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Teenagers and Auto Insurance

​​​​​​​​​​Last Updated: April 15, 2024

Printable version of publication: Teenagers and Auto Insurance

Earning the privilege to drive an automobile is a major milestone. Drivers have the responsibility to operate a vehicle safely and to pay for injuries or damages in the unfortunate event of an accident.

Wisconsin’s young drivers are more likely to be in a crash than any other age group.

  • For two out of every three teen drivers killed in a crash, it is their first crash.

  • More than one teen driver dies in a crash each week.

  • Teen drivers experience more crashes involving inattentive driving, texting while driving, and driving at inappropriate speeds than any other segment of the population.

Wisconsin’s Graduated Driver Licensing System can help reduce crashes involving young, inexperienced drivers. A graduated driver's license allows novice drivers to gain knowledge and driving time under the supervision of an experienced mentor and has passenger and hour restrictions to reduce risk.  For more information on Wisconsin's Graduated Driver Licensing System visit the Department of Transportation's website at wisconsindot.gov ​​.​
Wisconsin has an Absolute Sobriety or “Not a Drop,” law. This means drivers under 21 may not have a drop of alcohol in their systems when operating a motor vehicle.

Using a seat belt is also required in Wisconsin. Protect yourself by buckling up every time you get into an automobile, whether you are the driver or a passenger.
The financial responsibility law is designed to make sure any person licensed to drive in Wisconsin has enough insurance​ or enough money to pay for damages to others that may be caused by an automobile. You can meet these requirements through an automobile insurance policy​, a surety bond, or self-insurance.
Automobile insurance protects you if anything happens to you, your vehicle, someone else, or someone else’s automobile because of you.

Your insurance policy must provide the following minimum liability coverages​:

  • $25,000 for death or injury of one person;
  • $50,000 for death or injury of two or more persons; and
  • $10,000 for property damage.

The law also requires uninsured motorist coverage of $25,000/$50,000 for bodily injury only.
  • Medical expense coverage pays medical expenses for you and your passengers regardless of who is at fault. This is minimal coverage and usually only covers expenses not covered by health insurance. 

  • Underinsured motorist coverage (UIM) pays if another insured driver causes the accident but has lower bodily injury liability limits than your UIM limits. Your policy will pay the difference between the limits.

  • Collision coverage pays if your own automobile is damaged in a collision.

  • Comprehensive coverage pays for damage to your automobile caused by something other than a crash, such as theft, vandalism, or hitting a deer. This is sometimes referred to as “other than collision” coverage.
You may be able to lower your premiums​ by:

  • keeping a clean driving record (no accidents or tickets)
  • keeping a clear claims​ history
  • maintaining a good credit history
  • asking your agent about discounts
  • checking the premium rates before you buy an automobile
  • Check out other tips to save money on automobile insurance at oci.wi.gov/AutoSav​ings​
Your driving record is one of the main things an insurance company reviews when deciding how much to charge you for insurance. Your insurance company has the right to charge you extra even if you have only received one moving violation or were involved in just one accident in which you were considered more than 50% at fault.
Your parents’ auto insurance is greatly affected if you receive an operating while intoxicated (OWI) citation.

  • The cost of the premium will increase, and the higher rate​ will remain in effect until you are no longer on their policy.

  • The insurance company might non-renew or cancel your parents’ policy, leaving them searching for new insurance.

  • Other insurance policies held by your parents may be affected. For instance, they may face increased premiums to their umbrella policy and other vehicles, such as boats and snowmobiles.
Revocation and suspension have the same effect on the privilege to drive in Wisconsin. The real differences between the two are the penalties for being convicted of driving while suspended or revoked and the requirements for reinstatement. Information about suspended or revoked driving privileges is available on the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s website at wisconsindot.gov/Pages/dmv/license-drvs/susp-or-rvkd/susp-revoked.aspx ​.

Under certain circumstances, you may be required to provide proof of insurance or financial responsibility (SR22 Certificate) to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation Division of Motor Vehicles. To find out if you are required to file proof of insurance, how long you are required to file, and whether you have acceptable insurance on file, contact:

Driver Services Bureau
(608) 264-7447
information.dmv@dot.wi.gov
Your insurance company may elect to non-renew your policy once your policy term expires if your accident record or moving violations exceed the company’s standards. However, they must provide 60 days’ notice before non-renewing your policy.

Tickets and “at fault” accidents can seriously affect your policy. Your driving record may affect the insurance policies of your parents and siblings. Though they might be on a different policy, their premiums can be raised or their policies may even be canceled in rare instances because of your driving record.
Accidents happen, so it’s best to be prepared by following these steps:

  • Always have your insurance information in your vehicle.

  • Call the police to report the accident.

  • Make sure you get the following information from the other driver:
    • name
    • address
    • telephone number
    • license plate number
    • driver’s license number
    • insurance information 

  • Give the other driver the same information about you.

  • Notify your insurance agent as soon as possible.
Remember, coverage goes with the vehicle— even if you were not the driver. However, the owner must have given you their permission to drive the vehicle. If the vehicle is owned by your parents, they must have given their permission.


Information about proof of insurance is also available on the Wisconsin Department of Transportation's website at wisconsindot.gov/Pages/dmv/license-drvs/susp-or-rvkd/proof-of-insurance.aspx ​ ​

For more information about preventing automobile accidents in Wisconsin, visit zeroinwisconsin.go​v .​​​

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