Home Insurance in Vilas County, Wisconsin
The median home value in Vilas County is $300,000, 13% higher than the Wisconsin median.
Because older housing stock often has aging wiring, roofing or plumbing, it can cost more to insure or rebuild. The typical home in Vilas County was built around 1981. About 21% of homes were built before 1960, about 13 points below Wisconsin's 33%.
In Vilas County, the housing stock is 88% single-family homes, 3% apartments in buildings with 5+ units and 7% mobile or manufactured homes. Mobile and manufactured homes typically need a manufactured-home (HO-7) policy rather than a standard homeowners policy.
About 51% of owner-occupied homes in Vilas County have a mortgage. Lenders require hazard (homeowners) insurance on any home carrying a mortgage.
Vilas County has an owner-occupancy rate of 84% and a vacancy rate of 55%; unoccupied homes typically need a different coverage form.
In Vilas County, 49% of homes are primarily heated with natural gas. Homes heated with propane and wood can carry added fire risk. Fuel-tank leaks and spills are often excluded from standard homeowners policies.
The top hazards for Vilas County, per FEMA's National Risk Index, are strong wind (Relatively Moderate), winter weather (Relatively Moderate) and hail (Relatively Low).
As of September 2026, Vilas County has 19 active NFIP flood insurance policies. Standard homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage, so flood coverage needs a separate NFIP or private flood policy.
In Wisconsin, the statewide average premium for a standard HO-3 homeowners policy is $923 per year (NAIC, 2023 data).
Key figures
| Median home value | $300,000 |
|---|---|
| Median year built | 1981 |
| Owner-occupied share | 84% |
| Share of owner-occupied homes with a mortgage | 51% |
| Top hazards (FEMA National Risk Index) | Strong Wind (Relatively Moderate), Winter Weather (Relatively Moderate), Hail (Relatively Low) |
| Active NFIP flood policies (county) | 19 |
| Home insurance premium | $923 - statewide average (NAIC, 2023 data) |
Towns and cities
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau Gazetteer Files (2024)
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates (2024)
- FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025)
- FEMA OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Policies v3 (2026)
- NAIC Dwelling Fire, Homeowners Owner-Occupied, and Homeowners Tenant and Condominium/Cooperative Unit Owners Insurance: Data for 2023 (published 2026) (2023)