As a driver, you’ve seen and heard your fair share of auto insurance commercials. It’s no secret you have options when it comes to car insurance in Wisconsin, but where do you start? At Mark Leonard Insurance, we help drivers like you sort through the options and find competitive rates on the right coverage – all with the help and support of a single independent agent.
Car Insurance FAQs
How much auto insurance do I need in Wisconsin?
The Wisconsin minimum auto insurance requirements are designed to provide a small level of protection in the event you damage someone else’s property, or you cause harm to another person. In Wisconsin, drivers need a minimum of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for Bodily Injury Liability Coverage and $10,000 per accident for Property Damage Liability Coverage.
What is the best deductible?
The best deductible is what you can afford to pay out of pocket when you file an auto insurance claim. The higher the deductible, the lower your premium will be, and vice versa. A higher deductible means your accepting a more significant portion of the risk yourself. It is best not to take on more risk than you can afford.
What is “full coverage?”
There is no such thing as “full coverage” insurance. Full coverage auto insurance is a term that is used to suggest you have chosen protection that goes beyond the minimum coverage required by your State. It typically includes collision and comprehensive coverage, medical payment coverage, and uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage.
How can I save money on my car insurance?
You can save money on your car insurance by avoiding moving violations, crashes, DUIs, and other incidents. By having a clean driving record, you may also qualify for a safe driver discount. Students may qualify for good student and student-away-at-school discounts. Your vehicle’s anti-theft devices and safety features may also provide more discounts. Paid-in-full, multi-car, and prior carrier discounts are also common. You can also save by installing a “Safe Driving APP” on your phone to monitor your driving habits for credits.
How long does an auto accident affect my insurance?
A crash won’t impact your car insurance premiums forever. After about three to five years, your rates should recover. Exactly how long this takes will depend on the type of accident as well as the company you are insured with.
Is buying direct cheaper than buying through an agent?
Buying direct is not always cheaper than buying through an agent. You might think that cutting out the middleman would result in cheaper car insurance rates, but when it comes to insurance, this isn’t the case. In fact, an independent agent, one that represents many insurance companies, can often save you money.
What is the best auto insurance company?
The best auto insurance company differs per individual. No insurance company is objectively the best. It all depends on what you’re looking for. Do you want the best customer service, the broadest coverage, or the lowest rates? Or maybe you have unique coverage or underwriting needs? An agent can help you compare car insurance quotes from multiple insurance companies and find the right policy for your situation.
What is the best or cheapest auto insurance rate?
The best or cheapest auto insurance rate can be found by comparison shopping. Compare premiums as well as differences in coverage. An independent insurance agent can help. They can provide options from multiple carriers, along with the expert guidance you need to make a smart choice. Keep in mind, that the “cheapest” is rarely the “Best.”
How do I switch to a new auto insurance company?
You can switch to a new auto insurance company at any time, but to avoid overpaying or violating state law, you do need to watch out for a couple of things. Car insurance policies are often sold for coverage periods of six months or one year. In some cases, you may be charged a fee if you decide to cancel your insurance policy early. You may also be entitled to a refund for the unused portion of the premium. You also want to make sure you have continuous coverage to avoid a coverage gap.
Choosing Your Coverage Limits
When it comes to car insurance, nothing is more important than having the right coverage and limits. We help our customers better understand the different types of coverage by simplifying it into everyday terms that make sense to the policy-holder. We want you to feel confident in the coverage you have when you get behind the wheel of your vehicle.
Car ownership comes with a certain degree of risk, not only for the money you may have paid for the vehicle but also for yourself and other cars and drivers on the road. Having the right car insurance means you are protected against the unexpected, whether you are the victim of a hit-and-run or accidentally cause an accident that injures other people. We can help you assess your risks so that you better understand how much you might have to lose after an accident, whether for personal losses or for third-party losses you are liable for.
Types of Wisconsin Auto Insurance
Wisconsin car insurance policies usually include several different types of coverage. At a minimum, they must include liability insurance, as this is required by law. You may also have a lender or lien-holder requirement for coverage that protects your vehicle against accidental damages. We typically recommend purchasing a well-rounded policy with comprehensive protection against a wide range of damages and losses – regardless of whether you are required to or not.
Your policy may include coverage for:
Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability
This is the coverage that pays for your legal and financial responsibility if you cause an accident that results in third-party injuries or property damages. Although there are minimum limits required by the state, we typically recommend high-limit liability coverage to better protect your income and assets against a lawsuit. If you choose limits that are too low, you might have to pay for excess damages for things like lawyer fees, court costs, victim medical bills, lost wages, and more directly out of your own pocket.
Collision
Collision insurance is coverage for your own vehicle when it is damaged or totaled in an accident. Your insurance company may require you to choose a deductible for this coverage, which is the amount you will pay toward the cost of your claims. You can select a low deductible to reduce your costs after a loss, or you can choose a high deductible to save money on premiums. Either way, the insurer pays the remaining damages, either for repairs or for the reimbursement of your vehicle’s cash value if it was destroyed in the accident.
Comprehensive
Comprehensive coverage also pays for damages to your vehicle, although this coverage is limited to non-collision events like wind and hail damage. It also covers damages to your car if you hit a deer in the road discover your garage roof has collapsed on your car. In most cases, claims against comprehensive coverage are also subject to your deductible.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist
If you and your passengers are injured in an accident, the at-fault driver’s insurance should pay for your medical expenses. If you are injured by a driver who has no insurance, however, the uninsured motorist coverage on your policy can help pay for your injury-related costs instead. Your policy may also include coverage for underinsured motorists who have too little coverage to fully cover your losses.
Medical Payments
Medical payments coverage provides you with limited compensation when you are injured in a car accident regardless of fault. This can provide the immediate funds you need to seek medical attention and begin the path to recovery while the courts sort out any potential liability disputes.
Roadside Assistance and Towing
If you or another driver on your policy runs out of gas or hits a nail in the road, you may be in need of immediate assistance. Your car insurance policy may include 24-hour coverage for roadside assistance so you can get the help you need any time of the day or night.
Rental Car Coverage
It can take several days to get your car repaired after an accident or to shop for a new vehicle if your car was totaled. If you have rental car coverage, you can look to your policy for reimbursement of temporary transportation expenses until you have a vehicle again.
Save Money on Wisconsin Auto Insurance
At Mark Leonard Insurance, we know you want to save as much money as possible on your car insurance without jeopardizing the quality of your coverage. As an independent agency, we have the privilege of shopping around for auto insurance on behalf of our customers, making it easy to narrow down your options from a wide selection of reputable Wisconsin insurers.
We can also help you further increase your savings by applying the discounts you may be eligible for from your insurer. Though these can vary in type and amount, many insurance companies offer additional savings to drivers who:
- Have low annual mileage averages
- Maintain good grades in school or college
- Remain claims-free
- Have a clean driving record
- Insure multiple vehicles on the same policy
- Insure home and auto with the same company
- Take and pass qualified driver safety education course
- Enroll in automatic payments
- Pay policy premiums in full
- And more
If you’re in the market for new or better car insurance, let us help you save on the coverage you need. Contact our office today to request your free quotes. We look forward to serving you soon.
