Wisconsin drivers are required to have an auto insurance policy in force or, in limited situations, other security which could be a surety bond, personal funds, or certificate of self-insurance. Details are available at the Department of Transportation, Division of Motor Vehicles.
Wisconsin auto insurance
Your policy must provide at least the following minimum liability coverage:
- $25,000 for injury or death of one person
- $50,000 for injury or death of two or more people
- $10,000 for property damage
Uninsured motorist coverage of at least $25,000/$50,000 each for bodily injury only is also mandatory.
Liability Insurance
When referring to liability limits, the insurance industry uses an abbreviation. The designation of $50,000/$100,000/$15,000 (or 50/100/15) or similar designations refer to the maximum amounts that an insurer will pay for the three basic liability insurance coverages. The first number ($50,000) refers to the limit on bodily injury payments coverage per person. The second number ($100,000) refers to the limit on bodily injury coverage per accident where two or more people have been injured. The third number ($15,000) refers to the limit on property damage coverage per accident.
Bodily Injury Liability Coverage
It does not protect you or your car directly. If you cause an accident injuring other people, it protects you against their claims up to the stated amounts for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses. It will also usually pay if the accident was caused by a member of your family living with you or a person using your auto with your consent.
Property Damage Liability Coverage
It pays for damage you cause to the property of others such as a crushed fender, broken glass, or a damaged wall or fence. Your insurance will pay for this damage if you were driving your auto or if it was being driven by another person with your consent. Property damage liability coverage also pays if you damage government property like a light pole or signpost, up to the limit you choose.
Uninsured Motorists Coverage
Uninsured motorists coverage (UM) applies to bodily injury you, your family, and other occupants of your vehicle incur when hit by an uninsured motorist or hit-and-run driver. It also covers you and your family if injured as a pedestrian when struck by an uninsured motorist or hit-and-run driver. It protects you by making sure that money is available to pay for your injuries that were caused by someone else. The minimum amount of coverage required by law is $25,000/$50,000 for bodily injury only. But these coverages are the minimum required by law, you may want to purchase more than the minimum coverage required by law if you feel the need for more protection. Uninsured motorist coverage does not cover your property damage and does not protect the other driver. Your insurer may sue the other driver for any money your insurer pays you because of the other driver’s negligence.
Underinsured Motorist Coverage
Underinsured motorist coverage increases the personal injury protection to you and the people in your car up to the amount of coverage you purchase if the at-fault party’s bodily injury liability insurance limits are lower than your UIM coverage limits. Underinsured motorist coverage is not mandatory. The company must notify you with the delivery of your policy that UIM coverage is available. You may reject buying UIM coverage. However, if purchased, coverage limits of at least $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident are required. You should carefully review your policy to determine exactly what coverage is provided by UIM.
Medical Coverage
This coverage pays medical expenses or funeral expenses for you or others injured or killed in an accident while riding or driving in your auto. This includes all reasonable hospital, surgical, chiropractic, x-ray, dental, professional nursing, prosthetic, and rehabilitation expenses up to the limits of the coverage.
Medical coverage usually covers only those expenses not covered by health insurance, such as copayments, deductibles, etc. It will also cover you or members of your family if you are struck by an auto while walking or while riding in another auto. This coverage will pay for your medical expenses and funeral expenses even if you cause the accident. Usually, only expenses incurred within one year after the accident are included. As an example, this coverage will provide benefits for a friend, or a neighbor’s child injured in your car. Medical expense coverage is an optional coverage. Note: Companies must offer this coverage to you, but you do not have to buy it. The minimum limit that can be purchased is $1,000.
Medical coverage usually covers only those expenses not covered by health insurance, such as copayments, deductibles, etc. It will also cover you or members of your family if you are struck by an auto while walking or while riding in another auto. This coverage will pay for your medical expenses and funeral expenses even if you cause the accident. Usually, only expenses incurred within one year after the accident are included. As an example, this coverage will provide benefits for a friend, or a neighbor’s child injured in your car. Medical expense coverage is an optional coverage. Note: Companies must offer this coverage to you, but you do not have to buy it. The minimum limit that can be purchased is $1,000.
Collision insurance coverage
Collision coverage pays if your auto collides with an object, including another car or hit-and-run driver, or if it overturns. Your own insurer will pay for such damage even if the collision is your fault.
Comprehensive coverage
Comprehensive coverage pays for damage to your auto from almost all other causes such as fire, vandalism, water, hail, glass breakage, wind, falling objects, civic commotion, or hitting an animal. Damage from striking a deer is a relatively frequent accident in Wisconsin. It is important to know that most policies cover hitting an animal under comprehensive insurance, not collision insurance.
Comprehensive coverage also pays if your auto or parts of it, such as a battery or tires, are stolen. Flood damage to your car is also covered if your auto insurance policy includes comprehensive coverage. If you carry collision without comprehensive coverage, you are not covered for flood damage.
Comprehensive coverage also pays if your auto or parts of it, such as a battery or tires, are stolen. Flood damage to your car is also covered if your auto insurance policy includes comprehensive coverage. If you carry collision without comprehensive coverage, you are not covered for flood damage.
Teen car insurance
The cost of auto insurance varies from one group (classification) of drivers to another. The reason for this is that, on the average, some groups have worse driving records, higher accident rates, and more costly accidents than others. Usually, the highest premiums are paid by the male driver under age 25, with his rate depending on his marital status and whether he owns, or is the principal driver, of the car being insured. Under the most widely used rating system, the cost of auto insurance for youthful drivers is scaled downward periodically. Rates for unmarried males who are the owners of their cars are reduced periodically from age 17-29. In most states, rates for unmarried males who are not the owners of their cars, for married males, and for females are reduced each year from age 17-21. For these groups, the “young driver” surcharges are eliminated at age 25.
