Best homeowners insurance companies in  Wisconsin for 2024

Compare the best homeowners insurance companies in Wisconsin

Bankrate determined the best home insurance companies in Wisconsin using average premiums gathered from Quadrant Information Services, third-party ratings from AM Best and the 2023 J.D. Power U.S. Home Insurance Study. We also analyzed each provider’s coverage offerings, digital tools and availability. The table below showcases how each insurer performs across these categories in the form of a Bankrate Score out of 5 total points, where the higher a company scored, the better it performed overall. Homeowners seeking coverage in the state may want to start their search with Chubb, State Farm, Auto-Owners, Erie and West Bend.

The top 5 home insurance companies in Wisconsin

Additional Wisconsin home insurance companies to consider

Allstate

Secura

Travelers

How Bankrate chose the best home insurance companies in Wisconsin

To find the best Wisconsin homeowners insurance, Bankrate’s insurance editorial team began by reviewing coverage options, discounts, digital experience and third-party ratings from some of the largest companies in the state. We collected average rate data for each carrier from Quadrant Information Services. Each Wisconsin home insurance company earned a Bankrate Score on a five-point scale, based on this analysis.

If you are in the market for home insurance in Wisconsin, using Bankrate Scores can help you quickly narrow down the best Wisconsin homeowners insurance companies. Insurers with high Bankrate Scores generally excel in multiple categories, such as affordability, endorsements, financial strength and customer satisfaction. Companies with low Bankrate Scores may fall short in certain categories, and might not be as strong overall.

Cheapest home insurance companies in Wisconsin

Bankrate reviewed the average rates for the companies that write the most policies in Wisconsin to find those with the most affordable coverages. The five listed below had the lowest average rates, and may be worth looking at if you hope to find cheap coverage for your property.

How to get cheap home insurance in Wisconsin

Finding the right homeowners insurance policy can be an important part of your financial plan. Having coverage for your home’s structure and belongings against a list of potential disasters and losses may provide you peace of mind that your investment is protected from financial loss. Choosing a good homeowners insurance policy does not have to break the bank. The following steps may help you find the best cheap home insurance in Wisconsin:

1. Obtain home insurance quotes from multiple companies. Shopping around is the best way to compare your options and ensure you are getting the best rate.
2. Review discounts. Whether you are still getting quotes or you already have a policy, review the available insurance discounts available to you from different carriers. Discount options vary greatly and could have a significant impact on your premium.
3. Review your deductible. Raising your deductible will lower your premium, but note that insurance professionals recommend keeping your deductible low enough that you could comfortably pay it out of pocket if you need to file a claim.

Best home insurance discounts in Wisconsin

Deciding on which homeowners insurance company to choose may depend on the discounts available from each carrier you're considering. Although insurance companies offer different discount options, there are several common discounts you will find among many carriers.

How to save on home insurance policy renewals in Wisconsin

Even if you already have coverage, reviewing your policy details before your policy renews may help you save money without switching carriers. Here are a few strategies to consider when your policy renews.

• Improve your credit rating: In most states, including Wisconsin, carriers can consider your credit-based insurance score when determining your rates. If you've recently improved your credit score, you may want to bring this up with your company at renewal.
• Repair your roof: Upgrading or replacing your roof to make it more storm-resistant may reduce your risk, earning you a lower rate on your home coverage.
• Review your discounts: You may be eligible for more discounts now than when you purchased your policy. For example, if you installed a security system, you may earn a protective devices discount. Reviewing your carrier's discounts and looking for applicable savings opportunities could lower your premium or offset an increase.
• Raise your deductible: Increasing your deductible will lower your premium, but you'll have to pay more out of pocket if you file a claim.

How much is home insurance in Wisconsin?

The average home insurance premium in Wisconsin is $1,198 per year for a policy with $300,000 in dwelling coverage. Homeowners insurance rates vary by state, and Wisconsin homeowners pay less on average for home insurance than the average American. For comparison, the U.S. national average rate is $2,304 per year for the same level of coverage. This could be due to the fact that Wisconsin has a low property crime rate and does not experience major natural disasters, like hurricanes or tornadoes, leading to a lower probability of costly claims.

Although Wisconsin has cheap home insurance based on average rate data, it’s important to remember that every homeowner pays a different rate for coverage. Personal factors, like your claim history, ZIP code, the size and age of your home and its proximity to a fire station can all impact the cost of your policy.

Wisconsin homeowners insurance rates by city

Where you live, down to your ZIP code, affects your home insurance rates. Even among Wisconsin cities, rates vary depending on factors such as crime rates and regional weather patterns. At Bankrate, we've determined the most and least expensive cities in the Badger State for homeowners insurance.

*Rates are for $300,000 in dwelling coverage.

What does home insurance cover in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin's northern location makes it susceptible to heavy winter weather, and with large portions of the state fronting two of the Great Lakes: Superior and Michigan, weather patterns driven by lake effects are common as well. Here are some of the types of damage seen frequently by Wisconsin residents.

• Hail damage: Hailstorms are hard on roofs and siding. Many experts recommend assessing your home and property after a hail storm to look for compromised roofing, siding and windows.
• Tornadoes: According to Triple-I, Wisconsin experienced the 11th-highest volume of tornadoes in 2022.
• Wind damage: High winds can also damage roofs, and they may lead to fallen trees, branches and debris. Maintaining your property's trees may help mitigate windstorm damage.
• Flooding: Flooding is an issue for those living on Wisconsin's primary waterways, but flooding can happen in all parts of the state and impacts more homeowners than you might expect. Even a single overflowing ditch can cause water damage to your home. Standard home policies don't cover flooding, so if you are concerned that your home is vulnerable, you may want to look into flood insurance.
• Winter weather and frozen pipes: Cold temperatures can lead to burst pipes, resulting in water damage claims. Insulating your property's piping, disconnecting outside hoses and keeping your home at a warm temperature, even when you're out of town, may help prevent frozen pipes.
• Fire damage: Although less common, wildfires and residential fires do occur in Wisconsin. Clearing debris from your property and regularly checking for potential fire hazards in your home may help you avoid costly fire claims.

Additional home insurance coverage types in Wisconsin

Some common causes of loss in Wisconsin are not covered by standard home insurance policies. You may want to consider endorsements to fill these coverage gaps.

• Flood insurance: Flooding may be the largest category of peril that is not covered by standard home insurance policies. You can purchase flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program and from some insurers. Flood insurance can be a benefit even if you don't live near a large body of water — even a drainage ditch that overflows can cause flood problems. One way to assess your need for flood coverage is to input your address into FEMA's flood map, which can indicate if you are in a flood zone. According to the Insurance Information Institute, flooding is the most common and costly natural disaster in the U.S., playing a role in 90 percent of all natural disasters.
• Sinkhole coverage: Sinkhole damage may not be on your radar when you think about potential damage to your home, but in some parts of Wisconsin, it probably should be. The eastern, southern and western parts of the state are positioned over beds of dolomite and limestone, which can dissolve in water and crumble. This makes sinkholes a possibility. Ask your insurance agent if your home is at risk.
• Equipment breakdown: Wisconsin’s weather fluctuations can wreak havoc on heating, plumbing and electrical systems. Adding this optional coverage is similar to buying an extended warranty. If your furnace fails due to a covered peril, your home insurer could help pay for its repair or replacement.
• Water backup coverage: If you suffer damage due to a backed up sewer or drain line, you’ll want to consider this add-on option to have coverage. Many other types of water damage may be covered automatically, but water backup is not.

Common Wisconsin home insurance problems

The insurance industry is constantly changing and evolving in Wisconsin due to challenges such as increasingly severe weather patterns and supply chain issues. These challenges contribute to rising home coverage rates across the U.S. Here are a few of the considerations that may impact homeowners in Wisconsin who are looking for great home insurance coverage.

• Flooding threats: According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), nearly 40 percent of Wisconsin's residents live in a coastal county — which means that roughly 2.1 million people are at risk for flooding during severe weather. Flooding is not covered by standard home policies, so you may want to consider adding a flood policy to your Wisconsin coverage portfolio.
• Supply chain issues: Many areas of the U.S. are still facing materials and labor shortages prompted by the pandemic. This, combined with inflation issues, may prompt Wisconsin homeowners to consider their coverage limits compared to the true cost of repair or replacement for their homes and belongings.
• Limited insurer availability: As climate change increases home insurance claim frequency and severity in an already challenging coverage market, many insurers are becoming more wary of risk and setting stricter limitations on what homes they will insure. Although Wisconsin doesn't face the same extreme situations as Florida or California, home insurance companies may still be less willing to take on risk for some coastal homeowners than they used to.

Frequently asked questions

Additional profiles:

• Coverage A, Dwelling: $150,000, $350,000, $450,000, $750,000
• Coverage B, Other Structures: $15,000, $35,000, $45,000, &75,000
• Coverage C, Personal Property: $75,000, $175,000, $225,000, $375,000
• Coverage D, Loss of Use: $30,000, $70,000, $90,000, $150,000
• Coverage E, Liability: $500,000
• Coverage F, Medical Payments: $1,000

Bankrate Scores 

Our Bankrate Score considers variables our insurance editorial team determined impacts policyholders’ experiences with an insurance company. These rating factors include a robust assessment of each company’s product availability, financial strength ratings, online capabilities and customer and claims support accessibility. Each factor was added to a category, and these categories were weighted in a tiered approach to analyze how companies perform in key customer-impacting categories.

Each category was assigned a metric to determine performance, and the weighted sum adds up to a company’s total Bankrate Score — out of 5 points. Our scoring model provides a comprehensive view, indicating when companies excel across several key areas and highlighting where they fall short.