While the average rates for car insurance for drivers in Wisconsin are low, drivers with a DUI conviction can see their rates rise significantly. If you have a DUI record, you may need to put in extra effort to find affordable insurance with the coverage you need. Understanding Wisconsin’s DUI laws and gathering quotes from different companies may help you find the best insurance company for you.
Wisconsin Drunk Driving
In Wisconsin, the legal term for a drunk driving charge is “operating while under the influence” (OWI). In Wisconsin, the terms OWI and DUI are often used interchangeably. Wisconsin takes OWI seriously, and state law contains many penalties and restrictions for those convicted of DUI. These penalties become more severe the more convictions there are. Underage drinkers also face serious consequences if they are caught driving under the influence.
Wisconsin Drunk Driving Laws
In Wisconsin, there are many illegal acts and driving behaviors that may constitute DUI, including:
- Driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 or higher.
- Driving while intoxicated or under the influence of a controlled substance or other drug.
- Driving with a detectable amount of a legally controlled substance in your blood.
In Wisconsin, you can be charged and convicted of DUI if your blood contains certain levels of alcohol or illegal drugs. If you are under the age of 21, having even a small amount of alcohol in your system while driving is illegal and can result in penalties. If you have four or more previous DUI convictions, you may be charged with DUI if your BAC level is above .02.
Drivers may also be charged with DUI based solely on behavior observed by the arresting officer, which could include erratic driving while driving or failing to perform certain tasks after being pulled over and given a field sobriety test.
Wisconsin DUI Penalties
Penalties for DUI convictions in Wisconsin increase with each conviction. A first or second conviction can result in a fine of up to $300 and a license revocation for six to nine months. While a single DUI conviction does not carry any jail time, a second DUI or a third or subsequent offense within a ten-year period can carry a prison sentence of up to 15 years, depending on frequency.
The consequences can be severe if there is a minor under the age of 16 in the vehicle or if the driver injures or kills someone else. For example, if you cause the death of someone else while driving under the influence of alcohol, you can be charged with a Class C felony, which can be punished with a fine of up to $100,000 and up to 40 years in prison.
Another factor that determines your penalties is how many times you have been convicted of DUI or DWI: If you have four or more DWIs within five years of your last conviction, or a fifth DWI in your lifetime, you could be charged with a felony that could result in jail time and large fines.
Wisconsin Underage Driving Penalties
Drivers under the legal drinking age also face penalties. Wisconsin’s “not a drop” law for drivers under 21 imposes penalties if their blood alcohol content is above zero. Drivers under 21 found to have a BAC of .08 or higher face the same penalties as convicted adults in addition to the “not a drop” penalties.
A first-time conviction for this offence carries a $200 fine, four demerit points and a three-month license suspension. If there is a passenger under the age of 16 in the car, the fine and license suspension are doubled.
A second underage driving offense carries a fine of $250-500 and a license suspension of up to one year. A third or subsequent offense carries the same fine, but the license suspension increases to up to two years.
Underage drivers who refuse to take a breathalyzer test when stopped will have their licence suspended for six months, which can be increased to 12 months if they are under 16 years old.
How does DUI affect car insurance in Wisconsin?
Drivers with a clean accident record in Wisconsin pay an average of $421 for minimum coverage and $1,773 for full coverage, which includes collision and comprehensive insurance. But with a single DUI, drivers may see their rates nearly double. The average rate for a Wisconsin driver convicted of DUI increases to $857 for minimum coverage and $3,448 for full coverage.
The reason for the increase in average premiums is that insurance companies generally view drivers with a drink driving record as higher risk – they are more likely to engage in risky behavior, have accidents, and file insurance claims.
In addition to higher insurance premiums, Wisconsin drivers convicted of DUI may also be required to have their insurance company provide them with an SR-22. This certificate is required by the state and shows that the driver meets Wisconsin’s minimum auto insurance requirements. These requirements include 25/50/10 liability coverage, as well as uninsured motorist coverage and medical payments coverage.
Cheap car insurance after a DUI in Wisconsin
While it’s true that DUI insurance in Wisconsin is generally more expensive than insurance for drivers with no criminal record, there may still be ways to minimize this increase and find affordable rates. Based on average rate data from Quadrant Information Services, we’ve found some of the cheapest companies to insure DUI drivers in Wisconsin. The rates below are for full coverage.
| Traveler | $982 | $1,536 | 56% |
| Ellie | $1,330 | $2,076 | 56% |
| America | $1,102 | $2,136 | 94% |
| progressive | $1,929 | $2,404 | twenty five% |
| Geico | $1,216 | $2,502 | 106% |
How to Find Affordable Car Insurance in Wisconsin After a DUI
In addition to finding an insurance company known for offering affordable insurance for drivers with DUI convictions in Wisconsin, there are a few strategies you can try to make your insurance as cheap as possible. Finding affordable insurance for drivers with a DUI conviction can be difficult, but not impossible. Bankrate is here to help. When searching for the best insurance rates after a DUI conviction, consider the following:
- Shop nearby: Each insurance company has its own way of determining premiums, and getting quotes from several insurers can result in a wide range of premiums. Make sure you ask for the same type and level of insurance from each insurer so you’re comparing on an apples-to-apples basis.
- Take advantage of our discounts: Almost all insurance companies offer some discounts, many of which are easy to obtain. If you request a quote online, they should include them, but it’s a good idea to check to make sure you haven’t missed one. We recommend speaking with a live agent to ensure you get as many discounts as you qualify for.
- Bundle policies: Bundling is when you buy multiple policies from one company, and the insurer will usually give you a discounted rate. If you’re happy with your auto insurance company, you might want to use them for your home, renters, and other insurance needs as well, which could save you money on both policies.
- Improve your driving skills: Going forward, you should consider taking a driving safety class to improve your driving skills and avoid future violations. Driving safety classes are sometimes available online and are often inexpensive. Not only will they help you drive safely, but you may also be able to get a discount for taking the class.
FAQ
Methodology
Bankrate uses Quadrant Information Services to analyze August 2024 rates for every zip code and insurer in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Rates are weighted based on population density in each area. Estimated rates are based on a 40-year-old male and female driver with an accident-free record, good credit, and the following full coverage limits:
- $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
- Bodily injury liability of $300,000 per accident
- Property damage liability of $50,000 per accident
- $100,000 per person in bodily injury claims caused by uninsured motorists
- Uninsured motorist bodily injury compensation of $300,000 per accident
- $500 collision deductible
- $500 comprehensive deductible
To determine the minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used the minimum coverage that meets each state’s requirements: Our base profile driver owns a 2022 Toyota Camry, commutes to work five days a week, and drives 12,000 miles per year.
These are sample rates and should be used for comparison purposes only.
Incident: Rates were calculated by assessing a baseline profile applying the following incidents: no criminal record (baseline) and one DUI conviction.
