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Wisconsin requires both liability and uninsured motorist coverage. Liability limits are 25/50/10, and uninsured motorist coverage must be at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury. Underinsured motorist coverage and medical payments coverage are not mandatory, but insurers must offer them, and you can decline both. The Insurance Research Council estimated that about 15.1 percent of Wisconsin drivers were uninsured in 2022.
Several of Wisconsin's insurance rules are worth knowing before you buy. The Office of the Commissioner of Insurance says a policy ends automatically if the premium is not received by its due date, because there is no grace period. A vehicle is considered a total loss when repairs would cost more than 70 percent of its value, and physical damage is paid at actual cash value rather than replacement cost. You also have three years from the accident date to settle or file a lawsuit.
| Minimum liability | 25/50/10 (BI per person / BI per accident / PD, in $1,000s) |
|---|---|
| Other required coverage | Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident bodily injury |
| Fault system | At-fault (tort) |
| Credit-based insurance scores | Allowed |
Wisconsin minimum liability limits
To register and drive a car in Wisconsin you need at least this much liability coverage:
- $25,000 for injuries to one person in an accident you cause.
- $50,000 in total for injuries to everyone in that accident.
- $10,000 for damage to other people's property, such as their car.
Tip: The minimum is a legal floor, not a recommendation. If a serious crash costs more than your limits, you could be personally responsible for the rest. See how much liability coverage you may need.
Other required and offered coverage
Besides liability, Wisconsin requires:
- Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident bodily injury
Insurers must offer underinsured motorist coverage (minimum $50,000 per person / $100,000 per accident if you take it) and medical payments coverage (minimum $1,000 if you elect it). You can decline both.
Learn more about uninsured motorist coverage and personal injury protection.
Is Wisconsin a no-fault state?
Wisconsin is an at-fault (tort) state. The driver who causes a crash is responsible for the other people's injuries and property damage, which is normally paid by that driver's liability insurance. Injured people can claim against the at-fault driver's insurer or, in some cases, sue.
Wisconsin is an at-fault state. Damages are reduced by your percentage of fault and are barred if your negligence is greater than the other party's.
Read more: at-fault vs. no-fault states explained.
Can insurers use your credit in Wisconsin?
Status: Allowed. Insurers may use credit information, but the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance's position is that it should not be the sole reason to refuse an application, cancel a new policy in its first 60 days, or nonrenew a policy.
See how credit affects car insurance for the bigger picture.
Penalties for driving uninsured in Wisconsin
Under Wisconsin statute 344.65, operating without required liability insurance can bring a forfeiture of up to $500, and failing to carry proof of insurance can bring a $10 forfeiture. A person charged only with failing to carry proof may avoid conviction by showing they had the required coverage when cited. Uninsured drivers in certain crashes can also face license and registration suspension.
If you are ordered to file proof of insurance, see what SR-22 insurance is.
Tips for Wisconsin drivers
- Watch your due dates. Wisconsin has no grace period, so if your premium is not received by the due date your policy terminates automatically.
- Be aware of the 70 percent total loss threshold. If repairs would cost more than 70 percent of the vehicle's value, it is treated as a total loss and paid at actual cash value.
- You usually have three years from the accident date to settle or file a lawsuit, according to OCI, so do not let a claim drift.
- A new policy can be cancelled without a reason in its first 60 days, and an insurer must send a nonrenewal notice at least 60 days before expiration stating the reason.
- If no insurer will cover you, ask about the Wisconsin Automobile Insurance Plan, the assigned-risk option the OCI describes for drivers who cannot find coverage.
When you shop, compare quotes from several insurers using the same limits and deductibles, so the prices are like-for-like.
Official resources
- Insurance regulator: Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance
- Motor vehicle agency: Wisconsin Department of Transportation - Division of Motor Vehicles
Your state insurance department can answer questions about your rights and handle complaints about insurers.
Frequently asked questions
What are Wisconsin's minimum car insurance requirements?
Wisconsin requires bodily injury liability of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident, property damage liability of $10,000, and uninsured motorist coverage of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. Underinsured motorist coverage is optional, and if you take it the minimum is $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident.
What is the penalty for driving without insurance in Wisconsin?
Under Wisconsin statute 344.65, operating without required liability insurance can bring a forfeiture of up to $500, and failing to carry proof of insurance can bring a $10 forfeiture. Added court costs and surcharges can raise the total you pay. Uninsured drivers in certain crashes can also face license and registration suspension.
Does Wisconsin have a grace period for car insurance payments?
No. The Office of the Commissioner of Insurance says there is no grace period: if your premium is not received by its due date, your policy terminates automatically. A new policy can also be cancelled without a reason in its first 60 days. Set reminders or automatic payments so you do not lose coverage.
How does Wisconsin handle negligence in a car accident?
Wisconsin reduces your damages by your percentage of fault and bars recovery if your negligence is greater than the other party's. The OCI says you generally have three years from the accident date to settle a claim or file a lawsuit. Talk to a licensed attorney about your specific case.
Sources
- Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance - Frequently Asked Questions: Automobile Insurance
- Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance - Consumer's Guide to Auto Insurance (PI-057)
- Wisconsin Legislature - Statutes chapter 344 (financial responsibility)
- Wisconsin Legislative Council - Auto Insurance issue brief (April 2024)
- Insurance Information Institute - Background on compulsory auto/uninsured motorists
General information only. State rules change. Confirm current requirements with the Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance or your insurer before you buy. This page is not insurance or legal advice.