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!

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.

HomeownerQuote.com

A puff back loss occurs when an oil burner backfires sending soot throughout one’s home.

It can happen all at once or gradually, slowly seeping out.

The best way to prevent a puff back?

Have your oil burner inspected annually and kept in good shape.

This is no guarantee that you won’t still have a puff back loss, but it does greatly reduce your risk.

Keep debris or anything else that could interfere with proper functioning away from your oil burner.

Fire Do’s & Don’ts — for Safety’s Sake:

Do’s:
Make sure that everyone knows two ways out of every room. Teach children to crawl on their hands and knees in an effort to stay low under smoke. Close doors behind you to slow the spread of fire and smoke. Plan a meeting spot outside the house, at a neighbor’s or in a special place in the yard a good distance from the house. Teach kids that once they get outside, they should stay outside. Hold frequent fire drills, including some at night and make sure everyone is following the plan perfectly. Assign someone to call 911. Smoke alarms save lives. Install a smoke alarm outside each sleeping area and on each additional level of your home. Replace the batteries every six months.

Don’ts:Do not rely on one way to escape from your home. Do not forget about the levels of your home. Consider escape ladders for sleeping areas on the second and third floor. Do not assume everyone will remember how to exit your home during a fire. Practice your escape plan at least twice a year. Do not reenter a burning building. Nothing is as valuable as your life. Do not open a door without feeling it first. If it is warm, the fire is nearby and you could cause the greater risk of spreading the fire and injuring yourself.

Does your homeowner policy have the Personal Property Replacement Cost Endorsement? Claims can be settled two different ways: Actual Cash Value basis (ACV) or Replacement Cost basis. ACV is based on the replacement cost of the property, minus a deduction for physical depreciation and obsolescence. Your 10 year old recliner might not be worth much when figured this way and the payment from the insurance company might not be enough to buy a new one. However, if you have the Replacement Cost Endorsement (cost is about 10% of the policy’s premium), the company will pay the cost to replace the property with a similar type and quality of property without a deduction for depreciation. Having this replacement cost endorsement can be very valuable. However, even policies with Replacement Cost have limits for “special items” such as jewelry, antiques, collectibles, fine arts, and silverware. These items should be “scheduled” on your policy separately.

An up-to-date inventory of your possessions can be crucial to efficient settlement at homeowner insurance claim time. After a fire or other disasteris often the wrong time to try to remember what your home or business contained!

Here are some step-by-step instructions to help you make a proper inventory of your possessions.

1. Make a detailed list of all major items. Included the date purchased, serial numbers, quantity and purchase price. Attach any original receipts.

2. Videotape or photograph both the interior and exterior of your home. Photograph each room from several angles. Include your closets, attic, garage, basement and patio.

3. Photograph items such as jewelry, silver, or furs. Place a ruler next to small items to illustrate the size. Attach copies of appraisal forms to inventory.

4. Update photos after home improvements or major purchases.

5. Include the video recorder or camera on your list.

6. Store the inventory list, attached documents and photos or videotape in a safe-deposit box.