Major Changes Made to Wisconsin’s Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance Law

Governor Scott Walker recently signed into law 2011 Wisconsin Act 14, which largely returns Wisconsin’s automobile insurance laws to their status before changes were made in the budget last legislative session. The requirement to purchase automobile insurance, however, was retained.

The new law reduces the minimum mandatory liability coverage to $25,000 for each person, $50,000 for each accident, and $10,000 for property damage. Under previous law, the minimum was $50,000 for each person, $100,000 for each accident, and $15,000 for property damage. The new law also repeals the requirement for the Wisconsin Department of Transportation to index the limits to inflation.

The legislation reduces minimums for underinsured motorist coverage to $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident, from $100,000 and $300,000. The repeal will take effect on Nov. 1, 2011 and applies to insurance policies that are newly issued or renewed on or after that date.