Wisconsin Car Insurance Laws: Minimum Coverage, Penalties and SR-22
Wisconsin car insurance law: minimum liability limits, fault or no-fault, uninsured motorist coverage, proof of insurance, penalties for driving uninsured, SR-22, title and registration.
Quick answers for Wisconsin
- Minimum coverage required
- Wisconsin requires a motor vehicle liability policy with minimum limits of 25/50/10: $25,000 for bodily injury to or death of one person, $50,000 for bodily injury to or death of two or more people in one accident, and $10,000 for property damage. Wis. Stat. §§ 344.01(2)(d), 344.62, 344.63, 632.32(4)
- At-fault or no-fault
- Wisconsin uses the at-fault (tort) system: the driver who causes a crash is responsible for the resulting injuries and damage, paid through liability insurance. Alabama Department of Insurance, State Auto Insurance Laws (national table)
- Driving without insurance
- Driving without required liability insurance carries a forfeiture of up to $500. Failing to carry proof of insurance carries a $10 forfeiture, and the charge is dismissed if the driver shows the court or the officer's office that coverage was in effect when cited. Wis. Stat. § 344.65
- SR-22 filing
- Wisconsin requires proof of financial responsibility for the future (a certification of insurance such as an SR-22, a bond, or a deposit of money or securities) in situations set out in chapter 344, at 25/50/10 limits. Wis. Stat. §§ 344.01(2)(d), 344.30-344.41
Last verified: 2026-10-27
Required coverage
| Minimum coverage required | Wisconsin requires a motor vehicle liability policy with minimum limits of 25/50/10: $25,000 for bodily injury to or death of one person, $50,000 for bodily injury to or death of two or more people in one accident, and $10,000 for property damage. Policies must also include uninsured motorist coverage of at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident and medical payments coverage of at least $1,000 per person (the named insured may reject medical payments). Alternatives to insurance include a filed bond, a cash or securities deposit, or self-insurance. UM and medical payments: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/statutes/632.pdf |
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| At-fault or no-fault | Wisconsin uses the at-fault (tort) system: the driver who causes a crash is responsible for the resulting injuries and damage, paid through liability insurance. The Alabama Department of Insurance's national table of state auto insurance laws lists Wisconsin among the "Tort States." |
| Uninsured motorist coverage | Uninsured motorist coverage of at least $25,000/$50,000 is required in every auto liability policy. Underinsured motorist coverage is optional: insurers must give one named insured written notice of its availability with a new policy that doesn't include it. Accepting or rejecting UIM after that notice does not need to be in writing, and not paying a UIM premium is conclusive proof that it was rejected. Source: Wis. Stat. § 632.32(4), (4m) |
| Proof of insurance | Drivers must have proof of insurance in their immediate possession and show it on a traffic officer's demand. Proof may be printed or electronic, including an image on a cell phone; showing it electronically does not allow the officer to view other content. Officers may not stop or inspect a vehicle solely to check for insurance. |
Driving without insurance and SR-22
| Driving without insurance | Driving without required liability insurance carries a forfeiture of up to $500. Failing to carry proof of insurance carries a $10 forfeiture, and the charge is dismissed if the driver shows the court or the officer's office that coverage was in effect when cited. Providing fraudulent or false proof of insurance carries a forfeiture of up to $5,000. Source: Wis. Stat. § 344.65 |
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| SR-22 filing | Wisconsin requires proof of financial responsibility for the future (a certification of insurance such as an SR-22, a bond, or a deposit of money or securities) in situations set out in chapter 344, at 25/50/10 limits. The Department of Transportation consents to canceling the proof once the required period has expired, or if the person dies, becomes permanently unable to drive, or surrenders the license. The length of the required period was not confirmed in the sections read. |
Your rights with insurers
| Cancellation and nonrenewal | After a policy has been in effect 60 days (or once renewed), an insurer may cancel midterm only for nonpayment of premium or for grounds stated in the policy within these classes: material misrepresentation, substantial change in the risk, or substantial breach of contractual duties. Cancellation requires at least 10 days' written notice. To nonrenew, the insurer must mail or deliver notice at least 60 days before the policy expires. Source: Wis. Stat. § 631.36(2), (4) |
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| Total loss rules | When an insurer pays a claim (including the deductible) that exceeds 70% of a Wisconsin-titled vehicle's fair market value and ownership is not transferred to the insurer, the insurer must notify the Department of Transportation in writing within 30 days that the vehicle meets the definition of a salvage vehicle. Source: Wis. Stat. § 342.065 |
| Complaints about an insurer | File an insurance complaint online with the Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI). For help, call 1-800-236-8517 (within Wisconsin) or 1-608-266-0103 (outside Wisconsin). |
Title and registration
| Transferring a car title | The seller signs and dates the title (all owners if joined by "and"), records the odometer mileage, the selling price, and the buyer's name and address, provides any lien release, and removes the license plates (with some exceptions). If the vehicle will be driven, the buyer should title and register it within two business days after purchase. Buyers can apply online through eMV Public with the current title (Wisconsin or out-of-state). Online titling FAQ: https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/online-srvcs/title-vehicle/faqs-wi-title.aspx |
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| Registering after you move | New residents must apply for a Wisconsin driver license within 60 days of establishing residence (30 days for a commercial license) and must title and register their vehicles upon establishing residency (out-of-state plates cannot be kept until they expire). Some counties require an emissions test within 45 days after first registering; DMV sends a letter if one is required. Source: Wisconsin DOT, New residents |
Car Insurance & Vehicle Laws FAQ
What is the minimum car insurance required in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin requires a motor vehicle liability policy with minimum limits of 25/50/10: $25,000 for bodily injury to or death of one person, $50,000 for bodily injury to or death of two or more people in one accident, and $10,000 for property damage. Policies must also include uninsured motorist coverage of at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident and medical payments coverage of at least $1,000 per person (the named insured may reject medical payments). Alternatives to insurance include a filed bond, a cash or securities deposit, or self-insurance.
Is Wisconsin a no-fault car insurance state?
Wisconsin uses the at-fault (tort) system: the driver who causes a crash is responsible for the resulting injuries and damage, paid through liability insurance. The Alabama Department of Insurance's national table of state auto insurance laws lists Wisconsin among the "Tort States."
Is uninsured motorist coverage required in Wisconsin?
Uninsured motorist coverage of at least $25,000/$50,000 is required in every auto liability policy. Underinsured motorist coverage is optional: insurers must give one named insured written notice of its availability with a new policy that doesn't include it. Accepting or rejecting UIM after that notice does not need to be in writing, and not paying a UIM premium is conclusive proof that it was rejected.
Can you show proof of car insurance on your phone in Wisconsin?
Drivers must have proof of insurance in their immediate possession and show it on a traffic officer's demand. Proof may be printed or electronic, including an image on a cell phone; showing it electronically does not allow the officer to view other content. Officers may not stop or inspect a vehicle solely to check for insurance.
What is the penalty for driving without insurance in Wisconsin?
Driving without required liability insurance carries a forfeiture of up to $500. Failing to carry proof of insurance carries a $10 forfeiture, and the charge is dismissed if the driver shows the court or the officer's office that coverage was in effect when cited. Providing fraudulent or false proof of insurance carries a forfeiture of up to $5,000.
When do you need an SR-22 in Wisconsin, and for how long?
Wisconsin requires proof of financial responsibility for the future (a certification of insurance such as an SR-22, a bond, or a deposit of money or securities) in situations set out in chapter 344, at 25/50/10 limits. The Department of Transportation consents to canceling the proof once the required period has expired, or if the person dies, becomes permanently unable to drive, or surrenders the license.
How much notice must an insurer give before canceling car insurance in Wisconsin?
After a policy has been in effect 60 days (or once renewed), an insurer may cancel midterm only for nonpayment of premium or for grounds stated in the policy within these classes: material misrepresentation, substantial change in the risk, or substantial breach of contractual duties. Cancellation requires at least 10 days' written notice. To nonrenew, the insurer must mail or deliver notice at least 60 days before the policy expires.
When is a car a total loss in Wisconsin?
When an insurer pays a claim (including the deductible) that exceeds 70% of a Wisconsin-titled vehicle's fair market value and ownership is not transferred to the insurer, the insurer must notify the Department of Transportation in writing within 30 days that the vehicle meets the definition of a salvage vehicle.
How do you transfer a car title in Wisconsin?
The seller signs and dates the title (all owners if joined by "and"), records the odometer mileage, the selling price, and the buyer's name and address, provides any lien release, and removes the license plates (with some exceptions). If the vehicle will be driven, the buyer should title and register it within two business days after purchase. Buyers can apply online through eMV Public with the current title (Wisconsin or out-of-state).
How long do you have to register your car after moving to Wisconsin?
New residents must apply for a Wisconsin driver license within 60 days of establishing residence (30 days for a commercial license) and must title and register their vehicles upon establishing residency (out-of-state plates cannot be kept until they expire). Some counties require an emissions test within 45 days after first registering; DMV sends a letter if one is required.
How do you file a complaint against a car insurance company in Wisconsin?
File an insurance complaint online with the Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI). For help, call 1-800-236-8517 (within Wisconsin) or 1-608-266-0103 (outside Wisconsin).
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General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.