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Wisconsin SR-22 Insurance After DUI

Wisconsin requires 25/50/10 liability coverage and is an at-fault state.

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Wisconsin at a Glance

25/50/10

Minimum liability limits, in thousands of dollars (per person / per accident / property)

At-fault

The at-fault driver's insurance pays for the damage they cause

Required

Uninsured motorist coverage must be on every policy

$60

State license reinstatement fee, about 2 days to process

Source: state DMV, insurance department and statute records, verified July 2026

Minimum Coverage Requirements in Wisconsin

Wisconsin is a traditional tort state, meaning the at-fault driver's liability insurance pays for injuries and damage. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation requires continuous SR-22 filing for 3 years after a DUI conviction, measured from the conviction date or the first day your license was suspended. Miss a premium payment and your carrier notifies WisDOT within 10 days, triggering immediate license re-suspension.

Bodily Injury Liability

Pays medical bills, lost wages, and legal costs when you injure someone in an at-fault accident. Wisconsin's 25/50 minimum covers less than a single emergency room visit in many cases. Post-DUI, raising limits to 50/100 or 100/300 protects you from personal liability if you cause a serious injury, and some judges reduce SR-22 filing periods for drivers who maintain higher-than-minimum coverage.

Property Damage Liability

Covers damage to another driver's vehicle, fence, or structure when you are at fault.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Pays your medical bills and lost wages if you're hit by a driver with no insurance or insufficient coverage. Wisconsin law requires every carrier to offer uninsured motorist coverage at the same limits as your liability policy. You can reject it, but only in writing at policy inception. Verbal rejection doesn't count, and if the form isn't signed, the coverage is automatically added and billed.

SR-22 Certificate of Financial Responsibility

The SR-22 is not insurance. It is a certificate your carrier files electronically with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation proving you carry at least state minimum liability. If you cancel, switch carriers without transferring the SR-22, or miss a payment, your carrier notifies WisDOT within 10 days and your license is re-suspended immediately.

What Drivers Pay in Wisconsin

$261–$266/mo

Typical monthly rate in Wisconsin, drivers with an SR-22 after a DUI

Rate data: ValuePenguin and NerdWallet, 2026

What Affects Your Rate

  • Filing duration: Wisconsin requires 3 years of continuous SR-22 from conviction date; some carriers offer premium step-downs at 18 months if no additional violations occur.
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Find an Insurer That Will File After a DUI

Get SR-22 Coverage After a DUI

If your license is suspended

Occupational License (Occupational Operator License)

application fee $50, about 0 days to process.

A coverage lapse is reported

The state acts on a lapse after 0 days.

Source: state DMV, insurance department and statute records, verified July 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I need SR-22 filing in Wisconsin after a DUI?

Wisconsin requires SR-22 filing for 3 years after a DUI conviction, measured from the conviction date or the first day of your license suspension. If you're convicted in January 2025 and your license is suspended immediately, your SR-22 filing period ends in January 2028. The filing period does not pause if you move out of state or let your policy lapse; any gap restarts the 3-year clock from zero.

What happens if I miss a payment on my Wisconsin SR-22 policy?

Your carrier notifies the Wisconsin Department of Transportation within 10 days of a missed payment or cancellation. WisDOT re-suspends your license immediately, and you must pay reinstatement fees again, file a new SR-22, and restart the 3-year filing period from the date of the new filing. One missed payment can add years to your total SR-22 obligation.

Which insurance companies write SR-22 policies after DUI in Wisconsin?

Most mainstream carriers like State Farm, Geico, and Progressive will file SR-22 for existing customers but typically non-renew the policy at the end of the term. Non-standard carriers that specialize in DUI policies include Dairyland, Direct Auto, Bristol West, GAINSCO, The General, and Safe Auto. Availability varies by county, and not all non-standard carriers operate in rural Wisconsin counties.

Does Wisconsin SR-22 requirement transfer if I move to another state?

No. If you move out of Wisconsin before your 3-year SR-22 period ends, you must file SR-22 in your new state and maintain it for the remainder of the Wisconsin-imposed filing period. Your new state's Department of Motor Vehicles coordinates with Wisconsin to track compliance. A lapse in SR-22 filing in your new state triggers suspension in Wisconsin and requires full reinstatement fees.

Can I reduce my Wisconsin SR-22 filing period by taking a defensive driving course?

No. Wisconsin does not reduce the 3-year SR-22 filing period for completing a defensive driving course or DUI education program. However, some judges reduce filing periods to 2 years for first-offense drivers who maintain higher-than-minimum liability coverage and install an ignition interlock device voluntarily. This is discretionary and requires a court motion; it is not automatic.

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