What Car Insurance Is Required in Wisconsin?

All Wisconsin drivers are required to carry car insurance or some other form of financial security (surety bond, personal funds, or certificate of self-insurance). Any car insurance policy must include at least the following minimum amounts of coverage:

• $25,000 liability coverage for bodily injury or death of one person in an accident caused by the owner/driver of the insured vehicle
• $50,000 liability coverage for total bodily injury or death liability in an accident caused by the owner/driver of the insured vehicle
• $10,000 liability coverage for property damage per accident caused by the owner/driver of the insured vehicle, and
• uninsured motorist coverage of $25,000 for one person and $50,000 for two ore more people injured in an accident caused by an uninsured driver.

Let's look closer at these requirements and other state car insurance rules that are sure to come up after a car accident in Wisconsin.

What Does Liability Car Insurance Cover in Wisconsin?

Liability car insurance coverage pays the medical bills, property damage bills, and other costs of drivers, passengers, and pedestrians who are injured or have their vehicle damaged in a car accident you cause, up to coverage limits.

Your liability coverage will kick in if any family member is driving your vehicle, or if you've given someone else permission to use the car. It will likely also cover you if you get into an accident in a rental car.

Remember that liability coverage doesn't apply to your own injuries or vehicle damage after a Wisconsin car accident. You'll need different (additional) coverage for that if you're involved in a car accident and no one else's coverage applies to your losses. For example, collision coverage (optional in Wisconsin) can pay for repairs to (or replacement of) your damaged vehicle after a car accident. Note that collision or comprehensive might be required under the terms of a vehicle lease or financing agreement.

Learn more about who is covered by a car insurance policy.

Do I Need More Than the Required Minimum Liability Coverage?

You can (and in some situations should) carry more coverage to protect you in case a serious crash results in significant car accident injuries and vehicle damage. Once policy limits are exhausted, you are personally on the financial hook, so higher insurance limits can help protect your personal assets in the event of a serious crash.

Do I Need Uninsured Motorist Coverage in Wisconsin?

Yes, as we touched on in the intro, you're required to carry uninsured motorist coverage (UIM) as part of any Wisconsin car insurance policy, with minimum coverage of at least $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident. This coverage will apply to cover car accident injuries suffered by you, your family, and any passengers who are in your vehicle when it's hit by an uninsured or hit-and-run driver. UIM will also cover you if you're injured by an uninsured motorist or hit-and-run driver as a pedestrian.

What Are My Claim Options After a Car Accident In Wisconsin?

After a car accident in Wisconsin, you might be able to:

• file a claim with your own car insurance company, regardless of who caused the accident, if you've got medical payments coverage (for injuries) or collision coverage (for vehicle damage)
• file what's called a "third party" claim with the other driver's insurance carrier and negotiate a settlement that covers your losses (this is usually an option if the other driver is pretty clearly at fault), or
• file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver in court (the driver's insurance coverage would still come into play here, and your lawsuit could settle out of court at any point).

Note: In no-fault car insurance states, a claimant doesn't usually have this same range of options. Wisconsin drivers don't need to worry about no-fault after an in-state accident, but no-fault could come into play after a crash that occurs across state lines in Michigan or Minnesota.

What Happens If I Drive Without Insurance in Wisconsin?

According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation:

• Driving a vehicle without insurance in Wisconsin can result in a fine of up to $500.
• Failing to show proof of insurance during a traffic stop or at the scene accident may lead to a fine of up to $10.
• Offering fraudulent proof of insurance may result in a fine of up to $5,000.

Of course, these penalties are all in addition to the serious financial jeopardy you might find yourself in if you cause a car accident and you don't have car insurance.

Is Digital Proof of Car Insurance Okay in Wisconsin?

Yes. If you're asked to show proof of car insurance in Wisconsin (during a traffic stop, for example), you can pull up official documentation from your car insurance company (such as a digital version of your insurance card) on your phone or other device. And of course, handing over a physical copy of your insurance card is still perfectly acceptable.

More Help After a Wisconsin Car Accident

It's important to understand how car insurance works in Wisconsin, but if you're involved in an accident, you might need to learn more about Wisconsin laws that could affect a car accident claim.

And if you need help with the injury claim process, it may make sense to discuss your situation (and your options) with a legal professional. Get more information on when you might need a car accident lawyer.