Car Insurance in Whitefish Bay, WI

Wisconsin law requires all vehicle owners in Whitefish Bay to carry car insurance. A good auto insurance policy can shield you from unmanageable financial losses, whether you are in a multi-vehicle collision on Interstate 43, a fender bender on Silver Spring Drive, or anything in between.

It's easy to find an ideal car insurance policy when you work with an independent agent. These agents can gather customized quotes from some of the area's best car insurance companies that you can review and compare together. Find an independent insurance agent near you to get started.

How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Whitefish Bay, WI?

The average cost of car insurance in Wisconsin is lower than the national rate. This is welcome news for Whitefish Bay drivers who are looking for an affordable policy.

• National average annual car insurance cost: $1,311
• Wisconsin's average annual car insurance cost: $930

Of course, an average rate can only give you a general idea of what a car insurance policy might cost you. Premiums can vary significantly from one driver to another because insurance companies calculate costs according to factors like:  

• Your vehicle's make, model, year, and value
• Your age, occupation, marital status, and driving record
• Information about the other licensed drivers in your household
• Whether you own or rent your home
• The amount of liability coverage you want to purchase
• The coverage options you want to include in your policy
• The auto theft and accident rate in the vicinity of your home
• The size of your deductible

Comparing rates from a few competing insurance companies can save you a lot of money because it lets you choose the policy that offers the coverage you want at the best price. Independent insurance agents make comparison shopping easy.

You can also enjoy savings if you bundle your car insurance with another policy like homeowners insurance or renters insurance. Other potential money-saving incentives you may come across include multi-vehicle discounts, safe driver discounts, good student discounts, military discounts, and more.

An independent agent can ensure that you receive any offered car insurance discounts for which you qualify.

Is Car Insurance Required in Whitefish Bay, WI?

In Wisconsin, all vehicle owners are required by law to carry a car insurance policy that meets or exceeds the state's minimum coverage requirements. This means that your policy must include:

• Liability insurance: This covers any injuries and property damage you may cause to other people if you are at fault for a collision. Your policy must meet or exceed the following coverage amounts:
  • $25,000 in bodily injury liability insurance per person
  • $50,000 in bodily injury liability insurance per accident
  • $10,000  in property damage liability insurance per accident
• Uninsured motorist insurance (UIM): This covers the treatment of injuries sustained by you and your passengers if you are in a collision caused by an uninsured driver. Your policy must meet or exceed the following coverage amounts:
  • $25,000 in UIM bodily injury insurance per person
  • $50,000 in UIM bodily injury insurance per accident
  • UIM property damage is not available in Wisconsin. You can instead get coverage through collision insurance.

Many residents of Whitefish Bay opt to purchase more liability coverage than the state requires. If you have a lot to lose and need even more liability protection than your car insurance provider can offer, you may also want to purchase an umbrella insurance policy.

In addition to the minimum coverage required by law, you may also need to carry physical damage coverage if you are leasing or financing your car. Physical damage coverage is not required by law but is usually required by lenders and dealerships. This coverage includes:

• Collision coverage: This covers the cost to repair or replace your vehicle if it is damaged or totaled in a collision, regardless of fault.
• Comprehensive coverage: This covers the cost to repair or replace your vehicle if it is damaged or totaled by a non-collision event such as a hailstorm or theft.

Once you own your car outright, physical damage coverage is optional.

What Else Does Car Insurance Cover in Whitefish Bay, WI?

In addition to the mandatory coverage, car insurance companies offer several coverage options, including:

• Underinsured motorist insurance: This is similar to uninsured motorist coverage but is not required by the state. It covers medical treatments for you and your passengers if you are injured in a collision caused by an underinsured driver. If you choose to purchase this coverage, you must buy at least:
  • $50,000 in underinsured bodily injury insurance per person
  • $100,000 in underinsured bodily injury insurance per accident
  • Underinsured property damage is not available in Wisconsin. You can instead get coverage through collision insurance.
• Medical payments insurance: This can help cover the cost of medical treatment for you and your passengers if you are injured in a collision, regardless of fault. It can supplement your health insurance by covering expenses like copays, deductibles, and ambulance services.
• Glass replacement insurance: This can cover the cost of replacing the safety glass in your windshield, windows, or sunroof if it is broken.
• Gap insurance: This can pay off your car loan or buy out your lease if your vehicle is totaled, but you owe more for it than it is worth.
• Towing and roadside assistance insurance: This covers the cost of assistance if your vehicle becomes disabled while out on the road and you need to call a professional for help.
• Rental car reimbursement insurance: This can pay for the cost of renting a vehicle while you are having your own car repaired following a covered event.

Be sure to review all of the coverage options offered to you to determine which, if any, are a good fit for you and your family.

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What Is the Penalty for Driving without Insurance in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin?

Driving without insurance is illegal in Wisconsin. If caught doing so, you can face consequences that include:

• A $10 fine for failure to show proof of insurance
• A fine of up to $500 for driving an uninsured vehicle
• The suspension of your driver's license until you provide proof of insurance plus a $60 fee to get your driver's license reinstated
• The suspension of your vehicle registration if you cause an accident while uninsured plus a $50 fee to get your vehicle registration reinstated
• The requirement to file an SR-22 for three years
• Higher car insurance rates

Even though it is illegal to do so, many people in this state are driving around in uninsured vehicles.

• Percentage of US drivers who are uninsured: 13.0%
• Percentage of Wisconsin drivers who are uninsured: 14.3%

This is why uninsured motorist insurance, which is a mandatory part of your car insurance, can be beneficial. If you or your passengers are injured in a collision caused by an uninsured driver, it can cover your medical treatment, lost wages, and other related expenses.

What Is the Auto Theft Rate in Whitefish Bay, WI?

The auto theft rate in Wisconsin is lower than the national average, and in Whitefish Bay, the rate is even lower. This does not mean the risk does not exist. Residents of this city report an average of 15 auto thefts a year.

• National auto theft rate per 1,000 people: 2.29
• Wisconsin auto theft rate per 1,000 people: 1.49
• Whitefish Bay auto theft rate per 1,000 people: 0.65

Although the auto theft risk is low in this city, you should know that you can only be compensated for auto theft if your car insurance policy includes comprehensive ("other than collision") insurance.

Comprehensive insurance covers far more than just theft. It can also reimburse you for loss and damage to your car due to many other non-collision hazards, such as if your vehicle is struck by an uprooted tree or damaged by flying debris during a windstorm.

If you are leasing or financing your car, you probably have comprehensive coverage already. If not, be sure to ask how much it would cost to add it to your car insurance policy so you can decide if it is of good value for you.

What Are the Best Car Insurance Companies in Whitefish Bay, WI?

Some of the qualities that make insurance companies stand out above the rest include responsive customer service, reliable coverage, rapid claims processing, and competitive rates.

Independent insurance agents in Whitefish Bay have partnerships with some of the best car insurance companies in Wisconsin. Your agent can help you review policies and customized auto insurance quotes from these top-rated providers.

Why Work with an Independent Insurance Agent in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin?

Local independent agents are available to offer guidance and advice when you are looking for the right policy to meet your coverage and budgetary needs. These agents can answer your insurance-related questions and provide you with a selection of customized car insurance quotes that you can review together.

Arrange an obligation-free consultation with an independent insurance agent near you to begin your search for the best and most competitively priced car insurance policy in Whitefish Bay.