Drivers in Wisconsin enjoy some of the most beautiful scenery in the country. On top of that, the car insurance that helps financially protect them is lower than the national average. Even with cheap car insurance rates, drivers should review more than just a company’s premium when shopping for coverage. To help determine the best car insurance company for their needs, drivers may want to consider a carrier’s coverage options, financial strength, and customer satisfaction ratings.
The 4 Best Car Insurance Companies in Wisconsin
To find the best car insurance in Wisconsin, we looked at average 2021 rates from Bankrate.com. We also factored in each company’s J.D. Power customer satisfaction score, AM Best financial strength rating, available coverages, and discount traits.
- USAA: Best for Military-Centric Options
- State Farm: Best for Local Agents
- Travelers: Best for Optional Coverages
- Progressive: Best for Discounts
Compare the Best Car Insurance Companies in Wisconsin
While we chose these four carriers as some of the best in the state based on our research methodology, the best carrier for you could vary depending on what features you are looking for. Shopping around and comparing auto insurance quotes can be a good way to find the best fit for your needs.
| Average Annual Minimum Coverage Premium* | Average Annual Full Coverage Premium* | AM Best AM Best rates insurance providers creditworthiness. Ratings are based on the provider’s ability to follow through with a payout when a consumer files a claim. | J.D. Power** J.D. Power scores are based on surveys for customer satisfaction and product quality. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pin USAA | $199 | $785 | A++ | 895** | |
| Pin State Farm | $231 | $785 | A++ | 851 | |
| Pin Travelers | $308 | $886 | A++ | 825 | |
| Pin Progressive | $277 | $919 | A+ | 842 |
Information accurate as of March 2022
*2021 premium data provided by Bankrate.com
**J.D. Power’s 2021 U.S. Auto Insurance Satisfaction study for the North Central Region. Based on a 1,000-point scale. USAA is not eligible for official ranking due to eligibility restrictions.
USAA
Best for Military-Centric Options
Why We Chose It
Why we chose it
Pros
- Low average full and minimum coverage premiums
- High J.D. Power customer satisfaction score
- Superior AM Best financial strength
Cons
- Eligibility restrictions
- Limited discounts advertised
- Limited add-on options advertised
Other Policies Offered
- Home
- Flood
- Motorcycle
- ATV
- Life
Standout Discounts Available
- Good student
- Clean driving record
- Military installation
- Emergency deployment
State Farm
Best for Local Agents
Why We Chose It
Why we chose it
Pros
- Local agents available
- Numerous discounts
- Low average premiums
Cons
- Fewer optional coverages than some competitors
- No gap coverage
- Higher-than-average overall complaint index score from the NAIC
Other Policies Offered
- Home
- Condo
- Business owners
- Boat
- Pet medical
Standout Discounts Available
- Drive Safe & Save
- Steer Clear
- Student at school
- Accident-free
Travelers
Best for Optional Coverages
Why We Chose It
Why we chose it
Pros
- Numerous endorsements available
- Numerous discounts available
- Superior AM Best financial strength
Cons
- Lower-than-average J.D. Power customer satisfaction score
- Lower-than-average J.D. Power claims satisfaction score
- Rideshare coverage not available in Wisconsin
Other Policies Offered
- Home
- Landlord
- Travel
- Pet medical
- Valuable items
Standout Discounts Available
- Homeownership
- Hybrid/electric car
- Continuous insurance
- Early quote
Progressive
Best for Discounts
Why We Chose It
Why we chose it
Pros
- Numerous discounts offered
- Higher-than-average J.D. Power customer satisfaction score
- May have options for high-risk drivers
Cons
- Average full coverage premium is the highest on our list
- Financial strength is not as high as some other carriers
- Below-average J.D. Power claims satisfaction score
Other Policies Offered
- Boat
- Classic car
- Mexico auto
- Mobile home
- Life
Standout Discounts Available
- Snapshot
- Online quote
- Sign online
- Paperless
*2021 premium data provided by Bankrate.com
**J.D. Power’s 2021 U.S. Auto Insurance Satisfaction study for the North Central Region. Based on a 1,000-point scale. USAA is not eligible for official ranking due to eligibility restrictions.
The Average Cost of Car Insurance in Wisconsin
According to 2021 data from Bankrate.com, full coverage car insurance costs an average of $1,186 per year in Wisconsin, and minimum coverage costs an average of $332 per year. Compared to the national averages of $1,674 and $565, respectively, Wisconsin drivers pay quite a bit less for car insurance, on average. This could be due to the rural nature of much of the state; fewer cars on the road generally means fewer accidents.
Top 3 Cheapest Car Insurance Companies in Wisconsin
| Company | Average Annual Full Coverage Premium* |
| USAA | $785 |
| State Farm | $785 |
| Pekin | $862 |
*Data from Bankrate.com
Top 3 Most Expensive Car Insurance Companies in Wisconsin
| Company | Average Annual Full Coverage Premium* |
| Sentry | $2,020 |
| Allstate | $1,594 |
| Chubb | $1,559 |
*Data from Bankrate.com
Top 3 Cheapest Cities for Car Insurance in Wisconsin
| City | Average Annual Full Coverage Premium* |
| Kimberly | $961 |
| Combined Locks | $963 |
| Sheboygan Falls | $965 |
*Data from Bankrate.com
Top 3 Most Expensive Cities for Car Insurance in Wisconsin
| City | Average Annual Full Coverage Premium* |
| Milwaukee | $1,525 |
| Brown Deer | $1,488 |
| Shorewood | $1,397 |
*Data from Bankrate.com
Key Things to Know About Car Insurance in Wisconsin
While shopping for insurance doesn’t have to be difficult, understanding a few basic things about your state can help make the process easier. For example, Wisconsin has a relatively high estimated percentage of uninsured drivers at 13.3%, so you may want to consider opting for higher-than-state-minimum uninsured motorist coverage. Because of the state’s northern location, you might also want to think about winter weather risks to your car and how to insure against them.
Wisconsin Car Insurance Requirements
Wisconsin requires that drivers carry an auto insurance policy with at least the following minimum coverages and limits:
- $25,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $10,000 property damage liability per accident
- $25,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
- $50,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
Your insurance agent may recommend that you purchase higher coverage limits if you can afford them. Minimum limits will allow you to drive legally, but offer very little financial protection.
Car Insurance Coverage Options
If you have a loan or lease on your vehicle, you’ll probably need comprehensive coverage and collision coverage on your policy. Adding these two coverages makes your policy “full coverage,” and most financial institutions require full coverage. Even if your car is paid off, you might still want to consider full coverage, or at least comprehensive. Comprehensive coverage could pay for damage to your vehicle caused by snow, ice, summer storms, or hitting a deer.
Depending on the company you choose and your lifestyle, you might also want to add some true extras — meaning these coverages aren’t likely to be required by your state or lender — to your policy. Things like roadside assistance, car rental coverage, ridesharing coverage, and gap coverage could be good to have, depending on your circumstances. Working with a licensed insurance professional could help you figure out the best options for you.
Frequently asked questions
Methodology
Reviews.com reviews products, services, and companies based on five criteria to help readers understand how companies compare based on similar metrics. For the best car insurance companies, our editorial team compared affordability, customer support, coverage options, customer satisfaction scores, and online resources from each company to determine top providers.
As for average pricing, we used Bankrate.com’s data of car insurance in Wisconsin, based on the profiles of a 40-year male and female. For full coverage, the details used were the following:
- $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $50,000 property damage liability per accident
- $100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
- $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
- $500 collision deductible
- $500 comprehensive deductible
To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverage that meets each state’s requirements. Our base profile drivers own a 2019 Toyota Camry, commute five days a week, and drive 12,000 miles annually.
These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes.
About the Authors
Lizzie Nealon is an insurance writer from Charleston, South Carolina. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in political science with minors in Spanish and English from Clemson University. Her articles on auto, home and life insurance have been featured in Bankrate and Reviews.com. In her freetime, you can find her cheering on the Tigers or partially completing New Yorker crosswords.
