Homeowners Insurance

Wisconsin law does not require homeowners insurance — but your mortgage lender almost certainly does. If your lender's escrow analysis finds your coverage has lapsed, they can purchase force-placed insurance on your behalf at a much higher premium (often 3–5× the cost of a standard policy) and charge it to your escrow. If you own your home free and clear, coverage is optional — but without it, you bear the full financial risk of fire, theft, liability, and weather damage. Brad helps homeowners find the right coverage at the right price.

The average homeowners insurance premium in Wisconsin is approximately $1,303 per year ($109/month) in 2026 — lower than the national average of ~$1,900. However, your actual rate depends on your home's age, construction type, roof condition, location, claims history, and coverage amount. Homes in areas with higher flood, tornado, or hail risk pay more. Bundling with auto insurance typically saves 10–25%. Brad shops multiple Wisconsin carriers to find the best combination of price and coverage for your specific home.

A standard HO-3 homeowners policy covers: Dwelling (Coverage A) — the structure of your home and attached structures against all perils except those specifically excluded; Other Structures (Coverage B) — detached garages, fences, sheds; Personal Property (Coverage C) — furniture, clothing, electronics, and belongings; Loss of Use (Coverage D) — additional living expenses if your home is uninhabitable; Personal Liability (Coverage E) — legal costs and damages if someone is injured on your property; Medical Payments (Coverage F) — minor medical costs for guests regardless of fault.

No — standard homeowners policies do not cover flood damage. This is one of the most common and costly coverage gaps in Wisconsin. Flood insurance must be purchased separately, typically through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or private carriers. Wisconsin experiences significant flooding along the Fox River, Mississippi River, and other waterways. You do not need to be in a high-risk flood zone to experience flood damage — nearly 20% of flood claims come from low-to-moderate risk areas. Brad can help you evaluate your flood risk and obtain a quote.

Wisconsin insurers typically require you to insure your home for at least 80% of its replacement cost to receive full reimbursement on partial losses. If your coverage falls below that threshold, the insurer will only pay a proportional share of any claim — not the full cost of repair, even if the loss is smaller than your policy limit. For example, if your home's replacement cost is $300,000 and you only carry $200,000 in coverage (67%), a $60,000 claim might only net you $50,000 after the coinsurance penalty. Brad reviews your replacement cost at every renewal to keep you properly insured.

Replacement cost (RCV) pays what it costs to replace or repair your property at today's prices, with no deduction for depreciation. Actual cash value (ACV) pays replacement cost minus depreciation — meaning a 10-year-old roof might be valued at only 40–50% of a new roof's cost. RCV coverage costs more but provides far better protection. In Wisconsin, most carriers require your dwelling to be insured to at least 80% of its replacement cost to qualify for full RCV treatment. Brad always recommends replacement cost coverage for the dwelling and helps you evaluate it for personal property as well.

Standard policies typically exclude sewer or drain backup — a common and expensive loss in Wisconsin due to aging municipal infrastructure and heavy rainfall. Water damage from a sudden pipe burst is usually covered; gradual leaks and seepage are not. Sewer/water backup coverage is available as an endorsement — often for $50–$100/year — and is highly recommended. Brad routinely adds this rider for Wisconsin clients given the frequency of sewer backup claims, especially in older Fox Valley communities.

The Wisconsin Insurance Plan (WIP) is a last-resort property insurance pool for homeowners who cannot obtain coverage in the standard market — typically due to prior losses, home condition, or location. All insurance companies writing property insurance in Wisconsin share the risk. WIP premiums are significantly higher than standard market rates and coverage options are limited. If you've been declined by multiple insurers, Brad can review your situation first — many homeowners who think they need WIP can still qualify for voluntary market coverage with the right carrier or after addressing the disqualifying issue.

Yes — standard homeowners policies impose sublimits on certain categories of personal property. Common Wisconsin policy sublimits include: jewelry ($1,000–$2,500), silverware ($2,500), guns ($2,500), cash ($200), and business property ($2,500). If your jewelry, art, musical instruments, collectibles, or other valuables exceed these limits, you need a scheduled personal property endorsement (also called a floater) to fully insure them. These endorsements provide agreed-value coverage with no deductible for most losses. Brad will review your belongings and recommend appropriate scheduled coverage.

Standard homeowners policies provide very limited coverage for business activities — typically just $2,500 for business equipment and no liability protection for business-related claims. If you run a business from home — whether full-time or part-time — you likely need a home business endorsement or a separate business owner's policy (BOP). This applies to everything from day care and photography to remote work with clients visiting your home. Brad can identify the right solution based on your specific business type and risk profile.

Filing a homeowners claim in Wisconsin typically results in a premium increase of 9–20% at renewal, and the claim can affect your rate for 3–5 years depending on the carrier. Multiple claims within a short period can lead to non-renewal. Before filing a small claim, it's worth considering whether the payout minus your deductible justifies the long-term premium impact. Wisconsin has no grace period — your insurer can non-renew your policy if they determine your risk profile has changed. Brad can help you evaluate whether to file or pay out of pocket on borderline claims.

Loss of use (Coverage D) pays for additional living expenses if your home becomes uninhabitable due to a covered loss — such as a fire, major storm, or burst pipe. It covers the difference between your normal living costs and what you're spending while displaced: hotel or temporary housing, meals, laundry, and storage. Standard policies provide 20–30% of your dwelling coverage as the loss of use limit. During Wisconsin's harsh winters, having adequate loss of use coverage is especially important — a burst pipe or ice dam can displace a family for weeks. Brad makes sure your loss of use limit is realistic for your area.