Blog - Page 6 of 15 - HomeownerQuote

Home Insurance Credits

Everybody loves a discount.

When shopping for home insurance in Massachusetts, consider these basic home insurance discounts:

Protective Device Credits – starting with deadbolt locks, extinguishers, and smoke detectors are available. Larger credits are available for Local and Central Station burglar and fire protection systems.

Non-smoker credits – if you and household members are non-smokers some companies offer discounts to non-smokers.

Loss Free Year Credits – if you have not had any losses in multiple years some companies offer “Loss Free Credits.” Check with your Independent Insurance Broker to see if you qualify for any companies’ programs.

Home Renovation/New Home Credits – if you have renovated your home within the past 10 years some companies offer Renovation Credits. If you are buying a new home, some companies offer large New Home credits.

Account Discounts – some insurance companies offer 10% “Account Discounts” if you insure your home and auto with the same company . in addition, some companies may waive service charges.

Swimming Pool Surprise

Needless to say, in Massachusetts it has been an extremely harsh winter.

Although the desk calender says it’s spring, you wouldn’t know it looking outside or answering continuous first reports of claims.

As a quick way of review and hopefully, to avoid the surprise of a claim denial.

If your swimming pool has been damaged by this winter’s snow and ice: you don’t have any coverage.

Let’s repeat: If your swimming pool has been damaged by this winter’s snow and ice: you don’t have any coverage.

Under Section 1 – Perils Insured Against section of the standard HO-3 home policy it states:

C. WE DO NOT COVER:

… 3. LOSS CAUSED BY FREEZING, THAWING, PRESSURE OR WEIGHT OF WATER, SNOW OR ICE, WHETHER DRIVEN BY WIND OR NOT TO A:

a. FENCE, DRIVEWAY, ROADWAY, WALKWAY, PAVEMENT, PATIO, SWIMMING POOL, SPA, OR HOT TUB

This, unfortunately, leaves many homeowners without coverage for their damaged pools.

Massachusetts Home Insurance

HomeownerQuote.com Home Insurance Web Log, Lynnfield, MA –

Every year Massachusetts home insurance consumers should take a few minutes to review your coverage and premium.

As life changes, home insurance needs change as well.

HomeownerQuote.com offers our Massachusetts Homeowner Renewal Checklist:

Do you own jewelry, furs or watches with values over $1,000?
Do you own silverware with a total value of over $2,500?
Do you have a collection of valuables, including: coins, stamps or other?
Do you own any of the following: Musical Instruments, Fine Arts or Antiques, Camera Equipment, Sports Equipment, Personal Computer?
Do you own a boat?
Is there a trampoline on your property?
Do you have any tools, equipment or other property used in your business or occupation?
Would you like your insurance to provide: Replacement Cost Protection on your Dwelling, on your Personal Property, Credit Card/forgery protection, Ordinance or Law coverage, Earthquake coverage?
Flood is not a covered loss on a homeowner policy. Would you like to obtain rates for flood insurance? Also excluded from coverage are such things such as: rot, mold, mildew or animal/vermin/insect damage.
Are you interested in receiving information on: Auto, Life, Excess Liability (Umbrella), Boat or Business Insurance?

Call or click us for your free, no-obligation Massachusetts homeowner insurance quote.

Massachusetts Fire Prevention

It’s not only burst pipe and ice dam season: it’s also fire season.

In order to prevent the problem, you should know the causes of the problem.

Let’s take a look at the top causes of home fires:

1. Candles

Safety tips:

Never leave a candle burning near flammable items.
Never leave a candle burning in a child’s room or an unoccupied room.
Make sure candles fit securing into candle holders so they won’t tip over.
Blow out any candles before leaving a room or going to sleep.

2. Smoking

Safety tips:

If you smoke, consider smoking outside.
Use wide, sturdy ashtrays to catch butts and ashes.
Look for cigarette butts under furniture and between seat cushions to make sure no lit butts have fallen someplace where they can’t be seen.
Don’t smoke in bed, when you’re tired or around medical oxygen.

3. Electrical & Lighting

Safety tips:

Don’t overload outlets or electrical cords.
Make sure you have the right cord for the job – inside cords for inside, heavy duty/outside cords for outdoor use.
Don’t leave Christmas lights, Christmas trees, or halogen lights on overnight or when not at home.
Consider having an electrician perform an annual checkup of your home’s wiring.

4. Dryers and washing machines

Safety tips:

Clean the lint screen frequently and don’t run the dryer without it.
For gas and propane dryers, make sure there aren’t any leaks in the lines.
Vent the dryer to the outside of the house and ensure nothing blocks the vent pipe.
Clean the vent pipe and the area where the screen is housed.
Keep the area around the dryer free of combustible materials.

5. Lightning

Safety tips:

Stay away from doors and windows during an electrical storm.
Do not use corded phones, computers, TVs or other electrical equipment during storms.
Unplug major electronics – TVs, stereo equipment, computers and microwaves to minimize damage if there is a lightning strike close by.
Avoid plumbing such as sinks, baths and faucets during a thunderstorm.

6. Children playing with fire

Safety tips:

Keep matches, lighters and other ignition sources out of the reach of children.
Teach children fire safety at an early age.
Make sure children have adequate supervision.

7. Christmas trees

Safety tips:

Keep live trees well watered and dispose of them before they become dry.
Turn off tree lights before leaving the house or going to bed.
Check lights for any shorts or other electrical issues before putting them on the tree.

8. Cooking

Safety tips:

Be alert when cooking and don’t leave food unattended.
Don’t throw water on a grease fire, put a lid on the pan to smother the fire.
If an oven fire flares up, turn off the oven and leave the door shut until the fire extinguishes itself.
Keep clothing, pot holders, paper towels and other flammable items away from fires.
Having working smoke detectors in the house and keep a fire extinguisher nearby just in case.

Ice Dam Prevention: Snow Removal Tips

In Massachusetts, the dreaded ice dams are here. The combination of fresh snow melting and refreezing on the edge of your roof line can prevent water from draining on your roof. This water can back up under your roof shingles and make its way into your house causing lots of damage, stress, an insurance claim and higher insurance premiums.

If you have more than a foot of snow on your roof, the best way to avoid an ice dam is to start by having the snow removed.

Snow Removal Tips

Removing snow from a roof can be a tricky and dangerous business. Avoid using a ladder in snowy and icy conditions. If your roof is not accessible from the ground with a roof rake, it’s a job best reserved for the professionals.

Contact a roofing or landscaping contractor, property maintenance company, or home builder to remove the snow and ice. Before hiring a contractor, check references and be certain they are insured and bonded.

For sloped roofs:

A roof rake is a long-handled tool which may help remove snow and ice from your sloped roof. Stand on the ground and pull as much snow off the roof as possible. Be sure to pull the snow only in the direction the shingles are facing, so you don’t damage your roof.

For flat roofs:

If your roof is flat and easily accessible, shovel the snow off the roof, but be careful not to damage shingles.

Also remember to put safety first any time you are on a roof, especially one that is covered in snow and ice!

Protect Yourself with Home Insurance

You think it never will happen to you. Surely you never will have a fire, theft, storm, or accident in your home. But, if the unthinkable does happen, you’ll want to have homeowners insurance to protect you. Homeowners insurance is there during your times of greatest need to protect what is probably your biggest asset. So, is it necessary? By all means. Not only for you, but it’s usually required by your mortgage lender. Before we consider that, let’s look at what a typical homeowners insurance policy provides.

What’s In a Homeowners Insurance Policy?

Homeowners insurance provides coverage to your home, coverage for your personal belongings, liability protection, and additional living expenses.

The House Structure Is Covered

Your homeowners insurance pays to repair or rebuild your home and other structures from damage that is covered in the policy, most often including theft, fire, storm, or other natural disasters.

When deciding a coverage amount, it’s a good idea to make sure you have enough to completely rebuild your house. Get a quote from a local builder or real estate agent for an approximate amount.
Damages can be covered at cash value or replacement value. Cash value pays what the property is worth today with depreciation, while replacement value pays enough to replace what you lost.

Personal Belongings May Need to be Replaced

Furniture, clothes and other contents of your home that are stolen or otherwise destroyed by an insured event are covered by your homeowners insurance policy.

You can choose to have off-premises coverage so your items are covered anywhere in the world should they get lost or damaged.
Making a video or photographs of your home’s contents can be extremely helpful. If you ever need to submit a claim, it’s an easy way to remember and prove what you lost.

Liability Coverage Is Essential

The liability aspect of homeowners insurance covers your legal responsibility for injuries to others or their property. For example, let’s assume your neighbor falls down your front steps and breaks her arm.

Your liability insurance will cover her medical expenses up to the policy limit.

If she decides to sue you for damages, you also will be protected, up to the limits in your policy.
Liability insurance is not limited to your premises. So, if your dog bites your neighbor while out on a walk, your homeowners insurance policy will likely cover you.

Additional Living Expenses Will be Paid

If you’re unable to live in your home due to a fire or other insured incident, your homeowners insurance policy may offer additional living expenses, including hotel and meals, up to a certain limit detailed in your policy.

What’s Not Covered

There are limits to a homeowners insurance policy. Homeowners insurance doesn’t cover damage caused by flood, earthquakes, or normal wear and tear of your home. Be sure you review your policy so you know what’s covered.

Homeowners Insurance Is Not Just for You

Mortgage lenders require homeowners insurance to protect them. Should something happen to your home, they need a way to cover their large monetary loss. Lenders often require you to buy at least a minimal amount, usually the amount of the mortgage. But, as you consider your home and belongings, more than minimum protection may be a good idea.

Don’t Leave It to Chance

You love your home. Make sure you, your belongings, and house are protected should a disaster happen. Having homeowners insurance in place can help protect you should a theft, fire, or other natural disaster strike.

Contact HomeownerQuote.com

As your independent Massachusetts insurance agent, we have a wealth of knowledge that can help determine your exact needs for homeowners insurance. Contact us today for a free quote, and you can sleep tonight knowing your home is covered. Call or click us today.

Safety Tips During this Massachusetts Winter Storm

The Massachusetts Office of Public Safety and Security offers the following Safety Tips during this storm:

Stay indoors during the storm if possible.
If you do go outside, protect yourself by dressing for the season, wearing several layers of loose fitting, lightweight, warm clothing, rather than one layer of heavy clothing. The outer garments should be tightly woven and water repellent. Mittens are better than gloves. Wear a hat, as most body heat is lost through the top of the head. Cover your mouth with a scarf to protect your lungs.
Keep dry. Change wet clothing frequently to prevent a loss of body heat. Wet clothing loses all of its insulating value and transmits heat rapidly.
Be careful when shoveling snow. Over-exertion can bring on a heart attack – a major cause of death in the winter.
Watch for signs of frostbite: loss of feeling and white or pale appearance in the extremities such as fingers, toes, ear lobes or the tip of the nose. If symptoms are detected, seek medical help immediately.
Watch for signs of hypothermia: uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness and apparent exhaustion. If symptoms are detected, get the victim to a warm location, remove any wet clothing, warm the center of the body first and give warm, non-alcoholic beverages, if the victim is conscious. Get medical help, as soon as possible.
Drive only if it is absolutely necessary. If you must drive: travel in the day; don’t travel alone; keep others informed of your schedule; stay on main roads and avoid back road shortcuts.

All of us at HomeownerQuote.com wish you a safe and warm winter storm.

Save Money on Home Insurance

Home ownership is part of the American dream, and often, homes are the largest investment most people make during their lifetimes. When you have a large part of your finances tied up in your home, you want the most cost-effective yet serviceable homeowners insurance policy possible. For some, this means having the right deductible in place.

Full protection is important for any homeowner, but raising your homeowners insurance deductible can save you money. Changing your homeowners insurance policy to have a higher deductible can lead to a lower premium.

The Deductible Amount That Works for You

Typically, homeowners insurance deductibles begin at $250. Depending on your policy, your premium can be reduced by changing your deductible with general savings of:

Up to 15 percent for a $500 deductible
Up to 25 percent for a $1,000 deductible
Up to 30 percent for a $2,500 deductible
Up to 35 or more for a $5,000 deductible

While the additional discount savings for a very large deductible may look appealing, deductibles of more than $1,000 are not permissible with most mortgage companies. Check with your mortgage lender first, if you are considering a deductible in excess of $1,000.Of course, large deductibles mean you are on the hook for part of the repair or replacement cost should you need to file a claim. So, unless you have the cash on hand, a large deductible could be a drawback at claim time.

Claim Frequency and Homeowners Insurance Deductibles

Typically, insurance claims are made infrequently so the amount saved on monthly bills makes up for the additional amount of deductible needed for a claim. A higher deductible can be especially advantageous if you have a history of limited claims. For people that have a history of filing a large number of claims or those that live in high risk areas, an increased deductible may not provide savings over time.

Keeping an Emergency Fund to Cover Your Deductible

Larger deductibles can be advantageous, but you also agree to accept the financial obligation of having a higher deductible. Be sure you can afford to pay the amount of your deductible if needed. It is important to be prepared and have the finances available to cover the cost of your deductible if you have to file a claim.

Since you have to pay the cost of a deductible upfront before your coverage begins, an emergency fund can be helpful. The money you save can by having a higher deductible can be put into a savings account or other safe easy-to-access place. If you ever need to file a claim, an emergency fund can eliminate unnecessary financial strain. No one ever knows when something will happen and a claim will be needed. Having safeguards in place in the form of an emergency fund can bring peace of mind.

Other Homeowners Insurance Deductible Considerations

The price of homeowners insurance can vary with the deductible amount included in the policy. Deductibles vary depending on what kind of homeowners coverage you have and other factors. If you live in what is considered to be a disaster-prone region, certain forms of damage including, hail storms, windstorms, earthquakes may have a separate deductible.

Reviewing Your Homeowners Insurance Policy

One way to save money on your homeowners insurance is to carefully review the deductible amount on your policy. You can then evaluate the deductible amount you currently have to see what savings a lower deductible could provide.

Contact HomeownerQuote.com to discuss your Massachusetts home insurance options. We have been insuring homes in Massachusetts for over 20 years. We can help you find the protection you need at a price you can afford. Call or click us today.

Homeowner Insurance and Mold

Mold is nasty wherever it is. That said, mold of some type can crop up in any home anywhere. It is typically not dangerous; however, that does little to diminish its perceived toxicity and associated expensive repair procedures.

The fact is, mold is rarely included in most standard homeowners insurance policies. An exception to this could be made depending upon the underlying root causes for the outcropping of mold.

Mold requires a certain level of moisture to proliferate. If it can be determined that the mold damage is a result of some kind of peril covered by your insurance, like a burst water pipe, you will probably be covered. If, however, it is a result of neglected maintenance or similar causes, chances are pretty slim that your policy will cover any resulting damages.

Your best defense against mold is to learn what exclusions (types of losses not covered by your policy) are written into your coverage relating to damage brought on by pollution, deterioration, rot, and wear and tear.

Uncovering Your Homeowners Coverage

Sometimes the simplest answers are also the best ones. If you have questions or concerns regarding whether or not your homeowners insurance covers mold and the damage it causes, you can read your policy. Online research may provide basic information as well. The easiest way to learn more about MA home insurance is to contact us at HomeownerQuote.com.

The insurance industry as a whole has been on the front lines in the battle against mold for so long that its war wounds have turned into visible scars, running through many of its individual companies’ policies.

These figurative battle scars have taken the form of policy changes many insurance companies have made in order to minimize mold claims, some of which include:

Exclusion of coverage for all damages relating to mold outcroppings, with the possible exceptions of unpredictable events, such as lightning or
Offering buy-back endorsements instead of covering mold-related damages.
Inclusion of limited coverage for mold damage claims in the form of payments to cover certain related expenses, like repairs and subsequent mold testing procedures; or in the form of limited coverage for mold-related damage claims, such as a pre-set $5,000 maximum
Offering to cover claims related to mold damage for an additional
Denying coverage to previously water-damaged homes or those constructed out of specific materials, like synthetic

Plan for the Worst, Hope for the Best

Homeowners insurance, if nothing else, gives you financial protection from many of Mother Nature’s unpredictable temper tantrums, including some of Her more subtle and devious attacks, like mold. But, just like a real shield provides better protection to those who know how to use it, your insurance coverage will protect you from nasty things like mold better if you know how it works.

HomewnerQuote.com Can Help

Mold may be a fact of life, but fortunately, it’s also a fact that HomeownerQuote.com has been helping homeowners in Massachusetts online since 1999. We can review your homeowners insurance and help you determine whether you have the coverage you need. Call us today at 781-246-8699.

Home Insurance Tips For First Time Buyers

So you have now purchased your first home. What an exciting time! You probably have some plans on how you want to “make it your own.” In making these plans you should consider the best way to protect your investment. As a first-time home buyer, are you aware that the purchase of a home is perhaps the biggest financial investment most folks make in their lifetime?

All of the paperwork involved can be confusing. The bank that is financing your new home will help when it comes time to close on the sale. But the bank’s concern is protecting themselves. While they will require you to have Homeowner’s Insurance, they will not give you any advice on how to best protect your new home. This is up to you! As a first-time home buyer, selecting the proper policy and coverages can be confusing.

What kinds of Insurance Policies can you buy?

There are 3 types of policies. These are based on the type of coverage provided.

Broad Coverage on your home and personal possessions. This is a list of various kinds of losses that are covered by the While this will cover the most common types of losses that can occur, it does not cover everything.
Broad Coverage on your personal possessions and All Risk Coverage on your Home. While your personal possessions are covered for the most common types of losses, your home is covered for All Risk Coverage.
All Risk Coverage on your Home and Personal Possessions.

How Much Coverage Should I Have on My Home?

In order to fully protect your home you need to consider insuring it for its Replacement Cost (rebuilding cost). To first-time home buyers this concept can be confusing. Just remember that in most cases the replacement cost will be different than what you paid for the house. If you purchased a new house these may be the same, but if you purchased an older house the replacement cost may be higher.

How is the Replacement Cost Determined?

Your insurance agent or insurance company will determine this based upon your home’s size, type of construction, amenities, and other information.

What is covered by a Homeowner Insurance Policy?

Your home.
The garage – whether attached or It can also cover any other detached buildings.
Your personal This includes your clothing, appliances, furniture, tools, outdoor equipment. Most policies will provide a limited amount of coverage when your possessions are away from your home.
Additional living costs. When you have to move out while your home is being repaired after an insured loss, this repays for any increase in your normal monthly expenses.
Someone is injured on your property.
Your liability if you (or a family member) accidently injures someone or destroys their property.

How Much Liability Coverage Should I Carry?

As a first-time home buyer this may be the most difficult to determine. You should consider carrying enough to protect the financial interest you have in your home and other equities (401K, investments, etc.).

What is a deductible and how does it apply?

A deductible is the amount of money you will have to pay when you have a claim for covered damage done to your house, garage, detached buildings or your personal possessions. A deductible does not apply to liability coverage.

Help for First Time Home Buyer is here!

We specialize in helping our customers in finding the most effective coverages and amounts of coverage needed. Call us we will discuss your options. Remember that if we also insure your cars you will get a discount on insuring your most valuable asset: your Home!

Contact HomeownerQuote.com.!