Is Your MA Home Construction “Up To Code?”

Is your Home Construction “UP TO CODE?”

When you house, garage, barn or other premises is damaged in a covered insurance loss, you are paid to replace the same type of materials as were damaged.

If your town or city passes building construction and repair codes that require upgraded or different materials than those presently used in you current building construction, the additional cost of “bringing your home up to code” after a loss could be staggering.
Typical code requirements involve plumbing & heating equipment, wiring, and even roofing materials!

This additional cost of upgraded materials to repair to “code” is not covered under many homeowner policies. GOOD NEWS! This important coverage can be purchased. Call or click us today for your free, Massachusetts home insurance review.

MA Home Insurance

According to industry sources, home insurance rates across the country are going up. They are going up here in Massachusetts, as well.

This does not have to be bad news.

With the assistance of HomeownerQuote.com you can actively shop your home insurance with numerous companies with the click of a button!

You will be instantly utilizing the power of the Massachusetts independent insurance agent.

We will review your coverage, maximize discount programs, and shop your coverage with multiple companies.

Even though rates are going up, with the assistance of HomeownerQuote.com, you will be able to save some money.

So, take off your jacket and shoes, find your existing home insurance coverage Declarations Page, and spend a few minutes filling out our online quote request form.

You will be glad you did.

Massachusetts Home Insurance Winter Prevention Tips

I hate to think it, but winter is around the corner. Ice, snow & wind can have devastating effects on your home. The time to winterize is before the snow begins to fall. Here are some suggested precautions:

-Maintain gutters. Removing leaves, acorns, sticks & debris from gutters so that snow & ice can drain properly can help prevent dreaded ice dams.

-Trim trees & remove dead branches. Ice, snow & wind can cause weak trees or branches to break damaging your home, car or injuring someone.

-Check Insulation. Add extra insulation to attics, basements and crawl spaces. If too much heat escapes through the attic it can cause snow or ice to melt on the roof. Water re-freezing causes more snow & ice to build up resulting in collapsed roofs & ice dams. Ideally, the attic should be five to ten degrees warmer than the outside air.

-Keep your home warm. The temperature in your house should be at least 65 degrees. The temperature inside the walls where the pipes are located is colder than the walls themselves.

Massachusetts Homestead Act

The Homestead Act is designed to allow homeowners in Massachusetts to protect their primary residence against subsequent attachment, levy or sale to satisfy debts up to $500,000.

The Homestead Law does not protect against: taxes or mortgages used to purchase the residence. Homeowners must file for the Homestead Act with The Registry of Deeds office in the county in which the residence is located.

Massachusetts charges a one time Filing Fee of $35 for a Declaration of Homestead.

Please call us for more information or to find out where you should file.

Happy Thanksgiving: Turkey Frying Safety Tips

Happy Thanksgiving!

This happens to be our favorite holiday of the year: no work, food, family, no pressure of gifts and a built-in excuse, no, an obligation, to go for second or third helpings, desserts (plural), football and an authorized nap. Seriously, what could be better?

The only problem, from a safety & MA home insurance perspective, seems to be the dreaded Turkey Frying Fire!

The US Fire Administration reports over 4,000 Thanksgiving Day fires each year related to turkey frying accidents.

Turkey Frying Safety Tips:

1. Turkey fryers should always be used outdoors and a safe distance from buildings and flammable materials.

2. Do not use your turkey fryer in a garage or on a wooden deck.

3. Use your turkey fryer on a flat surface to reduce accidental tipping.

4. Never leave your fryer unattended, if you do not watch carefully, the oil can continue to heat until catching fire.

5. Do not let children or pets near the fryer even if it is not in use. The oil can remain dangerously hot hours after use.

6. Do not overfill the fryer.

7. Use well-insulated potholders or oven mitts and wear safety goggles to protect your eyes from oil splatter.

8. Make sure the turkey is completely thawed! Oil and water do not mix, and water causes oil to spill over causing a fire or even an explosion hazard.

9. The National Turkey Federation (NTF) recommends thawing the turkey in the refrigerator approximately 24 hours for every five pounds in weight.

10. Keep a fire extinguisher nearby.

11. Never use water to extinguish a grease fire!

Massachusetts Homeowner Insurance

There are three types of homeowner insurance policies: the standard, homeowner insurance policy (owner occupied residence, HO-3), the apartment policy (renter policy, HO-4), and the condominium policy (HO-6).

Each policy is a package policy which includes Section 1 coverage and Section 2 coverage.

Depending on kind of homeowner policy, Part 1 coverage may include: A) Dwelling; B) Other Structures; C) Personal Property; and D) Loss of Use.

Section 2 coverage includes: E) Personal Liability and F) Medical Payments

The standard (HO-3), owner-occupied, Massachusetts home insurance policy includes coverages A – F.

The apartment policy (HO-4) includes only coverages C – F.

The condominium policy (HO-6) includes coverage A, no coverage B (unless added by endorsement), and coverages C -F.

To get a Massachusetts Home Insurance Quote, call or click us today!

Massachusetts Home Insurance

When is the last time you shopped your MA home insurance policy? If it has been more than a couple of years, you might be spending more than you have to.

HomeownerQuote.com quotes your Massachusetts homeowner insurance with numerous, top insurance companies.

By utilizing the power of the MA independent agent, we shop your insurance and show you different coverage and premium options.

All homeowner insurance is not the same.

Some companies have aggressively priced home insurance products. Other companies are more conservative. Some companies offer huge account discounts, others large new home buyer discount.

By allowing us to review your Massachusetts home insurance, we will recommend different coverage and company options.

Call or click us today for your free home insurance review.

Your Independent, Massachusetts Insurance Agent works for you!

It’s a named peril, Sandy

Huricane humor. Too early? Probably.

Insurance companies and consumers up and down the east coast are bracing for Hurricane Sandy. Property owners are wondering if there’s coverage.

The short answer is: yes. Your standard home insurance policy has coverage for the peril of wind. Subject to your policy’s deductible.

However, many policies, especially coastal properties, have special Hurricane Deductibles which is different than your standard deductible.

If damage is done to your property (wind, wind-driven rain, etc.) due to a named Hurricane (Sandy) then your policy’s Hurricane Deductible will apply.

Hurricane deductibles can range from 1%, 2%, 5%, up to 5% of your policy’s Coverage A, Dwelling, amount.

This means, for instance, if you have a Coverage A, Dwelling, amount of $300,000 and a 5% Hurricane Deductible, then coverage is subject to a $15,000 deductible.

Call your friendly, independent, Massachusetts insurance agent to verify your policy’s coverage.

Halloween Safety Tips

Halloween is a fun time for children but can be scarier for Massachusetts homeowners with liability and safety concerns.

Things to consider as Halloween Night nears:

– Do you have loose or missing steps or handrails?
– Do you use candles inside your pumpkins or as other Halloween prop?
– Are you handing out a candy with nuts? Maybe it’s best to avoid the nut allergy issue.
– Will you be walking with trick or treaters? If so, carry a flash light at all times.
– Make sure your trick or treaters are wearing light colored costumes or costumes with reflective tape.
– Do your children have safe costumes? Costumes that do not block or impair vision or restrict movement are best.
– Will you be driving on Halloween night? Because of all the trick or treat action, it is perhaps the scariest night to be driving.
– Check your children’s candy.

On behalf of HomeownerQuote.com: have a scary, spooky, and safe Halloween!

Massachusetts Flood Insurance

Did you know that your Massachusetts home insurance policy DOES NOT INCUDE FLOOD COVERAGE?

Many people find out too late that they are at risk for flooding, and even worse that their home insurance doesn’t cover flood damage.

-Your Massachusetts homeowner insurance policy DOES NOT cover flood loss to your home and contents.
– In certain areas, the chance of a flood loss is 25% greater than a loss due to a fire during a 30 year mortgage.
– Six out of every ten declared disasters involve flooding.
– Homes in areas where there is new construction or where there have been other events, such as forest fires, may be in greater danger than in the past because of changes to the land around them.
-25% of all floods occur outside of a high-risk flood area.
– Federally backed mortgages in certain areas require flood insurance policies for the life of the mortgage.

To ensure that your home and contents are protected, call or click us today.

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