Updated: October 16, 2024
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Your needs and driver profile will determine the best car insurance company for you. Acuity is also the best auto insurance provider for customer service, young adults and seniors. Erie offers the best cheap car insurance, while GEICO is best for teens. For drivers with violations, Chubb is the best option, and those with new cars should consider Travelers.
MoneyGeek also analyzed the cheapest car insurance in Madison for those who value savings.
BestCar InsuranceMadisonTable of Contents (Jump to Your Best Fit)
Why Trust MoneyGeek? We created a unique scoring system to rank the best car insurance companies in Madison using data from the Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and Quadrant Information Services.
These companies offer the best car insurance in Madison:
Although it is more expensive than most competitors, Acuity ranked the highest among 16 insurers because of its high customer satisfaction and coverage scores. This means customers can expect to receive quality service and have a range of add-on coverages to choose from.
USAA is the best option for military members and their families, receiving a MoneyGeek score of 85 out of 100. According to our analysis, Acuity is also the best car insurance company in Wisconsin as a whole.
How was this MoneyGeek score calculated?
MoneyGeek’s score for the overall best car insurance was calculated with the following weights:
Has the third-highest customer satisfaction rating
Has the second-highest coverage score
Provides full glass coverage
Has the fourth-most expensive rates for a full coverage policy
Doesn't offer accident forgiveness or deductible modification coverages
Acuity is the best auto insurer in Madison thanks to its above-average customer satisfaction and claims management scores. It also offers unique optional coverages that may benefit many drivers. However, the average driver can expect to pay roughly $1,040 per year for a full coverage policy, which is more expensive compared to other companies in Madison.
With Acuity, you can add full glass coverage to your auto policy, which waives the comprehensive deductible if your car’s windshield or windows need to be repaired or replaced due to a covered accident. Acuity also offers basic add-on coverages like roadside assistance and gap insurance. Its roadside assistance pays for towing and other labor services if your car breaks down, while gap insurance covers the difference between your car’s value and the amount you owe on your lease or loan if it's totaled.
Of the 18 Madison car insurance companies we ranked, Acuity won for its high customer satisfaction, claims management and coverage ratings. That said, it has an average rate of $1,040 per year, which is $530 more expensive than GEICO, the cheapest insurer in our comparison group. IMT Insurance Company has the highest score in customer satisfaction, but it didn’t qualify for an overall MoneyGeek score.
Rates in this section are for a full coverage policy. We only assigned overall MoneyGeek scores to companies with enough data for all individual scoring components (affordability, customer service, financial stability and coverages).
| Acuity | 84 | $1,040 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Erie | 83 | $691 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| Chubb | 83 | $986 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 5 |
| West Bend Mutual | 80 | $770 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 3 |
| Auto-Owners Insurance Co | 80 | $664 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| American Family | 77 | $758 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 3 |
| Western National | 76 | $1,181 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 4 |
| GEICO | 75 | $510 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| Travelers | 74 | $760 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| State Farm | 74 | $649 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| Nationwide | 71 | $635 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 4 |
| Progressive | 69 | $950 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 4 |
| Farmers | 67 | $902 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 3 |
| Allstate | 67 | $891 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 4 |
| AAA | 67 | $864 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| IMT Insurance Company | No Data | $867 | 5 | No Data | 3 | 3 |
| Kemper | 38 | $1,490 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Dairyland | No Data | $2,845 | 4 | No Data | 4 | 4 |
Regardless of cost, the best auto insurers in Madison for customer service are:
Acuity’s high ratings for customer satisfaction and coverage made it our top pick for customer service. Compared to its competitors, Acuity’s full coverage policies are relatively expensive.
How was this MoneyGeek score calculated?
MoneyGeek’s score for Best for Customer Service was calculated with the following weights:
Has excellent customer service ratings
Has an above-average coverage score
Offers a personal auto enhancements endorsement that includes extra coverages
Its claims management score could be higher
Doesn't have accident forgiveness or deductible modification coverages
Acuity’s above-average customer satisfaction rating is based on our analysis of J.D. Power’s customer satisfaction study and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) customer complaint index. The company also offers a variety of common and less common coverages.
With Acuity's personal auto enhancements package, you can add various coverages to your policy, including key and lock replacement for stolen or lost keys, personal property replacement for items inside your vehicle that are damaged in an accident, airbag replacement for airbags that were accidentally discharged and more.
Acuity also offers full glass coverage, which allows you to get your vehicle's glass components repaired without having to pay your comprehensive deductible. In terms of more common coverages, Acuity offers rental car and/or travel reimbursement, which covers the cost of a car rental or transportation if your car is being repaired, and roadside assistance, which covers the cost of towing and labor if your car breaks down.
Insurance companies that deliver excellent service usually meet policyholders’ expectations by being efficient in processing claims or responding to concerns.
We picked Acuity as the best company for customer service because of its above-average customer satisfaction and coverage scores. Chubb, our runner-up, earned the highest rating for claims management but scored lower than Acuity in the customer satisfaction and coverage categories.
In Madison, the companies offering the best blend of affordability and quality service for minimum coverage policies are:
Although minimum coverage policies have the cheapest rates, they provide the least amount of protection against liability costs. Note that Wisconsin’s minimum car insurance requirements apply to all cities in the Badger State.
How was this MoneyGeek score calculated?
MoneyGeek’s score for the Best Cheap company was calculated with the following weights:
An affordable minimum coverage policy costs $241 per year
Has bundling, pay-in-full and honing device discounts
Has strong affordability and customer satisfaction scores
Doesn't offer discounts for going paperless
Has a poor coverage score
Erie is the best company for Madison drivers who want affordable minimum coverage policies. Its above-average ratings for affordability and customer satisfaction highlight that it offers cheap rates paired with excellent service.
With Erie, you can save on premiums by qualifying for discounts. The company offers several standard discounts, including policy bundling, multiple car and safe driving discounts, as well as various rarer discounts. These include discounts for completing a defensive driving course, paying your annual premium in one lump sum and having safety features in your vehicle such as airbags, anti-theft devices or anti-lock brakes.
In addition, you may be eligible for further discounts with Erie if you set up an automatic payment plan or have an electronic tracking device, daytime running lights or VIN etching.
With some insurers, the tradeoff for low rates is poor service. However, our picks for the best cheap insurance companies in Madison offer affordable minimum coverage policies and quality service. Acuity earned a slightly higher score in customer satisfaction than Erie, but Erie is cheaper. IMT Insurance Company scored highest for customer satisfaction but didn't qualify for an overall MoneyGeek score.
Madison’s best car insurance providers for young adults are:
Acuity’s high scores in customer satisfaction and coverage indicate that young adults can get excellent service and a wide variety of optional coverages, but they may have to pay more expensive premiums in exchange.
How was this MoneyGeek score calculated?
MoneyGeek’s score for Best for Young Adults was calculated with the following weights:
Offers good student and driver’s education discounts
Has strong customer satisfaction and coverage scores
At roughly $1,283 per year, it is more expensive than most of its competitors
Has average affordability and claims management scores
Acuity offers the best car insurance for young adults in Madison. Although it is among the most expensive providers at $1,283 per year, Acuity offers above-average customer satisfaction and coverage options.
With Acuity, students can save on their premiums if they maintain a B average or higher. They may also qualify for discounts if they take a driver safety course, but they will need to contact an agent for the list of qualifying courses and requirements. Young adults may be able to save further if they are a new Acuity customer or if their vehicle has advanced safety features.
Acuity also provides young adults with various options for add-on coverages such as roadside assistance, gap insurance, new car replacement and rental car and/or travel reimbursement.
Affordability, service quality and age-specific discounts are important factors to consider when looking for the best car insurance company for young adults. Our top pick, Acuity, provides exceptional customer service and discounts for young adults. GEICO is the cheapest insurer, but it received lower ratings in customer satisfaction, claims management and coverages than Acuity.
These companies in Madison offer the best car insurance for teens on a family policy:
GEICO’s affordable premiums and quality customer service make it the best option for teen drivers on family policies. Car insurance rates for younger drivers are often expensive, so it’s wiser to add them to a family policy than to buy separate coverage. Doing so can save families in Madison around $3,203 per year. In addition, teens are legally required to have a parent or guardian as a co-signer if they purchase an individual policy.
How was this MoneyGeek score calculated?
MoneyGeek’s score for Best for Teens was calculated with the following weights:
Offers affordable premiums at $1,291 per year
Has driver’s education and good student discounts
Has high ratings for affordability and customer satisfaction
Has below-average coverage and claims management scores
As our top pick for teens, GEICO outranked eight other insurers for its overall blend of affordability and quality customer service.
Although the company already offers low-cost policies, GEICO makes it possible for teens to further reduce their premiums through discounts. For instance, full-time students may get premium savings if they have good academic records. Those who have completed a driver’s education course may also be eligible for a discount.
In addition, GEICO has valuable add-on coverages like mechanical breakdown insurance (MBI), which offers better coverage than most dealer-extended warranties at a more affordable cost. However, the insured vehicle must be less than 15 months old and have less than 15,000 miles on the odometer. Accident forgiveness is also available, which prevents rate increases for young drivers who get into their first at-fault accidents.
The best auto insurer for teen drivers will have affordable rates, excellent service, essential coverages and teen-specific discounts. GEICO offers most of these elements, earning above-average ratings in affordability and customer satisfaction. Travelers has higher claims management and coverage scores but is more expensive and has a lower customer satisfaction rating.
The best car insurance companies for seniors in Madison are:
Acuity’s strong customer satisfaction and coverage scores make it our top pick for seniors. This means that seniors can expect great service quality and useful coverage options. Drivers in their 60s typically pay similar rates to those in their 30s through 50s, but their rates tend to increase in their 70s. You can save on premiums by shopping around for the cheapest policies.
How was this MoneyGeek score calculated?
MoneyGeek’s score for Best for Seniors was calculated with the following weights:
Offers new car replacement, gap insurance and full glass coverages
Ranked third for customer satisfaction
Has the second-highest coverage score
More expensive than most competitors at $892 per year
Has average affordability and claims management scores
Acuity is Madison’s best auto insurer for senior drivers because it offers great customer service and several coverages that could be useful for seniors. It ranked third for customer satisfaction and has a relatively affordable average annual premium of $892, although it is more expensive than most of its competitors.
With Acuity, seniors can customize their auto policies with various options for add-on coverages. Roadside assistance will cover towing and other labor services if you need help getting back on the road, while rental car and/or travel reimbursement will cover the cost of a rental car if your vehicle is in the shop following an accident.
Acuity also offers gap insurance to cover the difference between your car’s cash value and the unpaid amount in your loan or lease if the car is totaled, as well as full glass coverage, which waives the comprehensive deductible if your car’s windshield or windows need to be repaired or replaced.
Seniors in their 60s typically have lower rates than other age groups since they are considered safe drivers. The best car insurance for older drivers will have affordable premiums and offer personal injury protection (PIP) or medical payments, which helps cover medical costs if they sustain serious injuries in an accident. Acuity, our top pick, offers a great combination of affordability and service quality. Chubb, the runner-up, wins for claims management but lacks coverage options.
Madison drivers looking for the best car insurance after a driving offense may consider these companies:
Chubb’s overall blend of service quality and affordability outshined 17 other insurers as the best option for drivers with violations.
Car insurance rates may increase based on the severity of the offense. In Madison, drivers with a DUI pay roughly $455 more per year than the average rate for drivers with a clean record. Meanwhile, drivers with a speeding ticket pay an average of $245 more per year.
How was this MoneyGeek score calculated?
MoneyGeek’s score for Best for Drivers With Offenses was calculated with the following weights:
Third-cheapest company at $986 per year
Provides rental car and/or travel reimbursement coverage
Has high scores for affordability and customer satisfaction
Has a below-average coverage score
Doesn't offer accident forgiveness, roadside assistance or new/better car replacement coverages
Chubb stood out from the competition for having the best balance of affordability and service quality in Madison for drivers with offenses. With an average premium of $986 per year, it ranked third for affordability. The company also has strong customer satisfaction and claims management ratings, meaning policyholders can expect great customer service.
When it comes to coverages that may be useful to drivers with offenses, only rental car and/or travel reimbursement is available with Chubb. This coverage helps you pay for a rental car similar to the one you own if your vehicle is being repaired due to a covered incident. Chubb provides coverage up to $5,000, with no per-day limit.
This insurer also offers diminished value coverage, which is a less common coverage. If your car is stolen or totaled, Chubb will send you a check for the cash value of your car that you agreed to when your policy was written.
The best auto insurer for those with driving violations will offer reasonably-priced rates, valuable coverages and numerous discounts. Although Chubb fell short on coverage options compared to competitors, it received high ratings for affordability and customer satisfaction, ultimately winning our recommendation. Western National, our runner-up, offers more add-on coverages but has higher rates.
In Madison, the following auto insurance companies offer the best policies for drivers with new cars:
For this category, we only ranked insurers that offer better or new car replacement coverage based on affordability and service quality for drivers in Wisconsin with a 2022 model car. New car replacement covers the cost of a brand new car of the same make and model if yours is totaled in an accident.
Travelers is our top pick for drivers with new cars in Madison, ranking first for affordability and earning a high coverage score.
How was this MoneyGeek score calculated?
MoneyGeek’s score for Best for New Cars was calculated based on insurers offering new or better car replacement coverage and the following weights:
Has the most affordable premium at $783 per year
Offers new car replacement coverage
Has high ratings for affordability and coverage
Has a slightly below-average customer satisfaction score
Lacks deductible modification coverage
Travelers is our top choice for Madison drivers with new cars who want to protect their new purchase. In addition to offering the lowest rates ($783 per year), Travelers also has new car replacement coverage, which is particularly useful to those with new cars — this coverage pays to replace your car with a brand new one of the same make and model if your vehicle is totaled in the first five years of ownership.
You can also access other essential coverages with Travelers, like roadside assistance and gap insurance. Roadside assistance pays for the cost of labor services to get you back on the road if you’re stranded due to unexpected car trouble. Meanwhile, gap insurance covers the difference between the actual cash value of your car and the unpaid amount in your loan or lease if your car is totaled in an accident.
Drivers looking to insure their new cars should find a company that offers affordable rates and new or better car replacement coverage. Travelers is our top pick in Madison as it combines cheap premiums with essential add-on coverages. Allstate, our runner-up, has slightly higher customer satisfaction ratings but is much more expensive.
Factors like cost, service reputation and financial stability are important considerations when finding the best car insurance companies in Madison. If you'd like to go beyond our recommendations and explore other options, you can do so by taking the following steps:
While we already did the heavy lifting of analyzing J.D. Power satisfaction scores and NAIC complaint ratios, you can verify each insurer’s customer service reputation by checking these sources. You may also visit the Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance to find out more about an insurance company.
As always, compare quotes from at least three insurance companies to get a general idea of how much your car insurance will cost and find which option is suitable for your budget. Rates included in this guide are for a sample driver; your actual rate may differ based on your age, location and driving history.
If you're looking for additional protection, make sure that your chosen insurance provider offers various options for add-on coverages. Because some coverages may not be available nationwide, visit the insurer’s website or reach out to a customer representative to confirm if your desired coverages are available in your area.
An insurance company’s financial stability rating indicates how responsible it is in fulfilling its financial obligations. You’ll want a company that is financially strong to ensure your claims will be paid. Typically, large insurance companies are financially stronger than smaller regional providers.
The best car insurance in Madison for you will depend on your particular needs and driver profile. We addressed some frequently asked questions to guide you in your insurance-buying journey.
With a MoneyGeek score of 84 out of 100, Acuity is the best car insurance provider in Madison. It’s also the best option for customer service, young adults and seniors. With an average rate of $1,040 per year, this company is more expensive than most of its competitors, but its exceptional customer service indicates that customers are getting good value for their money.
Erie is our top choice for the best cheap car insurance in Madison, earning a MoneyGeek score of 84 out of 100. Our ranking for this category was based on affordability and service quality for policies that only meet the minimum car insurance requirements in Wisconsin. An average minimum coverage policy from Erie costs $241 per year, the cheapest in Madison. Qualifying for discounts may make your Erie auto policy even more affordable.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick is a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer and MoneyGeek's Head of Insurance. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research and creating personalized content for every kind of buyer. He has been quoted in several insurance-related publications, including CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick earned a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He is passionate about using his knowledge of economics and insurance to bring transparency around financial topics and help others feel confident in their money moves.
