Home Insurance Policy

home insurance policy

Although it’s almost summer, Homeowner Insurance 101 – Class is now in session!

Let’s review the basics:

Your home insurance policy has 2 sections: Property & Liability.

Section 1, Property

Coverage A, Dwelling – The amount of coverage assigned to your dwelling should reflect the amount it would cost to completely repair or rebuild your home should it suffer a covered loss.

Coverage B, Other Structures – Typically 10% of Coverage A, Other Structures Coverage is for other structures (mailbox, shed, dog house, swimming pool, garage etc.) on your property detached from your dwelling. Coverage can be increased by endorsement.

Coverage C, Personal Property – Typically 50 – 70% of Coverage A, Personal Property Coverage provides coverage for your personal possessions such as furniture, clothing and appliances are covered. Certain types of possessions, such as jewelry, fine arts, antiques & collectibles, are excluded or have limited coverage.

Coverage D, Loss of Use – Typically 20% of Coverage A, Loss of Use Coverage pays for housing and other living expenses (like meals and laundry) if you suffer a loss that makes your home uninhabitable.

and

Section 2, Liability –

Coverage E, Personal Liability – Personal Liability Coverage provides on & off premise lawsuit protection and will provide coverage for bodily injury or property damage for which you are legally responsible.

Coverage F, Medical Payments – This coverage is available to others (not household residents) and will pay medical expenses up to, traditionally, $1,000.

These 2 sections make your standard home policy a “package” policy consisting of property and liability coverage.

Give HomeownerQuote a click, call or visit for your Massachusetts insurance needs.

 

 

Welcome to Massachusetts!

 

Let us be the first to say: Welcome to Massachusetts!

Whether you’re shopping for home or auto insurance, you’ve found the perfect place to help ensure you’re insured.

Massachusetts Fun Facts:

Official Name:
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Citizens Designation:
Bay Staters
State Capital:
Boston

Nickname:

The Bay State

Population:
6,547,629 (2010 U.S. Census Bureau)
Population Rank:
14th of 50 states (2010 U.S. Census Bureau)
Area:
8,257 square miles (land and water)
Population Density:
839.4 persons per square mile (land area) (U.S. Census Bureau)
Communities:
312 towns; 39 cities
Counties:
There are 14 counties: Barnstable, Berkshire, Bristol, Dukes, Essex, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, Middlesex, Nantucket, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk and Worcester.
State Government:
Six constitutional officers elected for four years: Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of the Commonwealth, Attorney General, Treasurer and Receiver General, Auditor
Statehood:
Massachusetts is one of the original thirteen colonies and became the sixth state of the Union on February 6, 1788
Legislature:
Official Name: General Court. Two branches with members elected for two years; House of Representatives: 160 members; Senate: 40 members

Elevation:

Highest point: Mount Greylock (3,489 ft)

Massachusetts Home Insurance?

HomeownerQuote!

HomeownerQuote is your site for all things Massachusetts home insurance. Our professional, independent insurance agents offer no obligation, coverage and discount suggestions. Call or click us for a free, no-obligation home insurance quote.

 

Home Insurance Credits

Massachusetts Home Insurance Discounts

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.

The Inside Scoop on MA Home Insurance

Inside Scoop MA Home Insurance

Massachusetts home insurance can be complicated, especially if you add a vacation home to the equation. Take one look at your policy, and you may wonder what it all means. And yet, homeowners insurance is essential to protect the property you’ve worked so hard to acquire.

 

HomeownerQuote.com will be happy to explain everything you need to know about MA homeowners insurance, starting with these five tips:

 

  1. You’re generally insured for up to 80 percent of your home’s value. You may choose to purchase an additional rider for the remaining percentage, and raise your deductible to offset the premium.

 

  1. Many factors determine your homeowners insurance and vacation home insurance premiums. It starts with what the home is worth, and is followed closely by what the home is made of, its age and proximity to a fire station, and its general location, to name a few.

 

  1. Title insurance and homeowners insurance are two different things, and you need both.
    • Title insurance involves ensuring the title on your home is valid, and without defects or
    • Homeowners insurance is for property, possessions, and liabilities of guests on your
    • Tip: You may supplement your homeowners’ insurance with riders if need be for extra possessions, including items that are extremely valuable, such as jewelry; watercraft or other recreational vehicles you store in your home; as well as additional properties, such as rental or vacation homes.

 

  1. Your neighbor’s homeowners insurance policy should cover expenses involving items on their property doing damage to items on your For example, if your neighbor neglects to take down a tree that is known to be diseased, and it falls on your fence, you can file a claim with your neighbor’s home insurance provider.

 

  1. Put some thought into how much insurance you need. HomeownerQuote.com can help you determine homeowners insurance and vacation home insurance values, and find the most appropriate coverage of insurance for you, at the most competitive rates.

Massachusetts Home Selling Tips:

MA Home Selling Tips

  1. Get pre-approved for a home loanIt is important to know if you are qualified to buy another home before you sign a contract to sell your existing house. If not, you may end up renting or buying something that is far from ideal.
  2. Know your mortgage payoff – It is important to know what the payoff is for your current home mortgage so that you know exactly how much you can afford to sell your home for.
  3. Determine how much your home is worth – Determine your home’s fair market value. Real estate agents will usually help you with this process but you might want to order an appraisal. (Zillow.com can help give you a general idea of your home’s value.)
  4. Estimate the costs to sell your home – Costs can include: commissions if you use a real estate agency to help you sell your home, advertising costs, signs and other fees if you plan to sell yourself, attorney, closing agent and/or other professional fees, excise taxes, other fees typically paid by the seller (surveys, inspections etc…)
  5. Estimate the costs to buy your new home – Estimate buying and moving expenses to buy your new home. Expenses include things such as: loan costs, down-payment, home inspections, title work, paying for a new home insurance policy.
  6. Make necessary repairs – Make all needed repairs unless you want the house to be regarded as a fixer-upper. Not, necessarily cosmetic updates but items in need of repair.
  7. Get your home ready to show – Items include: fresh paint indoors and out, organized closets, cabinets, clean windows and appliances, and a clutter-free look. A little work can go a long way and ensure the offer from a potential buyer that you are looking for.
  8. Sell, sell, sell! – Make your home accessible and always ready to show. Know your asking price & know the very minimum offer that you are willing to accept. Do not be afraid to reject an offer if it is not acceptable to you.