Your car is likely one of the biggest purchases that you will make. We’re sure that many factors went into consideration when selecting your vehicle — including safety scores and your own personal budget… along with fun extras like what type of seating you prefer and which color you want your car to be.   

Insurance is simply another component, but it’s one of the most important. Know what the minimum coverages are in your state, but also consider giving yourself extra coverage.

All drivers in Wisconsin are required to purchase both liability coverage and uninsured motorist coverage. This protects everyone on the road.    

Liability Coverage covers both bodily injury and property damage in car crashes where you, the insured, are the negligent driver.    

In Wisconsin, you may see liability coverage minimums written as 25/50/10, as that is insurance shorthand for minimums of $25,000 in bodily injury coverage per person, $50,000 in bodily injury coverage per collision, and $10,000 in property damage coverage per collision. 

While it's the law to have insurance, unfortunately, some drivers try to skate by without it (more on the consequences of breaking the law below). Uninsured Motorist Coverage then is there to help you cover expenses if you have an accident with such a driver. It can also protect against drivers with insufficient policy limits, meaning that it will typically pay the difference between the amount recovered from the other driver and the amount of the damages (up to the limit of the policy).   

In Wisconsin, Uninsured Motorist Coverage minimums are up to $25,000 per person for bodily injuries and up to $50,000 total per accident. You may also see this number written as 25/50, as that is insurance shorthand for minimums of $25,000 and $50,000. 

You can never have too much of a good thing — and you can never have too much auto insurance. You may wish to think of insurance minimums as a starting point.  

Consider not just the drivers that will be on your policy, but that unexpected things  

always can (and do) happen on the road, even if you're an amazing driver. 

Some of Wisconsin’s mandatory minimums may be higher than some states, but the limits are still relatively low in comparison to a serious collision… which leaves a driver at serious legal risk.  

In Wisconsin, bodily injury limits per person are just $25,000. Medical expenses can be high and easily exceed this figure, with bills running the gamut from medication to ambulances to x-rays to physical therapy to surgery. Twenty-five grand adds up pretty quickly. 

A $50,000 bodily injury per accident minimum is the total amount that the insurer will pay (no matter how many people are injured — or even how many cars are involved).  

Anything beyond that, the driver is left to pay. 

The Badger State has a $10,000 property damage liability coverage limit (significantly lower than most states). 10K may seem like a lot of money, but remember the average cost of a new car rings in at about $48,000 — meaning you’ll quickly exhaust this sum if the car is totaled or simply requires many pricey repairs. Of course, the property in question may not be a vehicle (or not only a vehicle) — it could also encompass any item of value that gets impacted… such as a home, trees, and more. You may wish to consider purchasing more than the minimum for extra security. 

Similarly, Uninsured Motorist Coverage minimums can also run up pretty quickly for injuries and totals per accident.  

After an accident, the person who was at fault for the collision is the one who will be liable for damages for injuries and property. 

However, sometimes, both (or more?) drivers may share the blame. In that case, drivers take a percentage of the fault. And then, even if you were considered partially negligent, you may still be able to recover some compensation for the accident. 

Per the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (i.e., Wisconsin DOT, all Wisconsin drivers and owners of motor vehicles are required to show proof of insurance at traffic stops or after a collision if requested by law enforcement. 

If you’re caught driving without insurance (or show fraudulent insurance), you can lose your license and/or face steep fines (showing fake insurance will cost you $5,000 alone). Any loss of your license also requires fees to reinstate.  

In many ways, that’s just the start of it. Because if you’re to blame for a car accident, you’re fiscally responsible for any damages or injuries you’ve caused.  

With insurance, you’ll be covered (based, of course, on the limits you’ve selected). If you go it alone, or if you have too little coverage, you may face a lawsuit if you cannot pay for the damages. It should go without saying that this is something you very much want to avoid. 

By not being insured, you’re putting yourself at substantial financial risk — perhaps even financial ruin. And you’re breaking Wisconsin’s Safety Responsibility (SR) Law, which means that along with monetary penalties, your license may also be suspended. 

Of course, you’ll have to pay additional fees to reinstate any license or vehicle registration that is revoked. 

As always, empowered drivers are safer drivers, more thoughtful drivers, and more engaged drivers. Stop an accident from ever happening and check out some of our safety tips, including:    

• Time to Replace Your Windshield Wipers? 

• Break Up With Bad Driving Habits 

• Peak Deer Season: How to Prevent Collisions 

• 5 Ways to Avoid Distracted Driving 

• How to Stay Safe While Driving in Tornado Alley 

You don’t need to be an expert on car insurance to get great coverage — just get a quote online or call our customer service team! Still, it’s always great to be well- informed. Learn more:    

• Novo Drive: The Driving Program for Generation Now 

• Novo Drive: Get Rewarded for Driving Safely 

• Auto Insurance: Transformation or Disruption     

• Current State of Auto Insurance  

What are you waiting for? Join the ride and get a quote today to see how techno-driven coverage can lower your premiums.