
5/5
Affordability
4.7/5
User Satisfaction
4.5/5
Financial Stability
Wisconsin is a tort state. This means you shoulder the expenses of the other person if you’re at fault in an accident. Having motorcycle insurance in Wisconsin helps you with those costs. Rates, however, vary depending on what carriers offer. The range in price widens further depending on which type of policy you get.
If you’re looking for an affordable option, liability-only could work for you. However, it’s important to remember that it only provides coverage for costs incurred by the other from injuries or property damage because of a covered accident. If your bike gets damaged, liability-only coverage doesn’t provide insurance for that. If you’re willing to put in a bit more money into your policy, you can opt for a full coverage policy. For most riders in Wisconsin, this is a better option because it includes collision and comprehension insurance, which protects you from damages to your bike.
For this analysis, MoneyGeek used the coverage of a good rider with 50/100/25 limits in a liability-only policy.
After gathering motorcycle insurance quotes from several carriers in Wisconsin, MoneyGeek has found that, on average, riders can purchase cheap liability-only policies from:
Progressive’s rate is around 62.8% cheaper than Harley-Davidson, the most expensive provider, which offers a policy with a similar coverage with annual coverage of $201.
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If you get into an accident, having full coverage gives you better protection. Not only does it cover the other person’s expenses from injuries and property damage if you’re at fault, but it also covers the cost of damages to your bike. A full-coverage policy also includes comprehensive insurance, which protects your motorcycle from damages to your bike even when it isn’t moving, such as vandalism or theft. Although the premium is higher, you get better protection overall. Also, if you purchase your bike using bank financing, you’re likely to need a full-coverage policy rather than liability-only. MoneyGeek used a good rider’s profile with 50/100/25 coverages with a $500 deductible for comprehensive and collision coverage in this study.
For riders looking for full coverage policies, the carrier offering cheap motorcycle insurance in Wisconsin are, on average:
On the other end of the spectrum is Nationwide, offering a full coverage policy costing an average of $559 a year. In comparison, Progressive’s rate is around 70% lower. This means you could save hundreds of dollars each year by comparing motorcycle insurance quotes in Wisconsin.
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Ensure you're getting the best rate for your motorcycle insurance. Compare quotes from the top insurance companies.
The average cost of motorcycle insurance can vary based on multiple factors. Insurers evaluate your age, type of motorcycle, coverage amounts and more when determining premiums. MoneyGeek collected quotes from multiple providers to determine average rates in Wisconsin.
On average, riders in Wisconsin pay $291 yearly for full-coverage motorcycle insurance. This is $73 or 20% less per year than the national average and provides you more coverage than a liability-only policy.
The average cost of motorcycle insurance in Wisconsin is $127 per year for a liability-only policy. This is $14 lower than the national average of $141 per year. Remember that this doesn’t cover your motorcycle or your injuries if you cause an accident.
The coverage used to determine Wisconsin averages were $25,000 for property damage and $50,000/$100,000 for bodily injury. A $500 deductible for full coverage policies, uninsured coverage and MedPay were also included.
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Ensure you're getting the best rate for your motorcycle insurance. Compare quotes from the top insurance companies.
Using a unique rating system detailed in the methodology, MoneyGeek analyzed several carriers to identify which offered the best motorcycle insurance in Wisconsin. Affordability, although an important factor, was not the only area considered in this study. We also looked at their financial strength and the portfolio of their products and services. According to the stats, Progressive is the top insurer in Wisconsin.
Based on MoneyGeek’s study, the carriers that have the best motorcycle insurance in Wisconsin are as follows:
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Progressive takes the top spot with an overall score of 97.00 out of 100. Purchasing a liability-only policy from them costs you an average of $75 per year, while a full-coverage policy costs roughly $168 each year.
Having served over 18 million customers nationwide, Progressive one of the motorcycle insurance providers in Wisconsin that offers the most affordable rates. Getting your quote in advance already makes you eligible for a discount, even if it’s just a day before your policy takes effect. Most riders prefer to pay in installments since it’s easier on the pockets, but paying in full gives you a more affordable premium. Apart from the discounts, Progressive also has several supplemental coverages that offer more protection. You can opt for Enhanced Injury Protection, which pays you $250 a week for up to two years if you can't work due to a covered accident. If an accident results in your fatality, Progressive pays your beneficiaries $25,000, similar to life insurance. They also cover damage or loss to any personal belongings you carry on your bike, which not all insurers offer.
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Dairyland earned an overall score of 89.37 out of 100, earning it second place in MoneyGeek’s rankings. A full-coverage motorcycle insurance policy in Wisconsin costs an average of $199 each year. Liability-only is cheaper, with an average annual rate of $145.
Dairyland understands how vital protection is for a rider’s motorcycle. In the years they have been in business, this is the driving force behind the various programs they offer motorcycle owners on top of standard policies. Riders who often have someone riding with them can provide coverage for their passengers with Dairyland’s Guest Passenger coverage. You can also ensure your bike's parts are replaced with ones from the original manufacturer by purchasing a supplemental coverage called Physical Damage Plus. If you’re worried about adding too much to your premium, you can offset it by looking at Dairyland’s roster of discounts. Loyalty is rewarded, which is why you get lower rates if you renew your premium or if you replace your bike with a new one and choose to insure it with them. If you used a different insurer previously, switching to Dairyland insurance makes you eligible for a transfer discount.
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Completing the list is GEICO, with a total score of 87.08. In MoneyGeek’s study, GEICO scores high on financial strength and price. Their liability-only policy is one of the most affordable at $99 per year on average. If you want to purchase a full coverage policy, it costs an average of $189 per year.
GEICO offers multiple discounts to policyholders to help them save money on their motorcycle insurance in Wisconsin. They offer discounts to riders who either transfer from another insurance carrier or renew their policy with GEICO. You can also decrease your premium if you insure more than one bike. Highlighting safety, GEICO offers a discount program for riders who complete a course from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) or the Military Safety Course. If you are an instructor in the MSF, you are eligible for a 20% discount. That said, GEICO doesn’t offer a lot of supplemental coverage beyond accessories and helmets.
To find the best possible deal on insurance, one good practice is to compare quotes from different carriers. Getting rates online is easy as long as you have the following information handy:
Ensure you're getting the best rate for your motorcycle insurance. Compare quotes from the top insurance companies.
Every state mandates a different minimum coverage limit. Part of being a responsible rider is knowing Wisconsin’s insurance laws and requirements. Your motorcycle insurance in Wisconsin should at least have the following coverages:
According to insurance laws in Wisconsin, motorcycle policies should have at least 25/50/10 coverage. This means that your insurer will pay a maximum of $50,000 for injuries in an accident, with each person having a maximum limit of $25,000. Any damage sustained by the other person’s property will be covered up to $10,000.
Your motorcycle insurance in Wisconsin should include uninsured motorist coverage. This helps you in case the rider at fault does not have insurance and cannot pay. More than this, policies in Wisconsin also require MedPay, which covers your medical bills. It is different from Personal Injury Protection (PIP), which also covers your medical expenses, but goes beyond that and includes loss of wage and more.
Although a 50/100/25 coverage fulfills Wisconsin’s insurance requirements, adding a small amount to your premium will result in a substantial coverage increase. MoneyGeek recommends increasing your limits to 100/300/100. Since uninsured motorist coverage and MedPay are also required, it’s best that their limits meet the minimum state requirement or, if possible, match your policy limits.
Being a tort state, making sure you have adequate motorcycle insurance in Wisconsin is critical. Here are several questions often asked by riders about purchasing insurance for their bikes.
Ensure you're getting the best rate for your motorcycle insurance. Compare quotes from the top insurance companies.
Top motorcycle insurance companies in Wisconsin were determined using three areas with varying weights. Affordability made up 60% of the overall score, their product portfolio contributed 30% and the remaining 10% was based on financial strength metrics from AM Best. The carriers with the most affordable motorcycle insurance rates in Wisconsin were identified by comparing several quotes. To ensure the information on insurance laws and requirements in Wisconsin is accurate and current, MoneyGeek used data from the DMV, Wisconsin’s Department of Transportation and the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance.
About Mark Fitzpatrick