Superior sits at the western tip of Lake Superior, sharing the Twin Ports with Duluth, Minnesota. That location shapes almost everything about insurance here. Long, snowy winters test roofs and pipes, many residents and employees cross the state line every day, and the harbor, rail yards, and shipping economy create business exposures you do not see in most Wisconsin cities. A good insurance plan in Superior, Wisconsin accounts for all of it. This guide walks through home, auto, business, and specialty coverage for Superior and the rest of Douglas County. MM Insurance Associates is an independent agency founded in 1997. We work from our New Berlin office and serve clients in 24 states, including both Wisconsin and Minnesota, which matters for households and businesses that live on one side of the bridge and work on the other. Home Insurance in Superior: Older Houses and Lake Superior Winters Superior has a large share of older homes, many built well before modern building codes. Character and solid construction are common, but so are original plumbing, older electrical systems, and roofs that have carried decades of heavy snow. Carriers look closely at the age and condition of these systems when they price and accept a home. Weather is the other big factor. Cold air off the lake, heavy snowfall, and long stretches below freezing lead to a familiar set of claims: Frozen and burst pipes, especially in exterior walls, crawl spaces, and homes left empty during a trip. Ice dams that push meltwater under shingles and into ceilings and walls. Roof and structural damage from heavy snow loads on older or flat roofs. Wind damage during strong storms coming off the lake. A few coverage details deserve attention. Make sure your dwelling limit reflects what it would cost to rebuild today, not what the house would sell for, because older homes with plaster walls and custom trim can cost more to restore than their market value suggests. Ask whether your policy pays replacement cost on the roof or depreciates it. Water backup coverage for sewers and sump pumps is usually optional, and it is worth adding for any home with a finished basement. Our home and auto insurance page explains how we compare carriers for older homes and bundle coverage for better pricing. Flood Risk in the Twin Ports Many Superior residents remember the June 2012 flooding that hit the Twin Ports after days of heavy rain, washing out roads and pushing water into basements across the area. Standard homeowners policies do not cover flood damage from rising surface water. That requires a separate flood policy, either through the National Flood Insurance Program or a private flood carrier. You do not need to live in a mapped flood zone to have a flood loss. Homes near the St. Louis River, the bay, creeks, and low lying neighborhoods are the obvious candidates, but heavy rain overwhelming storm drains can affect almost any basement. Most flood policies have a waiting period before coverage starts, so it pays to decide before spring melt rather than after the forecast turns. For a deeper look, read our guide to flood insurance in Wisconsin and what a standard homeowners policy leaves out. Auto Insurance for Twin Ports Drivers Superior drivers deal with snow, ice, deer, and a daily commute that often crosses into Minnesota over the Blatnik or Bong bridge. A Wisconsin auto policy covers you when you drive in Minnesota, but the two states handle auto claims differently. Minnesota is a no fault state, while Wisconsin is not. Most policies include an out of state provision that adjusts to the other state's requirements when you drive there, and it is worth a short conversation with your agent to understand how injury claims would be handled after an accident on the Duluth side. Coverage choices that matter most for drivers in this area: Liability limits well above the state minimum. Serious winter accidents can produce injury claims that exceed basic limits quickly. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, which protects you when the other driver cannot pay. Comprehensive coverage, which handles deer collisions, a common claim in Douglas County. Roadside assistance and rental reimbursement, which make a breakdown in January far less stressful. If you moved recently between Duluth and Superior, update your policy right away. Insurance is rated and written based on where the vehicle is garaged, and a policy written for the wrong state can create problems at claim time. Business Insurance in Superior Superior's economy runs on the port, rail, refining, and the trades that support them, along with retail, restaurants, health care, and the University of Wisconsin-Superior community. Each type of business needs its own mix of coverage, but a few issues come up again and again here. Employees who work in Minnesota Many Superior businesses send employees across the bridge to job sites and customers in Duluth and beyond. Workers compensation is regulated state by state, so a Wisconsin policy needs to be set up correctly for work performed in Minnesota. Confirm this with your agent before taking on regular out of state work, not after an injury. Contractors and trades Contractors working on commercial, industrial, and port related projects often face strict insurance requirements, including additional insured status, waivers of subrogation, and umbrella limits. General liability, workers compensation, commercial auto, and tools and equipment coverage form the foundation. Winter conditions also raise the stakes for slip and fall claims at job sites and storefronts. Retail, hospitality, and service businesses Shops, restaurants, and service businesses benefit from a business owners policy that combines property and liability coverage. Business income coverage is especially valuable in a cold climate, where a burst pipe or roof failure can close your doors for weeks while repairs are made. See how we build coverage for companies of every size on our business insurance page, or call us to review your current policies. Boats, Snowmobiles, and Other Specialty Coverage Life in Superior often includes time on the water and on the trails. Boats used on Lake Superior and the St. Louis River face conditions that differ from small inland lakes, including cold water, sudden weather changes, and longer distances from shore. Make sure your boat policy reflects where you actually operate, covers towing and salvage, and includes enough liability for the people you bring along. Our guide to boat insurance in Wisconsin covers agreed value, navigation areas, and storage considerations. Snowmobiles, ATVs, and UTVs need their own policies, since homeowners coverage usually provides little or no protection once they leave your property. Collectible cars, jewelry, and firearms may also need scheduled coverage beyond the limits in a standard homeowners policy. An umbrella policy ties everything together with an extra layer of liability protection at a modest cost. Why Work With an Independent Agency An independent agency compares coverage from several carriers instead of offering a single company's products. For Superior households with older homes, Minnesota commutes, and seasonal toys, that flexibility often leads to better coverage and better pricing. We review your current policies, point out gaps, and explain your options in plain English, then stay with you for claims and renewals. Frequently Asked Questions Does my Wisconsin auto policy cover me when I drive in Duluth? Yes. A Wisconsin auto policy covers you when you drive in Minnesota, and most policies include an out of state provision that adjusts to that state's requirements while you are there. Because Minnesota uses a no fault system, injury claims there can be handled differently, so it is worth reviewing your coverage with your agent. Is flood damage covered by homeowners insurance in Superior? No. Standard homeowners policies exclude flood damage from rising surface water. You need a separate flood policy through the National Flood Insurance Program or a private carrier, and most policies have a waiting period before coverage begins. Why does the age of my Superior home affect my insurance? Older homes may have original plumbing, electrical systems, and roofs that carriers view as higher risk. They can also cost more to rebuild with matching materials. Updates to these systems often improve eligibility and pricing. Do I need water backup coverage? If you have a finished basement or a sump pump, water backup coverage is strongly worth considering. It is usually optional and covers damage when a sewer or drain backs up or a sump pump fails. My business has employees who work in Minnesota. Is my workers compensation set up correctly? Not always. Workers compensation is regulated by each state, so a Wisconsin policy needs the right setup for work performed in Minnesota. Review it with your agent before employees start regular work across the state line. Can MM Insurance Associates help if I live or work on both sides of the bridge? Yes. We serve clients in 24 states, including Wisconsin and Minnesota, so we can help with policies for homes, vehicles, and businesses on either side of the Twin Ports. Get Coverage That Fits Life in Superior Whether you own a century old home near the bay, commute across the bridge every morning, or run a business that supports the port, the right coverage starts with a conversation. Call MM Insurance Associates at (262) 754-4736 and our team will review your current policies and build a proposal that fits how you live and work. You can also get started anytime through our customer portal and we will follow up with the details.

Few phrases in a construction contract get signed with less thought than "waiver of subrogation." It usually sits in the insurance exhibit next to additional insured and primary and noncontributory wording, and most contractors assume their agent will sort it out later. For Wisconsin contractors, a waiver of subrogation is a real promise with real consequences, and if your policies do not back it up, the gap lands on you. This guide explains what a waiver of subrogation actually does, which policies it applies to, the difference between blanket and specific waivers, what it can cost, and what to check before you sign. MM Insurance Associates is an independent agency in New Berlin that has helped Wisconsin contractors with contract insurance requirements since 1997. If you are new to these terms, start with our contractor insurance glossary, which covers the language that shows up in most Wisconsin subcontracts. What Subrogation Means in Plain English Subrogation is the right of an insurance company, after it pays a claim, to step into its customer's shoes and recover that money from whoever caused the loss. If your carrier pays for damage or an injury and someone else was at fault, your carrier can pursue that party to get its money back. Here is a simple example. A drywall subcontractor's employee is hurt on a jobsite because the general contractor left a floor opening unguarded. The subcontractor's workers compensation carrier pays the medical bills and lost wages. Without a waiver, that carrier may go after the general contractor to recover what it paid. With a waiver of subrogation in favor of the general contractor, the carrier has agreed in advance not to pursue that recovery. A waiver of subrogation is the contractual promise that you, and through your policy your insurance company, will give up that right of recovery against a named party. General contractors and owners ask for it because it keeps claims from turning into lawsuits between the companies working on the same project. Which Policies a Waiver Usually Applies To Most Wisconsin construction contracts ask for a waiver on three or four lines of coverage. Each policy needs its own wording, so a change on one does not carry over to the others. Workers compensation This is the waiver contractors see most often, and usually the one with the most at stake. Employee injuries are common on construction sites and often involve another contractor's conduct. General contractors want to know the subcontractor's workers compensation carrier will not come after them once a claim is paid. On a workers compensation policy, the waiver is added by a specific form, and many carriers charge an additional premium for it. Our workers compensation page explains how coverage works for Wisconsin employers in more detail. General liability A general liability waiver means your carrier will not pursue the named party to recover a liability claim it paid on your behalf. Many contractor general liability policies can be written with a blanket waiver that applies whenever a written contract requires one, which makes this the easiest line to handle. Commercial auto Some contracts also require a waiver on your commercial auto policy. It is easy to miss because auto coverage is often written separately from the rest of the contractor package. If the contract lists auto, confirm that policy carries the wording too. Umbrella or excess liability When a contract requires umbrella limits, it often expects the waiver to follow through to the umbrella. Ask whether your umbrella follows the underlying policies on this point or needs its own wording. Blanket Versus Specific Waivers There are two ways to put a waiver on a policy, and the difference affects both your paperwork and your cost. A blanket waiver applies automatically to any person or organization you have agreed in a written contract to waive rights against. You do not need to call your agent every time you sign a new job. A specific, or scheduled, waiver names one particular party on the policy. Each new general contractor or owner has to be added before the job starts, and a missed addition can put you in breach. For most contractors who work for several general contractors a year, a blanket waiver on general liability and workers compensation is the cleaner option. Read the blanket language closely, though. Most versions only apply when the waiver is required by a written contract signed before the loss. A handshake agreement or a contract signed after the work started may not qualify. What a Waiver of Subrogation Costs On general liability, a blanket waiver is often included in a contractor package or added for a modest flat charge. Workers compensation is different. Many carriers price the waiver as a percentage of the premium on the payroll tied to that job or, for a blanket waiver, the policy as a whole. The exact charge varies by carrier and by state, so ask for it in writing before you commit. Two practical points help keep this cost under control: Build the waiver charge into your bid when the contract requires it. It is a legitimate cost of doing that job. Track which jobs actually required a waiver. At your premium audit, accurate job records help make sure any job specific waiver charge is calculated on the right payroll. Common Mistakes Wisconsin Contractors Make Most waiver problems show up only after a claim, when it is too late to fix them. These are the ones we see most: Assuming the certificate of insurance creates the waiver. It does not. The certificate only reports what the policy says, and the policy has to carry the actual wording. Covering general liability but forgetting workers compensation, which is the line most likely to see a claim. Signing a contract that requires the waiver on behalf of a long list of parties, such as the owner, the architect, the lender, and every affiliated company, without checking that your wording reaches all of them. Agreeing to waive rights in the contract when your policy has no waiver at all. If your carrier then loses its recovery rights because of your contract, you may be in breach of your own policy conditions. Missing the waiver on your subcontractors. If you hire subs, ask them for the same waivers your general contractor asked of you so the risk flows down the chain. Our deep dive on the certificate of insurance explains what that one-page form proves and what it leaves out. How a Waiver Fits With Additional Insured and Primary Wording A waiver of subrogation almost never shows up alone. Contracts usually request it as part of a set with additional insured status and primary and noncontributory wording. Together, those three terms tell the general contractor that your policy will defend them, will pay before their own policy, and will not try to recover the money from them afterward. If you have not already, read our guide to additional insured status, since the two requirements are usually reviewed together. The simplest habit is to send the insurance section of every contract to your agent before you sign it. That way the waiver, additional insured, and primary wording can be matched to your policies while there is still time to make changes or price them into your bid. You can also learn more about how we structure contractor coverage on our business insurance page. Frequently Asked Questions What is a waiver of subrogation in a construction contract? It is an agreement that you and your insurance carrier will not try to recover claim payments from a named party, usually the general contractor or project owner, even if that party caused the loss. Does a waiver of subrogation cost extra? Often it does, especially on workers compensation, where many carriers charge a percentage of premium. On general liability, a blanket waiver is frequently included in contractor packages or added for a small charge. What is the difference between a blanket and a specific waiver of subrogation? A blanket waiver applies to anyone you agreed to waive rights against in a written contract. A specific waiver names one party on the policy, so each new party has to be added before work begins. Does a certificate of insurance prove I have a waiver of subrogation? No. A certificate only summarizes coverage. The waiver has to exist on the policy itself, so ask your agent to confirm the wording is in place on every line the contract requires. Which policies usually need a waiver of subrogation? Most contracts ask for it on workers compensation and general liability, and many also list commercial auto and umbrella or excess liability. Check the contract's insurance exhibit for the exact list. Should I ask my subcontractors for a waiver of subrogation? Yes, in most cases. Asking your subs for the same waivers your general contractor requires of you keeps the risk with the party doing the work and protects your own policy. Get Your Contract Requirements Reviewed A waiver of subrogation takes one line in a contract and can decide who pays for a serious claim. Call MM Insurance Associates at (262) 754-4736 to have a licensed agent review the insurance section of your next contract and confirm your policies match what you are signing. You can also get started online through our customer portal and we will follow up with the coverage details that fit your operation.

Manitowoc sits where the Manitowoc River meets Lake Michigan, and that location shapes almost every insurance decision people here make. Lake effect snow, strong winds off the water, a working harbor, and a long manufacturing and shipbuilding heritage all show up in how homes, vehicles, and businesses should be covered. This guide walks through insurance in Manitowoc, Wisconsin for homeowners, drivers, boat owners, and local businesses, with practical advice on where coverage gaps tend to hide. MM Insurance Associates is an independent agency based in New Berlin that has served Wisconsin families and businesses since 1997. Because we work with multiple carriers, we can compare options for Manitowoc County clients instead of fitting everyone into one company's policy. Home Insurance in Manitowoc: Built for Lakeshore Weather Many Manitowoc neighborhoods have older homes near downtown and the lakeshore, along with newer construction on the west side and out toward the I-43 corridor. Each comes with its own risks, and a good homeowners policy should reflect the house you actually own. Winter and wind exposure Heavy snow loads, ice dams, and frozen pipes are some of the most common winter claims in Wisconsin, and lakeshore communities often see more wind driven damage to roofs and siding. Ask whether your policy pays replacement cost or actual cash value on the roof, since some carriers depreciate older roofs after a storm. Water backup and basement coverage Spring thaw and heavy rain can push sewer and drain systems past capacity. A standard homeowners policy typically does not cover water that backs up through a floor drain or sump pump unless you add water backup coverage. If you have a finished basement, this is one of the most valuable additions you can make. Older home considerations For older homes, make sure your dwelling limit reflects today's rebuilding costs, not the purchase price or assessed value. Ordinance or law coverage helps pay for bringing older electrical, plumbing, or structural elements up to current building codes after a covered loss. To compare homeowners and auto options side by side, visit our home and auto insurance page. Auto Insurance for Manitowoc Drivers Manitowoc drivers deal with lake effect snow squalls, deer along county roads, and regular trips on I-43 toward Green Bay, Sheboygan, and Milwaukee. Those conditions make a few coverage choices especially important: Comprehensive coverage, which pays for deer collisions, falling ice, hail, and theft. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, which protects you if the at fault driver carries too little insurance or none at all. Roadside assistance and rental reimbursement, which help when winter weather leaves you stranded or your car is in the shop. Higher liability limits than the Wisconsin minimum, since serious accidents can easily exceed basic limits. Bundling your auto and home policies with one carrier often lowers the total premium, and it means one renewal date and one point of contact when something goes wrong. Boats, Flood, and Other Lakefront Coverage Manitowoc's marina, the river, and the lakeshore make boating a big part of local life. Boat insurance protects the hull, motor, and trailer, and it adds liability coverage if someone is hurt on board or your boat damages another vessel or a dock. Ask about coverage for winter storage and for towing back to shore. For more detail, see our guide to boat insurance in Wisconsin. Flooding is the other lakefront issue. Homeowners policies exclude flood damage, including rising water from the river or heavy rain that pools around your foundation. Properties near the Manitowoc River and low lying areas should be reviewed for flood coverage, and even homes outside a mapped flood zone can take on water. Learn what is left out of a standard policy in our article on flood insurance in Wisconsin. Homeowners with significant assets should also consider a personal umbrella policy. It sits above your home, auto, and boat liability limits and adds protection for larger lawsuits at a relatively modest cost. Business Insurance for Manitowoc Companies Manitowoc has deep roots in manufacturing, metal fabrication, marine work, and food processing, along with a strong base of contractors, retailers, restaurants, and professional offices downtown and along the main commercial corridors. The right business insurance package depends on what you do, but most local companies should review these coverages: General liability for customer injuries and property damage claims. Commercial property for buildings, equipment, and inventory, with business income coverage to replace lost revenue after a covered shutdown. Workers compensation, which Wisconsin requires once you have three or more employees, or once you pay one or more employees 500 dollars or more in a calendar quarter. Commercial auto for company vehicles, plus hired and non owned auto liability when employees drive their own cars for work. Equipment breakdown, which matters for manufacturers and restaurants that rely on machinery, refrigeration, and boilers. Cyber liability for businesses that store customer data or take card payments. Contractors working on commercial jobs in Manitowoc County will also face certificate of insurance, additional insured, and waiver of subrogation requirements from general contractors and property owners. Having those terms set up before you bid saves time and protects the contract. Explore coverage options on our business insurance page, or call us to talk through your operation. How to Get Better Value on Insurance in Manitowoc Price matters, but the cheapest policy is rarely the best value once a claim is filed. A few habits help Manitowoc households and businesses get strong coverage at a fair price: Review your policies every year, especially after a renovation, new vehicle, new boat, or business expansion. Choose deductibles you could comfortably pay tomorrow, and use the savings to buy better coverage elsewhere. Ask about discounts for alarm systems, newer roofs, safe driving, and bundling. Keep a home inventory with photos, and keep business records, safety programs, and payroll reports organized. Work with an independent agent who can shop several carriers when your renewal premium jumps. Neighboring lakeshore communities face many of the same issues. If you have family or property to the south, our Sheboygan guide covers similar ground. Read our Sheboygan insurance guide for more lakeshore coverage tips. Frequently Asked Questions Does homeowners insurance in Manitowoc cover flooding from Lake Michigan or the river? No. Standard homeowners policies exclude flood damage from rising water. You need a separate flood policy, which is worth considering for homes near the Manitowoc River, the lakeshore, or any low lying area. Is water backup coverage included in a standard Wisconsin homeowners policy? Usually not. Water that backs up through a floor drain, sewer line, or failed sump pump typically requires added water backup coverage. It is especially important for homes with finished basements. What auto coverage is most important for Manitowoc winters? Comprehensive coverage handles deer collisions, falling ice, and hail, while collision covers accidents on slick roads. Roadside assistance and rental reimbursement are helpful additions during winter. Do I need boat insurance if I only use my boat in the summer? Wisconsin does not require boat insurance by law, but marinas and lenders often do. A policy also protects you from liability claims and covers your boat during winter storage, not just on the water. When does a Manitowoc business need workers compensation insurance? Wisconsin requires workers compensation once a business has three or more employees, or once it pays one or more employees 500 dollars or more in a calendar quarter. Can MM Insurance Associates help Manitowoc clients even though the office is in New Berlin? Yes. We work with clients across Wisconsin by phone, email, and our online portal, and as an independent agency we can compare several carriers for your home, auto, boat, or business coverage. Talk With a Wisconsin Insurance Advisor Whether you own a home near the lakeshore, run a shop downtown, or keep a boat at the marina, MM Insurance Associates can help you build coverage that fits life in Manitowoc. Call us at (262) 754-4736 to talk with a licensed agent and get a proposal tailored to you. You can also get started online through our customer portal and we will follow up with options that fit your needs.

Almost every subcontract, lease, and equipment rental agreement a Wisconsin contractor signs today includes the same request: name us as an additional insured. Most contractors say yes, send the request to their agent, and move on. The trouble is that additional insured status is one of the most misunderstood pieces of contractor insurance, and getting it wrong can cost you a job, a customer relationship, or a lawsuit you thought your policy would handle. This guide explains what additional insured coverage for Wisconsin contractors actually does, the difference between the common versions, what general contractors and property owners will ask for, and the mistakes we see most often. MM Insurance Associates is an independent agency in New Berlin that has helped Wisconsin contractors sort out contract insurance requirements since 1997. This post is part of our contractor terms series. For quick definitions of related terms, see our Wisconsin contractor insurance glossary. What Additional Insured Status Means When you add someone as an additional insured, you extend part of your own liability policy to protect them. If a third party sues the general contractor or the property owner because of something connected to your work, your insurance carrier may defend and pay that claim on their behalf, within the terms of your policy. That protection is not unlimited. An additional insured does not become a full named insured on your policy. Their coverage is usually limited to claims arising out of your work, your operations, or your premises, and it is shaped entirely by the specific wording added to your policy. Two contractors can both say a general contractor is an additional insured and be providing very different protection. Additional insured status is most often added to general liability. It can also be added to commercial auto and umbrella or excess liability, and many contracts ask for all three. Why General Contractors and Owners Require It The logic is simple risk transfer. The party higher up the contract chain wants the party doing the work to carry the cost of claims that work creates. If your crew leaves a cord across a walkway and a delivery driver trips, the injured person will likely sue everyone on the site. Additional insured status lets the general contractor turn that claim over to your carrier instead of paying it through their own policy and loss history. Property owners, lenders, landlords, and equipment rental companies use the same approach. That is why the request shows up in places contractors do not always expect, such as a shop lease or a lift rental agreement. Our general contractor insurance guide covers how this request flows down from the owner to every trade on a project. Ongoing Operations vs Completed Operations This is the distinction that causes the most problems. Additional insured wording generally comes in two flavors, and many contracts require both. Ongoing operations Ongoing operations coverage protects the additional insured while your work is in progress. A common standard form for this is the ISO CG 20 10. If someone is injured on site during the project and your work is involved, this is the wording that responds. Completed operations Completed operations coverage protects the additional insured after your work is finished and turned over. A common standard form for this is the ISO CG 20 37. This matters because many construction claims surface months or years later, such as water intrusion from a roof, a failed deck connection, or a slip on a stair you installed. If the contract requires completed operations coverage and your policy only grants ongoing operations, the general contractor has no protection under your policy for those later claims. Read the contract for phrases like "including completed operations" or a requirement that coverage be maintained for a set number of years after completion. Those details have to match what your policy provides. Blanket vs Scheduled Additional Insured There are two main ways to add additional insureds to a policy. Scheduled additional insured. Each person or company is listed by name on your policy. This works for a contractor with one or two repeat customers, but every new request means a policy change and a wait. Blanket additional insured. Your policy automatically extends additional insured status to anyone you have agreed in a written contract to add. This is the practical choice for most contractors who work for many general contractors and owners. Blanket wording has its own conditions. Most versions require a written contract that was signed before the work began or before the loss. A handshake deal or a contract signed after an injury usually will not qualify. Some blanket forms also limit coverage to what the contract requires, so if the contract is silent on completed operations, the coverage may be too. Related Terms That Travel With Additional Insured Insurance exhibits rarely ask for additional insured status on its own. Expect to see these companion terms in the same paragraph: Primary and noncontributory. Your policy pays first, and the additional insured's own policy does not have to share the loss. Without this wording, the two carriers may argue about who pays and how much. Waiver of subrogation. Your carrier agrees not to pursue the other party to recover what it paid. This is often requested on workers compensation as well as liability and auto. Per project aggregate. Your general liability aggregate applies separately to each job, so a large claim on one project does not use up the limit available on another. Umbrella follow form. Your umbrella or excess policy extends the same additional insured protection above your primary limits. Workers compensation does not use additional insured status, but contracts often require a waiver of subrogation on it. Learn more on our workers compensation page. Common Mistakes That Leave Contractors Exposed Most additional insured problems come from a mismatch between what the contract says and what the policy does. These are the ones we see most often with Wisconsin contractors: Relying on the certificate alone. A certificate of insurance is a summary. If the policy does not actually contain the matching additional insured wording, the certificate does not create it. Missing completed operations. The contract requires it, the policy only covers ongoing work, and the gap only shows up when a claim arrives after the job is done. Signing contracts after work starts. Blanket wording often depends on a written agreement signed before the work or loss. Late paperwork can void the protection you meant to give. Not passing requirements down to subs. If your contract with the owner requires additional insured status from every tier, your subcontractors need to name you and the owner on their policies too. Forgetting the umbrella. Contracts that require a 2,000,000 or 5,000,000 umbrella usually expect the additional insured to be covered there as well. Our deep dive on the certificate of insurance explains exactly what that document proves and what it does not. How to Handle Additional Insured Requests the Right Way A simple routine prevents most of these problems: Send us the insurance section of any contract before you sign or bid, not after you win the job. Ask for blanket additional insured wording that includes both ongoing and completed operations, plus blanket primary and noncontributory and waiver of subrogation where your carrier allows it. Keep signed contracts on file and make sure they are dated before work begins. Collect certificates from your own subcontractors before they set foot on site, and check that they name you correctly. Review your requirements at every renewal, since the contracts you sign may have changed over the year. If you are building or reviewing a contractor package, our business insurance page outlines the coverage MM Insurance Associates places for Wisconsin contractors. Frequently Asked Questions What does it mean to be an additional insured on a contractor's policy? It means part of the contractor's liability coverage extends to protect another party, such as a general contractor or property owner, for claims connected to the contractor's work. The protection is limited by the specific wording added to the policy. Is an additional insured the same as a certificate holder? No. A certificate holder simply receives proof that coverage exists. An additional insured actually has protection under the policy. A certificate can show both, but only the policy wording creates coverage. Does additional insured coverage include completed operations? Only if the policy wording says so. Ongoing operations and completed operations are often separate. If your contract requires coverage after the job is finished, confirm your policy grants completed operations protection. Does adding an additional insured cost extra? It depends on the carrier and the wording. Some contractor policies include blanket additional insured wording as part of the package, while others charge for it or for individual scheduled additions. Ask your agent what your current policy includes. Can my subcontractors list me as an additional insured? Yes, and you should require it. Put the requirement in your written subcontract, ask for both ongoing and completed operations, and collect a certificate before work starts. Does additional insured status apply to workers compensation? No. Workers compensation does not have additional insureds. Contracts usually ask for a waiver of subrogation on workers compensation instead. Get Your Contract Requirements Right the First Time Additional insured requests are routine, but the details decide whether the protection actually works when a claim comes in. Call MM Insurance Associates at (262) 754-4736 to talk with a licensed agent about additional insured coverage for your Wisconsin contracting business, or send us the insurance section of your next contract and we will review it with you before you sign. You can also get started online through our customer portal and we will follow up with the coverage details that fit your operation.

West Bend sits in a sweet spot. It has the feel of a close knit Wisconsin city, with a walkable downtown along the Milwaukee River, yet it is an easy drive down US 45 to Milwaukee and close to the lakes and trails of the Kettle Moraine. That mix of river living, lake weekends, long commutes, and a strong manufacturing base shapes the coverage West Bend residents and business owners actually need. This guide walks through insurance in West Bend, Wisconsin, from homes and cars to boats, businesses, and the specialty policies that tend to get overlooked. MM Insurance Associates is an independent agency based in New Berlin that has served Wisconsin families and businesses since 1997. Because we work with multiple carriers, we can compare options for Washington County clients instead of fitting everyone into one company's rules. Homeowners Insurance in West Bend West Bend has a wide range of housing: older homes near downtown and the river, established neighborhoods from the postwar decades, newer subdivisions on the edges of the city, and lake homes on Big Cedar Lake and Silver Lake nearby. Each brings different rating factors and different coverage questions. What to review on a West Bend home policy Replacement cost on the dwelling. Building costs have climbed sharply in recent years, so a limit set five years ago may fall short of what it would take to rebuild today. Water backup and sump pump overflow. This is excluded or sharply limited on many standard policies, and it is one of the most common basement claims in southeast Wisconsin during spring thaws and heavy summer storms. Older home systems. Carriers look closely at the age of the roof, electrical panel, plumbing, and heating system, especially in older homes near downtown. Wind and hail deductibles. Some policies now carry a separate percentage deductible for wind and hail, which can be far larger than your standard deductible. Ordinance or law coverage. If an older home is damaged, current building codes may require upgrades that a basic policy does not pay for. For a closer look at how we structure home and auto programs, visit our home and auto insurance page. Flood Risk Along the Milwaukee River The Milwaukee River runs right through the heart of West Bend, and it is a big part of what makes the city special. It also means some properties carry real flood exposure, and homes outside mapped flood zones can still take on water during heavy rain or rapid snowmelt. Standard homeowners policies do not cover flood. Coverage comes from the National Flood Insurance Program or a private flood carrier, and NFIP policies generally have a 30 day waiting period before they take effect. If you live near the river or a low spot in your neighborhood, it is worth pricing flood coverage before the spring season rather than after a storm is in the forecast. Our guide to flood insurance in Wisconsin explains what flood policies cover and how they differ from water backup coverage. Auto Insurance for West Bend Drivers Many West Bend households commute south toward Milwaukee, Menomonee Falls, and Germantown, or north toward Fond du Lac. More highway miles mean more exposure, and Washington County roads bring their share of deer encounters, especially in the fall and early winter. Wisconsin requires liability limits of at least 25,000 per person and 50,000 per accident for bodily injury, 10,000 for property damage, and uninsured motorist coverage. Those minimums are low compared with the cost of a serious accident today, so most families are better protected with higher limits. Comprehensive coverage is what pays for deer collisions, hail, and falling tree limbs. Dropping it to save a few dollars can backfire on a rural stretch of road. Underinsured motorist coverage helps when the other driver has only state minimum limits. Teen drivers, multiple vehicles, and recreational vehicles all affect pricing, which makes bundling home and auto with one carrier worth comparing. Boats, Lake Homes, and Recreation Big Cedar Lake, Silver Lake, Little Cedar Lake, and the waters of the Kettle Moraine make boating a way of life for many West Bend families. A homeowners policy typically offers little or no coverage for boats with larger motors, and liability on the water can be substantial if someone is hurt. Lake homes deserve their own review too. Piers, boat lifts, shoreline structures, and seasonal occupancy all raise coverage questions that a standard policy may not answer. Learn more in our article on boat insurance in Wisconsin. Snowmobiles, ATVs, UTVs, and motorcycles also need their own policies. An umbrella policy that sits above home, auto, and recreational vehicle coverage is one of the most cost effective ways to protect your savings from a large liability claim. Business Insurance for West Bend Companies West Bend has a strong manufacturing and industrial base, a busy retail corridor, a healthy mix of contractors and trades, and many professional and service firms. Each needs a different insurance program, but the building blocks are similar. General liability for customer injuries and property damage. Commercial property and business income coverage, so a fire or equipment breakdown does not shut the doors for good. Workers compensation, which Wisconsin requires once you have three or more employees, or once you pay one or more employees 500 dollars or more in a calendar quarter. Commercial auto for company vehicles, plus hired and non owned auto when employees use their own cars for work. Professional liability, cyber liability, and employment practices liability for firms where advice, data, or staff decisions create risk. Commercial umbrella coverage to extend liability limits, which many contracts now require. Manufacturers should pay particular attention to product liability, equipment breakdown, and supply chain interruptions. Contractors working on projects across Washington and Ozaukee counties will run into certificate of insurance, additional insured, and waiver of subrogation requirements on nearly every job. See how we build programs for local companies on our business insurance page. Why West Bend Clients Work With an Independent Agency A captive agent can only offer one company's products. An independent agency can compare several carriers, find the right fit for an older home or a lake property, and help a growing business add coverage as it hires and takes on bigger contracts. When it is time to renew, we can shop the market instead of accepting whatever increase arrives in the mail. We serve clients throughout southeast Wisconsin, from Milwaukee and Waukesha to Washington County and the Fox Valley. If you split time between West Bend and the Lake Winnebago area, our Fond du Lac insurance guide covers that region as well. Frequently Asked Questions Do I need flood insurance in West Bend if I am not in a flood zone? It is not required by lenders outside mapped flood zones, but flooding can still happen during heavy rain or rapid snowmelt, especially near the Milwaukee River. Standard home policies exclude flood, so a separate flood policy is the only way to cover it. Does my homeowners policy cover water in my basement from a sump pump failure? Only if you have added water backup and sump pump overflow coverage. Many standard policies exclude it or limit it to a small amount, so check your declarations page. What are the minimum auto insurance requirements in Wisconsin? Wisconsin requires 25,000 per person and 50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability, 10,000 in property damage liability, and uninsured motorist coverage at 25,000 per person and 50,000 per accident. Most drivers benefit from higher limits. Is my boat covered by my homeowners insurance? Homeowners policies usually provide very limited coverage for small boats and little or none for boats with larger motors. A separate boat policy covers physical damage and liability on the water. When does a West Bend business need workers compensation? Wisconsin requires workers compensation once you have three or more employees, or once you pay one or more employees 500 dollars or more in a calendar quarter. Can I bundle home, auto, and boat insurance? Often, yes. Many carriers offer multi policy discounts, and an independent agency can compare bundled and separate options to find the best overall value. Talk With an Agent About Your West Bend Coverage Whether you own a home near downtown, a cottage on Big Cedar Lake, or a growing business in Washington County, we will review what you have and show you where the gaps are. Call MM Insurance Associates at (262) 754-4736 to speak with a licensed agent. You can also get started online through our customer portal and we will follow up with options that fit your situation.

If you work in construction in Wisconsin, you have been asked for a certificate of insurance. A general contractor wants one before you set foot on site. A property manager wants one before you start a remodel. A homeowner's lender wants one before the first draw. The request is so routine that most contractors treat the certificate as a formality, and that is exactly how small paperwork problems turn into held payments, lost bids, and uncovered claims. This guide explains what a certificate of insurance for Wisconsin contractors actually proves, what it cannot do, how to get one quickly, and how to check the certificates your own subcontractors hand you. It is part of our series expanding on the terms in our contractor insurance glossary. MM Insurance Associates is an independent agency in New Berlin that has helped Wisconsin contractors manage these requests since 1997. If you want the short definitions first, start with Insurance Terms Every Contractor Should Know and come back here for the deeper look at certificates. What a Certificate of Insurance Is A certificate of insurance, often shortened to COI, is a one page summary of the insurance you carry on a given date. In the construction world it is almost always the ACORD 25 form, the industry standard certificate for liability coverage. It is issued by your agent, not by you, and it lists: The named insured, which should match the legal name on your contract exactly. The insurance companies providing each policy. Policy numbers and effective and expiration dates. Limits for general liability, commercial auto, umbrella or excess liability, and workers compensation. A description of operations box that can reference a specific project, location, or contract. The certificate holder, which is the person or company that asked for the certificate. Think of it as a snapshot. It tells the certificate holder that on the day it was issued, these policies existed with these limits. That is useful information, but it is only information. What a Certificate Does Not Do This is the part that catches contractors and their customers off guard. The ACORD 25 itself states that it is issued as a matter of information only and confers no rights on the certificate holder. In plain terms, a certificate cannot add coverage, change coverage, or extend coverage. Only the policy can do that. Three common misunderstandings follow from this: Listing someone as additional insured on a certificate does not make them one. Additional insured status has to be granted by the policy itself, usually through blanket wording that applies when a written contract requires it, or through a form that names that party specifically. Typing primary and noncontributory or waiver of subrogation into the description box does not create those terms. If the policy does not include them, the certificate is promising something your insurance will not deliver. Being the certificate holder does not guarantee notice if the policy is canceled. Notice rights depend on policy provisions and state rules, not on the certificate. When a certificate says more than the policy supports, the contractor can end up in breach of contract, and the general contractor or owner can end up paying a claim they thought you were covering. That is why we review the contract language before we issue a certificate with special wording. How to Request a Certificate Without Slowing Down the Job Most delays come from incomplete requests. When a general contractor or customer asks for a certificate, gather these details before you contact your agent: The certificate holder's full legal name and mailing address. The project name and job site address, if the certificate needs to reference a specific job. The insurance section of the contract or subcontract, including any exhibit that lists required limits. Any specific wording they want, such as additional insured, primary and noncontributory, or waiver of subrogation. Where to send it, and the date they need it by. With that information, a standard certificate can usually be turned around the same business day. Requests that need policy changes to meet a contract, such as higher umbrella limits or adding a waiver for a particular client, take longer because the carrier has to approve and process the change first. Send contracts before you bid, not the morning you are scheduled to start. Annual renewals deserve a reminder too. When your policies renew, every certificate you issued last year shows expired dates. Many general contractors and property managers will hold payment until they receive an updated certificate, so plan to send fresh ones to your regular customers as soon as renewal is complete. Checking the Certificates Your Subcontractors Give You Certificates flow in both directions. If you hire subcontractors, collecting and reviewing their certificates is one of the most important habits you can build. Wisconsin law can treat a contractor as responsible for workers compensation benefits for the employees of an uninsured subcontractor, and your own carrier may charge premium at audit for any sub who cannot show proof of coverage. When a subcontractor certificate arrives, check these points before work begins: The named insured matches the company on your subcontract, not an owner's personal name or a different entity. The policy dates cover the entire length of the project, not just the first few weeks. General liability limits meet what your own contract with the owner requires you to pass down. Workers compensation is shown, or you have a valid reason it does not apply to that sub. Your company appears as additional insured when the subcontract requires it, and the sub can provide the supporting policy form if asked. The certificate came directly from the sub's agent, not as a scan that could have been edited. Keep every subcontractor certificate in the job file and set a reminder for expiration dates. When a sub's policy renews mid project, request the new certificate right away. Organized files make premium audits faster and give you a clear record if a claim comes up later. For a broader look at how subcontractor risk fits into a contractor's program, see our general contractor insurance guide. Mistakes That Cost Wisconsin Contractors Time and Money After years of handling certificate requests, the same issues come up again and again: Name mismatches. A contract signed by your LLC with a certificate showing your trade name, or the reverse, can stall approval. Limits that do not meet the contract. Discovering that a project requires a 5,000,000 umbrella after you have already won the bid leaves little time to adjust. Editing a certificate yourself. Changing dates, limits, or wording on a certificate is misrepresentation and can void the protections you were counting on. Ignoring expired certificates from subs. A sub who let coverage lapse can leave you paying their claim and their premium. Assuming a homeowner job needs nothing. Lenders, condo associations, and municipalities increasingly ask for certificates on residential work too. A well built contractor program avoids most of these problems before they start. Learn more about how we structure coverage on our business insurance page. How MM Insurance Associates Handles Certificate Requests Our team processes certificate requests for contractors across Wisconsin, from Milwaukee, Waukesha, and New Berlin to Madison and the Fox Valley. We keep your policy details on file so standard certificates go out quickly, and we read the contract when special wording is requested so the certificate matches what your policy actually provides. If a contract asks for something your current program does not include, we tell you before you sign and help you decide whether to add it, negotiate it, or pass on the job. That conversation is far easier before a project starts than after a claim. We also coordinate certificates with your workers compensation coverage, which many general contractors check first. Read more on our workers compensation page. Frequently Asked Questions What is a certificate of insurance for a Wisconsin contractor? It is a one page summary, usually on the ACORD 25 form, that lists your insurance companies, policy numbers, dates, and limits on the day it was issued. It is issued by your insurance agent and is commonly required by general contractors, property owners, and lenders before work starts. Does being listed on a certificate make someone an additional insured? No. A certificate is informational only. Additional insured status must be granted by the policy, usually through blanket wording tied to a written contract or a form that names the party. The certificate only reports that status. How long does it take to get a certificate of insurance? A standard certificate can usually be issued the same business day when the request includes the holder's name, address, and project details. Requests that require policy changes take longer because the insurance company must approve the change first. Can I fill out or edit a certificate of insurance myself? No. Certificates should be issued by your insurance agent. Changing dates, limits, or wording on a certificate is misrepresentation and can leave both you and the certificate holder without the protection you expected. Why do I need certificates from my subcontractors? If an uninsured subcontractor's employee is hurt, Wisconsin law can make you responsible for workers compensation benefits, and your carrier may charge premium at audit for subs without proof of coverage. Current certificates protect you on both fronts. What should I do when my policies renew? Send updated certificates to your regular general contractors, property managers, and customers right away. Expired dates on file can hold up payments and site access until new certificates arrive. Get Certificates Handled Right the First Time Certificates should never be the reason a job starts late or a payment sits on someone's desk. Call MM Insurance Associates at (262) 754-4736 to talk with a licensed agent about your contractor program, or send us the insurance section of your next contract and we will review it with you before you sign. You can also get started online through our customer portal and we will follow up with the coverage details that fit your operation.

By Toby Hartman, MM Insurance Associates A story out of Milwaukee stopped me this week. After a crash near Marquette that took the lives of two young men, an insurance company went to court and asked a judge to decide whether its policies cover the student who was driving. I am not going to guess how that case comes out, and my heart goes out to every family involved. But as a dad and as an agent, it made me think about a question I get every fall: when my kid is away at school, are they still covered? The honest answer is that it depends, and the details matter more than most parents realize. Who owns the car, and where does it live? If the car is in your name and on your policy, your coverage usually follows it to campus. The catch is that your insurance company needs to know where the car actually spends its nights. If your son or daughter takes the car to school in another city or another state, tell us. A car garaged somewhere other than what is on your policy can create problems right when you need help most. If your student bought their own car and titled it in their own name, that is a different situation. In many cases that car needs its own policy, and your policy may not step in at all. Is your student still part of your household? Most auto and home policies cover relatives who live with you. A full time student who is temporarily away at school is often still treated as living at home. A graduate who signed a year round lease, moved their mail, and only visits on holidays may not be. Every policy words this a little differently, so this is worth a phone call instead of an assumption. Do you have an umbrella policy? An umbrella policy adds a big layer of liability protection on top of your auto and home coverage. When a serious crash happens, the costs can blow past standard auto limits fast. I want parents to know two things. First, your umbrella generally only works the way you expect if the cars and drivers underneath it are set up correctly. Second, a car your student owns on their own policy may not be included unless we plan for it. Driving friends around College life means road trips, rides to practice, and late night food runs with a car full of friends. If there is a crash, passengers and their families can make claims. That is exactly why I push for higher liability limits on young drivers, not lower ones to save a few dollars. My back to school checklist for parents Confirm every car your student drives is listed and garaged at the right address. Ask whether your student still counts as part of your household under your policy. If your student owns a car, make sure it has its own coverage and see if your umbrella can include it. Review your liability limits. Young drivers are exactly where higher limits pay for themselves. Ask about good student and distant student discounts. Some carriers offer a break when the student is far from home without a car. Frequently asked questions Does my auto insurance cover my child at college? Often yes, if they still count as part of your household and the car is on your policy. Tell us where the car is kept. Do I need to tell my insurance company my kid took the car to school? Yes. Where the car is garaged affects your policy, and leaving it out can cause trouble at claim time. Will my umbrella policy cover my college student? It can, but only if the cars and drivers underneath it are set up the right way. This is worth a review before the next semester. If you have a student heading back to campus or already there, give us a call at (262) 754-4736. A fifteen minute review now is a lot easier than finding out the answer after a crash.

By Toby Hartman, MM Insurance Associates I talk to business owners every week who are doing their own marketing. They are posting on Facebook, boosting posts, and running ads on Instagram. I love it. But a lawsuit filed last week is a good reminder that a marketing shortcut can turn into a real bill. A content creator sued a supplement company in federal court, saying it ran at least 12 paid Meta ads built from four of her videos without permission. Because she registered her videos with the Copyright Office soon after posting them, the law lets her ask for statutory damages. For willful infringement, that can reach $150,000 per video. Four videos. You can do that math. That is a bigger company than most of our clients, but I see the same habits in small businesses all the time. Where small businesses get into trouble Using a customer's video or review photo in an ad without written permission. Grabbing a photo from Google Images for a flyer or website. Reposting a trending clip or song in a paid promotion. Hiring a freelancer who used images they did not have the rights to. Most of the time nobody notices. When somebody does, the letter usually comes from a lawyer, and it rarely asks nicely. Does business insurance cover this? Sometimes, and that word is doing a lot of work. Many general liability policies include protection for certain advertising claims, which can include copyright problems that show up in your advertisement. But there are limits. Some policies leave out businesses whose main work is advertising, publishing, or media. Some leave out claims you knew about, or content you were warned about and used anyway. And a lot of what people call "content" is not technically an advertisement, which can change the answer. If you produce a lot of content, or your business lives on social media, a general liability policy may not be enough. That is where a media or professional liability policy can make sense. I would much rather walk through your policy with you now than read it for the first time next to a demand letter. Simple habits that protect you Get written permission before you use a customer's photo, video, or review in an ad. A short release form works. Use licensed stock images and music, and save the license. Put it in writing that freelancers and agencies own or have rights to everything they hand you. When in doubt, create your own content. Your phone and your team are more authentic anyway. If you get a demand letter, call your agent before you respond. For more on this topic, see our post on YouTube and social media insurance. Frequently asked questions Can I use a customer's video in my ad if they tagged my business? A tag is not permission to use it in a paid ad. Ask, and get it in writing. Does general liability insurance cover copyright claims? It can cover some copyright claims tied to your advertising, but there are important limits. Have your agent review your policy. What should I do if I get a copyright demand letter? Do not ignore it and do not reply on your own. Call your insurance agent right away so the claim can be reported on time. If you run your own marketing and want to know where you stand, call us at (262) 754-4736. We will look at your policy and give you a straight answer.

Stevens Point sits right in the middle of Wisconsin, where the Wisconsin River, Interstate 39, and US Highway 10 all come together. It is a university town, a county seat, a hub for Central Sands agriculture, and home to families who have been in Portage County for generations. That mix creates a very specific set of risks, and it is why insurance in Stevens Point, Wisconsin deserves a closer look than a one size fits all policy. This guide walks through the coverage Stevens Point homeowners, drivers, landlords, and business owners should think about, the local risks that drive claims, and practical ways to keep premiums in check. MM Insurance Associates is an independent agency based in New Berlin that has helped Wisconsin families and businesses compare carriers since 1997, and we work with clients across the state, including Portage County. Home Insurance in Stevens Point Stevens Point has a wide range of housing. Older homes near downtown and the historic neighborhoods sit a few blocks from newer subdivisions in Plover, Whiting, and the surrounding towns. Each type of home brings its own insurance questions. Older homes and replacement cost Many houses in the older parts of the city were built well before modern building codes. Plaster walls, original woodwork, older wiring, and aging plumbing can all make a home more expensive to rebuild than its market value suggests. Make sure your dwelling limit reflects the true cost to rebuild, and ask about ordinance or law coverage, which helps pay for code upgrades the city requires after a covered loss. Winter is the main event Central Wisconsin winters bring long stretches of below zero temperatures and heavy snow. The most common cold weather claims we see across the state include: Frozen and burst pipes, especially in exterior walls, crawl spaces, and homes left empty during a trip. Ice dams that push meltwater under shingles and into ceilings and walls. Roof and gutter damage from heavy, wet snow loads. Furnace failures that lead to freeze damage before anyone notices. Keeping the heat at a steady temperature, insulating vulnerable pipes, and clearing snow from roof edges go a long way. On the policy side, check your water backup coverage. Standard homeowners policies usually exclude water that backs up through a sewer or drain, and a sump pump failure during a spring thaw can cause thousands of dollars in basement damage. A water backup endorsement is inexpensive compared to that loss. The Wisconsin River and flood risk The Wisconsin River runs right through Stevens Point, along with the Plover River and several ponds and flowages. Homeowners policies do not cover flood. If your property is near the river, in a low area, or has ever taken on water during a heavy spring melt, a separate flood policy is worth pricing even if your lender does not require one. For more detail on how flood coverage works, read our guide to flood insurance in Wisconsin. You can also see how we build home coverage on our home and auto insurance page. Auto Insurance for Portage County Drivers Stevens Point drivers split their miles between city streets, Interstate 39, Highway 10, and rural county roads. Each brings different exposure, and your auto policy should account for all of them. Deer collisions. Central Wisconsin has a large deer population, and fall is peak season. Damage from hitting a deer is paid under comprehensive coverage, not collision, so keep comprehensive on any vehicle you rely on. Winter driving. Icy bridges over the river and drifting snow on open rural roads lead to slide offs and chain reaction accidents. Collision coverage and a deductible you can comfortably pay matter here. Uninsured drivers. Wisconsin requires liability limits of 25,000 per person, 50,000 per accident, and 10,000 for property damage, plus uninsured motorist coverage. Those minimums are low compared to the cost of a serious injury, so higher limits and underinsured motorist coverage are worth considering. Young drivers and students. Families with teens or college students should ask about good student discounts and how coverage works when a student keeps a car on or near campus. Bundling home and auto with the same carrier often lowers the total cost, and an independent agent can show you whether a bundle actually beats buying each policy separately. Landlords and Student Rental Properties With the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point in town, rental housing is a big part of the local market. Single family homes converted to student rentals, duplexes, and small apartment buildings are common near campus. If you own any of them, a standard homeowners policy is not the right fit. Landlord or dwelling fire policies cover the building, your liability as an owner, and loss of rental income if a covered loss makes the unit uninhabitable. Rent per room arrangements, where several unrelated tenants sign separate leases, can change how a carrier views the property. Disclose the setup up front so a claim is not questioned later. Higher liability limits and an umbrella policy make sense when you have multiple tenants and guests coming and going, especially if there are stairs, decks, or parking areas to maintain in winter. Require tenants to carry renters insurance. It protects their belongings and often includes liability coverage that can respond before your policy does. Portfolio owners with several properties around Stevens Point, Plover, and Wausau can often consolidate onto one policy with a single renewal date, which simplifies administration and sometimes reduces cost. Business Insurance in Stevens Point The local economy is broad. Agriculture and food processing tied to the Central Sands, manufacturing, healthcare, education, retail along Division Street, restaurants and taverns downtown, and a steady stream of contractors and trades all call Portage County home. A few coverages come up for almost every local business. Core coverage General liability for customer injuries and property damage you cause to others. Commercial property for your building, equipment, inventory, and improvements, plus business income coverage if a fire or storm forces you to close. Workers compensation, required in Wisconsin once you have three or more employees, or once you pay one or more employees 500 dollars or more in a calendar quarter. Commercial auto for vehicles titled to the business, and hired and non owned auto coverage when employees run errands in their own cars. Industry specific needs Contractors need tools and equipment coverage and contract compliant endorsements like additional insured status and waivers of subrogation. Restaurants and taverns need liquor liability and equipment breakdown coverage for coolers and kitchen equipment. Agricultural businesses and processors often need inland marine coverage for mobile equipment, spoilage coverage, and careful attention to seasonal payroll. Professional offices should look at professional liability and cyber liability. See how we put these pieces together on our business insurance page, or call us to review your current policy against the work you actually do. How to Save Money Without Cutting Corners Lower premiums should come from smarter coverage, not missing coverage. Here is what tends to work for Stevens Point clients: Bundle home, auto, and umbrella with one carrier when the numbers support it. Choose a deductible you could pay tomorrow without stress, then put the savings toward higher liability limits. Ask about discounts for monitored alarms, water leak sensors, newer roofs, and updated electrical systems. Review your coverage every year, and any time you remodel, buy a vehicle, add a teen driver, or start renting a property. Work with an independent agent who can shop several carriers instead of one. If you also own property farther north, our Wausau insurance guide covers the risks that come with Marathon County homes and businesses. Frequently Asked Questions Does homeowners insurance in Stevens Point cover flooding from the Wisconsin River? No. Standard homeowners policies exclude flood. You need a separate flood policy through the National Flood Insurance Program or a private carrier. Water backup from a sewer or sump pump is also excluded unless you add a water backup endorsement. Are deer collisions covered by my auto policy in Portage County? Yes, if you carry comprehensive coverage. Hitting a deer is treated as a comprehensive loss rather than a collision, so your comprehensive deductible applies. Liability only policies do not cover damage to your own vehicle. What insurance do I need for a student rental near UW Stevens Point? You need a landlord or dwelling fire policy rather than a homeowners policy. It should include liability coverage and loss of rental income. Tell the carrier if you rent by the room, and consider an umbrella policy for extra liability protection. Is workers compensation required for small businesses in Stevens Point? Wisconsin requires workers compensation once you have three or more employees, or once you pay one or more employees 500 dollars or more in a calendar quarter. Many small businesses reach that threshold sooner than they expect. What are the minimum auto insurance requirements in Wisconsin? Wisconsin requires liability limits of 25,000 per person and 50,000 per accident for bodily injury, 10,000 for property damage, and uninsured motorist coverage. Most drivers benefit from carrying higher limits. Can MM Insurance Associates help clients in Stevens Point if the office is in New Berlin? Yes. We work with clients throughout Wisconsin by phone, email, and online forms. As an independent agency we compare multiple carriers and handle service, changes, and claims support without you needing to visit an office. Get Coverage That Fits Stevens Point Whether you own a home near the river, rent to students near campus, or run a business on Division Street, the right coverage starts with a conversation. Call MM Insurance Associates at (262) 754-4736 to talk with a licensed agent about insurance in Stevens Point and Portage County. You can also get started online through our customer portal and we will follow up with options from multiple carriers.

Every contractor eventually gets a subcontract or bid package with an insurance section that reads like a foreign language. Additional insured. Primary and noncontributory. Waiver of subrogation. Per project aggregate. Most Wisconsin contractors sign anyway and hope their policy lines up, and many find out it does not only after a claim, a failed audit, or a general contractor holding back a payment. This glossary explains the contractor insurance terms you will run into most often, in plain English, and what each one means for your business. It is written for Wisconsin trades, from one truck operations to established general contractors. MM Insurance Associates is an independent agency in New Berlin that has helped contractors across Wisconsin read and meet these requirements since 1997. Proof of Coverage Terms Certificate of insurance (COI) A certificate of insurance is a one page summary, usually on the ACORD 25 form, that shows your carriers, policy numbers, effective dates, and limits. General contractors, property owners, and municipalities ask for it before you start work. The key thing to understand is that a COI is information only. It does not change your policy or grant anyone coverage. If a contract requires something, the policy itself has to provide it. Certificate holder The certificate holder is the person or company the COI is issued to, such as the general contractor or owner. Being listed as certificate holder gives them proof that you carry insurance. It does not make them an insured on your policy. That is a separate step. Additional insured An additional insured is a party that gets coverage under your general liability policy for claims arising out of your work. General contractors and owners almost always require it, because if your crew causes an injury on their project, they want your policy to defend them. Additional insured status is added by endorsement, and the wording matters. Ongoing operations endorsements, often the ISO CG 20 10, cover the additional insured while you are working. Completed operations endorsements, often the ISO CG 20 37, cover them after your work is finished. Many contracts require both. Blanket endorsements automatically extend status to anyone you agree in a written contract to cover. Scheduled endorsements list specific names, which means a new endorsement for every new job. If you work for many different general contractors, a blanket additional insured endorsement with both ongoing and completed operations wording saves a lot of paperwork and prevents gaps. Contract Language Terms Indemnification or hold harmless agreement This is the clause where you agree to defend and pay for losses the other party suffers because of your work. Your insurance responds to these agreements through contractual liability coverage in your general liability policy, but only to the extent the policy and state law allow. Broad indemnity clauses can ask you to take on more than your policy will pay, so have them reviewed before you sign. Primary and noncontributory Primary means your policy pays first when a claim involves the additional insured. Noncontributory means your carrier will not ask the general contractor's own insurance to share the loss. Together, they push the cost of claims from your work onto your policy instead of theirs. This wording has to be in your policy endorsement, not just typed onto the certificate. Waiver of subrogation Subrogation is your insurer's right to recover what it paid from whoever caused the loss. A waiver of subrogation gives up that right against a specific party, usually the owner or general contractor. Contracts commonly require waivers on general liability, commercial auto, and workers compensation. Carriers add them by endorsement, such as the ISO CG 24 04 on general liability, and some charge a small fee, especially on workers compensation. Per project aggregate A general liability policy has an annual aggregate, the most it will pay in total for the policy year. A per project aggregate endorsement gives each job its own aggregate limit, so a large claim on one project does not use up the coverage available for the rest. Larger general contractors frequently require it. Policy Structure Terms Per occurrence and aggregate limits A limit of 1,000,000 per occurrence and 2,000,000 aggregate means the policy pays up to 1,000,000 for any single incident and up to 2,000,000 for all incidents in the policy year. Most subcontract requirements in Wisconsin start at these numbers and then ask for an umbrella on top. Products and completed operations This part of general liability covers injury or damage that happens after your work is finished, such as a railing that fails or a water line that leaks months after you leave. For most trades, this is where the largest claims come from, and it is the coverage general contractors care about most when they ask for completed operations additional insured status. Occurrence versus claims made Occurrence policies cover incidents that happen during the policy period, no matter when the claim is filed. Claims made policies cover claims filed while the policy is active, which makes the retroactive date and any tail coverage important. Contractor general liability is usually written on an occurrence basis, while professional liability is usually claims made. Umbrella and excess liability An umbrella sits above your general liability, commercial auto, and employers liability and adds extra limits once those underlying policies are exhausted. An excess policy works similarly but follows the underlying terms more strictly. When a contract asks for 5,000,000 in total limits, an umbrella is how most contractors get there. You can see how these coverages fit together in our overview of business insurance for Wisconsin companies. Payroll, Audit, and Workers Compensation Terms Premium audit Contractor general liability and workers compensation premiums are estimated at the start of the policy based on projected payroll or sales. After the policy ends, the carrier audits your actual numbers and either refunds or bills the difference. A surprise audit bill is one of the most common complaints we hear, and it usually comes from growth that was never reported or from uninsured subcontractors. Class codes Every employee's payroll is assigned to a classification that reflects the work they do. A roofer, a carpenter, and a clerical employee carry very different rates. Splitting payroll correctly between field and office staff is one of the simplest ways to keep a premium accurate. Experience modification factor Your experience mod compares your workers compensation claims history to other businesses in the same classifications. A mod of 1.00 is average, below 1.00 lowers your premium, and above 1.00 raises it. In Wisconsin, mods are calculated by the Wisconsin Compensation Rating Bureau. Many general contractors ask for your mod when they prequalify subcontractors. Uninsured subcontractors If you hire a subcontractor who cannot show their own workers compensation and general liability, your carrier may treat what you paid them as your own payroll at audit. That can add thousands of dollars to your premium. Collect a current COI from every sub before they start, and keep it on file for the auditor. Wisconsin employers generally must carry workers compensation once they have three or more employees, or once they pay one or more employees 500 dollars or more in a calendar quarter. Project, Property, and Bond Terms Builder's risk Builder's risk covers a building while it is under construction or renovation, including materials on site and often in transit. Depending on the contract, the owner or the general contractor buys it. Know which party is responsible, because a fire or theft on an uncovered project can wipe out a season of profit. Inland marine and contractor's equipment Tools and equipment that move between job sites are covered by an inland marine policy, often called a contractor's equipment floater. A general liability policy does not cover your own tools, and a commercial property policy usually covers them only at your shop. An installation floater covers materials you are installing until the owner accepts the work. Surety bonds A surety bond is a guarantee, not insurance. A bid bond guarantees you will sign the contract if you win, a performance bond guarantees you will finish the job, and a payment bond guarantees you will pay your subcontractors and suppliers. If the surety pays a claim, it expects you to reimburse it. Public projects frequently require bonds, and the surety will review your financial statements and track record before issuing them. For a full look at how these pieces come together for a builder, read our general contractor insurance guide. How to Use This Glossary Before You Sign A short review before signing saves far more than it costs. When a new subcontract or bid package arrives, look for these items: Required limits for general liability, auto, umbrella, and employers liability, and whether you carry them today. Additional insured requirements, including whether completed operations wording is required and for how long. Primary and noncontributory and waiver of subrogation requirements, and on which policies. Per project aggregate, notice of cancellation, and any unusual indemnity language. Who buys builder's risk and whether bonds are required. Send that section to your agent and ask one question: can my current policies meet every requirement, and if not, what endorsements do I need? It is much easier to fix before the job starts than after a claim. Frequently Asked Questions Does a certificate of insurance give the certificate holder coverage? No. A certificate of insurance only shows what coverage you carry. To give another party coverage, your policy needs an additional insured endorsement that names them or includes them through blanket wording. What is the difference between additional insured and waiver of subrogation? Additional insured status lets another party use your policy when they are sued over your work. A waiver of subrogation stops your insurer from suing that party to recover money it paid on a claim. Contracts often require both. Why did my premium go up after a contractor insurance audit? Audits compare estimated payroll or sales to actual numbers. Common causes of an increase are business growth that was not reported during the year, payroll assigned to the wrong class code, and payments to subcontractors who could not show their own insurance. What does primary and noncontributory mean on a contract? It means your policy pays first for claims involving the additional insured, and your insurer will not ask the other party's insurance to share the cost. It must be provided by an endorsement on your policy. Is a surety bond the same as contractor insurance? No. Insurance protects you from covered losses. A surety bond guarantees your performance or payment to the project owner, and you must repay the surety if it pays a claim on your behalf. Who calculates experience mods for Wisconsin contractors? The Wisconsin Compensation Rating Bureau calculates experience modification factors for Wisconsin employers based on their workers compensation payroll and claims history. Get Your Contract Requirements Reviewed Insurance language should not be the part of a contract you skim. Call MM Insurance Associates at (262) 754-4736 and send us the insurance section of your next subcontract or bid package. A licensed agent will compare it to your current policies and tell you exactly what, if anything, needs to change. You can also get started online through our customer portal and we will follow up with the coverage details that fit your business.

Sun Prairie has become one of the fastest growing cities in Dane County. New subdivisions keep filling in on the east and west sides, young families are moving in for the schools, and a steady stream of commuters heads into Madison every morning on Highway 151. All of that growth changes what insurance in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin needs to cover. A policy that made sense for an older ranch near downtown may not fit a brand new two story home, a household with three drivers, or a small business that just signed its first commercial lease. This guide walks through the coverage Sun Prairie homeowners, drivers, business owners, and landlords should think about, the local risks that drive claims, and practical ways to keep premiums reasonable. MM Insurance Associates is an independent agency based in New Berlin that has helped Wisconsin families and businesses since 1997, and we work with multiple carriers so we can compare options instead of selling a single company's policy. Home Insurance for Sun Prairie Homeowners Much of Sun Prairie's housing stock is newer than in most Wisconsin cities, and that cuts both ways. Newer homes often earn better rates because the roof, wiring, plumbing, and furnace are recent. They also tend to be larger and finished with higher end materials, which raises the cost to rebuild. Set dwelling coverage at true rebuild cost The number that matters is what it would cost to rebuild your home today, not the purchase price or the assessed value. Construction labor and material costs in the Madison area have climbed in recent years. If you bought a new build a few years ago and never revisited your policy, there is a real chance your dwelling limit has fallen behind. Ask about extended replacement cost, which adds a cushion above your limit if rebuilding costs spike after a widespread storm. Plan for finished basements and water backup Many Sun Prairie homes have finished lower levels with family rooms, bedrooms, and home offices. A standard homeowners policy does not cover water that backs up through a floor drain or sump pump unless you add water backup coverage. During heavy spring rain or a fast snowmelt, that single gap is one of the most common and expensive surprises we see. Choose a backup limit that reflects what it would actually cost to replace flooring, drywall, furniture, and electronics in your basement. Hail, wind, and roof coverage Dane County sees its share of severe summer storms, and hail claims are a big driver of homeowners premiums across southern Wisconsin. Read how your policy settles roof claims. Some policies pay full replacement cost, while others pay actual cash value on older roofs, which subtracts depreciation. Impact resistant shingles can earn a discount with some carriers and are worth considering when your roof is due. For a closer look at how we build home and auto programs, visit our home and auto insurance page. Auto Insurance for Highway 151 and Madison Commuters Sun Prairie is very much a commuter city. Daily trips into Madison on Highway 151, runs out to East Towne, and regular drives on I-94 and Highway 19 add miles quickly, and more miles means more exposure. Winter adds black ice, low visibility, and deer activity on the edges of town where new neighborhoods meet farmland. A few points matter more than most for Sun Prairie drivers: Liability limits. Wisconsin's minimum limits are low compared to what a serious accident can cost. Most families with a home and savings should carry much higher limits, and many benefit from an umbrella policy on top. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. This protects your household if the other driver has little or no insurance. It is inexpensive relative to the protection it provides. Comprehensive coverage. Deer collisions and hail damage both fall under comprehensive, not collision, so keep it on any vehicle you could not easily replace out of pocket. Teen drivers. With strong schools and a lot of young families, Sun Prairie has plenty of new drivers. Adding a teen is a good time to review limits, ask about good student discounts, and decide which car they will drive. Bundling your home and auto with the same carrier usually produces a meaningful discount, and it simplifies claims when one storm damages both your house and your car. Business Insurance for Sun Prairie Companies Sun Prairie's business community ranges from Main Street shops and restaurants downtown to contractors, professional offices, medical practices, and light industrial companies in the business parks along the Highway 151 corridor. Rapid residential growth also means a lot of work for builders and trades. Each of these businesses has different needs, but most start with the same building blocks. General liability for customer injuries and damage to other people's property. Commercial property for your building, equipment, inventory, and improvements you made to a leased space. Business income coverage, which replaces lost revenue and pays ongoing expenses if a covered loss forces you to close temporarily. Workers compensation, required in Wisconsin once you have three or more employees, or once you pay one or more employees 500 dollars or more in a calendar quarter. Commercial auto for vehicles titled to the business, plus hired and non owned auto coverage when employees run errands in their own cars. Cyber liability for any business that stores customer data, takes card payments, or relies on email to move money. Smaller offices and retailers can often combine general liability and property in a business owners policy, which is usually more affordable than buying each piece separately. Contractors working in Sun Prairie's new subdivisions should expect general contractors and developers to require additional insured status, waivers of subrogation, and certificates before they step on the job. Learn more about how we structure coverage for Wisconsin companies on our business insurance page, including programs for contractors, restaurants, and professional firms. Coverage for Sun Prairie Landlords and Real Estate Investors Demand for rentals stays strong in Sun Prairie because of its location between Madison and the rest of the region. If you own a single family rental, a duplex, or a small apartment building, a standard homeowners policy is the wrong tool. You need a landlord or dwelling fire policy that covers the building, your liability as the owner, and loss of rental income if a fire or storm makes the unit uninhabitable. Require tenants to carry their own renters insurance, since your policy will not cover their belongings. If you own several properties, a portfolio policy can simplify renewals and sometimes lower your overall cost. Investors who renovate before renting should confirm that the property is covered during the work, because many policies restrict coverage when a building sits vacant or under construction. Local Risks Every Sun Prairie Property Owner Should Know Flooding and drainage Standard home and business policies do not cover flood. Low areas near Koshkonong Creek and the city's drainage corridors can take on water during heavy rain, and even homes outside a mapped flood zone can see surface water problems. Flood coverage through the National Flood Insurance Program or a private carrier usually has a 30 day waiting period, so it needs to be in place before storm season, not during it. Winter freeze damage Frozen and burst pipes cause some of the most expensive winter claims in Wisconsin. Keep the heat on when you travel, know where your main water shutoff is, and consider a water leak sensor or automatic shutoff valve. Some carriers offer discounts for these devices. Growth and construction activity Ongoing construction brings heavier truck traffic, road work, and new neighbors close by. It also means your home's replacement cost and your area's claim patterns can change faster than in a settled community, which is one more reason to review coverage every year. Smart Ways to Save on Insurance in Sun Prairie Bundle home, auto, and umbrella with one carrier when the numbers support it. Raise deductibles to a level you could comfortably pay, and put the savings toward higher liability limits. Ask about discounts for new construction, updated roofs, security systems, and water leak protection. Keep your credit and claims history in good shape, since both affect Wisconsin pricing. Review coverage every year. Life changes like a new driver, a finished basement, or a home business all affect what you need. If you are comparing communities in the area, our Madison insurance guide covers coverage considerations for the city just to the southwest. Frequently Asked Questions How much does home insurance cost in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin? It depends on your home's rebuild cost, roof age, deductible, claims history, and the endorsements you choose. Newer Sun Prairie homes often price well because their systems are recent, but larger homes cost more to rebuild. The best way to know is to compare several carriers with an independent agent. Do I need flood insurance in Sun Prairie? Lenders require it only in mapped high risk zones, but standard home policies exclude flood everywhere. Homes in low areas or near creeks and drainage corridors should strongly consider it, and coverage usually has a 30 day waiting period. Does my homeowners policy cover sump pump backup? Not automatically. Water backup coverage is an add on to most homeowners policies. If you have a finished basement, it is one of the most important additions you can make. What auto insurance limits should Sun Prairie commuters carry? Wisconsin's legal minimums are low. Most households with a home and savings should carry significantly higher liability limits plus uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, and many add an umbrella policy for extra protection. What insurance does a small business in Sun Prairie need? Most start with general liability and commercial property, often combined in a business owners policy, plus workers compensation once Wisconsin's thresholds are met. Commercial auto, business income, and cyber liability are common additions depending on the operation. Can MM Insurance Associates help Sun Prairie clients if your office is in New Berlin? Yes. We serve clients across Wisconsin and in 24 states by phone, email, and our online customer portal. Distance does not change the level of service you receive. Talk With a Sun Prairie Insurance Advisor Whether you just closed on a new home, added a teen driver, or opened a business on Main Street, we can help you find coverage that fits. Call MM Insurance Associates at (262) 754-4736 to talk with a licensed agent about insurance in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, and we will compare options from multiple carriers on your behalf. You can also get started online through our customer portal and we will follow up with a personalized proposal.

I've had more than one client tell me some version of the same thing: "Water only isn't covered if it backs up through the floor drain or the basement, right?" I get why people think that. Sewer and drain backup is the one water exclusion most homeowners have actually heard of, so it becomes the whole mental model. Anything else, they figure, must be a normal covered claim. A case the Wisconsin Supreme Court decided this summer is a good reason to rethink that. The Case: Cincinnati Insurance Co. v. Ropicky The case is Cincinnati Insurance Co. v. Ropicky, decided July 7, 2026. The home is in Waukesha County, built in 2005. On a May morning in 2018, the homeowner woke up to rainwater pouring into the house during a storm. Nothing backed up through a floor drain or a basement wall. The water came in through a one-inch gap in the exterior, a construction defect that had been there since the house was built and had apparently been letting water in for years. Cincinnati investigated and found two things: a construction defect that let the water in, and fungi growth from years of that water sitting where it shouldn't. The insurer paid out, but far less than the homeowner expected, pointing to two exclusions in the policy: one for damage caused by faulty construction, and one for fungi. Here is the part worth sitting with. This was not a backup claim, and the insurer still denied most of it. Not backing up through the basement did not automatically mean the water damage was covered. The homeowner and the insurer ended up fighting for years over the actual language of the policy. The fight came down to something called an ensuing loss exception. Most homeowners policies exclude damage caused by faulty construction or defective workmanship. But many of those same policies say that if a covered kind of damage, like water damage, follows from that faulty construction, the ensuing damage can still be covered even though the original defect is not. The Wisconsin Supreme Court sided with the homeowner on that point, holding that the rainwater damage could count as a covered ensuing loss, separate from the construction defect that let the water in. The court sent the fungi question back for more fact finding, because whether the fungi coverage applied and how much damage it caused were still in dispute. What This Means for Wisconsin Homeowners So what does this actually mean for someone reading this at home in Wisconsin? It means the real question was never "did the water back up." It was "what let the water in, and what does my policy do with that." A construction defect exclusion, a fungi exclusion, and an ensuing loss provision can all apply to the same claim at the same time, and the order you read them in changes the outcome. That is not something most people know is sitting in their policy until a claim forces the question. First, water intrusion that has been happening slowly for years is a much harder claim than a single sudden event. If you notice a stain, a musty smell, or soft spot near a window, roofline, or the base of the exterior walls, get it looked at now rather than waiting for a bigger storm to force the issue. Second, ask your agent whether your policy has fungi additional coverage and what it actually covers. In the Ropicky case, that coverage is what kept part of the claim alive. Not every homeowners policy includes it in the same way. Third, if you are building or just bought a newer home, get a written record of who did the work and keep it. Construction defect exclusions exist because insurers do not want to be your contractor's warranty. Knowing who built or last worked on the parts of your home that touch water, your roof, your siding, your flashing, your foundation, matters more than most people think until there is a claim. This is a separate question from the water backup and sump pump coverage most homeowners already ask us about, you can see how we set that up on our Home and Auto Insurance page. If you have water damage and you are not sure whether your policy treats it as covered or excluded, that is exactly the kind of question to bring to us before you assume either way. Coverage on these claims is not a coin flip between "flood" and "backup." It depends on what let the water in and how your specific policy is written. Frequently Asked Questions Does homeowners insurance cover water damage that comes in through a wall or window instead of a basement backup? It depends on what let the water in. If the cause is a covered event like wind driven rain during a storm, it is generally covered. If the water entered because of a construction defect, most policies exclude that defect but may still cover the water damage that follows it under an ensuing loss provision, as the Wisconsin Supreme Court confirmed in 2026. What is an ensuing loss exception? It is a policy provision that reinstates coverage for a covered type of damage, like water damage, even when that damage followed an excluded cause, like faulty construction, as long as the ensuing damage is not itself excluded elsewhere in the policy. Does my homeowners policy cover mold or fungi damage? Only if you have fungi additional coverage added to your policy. Standard policies often exclude fungi and mold damage except in limited circumstances. By Toby Hartman, MM Insurance Associates