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.
The average cost of homeowners insurance in Milwaukee is $1,302 per year or $109 a month. This is around 7% higher than the Wisconsin state average, but over 32% lower than the national average of $1,899 per year.
However, cost isn’t the only factor to consider when choosing a home insurance company. Not sure what to look for? Policygenius can help you figure out your coverage needs and compare quotes from multiple top companies in Milwaukee.
Best homeowners insurance companies in Milwaukee
Of the companies we looked at, Allstate has the lowest home insurance rate, with an average annual policy cost of only $927 per year. That's almost $400 less than the state average. American Family and Auto-Owners Insurance are other great options for Milwaukee residents due to their low rates and high customer and claim satisfaction ratings with J.D. Power.
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
$1,167
831
State Farm
$1,452
835
Acuity
$1,349
--
Allstate
$927
829
Auto-Owners Insurance
$1,572
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 offers Milwaukee homeowners dozens of ways to save on already affordable rates and premiums. One of the best perks is American Family’s "diminishing deductible” feature, which reduces your deductible by $100 each year you go without filing a claim — without it impacting your premium.
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 Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee homeowners. Not only do they boost exceptional customer service, but they do so with competitive rates and discount options. A good plus for Milwaukee homeowners is Acuity’s guaranteed replacement cost coverage — a good safety net after a covered 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 one of the best in the industry when it comes to customizable home insurance policy options. With several unique coverage add-ons, including special home-sharing coverage for short-term rental properties and special mold protection — Allstate is a fantastic option for many Milwaukee-area homeowners.
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
Cheapest homeowners insurance companies by ZIP code in Milwaukee
Looking at average home insurance costs for 15 of the most popular companies in Milwaukee, we found that the cheapest home insurance in the city can be found in the 53202 ZIP code (Lake Park) with Allstate. The average Allstate rate in this area is $762 per year — almost half the city average of $1,302 per year.
Residents of Milwaukee are likely to find the most affordable rates with Allstate. Our research showed Allstate had the cheapest average annual premium in 21 of Milwaukee's ZIP codes.
ZIP code
Company
Average yearly cost
53202
Allstate
$762
53203
Allstate
$944
53204
Allstate
$951
53205
Allstate
$994
53206
Allstate
$994
53207
Allstate
$762
53208
Allstate
$950
53209
Allstate
$904
53210
Allstate
$994
53211
Allstate
$902
53212
Allstate
$985
53215
Allstate
$839
53216
Allstate
$1,122
53218
Allstate
$1,145
53219
Allstate
$831
53221
Allstate
$719
53222
Allstate
$909
53223
Allstate
$867
53224
Allstate
$867
53225
Allstate
$1,081
53233
Allstate
$951
The most affordable areas for homeowners insurance in Milwaukee
With an average home insurance rate of $1,217 per year, the 53219 ZIP code (Southwest Milwaukee), is the most affordable area for home insurance in Milwaukee. The median home value in this area is around $200,000, and that affordability is carried over to home insurance rates.
ZIP code
Average yearly cost
53219
$1,217
53221
$1,239
53207
$1,251
53222
$1,259
53209
$1,272
The most expensive areas for homeowners insurance in Milwaukee
With an average home insurance rate of $1,362, the 53204 ZIP code (Walker's Point) is the most expensive area for home insurance in Milwaukee. This ZIP code has affordable housing options, but it is close to Lake Michigan, which could explain the higher-than-average premiums.
ZIP code
Average yearly cost
53204
$1,362
53205
$1,357
53206
$1,352
53216
$1,342
53218
$1,338
Shopping for homeowners insurance in Milwaukee
When you shop for homeowners insurance, it’s a good idea to first familiarize yourself with how the different coverages work and how much of each you need. That way, you'll feel confident you're getting an accurate coverage and rate comparison when you go to compare quotes.
In this section, we break down the average annual home insurance rates in Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee.
Milwaukee home insurance costs by coverage amounts
Dwelling coverage is the part of your homeowners insurance that pays for damage to the physical structure of your home and anything attached to it. Your dwelling coverage limit should be based on your home’s replacement cost, or the amount it would take to rebuild the house from the ground up — not the home’s market value or purchase price.
In general, higher dwelling coverage amounts mean more expensive home insurance rates. In Milwaukee, a policy with $300,000 in coverage costs over $600 less than one with $500,000 in coverage, as seen in the table below.
Dwelling coverage amount
Average yearly cost
$100,000
$626
$200,000
$953
$300,000
$1,302
$400,000
$1,658
$500,000
$1,973
Personal liability coverage is the part of your home insurance that covers expensive medical bills or lawsuits in the event you’re legally responsible for an injury on your property. Your liability coverage limit should be based on the total value of your assets: your home, any vehicles, and all liquid assets.
Liability coverage amount
Average yearly cost
$100,000
$1,294
$200,000
$1,395
$300,000
$1,302
$400,000
$1,010
$500,000
$1,322
Milwaukee home insurance costs by deductible amount
Your homeowners insurance deductible is the amount you’re responsible for paying each time you file a claim. A high deductible policy can save you hundreds of dollars a year, but keep in mind that you are responsible for paying that amount on every claim.
As seen in the table below, Milwaukee residents can save around $200 on home insurance by choosing a $2,000 deductible over the $500 option.
Deductible amount
Average yearly cost
$500
$1,438
$1,000
$1,302
$2,000
$1,226
Home insurance discounts in Milwaukee
One great way to save money on your yearly premiums is to take advantage of any available discounts. Adding things like deadbolts, smoke alarms, or even burglar alarms to your house can save a few dollars every year on home insurance.
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 Milwaukee with deadbolts, smoke alarms, or burglar alarms.
Discount
Average yearly cost
Dead bolt
$1,301
Smoke alarm
$1,292
Burglar alarm
$1,275
Home insurance companies in Milwaukee for dog owners
Milwaukee dog owners might face higher home insurance premiums if they own a dog breed that’s considered dangerous or aggressive by their insurance provider.
With an average rate of $927 per year, Allstate has the cheapest home insurance rates in Milwaukee for a home with a dangerous dog breed, while Auto-Owners’ average yearly premium of $1,572 is the highest.
Company
Average yearly cost
Allstate
$927
American Family
$1,177
Acuity
$1,349
State Farm
$1,452
Auto-Owners Insurance
$1,572
Home insurance companies in Milwaukee for poor credit
Your credit score can impact your home insurance rates as well. Homeowners with low credit scores are considered by insurance companies to be high risk, so insurers will often charge higher premiums to policyholders with poor credit.
With an average rate of $1,475 per year, Allstate has the cheapest home insurance rates in Milwaukee for a homeowner with poor credit, while Auto-Owners' average yearly premium of $3,181 is the highest.
Company
Average yearly cost
Allstate
$1,475
Acuity
$1,900
American Family
$1,971
State Farm
$2,491
Auto-Owners Insurance
$3,181
Home insurance companies in Milwaukee for pool owners
Having a swimming pool in your backyard can also increase your homeowners insurance rates. Pools put homeowners at higher risk of filing a liability claim, so insurers will generally charge you a higher rate if you have one on your property.
With an average rate of $927 per year, Allstate has the cheapest home insurance rates for Milwaukee homes that have a swimming pool, while Auto-Owners' average yearly premium of $1,572 is the most expensive.
Company
Average yearly cost
Allstate
$927
American Family
$1,169
Acuity
$1,349
State Farm
$1,452
Auto-Owners Insurance
$1,572
How to buy homeowners insurance in Milwaukee
Homeowners in Milwaukee are aware of the risk of damage from the wet, rainy, and snowy weather in the state. That's why it's so important for all homeowners to find the right coverage at the right price.
Here are a few steps to follow as you shop for homeowners insurance in MIlwaukee, Wisconsin:
Reach out to a licensed Policygenius agent. Our team of licensed insurance experts are ready to help you figure out how much coverage you need and what company offers it at the best price.
Consider purchasing flood insurance. Standard home insurance policies do not cover flooding. Because Milwaukee residents face the threat of flooding year round, high-risk residents will want to purchase a separate flood insurance policy to make sure they’re fully protected. 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 home insurance, but make sure to balance the short-term savings with the potentially unaffordable out-of-pocket expenses in the event of a claim
Compare quotes from a Policygenius agent. Once you’ve nailed down your coverage needs and input a few details about your house, a Policygenius agent can walk you through quotes from a few different companies to help you find the best policy for your needs.
Sign the policy and pay your first premium. After you’ve picked out a policy, a Policygenius agent can sort out the rest. The only thing left for you to do is sign and pay your first premium.
What is the average cost of homeowners insurance in Milwaukee?
The average cost of homeowners insurance in Milwaukee, Wisconsin is $109 per month, or $1,302 per year.
Is home insurance required in Wisconsin?
There are no state or local laws that require homeowners to carry home insurance, but that doesn't mean it's not technically required. Most mortgage lenders require you to purchase home insurance before they’ll offer you a home loan. This is because they have a financial investment in the property until you pay off your mortgage, so they want to ensure it’s fully protected.
What is hazard insurance and is it the same as home insurance?
Hazard insurance is the part of your home insurance policy that protects the home from physical damage and disasters.
Does home insurance cover personal property or belongings?
Yes, your home insurance coverage extends to your belongings, including appliances, clothes, and furniture.
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.
