Find the Best Car Insurance Companies in Madison, WI

Why Madison residents need car insurance

If you're a driver in Madison, you need car insurance to protect you from financial loss in case you cause property damage or injury to someone. Wisconsin law requires drivers to have a policy with minimum liability coverage. In 2018 there were over 144,000 car crashes in Wisconsin, including 12,418 in Dane County, according to the state’s Department of Transportation. A majority of these crashes led to property damage, and over 20% involved injury or death. Auto insurance covers you if you are at fault for an accident. If you don't have auto insurance, anything of value, including your home, savings or future earnings could be taken to pay for someone else’s loss.

Madison car insurance costs and quotes

The average cost for auto insurance in Madison is about $1,050 annually, which is lower than the national average. What Madison residents pay for auto insurance depends on the amount of coverage, ZIP code, driving history, gender, age and marital status, among other factors. Auto insurance premiums are typically higher for younger, less experienced drivers. For example, car insurance for the average Wisconsin 16-year-old can come in at over $6,000 a year, but it can cost only $900 a year for seniors. Car insurance is also slightly higher-priced for men and those with very poor to fair credit scores. The cost for Madison auto insurance also depends on driving history. If you have multiple at-fault accidents on your record, a DUI or multiple traffic violations for speeding, you will pay more for car insurance in Madison.

Just like with any other type of insurance, Madison residents pay more if they need more coverage. Minimum liability-only insurance costs about $375, on average. Adding comprehensive and collision coverage with a $500 deductible is approximately $1,100. Auto insurance companies in Madison offer free quotes so you can compare costs. Below are example prices for various levels of coverage.

• State minimum (liability only): $375
• State minimum with comprehensive and collision ($1,000 deductible): $875
• State minimum with comprehensive and collision ($500 deductible): $1,100
• $50K/$100K/$50K bodily injury and property damage, plus comprehensive and collision with $1,000 deductible: $925
• $100K/$300K/$100K bodily injury and property damage, plus comprehensive and collision with $1,000 deductible: $975

Driving in Madison

Many of Madison's roads are in poor condition. Severe weather also makes roads slippery and harder to navigate. These are just two factors that can lead to accidents in Wisconsin’s capital.

Crashes in Madison

Texting and driving, hitting deer, driving under the influence and other causes lead to thousands of crashes in Dane County every year, from minor fender benders to serious collisions. Car insurance helps cover bodily injury, medical expenses and property damage that results from car accidents. According to a report from the City of Madison, the most common intersection for crashes in 2018 was South Gammon Road and Mineral Point Road, and the most common nonintersection for crashes was 4700 E. Washington Ave.

Road conditions in Madison

Some of the worst roads in Madison aren't the commonly traveled highways, but rather rural roads that run through small towns in Dane County. Smaller towns sometimes don't have the funding allocated for projects like road construction, which means more poorly maintained roads. According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, over 23,000 crashes in 2018 in Wisconsin occurred on rural state highways.

Vehicle theft in Madison

Vehicle theft in Madison has increased in the last few years, with 639 instances of car theft in 2019, according to an annual report from the Madison Police Department. This was a 10%-plus increase from 2018. Car theft in 2019 was highest in the West District, an area that includes Elver Park and West Towne Mall.

What is the minimum auto insurance coverage in Madison?

Every state has different minimum requirements for car insurance. In Wisconsin, a car insurance policy must cover at least:

• $25,000 for injury or death of one person
• $50,000 for injury or death of two or more people
• $10,000 for property damage

Wisconsin drivers must also have uninsured motorist coverage of at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury.

Bodily injury liability coverage doesn't cover your car. Instead, it protects you if you're responsible for medical expenses, lost wages or pain and suffering that comes from the car accident. It also covers costs if the car accident was caused by a family member that was living with you and using your car with your consent.

Property damage liability covers the cost of any damage made to the property of others, like their car or their fence. It also covers the costs to repair the damage of government property, like a light pole or a signpost.

Collision coverage covers damages that occur when your car hits something else, like another car. Even if the accident is your fault, collision coverage helps cover the cost to repair your car.

Comprehensive coverage covers damages caused by almost any other accident, including fire, vandalism or hitting a deer. This coverage also pays for stolen car parts.

Madison car insurance FAQ

How much is car insurance in Madison?

The average car insurance premium in Wisconsin is $1,050 per year. Car insurance costs depend on driving history, age, gender, marital status, credit score and other factors.

What is liability insurance for cars?

Liability insurance pays if you are liable in an accident and helps to cover the other person's property damage or medical expenses.

Who has the cheapest car insurance in Madison?

Of the companies featured on this guide, USAA had the cheapest car insurance for a 35-year-old female at the time of publishing. However, USAA is only available for members of the military, veterans and their families. Also, the price you pay may differ based on a number of factors.

What is recommended for car insurance coverage?

You should have enough liability and personal property protection insurance to cover your assets in the case of a crash. Insurance with at least $100,000/$300,000/$100,000 coverage is recommended, but this may not be enough for some drivers.

How can I save on car insurance in Madison?

Shopping around and comparing quotes is the best way to ensure you get the best deal. Bundling car insurance with home insurance can also help consumers save money, along with taking advantage of as many discounts as possible, maintaining a good credit history and choosing a larger deductible.