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Melanie Lockert is a personal finance and insurance writer who has been writing for Compare.com since 2023. Her work has also appeared on Allure, Business Insider, Credit Karma, Fortune, and more. She’s also the founder of the blog and author of the book, “Dear Debt” in which she chronicled her journey out of $81,000 of student loan debt.
Melanie is also the co-founder of the Lola Retreat and host of the Mental Health and Wealth show podcast.
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Matthew Gross is an editor at Compare.com. With a background in editing and SEO, he’s passionate about creating content that helps readers get the information they need to make more informed decisions. Prior to Compare.com, Matthew brought his user-centered approach to his work with global brands like Apple and Adobe.
Matthew graduated from Illinois State University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Journalism.
Updated
At Compare.com, it’s our mission to give you the tools to find the best (and most affordable) insurance for your unique needs and budget. We strive to provide information that’s helpful, clear, and unbiased, and we believe that comparing insurance companies should never put you at risk of spam. Our editorial team — which is made up of experienced writers, editors, insurance agents, and data analysts — has spent thousands of hours researching and creating the coverage overviews, side-by-side comparisons, and detailed reviews you see across our site.
While we make money through partnerships with some of the brands we discuss in our articles, our editorial team operates 100% independently, and these partners never influence or affect the topics, reviews, ratings, or recommendations we provide. We never guarantee favorable reviews or mentions in exchange for compensation from any brands or partners, and we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure our content is always independent, truthful, and unbiased.
In This Article
The average car insurance rate in Madison, Wisconsin, is $89 per month. That’s typically lower than the national average, likely due to Madison being a relatively safe city for driving.[1]
Many insurance companies offer below-average rates, including USAA, Auto-Owners, and State Farm. Liability rates in Madison start at $37 per month.
We’ll tell you the most affordable car insurance options in Madison, what to consider when shopping for coverage, and how to save money on your policy.
USAA has the cheapest car insurance in Madison, starting at $37 per month.
Liability insurance in Madison costs an average of $65 per month, and full coverage costs $112 per month.
Wisconsin drivers must have $10,000 of property damage liability coverage, and $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident of bodily injury liability coverage.[2]
The Cheapest Car Insurance Companies in Madison, Wisconsin
Average car insurance rates in Madison are usually lower than the national average. But you can still find ways to lower your insurance premiums. Getting quotes from multiple companies and adding discounts can help you find the cheapest rates.
In the table below, we share the cheapest car insurance companies in Madison, according to Compare.com data.
Company | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| USAA | $37 |
| Auto-Owners | $39 |
| State Farm | $39 |
| Erie | $51 |
| GEICO | $52 |
| American Family | $56 |
| Progressive | $58 |
| Direct Auto | $62 |
| Dairyland | $63 |
| Safeco | $63 |
| Chubb | $64 |
| Bristol West | $66 |
| GAINSCO | $71 |
| Farmers | $76 |
| Nationwide | $77 |
| The General | $79 |
| Root | $82 |
| Travelers | $97 |
| Liberty Mutual | $99 |
| National General | $108 |
| Allstate | $110 |
| Foremost | $139 |
| State Auto | $145 |
Cheapest Car Insurance in Madison by Driver and Coverage Type
If you’re looking for affordable car insurance in Madison, the insurance companies listed above are a good starting point. But insurance premiums vary by a wide range of factors, including your ZIP code, driving record, credit history, and age.[3]
Below, you’ll find the cheapest insurance companies in Madison for a range of driver types and coverage options, according to Compare.com data.
Driver or Policy Type | Cheapest Insurer | Insurer’s Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|
| State-minimum coverage | USAA | $37 |
| Full coverage | USAA | $60 |
| Teens | USAA | $72 |
| Seniors | USAA | $29 |
| Drivers with a speeding ticket | USAA | $48 |
| Drivers with an at-fault accident | USAA | $48 |
| Drivers with a DUI | USAA | $50 |
| Drivers with excellent credit | Auto-Owners | $31 |
| Drivers with poor credit | USAA | $43 |
Madison drivers pay an average of $65 per month for minimum-coverage car insurance. While you need to meet the state-minimum insurance limits, many experts recommend buying more coverage.
Minimum liability insurance only covers the other driver’s injuries and damages if you cause an accident, not your own. Plus, you’ll have to pay the difference out of pocket if the damage you cause exceeds your insurance limits.
In the chart below, we highlight the five cheapest companies for state-minimum coverage in Madison, based on our data.
Average Liability Rates by Company
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Compare.com's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.While you must have liability insurance to legally drive, insurance experts often recommend buying full coverage. Full-coverage car insurance includes liability coverage, collision coverage, and comprehensive coverage. That ensures that if you get into a car accident, you have enough coverage to pay for damages.[4]
The average rate for full coverage in Madison is $112 per month. Full-coverage insurance premiums are higher due to the higher levels of protection. That said, some insurance companies offer full-coverage rates that are close to the average liability price in Madison.
While full coverage is typically optional, your lender or leasing company usually requires it when you finance or lease your car.
Here are the five most affordable insurers for full-coverage car insurance in Madison, based on Compare.com data.
Average Full-Coverage Rates by Company
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Compare.com's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.Out of all age groups, teen drivers have the most expensive car insurance rates. They’re inexperienced, more prone to distraction, and riskier drivers. It’s no surprise that they have higher rates of car accidents and fatalities. More than 2,600 people died in car crashes involving a teen driver in 2023, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.[5]
The average cost of car insurance in Madison for teen drivers is $178 per month. But shopping around can help you find a deal to save on your insurance costs.
To help your search, here are the five cheapest insurance companies in Madison for teens, according to Compare.com data.
Average Rates for Teens
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Compare.com's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.Age often comes with more wisdom and experience. For senior drivers, that can mean fewer car accidents and lower car insurance rates. The average car insurance rate for seniors in Madison is $71 per month.
Though seniors may already qualify for lower rates, it’s possible to find an even better deal. Below, you’ll find the five cheapest insurers in Madison for senior drivers, according to Compare.com data.
Average Rates for Seniors
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Compare.com's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.Getting a ticket can hike up your insurance rates when it’s time to renew your policy. Speeding increases your risk of an incident, so insurers will charge more for coverage. Compare.com data shows that a speeding ticket increases average insurance rates by 36% nationwide.
The average cost of car insurance in Madison after a speeding ticket is $112 per month. But despite these higher rates, you can still find competitive insurance rates.
Here are the five cheapest insurance companies in Madison for drivers with recent tickets, based on our data.
Average Rates With a Ticket
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Compare.com's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.Insurance rates jump significantly after a car accident. At-fault accidents signal to your insurer that you’re a risky driver and are more likely to file future claims. A single at-fault accident increases average rates by 40% nationwide, according to our research.
The average rate for car insurance for Madison drivers with a recent accident is $113 per month. That said, it’s possible to score lower rates.
Below, you’ll find the five cheapest insurance options for Madison drivers with a recent at-fault accident, according to Compare.com data.
Average Rates With an Accident
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Compare.com's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.Driving under the influence (DUI) puts everyone in harm’s way. Car insurance rates see the steepest increase of any incident after a DUI conviction. In fact, our research shows that average rates go up by a staggering 61% after a DUI conviction.
Madison drivers with a DUI conviction pay an average of $109 per month for car insurance, according to Compare.com data. But you don’t need to settle for these sky-high rates. Some insurers specialize in working with high-risk drivers, including people with DUIs.
In the chart below, we share the five cheapest insurance companies for drivers in Madison with a DUI, based on our research.
Average Rates With a DUI
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Compare.com's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.In Wisconsin and many other states, insurance companies can use your credit history when determining auto insurance rates.[6] Data shows that drivers with poor credit are more likely to file a claim. Compare.com research shows that drivers with poor credit pay 20% more than drivers with excellent credit.
Madison drivers with poor credit pay an average of $102 per month for car insurance. But not all companies use your credit history, and you may be able to find affordable rates regardless of your credit.
Below are Madison’s five cheapest insurers for drivers with poor credit, according to Compare.com data.
Average Rates With Bad Credit
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Compare.com's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Our Picks for the Best Auto Insurance in Madison
While cost is important, it’s not the only thing to consider when shopping for car insurance. You also want to find the best coverage for your needs. There isn’t one best company that’s ideal for everyone, because every driver needs something different from their policy.
With that in mind, we chose some of the best insurers in Madison for different drivers. We picked these companies based on their average rates, customer ratings and reviews, discounts, and coverages offered.
| User Reviews | 4.3 |
|---|---|
| Our Rating Compare.com's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The objective formula used in these reviews weighs several important factors to consider when choosing financial products and services, including customer satisfaction ratings, ease of use, and a number of other components. | 4.1 /5 |
| Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $38/mo |
| Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $64/mo |
Drivers value the excellent customer service and coverage but feel the prices, especially for homeowners, can be high.
Drivers value the excellent customer service and coverage but feel the prices, especially for homeowners, can be high.
Auto-Owners offers some of the most affordable car insurance policies in Madison. The company offers plenty of discounts, including several student discounts. Plus, Auto-Owners has a good number of insurance agents in the area to work with.
That said, Auto-Owners has a low customer rating on Trustpilot. You also can’t get a quote or buy a policy online and must go through an agent.
| User Reviews | 3.9 |
|---|---|
| Our Rating Compare.com's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The objective formula used in these reviews weighs several important factors to consider when choosing financial products and services, including customer satisfaction ratings, ease of use, and a number of other components. | 4.7 /5 |
| Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $37/mo |
| Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $63/mo |
Customers appreciate the helpful agents and prompt claim handling, but many are unhappy with the constant rate increases, even for safe drivers. Some also reported poor customer service.
Customers appreciate the helpful agents and prompt claim handling, but many are unhappy with the constant rate increases, even for safe drivers. Some also reported poor customer service.
State Farm offers incredibly cheap car insurance in Madison. The company offers various discounts, including for bundling your home and auto insurance. You can save even more with the Drive Safe & Save telematics program. State Farm also has above-average customer satisfaction.
But State Farm has low ratings on Trustpilot. The company also typically offers low rates, but it may be expensive for some high-risk drivers.
| User Reviews | 4.3 |
|---|---|
| Our Rating Compare.com's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The objective formula used in these reviews weighs several important factors to consider when choosing financial products and services, including customer satisfaction ratings, ease of use, and a number of other components. | 4.5 /5 |
| Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $36/mo |
| Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $61/mo |
Customers appreciate the prompt customer service and claims handling but are frustrated by the significant and frequent price increases.
Customers appreciate the prompt customer service and claims handling but are frustrated by the significant and frequent price increases.
USAA offers competitive rates for car insurance for Madison military members, veterans, and their families. The company even has multiple military-focused discounts and a range of coverage options, including roadside assistance and rental reimbursement.
That said, USAA offers policies only to military members, veterans, and their families. The company also doesn’t offer as many coverage options as some competitors.
Wisconsin Auto Insurance Requirements
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In most states, including Wisconsin, drivers must meet minimum liability insurance requirements to legally drive. You could get a $500 fine for driving without the proper auto insurance. To comply with state law and avoid penalties, Wisconsin drivers must have:
$10,000 of property damage liability
$25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident of bodily injury liability coverage
You typically don’t need to show proof of insurance during your vehicle registration or when getting or renewing your driver’s license, according to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.
Many insurance experts recommend getting higher coverage levels than the state-minimum requirements. One serious accident could easily go far beyond the liability insurance limits.
While you may not need collision coverage and comprehensive coverage, it can be a smart addition. Plus, lenders generally require it if you finance or lease your care. You can also consider uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage and personal injury protection (PIP).
Madison Auto Insurance FAQs
If you’re shopping around for car insurance, we’re here to help. We answered some common questions from drivers about coverage in Madison. Check them out below.
Car insurance in Madison costs an average of $89 per month, according to Compare.com data. Liability coverage costs an average of $65 per month, and full coverage costs an average of $112 per month.
USAA is the cheapest auto insurance company in Madison, with rates starting at $37 per month, according to Compare.com data. But your personal rates depend on many factors, like your age, location, and driving record.
It depends. Car insurance companies base your premiums on several factors, including your address, age, and credit history. The average rate for car insurance in Madison is $89 per month, while the national average rate is $137 per month, according to Compare.com data.
The cheapest car insurance company in Wisconsin is USAA, with rates starting at $36 per month, according to Compare.com data. But how much you pay for insurance depends on several factors, including your driving record, ZIP code, and credit history.
Methodology
Data scientists at Compare.com analyzed more than 50 million real-time auto insurance quotes from more than 75 partner insurers in order to compile the rates and statistics seen in this article. Compare.com’s auto insurance data includes coverage analysis and details on drivers’ vehicles, driving records, insurance histories, and demographic information.
All the rates listed in this article have been collected from a combination of real Compare.com quotes and external insurance rate data gathered in collaboration with Quadrant Information Services. Compare.com uses these observations to provide readers with insights into how auto insurance companies determine their premiums.
Sources
- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "This Wisconsin city is rated one of the safest in the US for driving."
- State of Wisconsin Department of Transportation. "Minimum insurance requirements."
- Insurance Information Institute. "What determines the price of an auto insurance policy?."
- Insurance Information Institute. "What is covered by a basic auto insurance policy?."
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. "Teen Driving."
- Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance. "Frequently Asked Questions - Automobile Insurance."
- AM Best. "AM Best Downgrades Credit Ratings of Members of Auto-Owners Insurance Group; Upgrades Issuer Credit Ratings of Members of Capital Insurance Group; Affirms Credit Ratings of Atlantic Casualty Insurance Company and Certain Affiliates and Subsidiaries."
- Trustpilot. "Auto-Owners Insurance Reviews."
- J.D. Power. "2025 U.S. Auto Insurance Study."
- Trustpilot. "State Farm Reviews."
- Better Business Bureau. "USAA."
- Trustpilot. "USAA Reviews."
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Melanie Lockert is a personal finance and insurance writer who has been writing for Compare.com since 2023. Her work has also appeared on Allure, Business Insider, Credit Karma, Fortune, and more. She’s also the founder of the blog and author of the book, “Dear Debt” in which she chronicled her journey out of $81,000 of student loan debt.
Melanie is also the co-founder of the Lola Retreat and host of the Mental Health and Wealth show podcast.
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Matthew Gross is an editor at Compare.com. With a background in editing and SEO, he’s passionate about creating content that helps readers get the information they need to make more informed decisions. Prior to Compare.com, Matthew brought his user-centered approach to his work with global brands like Apple and Adobe.
Matthew graduated from Illinois State University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Journalism.
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