Wisconsin Auto Insurance Quotes and
Coverage Guide
Wisconsin Motor Vehicle Insurance
Questions & AnswersQ: Is
auto insurance mandatory?
A: Not exactly, but it might as well be. With
more than 15,000 lakes and the nation’s largest
production of cheese, Wisconsin figures it can keep
at least some of its citizens out of the lakes
they’re sometimes told to go jump in and keep them
hard at work making cheese, instead, with the Safety
Responsibility Law. Which is fine, as long their
brains don’t turn into cheese. This law takes away
the driver license and vehicle registration of
cheese heads who do not pay for damages or injuries
they cause and applies to all drivers and owners of
motor vehicles involved in accidents.
Q: Is Wisconsin a "no-fault" state?
A: Yes and no. Wisconsin is what is known as
an “add-on” state. In add-on states, drivers receive
compensation from their own insurance company as
they do in no-fault states, but there are no
restrictions on lawsuits, like in tort states. This
means you can get quick medical treatment when some
cheese-for-brains runs you off the road and into the
lake AND, then you can turn around and sue the
cheese off his crackers for ruining your car.
Q: What type of insurance is required in
Wisconsin?
A: Proof of financial responsibility is
certifying that you have liability insurance in the
amounts of at least $25,000 and $50,000 for personal
injury or death and $10,000 for property damage.
Proof of insurance is filed by obtaining an SR-22
certificate issued by an insurance company licensed
to do business in Wisconsin. Proof of insurance is
necessary:
-- To obtain an occupational license or to reinstate
a driver license after operating privileges or
vehicle registration has been revoked in the event
of a cheese-brained incident on the road.
-- To reinstate after suspension if the suspension
is a damage judgment or a suspension under the
Safety Responsibility Law because even cheese heads
have to get to work.
-- For drivers under the age of 18 (who, by nature,
have cheese instead of brains) in lieu of having a
sponsor. To learn more about young driver
sponsorship, visit
http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/drivers/drivers/gdl/sponsorship.htm.
Q: Can I maintain my current policy issued in my
previous state of residence?
A: No. Your insurance needs to be issued from
a company licensed to do business in Wisconsin. Even
a Swiss-cheese head would know this.
Q: What if I fail to keep insurance on my vehicle
that I’ve registered in Wisconsin?
A: If you are in an accident and DMV receives
injury or damage reports from others involved in the
accident, the accident report is reviewed to
determine if the uninsured driver appears to be a
verifiable cheese-for-brains driver and should be
told to go jump in the lake. If so, DMV calculates a
total for the damages, any injuries and estimated
court costs.
The DMV sends notices of suspension to the driver
who appears to be at fault in the accident. The
registered owner(s) of the uninsured vehicle, if
different than the driver, also receives a notice of
suspension. The notice states the driving and/or
vehicle registration privileges will be suspended
unless the driver and/or owner goes and jumps in the
lake or does any one of the following:
-- Files proof of insurance showing liability
insurance was in effect at the time of the accident.
-- Makes a security deposit with DMV to cover the
cost of the accident.
-- Enters into an installment agreement to pay for
the damages or injuries.
-- Submits evidence that the parties involved have
settled the damage or money claims directly by
filing a Release of Liability form with DMV.
-- Files a Security Deposit Assignment and Liability
Release form with DMV.
-- Requests a hearing if they feel a judgment in the
amount claimed could not be rendered or if they feel
they were not at fault
-- Requests a pardon on the basis of
cheese-related-stupidity syndrome.
Q: How long is a Safety Responsibility suspension
in effect?
A: A Safety Responsibility suspension remains
in effect until the uninsured motorist complies with
one of the safety responsibility requirements listed
above and/or agrees to have a brain transplant AND
jumps in the lake. However, if a suspension takes
effect before a hearing is requested, the suspension
will continue, pending the outcome of the hearing.
Q: How can I get my driving privileges
reinstated?
A: The uninsured motorist may reinstate
suspended privileges if, within one year of
suspension, the DMV has not received notification of
a pending lawsuit because the other driver is
probably a cheese head, too, and already gone and
jumped in the lake.
Reinstatement requires::
-- Filing of proof of insurance for three years
-- Payment of a $50 fee for reinstatement of driving
privileges and/or $50 for reinstatement of vehicle
registration privileges plus a signed and notarized
affidavit confirming that you have jumped in the
lake and are swearing off cheese.
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