Wisconsin Flood Insurance

Find the Best Flood Insurance Rates and Companies in Wisconsin

Wisconsin is bordered by two of the Great Lakes, Lake Superior and Lake Michigan. After heavy rainfall or snowmelt, it's easy for these bodies of water to overflow and cause catastrophic flood damage. There are also rivers and lakes throughout the state that can cause flooding and property destruction. 

In Wisconsin, you'll need flood insurance to protect your property against natural flood damage, since homeowners insurance and business insurance don't include this coverage. A local independent insurance agent in Wisconsin can help you find the right type of flood insurance for your property, whether it's commercial or residential. Until then, here's a breakdown of Wisconsin flood insurance costs, coverage, and more.

Key Takeaways - Wisconsin Flood Insurance

• In Wisconsin, flood insurance covers natural flood damage to a property's structure, foundation, and contents.
• The average cost of flood insurance in Wisconsin is $906 per year, or approximately $75 per month, which is comparable to the current national average of $899 per year.
• In Wisconsin, flood insurance is typically required for properties with mortgages and for those located in high-risk flood zones.
• Working with a local independent insurance agent is strongly recommended, as they can tailor a policy to your unique property and coverage needs.

The Best Flood Insurance Companies in Wisconsin

Several flood insurance companies sell flood insurance in Wisconsin. These are our top choices for quality Wisconsin flood coverage carriers.

• Foremost: This insurance company sells flood insurance, along with many other types of coverage. Foremost has outstanding official ratings and positive customer feedback, and provides 24/7 claims reporting.
• REInsure Pro: This insurance company sells flood insurance and many types of personal insurance products. REInsure Pro works with independent insurance agents and offers fast claims responses.
• Nationwide: This insurance company sells flood insurance in addition to a large catalog of personal and business insurance products. Nationwide is known for affordable premium rates, 24/7 claims reporting, and excellent official ratings. 

Your independent insurance agent can help you compare Wisconsin flood insurance quotes and policies from each of these carriers and others in your area. 

How to buy flood insurance in Wisconsin

Wisconsin flood insurance is available from FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and from private insurance companies located throughout the state. A Wisconsin independent insurance agent can help you compare your options from each carrier that sells coverage in your town to find the right policy. 

Is Flood Insurance Required in Wisconsin? 

Sometimes, yes. Wisconsin flood insurance is typically mandatory for properties in high-risk flood zones. If you have a mortgage, your lender might also require you to have coverage. Having flood insurance is almost always a wise decision, regardless, though, because it can reimburse you for otherwise out-of-pocket losses due to flooding damage that isn't covered by other policies. 

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What Does Flood Insurance Cover in Wisconsin?

In Wisconsin, flood insurance covers the structure of your property and its contents inside. The coverages break down as follows:

• Buildings coverage: This can reimburse you for damage to the structure of your property, including its foundation, plumbing and electrical systems, built-in appliances, furnaces, air conditioning units, and any permanently installed carpeting that has been laid over unfinished floors.
• Contents coverage: This can reimburse you for loss or damage to the property you keep in your home or office building, including clothing, furniture, window treatments, décor, electronics, window air conditioners, portable appliances, carpeting, and flooring. If you live in a condo or are renting your home, you only need contents coverage.

Your Wisconsin independent insurance agent can help you protect all aspects of your property with the right amount of flood insurance. 

What's Not Covered by Flood Insurance in Wisconsin? 

Wisconsin flood insurance doesn't protect personal or business vehicles against flood damage, so it's important to add comprehensive coverage to your auto insurance policy. Additionally, Wisconsin flood insurance tends to exclude coverage for:

• Currency, precious metals, and valuable papers such as stock certificates 
• Preventable damage caused by moisture, mildew, or mold
• Personal property kept in a basement
• Financial losses caused by business interruption or loss of use of the insured property
• Additional living expenses, such as temporary housing
• Property and belongings outside of the insured building, such as walks, decks, patios, fences, trees, plants, wells, septic systems, seawalls, hot tubs, and swimming pools
• Flood damage caused by sewer line breaks or backups*

*You can add a sewer backup endorsement to your home insurance policy to protect your property against flooding caused by sewer issues. Your Wisconsin independent insurance agent can help. 

How Much Does Flood Insurance Cost in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin flood insurance costs an average of $906 per year, or approximately $75 per month. So, how much is flood insurance in Wisconsin compared to the nation as a whole? The current national average flood insurance cost is $899 per year, or approximately $75 per month, meaning property owners in Wisconsin pay just about the same amount for coverage.

Local flood insurance rates are set by FEMA and the NFIP using Wisconsin flood insurance rate maps. Further, Wisconsin flood insurance rates can also be determined by these factors:

• The type of coverage you purchased
• Whether or not your home has a basement
• The value of your home’s contents 
• Your home's flood zone designation
• The deductible and amount of coverage you need
• The location, design, building materials, and age of your home

Your independent insurance agent can help you find affordable flood insurance coverage in Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Flood Zones

On FEMA's official website, you can access your Wisconsin flood risk assessment. Additionally, the following comprehensive and user-friendly documents are all available on FEMA's website:

• Wisconsin flood zone maps
• Madison, Wisconsin, flood maps
• Wisconsin flood zone map PDFS
• Wisconsin flood plain maps

The Wisconsin flood zone designation for your specific property can also impact your flood insurance costs. Your independent insurance agent can help you find affordable Wisconsin flood insurance coverage. 

Wisconsin cities with the highest flood risk

Properties located near the Great Lakes or rivers in Wisconsin are more prone to flooding than those in other areas of the state. Additionally, you might be required to have flood insurance in any of these cities:

1. Kaukauna
2. Chippewa Falls
3. Menomonie

Your independent insurance agent can help you find the required flood insurance in these areas of Wisconsin. 

How to Lower Flood Insurance Costs in Wisconsin

Though you can't prevent flood damage from happening, you can prepare yourself for the potential cost of damage from flooding events with the right flood insurance coverage. Fortunately, you can also lower your policy's rates by doing the following:

• Upgrading or retrofitting your home: Ensure your living spaces are elevated, and verify the base elevation rate for your area to determine the optimal height for your space. Having an appropriately elevated living space can help reduce your property's risk of flooding and lower your flood insurance premiums. 
• Elevating your home's utilities: Make sure your foundation has floodwater openings so water can be drained out immediately in the event of a flood. This not only better protects your home from flood damage, but it can also reduce your flood insurance premiums.
• Obtaining an elevation certificate: This document outlines the flood risk for your property, providing information such as your flood zone and the height of your lowest floor. Elevation certificates will no longer be required under FEMA’s new risk rating methodology, Risk Rating 2.0. However, property owners can still submit one to lower their insurance costs. 
• Choosing a higher deductible: Higher deductibles can lower the cost of your flood insurance premiums. 
• Comparing quotes from the NFIP and private flood insurance companies: You may find private flood insurance is cheaper.

An independent insurance agent in Wisconsin can help you find all the flood insurance discounts you qualify for.

How to Apply for Flood Insurance in Wisconsin

You can apply for Wisconsin flood insurance by doing any of the following:

1. Going directly through FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
2. Comparing coverage options from private flood insurance companies in Wisconsin
3. Working with a local Wisconsin independent insurance agent

Option three may be your best bet, considering independent insurance agents have access to several different flood insurance companies in Wisconsin and can shop and compare policies and rates for you.

How to File a Flood Insurance Claim in Wisconsin

In Wisconsin, it takes fewer than a handful of steps to file a flood insurance claim. Just use this easy guide after a flood event.

• Step 1: Contact your insurance company or agent: Be prepared with your insurance information, including your policy number, when you contact your flood insurance company or Wisconsin independent insurance agent to report the flood event. 
• Step 2: Prepare evidence: Wait to reenter your property until officials declare it's safe. Next, assess any property damage and prepare a detailed written report, along with photo and video evidence for your insurer. 
• Step 3: Work with your claims adjuster: Your flood insurance carrier will schedule a visit from a claims adjuster to perform a home inspection to assess the property damage in person. You might receive an estimate for your reimbursement during their evaluation. 
• Step 4: Get paid: Last, you'll receive your claim payout. Either a direct deposit or a claims check will be sent to you with your reimbursement. The amount you receive depends on your coverage terms and the extent of property damage. 

A Wisconsin independent insurance agent can file flood insurance claims directly through your carrier for you. They can also walk you through the whole process and provide ETAs for each step. 

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FAQs About Wisconsin Flood Insurance