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Checked against official sources · Last reviewed October 13, 2026

What homeowners insurance costs in Wisconsin: average premium, 2023 $923 a year in Wisconsin vs. $1,737 countrywide · 51st highest of 51 · All states (HO-3 policies; NAIC)

Wisconsin's market right now

Figures from OCI's 2025 Wisconsin Insurance Report:

- Homeowners results: in 2025, insurers earned $2,575,301,807 in direct homeowners premiums in Wisconsin and had $2,087,300,069 in direct losses incurred, a loss ratio of 81.05%. - Complaints are up: OCI counted 768 complaints about homeowners, tenants and farmowners insurance in 2025, up from 697 in 2024. OCI says that among property and casualty complaints it investigated, "the majority were related to homeowners insurance." - A reinsurer failed after storms: OCI says many Wisconsin insurers "experienced higher-than-expected losses in 2022 as severe storms damaged property across the state." Wisconsin Reinsurance Corporation, which reinsured town mutual insurers, and 1st Auto & Casualty were placed into liquidation effective January 1, 2024.

Recent disasters:

- August 2025 floods: starting August 9, 2025, storms caused "drastic flood damage" in Southeast Wisconsin. Milwaukee, Washington and Waukesha counties received a federal disaster declaration on September 11, 2025. Because FEMA aid required proof of a denied insurance claim, OCI issued a bulletin on October 7, 2025 reminding insurers of the 30-day claim timeline and saying it expected all homeowner and auto insurers to "process submitted claims promptly." - July 2026 storms: OCI said storms that week "produced high winds, tornadoes, and hail which caused significant property damage, particularly in the Eastern part of the state," and urged people to notify their insurer right away. [7][9][10][11]

If your insurer cancels or won't renew

Wisconsin's rules are in Wis. Stat. 631.36. OCI's consumer guides apply them to homeowners policies.

Nonrenewal (at the end of the policy term). You have a right to have the policy renewed unless "at least 60 days prior to the date of expiration" the insurer mails or delivers a notice that it won't renew. If the insurer misses that deadline, OCI says it "must continue your coverage under the terms and premium of your prior policy for the term of the policy or one year, whichever is less."

Midterm cancellation. Once a policy has been renewed or has been in effect 60 days or more, the insurer may cancel before the end of the term only for not paying the premium or for grounds stated in the policy that fit one of these: material misrepresentation, a substantial change in the risk, or substantial breaches of the policy's duties, conditions or warranties. No cancellation takes effect until "at least 10 days after" the notice is mailed or delivered.

New policies. In a brand-new policy's first 60 days (if it hasn't been renewed), the insurer may cancel without a reason, with at least 10 days' written notice. (OCI's fact sheet describes this as "the first 59 days.")

What the notice must say. A nonrenewal notice, or a midterm cancellation notice on a policy past its first 60 days, must "state with reasonable precision the facts on which the insurer's decision is based," or it is not effective. It must also include instructions for applying to the Wisconsin Insurance Plan. Those two requirements don't apply when the reason is nonpayment and the notice says so.

Higher renewal premium or worse terms. For personal lines policies like homeowners, new terms or a higher premium take effect at renewal only if the insurer sent notice at least 45 days before the renewal date. If notice comes later, the change waits until 45 days after the notice, and you may cancel during that time. This notice rule doesn't apply if the only change is a premium increase under 25% that applies to the whole class of policies.

Claims and home condition. OCI says that "under most circumstances companies are free to nonrenew" and that an insurer "will often nonrenew a policy" after multiple claims. An insurer may also refuse to renew because of a home's condition, including "a worn-out roof," as long as it gives the 60-day notice.

Your agent's contract ended. If you are nonrenewed only because your agent's contract with the insurer ended, the insurer must continue your coverage if you ask in writing before the expiration date and you meet its eligibility rules.

Grace period. OCI says that typically no grace period is required for home insurance, but check your policy to see if your insurer includes one.

Recent changes: none to these rules. The official statutes, updated through October 1, 2026, list no change to 631.36 since 2019. [1][2][3][12]

Last resort: the Wisconsin Insurance Plan

The Wisconsin Insurance Plan (WIP) calls itself "Wisconsin's FAIR Plan or residual property insurer." FAIR stands for "fair access to insurance requirements." Every insurer licensed to write basic property insurance in Wisconsin is a member, under state rule Ins 4.10.

Key points:

- Who can apply: anyone with an insurable interest in property at a fixed location who received a notice of rejection or cancellation from an insurer "within the last 6 months." The notice goes with the application. Farms, manufacturing properties and motor vehicles can't be insured. - What it covers: basic, actual-cash-value policies (replacement cost minus depreciation) for named perils such as fire, lightning, windstorm, hail, smoke, vandalism and theft. Liability coverage ($100,000) comes only with its Homeowners policy. - Limits: $350,000 on a dwelling under its Homeowners and Dwelling policies. - Inspection: every property is inspected, and the plan doesn't accept every application. - Cost: OCI says "The premiums charged by WIP are higher than those charged by regular insurance companies" and calls WIP "homeowners insurance of last resort." - Temporary by design: after four years the plan issues a nonrenewal, and you must shop the regular market again (you may reapply if no one will insure you).

Details on applying, coverage, roof rules and appeals are on our Wisconsin FAIR Plan (Wisconsin Insurance Plan) page. [3][5][6][12][13][14][15]

New rules for storm-repair contractors

2025 Wisconsin Act 230, signed April 8, 2026, adds rules for roofers and other contractors who repair homes after a natural disaster such as hail, wind, tornado, fire or flood. It takes effect December 1, 2026. Under the new law:

- A contractor may not advertise or promise to rebate your insurance deductible. - A contractor may not represent you or negotiate with your insurer over your claim. - If you sign over your insurance benefits to a contractor (an "assignment of benefits"), the contractor can only be named as a co-payee, the form must itemize the work and price, and you may cancel the assignment in writing within 5 business days (with an exception for emergency work). - A contract that breaks these rules is void, and the Commissioner of Insurance may impose a forfeiture of up to $5,000 per violation.

OCI also warns that after storms "scam artists try to take advantage of vulnerable homeowners" and advises checking that contractors and adjusters are properly licensed before signing anything. [16][17][18]

Lowering your premium

OCI's consumer guides don't describe a state-required discount for storm or fire mitigation. OCI's own tips for saving on homeowners insurance are:

- shop around, because premiums "vary widely from company to company"; - combine home and auto with one company; - consider a higher deductible; - maintain good credit, since "Most insurance companies use some credit information" to price homeowners policies; - install safety and security devices (smoke detectors, alarms, fire extinguishers, deadbolts). "Some companies provide discounts for these security measures," so report improvements to your insurer.

Location matters too: OCI says each city and locality is given a fire protection class from 1 to 10, and small towns and rural areas "have higher fire protection classes and generally higher prices." [12][19]

Surplus lines and the guaranty fund

Surplus lines insurance is coverage from "unauthorized" insurers (not licensed in Wisconsin, or approved only for surplus lines), placed by a licensed surplus lines agent. The policy must carry a stamped notice saying the insurer has no certificate of authority in Wisconsin, and you pay a 3% tax on the gross premium (premium plus fees).

Wisconsin's Insurance Security Fund pays claims if a licensed insurer is liquidated, but only on policies "issued by an insurer which was authorized to do business in this state." The fund law also excludes assessable mutuals, "including town mutuals." OCI notes the fund "should not be relied upon to eliminate all risks of loss."

More: our surplus lines insurance guide. [3][20][21][22]

Flood is a separate policy

OCI says "Most homeowners insurance does NOT cover flood damage." It also says neither homeowners nor flood insurance covers sewer backup or sump pump overflow; that takes a special endorsement on your homeowners policy. After the August 2025 floods, OCI reminded people that homeowners insurance "does not typically cover flood damage." For flood zones and flood insurance, see our sister site FloodHawk. [18][23][24]

Where to get help

OCI says to contact your insurance company first, keep records of every call and letter, and ask what the company needs to resolve the dispute.

If that fails, file a complaint with the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance:

• Online: OCI complaint page
• Phone: (800) 236-8517 or (608) 266-0103
• Email: ocicomplaints@wisconsin.gov
• Mail: Office of the Commissioner of Insurance, P.O. Box 7873, Madison, WI 53707-7873

What happens next: OCI sends your complaint to the company, which has "20 days plus mailing time to respond." You may hear from the company or agent in about 25 days. OCI can't act as your lawyer, decide the value of a claim, or order a company to pay a claim if it followed the law and your policy. [2][4]

Questions people ask