Progressive SR-22 After an OWI — Wisconsin

Progressive operates as a standard-tier carrier that accepts high-risk drivers rather than a non-standard specialist. The company underwrites SR-22 policies using the same rate structure it applies to clean-record drivers, then adds violation surcharges on top. An OWI conviction typically adds 60% to 90% to your base premium at Progressive, and that multiplier compounds with age and location factors.

Wisconsin non-standard carriers like Dairyland, GAINSCO, Bristol West, and The General structure their entire business around high-risk drivers. Their base rates assume violation history from the start, which means the OWI surcharge is often lower in absolute dollar terms. A driver in Milwaukee County quoted $220/month at Progressive might see $140 to $170 from Dairyland or GAINSCO for identical coverage limits.

Progressive does not offer payment flexibility that some non-standard carriers allow. You'll pay the full down payment and monthly installments on a fixed schedule. Dairyland and GAINSCO both allow mid-month payment adjustments and offer lower down payment options, which matters if cash flow is tight during the reinstatement period.

Progressive will file your SR-22 and satisfy Wisconsin's reinstatement requirement, but you'll likely pay more than necessary if you don't compare alternatives. Request quotes from Dairyland, GAINSCO, and The General before committing. Use Wisconsin's three-year SR-22 filing period as your planning window — a $60 monthly savings compounds to $2,160 over three years, and that difference funds other reinstatement costs like the ignition interlock device and AODA assessment. Compare carriers, verify coverage limits match, and bind the policy that gives you the lowest sustainable monthly payment for the full three-year period.