Penalties for Driving without Insurance in Wisconsin
Wisconsin requires all drivers to have car insurance, or an accepted substitute, and carry proof of coverage while driving.
If you're caught driving without proof of insurance or financial responsibility, the state may levy a $500 fine and suspend your driving privileges. Offering fraudulent proof of insurance may cost you up to $5,000.
Penalties for driving without insurance
When you're driving in Wisconsin, keep your proof of insurance at hand. Officers may ask for it at a routine traffic stop or after an accident. You can show that proof in paper or electronic format, such as a printed ID card or through an app on your smartphone.
If you can't provide proof at the time, you'll have to pay a $10 fine and send proof to the state’s department of motor vehicles.
If you can't provide proof because you don't have the proper amount of insurance, the state will fine you up to $500 and suspend your driving privileges. For your next steps, you'll need to buy an insurance policy and ask the insurer to file an SR-22 certificate on your behalf. You’ll also need to pay a $60 reinstatement fee.
The SR-22 will need to stay on file for at least three years from the date you reinstate your license. If your insurer drops your coverage during the three-year period, you must find a new insurer and file a new SR-22 as soon as possible, or your driving privileges could be taken away again.
If you knowingly provide fraudulent proof of insurance, you may be faced with a fine of up to $5,000.
Fine | Driving privileges | Reinstatement | Other | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Driving without insurance | Not to exceed $500 | Driving privileges suspended until you have an SR-22 on file | $60 license reinstatement fee | File SR-22 insurance for three years |
|
Driving without insurance in an accident | Not to exceed $500 | Driving privileges and registration suspended for up to three years | $50 vehicle registration reinstatement fee for accident suspensions + $60 license reinstatement fee | File SR-22 insurance for three years |
Get car insurance in Wisconsin after a lapse in coverage
Penalties for driving without insurance in an accident
According to the Wisconsin Safety Responsibility Law, the state can suspend your driving privileges and car registration if you cause an accident while uninsured. But you can head off these penalties if you:
- Post a security deposit to cover the cost of the claims.
- Sign an installment agreement to pay for the claims.
- Submit a lease of liability proving you have settled the claims with the other party.
Alternatively, you may request a safety responsibility hearing if you think the other driver was responsible for the accident. You must be able to provide evidence that the car accident was not your fault.
Once your driving privileges are suspended, you may either serve a one-year suspension or file an SR-22 certificate to reinstate your license. Plus, you’ll need to pay a $60 license reinstatement fee and a $50 vehicle registration reinstatement fee.
Wisconsin car insurance requirements
All drivers are required to carry car insurance in Wisconsin. The minimum coverage amounts include:
Required min. Limits | |
|---|---|
| Bodily injury (BI) | $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident |
| Property damage (PD) | $10,000 per accident |
| Uninsured motorist BI (UMBI) | $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident |
Drivers can choose an alternate proof of financial responsibility, such as a real estate or surety bond of at least $60,000. However, we don't recommend these options for most people as they still leave you on the hook for damages in a car accident.
Editorial Note: The content of this article is based on the author's opinions and recommendations alone. It has not been previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed by any of our network partners.