Wisconsin car insurance laws and requirements: What is changing in 2026

Wisconsin car insurance laws

Wisconsin law requires drivers to maintain at least 25/50/10 in car insurance coverage. In Wisconsin, drivers are also required to carry UMBI. This insurance helps pay for injuries and property damage when you cause an accident. However, if accident expenses exceed the policy limits, you will be responsible for paying the remaining costs yourself.

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, a serious crash can generate medical and repair bills that exceed the state minimum limits. Once the available coverage is exhausted, the at-fault driver will be personally responsible for the unpaid amount.

Wisconsin car insurance requirements

Wisconsin drivers must carry liability insuranceLiability insurance covers sums that an insured becomes legally obligated to pay because of bodily injuries or property damage, or financial losses caused to other people. and UMBI. The minimum liability limit is 25/50/10. These minimum limits help pay for injuries and property damage after an accident, but if costs exceed your policy limits, you will be responsible for the remaining amount.

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.

Minimum coverage in Wisconsin costs an average of $407. GEICO offers the lowest average rate at $205, but your premiumThe payment required for an insurance policy to remain in force. Auto insurance premiums are quoted for either 6-month or annual policy periods. will depend on your driving record, age, location, and other factors.

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

Company	Average annual premium	Average monthly premium
GEICO	$205	$17
Erie Insurance	$225	$19
Acuity Insurance	$331	$28
Travelers	$344	$29
West Bend Insurance Company	$371	$31
Nationwide	$572	$48
Farmers	$600	$50
Progressive	$614	$51
Allstate	$778	$65
USAA	$225	$19

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Wisconsin car insurance cost for minimum coverage limits

Minimum coverage car insurance in Wisconsin costs an average of $407. However, the amount you pay will depend on your insurer, age, location, driving history, and other rating factors. GEICO has the cheapest average minimum coverage rate at $205 annually.

On average, state minimum car insurance costs $407. Car insurance rates for minimum coverage vary by company and driver. The table below shows average annual rates for the old minimum liability limits in Wisconsin. We will soon revise the rates to align with the updated limits.

The cheapest company for minimum coverage in Wisconsin is GEICO at an average rate of $205 annually.

State minimum coverage limit	25/50/10
Average annual premium	$407
Average monthly premium	$34

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Are the minimum coverage requirements changing in 2026 in Wisconsin?

The minimum car insurance requirements in Wisconsin will remain the same in 2026. Drivers who already meet the state's mandatory coverage limits do not need to change their policies. If the law changes in the future, insurers will notify customers about the new requirements and any effect on premiums.

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 coverage values 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?

Minimum car insurance in Wisconsin covers certain accident-related expenses up to the limits required by law. Liability coverage pays for injuries and property damage you cause to others. These coverages pay for injuries, property damage, and other losses included under Wisconsin's minimum insurance requirements.

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?

Minimum car insurance may not provide enough protection in Wisconsin. A serious accident can easily result in expenses above the required limit of 25/50/10, leaving you responsible for the remaining amount. Minimum liability insurance also does not cover damage to your vehicle, regardless of whether it is damaged in a collision, stolen, or affected by weather. You need to add comprehensive and collision coverage; collision coverageCollision coverage helps pay for repairs or replacement of your car if it's damaged in an accident, regardless of who is at fault and is subject to a deductible. pays for crash damage to your vehicle, and comprehensive insurance covers non-collision losses such as theft, fire, hail, and falling objects.

How much car insurance is enough in Wisconsin?

The right amount of car insurance in Wisconsin depends on your income, savings, assets, vehicle value, and risk of being sued after an accident. Drivers with significant assets should consider higher liability limits, while drivers with financed or leased vehicles will generally need collision and comprehensive coverage.

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

Driving without required car insurance in Wisconsin can result in fines, a suspended driver's license, vehicle registration penalties and higher future insurance rates. Penalties become more severe after repeated violations. You will also have to pay accident-related expenses out of pocket if you cause a crash while uninsured.

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

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Wisconsin minimum coverage cost by age group

Minimum coverage rates in Wisconsin vary significantly by age because insurers use driving experience and claim risk when setting premiums. Younger drivers generally pay the highest rates, while premiums often decrease as drivers gain experience. Erie Insurance is the cheapest for teens, and GEICO is the cheapest for adults.

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 $513. GEICO offers the cheapest coverage for adults at $208.

Additionally, females and males pay different rates. The average rate for a 40-year-old female is $417, and the average rate for a 40-year-old male is $397, a difference of $20.

Wisconsin minimum coverage cost by city

Minimum coverage is cheapest in Eau Claire, where drivers pay an average of $383. Milwaukee has the highest average minimum coverage rate in Wisconsin at $663. Differences in traffic, accident claims, theft, and local repair costs can cause premiums to vary from one city to another.

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

City	Average annual premium	Average monthly premium
Appleton	$412	$34
Eau Claire	$383	$32
Green Bay	$405	$34
Janesville	$430	$36
Kenosha	$559	$47
Madison	$459	$38
Milwaukee	$663	$55
Oshkosh	$413	$34
Racine	$561	$47
Waukesha	$470	$39

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Optional car insurance coverage in Wisconsin

The minimum coverage required in Wisconsin does not protect your vehicle against most types of damage. Optional insurance, such as collision and comprehensive, will pay to repair or replace your car. Rental reimbursement, roadside assistance, and gap coverage can also help with costs that are not included in a minimum liability policy.

Drivers may choose optional coverages such as:

Collision coverage. Collision coverage pays for damage to your vehicle if you cause an accident.
Comprehensive coverage. This coverage pays for damage 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 coverage. If you run out of gas, need a tire changed, or have a dead battery, roadside assistance will send someone to help.
Gap coverage. Gap coverage pays the difference between what you owe on a car loan and the vehicle's value.

Why do limits change?

Minimum car insurance limits change when state lawmakers determine that existing coverage amounts are no longer sufficient to meet current accident costs. As vehicle prices, repair bills and medical expenses rise, lower liability limits may leave both accident victims and at-fault drivers with large unpaid balances.

Methodology

Insurance.com partners with Quadrant Information Services to field average car insurance rates across all 50 states and Washington, D.C. National and state average rates are based on state minimum coverage and on the following parameters:

40-year-old driver
Honda Accord LX
Good credit
A clean driving record
12-mile commute, 10,000 annual mileage

State laws were gathered from state DMV and insurance department websites.

Learn more about our data and methodology.

Wisconsin car insurance laws and requirements: FAQs

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

Yes, your car insurance will cover an eligible claim when you drive in another state. If the state where the accident occurs requires higher liability limits, your policy will automatically adjust to meet those limits for the claim. However, this does not add collision or comprehensive coverage to a minimum policy.

What happens if I drive without car insurance in Wisconsin?

Driving without car insurance in Wisconsin can lead to fines, license suspension, vehicle impoundment, and increased insurance premiums. Repeat offenses may carry more serious consequences, including jail time. You will also be personally responsible for medical bills, repairs, and other damages if you cause an accident while uninsured.