Personal Insurance

Wisconsin law requires all drivers to carry liability insurance and uninsured motorist coverage. The minimum required limits are $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident for bodily injury liability, $10,000 for property damage liability, and $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident for uninsured motorist coverage. These minimums are legally required but are often insufficient to protect your assets in a serious accident. Medical costs and legal judgments frequently exceed minimum limits — meaning you'd pay the difference out of pocket. Brad typically recommends significantly higher limits and will explain exactly what coverage levels make sense for your financial situation.

Hitting a deer — one of the most common vehicle accidents in Wisconsin — is covered under comprehensive, not collision. This matters because comprehensive and collision often have different deductibles, and comprehensive claims typically don't affect your rates the way at-fault collision claims do. Comprehensive also covers theft of your vehicle or parts, vandalism, flood damage, hail, and falling objects. If you only carry collision without comprehensive, you are not covered for deer strikes or flood damage. Given Wisconsin's deer population and weather, comprehensive coverage is essential for most Wisconsin drivers.

Wisconsin follows a comparative negligence law, meaning fault in an accident can be shared between parties as a percentage. You can recover damages from the other party as long as your share of fault is not greater than theirs — but your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are 20% at fault and suffer $100,000 in damages, you can recover $80,000. If your negligence is determined to be greater than the other party's, you are barred from recovery entirely. This is why having adequate liability and uninsured motorist coverage matters — Wisconsin's system means accident outcomes can be financially complex, and having the right coverage ensures you're protected regardless of how fault is assigned.

Wisconsin law does not require homeowners insurance — but if your home has a mortgage, your lender almost certainly does. Mortgage lenders require you to carry coverage for at least the outstanding loan balance to protect their financial interest in the property. You are free to choose your own insurer — you are not required to use the company your lender recommends. Even without a mortgage, going without homeowners insurance is a significant financial risk. Wisconsin homeowners pay an average of $1,303–$1,440 per year for $300,000 in dwelling coverage — far less than the cost of a single uninsured fire or major storm loss. Brad shops multiple carriers to find the best combination of coverage and price for your specific home and location.

A standard Wisconsin homeowners policy (HO-3 Special Form) bundles four types of coverage: Dwelling and personal property — covers your home structure, attached garage, and personal belongings against most perils except those specifically excluded. Other structures — covers detached garages, fences, and sheds, typically at 10% of your dwelling limit. Personal liability — covers your legal liability for non-automobile accidents on or off your property caused by you, a family member, or your pet. Additional living expenses — pays for temporary housing and extra costs if your home becomes uninhabitable due to a covered loss. What's NOT covered by a standard policy: flood damage (requires separate flood insurance), earthquake, and sewer/drain backup (available as an endorsement — important in Wisconsin).

Your dwelling coverage should reflect the cost to rebuild your home — not its market value and not what you paid for it. Market value includes the land (which isn't insurable) and fluctuates with real estate conditions. Rebuild cost depends on construction materials, square footage, and local labor rates — and in Wisconsin, construction costs have remained elevated. To qualify for replacement cost coverage, most Wisconsin policies require you to insure your dwelling to at least 80% of its rebuild cost. Falling below that threshold triggers a coinsurance penalty that reduces your claim payout. Brad will help calculate an accurate rebuild cost estimate for your home so your coverage limit is correct — not based on a number that made sense three years ago.

No — flood damage is specifically excluded from standard homeowners policies. This catches many Wisconsin homeowners off guard, especially those near rivers, lakes, and low-lying areas. "Flood" means water rising from an external source — overflowing rivers, storm surge, or surface water accumulation during heavy rain. A separate flood insurance policy is required for flood coverage, typically purchased through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Any licensed property and casualty agent in Wisconsin — including Brad — can help you obtain flood insurance. Water damage from a burst pipe or roof leak during a storm is generally covered by your homeowners policy; flood from outside is not. Wisconsin's varied terrain and proximity to waterways makes flood insurance worth seriously evaluating for many homeowners.

No — and this is the most common misconception renters have. Your landlord's insurance covers the building structure. It does not cover your personal belongings inside the unit — your furniture, clothing, electronics, appliances, or anything else you own. If a fire destroys everything in your apartment, your landlord's policy pays to rebuild the structure; you receive nothing for your personal property without your own renters insurance. Renters insurance also provides personal liability coverage (if someone is injured in your unit or you accidentally damage the building) and additional living expenses if you're temporarily displaced by a covered loss. At $15–$30/month, it's one of the most affordable and underutilized types of coverage available.

A standard renters policy covers: Personal property — your belongings inside the rental against fire, theft, vandalism, and most common perils; coverage typically extends to property stolen from your car or belongings damaged while traveling. Personal liability — if someone is injured in your rental or you accidentally damage the building; standard policies start at $100,000, but $300,000–$500,000 is worth considering if you host guests frequently, own a dog, or have significant assets. Loss of use — temporary housing, meals, and extra living costs if your unit is uninhabitable due to a covered loss. Medical payments to others — helps cover guest injuries on your property regardless of fault. What renters insurance does NOT cover: flood damage, earthquake, vehicle damage (that's your auto policy), and intentional damage.

Wisconsin landlords frequently require tenants to carry renters insurance as a lease condition — no state law prohibits this requirement. Typical landlord requirements include a minimum of $100,000 in personal liability coverage and a request to be listed as an additional interested party on your policy. The landlord may ask to see a certificate of insurance before your lease begins. Renters insurance policies can typically be activated within 24 hours, and many insurers offer same-day coverage. Brad can get your renters policy in place quickly and provide documentation for your landlord the same day. Bundling renters insurance with your auto insurance often produces meaningful discounts on both policies.

Bundling is one of the most reliable ways to reduce personal insurance costs. Most Wisconsin carriers offer a multi-policy discount of 5–25% when you combine auto and homeowners (or renters) insurance with the same company. Beyond the discount itself, bundling simplifies your insurance life — one agent, one renewal season, one relationship to manage. In many cases, Brad can find a bundled rate from a single carrier that beats what you're paying separately to two different companies. If you currently have your auto and home with different insurers, it's worth a comparison quote to see what bundling would save you. Brad runs those comparisons at no cost.

Wisconsin has a safety net for residents who are unable to obtain coverage through the standard market. The Wisconsin Insurance Plan (WIP) is a state-mandated risk-pooling arrangement in which all companies selling property insurance in Wisconsin share the risk of covering property owners who have been declined or cancelled by standard insurers. WIP covers homeowners, dwelling, and commercial policies but offers only basic coverage (fire, extended coverage, vandalism, theft) at actual cash value — not replacement cost. Premiums through WIP are higher than the standard market. WIP is a last resort, not a first choice. Similarly, the Wisconsin Automobile Insurance Plan provides auto coverage for drivers who cannot find it elsewhere. Brad works with a wide range of carriers and will exhaust all standard market options before WIP becomes necessary.

At minimum once a year — and any time your life changes significantly. Major life events that should trigger an immediate coverage review: buying or selling a home, getting married or divorced, having a child, purchasing a new vehicle, making significant home improvements or renovations, acquiring valuable property (jewelry, art, collectibles), adopting a dog, starting a home-based business, or experiencing a significant change in income or assets. In 2026, home rebuild costs and vehicle replacement values remain elevated — Wisconsin homeowners and auto policyholders who haven't updated their coverage limits in the past year or two may be underinsured without knowing it. Brad reviews every client's coverage annually to catch these gaps before a claim reveals them.