Finding car insurance in Wisconsin after a DUI
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Wisconsin drivers have low average rates for car insurance, but drivers with a DUI may see their rates increase significantly. If you have a DUI on your record, you may have to put in some extra work to find an affordable policy with the coverage types you want. Understanding Wisconsin’s DUI laws and collecting quotes from various companies may help you find a carrier that meets your needs.
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Compare auto insurance rates
Save on auto insurance with quotes from trusted providers like:
Drivers switch & save an average of $750+/year
Are you overpaying for auto insurance?
Safe drivers choose Allstate®
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.
DUI laws in Wisconsin
In Wisconsin, a driving under the influence charge is referred to by the legal phrase “operating while intoxicated” (OWI). There are a number of illegal practices and driving behaviors that could constitute an OWI in Wisconsin. These include:
- Driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or higher.
- Driving under the influence of an intoxicant, controlled substance or any other drug.
- Driving with a detectable amount of a legally controlled substance in your blood.
A person can be charged and convicted of an OWI in Wisconsin if the requisite levels of alcohol or an illegal drug are detected in the blood. For drivers under the age of 21, any amount of alcohol in their system while driving is illegal and may result in penalties. For drivers with three or more prior OWI convictions, a BAC level over 0.02 can also result in an OWI.
A driver can also be charged for an OWI based solely on behavior observed by an arresting officer. This behavior may include weaving while driving or an inability to perform certain tasks after being pulled over and during a field sobriety test.
Penalties for an OWI conviction in Wisconsin are increasingly severe the more you have. A first or second conviction will result in a fine of up to $300 and a license revocation of six to nine months. A single OWI conviction does not carry potential prison time, but a second OWI within 10 years or a third offense or more could result in up to 15 years in prison, depending on frequency.
Consequences may increase if a minor under the age of 16 is in the car or if the driver causes harm or death to others. If the impaired driver kills another person while driving intoxicated, for example, they may be charged with a class C felony and face a fine of up to $100,000 and up to 40 years in prison.
How a DUI affects your car insurance in Wisconsin
The average insurance cost increase following a single OWI conviction in Wisconsin is 76 percent. Drivers with multiple convictions may see even more drastic increases and may have difficulty maintaining their policy or finding a new one.
Average insurance rates increase because insurers generally consider drivers with a DUI on their record to be high-risk. These drivers may be seen as more likely to engage in risky behavior, cause accidents and file claims.
| Average annual full coverage premium before a DUI | Average annual full coverage premium in Wisconsin after a DUI | Percent increase | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin | $1,246 | $2,197 | 76% |
| National average | $1,771 | $3,421 | 63% |
In addition to higher premium costs, Wisconsin drivers convicted of an OWI may also need to have an SR-22 filed by their insurance company. This certificate is mandated by the state and indicates that the driver meets the minimum car insurance requirements for Wisconsin. These requirements include liability coverage of 25/50/10 as well as uninsured motorist insurance and medical payments coverage.
Finding car insurance after a DUI in Wisconsin
Although the average insurance premium increase following a DUI in Wisconsin is 76 percent, all companies may weigh high-risk driving factors differently. Comparing quotes from various companies could help you find the best rates for your circumstances.
We compared average rates from some of the largest insurers and found five companies with average rate increases below the state average for Wisconsin drivers with a single OWI conviction. Although your own rate is likely to be different, these companies may be a good place to start when you are looking for cheap car insurance after your DUI in Wisconsin. Speaking with a licensed insurance agent about your needs and seeking out potential discounts could also help you find a policy that fits within your budget.
| Car insurance company | Average annual full coverage premium in Wisconsin before a DUI | Average annual full coverage premium in Wisconsin after a DUI | Percent increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| State Farm | $869 | $1,075 | 24% |
| Geico | $911 | $1,312 | 44% |
| Progressive | $1,393 | $2,193 | 57% |
| Allstate | $1,897 | $2,345 | 24% |
| USAA | $827 | $1,193 | 44% |
Frequently asked questions
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Wisconsin DUI laws have different legal penalties depending on severity and frequency of your convictions. Drivers may face class C, D, E, F, G or H felonies following multiple OWI convictions or an OWI conviction that results in injury or death to others.
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This likely depends on the insurer. Although a DUI will remain on your driving record forever, most insurance companies only increase your premium for three to five years following an incident like a DUI or an accident. Most insurance professionals recommend reviewing quotes from various companies before your policy renews each year to see how your quoted rates may have changed with different carriers.
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Drivers convicted of a serious infraction such as a DUI likely need to have an SR-22 filled by their insurance company to prove they carry the minimum required amount of car insurance. Since not all car insurance companies offer SR-22 filing, a driver with a DUI in their record may need to look around for a new insurer after they are convicted.
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Methodology
Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze 2022 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 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 2020 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, single DUI conviction and lapse in coverage.
