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Best cheap car insurance in Milwaukee for 2024
Powered by Coverage.com (NPN: 19966249)
Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.
Best cheap car insurance companies in Milwaukee
The best car insurance companies balance affordable rates with high third-party insurance ratings, strong customer service scores, ample discount opportunities and diverse coverage offerings. Our insurance team looked at all of these factors (and more) to assign dozens of carriers our proprietary Bankrate Score out of 5. All of our picks for the best car insurance in Milwaukee have a Bankrate Score of at least 4.0 and have rates below the city average, according to our analysis.
Drivers in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, looking for a well-rounded yet affordable car insurance company might want to get a quote from one, or a few, of these providers:
Bankrate Score
Avg. min coverage premium
Min. coverage
Avg. full coverage premium
Full coverage
Why Geico made our list: Geico makes frequent appearances on our “best car insurance” lists for its nationwide availability and low average rates. It was the winner of an impressive three Bankrate Awards in 2024: Best Auto Insurance Company Overall (in a tie), Best Budget Auto Insurance Company (in a tie) and Best for Young Drivers. Geico also earned an above-average ranking for shopping in the 2024 Digital Experience Study from J.D. Power. This indicates a company that makes the insurance process smooth and efficient for those who prefer to purchase their coverage online. The company's mobile apps are also highly rated and available for both Android and Apple phones and devices.
Why Geico may be the best for discounts: In addition to Geico’s average low rates of $1,442 and $328 for full and minimum coverage, respectively, it also boasts an impressive list of discounts spread among a variety of categories, like vehicle equipment, driving history, driver’s education, driver’s affiliation and customer loyalty.
Bankrate Score | 4.4 |
J.D. Power | 641/1,000 |
AM Best Rating | A++ |
Bankrate Score
Avg. min coverage premium
Min. coverage
Avg. full coverage premium
Full coverage
Why Auto-Owners made our list: Auto-Owners earns a high Bankrate Score for its auto insurance products. Auto-Owners exclusively sells policies through its network of independent insurance agents, which may be a plus for some Milwaukee drivers. Local agents offer boots-on-the-ground insight into the different coverage types a driver may need. Auto-Owners also tied for the 2024 Bankrate Award for Best Budget Auto Insurance Company.
Why Auto-Owners may be the best for personalized coverage options: Auto-Owners offers all of the standard coverage types you would expect from an auto insurer plus coverage endorsements that may not be available from other insurers. These include gap insurance, diminished value, rental gap coverage, accident forgiveness, a common loss deductible (if you bundle your home and auto coverage with Auto-Owners) and a waived collision deductible (if you are involved in an accident with another Auto-Owners customer). Its roadside assistance program extends to Canada, which could come in handy for drivers who frequently drive across the border into Ontario or other Canadian regions.
Bankrate Score | 4.3 |
J.D. Power | 646/1,000 |
AM Best Rating | A++ |
Bankrate Score
Avg. min coverage premium
Min. coverage
Avg. full coverage premium
Full coverage
Why Travelers made our list: As a near-national insurer, Travelers offers an impressive selection of insurance products. Travelers policyholders can insure their cars, homes, pets, condos and motorcycles. Travelers also writes umbrella policies and extends coverage to things like weddings and travel. The insurer has 21 offices in the Milwaukee area, which may appeal to drivers who prefer to handle their insurance policies in person.
Why Travelers may be the best for affordable rates: Milwaukee drivers looking for a cheap car insurance company, but not wanting to compromise on coverage, may be pleased with Travelers. According to our research, Travelers offers average rates of $1,213 per year for full coverage and $419 for minimum coverage, which is competitive for the Milwaukee area. On top of its low rates, Travelers also offers drivers a few different ways to save, with discounts for hybrid or electric cars, new vehicles, safe driving and continuous insurance.
Bankrate Score | 4.2 |
J.D. Power | 606/1,000 |
AM Best Rating | A++ |
Bankrate Score
Avg. min coverage premium
Min. coverage
Avg. full coverage premium
Full coverage
Why USAA made out list: USAA’s eligibility requirements technically exclude it from the official ranking with J.D. Power, but the insurer still earned the highest score in the North Central region in 2024. It also scored near the top in the 2023 Auto Claims Satisfaction Study and service and shopping categories of the Digital Experience Study. For years, USAA has been a consistent top scorer in multiple J.D. Power studies, which is an excellent signal of its customer service.
Why USAA may be the best for military-focused coverage: Members of the military, veterans and their qualifying family members may be interested in USAA’s unique offerings. USAA offers active-duty members a discount for garaging their vehicles on base, which could apply to Milwaukee drivers stationed at Fort McCoy. For deployed military members, USAA advertises a discount of up to 60 percent.
Bankrate Score | 4.2 |
J.D. Power | 726/1,000 |
AM Best Rating | A++ |
Bankrate Score
Avg. min coverage premium
Min. coverage
Avg. full coverage premium
Full coverage
Why Erie made our list: Among the ranked companies, Erie took the top spot in the 2024 J.D. Power Auto Insurance Study in the North Central region and came in second in the Auto Claims Satisfaction Study. The carrier only writes policies in 13 states, so if you're looking to work with a regional carrier that values service, Erie might meet your needs. Erie’s Rate Lock feature also helped it secure a spot on our list. With Rate Lock, drivers’ rates stay the same year after year so long as they do not change cars, drivers or where they live. Erie also offers a unique pet option for car insurance with up to $500 to cover your pet’s injuries if they are in the car with you during an accident.
Why Erie may be the best for bundling multiple insurance policies: Managing multiple policies online may be overwhelming for some customers, but Erie has multiple agencies spread throughout Milwaukee. Erie car insurance policyholders can also purchase homeowners, renters, life, flood and other types of insurance. Plus, Erie’s bundling discount extends beyond just home and auto: Milwaukee drivers can bundle their car and life, car and renters, car and umbrella and other combinations of policies to save money.
Bankrate Score | 4 |
J.D. Power | 710/1,000 |
AM Best Rating | A+ |
Bankrate's trusted insurance industry expertise
Read our full methodologyBankrate’s insurance team analyzes the latest insurance rate data from Quadrant Information Services each month to ensure that our readers have the most up-to-date information about car insurance costs in their region. Our team includes licensed agents and other insurance professionals with decades of combined real-world experience helping policyholders make informed decisions about their auto insurance.
46
years of industry experience
122
carriers reviewed
34.5K
ZIP codes examined
1.2M
quotes analyzed
The cheapest car insurance companies in Milwaukee
Drivers looking for the cheapest car insurance in Milwaukee may opt for a minimum coverage car insurance policy. According to our research, the average cost of a minimum coverage policy in Milwaukee is 72 percent less than a full coverage policy. Keep in mind that, as the largest city in the Cheese State, the cheapest companies in Milwaukee may not be the same as the cheapest ones in Wisconsin as a whole. Bankrate’s analysis of November 2024 rates show that Geico, USAA and Rural Mutual offer the lowest minimum coverage rates on average.
How much is car insurance in Milwaukee, Wisconsin?
Milwaukee full coverage car insurance rates are 28 percent more than the average cost of car insurance in Wisconsin, while minimum coverage rates are 50 percent more. Densely populated areas generally have higher levels of traffic congestion, leading to more accidents and claims. Elevated levels of vehicle theft may also contribute to Milwaukee’s higher car insurance rates. Data from the National Insurance Crime Bureau shows that the Milwaukee-Waukesha metro area has the highest levels of vehicle theft of the 12 areas in Wisconsin with available data. Vehicle theft is covered under comprehensive insurance, which affects full coverage rates.
Milwaukee rates for teens
Due to their lack of driving experience and higher accident likelihood, teen drivers tend to pay higher car insurance rates. In Milwaukee, parents with a teen driver on their policy pay 115 percent more more for coverage than a single 40-year-old driver, while the total cost of an 18-year-old driver on their parents’ insurance is 83 percent more. When they turn 18, a teen driver can choose to purchase their own policy as opposed to staying on their parents’ insurance, but most insurance experts do not recommend doing so if you can avoid it. An 18-year-old with their own policy in Milwaukee pays an average of $7,257 per year for full coverage and $2,087 for minimum coverage.
The rates in the table below reflect the cheapest car insurance companies for Milwaukee teens on their parents’ insurance:
Milwaukee rates for young drivers
Younger drivers generally see more favorable rates than teen drivers, but are still likely to pay more than the Milwaukee average. Drivers in their twenties have clocked more experience behind the wheel than teens, but because they are still relatively new drivers, insurers will likely charge them slightly more for their policies. Drivers in their early twenties attending college out-of-state may consider looking into a distant student discount from their insurance company to help save some money on their premiums. Or, any driver in their twenties looking for insurance may want to consider the companies we listed below, which offer the cheapest rates on average:
Milwaukee rates for adults
Milwaukee drivers in their thirties, forties and fifties tend to see their car insurance rates begin to trend downward, especially for drivers who maintain a clean driving record. However, some companies offer more competitive rates for adult drivers than others, as each insurance company has its own underwriting process for determining rates. Bankrate’s research revealed that the carriers listed here offer the lowest rates for adult drivers nearing middle age.
Milwaukee rates for senior drivers
Once a driver reaches their senior years, they may begin to see their car insurance premium creep back up regardless of their motor vehicle record. Aging-related factors like decreased eyesight and slowed reaction time can increase the likelihood of filing a claim. To account for this added risk, insurers typically charge senior drivers a higher rate. However, Bankrate found that these Milwaukee car insurance companies offer the lowest average rates for seniors:
The cheapest car insurance in Milwaukee by driving record
Your driving record is one of the things that can play an outsized role in setting your car insurance rate. Drivers with a history of speeding, at-fault accidents and DUIs are seen as more likely to repeat these behaviors in the future — and drivers with imperfect driving records can expect to see this reflected in their rates. Finding cheap car insurance for drivers with infractions on their records may be more challenging, but not impossible. Bankrate looked at average rate data for various driving profiles in order to help Milwaukee drivers with less-than-spotless driving records secure affordable coverage.
Car insurance with a speeding ticket in Milwaukee
A speeding ticket in Wisconsin will cost you more than just the fines. Wisconsin speeding tickets can cost anywhere from $200 to $800 depending on how fast you were going, but you’ll also likely see an increase in your insurance premium. Milwaukee drivers with a speeding ticket pay an annual average of $2,887 for full coverage and $779 for minimum coverage, but they might find lower rates with these carriers:
Car insurance after an accident in Milwaukee
Like a speeding ticket, the cost of an accident doesn’t end once you get your car back from the repair shop. On average, Milwaukee drivers with an at-fault accident on their records pay 43 percent more for full coverage each year compared to drivers with a clean record. Having an accident on your record could hinder your ability to get the cheapest possible rate, but you may get an affordable quote from one of the providers we named below. Our research shows that they offer the lowest rates on average in Milwaukee.
Car insurance after a DUI in Milwaukee
Finding car insurance after a DUI can be challenging, as not every insurer will agree to write a policy for a driver with that kind of infraction on their record. Drivers in Milwaukee with a DUI may also need an insurer that will send an SR-22 certificate on their behalf to the Wisconsin Department of Motor Vehicles. Average car insurance for a Milwaukee driver with a DUI costs $4,634 per year for full coverage, but you might find lower prices with these insurers:
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$561
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$1,772
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Western National
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$595
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$4,470
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$644
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$2,184
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$682
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$3,270
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$709
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$3,152
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Minimum coverage requiremets in Milwaukee
Milwaukee drivers must adhere to the Wisconsin minimum coverage requirements. These include:
- $25,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $10,000 property damage liability
- $25,000 uninsured motorist coverage bodily injury liability per person
- $50,000 uninsured motorist coverage bodily injury liability per accident
Additionally, automobile operators and owners must show proof of insurance when law enforcement requests at traffic stops or accidents. A motor vehicle without insurance can lead to fines up to $500.
Most drivers will determine that the minimum coverage requirements, while satisfying the strict letter of the law, won’t usually fully financially protect them and their families from the significant financial loss that can come from a serious accident. It is important to work with several carriers to obtain and compare quotes for the best coverage that meets all of your needs.
Frequently asked questions
Methodology
Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze November 2024 rates for all ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Rates are weighted based on the population density in each geographic region. Quoted rates are based on a single, 40-year-old male and female driver with a clean driving record, good credit and the following full coverage limits:
- $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $50,000 property damage liability per accident
- $100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
- $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
- $500 collision deductible
- $500 comprehensive deductible
To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverage that meets each state’s requirements. Our base profile drivers own a 2022 Toyota Camry, commute five days a week and drive 12,000 miles annually.
These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes.
Incidents: Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the following incidents applied: clean record (base), at-fault accident, single speeding ticket and single DUI conviction.
Age: Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the ages 20-70 (base: 40 years) applied. Depending on age, drivers may be a renter or homeowner. Age is not a contributing rating factor in Hawaii and Massachusetts due to state regulations.Teens: Rates were determined by adding a 16- or 18-year-old teen to their 40-year-old married parents' policy. The rates displayed reflect the total cost of a driver this age added to their parents’ policy.
Bankrate Scores
Our Bankrate Score considers variables our insurance editorial team determined impacts policyholders’ experiences with an insurance company. These rating factors include a robust assessment of each company’s product availability, financial strength ratings, online capabilities and customer and claims support accessibility. Each factor was added to a category, and these categories were weighted in a tiered approach to analyze how companies perform in key customer-impacting categories.
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Cost & ratings 50%
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Coverage & savings 30%
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Support 20%
Each category was assigned a metric to determine performance, and the weighted sum adds up to a company’s total Bankrate Score — out of 5 points. Our scoring model provides a comprehensive view, indicating when companies excel across several key areas and highlight where they fall short.