BestAuto InsuranceWisconsin2022The Best Car Insurance in Wisconsin for 2022
The best car insurance companies in Wisconsin offer a balance of affordability, customer satisfaction and quality coverage. In Wisconsin, MoneyGeek’s scoring system found that Erie ranks first in customer satisfaction and claims ratings among car insurers in the state.
Depending on your individual preferences, there may be different ideal options for auto insurance. Nationwide is a respectable alternative for low-mileage drivers, and GEICO is ideal for young drivers.
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Advertising & Editorial DisclosureLast Updated: 11/2/2022
Edited By |
Katherine Kurtz
Written By |
Mark Fitzpatrick
BestAuto InsuranceWisconsin2022The Best Car Insurance in Wisconsin
Best Overall - Erie
Best for Customer Service - Erie
Best for Minimum Coverage - Erie
Best for Young Drivers - GEICO
Best for Seniors - Erie
Best for Bad Driving Record - Erie
Best for Military - USAA
Best for New Cars - Erie
Best for Low-Mileage Drivers - Nationwide
MoneyGeek broke down the best insurers for drivers on a budget, for customer service and for other consumer priorities to help you find the ideal option for you.
Methodology
Why Trust MoneyGeek? Our scoring system for car insurance in Wisconsin incorporates thousands of quotes analyzed by our data scientists, as well as customer service and financial strength ratings from industry-leading market research firms. Click to learn more about how our scores are calculated out of 100.
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Quotes Analyzed
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Companies Compared
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Best Full Coverage Car Insurance Companies in Wisconsin: Overall
The best car insurance companies in Wisconsin are Erie and GEICO. Their MoneyGeek scores are as follows:
- Erie: MoneyGeek score of 86 out of 100 (approximately $759 per year)
- GEICO: MoneyGeek score of 79 out of 100 (approximately $631 per year)
Although it is excluded, USAA, with a MoneyGeek score of 100 out of 100, is the best car insurance company in Wisconsin for active-duty military or veterans. MoneyGeek scored insurers based on user satisfaction, affordability and claims ratings.
MoneyGeek also researched Wisconsin's most affordable full coverage car insurance options.
THE TOP CAR INSURANCE COMPANIES IN WISCONSIN
1
ErieBest Overall
Score:86
Erie ranks first in Wisconsin for customer satisfaction and claims. While Erie is not the cheapest option in Wisconsin, the policy comes with unique coverages, including auto security.
Average Annual Cost: $759
More About Erie
Erie received top ratings from MoneyGeek. In addition to having above-average scores for stability and cost, it has a very high user satisfaction rating. For all types of drivers, the company provides affordable policies. The auto security coverage offered by Erie means that if your car is totaled, it will be replaced with the newest model year if you’ve had it for less than two years. An Erie policy also does not penalize drivers in Wisconsin who have been claim-free for three years or more for their first at-fault accident. Beyond this, you can get rental car and/or travel reimbursement. This ensures that you will have transportation if you need it while your car is in the shop after an accident.
2
GEICO
Score:79
GEICO is the most affordable car insurer in Wisconsin, ranks third for customer satisfaction and second for claims. This policy comes with Mechanical Breakdown Insurance (MBI), setting it apart from other providers.
Average Annual Cost: $631
More About GEICO
In terms of price, reliability and discounts, GEICO has outstanding ratings. It also has an above-average rating for customer satisfaction. The company does provide reasonably priced auto insurance, despite its average complaint score. A GEICO policy allows Wisconsin drivers with cars that are less than 15 months old and that have less than 15,000 miles to opt for mechanical breakdown insurance (MBI), which pays for all car parts and systems, not just those covered by most dealer warranties. You can also get accident forgiveness with your policy to ensure your premiums won't go up as a result of your first at-fault accident. Furthermore, GEICO’s roadside assistance will pay for the cost of towing, jump starts, flat tires and lockouts.
3
State Farm
Score:79
State Farm ranks second for customer satisfaction and ties second for claims. This policy is ideal for rideshare app drivers who want coverage while working for a ridesharing company.
More About State Farm
One of the unique coverages offered by State Farm is the optional rideshare coverage which extends all coverages from your auto policy while actively working for a rideshare company. State Farm also offers coverage for rental car expenses, including meals, lodging and transport if you are responsible for an accident in your rental car up to a limit of $500.
4
American Family
Score:78
American Family is ranked third for affordability and second for claims among car insurance companies in Wisconsin. This policy is one of the few in Wisconsin with optional OEM coverage.
More About American Family
Wisconsin drivers who want additional OEM coverage can opt for this add-on with an American family policy. The Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) coverage ensures that aftermarket parts will not be used when repairs are made to your vehicle.
5
AAA
Score:72
AAA is the second most affordable auto insurance company in Wisconsin and tied for third for client satisfaction and claims. This policy offers complimentary identity theft monitoring with their AAA membership.
More About AAA
You can also opt for rental car reimbursement coverage with this policy, which reimburses you for car rentals if your car is not drivable or in the shop for repairs.
HOW WE DETERMINED THE BEST INSURANCE IN WISCONSIN
MoneyGeek collected full coverage policy quotes across providers for a sample driver to determine the best full coverage policies in Wisconsin. The average car insurance rates in Wisconsin will differ, greatly depending on your background. The claims rating and user satisfaction data in this study were obtained from J.D. Power and the NAIC. You can read our methodology for more details on sample drivers, policy and assumptions.
MoneyGeek's Wisconsin Car Insurance Resources:
Best Car Insurance in Wisconsin for Customer Service
The best auto insurers for customer service in Wisconsin are:
- Erie: MoneyGeek score of 95 out of 100
- The Hartford: MoneyGeek score of 90 out of 100
We scored providers based on claims ratings and user satisfaction while ignoring costs.
THE TOP TWO CAR INSURANCE COMPANIES IN WISCONSIN FOR SERVICE QUALITY
1
ErieBest for Customer Service
Score:95
Erie has the highest customer satisfaction and claims ratings in Wisconsin among all the providers in MoneyGeek’s study. This policy may be more costly compared to other insurers, but the higher cost is a trade-off for better service.
More About Erie
The customer satisfaction scores for Erie auto insurance are some of the highest among insurers throughout the country. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), AM Best, Consumer Reports, J.D. Power and other reputable rating organizations consistently give Erie top marks for customer service. Erie policyholders can get unique coverage options, including new car replacement coverage. With this coverage, if you’ve had your new car for less than two years and it gets totaled, it will be replaced with the newest model year. Rental car coverage is also available and covers your transportation costs while your car is being repaired after a covered event. You can also get accident forgiveness if you have three or more claim-free years with Erie.
2
The Hartford
Score:90
The Hartford tied in second for both customer satisfaction and claims ratings among auto insurers in Wisconsin.
More About The Hartford
Most independent rating organizations, including J.D. Power and the Better Business Bureau (BBB), place The Hartford among the top auto insurance providers. Overall, the company received few customer complaints, which suggests that it would be a great choice for drivers seeking a service with strong financial stability. Wisconsin drivers insured with The Hartford can opt for a full auto glass cover that covers your car’s headlights, mirrors and window repairs with no deductible. Policyholders can also get deductible modification coverage which reduces the collision deductible on your car insurance policy over time if you keep a clean driving record. Furthermore, coverages like gap insurance, rental car and/or travel reimbursement and roadside assistance are available to customers of The Hartford.
Best Car Insurance in Wisconsin for Minimum Coverage
For a minimum coverage policy that appeals to drivers on a budget in Wisconsin and only meets the state’s minimum coverage requirements, the best auto insurance companies are:
- Erie: MoneyGeek score of 89 out of 100 (approximately $343 per year)
- State Farm: MoneyGeek score of 81 out of 100 (approximately $373 per year)
MoneyGeek ranked the best car insurers in Wisconsin, balancing affordability and customer service that prioritize drivers on a budget, looking for the cheapest car insurance required by the state.
MoneyGeek’s Pick: Erie
pros
Highest customer satisfaction and claims ratings in Wisconsin.
Affordable minimum coverage policy of $343 annually.
Rental car reimbursement.
Accident forgiveness for those with three or more years without a claim.
Better car replacement for new cars less than two years old.
cons
Policyholders do not get discounts for paperless billing.
Affordability score is low at 3.8 out of 5
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Despite the driver's history, MoneyGeek's analysis revealed that Erie's insurance rates are affordable. Our analysis also looked at Wisconsin drivers' insurance premiums for those on a low budget.
Erie policyholders can take advantage of bundling discounts by having multiple policies with the insurer or insuring multiple cars with them. This insurer also offers discounts for enhanced safety features in your car, such as anti-theft devices and anti-lock brakes.
Young drivers in Wisconsin may also be eligible for a legacy discount with Erie if they were insured for consecutive years under a parent’s or guardian’s policy.
Furthermore, paying for your auto insurance in full for the year can help you earn discounts. While this might not be as convenient because it costs more upfront, it will save you money in the long run.
Read MoneyGeek's Erie Auto Insurance ReviewBest Car Insurance in Wisconsin for Young Drivers and Students
The best car insurance companies in Wisconsin for young drivers and students are GEICO and Progressive. Based on each insurer’s premium and customer service record, they received the following rating:
- GEICO: MoneyGeek score of 85 out of 100
- Progressive: MoneyGeek score of 84 out of 100
These two providers offer the best balance of affordability and customer satisfaction for young drivers or student drivers in Wisconsin. The rates for Wisconsin college and high school students who were in their late teens or early 20s were taken into account in the study.
Insurance costs for new drivers and students can be expensive. To help you save money, MoneyGeek also selected Wisconsin's cheapest young driver auto insurance.
MoneyGeek’s Pick: GEICO
pros
Most affordable company for young drivers at an average of $1,752 yearly.
Good student discount for maintaining solid grades.
Driver’s education discount for completing a driver’s education course.
MoneyGeek scores of 5 out of 5 for affordability and 4 out of 5 for customer satisfaction.
cons
MoneyGeek claim rating score of 3.5 out of 5.
No distant student discount.
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Young drivers can find affordable insurance with GEICO. Auto insurance can be costly for young drivers, but GEICO offers student drivers and young drivers affordable policy options that balance cost and quality service. Since young drivers are considered high-risk to insure, having a reliable insurer with good customer satisfaction ratings is key as they are more likely to file claims.
GEICO offers a variety of discounts to make insurance more affordable for young drivers. For example, a full-time student with a good academic record can get discounts on their policies. Students who are members of a fraternity or sorority may also be able to lower their car insurance rates. Furthermore, taking a driver’s education course can also help young drivers lower their car insurance rates.
Read MoneyGeek's GEICO Auto Insurance ReviewBest Car Insurance in Wisconsin for Seniors
Considering the price and a company's reputation among senior citizens who require exceptional customer service, MoneyGeek chose the best auto insurance companies in Wisconsin for seniors. The top options are:
- Erie: MoneyGeek score of 94 out of 100 (approximately $797 annually)
- State Farm: MoneyGeek score of 89 out of 100 (approximately $760 annually)
The company scores were calculated by taking into account expertise and affordability. MoneyGeek also found numerous affordable senior citizen auto insurance alternatives in Wisconsin.
MoneyGeek’s Pick: Erie
pros
Affordable senior insurance premiums of $797 a year
Excellent customer satisfaction and claims ratings
Has rental car and/or travel reimbursement, new car replacement and accident forgiveness
cons
Doesn’t offer roadside assistance, rideshare insurance, deductible modification or gap insurance
No senior driver or defensive driving discounts
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Erie offers reasonable coverage for senior drivers in Wisconsin, making it MoneyGeek’s top pick for seniors in the state. While Erie’s vehicle insurance rates are often affordable, discounts can further lower the price of coverage. The company doesn’t offer senior driver or defensive driving discounts, but it does provide the most well-liked auto insurance discounts. These include bundling, multiple vehicles, safe driving, an anti-theft system, defensive driving and airbag savings.
The company also offers Auto Security. With this coverage, if your new car gets totaled, Erie will replace it with the newest model as long as you’ve only had your car for less than two years. Plus, Erie customers can access accident forgiveness if they haven’t had an accident within the last three years.
Read MoneyGeek's Erie Auto Insurance ReviewBest Car Insurance in Wisconsin for Bad Driving Records
MoneyGeek ranked car insurers in Wisconsin based on the cost of car insurance with an at-fault accident and the quality of the provider’s customer service. MoneyGeek gave each top insurer the following score:
- Erie: MoneyGeek score of 90 out of 100 (approximately $944 annually)
- American Family: MoneyGeek score of 84 out of 100 (approximately $787 annually)
These companies offer the best balance of affordability and quality customer service for drivers in Wisconsin with poor driving records.
MoneyGeek also delved into the cheapest car insurance in Wisconsin for those with DUIs or poor driving records, especially those looking to save money.
MoneyGeek’s Pick: Erie
pros
Affordable full coverage policies for drivers with bad records at an average of $944 yearly.
Best customer satisfaction and claims rating among Wisconsin insurers.
Rental car and travel reimbursement.
New car replacement.
Accident forgiveness.
cons
No roadside assistance.
No gap insurance.
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Wisconsin drivers with a bad driving record can get an auto insurance policy from Erie at an average of $944 yearly. This provider has the highest ratings for customer satisfaction and offers the best balance of affordability and quality service.
Erie offers policyholders liability, comprehensive and collision coverage and the ability to select common add-on benefits. The company allows policyholders to get the following additional coverage:
- Auto Security: Erie has new car replacement coverage that will reimburse you with the newest model year if your new car is totaled if your car is less than two years old.
- Rental Car and/or Travel Reimbursement: This coverage ensures you have transportation if your car is undergoing repairs.
- Accident Forgiveness: If you have been accident-free for three years, Erie won’t raise your rates after your first accident.
Best Car Insurance in Wisconsin for a Military Background
Based on MoneyGeek’s scoring system, USAA earned a perfect score of 100 and is the best car insurance company in Wisconsin. USAA tied for first place for customer satisfaction with the best widely available insurer, Erie.
USAA ranks higher than all the other providers for affordability, claims ratings and financial stability. However, USAA is only available to former and current members of the military.
MoneyGeek’s Pick: USAA
pros
Affordable full coverage policy at $588 per year.
Rideshare gap coverage for drivers who drive for rideshare apps.
New vehicle discount if your car is less than 3 years old.
cons
Only available to veterans and active-duty military members and their families.
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
USAA has a solid reputation across the country for offering affordable policies and quality service to military members and their families. This provider ranks highest for affordability, customer satisfaction and claim ratings in Wisconsin.
The following coverages and discounts are provided by the company for the benefit of its policyholders:
- Ridesharing Gap Insurance: An ideal choice for people who want protection while they wait for a rideshare request.
- Defensive Driving: Participants who finish a course on defensive driving are eligible for a discount.
- Mileage Discounts: Discounts are given by the company based on how many miles the policyholder travels annually.
- Accident Forgiveness: USAA policyholders in Wisconsin who remain accident-free for five years or more qualify for accident forgiveness for their first at-fault accident.
Best Car Insurance in Wisconsin for Those With New Cars
MoneyGeek found Erie is the best auto insurance company with a new car in Wisconsin that offers better car replacement or new car replacement coverage. Erie got a MoneyGeek score of 86 out of 100 (costs approximately $759 annually).
Drivers with new cars in Wisconsin should consider getting a policy with new car replacement coverage or better car replacement coverage. This add-on coverage ensures that if your new car is totaled, you are reimbursed for the cost of the newest car model, not a depreciated value.
MoneyGeek’s Pick: Erie
pros
Affordable full coverage policy at an average of $759 yearly
New car replacement coverage for new cars
One of the few insurers with better car replacement coverage in Wisconsin
MoneyGeek score of 5 out of 5 for user satisfaction
cons
Relatively costly compared to other insurers in Wisconsin
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
All drivers, including those seeking full coverage plans, minimal coverage policies, young drivers and those with prior records, can find affordable insurance with Erie. Better car replacement coverage is offered from Erie as an add-on, which is rare among other insurance companies.
An Erie policy is ideal for drivers who purchase new cars and want to ensure they will be reimbursed for a new or better car in case of an accident.
If you opt for better car replacement coverage, you will be reimbursed with the latest model year provided your car is less than two years old.
The benefit of this coverage is that your car loses its value as soon as you drive it off the lot. If your insurance company reimbursed you for the depreciated value of your new car, you’d end up with a worse model.
Read MoneyGeek's Erie Auto Insurance ReviewBest Car Insurance in Wisconsin for Low-Mileage Drivers
Nationwide’s SmartMiles program is the best pay-per-mile option for low-mileage drivers in Wisconsin. Insurers are expanding the use of pay-per-mile, where drivers pay for car insurance based mostly on how many miles they drive.
MoneyGeek’s Pick: Nationwide
pros
Offers affordable rates for drivers who rarely drive.
Customer satisfaction and claim ratings of 4 out of 5.
cons
Expensive for those who drive a lot.
Low affordability ratings of 1.93 out of 5.
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
In terms of customer service, Nationwide performs averagely, and it handles complaints better than average. In comparison to the majority of other companies, the insurance rate from Nationwide is neither high nor low.
Nationwide offers drivers in Wisconsin who do not drive a lot a pay-per-mile program called SmartMiles. Nationwide’s SmartMiles program has a base rate and a variable rate depending on how many miles are driven.
The SmartMiles program also rewards you for safe driving by giving you up to 10% off by having a good driving record. However, the SmartMiles program exempts road trips where only the first 250 miles count in a single day.
The benefit of this type of program is that your rates are adjusted to how much you drive. If you don’t drive a lot, this can save you money.
Read MoneyGeek's Nationwide Auto Insurance ReviewHow to Find the Best Car Insurance in Wisconsin For You
When looking for the best auto insurance in Wisconsin, it is important to go for a provider with the best balance of affordability, customer satisfaction and financial stability. You can use MoneyGeek’s analysis to compare different insurers or look up different providers on your own.
1
Research customer service reputations in Wisconsin
MoneyGeek ranked auto insurance companies in Wisconsin based on their customer satisfaction ratings but you can also look up this information for different insurers by checking J.D. Power satisfaction scores and NAIC complaint ratios. You can also find useful information from Wisconsin’s department of insurance website.
2
Compare quotes for yourself
MoneyGeek’s quotes are averages for sample drivers in most of Wisconsin but not everywhere. To get an accurate indication of the rates for your specific profile, get at least three quotes from different providers to compare and find the best rates.
3
Make sure the company has coverages you want in Wisconsin
Insurers may advertise that they offer certain coverages or discounts, but these features may be restricted to specific states. It is important to check that the insurer offers the specific coverages you need in Wisconsin to avoid signing up for a policy that will not meet your needs.
4
Double-check financial stability ratings
Financial stability is an indicator of the insurer’s financial strength. The larger an insurer is, the more likely they are financially stable. Always check that the insurer you want to sign up with has a sound financial background.
FAQs About the Best Car Insurance in Wisconsin
There are many options for auto insurance in Wisconsin, but the best policy for you will depend on the combination of features you want. Millions of consumers continue to shop for auto insurance with questions left unanswered. We wanted to help them get the answers to those exact questions so they can make the best decision for them.
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