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Last updated: October 9, 2024
Best Car Insurance in Wisconsin
A survey of the best providers in Wisconsin by cost, customer service score, coverage, and more
Best Cheap Auto Insurance in Wisconsin
If you’re seeking the cheapest option in Wisconsin, you should start with Erie, which offers the state’s lowest full coverage rate ($986).
Best Auto Insurance for Teens in Wisconsin
Teens and parents of teens can take advantage of State Farm’s low prices, safe driver discounts, and teen driving program, Steer Clear.
Best Auto Insurance for Motorcyclists in Wisconsin
GEICO offers affordable rates and excellent motorcycle incentives, like offseason insurance, for the many motorcyclists in Wisconsin.
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Although Wisconsinites enjoy some of the most affordable average premiums in the country, you may have experienced premium increases in your last renewal period. In 2023, auto insurance rates increased by about 20 percent nationwide, and those premium hikes will likely continue to surge in 2024.1
If you’re looking to curb costly auto insurance prices, Erie offers the lowest average annual rates ($986) in Wisconsin. Our recommendation will cover the best insurance companies based on coverage, cost, discounts, local availability, and more for teen drivers, seniors, drivers with a bad record, motorcycle riders, and people looking for budget-friendly options in Wisconsin.
Average Rate in Wisconsin
Wisconsin is home to some of the cheapest car insurance rates in the country. At $1,188 annually for full coverage, Wisconsin’s average premium is nearly half the national average ($2,071). Rates will likely increase in 2024, but you can still expect your rates to be lower than the average.
Average Annual Premiums Across Wisconsin’s Biggest Cities
With an average annual rate of $1,032 for full coverage, Appleton offers the cheapest average rate out of Wisconsin’s seven largest cities. Providers charge $1,356 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin’s largest city, and $1,500 in Racine, making Racine the most expensive large city for auto insurance.
| City | Monthly average premium | Annual average premium |
|---|---|---|
| Appleton | $86 | $1,032 |
| Waukesha | $94 | $1,128 |
| Green Bay | $98 | $1,176 |
| Madison | $104 | $1,248 |
| Milwaukee | $113 | $1,356 |
| Kenosha | $123 | $1,476 |
| Racine | $125 | $1,500 |
Comparison of the Best Auto Insurance Companies in Wisconsin
| Feature | Erie | State Farm | GEICO | American Family | AAA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average annual rate in Wisconsin | $986 | $1,272 | $1,367 | $1,160 | $1,235 |
| Customer Satisfaction Index Ranking out of 1,000 (J.D. Power) | 844 | 837 | 831 | 819 | 786 |
| Best for | People on a budget | Teens and parents of teens | Motorcycle riders | People with a spotty driving history | Older Americans |
| Agents in Wisconsin | 100+ | 100+ | 1 | 25+ | 20+ |
| Review | Erie review | State Farm review | GEICO review | N/A | AAA review |
Summary of the Best Auto Insurance in Wisconsin
- 1.
Best Cheap Auto Insurance in Wisconsin: Erie
- 2.
Best Auto Insurance for Teens in Wisconsin: State Farm
- 3.
Best Auto Insurance for Motorcyclists in Wisconsin: GEICO
- 4.
Best Auto Insurance for Drivers With a Bad Record: American Family
- 5.
Best Auto Insurance for Seniors in Wisconsin: AAA
Detailed List of the Best Auto Insurance in Wisconsin
1. Best Cheap Auto Insurance in Wisconsin - Erie
What We Like Most:
- Low rates for teen drivers on a family policy
- High claims and customer service satisfaction
- Rate Lock options prevent premium increases, even after an accident
Along with offering the cheapest auto insurance rates in the state, Erie has several perks, like pet and travel insurance, that come with every auto insurance plan.
Who It's Best For
- People on a budget
- People seeking full coverage insurance
- Someone who wants to work with a local agent
- Safe drivers
Who It's Not Best For
- Someone with a bad driving record
- People who want to manage their insurance online
Cheapest Provider in Wisconsin
If you’re looking for the overall cheapest provider for full coverage, Erie is your best bet. Erie boasts the cheapest average annual rates in the state ($986), while Allstate is the most expensive on average ($1,824).
| Company | Monthly average premium | Annual average premium |
|---|---|---|
| Erie | $82 | $986 |
| American Family | $97 | $1,160 |
| AAA | $103 | $1,235 |
| State Farm | $106 | $1,272 |
| GEICO | $114 | $1,367 |
| Progressive | $133 | $1,600 |
| Allstate | $152 | $1,824 |
Rate Lock Feature
Concerned about your rates going up at your next renewal period? Erie has a rate lock feature that ensures your prices stay low even after an accident. With the rate lock feature, your premium won’t increase at your next renewal unless you add a new vehicle or driver to your policy.
Excellent Customer Service
Erie has the region’s second-highest J.D. Power Customer Service score. Its 844 score is nearly 20 points higher than the regional average.
J.D. Power ranks auto insurance providers based on claims satisfaction, customer reviews, how long it takes to fulfill a repair, and customer experience when communicating with insurance providers. Its 2023 study was based on responses from more than 40,000 car insurance customers.
2. Best Auto Insurance for Teens in Wisconsin - State Farm
What We Like Most:
- Multiple discounts for safe driving, including one specifically for young drivers
- Local agents
- Discounts for multiple cars
State Farm is the third-largest car insurance company in Wisconsin. It offers affordable average rates, the best rates for teens, several discounts, and a long history as one of the country’s largest providers.
Who It's Best For
- Teens
- Safe drivers
- Drivers with a bad credit score
Who It's Not Best For
- Teens with an accident on their record
- People who want gap insurance
Best Rates for Teens in Wisconsin
Teens pay the highest rates out of any age group because younger drivers file more claims, get into more accidents, and receive more tickets than any other age group on average. If you’re under the age of 21, State Farm will offer the cheapest average rates for full coverage in Wisconsin ($2,640).
| Company | Monthly average premium | Annual average premium |
|---|---|---|
| State Farm | $220 | $2,640 |
| Auto-Owners | $232 | $2,784 |
| GEICO | $257 | $3,084 |
| Erie | $261 | $3,132 |
| American Family | $264 | $3,168 |
| Secura | $279 | $3,348 |
Big Savings
If you want to bring you or your teen’s costs down, you should ask your agent about your discount eligibility. State Farms has several general and teen-focused discounts that can bring costly teen premiums down.
Here are a few ways to save with State Farm:
- Good driver: You may earn a discount if no one in your house has any claims on their record.
- Vehicle safety: If your vehicle hasn’t had any claims on its record in the past seven years, you may be eligible for a discount.
- Drive Safe & Save: Complete State Farm’s usage-based program, Drive Safe & Save, and you could earn up to 30 percent on your car insurance.
- Multi-vehicle: Insure two cars on your policy, and you can earn a discount.
- Steer Clear: Steer Clear is a safety program geared for young and new drivers. If you complete the Steer Clear program, you can save up to 20 percent on your car insurance.
Pro Tip:
If you’re a parent of a teen, you will pay far less for car insurance by adding your teen to your policy instead of getting an entirely new policy. Signing up for a new policy for your teen can be twice as expensive as adding them to your plan.
Teen Safety Program
State Farm’s teen safety program, Steer Clear, is a great way to improve your or your teen’s driving habits while saving on your car insurance (up to 20 percent).
You can complete Steer Clear’s six-month program by finishing a set of training modules, driving at least five hours over 10 trips, and having a family member or friend monitor your driving habits. Steer Clear teaches you how to avoid distractions on the road, merge safely on crowded streets, maintain your vehicle over time, and drive safely in bad weather.
3. Best Auto Insurance for Motorcyclists in Wisconsin - GEICO
What We Like Most:
- Save money with defensive driving courses
- Cheapest rates after a speeding ticket
- Save by installing safety equipment
GEICO is known for its cheap auto insurance rates, but it’s also the cheapest provider for motorcyclists in Wisconsin. With perks for motorcycle affiliate members, offseason motorcycle insurance, and excellent mobile app features, it’s our top pick for riders in Wisconsin.
Who It's Best For
- Motorcycle riders
- People who want to manage their policy online
- People who want to keep their bike insured in the motorcycle offseason
- Experienced riders
Who It's Not Best For
- People who want to work with a local agent
- Owners of a specialty or classic bike
Did You Know?
Wisconsin has 5,426 motorcycle riders per 100,000 residents, making it the fourth-most-populous state for bikers per capita. If you’re one of the more than 300,000 riders in Wisconsin, check out our guide on the best motorcycle insurance in the country.2
Cheapest Average Rate for Riders
GEICO is the cheapest provider for motorcyclists in Wisconsin. Its average rates are $332 annually, which is about $200 cheaper than the state average of $520.
| Company | Average monthly cost for motorcycle insurance | Average annual cost for motorcycle insurance |
|---|---|---|
| GEICO | $28 | $332 |
| Nationwide | $30 | $357 |
| Dairyland | $46 | $553 |
| Allstate | $55 | $659 |
| Progressive | $58 | $701 |
Offseason Motorcycle Insurance
Some providers discontinue motorcycle insurance during the winter months, making your bike vulnerable to theft, vandalism, flooding, and other hazards.
With GEICO, you can keep your bike insured even when you keep it garaged during the offseason.
Motorcycle Affiliation Benefits
GEICO has partnerships with the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF), providing MSF members up to 20 percent off their policy with GEICO. Even if you aren’t a member, you can earn up to 10 percent off your motorcycle insurance by completing an MSF safety course.
4. Best Auto Insurance for Drivers With a Bad Record - American Family
What We Like Most:
- Add-on roadside assistance
- Will pay for a rental car if yours is in the shop
- Diminishing deductibles
American Family has been serving customers since 1927, providing insurance for auto, home, motorcycles, and more. It serves 17 percent of Wisconsin’s drivers, making it the second-largest auto insurance company in the state. On average, it offers the best rates for drivers with a bad record.
Who It's Best For
- People with a bad driving record
- People who want usage-based insurance
- Drivers who want to bundle auto insurance and home
- People who drive fewer than 7,500 miles per year
Who It's Not Best For
- People who want extensive coverage add-ons
Cheapest After an Accident
Car insurance providers increase their rates by about 50 percent after an accident in Wisconsin. If you have an accident on your record, you should ask for a quote from American Family, as its rates are about $400 cheaper than the average after an accident ($2,047).
| Company | Monthly average premium | Annual average premium |
|---|---|---|
| American Family | $132 | $1,584 |
| Erie | $146 | $1,752 |
| AAA | $162 | $1,944 |
| GEICO | $168 | $2,016 |
| State Farm | $171 | $2,052 |
| Progressive | $202 | $2,424 |
| Allstate | $213 | $2,556 |
Cheapest After a DUI
Similar to after an accident, car insurance providers increase their rates by about 50 percent on average after a DUI. Again, American Family has the cheapest average rates for drivers with a DUI on their record.
| Company | Monthly average premium | Annual average premium |
|---|---|---|
| American Family | $139 | $1,668 |
| Erie | $150 | $1,800 |
| Travelers | $154 | $1,848 |
| AAA | $166 | $1,992 |
| State Farm | $180 | $2,160 |
| Progressive | $211 | $2,532 |
| Allstate | $224 | $2,688 |
Did You Know?
Nearly half of all fatal crashes in Wisconsin (546 total) involved a speeding or impaired driver. Also, 595 people lost their lives in 128,296 crashes, many of which could have been prevented if drivers weren’t impaired, speeding, or not wearing their seatbelts.3
Long List of Discounts
If you have a bad driving record, it’s important to take advantage of as many discounts as you can. With American Family, you can save with a sizable bundling discount, low-mileage discount, usage-based insurance program, and more.
Here are a few of American Family’s discounts:
- Pay-How-You-Drive Safe Driving Program: Earn up to 10 percent off for completing American Family’s usage-based insurance program.
- Home bundling discount: You can save 23 percent on your car insurance when you bundle auto and home.
- Good student discount: Maintain a 3.0 GPA, and you may be able to save on your premium.
- Low-mileage discount: Drive fewer than 7,500 miles per year, and you might earn a discount.
- Steer into savings discount: Switch to American Family from a competitor, and you’ll earn a discount on your premium.
- Auto safety discount: Features like factory-installed airbags and anti-theft systems will help you save on your auto insurance.
5. Best Auto Insurance for Seniors in Wisconsin - AAA
What We Like Most:
- Roadside assistance available
- Bundling can save you money
- Low rates for good driving records
Known for its roadside assistance service and auto clubs, the American Automobile Association (AAA) has grown into one of the country’s largest car insurance providers. In Wisconsin, it offers excellent rates for seniors and attractive membership perks.
Who It's Best For
- Older Americans
- People with an AAA membership
- People who want roadside assistance
- People who want to bundle their policies
Who It's Not Best For
- Someone with a DUI on their record
- Non-AAA members
Best Rates for Older Americans
Auto insurance rates tend to increase as drivers reach their 60s and 70s, which means the cheapest providers in your 40s may not be the same as you get older.
In Wisconsin, AAA offers the cheapest average rates for seniors.
| Company | Monthly average premium | Annual average premium |
|---|---|---|
| AAA | $119 | $1,428 |
| Erie | $123 | $1,476 |
| State Farm | $131 | $1,572 |
| GEICO | $137 | $1,644 |
| Travelers | $154 | $1,848 |
| Progressive | $162 | $1,944 |
| Nationwide | $175 | $2,100 |
Several Coverage Options
If you’re looking to get additional coverage for your vehicle, AAA has a long list of robust add-ons. Here are a few additional coverage options you can choose from:
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
- Comprehensive coverage
- Collision coverage
- Excess medical payments
- Accidental death and dismemberment coverage
- Rental reimbursement
- New-car replacement
- Gap insurance
- Custom equipment cost
Bundle and Save
Whether you own or rent your home/condo, AAA will give you a discount when you bundle your policies.
Here’s how you can save by bundling with AAA:
- Auto and home: Combine your home insurance with auto, and you can earn up to 15 percent off your auto insurance and 20 percent off your home insurance.
- Auto and condo: You can save up to 10 percent on your car insurance and 20 percent on your condo insurance when you combine policies.
- Auto and renters: Bundle auto and renters, and you’ll save up to 8 percent on your car insurance and 20 percent on your renters policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wisconsin an at-fault state?
Yes, Wisconsin is an at-fault state, which means the driver responsible for an accident is also required to cover the other party’s damages and injuries. If you’re responsible for less than 51 percent of an accident, you can receive compensation from the other party.
What are the minimum insurance requirements in Wisconsin?
Here’s what you’re required to obtain in Wisconsin:
- $25,000 bodily injury per person
- $50,000 bodily injury per accident
- $10,000 property damage
- $25,000 uninsured motorist coverage per person
- $50,000 uninsured motorist coverage per accident4
Which company offers the cheapest insurance for minimum liability?
With rates starting as low as $28 per month for liability-only insurance, Erie is the cheapest minimum liability provider in the state.
How likely is it to get caught drunk driving in Wisconsin?
According to data from the FBI arrest figures and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Wisconsin has the 10th-highest DUI arrest rate, with 425 arrests per 100,000 residents.
Methodology
- Proprietary data: For over two decades, we’ve helped customers find affordable insurance that meets their unique needs. We’ve collected millions of data points from those interactions, providing us with insights to understand which providers have had the greatest success with specific customers in Wisconsin. Those numbers allow us to make data-driven recommendations on the best and most affordable coverages for drivers in Wisconsin.
- Public studies: Public studies from J.D. Power, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, AM Best, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and others provide us with rankings on customer service, financial strength, size, and other key insurance metrics.
- Insider knowledge: We’ve had 20 years of experience in the auto insurance industry, which gives us the background and expertise we need to build institutional knowledge. On top of that, we consult with Paul Ford, president of insurance at Centerfield. Paul has 30 years of experience in the industry, with tenures at Canadian Access, Insurance Services, NetQuote, Datalot, and others.
Staff Writer & Editor
Ali Saleh is a copywriter with nearly 10 years of experience in content writing, editing, and journalism. Ali’s work has been featured on a number of notable sites and publications, including MSN, Business.com’s award-winning newsletter, and Groove Korea, South Korea’s largest English-print magazine. Today, he writes for dozens of brands, providing expert guides and informative articles on auto insurance, healthcare, recruiting technology, business, and more. Ali holds a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing from North Carolina State University.
Citations
Car insurance rates are up 20% nationwide due to more auto thefts, uninsured drivers, other factors. CBS News. (2023, Nov 21).
https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/car-insurance-rates-are-up-20-nationwide-due-to-more-auto-thefts-uninsured-drivers-other-factors/U.S. States With the Most Motorcycles. TitleMax. (2024).
https://www.titlemax.com/discovery-center/planes-trains-and-automobiles/u-s-states-with-the-most-motorcycles/2021 Wisconsin Traffic Crash Facts. Wisconsin Department of Transportation. (2024).
https://www.content.dot.wi.gov/content/crashfacts/2021/Minimum insurance requirements. State of Wisconsin Department of Transportation. (2024).
https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/dmv/license-drvs/rcd-crsh-rpt/Auto-insurance.aspx
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