Everything You Need to Know About Auto Insurance in Wisconsin
Wisconsin’s oldest city, Green Bay, is one of the more iconic cities in the Midwest. Famous for hosting the Green Bay Packers, it is also well known for its three-plus billion pounds of cheese produced every year. This fact has given it the nickname “America’s Dairyland.” The city is also steeped in deep historical and nature traditions, home to top sites like Heritage Hill State Park, Oneida Nation, and the Green Bay Botanical Garden.
All Green Bay drivers must have an active auto insurance policy to drive legally in the state. Failure to do so will result in a driver’s license and registration suspension, fines, reinstatement fees, and plenty of aggravation. Keep reading to learn more about car insurance in Wisconsin, including available discounts, average premiums paid by zip code, and the minimum insurance requirements required to drive in Wisconsin.
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How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Green Bay, WI?
Green Bay drivers pay an average monthly premium of $80 for full coverage, lower than the state average of $90 and the national average of $147. The state minimum averages $34 monthly, quite a bit less than the national average of $48.
Why is Insurance Cheaper in Wisconsin?
Fortunately for those who reside here, Wisconsin tends to have fewer natural disasters than some other states, making premiums for insurance less. Hurricanes that hit coastline states cause a lot of damage and resulting claims for insurers.
Another factor that can lead to higher rates in traffic density, especially on highways where the greatest damage can be caused by a wreck. Wisconsin has a lower risk of these types of crashes, due to less cars traveling on the highways.
Finally, car thieves just aren’t as active in Wisconsin (maybe it’s hard to find the cars under the snow). Due to a less than average risk of your car being stolen, as a cheese head you may enjoy lower rates than some other cities and states.
Comparing Auto Rates Across Wisconsin Cities
For the average monthly premium paid in Wisconsin cities, check out our breakdown below.
City | Full Coverage Insurance | Liability Insurance Coverage |
---|---|---|
Green Bay | $92 | $34 |
Madison | $104 | $36 |
Milwaukee | $192 | $65 |
Oshkosh | $96 | $35 |
Waukesha | $100 | $39 |
Affordable Car Insurance Rates by Zip Code in Green Bay, WI
Different zip codes in Green Bay pay different premiums thanks to risk factors like the number of thefts, claims, and demographic skew.
Here are the average monthly premiums paid by Green Bay residents by zip code.
Zip Code | Full Coverage Insurance | Liability Insurance Coverage |
---|---|---|
54301 | $92 | $34 |
54302 | $92 | $33 |
54303 | $93 | $34 |
54304 | $92 | $33 |
54308 | $93 | $34 |
54311 | $92 | $33 |
54313 | $90 | $32 |
Low-Cost Car Insurance Rates by Age in Green Bay, WI
One of the main factors insurance companies use when determining your premiums is your age. Younger drivers pay higher premiums than older drivers, thanks to shorter driving records and a higher claims rate.
Here are the average monthly premiums paid by Green Bay residents by age.
Age | Full Coverage Insurance | Liability Insurance Coverage |
---|---|---|
Teenagers | $391 | $143 |
20s | $106 | $37 |
30s | $91 | $33 |
40s | $88 | $34 |
50s | $85 | $33 |
60s | $85 | $34 |
70s | $104 | $43 |
Unless otherwise specified, we use the following methodology to arrive at our average cost: male, age 30, lowest possible legal coverage allowed by Wisconsin. Your rates will be determined by several factors, including your age, your gender and the amount of coverage you want to purchase.
Driving Conditions in Green Bay, WI
How Many FataI Accidents Happen in Green Bay?
In 2019, there were two fatal road traffic accidents in Green Bay involving three people, including one pedestrian.
How Are the Road Infrastructure and Bridges in Green Bay, Wisconsin?
Green Bay has an active Public Works Department dedicated to maintaining all city streets, responsible for more than 415 miles of area (including 142 miles of primary streets).
Its Traffic Division also works to maintain all traffic signals and street lights. For this purpose, work is divided into four departments: Engineering, Electrical, Signing /Marking, and Communications. Other efforts include neighborhood traffic calming (e.g., speed bumps and educational programs) and enforcement of on-street parking zones.
For more information on Green Bay’s Public Works Department, visit the City of Green Bay – Public Works.
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Minimum Car Insurance Requirements in Green Bay, Wisconsin
All Green Bay drivers must carry the following minimum liability limits:
- $25,000 bodily injury coverage per person
- $50,000 bodily injury coverage per accident
- $10,000 property damage per accident
- $25,000/$50,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per person/per accident
Full coverage includes comprehensive and collision coverage, both first-party benefits that cover your own damages caused by vehicle-to-vehicle, vehicle-to-object, and rollover collisions (collision coverage).
It also covers the cost of damages due to things outside of your control, such as theft, vandalism, and falling objects (comprehensive coverage).
In Wisconsin, drivers are required to carry uninsured motorist coverage. This is a great protection to have for the small price it adds to your policy.
What Are the Penalties for Driving Without Insurance in Green Bay, WI?
We highly advise not driving without an active auto insurance policy in Green Bay.
If caught at a traffic stop with a non-existent or lapsed auto insurance coverage, you may face a $500 fine, a $60 license reinstatement fee, and a registration and driver’s license suspension until you provide proof of insurance. Presenting fraudulent proof of insurance will up that penalty to a whopping $5,000.
Worst, you must file SR-22 insurance for the next three years. After that, expect high premiums (doubling or tripling in some cases, depending on the offense), which will lower over time as long as you maintain a clean driving record.
Remember, proof of insurance means presenting it in paper or electronic format.
Wisconsin’s required minimum liability limits for bodily injury is $25,000 per person/ $50,000 per accident versus $10,000 per accident for property damage and $25,000 per person/ $50,000 per accident for uninsured motorist coverage.
How Does Car Insurance in Wisconsin Work?
Wisconsin is an at-fault state, meaning whoever is found to be the cause of an accident is responsible for damages to the other parties. When you purchase the cheapest insurance in Wisconsin, the minimum liability, your insurance company will only kick in to help pay for damages and injuries to other parties if you cause a wreck. Let’s take a look at that.
The minimum requirement for property damage liability is $10,000. You may think you will never need it because you are a very careful and safe driver. But what if you hydroplane on a wet road and smash into someone’s brand new car? Most new cars cost upwards of $30,000 these days. Your insurer will kick in $10,000 (minus your deductible) and you’ll have to pay for the rest out of pocket.
And that’s not all. You’ll have to pay for your repairs because your liability will never cover your own damages.
You can choose to purchase more insurance, such as full and other optional coverages, for better protection. And you can choose to increase the limits of your liability, which will give you more financial protection. Most liability policies are written for:
- $100,000/$300,000 – bodily injury per person/per accident
- $50,000 or $100,000 – property damage
This increase offers more peace of mind.
Car Insurance Factors Allowed in Green Bay, WI
Every auto insurance provider has proprietary underwriting criteria that assesses the risk profile of every policyholder on its roster. Key deciding factors used by insurers include age, gender, zip code of residence, and driving record.
Other factors allowed in determining insurance premiums include:
- Marital status
- Amount of deductible
- Liability limits
- Available discounts
- Number of in-vehicle safety features
- Driving an older make and model vehicle
Discounts for Car Insurance in Green Bay, Wisconsin
If you want to save a few dollars off of your next monthly bill, take advantage of discounts offered by most auto insurance companies.
Discounts available include but are not limited to the following:
One of our favorite auto insurance discounts is the “Good Driver” discount, typically awarded to drivers with a clean driving record (no claims or moving violations) within the last three to five years. Another solid option is a multi-policy (“bundling”) discount, offered when purchasing two or more policies from the same insurer.
Remember to call your auto insurance provider every six months to see if you qualify for any new discounts. Unfortunately, not all of them are awarded automatically, so you have to do a little work to get them.
Get an Online Quote for Affordable Car Insurance in Green Bay, WI Today!
All Green Bay drivers can benefit from an affordable state minimum liability or full coverage policy from Freeway Insurance.
Get started with Freeway Insurance by requesting a quote online, visiting a nearby Green Bay office, or calling 800-777-5620 to speak with one of our friendly agents about your coverage options. Give us a call today!