Insurance Company	$299	$25
45	Acuity Insurance	$321	$27
45	Nationwide	$329	$27
45	Travelers	$314	$26
45	Progressive	$386	$32
45	State Farm	$442	$37
45	Farmers	$572	$48
45	Allstate	$745	$62
50	Erie Insurance	$190	$16
50	Geico	$219	$18
50	West Bend Insurance Company	$290	$24
50	Acuity Insurance	$306	$26
50	Nationwide	$317	$26
50	Travelers	$314	$26
50	Progressive	$362	$30
50	State Farm	$434	$36
50	Farmers	$528	$44
50	Allstate	$739	$62
55	Erie Insurance	$181	$15
55	Geico	$220	$18
55	West Bend Insurance Company	$287	$24
55	Travelers	$299	$25
55	Acuity Insurance	$336	$28
55	Nationwide	$308	$26
55	Progressive	$355	$30
55	State Farm	$423	$35
55	Farmers	$493	$41
55	Allstate	$720	$60
60	Erie Insurance	$179	$15
60	Geico	$226	$19
60	West Bend Insurance Company	$290	$24
60	Travelers	$302	$25
60	Nationwide	$305	$25
60	Acuity Insurance	$307	$26
60	Progressive	$357	$30
60	State Farm	$413	$34
60	Farmers	$472	$39
60	Allstate	$728	$61
65	Erie Insurance	$185	$15
65	Geico	$228	$19
65	West Bend Insurance Company	$311	$26
65	Nationwide	$308	$26
65	Travelers	$325	$27
65	Acuity Insurance	$310	$26
65	Progressive	$377	$31
65	State Farm	$414	$35
65	Farmers	$544	$45
65	Allstate	$735	$61
70	Erie Insurance	$202	$17
70	Geico	$338	$28
70	West Bend Insurance Company	$353	$29
70	Nationwide	$328	$27
70	Acuity Insurance	$360	$30
70	Travelers	$341	$28
70	Progressive	$398	$33
70	State Farm	$438	$37
70	Farmers	$579	$48
70	Allstate	$785	$65
75	Erie Insurance	$234	$20
75	Acuity Insurance	$404	$34
75	Geico	$347	$29
75	Travelers	$368	$31
75	Nationwide	$362	$30
75	West Bend Insurance Company	$450	$38
75	Progressive	$432	$36
75	State Farm	$488	$41
75	Farmers	$629	$52
75	Allstate	$891	$74
16	USAA	$1,009	$84
17	USAA	$659	$55
18	USAA	$519	$43
19	USAA	$420	$35
20	USAA	$391	$33
21	USAA	$304	$25
22	USAA	$285	$24
23	USAA	$272	$23
24	USAA	$261	$22
25	USAA	$254	$21
30	USAA	$227	$19
35	USAA	$222	$19
40	USAA	$217	$18
45	USAA	$213	$18
50	USAA	$208	$17
55	USAA	$205	$17
60	USAA	$207	$17
65	USAA	$219	$18
70	USAA	$245	$20
75	USAA	$280	$23

Read our methodology

Wisconsin minimum coverage cost by city

Eau Claire drivers pay the least for minimum coverage in Wisconsin at $345. However, Milwaukee pay the most at $549.

Car insurance rates vary by city. For example, drivers in larger cities with a high traffic volume or vehicle theft rate pay higher rates.

The table below shows average minimum coverage rates for cities in Wisconsin.

City	Average annual premium	Average monthly premium
Eau Claire	$345	$29
Green Bay	$366	$30
Appleton	$382	$32
Oshkosh	$384	$32
Janesville	$385	$32
Madison	$405	$34
Waukesha	$424	$35
Kenosha	$497	$41
Racine	$499	$42
Milwaukee	$549	$46

Read our methodology

Optional car insurance coverage in Wisconsin

Wisconsin requires drivers to carry car insurance to pay for injuries and damages caused to others. However, drivers don't have to carry coverage for their vehicle unless required by a loan or lease.

Drivers may choose optional coverages such as:

Collision. Collision coverage pays for damages to your vehicle if you cause an accident.
Comprehensive. This coverage pays for damages to your car unrelated to an accident, such as fire, flood, falling debris, and hail.
Rental car coverage. This pays for a rental car if your vehicle is being repaired for a covered claim and usually has time and cost limits.
Roadside assistance. If you run out of gas, need a tire changed, or have a dead battery roadside assistance will send someone to help.
Gap. Gap coverage pays the difference between what you owe on a car loan and the vehicle's value.

Methodology

Insurance.com commissioned state minimum car insurance rates from Quadrant Information Systems based on a 40-year-old driver with good credit and a clean driving history, driving a 2023 Honda Accord LX. Rates are based on all coverages required by law at minimum coverage limits. Rates were also fielded for various additional age groups. State laws were gathered from state DMV and insurance department websites.

Wisconsin car insurance laws and requirements: FAQs

Will my bare minimum car insurance cover me in another state?

Yes, your car insurance covers claims in another state, even if the minimums are higher in the other state.

What happens if I drive without car insurance in Wisconsin?

If you're caught driving without car insurance in Wisconsin, you may face fines, a driver's license suspension, having your vehicle impounded, and increased car insurance rates. Additionally, you may face jail time, especially for multiple violations.