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The average monthly cost of auto insurance in Madison, Wisconsin, is $67 for a liability-only policy and $117 for full coverage. This is on par with the state average of $62 for liability coverage and $118 for a full-coverage policy.
Wisconsin drivers pay lower rates than the overall national average rate, perhaps partially due to the state’s at-fault system. Ultimately, the cost of your auto insurance policy will vary depending on your driving record, marital status, credit history, and the type of vehicle you drive.1
Here’s what you should know about finding auto coverage in Madison.
Best car insurance companies in Madison
Car insurance rates can vary quite a bit depending on the company you choose. Overall, USAA, State Farm, and Auto-Owners offer the best car insurance options for Madison drivers.
But the best auto insurance policy for you depends on your specific insurance needs, so it’s a good idea to compare your coverage options and speak to an insurance agent about your options.
Best insurer for veterans: USAA
Best insurer for safe drivers: State Farm
Best insurer for new vehicles: Auto-Owners
How to get the cheapest car insurance in Madison
Insurance companies look at a variety of factors to determine your auto insurance rates. Insurers use different parameters, but most look at your driving history, location, age, and deductible.
Here are five ways to find lower rates on car insurance in Madison:
Choose a higher deductible. You’ll pay an out-of-pocket deductible before your insurance company pays an insurance claim. The higher your deductible, the less you’ll pay each month for auto insurance.
Choose a safer car. Most insurance companies will lower your premium if your car has safety features like airbags, anti-lock brakes, and alarm systems.
Take advantage of low-mileage discounts. If your annual mileage is below average, you may qualify for a low-mileage discount.
Bundle your insurance coverage. Another way to save is by bundling your auto policy with home insurance, renters insurance, or life insurance.
Shop around. Different insurance companies offer different rates and discounts, so you should shop around among different insurers. An online comparison tool is a good way to compare rates from multiple insurers simultaneously.
Cheapest liability-only car insurance in Madison: USAA
Liability-only car insurance covers the other driver’s vehicle damages and medical expenses if you cause an auto accident. It doesn’t pay for any of your car repairs or medical bills you incur.4
Because liability insurance is less expensive than full coverage, some drivers choose it to save money on auto insurance. It makes the most sense for drivers with inexpensive or older vehicles.
Here are the cheapest options for liability-only insurance in Madison.
Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Madison: USAA
Full-coverage auto insurance typically includes liability, collision, and comprehensive insurance. It offers you the most protection if you have an auto accident. Full-coverage insurance can also kick in for damages from vandalism, theft, falling objects, and more.
Because full-coverage insurance comes with more robust protection, it costs more than liability-only insurance. Here are some of the cheapest full-coverage quotes for Madison drivers.
Car insurance requirements in Wisconsin
All Wisconsin drivers must meet the state’s minimum liability requirements to drive a car in the state. Operating a motor vehicle without insurance will result in a fine of $500.
Here are the state’s minimum legal requirements:5
Liability-only insurance doesn’t provide enough coverage for many drivers. If you want additional protection, you should consider the following optional coverages:
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident
Many factors influence your car insurance premiums, but your driving history may have the biggest effect. Drivers with a clean record pay the lowest rates for auto insurance. If you have a history of driving incidents — like speeding tickets, driving under the influence (DUI) charges, or at-fault accidents — you can expect to pay more for insurance.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket: USAA
Speeding is one of the biggest causes of auto accidents. On average, 18,000 speeding-related crashes occur in Wisconsin every year, according to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. If you receive a speeding ticket in Madison, you may face a fine between $200 and $800, depending on the violation.7
Your insurance premiums will also usually increase after receiving a speeding ticket. In Madison, you might pay $83 per month for a liability-only policy with a speeding ticket on your record.
The following table compares monthly liability quotes for Madison drivers with clean records versus those with speeding violations.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident: USAA
At-fault accidents are another driving incident that cause premiums to increase. Every time you file a claim request for an at-fault accident, your insurance company has to pay for repairs to your vehicle and the other driver’s vehicle. This makes you more expensive to insure, and your insurer could decide not to renew your policy if you have multiple at-fault accidents.8
Madison drivers with an at-fault accident pay a monthly average of $83 for liability-only insurance. Here are the cheapest liability insurance options for Madison drivers with an at-fault accident.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI: USAA
Driving under the influence is a major offense in Wisconsin, and your first incident would result in a fine between $150 and $300. You’d also face driver’s license revocation for six to nine months.9 Additional violations will lead to higher fines and possible jail time.
Your auto insurance rates typically increase significantly after you get a DUI, and in some cases, your insurer may drop you as a customer. If you’ve been convicted of a DUI, you might pay as much as $82 per month in Madison for a minimum coverage policy.
Here are some of the cheapest liability-only quotes for Madison drivers with a DUI.
Cheapest car insurance for seniors: USAA
Your age can affect your car insurance premium. Most people see their auto insurance rates decrease after the age of 35. But once you reach 75, rates can start creeping back up again because senior drivers are more likely to have a car accident and face injury.10
A liability-only policy for a senior driver in Madison costs $53 per month, on average.
Fortunately, seniors can save money on auto insurance by enrolling in an approved defensive driving course or taking advantage of low-mileage discounts. Here are the cheapest insurers for senior drivers in Madison.
Cheapest car insurance for teens: USAA
Teen drivers pay some of the highest rates for auto insurance due to their lack of driving experience. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens. Drivers between the ages of 16 and 19 have a fatal crash rate nearly three times as high as drivers older than 20.11
Teenage and young drivers in Madison pay a monthly average of $132 for liability-only coverage. Young drivers can find more affordable car insurance by earning good student discounts or driving a safe vehicle. Joining your parents’ existing insurance policy is another way to secure the best rate.
Here are the cheapest options for teenage drivers in Madison.
Madison car insurance quotes by credit tier
Wisconsin is one of many states that allows insurance companies to consider credit history when determining insurance premiums. Some research shows that drivers with bad credit file more insurance claims, which is why insurers may adjust rates accordingly.
Drivers with excellent or good credit scores pay less for auto insurance than people with poor credit scores. Here’s what Madison drivers can expect to pay for full-coverage car insurance by credit tier.
Is car insurance more expensive in Madison?
Madison's car insurance rates are on part with Wisconsin's state averages, but lower than national averages. In Madison, full coverage averages $117 per month while liability-only coverage is $67 per month. Wisconsin's averages are $118 for full coverage and $62 for minimum coverage, while the national averages are $184 and $104, respectively.
Wisconsin car insurance rates can vary depending on your city and your ZIP code. For example, if you live in a city with higher rates of vandalism, you can expect to pay more for auto insurance. You’ll also pay more for insurance if you live in a big city than in a small town.
More cities in Wisconsin
Here are monthly rates in some other Wisconsin cities.