We looked at policy cost, coverage quality, and unique policy offerings for Wisconsin residents to find the best homeowners insurance companies in Wisconsin.
Laura Gunn is an insurance expert and writer. As a former English teacher, she made the transition to full-time writing and editing in 2016. Since that time she has written extensively about insurance topics, as well as topics pertaining to education and marketing.
Her work has been published in The Millennial Source, News Hunt 360, Realty Today, HNGN, and other publications.
Expert reviewed
Expert reviewed
This article has been reviewed by a licensed Policygenius expert to ensure that sources, statistics, and claims meet our standard for accurate and unbiased advice.
Pat Howard is a managing editor and licensed home insurance expert at Policygenius, where he specializes in homeowners insurance. His work and expertise has been featured in MarketWatch, Real Simple, Fox Business, VentureBeat, This Old House, Investopedia, Fatherly, Lifehacker, Better Homes & Garden, Property Casualty 360, and elsewhere.
Wisconsin is a great place to settle down and buy a house, and thanks to its relatively mild weather, homeowners insurance in the Badger State is relatively affordable.
The average cost of homeowners insurance in Wisconsin is $1,211 per year or $101 a month. This is around 37% lower than the national average of $1,899 per year.
But there are several factors you should consider when choosing an insurer. Not sure what to look for? Policygenius can help you figure out your coverage needs and compare quotes from multiple top companies in Wisconsin.
UPDATE: Home insurance premiums up 11% in Wisconsin
Home insurance premiums in Wisconsin increased 11% from May 2021 to May 2022, according to our latest analysis of internal policyholder data. This is due to a mix of rising inflation, labor shortages, and severe natural disasters that have caused insurance companies to increase rates and establish stricter underwriting rules to offset the risks.
Of the companies we looked at, Allstate has the lowest home insurance rate in Wisconsin, with an average annual policy cost of $1,055. Acuity and Auto-Owners Insurance also offer affordable policy options to Wisconsin residents.
Policygenius analyzed thousands of quotes from the 5 largest Wisconsin insurers to find the average cost of homeowners insurance with each company in 2022. We then looked at 2021 J.D. Power customer satisfaction scores and compared that with the coverage needs of Wisconsin residents to find the best homeowners insurance in Wisconsin.
Company
Average yearly cost
J.D. Power Rating
American Family
$1,175
831
State Farm
$1,403
835
Acuity
$1,259
--
Allstate
$1,055
829
Auto-Owners Insurance
$1,247
831
American Family
American Family's status as the 7th largest home insurance provider in the U.S. speaks to its popularity and reputation. Our fave perk? Its diminishing deductible program that lets you earn credits for every year you go without filing a claim.
Pros
Unique coverage add-ons, like matching siding insurance and hidden water damage coverage
Save up to 20% on home insurance and 29% on auto insurance for bundling the policies together
Earn a $100 credit toward your deductible for ever year you go without filing a claim
File claims online or on its mobile app — with 24/7 claims support
Cons
Doesn't offer extended or guaranteed replacement cost coverage
Above-average customer complaints according to the NAIC
American Family is the seventh largest home insurance provider in the United States, and this popularity is due in large part to its variety of customizable policy offerings. Wisconsin residents specifically could benefit from coverage add-ons like hidden water damage coverage.
How to get a quote
Online through American Family
State Farm
There's a reason State Farm is one of the top-rated insurance companies in the U.S. — its customer satisfaction ratings are through the roof, it offers a slew of coverage add-ons for full protection, and makes filing claims through its mobile app a breeze.
Pros
Top-tier coverage add-ons, including equipment breakdown, water backup, and service line coverage
Get up to $1 million in personal liability coverage
Score discounts for bundling, installing security devices, and choosing a high deductible
File and track claims online, over the phone, in person, or through its mobile app
High customer satisfaction and financial strength ratings
Cons
No discounts for first-time homebuyers or going a year without a claim
State Farm consistently produces some of the industry's highest customer and claims satisfaction ratings with J.D. Power due to their flexible policy options, affordable rates, and user-friendly policy management via the State Farm website or mobile app. State Farm customers have the confidence and reliability that Wisconsin residents want in a home insurance provider.
How to get a quote
Online through State Farm
Acuity
Acuity is a regional home insurance provider and one of the most popular insurers in the state of Wisconsin. With competitive rates and several available discounts, Acuity is a smart choice for homeowners on a budget.
Pros
Offers guaranteed replacement cost coverage — meaning it’ll pay to repair your home regardless of the cost
Score discounts for owning a new or mature home, paying your yearly premium in full, bundling your home and auto, and more
Exceptional customer service
Cons
Not ideal for homeowners with expensive valuables — coverage limits max out at $3,500
Supporting local is always a plus and Acuity is a great regional option for Wisconsin homeowners. Not only do they boost exceptional customer service, but they do so with competitive rates and discount options. A good plus for Wisconsin homeowners is Acuity’s guaranteed replacement cost coverage, which provides an added layer of coverage for your home in the event of a major loss.
How to get a quote
Online through Acuity
Allstate
Allstate's mix of exceptional customer satisfaction ratings, personalized coverage options, and numerous discount opportunities make it one of the most popular homeowners insurance companies on the market.
Pros
Several coverage add-ons, including ones for roof surfaces, water backup, green improvements, and mold protection
8+ discounts, including autopay, bundling, zero claims, and new homebuyer
Get up to 25% off your premiums when you bundle home and auto insurance
Excellent customer service and claims satisfaction ratings
File and track claims online or through its mobile app
Allstate is a reputable home insurance provider that offers flexible policy options at an affordable rate. One benefit of choosing Allstate is its extensive discount options. Homeowners can save up to 25% on their yearly premiums just by bundling their home and auto policies with Allstate.
How to get a quote
Online through Policygenius or Allstate
Auto-Owners Insurance
Auto-Owners is the 12th largest home insurance provider in the U.S. thanks to its low rates, numerous discounts, and robust coverage options — including inland flood insurance.
Pros
Excellent coverage add-ons, including inland flood insurance, guaranteed replacement cost, and equipment breakdown coverage
Flood insurance covers belongings in your basement — a rare find
Save on premiums by bundling policies, paying off your mortgage, choosing a high deductible, having a backup generator, and more
Cons
Can't file claims online — you must call or visit an agent to get started
In addition to standard home insurance coverage, Auto-Owners also offers flood coverage — a necessity for Milwaukee homeowners in high-risk floodplains. Auto-Owners’s flood coverage extends to belongings in your basement — something that isn’t a commonality for this type of insurance
How to get a quote
Online through Auto-Owners Insurance
Cheapest homeowners insurance companies by city in Wisconsin
Looking at average home insurance costs for the 15 most popular insurers in Wisconsin, we found that the cheapest homeowners insurance companies in the state are Allstate, Farmers, and Auto-Owners. The most affordable areas in Wisconsin for home insurance are smaller towns and rural areas near the central region of the state.
The cost of home insurance in Wisconsin will vary depending on where you live. Cities with higher populations or crime rates often have higher than average home insurance rates. The same is true for areas with older homes or homes with higher than average values. Even with these variables, there are many affordable policy options for Wisconsin residents, as shown in the table below.
When you shop for homeowners insurance, make sure to familiarize yourself with how each coverage works and how much of each you’ll need. As you look for a policy that’s right for you and your home, you'll want to make sure you're searching for, and selecting, the correct coverage types and amounts.
In this section, we break down the average annual home insurance rates in Wisconsin for different coverage and deductible levels, as well as the cheapest and most expensive home insurance companies in the state for individuals with a poor credit score, dog owners, and pool owners. Once you’re ready to shop, a Policygenius expert can help you navigate your coverage needs and help you find the best deal on homeowners insurance in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin home insurance costs by coverage amounts
One part of a home insurance policy is the dwelling coverage. This covers the physical structure of your home in case its damaged by a covered peril. Your dwelling coverage limit should be high enough to cover the full replacement or rebuild cost of your home.
As the table below highlights, more dwelling coverage typically means higher homeowners insurance rates. In Wisconsin, the most significant rate jump occurs in the $400,000 to $500,000 range — a nearly $300 difference in premiums between those two coverage levels.
Dwelling coverage amount
Average yearly cost
$100,000
$580
$200,000
$886
$300,000
$1,211
$400,000
$1,540
$500,000
$1,830
Liability coverage is the part of your home insurance that covers medical or legal bills in the event you’re responsible for an injury or property damage. To determine how much liability coverage you need, estimate the total value of your assets — meaning everything from your home and vehicles to liquid assets.
Liability coverage amount
Average yearly cost
$100,000
$1,201
$200,000
$1,288
$300,000
$1,211
$400,000
$873
$500,000
$1,232
Wisconsin home insurance costs by deductible amount
Your homeowners insurance deductible is the amount you’re responsible for paying before your insurance kicks in on a claim. A higher deductible means lower overall rates, but keep in mind that you’ll be responsible for paying this if your home is damaged or burglarized, so make sure to set it at an amount you’re able to afford.
As seen in the table below, Wisconsin residents can save around $200 on home insurance by choosing a $2,000 deductible over the $500 option.
Deductible amount
Average yearly cost
$500
$1,320
$1,000
$1,211
$2,000
$1,156
Home insurance discounts in Wisconsin
Another great way to save some money on your yearly premium is to take advantage of discounts. Most insurance providers offer discounts if you add safety features to your house to make it safer.
While you won’t get a huge discount if your house has one of the following features and nothing else, they can add up if you have several protective devices in your home. Here is the average annual rate and average discount percentage for homes in Wisconsin with deadbolts, smoke alarms, or burglar alarms.
Discount
Average yearly cost
Dead bolt
$1,210
Smoke alarm
$1,202
Burglar alarm
$1,188
Home insurance companies in Wisconsin for dog owners
You may also have to pay higher premiums if your insurance company considers your dog’s breed to be aggressive or dangerous.
With an average rate of $1,055 per year, Allstate has the cheapest home insurance rates in Wisconsin for a home with a dangerous dog breed, while State Farm’s average yearly premium of $1,403 is the highest.
Company
Average yearly cost
Allstate
$1,055
American Family
$1,185
Auto-Owners Insurance
$1,247
Acuity
$1,259
State Farm
$1,403
Home insurance companies in Wisconsin for poor credit
If you have a poor credit score, this can cause your premiums to soar as well. Insurance providers consider low credit as a sign that you’re more likely to rely on insurance claims to cover the cost of small damages or losses, so insurance providers will often charge higher rates as a result.
With an average rate of $1,597 per year, Allstate has the cheapest home insurance rates in Wisconsin for a homeowner with poor credit, while State Farm’s average yearly premium of $2,407 is the highest.
Company
Average yearly cost
Allstate
$1,597
Acuity
$1,775
American Family
$2,070
Auto-Owners Insurance
$2,260
State Farm
$2,407
Home insurance companies in Wisconsin for pool owners
Having a pool in your backyard opens you up to injury and liability risk, so some home insurance companies will charge you higher rates if you have one on your property.
With an average rate of $1,055 per year, Allstate has the cheapest home insurance rates for Wisconsin homes that have a swimming pool, while State Farm ’s average yearly premium of $1,403 is the most expensive.
Company
Average yearly cost
Allstate
$1,055
American Family
$1,177
Auto-Owners Insurance
$1,247
Acuity
$1,259
State Farm
$1,403
How to buy homeowners insurance in Wisconsin
Here are a few steps to follow as you shop for homeowners insurance in Wisconsin:
Reach out to a licensed Policygenius agent. Our team of licensed insurance experts are at the ready to help you figure out how much coverage you need and what company offers it at the best price — all for free with no impact to your credit score.
Consider purchasing flood insurance. Standard home insurance policies do not cover flooding, so Wisconsin residents in high-risk floodplains will want to consider purchasing separate flood insurance. A Policygenius agent can help you do this, too.
Figure out how low of a deductible you can afford. Opting into a higher deductible can save you money on your premiums, but keep in mind that you'll be responsible for paying this before your insurer will reimburse you for a claim.
Compare quotes from a Policygenius agent. Once you’ve nailed down your coverage needs and input a few details about your home, a Policygenius agent will walk you through quotes from a few different companies to help you find the best policy at a price that suits your needs.
Sign the policy and pay your first premium. After you’ve chosen the policy you want, your Policygenius agent will complete all of the paperwork for you. The only thing left to do is sign the policy and pay your first premium. They’ll even cancel your old policy for you if it’s not up yet.
What is the average cost of homeowners insurance in Wisconsin?
The average cost of homeowners insurance in Wisconsin is $101 per month or $1,211 per year.
How can I lower my homeowners insurance in Wisconsin?
You can lower your homeowners insurance in Wisconsin by taking advantage of discounts offered through your home insurance company. This might mean bundling your home and auto policies together for discounts of up to 25% off your premiums, or adding security systems to your home to score discounts.
Is it mandatory to have homeowners insurance in Wisconsin?
There is no state law that requires homeowners to carry home insurance, but most mortgage lenders require you to purchase home insurance. Because your mortgage lender is financially invested in your property, they'll want to ensure it's fully insured until the mortgage is paid off.
Methodology
Policygenius has analyzed home insurance rates provided by Quadrant Information Services in March 2022 for ZIP codes in all 50 states plus Washington, D.C., for a 40-year-old female homeowner with no claim history, good credit, a $1,000 deductible, and the following coverage limits:
Dwelling: $300,000
Other structures: $30,000
Personal property: $150,000
Loss of use: $60,000
Liability: $300,000
Medical: $1,000
All rates based on the above coverage limits except where otherwise noted.
Some carriers may be represented by affiliates or subsidiaries. Rates provided are a sample of costs. Your actual quotes may differ.
Laura Gunn is an insurance expert and writer. As a former English teacher, she made the transition to full-time writing and editing in 2016. Since that time she has written extensively about insurance topics, as well as topics pertaining to education and marketing.
Her work has been published in The Millennial Source, News Hunt 360, Realty Today, HNGN, and other publications.
