Massachusetts Home Insurance

Massachusetts Home Insurance Laws

Although there are no laws in Massachusetts requiring a homeowner to purchase home insurance, if you are applying for a mortgage with a lender or bank, you will most likely have to provide them proof of insurance to be qualified. Some lenders require that you include your home insurance binder and payment as part of your escrow so the lender will be protected if there is ever a significant loss while you are paying your loan back on the property. Besides, having good insurance will protect you against loss due to damage from storms and natural disasters and reduce the amount of money you need to pay for necessary repairs. It’s also there to protect your peace of mind so you don’t have to worry about the ‘what if’ situations. And living in Massachusetts we all know how quickly the weather can change!

What Does Standard Homeowners Insurance in Massachusetts Cover?

A standard homeowners insurance policy in Massachusetts will cover you for such things like if a fire damages the interior or exterior of your home. Living in New England can bring varied weather events so you may end up with damage from heavy snowfall, hurricanes or even lightening. A standard policy will generally cover your losses in these types of events. Acts of vandalism and theft are also typically covered under a standard policy.

Dwelling and Property: This coverage protects the physical building itself. It will likely cover any necessary repairs or the cost to rebuild your home if it gets destroyed during a disaster that is covered by your insurance policy. It’s important to note that some natural disasters are not covered by most standard home insurance policies in Massachusetts. For instance, home and renter’s insurance policies in Massachusetts typically exclude damage caused by flooding.

Personal property: Personal property coverage insures most of your personal belongings within your home. As an example, if a tree is hit by lightning and crashes through a window in your office ruining a chair and your computer, these would likely be replaced and covered as personal property when you file a claim.

Liability: This coverage provides protection for the homeowner when someone is injured on your property. For instance, if someone were to fall down the stairs from your deck and break a leg. Liability coverage in Massachusetts usually covers medical and legal fees if you were to be sued over an accident on your property.

Loss of Use: If your house is condemned or determined to be unlivable after a covered disaster, loss of use coverage could come into play. This coverage will typically help pay for living expenses while you’re displaced such as temporary housing or a hotel or potentially even increased work related travel expenses due to the loss of your home.

Medical Payments: This coverage pays the medical bills of people who are accidentally injured on your property, which can be inside or around your home. It doesn’t matter whose fault the accident is and this coverage is only applicable to people who do not live in the house.

Other structures: This coverage helps to pay for repair or replacement of structures other than your home, such as fences, detached garages, sheds, etc. As an example, if a tree falls on a fence and shed on your property, other structures coverage may help pay for replacement and / or repairs.

What Other Coverages are Recommended for Homeowners Insurance in Massachusetts?

You Independent Agent can work with you to determine the coverage that fits your individual needs but a policy could include:

• Extended Replacement Cost Coverage: This provides extended Dwelling replacement cost coverage to 150% of the Coverage A limit of liability.
• Identity Fraud Expense Coverage: This provides coverage for certain expenses incurred due to identity fraud.
• Limited Water Back-Up and Sump Discharge or Overflow Coverage: This type of coverage is provided with respect to direct physical loss to property if caused by water or waterborne material which originates from within the dwelling where the insured resides, and backs up through sewers or drains or which overflows or is discharged from a sump, sump pump or related equipment.
• Valuable Possessions Coverage: This provides special blanket coverage for specific classes of property such as jewelry, furs, cameras, musical instruments, firearms, silverware and fine arts.

What Discounts Are Available in Massachusetts for MAPFRE Insurance Homeowners?

There are a few discounts available to Massachusetts homeowners who are insured with MAPFRE:

• Account Discount: Gives homeowners a discounted price on your Home and Auto policies for bundling them with MAPFRE.
• MAHA Homesafe Discount: When the insured or spouse successfully completes the Homesafe Program/Education Workshop run by the Massachusetts Affordable Housing Alliance (MAHA), a discount will be provided.
• Protective Device Discount: A discount will apply if protective devices, such as burglar alarms, fire alarms or a sprinkler system are present in the residence.

Common Questions about Massachusetts Home Insurance

MAPFRE Insurance is proud to partner with local independent insurance agents throughout Massachusetts who will help find discounts and save you the hassle of comparing home insurance rates. To find an insurance agent closest to you, search our Agent Locator or select a city below:

Pittsfield Insurance Agents

Salem Insurance Agents

Springfield Insurance Agents

Worcester Insurance Agents

Please Note: This is meant only to provide general information about commonly available insurance coverages. Except as expressly noted, this content is not intended to describe any specific coverage offered by MAPFRE Insurance.  No coverage is provided, bound or guaranteed by this article.  Available coverages, credits and discounts vary from state to state and are subject to eligibility criteria and policy terms/conditions, which will control in the event of conflict between this article and your insurance policy. For information about your policy, please review your individual policy contract and speak with your insurance representative.

MAPFRE Insurance® is a brand and service mark of MAPFRE U.S.A. Corp. and its affiliates, American Commerce Insurance Company^SM (Cal. COA 4928-8); Citation Insurance Company^SM; The Commerce Insurance Company^SM; Commerce West Insurance Company^SM (Cal. COA 1372-2); and MAPFRE Insurance Company^SM (Cal. COA 3039-5). Not all products available in all states.