If you've been convicted of a driving violation, your insurance rates could rise. Compare rates and save.
If you have caused a car crash, filed a claim, or received a ticket for a serious moving violation, you could be a good candidate for high-risk auto insurance.
Car insurance coverage for drivers with poor records is usually costly, but the increase in rates you receive depends on your insurance company, your driving record, and the area in which you live.
If you’re found at-fault for an auto accident, expect your car insurance rates to go up. In Wisconsin, the typical insurance premium following an at-fault crash is $1,608, versus the U.S. average of $2,012. A major accident such as an at-fault crash will stay on your insurance record for up to three years.
| Location | With At-Fault Accident — Annual Rate | No At-Fault Accident — Annual Rate | Yearly Rate Increase |
| Wisconsin | $1,608 | $1,040 | $568 |
| National Average | $2,012 | $1,397 | $615 |
The best insurer following an at-fault accident in Wisconsin is State Farm. The insurance company's typical rate increase after a crash is $674, 42 percent less expensive than the average offered by all companies. If you’ve caused a collision in Wisconsin, steer clear of American Family and Acuity, which are on the pricier end of the spectrum.
| Company | Annual Premium With an At-Fault Accident |
| State Farm | $934 |
| SECURA | $1,238 |
| GEICO | $1,338 |
| American Family | $1,470 |
| Acuity | $1,554 |
One of the ways in which drivers earn the "high-risk" tag is speeding. In Wisconsin, car insurance premiums rise by $298 per year post-speeding ticket, to an average yearly price of $1,338.
| Location | With a Speeding Ticket — Annual Rate | No Speeding Ticket — Annual Rate | Annual Rate Increase |
| Wisconsin | $1,338 | $1,040 | $298 |
| National Average | $1,727 | $1,397 | $330 |
The foolproof way to get cheap car insurance after getting a ticket for speeding is to shop around and weigh your options. The most affordable car insurance with a speeding citation in Wisconsin is available through SECURA, with an average rate after a violation $536 less than the state's average. If you have been caught speeding in Wisconsin, Acuity might not be the cheapest option.
| Company | Annual Rate After a Speeding Violation |
| SECURA | $802 |
| State Farm | $869 |
| GEICO | $955 |
| American Family | $1,005 |
| Acuity | $1,248 |
If you're ticketed for distracted driving, your car insurance bill is going to get more expensive. In Wisconsin, auto insurance prices typically increase by $251 per year. That amounts to a 24% increase from the average annual rate in Wisconsin and 45% more than the national average cost of car insurance with a distracted driving offense.
| Location | With Distracted Driving — Annual Rate | No Distracted Driving — Annual Rate | Annual Rate Increase |
| Wisconsin | $1,291 | $1,040 | $251 |
| National Average | $1,570 | $1,397 | $173 |
The easiest way to find affordable auto insurance after a distracted driving ticket is to compare options from a variety of companies. The least expensive car insurance company after a distracted driving ticket in Wisconsin is GEICO, with a typical rate of just $718 per year, 44% lower than the average distracted driving insurance rate among top insurers.
| Insurance Company | Annual Rate With Distracted Driving |
| GEICO | $718 |
| American Family | $842 |
| State Farm | $869 |
| SECURA | $900 |
| West Bend Mutual | $1,135 |
Racing is an extremely serious offense. Auto insurance providers frequently penalize racing convictions severely — in fact, Wisconsin car insurance premiums go up by an average of $708 annually following a citation for racing. That's a 68% increase from the average yearly car insurance premium in Wisconsin!
| Location | With a Racing Citation — Annual Rate | No Racing Citation — Annual Rate | Annual Rate Increase |
| Wisconsin | $1,748 | $1,040 | $708 |
| National Average | $2,397 | $1,397 | $1,000 |
If you have been pulled over for racing, do your due diligence and seek out the cheapest rates. In Wisconsin, you should start with American Family, offering rates 12 percent cheaper than the state average for drivers found guilty of racing.
| Company | Annual Rate After Racing |
| American Family | $1,532 |
| Allstate | $1,536 |
| GEICO | $1,592 |
| SECURA | $1,678 |
| Progressive | $1,741 |
As one of the most serious driving violations, reckless driving is a surefire way to get a car insurance rate hike. Insurers raise rates by an average of $647 per year after a ticket for reckless driving. That's 62% more than than the typical insurance rate in Wisconsin, and 13% less than the national average price increase for reckless driving.
| Location | With Reckless Driving — Annual Rate | No Reckless Driving — Annual Rate | Annual Rate Increase |
| Wisconsin | $1,687 | $1,040 | $647 |
| U.S. Average | $2,395 | $1,397 | $998 |
If you're cited for reckless driving, compare a variety of insurance companies to get the best rate. In Wisconsin, the best car insurance company with a reckless driving ticket is State Farm.
| Insurer | Annual Rate After Reckless Driving |
| State Farm | $869 |
| American Family | $1,532 |
| Allstate | $1,536 |
| GEICO | $1,592 |
| SECURA | $1,678 |
If you are seeking auto insurance as a high-risk driver, the best course of action is to do your research, compare rates, and find an affordable policy.
Traffic laws in Wisconsin are in place to keep its residents safe. If you’re caught speeding, participating in reckless or distracted driving, racing, or you’re at-fault for an accident, you’ll be charged with an appropriate fine or penalty.
Learn more about Wisconsin's auto insurance laws.
If you’re driving at a speed “greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions and having regard for the actual and potential hazards then existing, ” you are breaking Wisconsin’s basic speeding law.
You must drive at a safe speed, depending on the current road and weather conditions. The below speed limits serve as general guidelines:
Wisconsin drivers are advised to remain vigilant at all times on the road and adjust speed accordingly.
If you’re caught speeding in Wisconsin, the consequences vary depending on the severity of the violation. However, you can expect to pay the following fines:
Certain circumstances can lead to fines being doubled, such as speeding in a construction or school zone.
Any type of speeding violation will add three to six points on your driver’s license. Accumulating 12 or more points within a one-year period will result in a license suspension.
Reckless driving in Wisconsin is defined as endangering “the safety of any person or property by the negligent operation of a vehicle.” Generally speaking, if you drive in such a way that poses a serious risk of harm to property or person, then you’re guilty of reckless driving.
Speeding in excess may also lead to a charge of reckless driving in Wisconsin.
If you’re convicted of reckless driving in Wisconsin, the penalties depend on the specific circumstances. However, the possibilities are as follows.
A driver’s first conviction for reckless driving in Wisconsin leads to $25 to $200 in fines.
A second or subsequent reckless driving offense within a four-year period results in:
A reckless driving offense that causes minor injuries to another person results in:
A reckless driving offense that injures another person is a class I felony, resulting in:
In addition to the above penalties, reckless driving in Wisconsin leads to the accumulation of six points on your driver’s license.
Distracted driving in Wisconsin is separated into three categories:
Each type of distraction has a different effect on a driver and some incidents may be caused by multiple distractions. For instance, texting while driving falls into all three categories.
Some common examples of distracted driving include:
While driving, Wisconsin traffic laws state that your attention should always be on the road.
View texting and driving statistics.
The penalties for distracted driving vary in Wisconsin depending on the situation. Offenders may receive one or more of the following penalties:
Fines for distracted driving in Wisconsin in which you are suspected of doing something that interferes with your ability to drive safely range from $20 to $400.
For all other types of distracted driving violations, the fines are:
If you have a graduated driver license holder or on an instruction permit and you’re convicted of distracted driving, you’re subject to extended driving restrictions or wait times.
Traffic laws forbid racing in Wisconsin. For the purpose of the law, drivers may be convicted for racing if they participate in a race or speed or endurance contest on any highway.
Wisconsin follows a fault-based system when it comes to car accidents. The person who is at-fault is responsible for covering financial loss due to injuries, lost income, and vehicle damage through their car insurance policy.
Traffic laws state that all Wisconsin drivers have to carry car insurance. Their policy must include these minimum amounts of coverage:
According to Wisconsin traffic laws, there are penalties involved for failing to produce active proof of insurance when asked by law enforcement. These penalties include:
However, if you can provide proof of insurance following an appearance in court or in the office of a law enforcement officer, you will not be convicted.
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