Homeowners Insurance
You know that feeling you get when you pull up to your home after a vacation or even a long day at work? It’s the feeling that prompts you to think, “I can’t wait to get home,” even if you’re having a good time somewhere else.
The familiar air inside hits you when you open the door. All of your possessions are waiting of you. The TV settings are adjusted to your liking; maybe some of your favorite shows are saved on the DVR. Your favorite snacks and drinks are cold and ready to refresh you in the fridge. Framed photos share space on the walls with art from your kids. Perhaps a wedding or anniversary photo is on the nightstand. A seasoned cast iron skillet waits in the cabinet to make pancakes in the morning.
But what if you open the door and the television is gone? Broken glass is underfoot. Those photos and heirlooms you cherish? Gone or destroyed. Be it burglar, fire, earthquake or a delivery truck that hit some gravel and jumped the curb into your bay window, it’s impossible to predict or prevent the disasters that could visit your home and belongings at any time.
Chaos is inevitable. You can’t stop it, but you can be prepared. You want to protect your assets, but it’s not just about dollars and cents. You want peace of mind. You want to secure your money and the things to which your emotions are attached. That’s why you want the proper insurance. It’s not difficult to find the right insurance coverage you need in Massachusetts, but it does require careful planning and thoughtful decisions. Think about how much time and effort you put into finding the right home. The insurance you choose to protect your home deserves the same attention to detail.
Should you suffer water damage, fire, a break-in, frozen pipes, lawsuits filed by other parties claiming your negligence caused them harm, or other unforeseen disasters, you need to know that homeowners insurance policies in Massachusetts will typically cover the following:
- Replacement costs
- Additional living expenses
- Personal possessions (up to a determined limit)
- Liability protection
- The structure of your home
There is no law requiring anyone in Massachusetts to purchase homeowners insurance of any kind. Your mortgage company, however, will almost certainly insist on an insurance policy. If you drop coverage or stop paying for it, you will lose your insurance coverage and possibly be sued by the mortgage company for the amount they loaned you.
As such, we recommend the following coverage:
- 100% of the Replacement Cost Value
- Liability: $1,000,000
- Medical Payments: $5,000
You may be surprised to know that you can lower your insurance costs by doing things that are already good for you. Since smoking causes many residential fires every year, some insurance companies offer reduced premiums – also known as a Smoke Free credit – if none of the residents in the house smoke. Some companies offer discounts for smoke alarms, burglar alarms, or dead bolts. Credits vary for the type of service, usually 2% for smoke alarms and up to 15% for alarm systems that notify a third party.
Your home’s location and contents can dictate the necessary level of coverage. Some unique insurance policies you may want to consider for additional protection include:
- Earthquake or Flood policies
- Animal Liability (liability issues due to household pets)
- Valuable Articles/Floater policies
If you’re truly interested in full protection, consider an Umbrella policy. When purchased, this additional liability coverage protects you if your liability exceeds your limit. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by the affordability of this ultimate peace of mind coverage.
You love your home. You love the people and belongings your home protects. Insurance is your way of protecting it, and everything that’s important to you. Call us at (617) 580-3499. We’ll make sure you sleep easily knowing the things that matter most receive the protection they deserve.
