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.

Tags: auto insurance coverage, auto insurance policy, car insurance

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.

Tags: auto insurance, auto insurance coverage, comprehensive insurance coverage

Reader’s Question:

Hello out there! I plan on buying a used car here in Wisconsin. Is it okay if I just get the minimum auto insurance required? Do I still have to get the add-ons my auto insurance agent suggests that I buy, too?

Mandy

Madison, WI

Hey there Mandy! Most people will purchase a used vehicle to save on the costs of down payments and monthly payments, which would be higher than if you were to purchase a new vehicle. But just because your vehicle isn’t brand-new, this does not mean that you have to be stingy with the auto insurance that you get. Of course, it would be practical if the comprehensive auto insurance and collision damage insurance premiums you sign up for cover just the amount you need for repairs or replacement of your vehicle. You may want to increase your deductibles for these types of insurance to lower your premiums. However for property damage liability and personal injury liability insurance, it is not practical at all to get just the minimum amounts of auto insurance coverage. Imagine what would happen if you got in a really bad accident. Would the minimum amounts be enough to pay for the damages? Will it be enough to pay for the medical expenses of any of the injured parties?

You may think that sticking to the minimum auto insurance requirements will save you some money right now, but getting more coverage will most likely pay off in case you do get into an accident. I suggest you try visiting some sites online that offer affordable auto insurance in Wisconsin.

Tags: auto insurance, auto insurance coverage, auto insurance online

Reader’s Question:

I just have some questions regarding physical damage coverage. I’m from Kenosha, 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.

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance, collision insurance coverage

Reader’s Question:

Will my car insurance rates in West Allis, WI change if I buy a new car here?

Jessica

West Allis, WI

In most cities, like West Allis, WI, Jessica, yes, your car insurance rates may change if you buy a new car. Insurance companies price their rates based on many factors, including the type of automobile you drive. However, that does not necessarily mean that your rates will go up. Like for example, if you purchase a new vehicle with a lot better safety features on it, your rates could actually go lower.

Basically, the price of your policy is affected by the amount of insurance you buy. If you purchase a new car through bank financing, most likely, you will be required to carry a certain amount of comprehensive, collision and liability insurance which would mean that you’ll be paying higher premiums.

If you are going to purchase a car directly, you might get an opportunity to decrease those levels so you can save money on your premiums. Most states are obligated by law to have minimum coverage requirements, but if your car is bank financed, it is almost certain that you will be required to carry coverage well over those amounts.

One bit of advice, just make sure that you know the minimum coverage levels in West Allis, WI. But you don’t have to choose those levels right away. Think it over for a while so you can analyze what levels you are comfortable with and then get quotes for each of those different levels. Choosing a higher level may only mean paying a few extra dollars but it will provide you with some peace of mind knowing that you are covered if any incident should occur. When buying a new car, always remember to look around for the best insurance deals possible especially if your planning on financing your car through a bank.

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance rate

Reader’s Question:

What do I need to do to remove my SR22 on my car insurance policy in Madison Wisconsin?

Leo

Madison WI

Generally if it is time for you to remove your SR22 and you were informed by the state that you can remove your SR22 already all you need to do is inform your auto insurance provider.

To be sure, you may contact the department of motor vehicle and ask them if it is okay to remove your SR22 before you tell your car insurance company to remove your SR22.. Usually car insurance provider will ask for documentation from the department of motor vehicle showing that it is okay to remove the SR22 financial responsibility on your

In some states insurance providers will send the state an a form when you cancel your SR-22 coverage on your policy. This form is called an SR26.

If you are taking off your SR-22 insurance and would to shop around for car insurance coverage you may start here obtaining car insurance quotes in Madison Wisconsin on the space provided for the zip code in this website.

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance quotes, sr22 insurance

Reader’s Question:

My wife drivers license has been suspended for almost ten years. Can she still obtain car insurance. I have a learner permit and I have a used vehicle and I need car insurance. I tried to obtain car insurance however the insurance provider said that I need a full valid drivers license. Can my wife get the auto insurance in Appleton, Wisconsin?

Robert

Appleton, WI

It is possible that some insurance carriers will be able to insure your wife no longer have suspended drivers license and is getting her new valid drivers license. State laws vary with regards to suspended license and auto insurance laws.

Your car insurance and your spouse’s auto insurance will likely be categorize as high risk since you only have learner’s permit and is considered inexperienced driver and your wife has a suspended driver’s license for ten years.

You may be able to obtain car insurance quote from various websites and you can start getting quotes here. Just enter your zip code to get affordable auto insurance quote in Appleton, Wisconsin.

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance quotes, high risk insurance

Reader’s Question:

If the estimate to repair a car is more than the automobile is worth, will car insurance pay the additional cost to repair? I live in Appleton, Wisconsin.

Carol

Appleton, WI

Normally an Appleton, Wisconsin insurance carrier will not pay more than a vehicle is worth to repair it. As a matter of fact, many times if the cost to repair the vehicle is anywhere from 75 -100% of the value of the car an insurance provider will not pay for repairs but instead total out the car and pay the policyholder actual cash value (ACV) for the automobile.

When a vehicle’s damage reach, and especially they exceed, the value of the vehicle it is not economical for an insurance carrier to repair the vehicle instead of settlement with the owner for the actual cash value or fair market value of the automobile. Repairs, towing, storage costs, rental reimbursement costs are all taken into consideration by an insurance carrier when determining if a vehicle should be totaled out or not.

If the cost of damages is nearly the actual cash value of the vehicle and there are other expenses such as towing and storage of the car that are also costly then many times the vehicle will be declared a total loss even if the damages alone are not as costly as the the value of the vehicle but with the extras it makes more economical sense to total out the car and sell it for salvage.

Tags: auto insurance, Car Insurance Company

Reader’s Question:

I am a college student and I come back home in Green Bay, Wisconsin for only a month during winter break. I do not have a car in college. I would like to know if there was some auto insurance plan that would cover me for only a month that I am home and have a vehicle, so I wont be paying insurance when I am not driving.

Jeremy

Green Bay, WI

It sounds as if when you are home in Green Bay, Wisconsin , you will be driving your parent’s car. If this is the case then your parents will need to verify with their insurance carrier to check what options are available to cover you when you come home. If you are still using your parent’s residence as your address of record, their insurance carrier may still consider you to be a household member that needs to be on the auto insurance policy, especially in order to be covered and operate a car when you come home to visit during winter breaks.

Insurance carrier’s guidelines vary therefore you will need to speak with the insurance agent regarding you being away at college from your parent’s insurance carrier. Most insurance carrier require that all household members are included on the car insurance policy, including any children away from home or at college that may drive your car during the occasional trips home.

Tags: Student car insurance

Reader’s Question:

I am currently under my parent’s car insurance policy. I cant afford to get car insurance yet on my own since I am only 18 years old.. I live with my parents in Kenosha Wisconsin but they are planning to move in Illinois. Can I stay on their auto insurance if I wont be living in the same household? I have my own vehicle.

Kenosha WI

Peters

No, it is not likely that your parent’s insurance policy will be able to continue to have you and your vehicle if they move out of state. The state of Illinois has different auto insurance liability requirements than the state of WI so that is one problem that may arise but also most all insurance companies will not cover an individual and the vehicle that is not part of the household. Since your vehicle will be garaged in Kenosha Wisconsin and not at the address of your parents then an insurance provider will not usually allow you or your vehicle to be covered on your parent’s insurance policy once they move, especially to a different state.

You can check if there are ways in which to lower the car insurance premium. You can look for car insurance discounts such as safety features on your vehicle for one. Other ways in which to obtain discounts may be taking a driver improvement course or safety course, some insurance company lower car insurance rates if you take approved traffic class. In addition if you are going to school and maintaining good grades some insurance companies give good student discounts.

Tags: auto insurance, Car insurance discounts, Student car insurance