Most Hudson drivers know they need car insurance. Far fewer know what their policy actually covers. At Bye, Goff & Rohde, we hear the same story again and again: injured clients had no idea which coverages they bought until it was too late to change them. Whether you’re commuting across the St. Croix River or running errands at Target, one serious crash can change everything. The good news is that you can fix that today. Here are five common mistakes Wisconsin drivers make with their auto insurance, and what to do about each one.

Mistake 1: Not Knowing What Your Auto Policy Covers

Your policy declarations page is the first section of your auto policy. It lists every coverage in force and the dollar limit for each. If you can’t remember the last time you looked at yours, make this the week you do. Ask your agent to walk you through any line you don’t understand. A quick review now beats a hard lesson later. Hudson drivers who know their limits can make smart decisions long before a crash forces the issue.

Mistake 2: Assuming Wisconsin State Minimums Are Enough

Wisconsin requires liability coverage of at least $25,000 for injury or death of one person, $50,000 for two or more people, and $10,000 for property damage. Those numbers are a floor, not a goal. One serious injury can mean ambulance transport, emergency care, surgery, months of therapy, and time away from work. And according to the Insurance Information Institute, about 15.1 percent of Wisconsin drivers were uninsured in 2022, so the driver who hits you may not carry even the minimum. If this is the case, then your uninsured motorist coverage will come into play. However, if you only have the state law minimum of $25,000 for uninsured motorist coverage, and you sustain a life-changing injury, you’re limited to $25K in recovery against the insurance company.

Mistake 3: Skipping Underinsured Motorist Coverage or Buying Too Little

This is the mistake we see most. Wisconsin requires uninsured motorist coverage, but underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage is optional and can be declined. When the at-fault driver’s insurance can’t cover your losses, UIM is designed to help close the gap.

Here’s the catch. Many drivers buy $25,000 or $50,000 in UIM and assume that’s the extra protection they have. But many Wisconsin policies include a limits-reducing clause, which reduces your UIM limit by what the at-fault driver’s insurer pays. If you carry $25,000 and the other driver also carries $25,000, you may have no UIM coverage to collect, and the premium you paid was wasted.

That is why everyone should seriously consider carrying at least $100,000 per person in UIM coverage. You can’t control what other drivers carry. UIM is how you take control of your own protection.

Mistake 4: Declining Medical Payments Coverage

Insurers must offer medical payments coverage, often called Med Pay, but you can say no, and some drivers do. Med Pay can help pay accident-related medical expenses like ambulance bills, emergency room care, imaging, and physical therapy, no matter who caused the crash. It can also help with the deductibles and copays your health insurance leaves behind. If you choose Med Pay, the minimum limit is only $1,000, but premiums for higher limits are relatively modest. Ask your agent about increasing yours.

Mistake 5: Relying on Health Insurance Alone

Health insurance matters, but it comes with its own deductibles, copays, and limits. It also doesn’t replace lost wages or account for the full toll of a serious crash. UIM and Med Pay add layers of protection that health insurance alone doesn’t provide, and their premiums are relatively small compared to the difference they can make in an injury claim. Read more about how insurance companies work with those who have been injured in accidents in our article, Should I Accept a Settlement from the Insurance Company?

A Checklist of Items to Do Now to Review Your Auto Insurance

These steps take less than an hour, and they cost you nothing to start.

Find your auto policy declarations page.
Check your UIM and Med Pay limits, and ask your agent whether your UIM has a limits-reducing clause.
Ask your agent for quotes to increase both UIM and Med Pay coverages.
Update your agent whenever you add or replace a vehicle so you have the coverages you want.

Injured in a Crash Near Hudson? We Can Help

If you’ve been seriously injured in an accident near Hudson, the coverage on your policy can shape your recovery. Call 715-425-8161 if you’ve been in a life-changing accident or have questions about your auto insurance coverages. The attorneys at Bye, Goff & Rohde have more than 50 years of experience helping injured Wisconsin and Minnesota families, and our partner attorneys are board certified through the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Your consultation is free, and we work on a contingency fee basis. Serious injuries deserve serious lawyers.