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Wisconsin Home Insurance

Home insurance in Wisconsin helps protect your home and belongings from unexpected events. Whether your home is in Milwaukee or Ashland, having the right coverage ensures the memories you’ve created stay safe, no matter what life throws your way.

Is home insurance required in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin law doesn’t require homeowners to have insurance on their property, but if you finance your home through a mortgage, your lender will likely require you to have homeowners insurance. Even if you own your home outright without a mortgage, it’s still highly advisable to be insured. Home insurance is not a one-size-fits-all product. It should be tailored to your specific situation and needs.

Typical Wisconsin homeowners insurance coverages

  • Coverage A – Dwelling:

    Coverage for your home and attached structures for damage caused by events such as fire, lightning, wind or hail.

  • Coverage B – Other structures:

    This covers damage to other structures on the property that are set apart from the dwelling, such as a fence, shed or detached garage.

  • Coverage C – Personal property:

    Coverage for your belongings, such as furniture, clothing and electronics, if they’re damaged by a peril listed in your policy.

  • Coverage D – Loss of use:

    This covers your temporary living expenses when a covered loss makes your home unfit to live in.

  • Coverage E – Personal liability:

    This covers damage or injury to another person on their property that you’re responsible for causing. It also covers legal assistance for claims made against you.

  • Coverage F – Medical payments to others:

    This coverage can pay for medical bills for people who are accidentally hurt on your property, not including members of your household.

Remember, each of these coverages is subject to a policy limit, deductible and exclusions, which are specified within your policy. 

Your homeowners insurance won’t cover flood damages, so it helps to ensure you’re properly covered if there’s a flood. Flood insurance policies are available and are written through the federally backed National Flood Insurance Program. It’s common for mortgage companies to require flood insurance if your home is within or near a floodplain. Regardless, a flood can occur anywhere, and it’s a good idea to buy this additional coverage.

Additional coverages in Wisconsin

You may find that the general coverages afforded in a basic homeowners policy don’t cover certain losses or types of property. Amica offers home insurance options in the form of policy endorsements that fill in some of those gaps in coverage. Adding endorsements to your Wisconsin homeowners insurance policy can provide valuable additional coverage tailored to your specific needs. Here are a few endorsements you might consider:

  • Special computer coverage:

    Additional protection beyond what’s included in your policy for devices against direct physical loss, like accidental damage or theft. Devices covered under special computer coverage include:

    • Desktops
    • Laptops
    • Smartphones
    • Gaming devices
    • Smart TVs

  • Identity fraud expenses:

    Identity theft is a growing concern, and this endorsement can help cover expenses associated with restoring your identity, such as legal fees, lost wages and other related costs.

  • Water backup and sump overflow:

    Unexpected and accidental water damage, like from an appliance or burst pipe, is covered by most homeowners insurance policies. But, at the same time, they also exclude coverage for backed-up sewers and drains. This endorsement provides coverage for water that backs up through drains and sump pumps.

  • Scheduled personal property:

    If you have high-value items such as jewelry, fine art or collectibles, a basic homeowners policy may not provide sufficient coverage. With this endorsement, you can insure specific items to make sure they’re adequately covered against loss or damage.

  • Earthquakes:

    A standard Wisconsin policy excludes damage caused by earth movement, including earthquakes. This endorsement would extend coverage to damage caused by an earthquake.

Key factors impacting Wisconsin homeowners insurance rates

The location of your home is a factor that impacts home insurance premiums. Different areas face different risks and exposures. Home insurance costs may differ between a house in northern Wisconsin and a house in the southern part of the state, influenced by regional weather patterns, construction expenses and local property values.

Your Wisconsin homeowners insurance policy should be as unique as your home. That’s why we emphasize the importance of selecting the right coverage for your individual needs. By customizing your policy to suit your preferences, you help protect your home and gain some control over your rates.

Additionally, regularly reviewing and updating your coverage can ensure that your policy adequately reflects your current needs.

Maximize savings with Wisconsin homeowners insurance discounts

There are several ways Wisconsin homeowners can save money on home insurance without compromising the quality of their coverage.1 We offer home insurance discounts for:

  • Alarm systems: Receive a discount when you insure a home with burglar alarms, sprinkler systems or fire alarms.
  • Automatic detection devices: Insure a home in Wisconsin with a temperature monitoring, water leak detection or gas leak detection system installed and receive a discount. 
  • New or remodeled homes: Receive a credit when you insure a new or fully remodeled home. 
  • Claim-free: Receive a discount when you’ve had no claims in the past three years.

If these don’t apply to you, we also offer discounts for:

  • AutoPay: Receive a discount when you opt to pay your premium using automatic deductions. 
  • E-discount: Get a discount when you sign up to receive policy information and bills electronically. 

One of the best ways to conveniently manage all of your insurance needs and save money at the same time is to bundle your insurance coverages for home and auto with the same insurance company. In fact, Wisconsin homeowners who bundle home and auto insurance with Amica could save up to 20% with a multiline discount.1

Facts and figures about Wisconsin

Common claims in Wisconsin:

Wisconsin weather can lead to various types of damages to homes, and homeowners insurance typically provides coverage for many of these weather-related risks, subject to policy limits. Here are some common claims that Wisconsin homeowners may face:

  • Frozen pipes: When temperatures drop below freezing, water pipes in your home can freeze and burst, causing significant water damage. As long as heat in the residence was maintained, homeowners insurance typically covers damage resulting from burst pipes, including water cleanup and repairs to the affected areas.
  • Ice dams: Ice dams occur when snow on the roof melts and refreezes at the edges, forming a barrier that prevents water from draining properly. This can lead to water seeping into the attic or walls, and can cause damage to ceilings, insulation and interior spaces. Homeowners insurance may cover repairs for damage caused by ice dams. 
  • Roof damage: High winds from spring and summer thunderstorms may result in roof damage. Homeowners insurance typically covers roof damage caused by hail or wind, although coverage may be subject to certain exclusions or limitations.

Homeowners in Wisconsin may want to consider purchasing supplemental coverage for specific risks, such as flood insurance even in areas that are not floodplains.

Fun facts about Wisconsin:

  • Wisconsin is commonly referred to as the "Badger State". This nickname originated not only because badgers thrived in the area, but also because early miners in Wisconsin dug holes in the ground for shelter, similar to the behavior of badgers.2
  • Baraboo, Wisconsin, is home to the Circus World Museum, renowned for housing the world's largest collection of circus artifacts.2
  • Two Rivers, Wisconsin, claims that it’s the birthplace of the ice cream sundae. According to local history, in 1881, soda fountain owner Ed Berner created an early version of the dessert and initially offered it exclusively on Sundays.2

How to get home insurance in Wisconsin

We’re here to guide you through the process of personalizing your homeowners insurance in Wisconsin. Here’s how to secure your policy in three easy steps:

  1. Assess your coverage needs:

    An Amica representative can provide personalized guidance and help you navigate your options to find the right coverage for your needs.

  2. Discover potential discounts:

    A representative can also assist you in exploring potential discounts or cost-saving measures available to Wisconsin homeowners based on your unique circumstances.

  3. Get a quote:

    Amica offers convenient options for getting a quote. You can either get a home insurance quote online or call 800-242-6422 today to speak with a representative.

With Amica, you can rest easy knowing that your home is safeguarded against the unexpected, allowing you to focus on what matters most – enjoying life in beautiful Wisconsin.

Get a home insurance quote

or call 833-513-3881

1 Discounts not available in all states and may vary.
2 75 Fun Facts About Wisconsin: America’s Dairyland
 

Your Policy, Policy Declarations or Amended Declarations in effect on the date of loss is the primary source of reference for your coverage, coverage limits and deductible amounts.

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