How to Protect Your Second Home When You’re Not There

John PhillipsHomeowners Insurance

You’ve finally purchased your vacation home! It’s states away in a city you always felt at peace in. You’ve furnished the place with all the best appliances and adorned it with your favorite art pieces to make it truly feel like your home away from home. A vacation property can be a wonderful investment, but no one wants to see … Read More

Thinking of renting your home out via Airbnb – Not so fast!

Jenn DwyerHomeowners Insurance

renting home AirBnB

It sounds like a great idea – you won’t be using your home during a specific period of time, so why not rent it out and make some quick cash? Sounds like a win-win, right? Eh…. maybe not. Listing your home for rent through Web sites like Airbnb, HomeAway and VRBO (Vacation Rentals by Owner) can be fairly simple. But playing host to unknown … Read More

How to choose the perfect appraiser for your property, art, antiques, jewelry, and other valuables

Mary McGrathHomeowners Insurance

If you have highly valuable, treasured property or possessions, you may need to get them appraised for insurance purposes. Many insurance carriers will insist on accurate valuation of property, art, antiques, jewelry, and other items so they can ensure the correct level of coverage and premium payment. When you’re seeking out a good appraiser, here are some areas to consider: … Read More

Ice dams, panty hose and ice melt – a winter trifecta

Mary McGrathHomeowners Insurance

If you’ve been listening to the predictions for this Winter here in the Northeast – we’re expecting a rough one! And along with a lot of snow comes those horrid ice dams – a serious problem that will not only do damage to your home, but also is a cause for many winter insurance claims. If you happen to be … Read More

Use caution when Decking the Halls!

Rachel WinslowHomeowners Insurance

Every year without fail, insurance agents across the country handle thousands of claims involving home fires due to holiday decorations.  Sadly, most of these incidents could have been avoided saving the homeowners from heartache – and a lot of money. Here are some great tips from the National Safety Council (Click HERE for the full brochure!) TREES Many artificial trees … Read More

Fall Cleaning and Pre-Winterization

Mary McGrathHomeowners Insurance

The leaves begin to turn and a chill appears in the air; that’s our cue to pack up the summer gear, bust out the jackets and umbrellas, and get moving on the fall cleaning. Autumn is also the time to do some critical maintenance around the house and put some efficient (and money saving) pre-winterization measures in place. With a … Read More

Home Buyer 101: Basics for First Time Buyers

Rachel WinslowHomeowners Insurance

Buying your first home is one of the most exciting times in life. Embarking on the path to being a homeowner is your dream, and in your heart you’re ready for it. It’s a big deal, and buying a home for the first time can be one of the scariest most nerve-wracking experiences of your life. But it doesn’t have … Read More