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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
Erie Insurance Logo

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
State Farm Logo

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 Logo

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. 1.

    Best Cheap Auto Insurance in Wisconsin: Erie

  2. 2.

    Best Auto Insurance for Teens in Wisconsin: State Farm

  3. 3.

    Best Auto Insurance for Motorcyclists in Wisconsin: GEICO

  4. 4.

    Best Auto Insurance for Drivers With a Bad Record: American Family

  5. 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
Erie Insurance Logo

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.

ProsWho It's Best For
  • pro
    People on a budget
  • pro
    People seeking full coverage insurance
  • pro
    Someone who wants to work with a local agent
  • pro
    Safe drivers
ConsWho It's Not Best For
  • con
    Someone with a bad driving record
  • con
    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.

ProsWho It's Best For
ConsWho It's Not Best For
  • con
    Teens with an accident on their record
  • con
    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.

ProsWho It's Best For
  • pro
    Motorcycle riders
  • pro
    People who want to manage their policy online
  • pro
    People who want to keep their bike insured in the motorcycle offseason
  • pro
    Experienced riders
ConsWho It's Not Best For
  • con
    People who want to work with a local agent
  • con
    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
American Family Logo

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.

ProsWho It's Best For
  • pro
    People with a bad driving record
  • pro
    People who want usage-based insurance
  • pro
    Drivers who want to bundle auto insurance and home
  • pro
    People who drive fewer than 7,500 miles per year
ConsWho It's Not Best For
  • con
    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.

ProsWho It's Best For
  • pro
    Older Americans
  • pro
    People with an AAA membership
  • pro
    People who want roadside assistance
  • pro
    People who want to bundle their policies
ConsWho It's Not Best For
  • con
    Someone with a DUI on their record
  • con
    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.

Citations

  1. 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/

  2. 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/

  3. 2021 Wisconsin Traffic Crash Facts. Wisconsin Department of Transportation. (2024).
    https://www.content.dot.wi.gov/content/crashfacts/2021/

  4. Minimum insurance requirements. State of Wisconsin Department of Transportation. (2024).
    https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/dmv/license-drvs/rcd-crsh-rpt/Auto-insurance.aspx