Updated: December 19, 2024
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AAA offers the overall cheapest car insurance for drivers in Wisconsin. American Family, based in Madison, Wisconsin, is also the most affordable insurance company for other types of drivers.
If you’re looking for options that balance cost and quality service, we found the companies that provide the best car insurance in Wisconsin.
In Wisconsin, the cheapest auto insurance provider for minimum coverage is AAA, with an annual premium of $243. On the other end of the spectrum, Dairyland is the most expensive, with an average annual cost of $815 for the same coverage. The price difference between the cheapest and most expensive providers is significant, amounting to $572. This disparity highlights the importance of shopping around and comparing quotes when searching for car insurance in Wisconsin to ensure you find a policy that fits your budget and needs.
In Wisconsin, the cheapest full coverage auto insurance provider is American Family, with an annual premium of $564.
To understand how much adding full coverage increases costs compared to minimum coverage, let's consider American Family's full coverage and minimum coverage rates. While the document doesn't specify the exact minimum coverage rate for American Family, it does provide an example: American Family's full coverage option is approximately $247 more than its minimum coverage. Therefore, if we use AAA as an example, where the minimum coverage is $243 per year, then for American Family, the minimum coverage would be estimated at $317 per year ($564 full coverage - $247 additional cost for full coverage).
Adding full coverage increases costs because it includes comprehensive and collision coverage. These cover damages to your own vehicle from incidents like theft, vandalism, or accidents, unlike minimum coverage, which only covers liabilities to others. This additional protection significantly increases the overall premium, as demonstrated by the additional $247 cited for comprehensive and collision coverage with American Family.
In Wisconsin, different age groups can find affordable auto insurance from various providers. Here's a summary of the cheapest options for teens, young adults, and seniors, along with their respective annual premiums:
Teens
For teen drivers on their parent’s policy, the cheapest car insurance in Wisconsin is offered by:
- Nationwide: $1,258 per year for male teens and $1,148 per year for female teens.
- GEICO: $1,477 per year for male teens and $1,379 per year for female teens.
Young Adults (20s)
For young adults in their 20s, the most affordable providers are:
- American Family: $677 per year.
- Travelers: $819 per year.
Dairyland is the most expensive for this age group, charging an average of $3,089 per year.
Seniors
Senior drivers in Wisconsin can find low-cost insurance with:
- American Family: $594 per year.
- AAA: $638 per year.
It's important to note that insurance premiums can vary significantly based on individual circumstances such as driving history, credit score, and vehicle type. Additionally, many insurers offer various discounts that can lead to further savings.
Why Trust MoneyGeek? The auto insurance rates in our study are based on our analysis of the latest data from the Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and Quadrant Information Services.
These rates reflect the cheapest car insurance quotes in Wisconsin as of 2024.
On average, MoneyGeek found that the cheapest car insurance for a minimum coverage policy is from:
Dairyland is the most expensive car insurance company for minimum coverage, with an average annual cost of $815.
Auto insurance that meets Wisconsin state law’s minimum insurance requirements only offers bodily injury liability, property damage liability and uninsured motorist coverage.
| AAA | $243 | $20 |
| GEICO | $268 | $22 |
| Acuity | $278 | $23 |
| Western National | $284 | $24 |
| Erie | $293 | $24 |
| American Family | $317 | $26 |
| Travelers | $355 | $30 |
| West Bend Mutual | $366 | $30 |
| Auto-Owners Insurance Co | $373 | $31 |
| Progressive | $392 | $33 |
| Chubb | $422 | $35 |
| State Farm | $428 | $36 |
| IMT Insurance Company | $429 | $36 |
| Farmers | $503 | $42 |
| Nationwide | $539 | $45 |
| Kemper | $657 | $55 |
| Allstate | $753 | $63 |
| Dairyland | $815 | $68 |
A minimum coverage policy only covers the cost of injuries or damages you cause to others but doesn’t cover damages to your car. Consider getting full coverage insurance with comprehensive and collision coverage if you want broader protection to cover damages to your vehicle.
Find the Best Car Insurance in Wisconsin for You
Your preferences and insurance requirements will determine your rates. The table above outlines the cheapest car insurance providers and their respective rates for minimum coverage in Wisconsin.
Learn more about how much car insurance you need.
MoneyGeek handpicked the best car insurance companies in Wisconsin based on service quality and affordability.
We also analyzed the average cost of car insurance in Wisconsin for different driver profiles to show you how rates change depending on specific factors.
The cheapest full coverage car insurance providers in Wisconsin are:
Dairyland is the most expensive insurer for full coverage, charging an average of $2,329 per year. Adding comprehensive and collision coverage to your policy increases your annual premium. For instance, American Family’s full coverage option is around $247 more than its minimum coverage option.
Full coverage car insurance offers better financial protection. It covers damages from both on-road and off-road incidents.
| American Family | $564 | $47 |
| AAA | $565 | $47 |
| Acuity | $681 | $57 |
| Travelers | $701 | $58 |
| GEICO | $710 | $59 |
| Erie | $780 | $65 |
| West Bend Mutual | $844 | $70 |
| IMT Insurance Company | $925 | $77 |
| Auto-Owners Insurance Co | $941 | $78 |
| Chubb | $960 | $80 |
| Nationwide | $1,062 | $88 |
| State Farm | $1,203 | $100 |
| Allstate | $1,233 | $103 |
| Farmers | $1,313 | $109 |
| Progressive | $1,333 | $111 |
| Western National | $1,413 | $118 |
| Kemper | $1,639 | $137 |
| Dairyland | $2,329 | $194 |
Your actual rates depend on how much car insurance you need. MoneyGeek’s sample full coverage policy has the following liability limits:
If you’re looking for ways to lower your premiums, you may consider reducing your liability limits, removing your comprehensive and collision coverage or raising your deductible for comprehensive, collision or both. However, this will expose you to greater financial risks in the event of an accident.
Many auto insurance companies provide personalized quotes on their websites for free. However, completing the form can take up to 15 minutes. You’ll also have to repeat this process several times to compare quotes from multiple companies and find the cheapest option.
MoneyGeek’s car insurance calculator can do the heavy lifting for you. Our free online tool helps you pick the most affordable insurer and gives you a quick estimate customized to your personal driver profile. You’ll get all these without having to provide specific personal information. It’s a great tool to start your search.
MoneyGeek's car insurance calculator will give you a customized estimate of your auto insurance cost. It's free to use, requires no personal information and we won't send you any spam.
Rates updated:
Dec 21, 2024
Although MoneyGeek partners with some of the companies we recommend, our content is written and reviewed by an independent team of writers, editors and licensed agents. Learn more about our editorial policies and expert editorial team.
Age is one of the most significant factors affecting car insurance rates in Wisconsin. On average, Nationwide and American Family offer the cheapest options, depending on what age group you and your family belong to.
Cheapest for teens: Nationwide
Cheapest for young adults: American Family
Cheapest for seniors: American Family
On average, the cheapest car insurance companies for teens on their parent’s policy in Wisconsin are:
Kemper charges the highest premiums for teens on their parent’s policy, at average rates of $6,693 for male drivers and $5,418 for female drivers. Car insurance rates for teens significantly decrease as they age. In Wisconsin, GEICO offers the cheapest car insurance rates for 19-year-olds ($1,091 per year).
Generally, teen drivers pay lower premiums if they’re added to a parent’s policy than if they buy their own. A teen under 18 must have a parent or guardian co-sign their policy to obtain it legally. For instance, the average 16-year-old Wisconsin male driver might have to pay $5,599 annually if they buy their own policy. Being added to a parent’s policy brings the cost down to around $2,396, which is a $3,203 difference.
| Nationwide | $1,148 | $2,530 |
| GEICO | $1,379 | $5,751 |
| State Farm | $1,498 | $2,070 |
| Travelers | $1,513 | $3,458 |
| Auto-Owners Insurance Co | $1,802 | $1,770 |
| Allstate | $1,809 | $7,872 |
| Farmers | $1,960 | $5,983 |
| Progressive | $2,159 | $7,108 |
| Kemper | $5,418 | $8,267 |
Many insurance providers offer discounts for young drivers. According to our research, Allstate, Auto-Owners, Farmers, Progressive and Travelers provide both distant student discounts and discounts for students with good grades. GEICO, Nationwide and State Farm only provide a good student discount.
On average, car insurance rates for male teens tend to be significantly more expensive than for female teens. This rate difference is not as notable when drivers reach their 20s and beyond.
On average, we found that the cheapest car insurance providers for Wisconsin drivers in their 20s are:
Dairyland charges the highest car insurance rates for young adults at an average of $3,089 per year.
Drivers in their 20s typically pay more for car insurance than middle-aged drivers. On average, a 25-year-old driver in Wisconsin will pay $339 more than a 40-year-old driver for a full coverage policy.
| American Family | $677 | $56 |
| Travelers | $819 | $68 |
| GEICO | $822 | $69 |
| AAA | $872 | $73 |
| Acuity | $935 | $78 |
| Erie | $1,087 | $91 |
| West Bend Mutual | $1,212 | $101 |
| Auto-Owners Insurance Co | $1,246 | $104 |
| Nationwide | $1,324 | $110 |
| IMT Insurance Company | $1,335 | $111 |
| Chubb | $1,438 | $120 |
| Allstate | $1,477 | $123 |
| State Farm | $1,486 | $124 |
| Farmers | $1,532 | $128 |
| Progressive | $1,652 | $138 |
| Kemper | $1,941 | $162 |
| Western National | $2,363 | $197 |
| Dairyland | $3,089 | $257 |
The cheapest car insurance providers for senior drivers in Wisconsin are, on average:
Dairyland is the most expensive insurer for seniors, at approximately $2,290 per year.
Depending on the insurer, seniors sometimes pay slightly less than middle-aged drivers. For instance, 65-year-old Wisconsin drivers pay $24 less than 40-year-old drivers for the same coverage. Additionally, most insurers tend to charge drivers in their 70s and 80s higher car insurance rates due to an increased risk of accidents.
| American Family | $594 | $49 |
| AAA | $638 | $53 |
| Acuity | $665 | $55 |
| Travelers | $686 | $57 |
| GEICO | $732 | $61 |
| IMT Insurance Company | $835 | $70 |
| Erie | $845 | $70 |
| Auto-Owners Insurance Co | $871 | $73 |
| Chubb | $932 | $78 |
| Nationwide | $945 | $79 |
| West Bend Mutual | $1,024 | $85 |
| State Farm | $1,067 | $89 |
| Progressive | $1,180 | $98 |
| Allstate | $1,182 | $99 |
| Farmers | $1,326 | $111 |
| Western National | $1,366 | $114 |
| Kemper | $1,589 | $132 |
| Dairyland | $2,290 | $191 |
Senior drivers might be able to take advantage of discounts. For example, Allstate, American Family, Farmers and GEICO provide senior discounts. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean companies offering senior discounts automatically have the lowest rates. Age is just one of several factors used to calculate premiums.
In Wisconsin, American Family is the most affordable insurance provider for those with speeding tickets, at-fault accidents and OWIs on their record. It is also the cheapest insurer for sports car drivers and those with poor credit.
Cheapest after a ticket: American Family ($752 per year)
Cheapest after an accident: American Family ($633 per year)
Cheapest after a DUI: American Family ($752 per year)
Cheapest for poor credit: American Family ($633 per year)
Cheapest for sports cars: American Family ($591 per year)
MoneyGeek found the following companies offer the cheapest auto insurance for drivers with tickets:
Dairyland is the most expensive provider, with an annual rate of about $3,897. In Wisconsin, drivers with tickets on their records pay an average of $332 more for coverage than those with a clean record.
| American Family | $752 | $63 |
| Erie | $854 | $71 |
| AAA | $861 | $72 |
| GEICO | $935 | $78 |
| Travelers | $965 | $80 |
| Auto-Owners Insurance Co | $1,039 | $87 |
| Chubb | $1,096 | $91 |
| Acuity | $1,117 | $93 |
| IMT Insurance Company | $1,187 | $99 |
| State Farm | $1,281 | $107 |
| West Bend Mutual | $1,295 | $108 |
| Nationwide | $1,430 | $119 |
| Allstate | $1,451 | $121 |
| Western National | $1,575 | $131 |
| Farmers | $1,666 | $139 |
| Progressive | $1,837 | $153 |
| Kemper | $1,927 | $161 |
| Dairyland | $3,897 | $325 |
These insurers charge the lowest full coverage rates to Wisconsin drivers with an at-fault accident on their driving records:
A full coverage policy from Dairyland is the most expensive option at approximately $4,232 per year. We found that an at-fault accident could increase your premiums by up to $533.
| American Family | $633 | $53 |
| AAA | $932 | $78 |
| Travelers | $1,001 | $83 |
| Erie | $1,054 | $88 |
| Chubb | $1,096 | $91 |
| Auto-Owners Insurance Co | $1,098 | $92 |
| GEICO | $1,277 | $106 |
| State Farm | $1,377 | $115 |
| IMT Insurance Company | $1,417 | $118 |
| West Bend Mutual | $1,432 | $119 |
| Acuity | $1,436 | $120 |
| Western National | $1,575 | $131 |
| Nationwide | $1,731 | $144 |
| Allstate | $1,863 | $155 |
| Farmers | $1,884 | $157 |
| Kemper | $2,336 | $195 |
| Progressive | $2,426 | $202 |
| Dairyland | $4,232 | $353 |
To avoid paying more for auto insurance after your first at-fault accident, include accident forgiveness on your policy. This optional coverage stops the premium increase from occurring and is available from many insurers. Some even award it for free, such as GEICO, for maintaining a clean motor vehicle record. — Mark Friedlander, Director, Corporate Communications, Insurance Information Institute
On average, the following insurers are the cheapest options for full coverage car insurance if you have an OWI on your driving record:
At around $3,340 per year, Dairyland is the most expensive insurer for drivers with an OWI. We found that drivers with an OWI are charged approximately $576 more per year — a significant increase that would also occur in states with DUI or DWI.
| American Family | $752 | $63 |
| Chubb | $1,096 | $91 |
| Travelers | $1,103 | $92 |
| Erie | $1,254 | $105 |
| State Farm | $1,281 | $107 |
| AAA | $1,483 | $124 |
| Allstate | $1,500 | $125 |
| Progressive | $1,558 | $130 |
| Western National | $1,575 | $131 |
| Acuity | $1,683 | $140 |
| Kemper | $1,720 | $143 |
| Auto-Owners Insurance Co | $1,759 | $147 |
| IMT Insurance Company | $1,811 | $151 |
| Farmers | $1,811 | $151 |
| GEICO | $1,861 | $155 |
| West Bend Mutual | $1,873 | $156 |
| Nationwide | $2,106 | $176 |
| Dairyland | $3,340 | $278 |
On average, these companies offer the cheapest car insurance rates to drivers with poor credit:
State Farm has the highest rates at an average annual premium of $6,166 for a full coverage policy.
Generally, insurers consider those with lower credit scores as riskier to insure and charge them higher rates. We found that, on average, Wisconsin drivers with credit scores of 580 and below are charged $705 more than those with credit scores above 750.
| American Family | $633 | $53 |
| AAA | $718 | $60 |
| Acuity | $775 | $65 |
| Erie | $854 | $71 |
| West Bend Mutual | $1,009 | $84 |
| IMT Insurance Company | $1,025 | $85 |
| Chubb | $1,096 | $91 |
| Travelers | $1,101 | $92 |
| GEICO | $1,129 | $94 |
| Nationwide | $1,475 | $123 |
| Western National | $1,575 | $131 |
| Allstate | $1,923 | $160 |
| Kemper | $1,979 | $165 |
| Farmers | $2,118 | $176 |
| Progressive | $2,269 | $189 |
| Dairyland | $2,609 | $217 |
| Auto-Owners Insurance Co | $3,441 | $287 |
| State Farm | $6,166 | $514 |
Auto insurance providers found that those with lower credit-based insurance scores are more likely to file claims and charge them higher rates. Although using credit history as a basis for calculating premiums isn’t legal in all states, it is allowed in Wisconsin.
Over time, you can reduce your insurance rate by improving your credit score. You can also compare rates from multiple insurers and take advantage of common discounts.
The car insurance companies offering the cheapest full coverage rates for drivers with sports cars are, on average:
At approximately $2,799 per year, Dairyland is the least affordable company for sports car drivers.
Generally, sports cars are more expensive to insure because they have higher repair and replacement costs than standard vehicles. For example, drivers with a Ford Mustang pay $251 more than those with a Toyota Camry LE.
| American Family | $591 | $49 |
| Travelers | $673 | $56 |
| GEICO | $955 | $80 |
| Auto-Owners Insurance Co | $1,006 | $84 |
| Nationwide | $1,186 | $99 |
| Farmers | $1,201 | $100 |
| Allstate | $1,209 | $101 |
| Chubb | $1,227 | $102 |
| State Farm | $1,434 | $119 |
| Progressive | $1,645 | $137 |
| Kemper | $1,888 | $157 |
| Dairyland | $2,799 | $233 |
MoneyGeek used a Ford Mustang as its sample sports car in this study, but costs may differ depending on your particular car model. Sports, electric and luxury cars are generally more expensive to insure; otherwise, the model may not be a significant factor. However, this may not be true for all states.
USAA is the cheapest car insurance provider for active duty military members and veterans in Wisconsin, with an average rate of $541 per year. It offers special coverage benefits and discounts for military-affiliated policyholders.
USAA offers a military discount, adding even more value to its already competitive premiums.
The city and ZIP code where you live impact the cost of your car insurance. Drivers who live in neighborhoods with higher rates of car theft, vandalism, theft or accidents are typically charged higher premiums because they are more likely to file a claim.
For example, Green Bay has the cheapest rates from AAA for full coverage insurance, at roughly $474 per year. In Milwaukee, the most expensive city, the same AAA policy costs more, at an average of $717 per year.
Use our table below to see how average car insurance rates differ per city.
Most states, including Wisconsin, require minimum coverage limits of bodily injury liability (BIL) and property damage liability (PDL). In addition to these coverages, Wisconsin state law requires uninsured motorist coverage.
Wisconsin requires drivers to purchase a car insurance policy that meets the minimum coverage limit. This includes bodily injury liability, property damage liability and uninsured motorist coverage. A minimum coverage policy might be cheaper but exposes you to greater financial risks from an at-fault accident. We recommend getting as much liability coverage as you can afford.
Wisconsin state law requires you to file an SR-22 certificate of financial responsibility if you have severe violations, such as an OWI or driving without a valid license. SR-22 insurance may increase your coverage requirements.
Drivers must carry $25,000 in bodily injury liability per person and $50,000 in bodily injury liability per accident. This covers the cost of medical bills in an accident where you’re at fault. Getting the minimum coverage might not be a good idea, especially considering the rising cost of health care and with surgeries easily reaching tens of thousands of dollars. You’ll have to pay anything over the limits out of your own pocket.
All auto insurance policies must have $10,000 in property damage liability per accident. Paying just this minimum limit means you'll have to pay for any costs over $10,000 if you're at fault in an accident that damages another person's property.
Drivers must have $25,000 in uninsured motorist (UM) coverage per person and $50,000 in uninsured motorist coverage per accident. This covers the cost of any injuries you or your passengers might suffer in an accident with an uninsured driver.
MoneyGeek recommends purchasing bodily injury liability insurance of at least $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident and property damage coverage of at least $100,000 per accident for greater financial protection from at-fault accidents.
If you financed or leased your car, you’re likely required to have comprehensive and collision insurance on your policy.
Collision insurance covers the cost of repairing your vehicle in the event of an at-fault accident with another vehicle or object, like a tree or light pole. Comprehensive insurance pays for the cost of repairing your car if it is damaged in a non-collision incident, including theft, vandalism, fire and severe weather hazards such as floods and falling trees.
Comprehensive and collision coverages are a good idea — 80% of U.S. drivers carry these coverages, according to the Insurance Information Institute. With the rising costs of vehicles and escalating vehicle theft rates, the coverage is not just for "expensive" cars and should be considered by most drivers.
If you’re unable to get auto insurance for any reason, Wisconsin’s Financial Responsibility Law permits other alternatives to satisfy the required financial responsibility. These are:
Certificate of self-insurance: You may apply as a self-insurer if you have more than 25 cars registered under your name. You also need to provide proof of financial ability to cover any potential accident claims for each vehicle. This means you’ll need lots of extra cash in reserve to cover damages to your car and another person’s car and property, as well as possible lawsuits.
Surety bonds: A surety bond requires a company to pay its financial obligations in the event of an accident. Surety bonds cost only a percentage of the bond total, making them a cheap alternative to traditional auto insurance.
Personal funds: You must provide proof that you have enough funds that you don’t use for business or other personal purposes to cover your financial responsibility.
Wisconsin residents looking for car insurance options commonly have concerns about cost and service quality. Our answers to the frequently asked questions are a good starting point for learning more.
Our research indicates that AAA offers the most budget-friendly car insurance in Wisconsin with a basic liability plan. However, the best choice varies based on personal circumstances. The average annual cost for comprehensive car insurance in Wisconsin is about $1,063.
Opting for AAA's minimum coverage can save money, but it provides limited protection and might not cover all medical or repair costs after an accident. For a better balance of cost and quality, Acuity offers the best overall car insurance in Wisconsin. A full coverage policy can offer adequate protection and reliable customer service at a fair price.
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.
