Fire! Fire! Fire!

Last year, the Red Cross responded to more than 74,000 disasters, 93 percent of them were fire-related. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that residential fires across the country have increased 8 percent since 2000, and the average cost of damages from a home fire between 1980 to 2014 has increased by 50.3%.

Every 23 seconds, a fire department in the United States responds to a fire somewhere in the nation.

nfpa.org

When do fires happen?

Home fires can happen at any time, but they typically increase during the fall and winter, with December and January being the peak months. Home fires are also more common on Saturday and Sunday, and tend to peak between 6:00 and 7:00 PM.

Where are fires most likely to start?

It’s no surprise that more than any other room in the house, the kitchen is the place where fires are likely to start. The peak days for home cooking fires were Thanksgiving and Christmas. Unattended cooking causes approximately 49 percent of all reported home fires in the US. Letting your attention drift away for too long while you’re cooking can quickly become a dangerous situation.

A fatal fire in a Maine single-family home began when a male occupant fell asleep in an adjacent room while cooking oil was being heated on the kitchen stove. Investigators believe that when he woke to the burning oil, he threw water on the fire. This caused the fire to spread. The victim was found in the kitchen with burn and smoke inhalation injuries.

nfpa.org

The next leading cause of home fires are heat sources like wood-burning stoves, and fireplaces. Wood-burning stoves have the potential to emit lethal pollution particles into homes. There should be an EPA label on the back of the stove that indicates it has been certified. Keep in mind, most stoves made before 1995 are not EPA-certified, so if you do not see this label, there’s a good chance that your stove does not meet the high energy efficiency and clean burning standards of new stoves.

More than one-quarter (26%) of reported fires in 2015-2019 occurred in homes.

nfpa.org

Can I prepare for a potential home fire?

Yes! Smoke alarms are a crucial step in home-fire preparedness. Smoke alarms should be installed outside each sleeping area and on each level of your home. Remember, to function properly, smoke alarms must have working batteries. Make sure you have a pre-established escape plan and meet-up point should the worst occur.

Can I be insured against fire?

Fire insurance is really homeowners insurance. It provides additional coverage for loss or damage due to a fire. Homeowners insurance policies will typically cover the following:

• Replacement costs
• Additional living expenses
• Personal possessions (up to a determined limit)
• Liability protection
• The structure of your home

Additional premium credits may be available for alarm systems that report to a central station.

You love your home and everything inside it. Insurance is your way of protecting everything that’s important to you. Call us at (617) 580-3499. We’ll make sure you sleep well knowing the things that matter most have the protection they deserve.

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Halloween Safety Tips

Halloween is supposed to be a time of fun, whether you’re a parent taking your kids out to trick-or-treat or a homeowner who loves handing out candy to all the ghouls, goblins, superheroes, and princesses. Make sure Halloween stays fun for everyone by following these safety tips before the doorbell starts ringing.

Lighting

With so many kids traipsing up and down your walkways, make sure their way is brightly lit. The last thing anyone wants is someone to trip and hurt themselves. That will ruin everyone’s night and may require you to contact your homeowners’ insurance agent to report the injury. Use pathway lights and motion sensor lights, and make sure your front door is well-lit for trick-or-treaters.

Decorations

Decorations are fun to look at and great for bringing smiles or scares to the local neighborhood. If you plan on covering your lawn in Halloween fun, tape or rope off the area to help trick-or-treaters avoid the area. Secure any large decorations, like inflatables, so they don’t blow away or get knocked over. Make sure you don’t drape fabric over light bulbs as the heat can start a fire. Also, avoid using real candles in your pumpkins. Instead, opt for LED lights or battery-operated candles.

Walkways, Driveways, and Your Yard

A few days before and on Halloween day, take a walk around your property, especially the walkways, driveway, and yard where trick-or-treaters will likely walk and run. Pick up anything that could pose a tripping hazard and put away anything you don’t want to break. Fill in holes and, if possible, get rid of tree roots that are hard to see in the dark.

Pets

Our pets don’t understand what all the fuss is about on Halloween. All they know is that the doorbell never stops ringing and strangers keep coming to the door. Many pets get overly excited and even anxious with all the commotion. Dog bites are a very real possibility, as is your pet getting loose and running away. Put your dog in their crate or in another room until the trick-or-treaters are gone for the night. This will keep everyone, including your pet, safe.

No one wants to end their Halloween night with a trip to the emergency room or on the phone with their insurance agent. Taking steps before trick-or-treaters arrive will help make sure everyone has a good time and makes fun memories.

7 Common Home Insurance Buying Mistakes

Buying a new home? Congratulations! One of the things you’re going to need, and your mortgage company will require, is homeowner’s insurance. Buying an insurance policy is as important as selecting the right home for your family. There are a lot of details you need to be aware of. The decisions you make will impact what happens when disaster strikes.

When it comes to buying a Massachusetts home insurance policy, things aren’t always cut and dry. Take a look at these common mistakes so you can avoid problems down the road.

Basing Your Decision on Price Alone

Cheap insurance coverage isn’t always better. Remember, you get what you pay for. What you need more than a low price is insurance coverage that will protect you in the event of a storm, fire, or theft.

Buying the Wrong Type of Policy for Your Situation

If you’re going to live in this house with your family, you need at least a standard homeowner’s insurance policy. However, if you’re going to rent the home out to someone else, you’ll need a landlord insurance policy. Both policies cover different things. Make sure you know what you’re getting.

Thinking Flood Insurance is Included

Homeowner’s insurance doesn’t include flood insurance. You’ll need to purchase this as a separate policy through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Your insurance agent can help you with this.

Not Knowing What’s Excluded

Every insurance policy has exclusions in it. You need to read the fine print and ask questions so you understand what your policy covers. For example, mold and sewage back-up aren’t included in standard homeowner’s insurance policy.

Choosing the Wrong Replacement Options

When you purchase an insurance policy, you’ll have two choices: actual cash value or replacement cost. Most of the time, you want to choose replacement cost so that even if your couch was 10 years old and worth about $50, you’ll receive enough money to buy a new couch. Cash value means you would receive the $50, which won’t even buy a side table for your living room.

Underinsuring Your Home

Your mortgage company will require that you insure your home for at least the value of the mortgage. Eventually your mortgage will be less than your home’s value. Make sure your insurance coverage is enough for the value of your home and belongings, not just your mortgage.

Lowering Your Costs by Eliminating Coverage

Insurance costs are a source of frustration for many people, but the worst thing you can do is eliminate necessary coverage in order to save money. Instead, raise your deductible, especially if you rarely file a claim. You’ll feel the savings without getting rid of the coverage.

Insuring your home doesn’t have to be a source of stress, especially while you’re going through the home buying process. Make sure you understand what a standard policy covers and ask plenty of questions when you talk to an insurance agent.

Home Security Tips

You want to believe that you live in a safe neighborhood and that simply locking your front door is enough to keep you safe. Unfortunately, theft and vandalism can occur in even the nicest neighborhoods. From installing locks that work to security alarms, here are a few tips that you can use to increase security around your home.

Change the Locks

When you buy a new home, the first thing you should do is change all the locks. You have no way of knowing who might have a spare key from the previous owners. New locks give you peace of mind that no one can simply walk in your home uninvited and unannounced.

Make It Look Like Someone is Home

This is especially true when you travel, but even if you work long days, you want your home to look occupied. Automatic lights that come on and off are good for short trips and long work days. If you’re going to be gone for several days, stop your mail and paper delivery or ask a trusted neighbor or friend to collect it for you so it doesn’t pile up and prove no one is home.

Keep Your Keys Secure

You may be concerned about locking yourself out of your home or your children being unable to get in. No matter what you do, don’t leave a key under the doormat or in the mailbox. Thieves know people still do it and will check. You’ve just given them easy access to your home.

Use Deadbolt Locks

A deadbolt is added security for your exterior doors. They’re stronger than spring latch locks which could be a deterrent for a thief looking for an easy mark.

Secure Your Sliding Glass Doors

Your sliding glass door comes with a lock, but that’s often not enough. Use a metal bar along the bottom track of the door. This makes it very difficult to open. Most thieves will avoid breaking the glass and attracting unwanted attention.

Lock Your Windows

Before you leave your home for any amount of time, make sure your windows are closed. The next step is to lock them. If possible, have them installed with hard to break glass or with very small panes. This will keep a burglar from using this as an entry point.

Install Outside Lights

Burglars love the dark. Install outside lights to keep the area around your home bright. Better yet, make them motion detecting lights so you’re warned when someone is moving around outside of your house.

Hide Your Valuables

The freezer or your sock drawer are not secure locations for your expensive jewelry or an emergency stash of money. It’s common so thieves know to check there first. Either install a safe in your home or consider a safety deposit box from your bank.

Get an Alarm System

Alarm systems have come a long way over the past several years. From video monitoring to the ability to communicate directly into your home, an alarm system can provide you with as much surveillance as you’d like. Many of them grant you access from your smartphone or tablet so you can monitor your home when you’re away. Make sure any wiring outside of your home is hidden so burglars can’t disable the system by cutting the wires.

Your Massachusetts homeowner’s insurance covers you from theft and vandalism, but there are plenty of things you can do to discourage thieves from targeting you in the first place. After you secure your home, you may even be eligible for discounts. Contact us at Click Insurance, and we’ll let you know if your security measures will lower your insurance premiums.

The Importance of Creating a Home Inventory

You never thought it would happen. Lightning struck while you were away for the weekend, and your home is in ashes. It’s one of the worst moments of your life. While you’re still reeling from shock and sadness, you’ve got to start the process of rebuilding. Your insurance agent is ready to help you file the claim against your homeowner’s insurance policy. She wants to know if you have a home inventory. She says it’s to make sure you get as much back to replace your belongings as possible.

A home inventory? What is that and why would anyone need one?

We all hope we’re never in a situation where we lose everything and have to rebuild from nothing. But because anything can happen, it’s always better to be prepared. A home inventory is one way to help you replace your belongings quicker and in full.

What is a Home Inventory?

Simply put, a home inventory is a list of all of your possessions. The list includes clothing, appliances, electronics, kitchen goods, books, and everything you and your family own. If you own valuable items like jewelry, antiques, or collectibles, an inventory is especially important. For each item on the list, include a description, where you bought it, the make and model, and serial number when available.

• Attach receipts, purchase contracts, and appraisals for any specific items.
• Keep a count of how many items of clothing each family member owns (number of skirts, number of shirts, number of shoes, etc.).
• Write down the serial numbers of your kitchen appliances and electronics.

How to Make and Store Your Home Inventory

Your home inventory doesn’t have to be a handwritten list. You have different options for compiling your inventory. The important part is to get it put together and not procrastinate.

• Type it up in a document or spreadsheet on your computer.
• Take pictures. If you print them out, label the items on the back. If not, create a separate document to help identify the items.
• Record a video and talk about each item.

When you make your home inventory, open up closets and drawers and look under beds to make sure you don’t miss anything. Once you’ve made your home inventory, you can print it and put in a safe deposit box. You can also save it to an external drive or store it in the cloud with programs like Google Drive or DropBox. If you keep a digital copy, make sure to back it up.

Ultimately, however you store your home inventory, you want to make sure you have access to it if your home and belongings are destroyed. It’s not a good idea to keep the only copy on a computer in your home.

A home inventory will help you file your claim, receive the money you need to rebuild, and get your life back together a little quicker. It may seem like a big task, but make a plan and do one room at a time until you have it all done. Even if you don’t complete it, a partial home inventory is better than none at all.

If you have questions about creating a home inventory or anything else you can do to protect your belongings before disaster strikes, contact us at Click Insurance. We’re here to help.

Do You Need Renter’s Insurance?

If everything you own can fit into a brown paper bag, you probably don’t need renter’s insurance. However, once you move away from home, get your own apartment, and have to worry about buying and maintaining your clothes, furniture, or electronics, you’ll want something that will cover you if your belongings are stolen, damaged, or destroyed.

You’re going to need a Massachusetts renter’s insurance policy. Here’s why.

Your Landlord’s Policy Doesn’t Cover You

The apartment, condo, or house you rent will have insurance through your landlord, but it’s not going to cover you or your stuff. Instead, a landlord’s policy covers the building you live in. All of your belongings are your responsibility, and if your apartment is flooded or a tree falls on your roof, you’ll be the one who has to pay to replace everything you own.

Renter’s Insurance is Affordable

Depending on where you live and how much stuff you have, you may spend less than $300 a year on a policy. For a few dollars a month, everything you own will be covered including clothes, jewelry, furniture, computers and tablets, electronics, and more.

Plenty of Situations are Covered

Anything can happen at any time, and a good renter’s insurance policy should protect you in most cases. Standard policies cover a long list of potential dangers and hazards:

• Damage from vehicles or aircraft
• Explosions
• Fire or lightning
• Smoke
• Theft and vandalism
• Windstorm or hail
• Damage from water that can be caused by appliances, plumbing, HVAC, and fire sprinkler systems

You should talk to your insurance agent to find out exactly what’s covered in your renter’s insurance policy.

Your Landlord Might Require It

When you get ready to rent, don’t be surprised if your landlord or management company require renter’s insurance as part of the lease agreement. They may suggest an insurance company to use, but you can choose any insurance provider you want as long as they can meet any requirements your landlord has for your policy.

Additional Living Expenses May Be Covered

If your apartment is wrecked in a storm or becomes uninhabitable for any covered reason, renter’s insurance can help you out. Depending on your policy, your living expenses, including food, may be paid while you wait for your apartment to be rebuilt or fixed. Make sure to ask about this when you purchase your policy.

It’s hard to imagine a big storm that knocks trees down or a flood from a burst pipe, but these things happen to people all the time. A renter’s insurance policy will make sure that you can replace your belongings so that you can get back to normal as soon as possible. If you need a renter’s insurance policy, give us a call. We can go over all your options and find the best policy for your needs.

3 Things Every Homeowner Should Know How to Do

Buying a home may be one of the biggest financial investments you ever make, but taking care of your home comes in a close second. Between replacing the roof, installing a new hot water heater, and all the little things that have to be fixed in a home, the expenses add up. Many homeowners try to do as much as they can before calling in a professional. Sometimes that’s a great idea and other times, professional help is really what you need.

A few basic DIY skills can save you quite a bit of money as a homeowner. Here are a few things that every homeowner should know how to do.

Unclog a Drain

Clogged drains happen thanks to little kids and their toys, a build up of hair and other debris, and old pipes. This is something you can often fix with no help. A plunger is a staple in every home.

To unclog a toilet, you’ll need enough water in the bowl to cover the rubber part of the plunger. Don’t flush the toilet to add water, as you’ll risk having it overflow. Instead get water from the sink or tub and pour it into the toilet bowl. When you have enough water, place the plunger over the drain at the bottom of the toilet. Push down with a bit of force until the plunger inverts. This forces air down the drain. When you release the plunger, the pressure creates a vacuum which makes everything move again. You may have to do this a few times before you release the clog. The process is very similar for unclogging sinks, though the plungers are a bit different. Your local hardware store should be able to help you chose the right plunger for the job.

Turn Your Power Back On

Sometimes you have a power outage with the rest of your neighborhood. When this happens, call the electric company to report it. There are times when a power outage only affects your house and it’s usually due to a flipped breaker or blown fuse. Most of the time you can handle this yourself.

It’s always a good idea to keep flashlights around your home – with working batteries – in case of an outage. When the power goes out, find your closest flashlight and head to your electrical box. Open it up and look for a breaker pointed in the opposite direction of the others, for a red indicator, or both. Flip that switch all the way to the right and back to the left. Your power should turn on. If you have a fuse box, look for the blown fuse. It’ll be darker than all the others. Unscrew it and replace it with a new fuse.

Fix a Leaky Faucet

There is nothing more annoying than the sound of dripping water. It can also be expensive, too. A leaky faucet can drip away several gallons of water each day until you fix it. You don’t need a plumber for this. With a few tools and a little elbow grease, you can stop the drip-drip-drip.

Before you begin, get an adjustable wrench, screwdriver, new washer, and a cloth or rag. First, remove the faucet handle which is attached by a screw. Once you take off the decorative handle, you’ll see a stem with a nut at the base. Use your wrench to tighten the nut. This might be all you need to do. If the dripping stops, you’re done. If not, you have a few more steps.

Place a rag at the bottom of the sink, covering the drain. This will make sure no small pieces or parts fall down the drain if you drop something. Next turn off the water to the sink. The shut off valve is usually directly under the sink. Open the faucet by twisting the top of the stem with your wrench. Unscrew the nut at the bottom and lift. Look at the bottom of the piece in your hand. There should be a washer. That’s what you’ll need to replace. Make sure your new one is the exact size. Once you replace it, reassemble the handle and turn the water back on under the sink.

When to Call a Professional

While there are plenty of things you can do around the house yourself, there are times when you need to call in a professional.

• The job requires specific tools or skills you don’t have.
• The project will take more time to complete than you have available.
• There’s a high likelihood of danger – for example, if you’re not comfortable around heights, you probably shouldn’t attempt any roof repairs.

Taking care of your home is important to your quality of life and the value of your home. DIY it when you can and call for help when you can’t.

What You Need to Know About Renting Out Your Home

You’re ready to move but don’t want to sell your home. It’s in a great location, and you want to be able to use it when you’re on vacation or visiting family. You’ve considered turning your home into a rental but wonder how that works with liability and insurance. The extra money would be great, but what if renters wreck your house?

Whether it’s for a short term or a long term rental, here’s what you need to know if you’re thinking about renting out your home.

Short Term Rentals

When you use your home for short term rentals, this means that renters are in your home for a few days or a few weeks at a time. Typically, short term rentals are offered for vacationers or anyone who needs a very temporary place to stay but doesn’t want be in a hotel.

Before you decide to rent out your home, talk with your insurance agent. Your home insurance may cover you as long as you’re only renting out your home for a short amount of time, between four and 10 weeks in a year. If your insurance doesn’t include this option, or you’ll be renting your home for longer than the allowed time, you’ll need a landlord insurance policy.

If you decide to offer your home for short term rentals on an ongoing basis, you’re now operating as a business, and your home insurance may not cover any damage. You’re going to need a business insurance policy similar to the kind hotels and bed and breakfasts use. This will cover damage to your property and liability from accidents, injuries, and other problems.

Long Term Rentals

A long term rental is typically six months or longer and can occur in a home or an investment property you buy specifically to rent out. Either way, you’re going to need a landlord or rental dwelling insurance policy. Homeowner’s insurance won’t cover a long term rental.

Landlord policies cover physical damage to the property caused by fire, theft, lightning, wind, hail, snow, and other losses. It also covers any personal property you leave at your home for the tenant to use or to maintain the property. Most landlord policies will also include loss of rental income if you’re unable to rent out your home while it’s being repaired or rebuilt after a covered loss.

Renting your home is a great way to keep a beloved property, build a side income, and have your own vacation home when you want one. Before you rent, make sure you know what your responsibilities will be so there are no unpleasant surprises.

7 Tips to Hiring the Right Contractor

You’ve been planning this remodel for months, maybe even years. You’re finally ready to take the plunge and knock down walls, add rooms, and generally turn your home upside down for several weeks.

It’s a big job, a bigger expense, and a huge commitment. You don’t want just anyone working on your home. Finding the right contractor to trust can be a challenge. Here are some tips to help you make the right decision so you can enjoy your updated home and stress a little less during the process.

Get Recommendations

Ask your friends and family who they’ve used for past jobs. Talk to a building inspector who can tell you who routinely violates building codes and who doesn’t. Read online reviews to learn more about other people’s experiences. Gather plenty of information to create a list of contractors to contact.

Interview Your Top Picks

Initially, you’ll want to do a phone interview to quickly eliminate a potentially long list. You need to know if they typically handle projects like yours or of a similar size. You should ask if they’ll have other jobs going on simultaneously. Don’t forget to ask if they’re willing to provide references. Once you’ve narrowed down your list to three or four, you’ll need estimates, references, and an in-person meeting.

Ask If They’re Licensed, Bonded, and Insured

Any contractor you hire should be licensed (or certified) for their specific trade or skill. They should also be bonded which is their guarantee to you that work will be completed based on any agreement you form. They should have insurance, including general liability of at least $1 million and workers’ compensation if they have even one employee. Any subcontractors they use should also be licensed, bonded, and insured.

Set a Payment Schedule

A contractor who wants more than 10 percent as a deposit may be strapped for cash and not financially stable. A common payment schedule looks like this: a 10 percent deposit, three payments of 25 percent while the job is ongoing, and the final 15 percent isn’t paid until you’re satisfied that the job is complete.

Avoid the Lowball Offer

The contractor who comes is with an extremely low estimate is likely cutting corners and buying the cheapest materials. The quality of the job may be much less than what you’d get by paying a little more. Eliminate that one from consideration.

A Good Contractor is a Busy Contractor

Take it as a good sign if the contractor you want can’t start the job right away. You don’t want to delay your project for too long, but if they need a couple of weeks before they can begin your project, it’s because they’re busy which can be a good indicator of quality workmanship.

Get Everything in Writing

Worry about the contractor who doesn’t want to put your agreement or the estimate in writing. Be aware that your estimate could change – anything can happen once a wall comes down – but the key elements of your agreement should always be in writing including the payment schedule, insurance, permits, and other details of the job.

Hiring a good contractor isn’t something that happens in a day. Be prepared to do your homework, talk to people, and check references. Your home is too valuable to trust to a bad contractor.