Wisconsin Car Insurance: An EZ Guide to Car Insurance Requirements

Every state has its own set of insurance guidelines, and Wisconsin is no exception. For complete information concerning auto insurance in Wisconsin residents can contact the Wisconsin Commissioner of Insurance located in Madison by calling (800) 236-8517 or by visiting their website at http://oci.wi.gov.

All Wisconsin residents are required to carry uninsured motorist insurance. This will provide recompense for drivers who are involved in an accident for which a driver who does not possess liability insurance is responsible. Without this coverage these drivers would have no other option but to pay for their medical expenses and repair bills themselves and attempt to recoup their losses from the personal assets of the individual responsible.

Liability insurance is not required in Wisconsin (hence the need for uninsured motorist insurance); however, it is strongly suggested that all drivers purchase liability insurance, as the prospect of being held financially liable for the gigantic expense of medical and repair bills resulting from an accident can be a daunting one. Minimum levels of liability available in WI are twenty five thousand dollars for injuries suffered by a single driver, fifty thousand dollars for the combined medical expenses of all of the occupants of the vehicle and ten thousand dollars for all property damages, including damage to the vehicle of the victim. Since these expenses can quickly rise above these levels and the insured will still be held personally responsible for the excess it is recommended that when purchasing liability more than the minimum level be obtained.

Also not required is collision and comprehensive insurance (unless a vehicle is under lien); however, collision insurance can be invaluable. When a driver is responsible for an accident they may have liability to pay for the repairs needed by the other driver’s vehicle; however, they are left holding the bag for the full expense of their own. WI Collision insurance will pay for this expense up to the Kelley Blue Book value of the car, and should damages be in excess of this amount the vehicle will be declared totaled and the owner awarded the cash value of the vehicle. For those vehicles whose lien balance exceeds their Blue Book value consumers may have the option of purchasing gap coverage, which will make up the difference in the event that a vehicle must be totaled.