You'd probably rather be watching the Packers, heading out to a fish fry on Lake Winnebago, or throwing back some Leinies at State Street Brats. But instead you're here looking for house insurance because, well, you need it. So we'll try to give you a good reason to stick around. First, we'll give you the basics on insurance. Then, we'll show you how to find the best Wisconsin house insurance rates from the over 200 companies selling in the state. Ready? Let's get to it.

Wisconsin House Insurance 101
Like cheese curd recipes, insurance policies can take a number of different forms. We'll stick to the most popular policy called an HO-3. This policy insures your dwelling and unattached property structures for all perils but the few named in the policy. In addition, it covers the following:

  • Personal Property (PP)- pays to repair or replace personal belongings when theft or natural acts are involved. Usually insured for 50% of dwelling coverage amount. Personal property off-premises are usually covered for 10% of dwelling amount.
  • Personal Liability- coverage from $100,000 up to $1 million covers you, your family member or a pet (some exclusions) in the event either one is found legally responsible for someone else's injury on or off your property.
  • Medical Payments- coverage from $500 to $5,000 pays for medical bills of persons injured on your property.
  • Loss of Use or Additional Living Expense (ALE) - pays additional living expenses in the event your house is unlivable due to a peril such as fire.

Other Useful Wisconsin House Insurance Tidbits
Know the difference between "actual cash value" (ACV) and Replacement Cost. ACV takes depreciation (age, wear, tear) into consideration when calculating for a loss. Replacement cost—usually purchased at a higher premium—replaces, repairs, or rebuilds using the same or similar materials without considering depreciation. You'll usually have the option to pick one or the other.

Flood insurance is a separate policy.

Sewage and sump pump back-up is not covered in a standard policy. It's added on as an "endorsement" at an additional cost.

If you own valuables such as jewelry, furs, firearms, artwork, or special collections, ask an agent about the policy's limits. You may need to purchase a "rider" that increases the coverage on these items.

Sample Wisconsin House Insurance Rates
In 2008, the Wisconsin Commissioner of Insurance surveyed the state's largest writers of house insurance. Here are several rate examples:

Madison Scenario- Fifteen-year-old $85,000 masonry dwelling; $59,000 for PP; $5,960 off-premise theft; $300,000 personal liability; $17,000 additional living expenses; $1,000 medical payments; $250 deductible.
Yearly rates ranged from $164 to $734.

Milwaukee Scenario- Twenty-year-old $150,000 frame dwelling coverage; $112,00 for PP; $11,250 off-premise theft; $300,000 personal liability; $30,000 additional living expenses; $1,000 medical payments; $500 deductible.
Yearly rates ranged from $242 to $983.

Waukesha County Scenario- Fifteen-year-old $85,000 masonry dwelling; $59,000 for PP; $5,960 off-premise theft; $300,000 personal liability; $17,000 additional living expenses; $1,000 medical payments; $250 deductible.
Yearly rates ranged from $160 to $808.

Finding the Best Wisconsin House Insurance Rates
As promised, here are two ways to save big on your insurance. First, ask about any discounts you could be entitled to. Here are a few of the most common:

  • House protective devices like dead-bolt locks, smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, automatic sprinklers, burglar/fire alarms, and new plumbing/wiring.
  • New house discounts. The newer the house the lower the risk.
  • Multi-line (house, auto, life)
  • Senior (55+)
  • Non-smoker
  • Paying in advance vs. making monthly or bi-monthly payments.
  • Payroll deducted payments
  • Military

Second, the biggest way to save money on your Wisconsin house insurance rates is to comparison shop with a company like LocalInsurance. You can see from the above examples that rates from one insurer to the next vary dramatically. LocalInsurance searches agents in your area providing you with a handful of quotes so you can compare rates, policies and insurers. It's free, easy and takes the legwork out of shopping.

Wisconsin has a Department of Insurance which can help ensure that you have the appropriate coverage for your home and provide you with useful information when selecting a homeowners insurance policy.