Hudson sits right on the St. Croix River, just across from Minnesota, and if you've spent any time here, you know the river isn't just a pretty view. It's a factor in your home insurance. Between the annual spring flooding, brutal Wisconsin winters, and a housing market that's seen median prices jump 35% in four years, protecting your home in Hudson requires more than just checking a box on a generic policy. You need coverage that actually matches what this community faces.
Here's what you need to know about insuring your home in Hudson, from flood risks to frozen pipes to making sure you're not underinsured as property values climb.
The St. Croix River Factor: Why You Need Flood Insurance
Let's get this out of the way first: your standard home insurance policy doesn't cover flooding. Not a single drop. When the St. Croix River crested at 88.48 feet in 2019—its highest level in over 25 years—homeowners near the waterfront who didn't have flood insurance were on their own. The 2001 flood hit 92.3 feet, and the all-time record from 1965 reached 94.10 feet in nearby Stillwater. These aren't once-in-a-lifetime events; they're part of living near the river.
Even if you're not right on the waterfront, flood risk matters in Hudson. Water doesn't always follow predictable patterns, and St. Croix County provides flooding awareness resources because this is a real concern throughout the area. The average flood claim costs over $25,000—enough to wipe out most emergency funds.
You have two options: the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or private flood insurance. NFIP policies are federally backed and available if Hudson participates in the program (which it does). Private insurers sometimes offer more coverage flexibility or better rates depending on your specific location. The catch? Most policies require 30 days before they take effect. You can't wait until the forecast shows heavy rain. You need to buy flood insurance now, before you need it.
Winter Weather: The Real Claim Driver in Wisconsin
Weather-related claims account for over 42% of all homeowners insurance claims in Wisconsin. That's not hurricanes or wildfires—it's ice, snow, and cold. In Hudson, where winter temperatures regularly drop below zero and snow piles up for months, your home faces three main winter threats.
Ice dams form when snow melts on your roof, runs down to the cold edges, and refreezes. The ice creates a barrier that traps water, which then seeps under shingles and into your home. Standard HO-3 policies typically cover the resulting water damage, but prevention is far better than filing a claim. Proper attic insulation and ventilation make a huge difference.
Frozen pipes are the bigger nightmare. When temperatures plunge, water in your pipes can freeze and expand, bursting the pipe. You might not discover it until the ice melts and water floods your home. Standard policies cover sudden and accidental water discharge from plumbing, but there's a catch: if you leave your home unheated during winter or don't maintain reasonable heat, your insurer might deny the claim. If you're going away for an extended period during winter, you need to either drain your pipes or arrange for someone to check your home regularly and keep the heat on.
Snow and ice weight on your roof is also covered under standard HO-2 and HO-3 policies. Wisconsin building codes account for snow load, but older homes or structures with roof damage are at risk. The weight of ice and snow can cause roof collapse, especially after repeated freeze-thaw cycles create dense, heavy ice.
Hudson's Growth and Your Coverage Limits
St. Croix County is projected to be Wisconsin's fastest-growing county through 2040, with a projected 41% population increase from 2010 levels. Hudson's population has grown steadily, and the housing market reflects it. Median home prices in St. Croix County hit $381,000 in 2024—a 35% increase over four years. As of February 2025, prices have cooled slightly to $360,000, but that's still a dramatic jump from where they were.
Here's why this matters for your insurance: if you bought your home five years ago and haven't reviewed your policy, you're probably underinsured. Your coverage limit should reflect the cost to rebuild your home at today's prices—not what you paid for it. With material and labor costs up significantly, rebuilding the same house costs far more than it did a few years ago. If your coverage limit is $250,000 but rebuilding would cost $350,000, you're personally responsible for that $100,000 gap.
Ask your insurer about inflation guard coverage, which automatically increases your coverage limit annually to keep pace with construction costs. It costs a bit more, but it's cheaper than being underinsured when disaster strikes.
Diverse Housing Stock Means Different Insurance Needs
Hudson's housing ranges from historic homes in the downtown area to modern suburban developments. This diversity matters because older homes come with different insurance considerations. If you own a house built before 1980, your insurer will ask about updates to electrical, plumbing, heating, and roofing systems. Outdated systems—especially old knob-and-tube wiring or galvanized pipes—can make you harder to insure or result in higher premiums.
Western Wisconsin, including Hudson, sits on soft limestone, making sinkholes a real if uncommon risk. Standard home policies typically don't cover sinkhole damage, but you can add it as an endorsement if you're concerned. Given Hudson's geology, it's worth asking about.
Newer homes built to current codes generally cost less to insure because they're less likely to have major system failures. But you should still document any upgrades or improvements. A new roof, updated HVAC system, or modern electrical panel can all qualify you for discounts.
What Home Insurance Actually Costs in Hudson
Wisconsin's average home insurance cost is $1,150 per year, about 34% below the national average of $1,754. That's good news. But your actual rate depends on your specific home, location, coverage limits, and claims history. A $360,000 home near the river with older systems will cost more to insure than a $250,000 newer home on higher ground.
Rates have been climbing nationwide, and Wisconsin is no exception. The average premium for a new policy reached $1,952 in 2025, up 8.5% year over year, driven by increasing claim frequency, severe weather losses, and rising construction costs. Severe storms in the Midwest caused $42 billion in insured losses through September 2025, and insurers pass those costs along through higher premiums.
You can manage costs by increasing your deductible (the amount you pay out of pocket before insurance kicks in), bundling home and auto insurance, installing security systems, and maintaining a good credit score. Ask about available discounts—they vary by insurer, but you might qualify for breaks based on your home's age, security features, or claims-free history.
Getting the Right Coverage: Next Steps
Start by understanding what you actually need. An HO-3 policy is the standard for most homeowners, covering your dwelling and structures against all perils except those specifically excluded. Make sure your coverage limit reflects current reconstruction costs, not your purchase price. Add flood insurance if you're anywhere near the St. Croix River or in a flood zone—and remember that 30-day waiting period.
Hudson is a great place to own a home, but between the river, the winters, and a rapidly growing housing market, your insurance needs to match the reality of living here. Get the coverage right, and you can enjoy everything Hudson offers without worrying about what happens when the next storm rolls through.
