Minimum Car Insurance Coverage in Wisconsin
Reader’s Question:
Hi there, I just moved to Wisconsin and I hear that the minimum insurance required to drive a vehicle here is different. Can anyone tell me the minimum insurance I need?
Elle
Milwaukee, WI
Hi, Elle. You’re right. Wisconsin does have a different car insurance policy than other states in the US. You see, most US states will only require certain amounts of bodily injury and property damage liability insurance. However, in Wisconsin, the state requires liability insurance and uninsured motorist insurance as well.
Here are the amounts that you will need for each type of insurance: a minimum $25,000 per person and maximum $50,000 per accident of bodily injury liability insurance plus $10,000 for property damage. For uninsured motorist coverage, you will also need the minimum $25,000 with a maximum $50,000 per accident insurance coverage. The bodily injury insurance will cover injury of other people in an accident up to the amount as specified in your coverage. The property damage insurance will pay for any damages to other people’s property in case of a crash. The Uninsured motorist insurance will keep you covered for accidents caused by the negligence of an uninsured driver or a hit and run driver.
Failure to have the required amounts of insurance required in Wisconsin can result in fines, suspension of licenses and impounding of your vehicle. So please make sure that you have enough car insurance coverage and that you keep proof of your insurance coverage in your vehicle at all times.
Buying Comprehensive Auto Insurance in Wisconsin
Reader’s Question:
Hello there. I’ve noticed there have been a lot of natural disasters happening around the world–rains, floods and hurricanes. It made me wonder how prepared I am for these events. Will my auto insurance in Wisconsin cover my car if things like these happen?
Mickey
Eau Claire, WI
Yeah, it has been a weird year for weather, hasn’t it? This would be a good time to review your auto insurance coverage to make sure you’ve got everything covered. For an auto insurance company to cover the cost of damages or the replacement of your vehicle in case of a natural disaster, you must have comprehensive auto insurance. This is not usually part of the minimum insurance requirements of states like Wisconsin, so you will have to purchase this as an add-on to your auto insurance minimums. Be sure to read the fine print in your policy, so you know exactly what is and what isn’t covered. You will want to know how much, if any, will be your share of the bill. You may also want to look at gap insurance or rental insurance if having a vehicle is essential to your kind of work. If you are not already covered, I suggest you go out and get one as soon as possible. You can’t just run out to the store and ask for this kind of insurance coverage every time there’s news that bad weather will hit. With this kind of insurance there is usually a lead time of, say, 30 days before your auto insurance is in effect. So, don’t wait until the last minute.
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My Impounded Vehicle Doesn’t Have Car Insurance
Reader’s Question:
My car got into trouble in Minnesota, and unfortunately it was impounded. That car doesn’t have auto insurance because I seldom use it and I’m not sure what kind of penalty I would face for my violation. I live here in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and the vehicle that was impounded was registered here, too. What should I do?
Alice
Green Bay, WI
Since the vehicle has crossed the boarder and was driven to and made a violation in Minnesota, the rules that you need to follow are the state laws of Minnesota. Typically, if you drive a vehicle from one state to another, it is okay as long as your vehicle is insured. However, if the vehicle is uninsured and is driven to another state, then it definitely has violated a law, and you may have to face penalties because of it.
In your area there in Wisconsin, a financial responsibility law is directed towards all drivers who are authorized to drive in Wisconsin. This law is intended to ensure that each motorist has the financial capability to pay for damages that may result from future accidents. Financial responsibility may come in the form of a surety bond, certificate of personal insurance, or a liability insurance policy.
On the other hand, under Chapter 169 of Minnesota state laws every driver must have a proof of insurance when operating a vehicle. This proof must be carried all the time to immediately prove to the law enforcer that you are insured. However, the owner of the vehicle may not be convicted unless the driver knew that the vehicle is uninsured.
So, since your vehicle is impounded in Minnesota, it would be best if you show proof of auto insurance, so that you could get back your vehicle. You may also contact the law enforcement agency that impounded your vehicle to know more about how to get the vehicle back to Wisconsin.
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What Does Collision Insurance Coverage Cover?
Reader’s Question:
I just have some questions regarding physical damage coverage. I’m from Wisconsin, and I am not exactly sure what collision coverage actually provides. Help?
Brin
Kenosha, WI
Brin, what collision coverage normally provides is the payment for whatever the damages are going to be in the event that your vehicle gets involved in a collision regardless of your vehicle hitting another object or another car or of it getting damaged in instances that it overturns. In an accident, the collision coverage is the one that shall be paying for the repair of the vehicle with the amount going as far as to equal the amount of its value before the accident took place. If you think about it, this is actually cool because the automobile insurance company shall pay for the expenses of the damage even if the party at fault in the accident is you.
Now, the maker and the model year of your car are very important because these things are going to be the basis of your collision premiums. Needless to say, before you purchase this type of coverage, it is highly recommendable that you evaluate the current market value of your vehicle and your financial capacity to afford the same car in the event that your car is destroyed because if your car has diminished its value or if it is within your capacity to replace your car with a similar one, then collision coverage is going to be useful to you.
But to be sure, you can check your state’s insurance web site because I am not sure if the same clauses apply there in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
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