Can alcohol affect my car insurance policy if I am under the legal limit?
<p>Can an insurance company legally deny claims in a no-fault accident because of a blood alcohol content that's under the legal limit but is not 0? I'm in Wisconsin but references to any national rulings/regulations are welcome.</p>

<p><em>I just bought a new car and was wondering if running to the store after a beer would jeopardize my insurance. (I'm a 200+ lb male so impairment is not a concern)</em></p>

<p>Bearing in mind that you are legally required to have liability insurance in Wisconsin (or a surety bond), and the reason for that is so that people can know with reasonable certainty (and not just hope) that if someone plows into them the guy at fault will cover the damage, you would expect that insurance policies can't be written so that the insurance company can wash their hands of the matter. So per Wisc. Stat 632.32(6)(b) in the liability insurance section of state insurance law,</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>No policy may exclude from the coverage afforded or benefits
  provided...</p>
  
  <ol start="4">
  <li>Any use of the motor vehicle for unlawful purposes, or for transportation of liquor in violation of law, or while the driver is
  under the influence of an intoxicant ...</li>
  </ol>
</blockquote>

<p>The short answer is <strong>NO</strong>. But you must read the small print (terms &amp; conditions) of your contract of insurance to ascertain exactly what it is that you signed up for with regard to the consumption of <em>any</em> alcohol. </p>

<p><strong>EDIT:</strong> It would appear that State law (Wisconsin) has something to say on this matter as subsequently pointed out by user6726</p>

<p>Cheers! </p>

<p>Er...this is <em>British</em> humor! We Brits often sign off with this expression. Do our American cousins do the same?</p>

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