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Best car insurance in Wisconsin for 2023
With so many car insurance options for drivers, it can be hard to find the best car insurance company for the coverage options you need. After reviewing and comparing dozens of companies, Bankrate found the companies with the top car insurance in Wisconsin are USAA, State Farm and Geico. Comparing quotes from some of the best companies in your area may help you get the lowest price on minimum or full coverage car insurance.
- The average annual cost of car insurance in Wisconsin is $1,246 for full coverage and $363 for minimum coverage.
- USAA, State Farm and Travelers offer some of the cheapest average full coverage car insurance in Wisconsin.
- Considering individual needs, lender requirements and minimum coverage laws may help you find the best car insurance company in Wisconsin.
How Bankrate chose the best car insurance companies in Wisconsin
Bankrate uses several factors when choosing the best car insurance companies in Wisconsin. Criteria such as price, third-party ratings, financial strength, coverage options, discounts and accessibility are used to determine Bankrate Scores and which companies make the best choice list.
Best car insurance companies in Wisconsin
In Wisconsin, the average cost of car insurance is $1,246 per year for full coverage and $363 annually for minimum coverage. Based on the data highlighted above, Bankrate finalized the best car insurance companies in Wisconsin for 2022 in the chart below. Each carrier is broken down by its Bankrate Score, regional 2022 J.D. Power customer satisfaction score and average annual premiums for minimum and full coverage.
Based on our research, USAA, State Farm and Geico stand out for their great policy offerings in Wisconsin, according to data provided by Quadrant Information Services.
| Car insurance company | Bankrate Score | J.D. Power score (North Central region) | Average annual full coverage premium | Average annual minimum coverage premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USAA* | 4.9 | 891/1,000 | $827 | $214 |
| State Farm | 4.7 | 848/1,000 | $869 | $236 |
| Geico | 4.7 | 847/1,000 | $911 | $207 |
| Travelers | 4.7 | 818/1,000 | $857 | $303 |
| Progressive | 4.3 | 827/1,000 | $1,393 | $381 |
*Not officially ranked by J.D. Power due to eligibility restrictions.
Compare auto insurance rates
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.
USAA
USAA may be a top consideration for military families in Wisconsin due to its relatively cheap insurance premiums and dedicated coverage for military service members, veterans and their immediate family. The company consistently earns high customer satisfaction scores and even earns our highest Bankrate Score from the providers mentioned. This is in part due to its reliable claims handling and strong reputation in the insurance industry. Although membership and coverage eligibility with USAA depend on military association, for drivers who qualify, it could help to know that they are likely covered no matter where they are in the U.S. or even while on deployment.
Learn more: USAA Insurance review
State Farm
State Farm’s rates are not much higher than USAA’s, and, as the largest auto insurer in the U.S., State Farm has a wide network of local agents to help you research and choose a policy. Those looking for car insurance in Wisconsin may find State Farm’s teen driving incentives, like Steer Clear and rideshare coverage options ideal for their specific needs. Safe drivers can also save up to 30% after participating in Drive Safe & Save and displaying responsible driving habits behind the wheel. Although State Farm does not offer as many coverage options as some other providers, it does offer a strong Bankrate Score and third place ranking in the Wisconsin region for J.D. Power customer satisfaction.
Learn more: State Farm insurance review
Geico
Geico consistently ranks as one of the best insurance companies for affordable premiums for most demographics, regardless of credit score, driving history or location. Coverage is relatively basic compared to other providers in terms of add-ons and extra features, but Geico customers have plentiful options for savings. For example, according to Geico, Wisconsin drivers may save up to 23% on a portion of their premium for having air bags or an anti-theft system installed. Geico is also one of the few companies that include discounts for qualified military personnel and federal employees.
Learn more: Geico Insurance review
Travelers
Similar to Geico, Travelers may be an excellent option for basic coverage and several discount options. It may be worth noting that Travelers does not rank as highly in customer claims satisfaction, with a score 7 points below the industry average. However, Travelers has valuable add-on features that may be of interest, like roadside assistance, gap insurance, new car replacement and accident forgiveness. Policyholders may also gain additional confidence in knowing that, in both 2020 and 2021, Travelers won a CIO 100 award, which recognizes organizations making valuable tech innovations to drive business. Travelers’ award in 2021 was extended for its work to make the underwriting process more efficient and accurate.
Learn more: Travelers Insurance review
Progressive
Although Progressive has the highest average annual rates among these five providers for minimum and full coverage car insurance in Wisconsin, it still has much to offer the right driver. For instance, Progressive’s Name Your Price tool can help you determine the coverage that best fits your budget. The insurer also has multiple discount opportunities, like teen driver, paperless payment and multi-policy, which may lower your overall auto insurance costs. Wisconsin drivers with custom parts and equipment may want to insure their customized vehicle with Progressive, as it offers up to $5,000 in coverage for items like stereos, custom wheels and paint jobs.
Learn more: Progressive insurance review
Average car insurance cost in Wisconsin
The average annual cost of car insurance in Wisconsin is $1,246 for full coverage, compared to the national average of $1,771 for full coverage. Minimum coverage in Wisconsin costs an average of $363 annually, which is also considerably less than the national average of $545 per year. Wisconsin rates are also low compared to neighboring states. The average annual rates for full coverage in Minnesota and Illinois are $1,692 and $1,533, respectively.
| Average annual premium for minimum coverage in Wisconsin | Average annual premium for full coverage in Wisconsin |
|---|---|
| $363 | $1,246 |
Wisconsin’s low average rates may be partly due to its lower risk of fatal accidents. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reported 540 fatalities resulting from car accidents in Wisconsin for 2020, which is relatively low compared to states with more populous metropolitan areas. Furthermore, only about 33% of Wisconsin accidents resulting in passenger fatality included unrestrained passengers. This is lower than some states, like New Hampshire, where unrestrained occupants made up 39% of passenger fatalities.
How to find the best car insurance in Wisconsin
When it comes to finding great car insurance, Wisconsin drivers will find that the right provider largely depends on individual circumstances. Everyone’s financial picture and insurance history look different. Because of this, drivers may even find that the best insurance provider for them changes every so often because of changing personal circumstances. However, there are least three steps most people can take to begin narrowing down their options:
Consider minimum insurance requirements in Wisconsin
Like most states, drivers in Wisconsin have car insurance laws which require minimum liability insurance limits. As Wisconsin is an at-fault state, these include limits for property damage and bodily injury or death liability. By default, you have to purchase at least the state’s mandated minimums. However, many insurance experts recommend purchasing more than the minimum insurance limits to offer more financial protection in the case of a covered incident. If you are unsure how much car insurance is right for you, talking with a licensed agent could offer some clarity.
Consider lender requirements
Although Wisconsin requires only liability and uninsured motorist insurance, individual lenders or lienholders often require drivers purchase full coverage auto insurance policies for financed or leased vehicles. Because liability insurance does not include financial protections for damage to your car itself, adding comprehensive and collision coverages could help prevent loan default. Additionally, drivers may purchase gap insurance to help cover the difference between a vehicle’s actual cash value and an insurance claim payout should the vehicle be stolen and unrecoverable or totaled in a covered incident.
Consider your individual needs
Insurers base car insurance rates on an assessment of risk. Factors that may be considered “high-risk,” such as being a young or teen driver, having a speeding ticket or getting a DUI, generally result in steeper rates. If these risk factors apply to you, it could be beneficial to seek providers that are known to offer better rates for these circumstances. Additionally, some providers offer multiple discounts that are not driving-based, such as making timely payments, which could help you earn a better rate.
Car insurance discounts in Wisconsin
Car insurance discounts in Wisconsin may help you save on car insurance. Discounts likely vary by insurer, as does the amount you can save by applying them. Here are a few of the discounts you may be able to use to get the best rate on auto insurance in Wisconsin:
- Young driver discounts: Most providers offer at least one discount for young drivers to help reduce premiums. These may include discounts for good grades, attending college away from home or safe-driving programs for drivers under 21.
- Safe driver discounts: While you can generally earn better premiums by maintaining a clean driving record, you could also apply for safe driver programs. Many insurers have telematics devices or apps that track your driving habits, calculating a discount based on behaviors like soft braking and driving at the posted speed limit.
- Other discounts: There are a variety of discounts, some of which may be more unique to some providers. For example, some insurers may offer discounts for insuring an electric vehicle, while others may offer options exclusively available to affiliation groups. Other discount opportunities may include having an anti-theft system, completing a driver’s educational course and bundling your home and auto with one carrier.