Independent insurance agency · Onalaska, WI
La Crosse Area Independent Insurance Agency
Local coverage, handled right.
Medicare, home, auto, health, life, and business insurance — one local team, multiple carriers, no fee for our services.
Medicare
How we help with Medicare
Navigate Medicare 'red tape'
Parts A, B, C and D, deadlines and paperwork — we translate it all into plain English and handle the legwork.
Understand all your options
Advantage, Supplement (Medigap) and Part D, compared side by side so you can choose with confidence.
Avoid lifetime 'gotcha' penalties
Miss a window and you can pay more for the rest of your life. We make sure you enroll on time, every time.
A custom plan for lifetime care
We match coverage to your doctors, prescriptions and budget — and review it every year as your needs change.
How it works
Schedule a free conversation
Tell us your doctors, prescriptions and budget. No cost, no pressure — ever.
Get a personal plan comparison
We compare the Medicare Advantage, Medigap and Part D plans we offer against your needs.
Enroll & get ongoing support
We handle enrollment and stay your local advisor for claims, appeals and annual reviews.
La Crosse County, WI · CDC PLACES 2023
Your neighbors' health shapes which Medicare plan is right for you
Full-service independent agency
One agency.
Every line.
Personal Insurance
Home & auto — we shop multiple carriers so you don't have to
For home and auto coverage, we compare rates across multiple carriers to find the right fit for your home's age, your driving record, and your budget. Independent means we're not locked into one company's pricing — we find yours.
- Multi-carrier rate comparison at every renewal — not just when you first sign up
- Replacement cost analysis so your home is actually covered, not underinsured
- Bundle comparison — we run bundled vs. separate rates and show you the real number
- One contact for both policies; coordinated claims if an incident affects both
Homeowners Insurance
Coverage for your home's structure, belongings, and liability — compared across carriers that write western Wisconsin properties well.
Compare homeowners →Auto Insurance
Multi-carrier comparison for your car or truck. We find discounts, check your current limits, and make sure you're not overpaying.
Compare auto →Home + Auto Bundle
Bundling typically saves 10–25% on both policies. We compare bundled vs. separate rates and show you the actual savings before you decide.
See bundle savings →Also: motorcycles, boats, ATVs & snowmobiles · umbrella liability insurance
Business Insurance
One agency for every business coverage need
From general liability and workers' comp to contractor bonds — we build commercial insurance programs across multiple carriers for small businesses and contractors across western Wisconsin.
- GL, BOP, commercial auto, workers' comp — all lines coordinated
- Contractor license bonds and performance bonds, most issued same-day
- We review your contracts and confirm coverage meets all requirements
- Certificates of insurance issued same-day when clients or landlords request them
Business Insurance
General liability, BOP, commercial auto, and workers' compensation — compared across commercial carriers for your industry, size, and risk profile.
Business coverage →Surety Bonds
Contractor license bonds, performance bonds, payment bonds, and permit bonds. Most license and permit bonds issued same-day once we have your application.
Get bonded →Individual Health Insurance
ACA marketplace plans and off-marketplace options — at no cost to you
For ACA health insurance, our fee works the same way as Medicare — it's paid by the carrier, not by you. We compare plans, run your subsidy eligibility, verify your doctors are in-network, and handle enrollment. No charge, no pressure.
- Premium tax credit calculation before you choose a plan — not after
- Gundersen and Mayo Clinic Health System network verification
- ACA marketplace, short-term, and off-marketplace options compared side by side
- Special enrollment period guidance when you lose employer or other coverage
Employer Benefits & Life Insurance
Cover your team and protect your family
Group Benefits
Employer-sponsored health, dental, vision, life, and disability for businesses across western Wisconsin. We design, quote, and manage your benefits program across multiple carriers — and re-shop it every renewal.
- Group health — fully-insured and level-funded options compared
- Dental and vision — voluntary or employer-paid
- Short-term and long-term disability coverage
- Open enrollment support and year-round employee service
Life Insurance
Term, whole life, and final expense coverage for La Crosse area families. We compare carriers for your specific health profile and find the right amount at the best rate — without overselling permanent products when term is the right answer.
- Term life — 10, 20, and 30-year options from multiple carriers
- Whole life and universal life for permanent coverage needs
- Final expense with simplified or guaranteed issue underwriting
- Free coverage needs analysis — before you commit to anything
Local · Honest · Hassle-free
Your local independent insurance agency
The Hougom team brings deep expertise across all lines of insurance — from Medicare and health to home, auto, business, and beyond. One agency, one call, everything covered.
Meet the team →Resources
Latest from the blog
Motorcycle, Boat, ATV & Snowmobile Insurance in Wisconsin: What's Required and What's Worth It
Wisconsin powersports insurance requirements for motorcycles, boats, ATVs, and snowmobiles — what the law mandates, what it doesn't, and why a dedicated policy beats an endorsement.
Read →Umbrella Insurance in Wisconsin: What It Covers and Who Needs It
A personal umbrella policy adds $1M or more of liability protection above your home and auto limits for a few hundred dollars a year. Here's who needs it and why.
Read →How Bundling Home and Auto Insurance Saves Money in Wisconsin
Bundling home and auto insurance typically saves 10–25% on both policies. Here's how multi-policy discounts work, when bundling is the best deal, and when it isn't.
Read →Got questions?
We have lots of great answers
Do you charge for your services?
For Medicare and ACA health insurance, no — insurance companies pay our fee, so you pay nothing for our guidance, comparison, or enrollment help. For property and casualty lines like home, auto, and business insurance, we're compensated by the carrier when you purchase a policy, but there's no separate fee charged to you.
What does "independent agency" actually mean?
It means we're not tied to any single insurance company. For every line we write — Medicare, home, auto, business, health, life — we compare options across multiple carriers and find what fits your situation best. A captive agent (State Farm, Allstate, etc.) can only offer one company's products. We're not that.
Can you help with more than one type of insurance at a time?
Yes, and many clients work with us across multiple lines. We handle Medicare for one household member, home and auto for the family, and group benefits for the business. One relationship, one local contact, everything coordinated.
What if I already have coverage and just want a second opinion?
We review existing coverage at no separate charge. Whether it's a Medicare plan that might not be covering your prescriptions well, a home policy that may be underinsured, or a business policy with gaps — we'll tell you what we see and let you decide what to do with it.
What areas do you serve?
We're based in Onalaska and primarily serve the La Crosse area and western Wisconsin — La Crosse, Monroe, Vernon, Trempealeau, and surrounding counties. For many lines, we're also licensed to help clients across Wisconsin.
Let's connect
Whether it's Medicare, a home and auto review, business coverage, or anything in between — get a free conversation with a local advisor who has your back.