Changes to Automobile Insurance Coverage as of November 1, 2011

Changes to Automobile Insurance Coverage as of November 1, 2011

By Neil L. Wojtal

In April, 2011 changes were passed by the Wisconsin State Legislature which returned the limits on coverage and the types of coverage to pre-2009 levels. Here are the changes that will go into effect on November 1, 2011:

1. Policies issued before November 1, 2011 are required to cover $50,000 per injured person, $100,000 per accident and $15,000 for property damage. As of November 1, the minimum amount of coverage required will be $25,000 per injured person, $50,000 per accident and $10,000 for property damage.
2. Minimum protection for uninsured motorists (UM) will change from $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident to $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
3. Underinsured Motorist (UIM) protection will no longer be mandatory under the new law. If you elect to carry this coverage, the minimum amount of coverage has been reduced from $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident to $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident.
4. Note that policyholders will no longer be guaranteed the option of "stacking" coverage. Stacking allows a policyholder to stack coverage if they insure multiple vehicles. For example, if three vehicles are covered under the same policy and each has $100,000 in UM protection, each vehicle would have access to $300,000 worth of UM coverage through stacking. Stacking only applies to UM, UIM and medical payment coverage. Insurers may still permit stacking after November 1; however, they are not required to permit it.
5. Medical payments insurance will remain optional under the new law; however, the minimum amount of protection will decrease from $10,000 to $1,000.
6. Automobile insurance coverage will remain mandatory. All drivers in Wisconsin will be required to maintain a policy in order to drive legally.
7. Another change allows insurers to place previously uninsured or new drivers in a high-risk category. Typically, the high-risk category requires higher premium payments.

If you have automobile coverage, especially coverage for UM, UIM and medical payments, you may want to review your coverage with your insurance agent at this time to see how the changes in the Wisconsin state laws will affect you.

This blog is designed for general information purposes only and should not be construed to be formal legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your own situation. Although great care has been taken to ensure the accuracy and utility of the information contained in this blog, no warranty is made, express or implied, and Zimmerman & Steber Legal Group, LLC assumes no liability in connection with any use or result from use of the information contained herein.