The eastern Massachusetts area has recently been hit with severe rain storms. As any homeowner who has suffered a loss can tell you, homeowner's insurance will not cover their loss. According to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), most homeowner's have a greater chance of flood than fire. Most homeowners' insurance policies don't cover floods and there is a 30 day waiting period before flood insurance becomes effective. Flood insurance is single peril coverage but can cover your home and/or your contents and is usually very affordable, depending on the area in which you live.

Again, according to the NFIP, just 2 inches of water would cost $7800.00 to repair the damage. If you think you don't need flood coverage, you'd be surprised as to the statistics. The NFIP reports that 25% of all flood losses occur in low to moderate risk areas. And, less than a third of all privately owned homes in high risk flood areas have flood insurance.

There is a government-run website,floodsmart.gov, that lets users search by address to determine risk. However, the site may be as much as 20 years old. It's best to contact your insurance agent to answer any questions concerning flood insurance and obtain a free quote for your particular home.

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Do I have enough insurance on my home?

According to USA Today, 58% of homes in America are under insured. There are a variety of reasons:

• When you purchased the home, you based your insurance on your mortgage rather than the replacement cost of the home. This may have left you underinsured right from the beginning.
• You neglected to notify your insurance agent when home improvements were made and now have inadequate coverage. According to the Insurance Information Institute, 40 percent of homeowners who remodel fail to update their insurance to reflect their home's new value.
• Inflation in your area increased the value of your home more than your coverage increased. Over time, this can make a substantial difference.

So, what should you do?

Your insurance agent can estimate the replacement cost of your home with a short survey questionnaire. You can also have a professional appraise your home to determine what the actual cost would be to replace your home. Once this amount is determined, you can feel secure in obtaining the proper limit of insurance for your home.

Saving a few dollars on Massachusetts homeowners insurance doesn't make much sense if it could cost you tens of thousands of dollars by being underinsured in the event of a loss.

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Home Maintenance Tips

Here are some Home Maintenance Tips that will help your protect your most coveted asset as well as prevent a claim on your Massachusetts Homeowners Insurance Policy. Some of these Home Maintenance Tips will also help you prevent claims on your Massachusetts Condo Insurance policy and your Massachusetts Renters Insurance policy:

Water damage/Plumbing

• Know where your main water shut-off valve is located and know how to turn the water off.
  
• Inspect all exposed pipes for leaks.
  
• Inspect ceilings and walls for water spots, peeling paint, and loose ceiling tiles for hidden leaks.
  
• Check all faucets for leaks or corrosion. If exposed pipes in the basement exist, make sure warm air is circulated throughout. An insulating wrap is a good alternative to treat exposed pipes in unheated areas. Bleed all pipes of air.
  
• Shut off and drain outside water lines before winter in locations subject to freezing.
  
• Inspect the rubber connecting hoses for dishwashers and washing machines. Replace every 3-5 years or sooner if evidence of rot appears.
  
• Equip your showers, sinks, and tubs with drain screens to catch the debris, hair, and bits of soap that can cause clogs and back-ups.
  
• Never flush items like diapers, Q-tips, sanitary napkins, or tampons down a toilet.

Roof

• Have the roof inspected for damage such as lifting of shingles, missing shingles, holes, or wear. Be careful if you need to use a ladder or climb on the roof. Flat or hot asphalt roofs should be resealed every three years and professionally checked every ten years. Inspect around all roof penetrations (such as flashing and chimneys).
  
• Inspect and clean all gutters and down spouts. Repair damaged gutters and down spouts.
  
• Have excessive snow or ice build-up removed.

Electrical

• Inspect exposed wiring for wear or damage. Be careful not to touch wiring.
  
• Inspect the fuse or circuit breaker box for excessive wear or damage. Look for tripped breakers.
  
• Label with a pen or permanent marker each circuit breaker, noting which location it serves. If you have fuses, also note the amperage.
  
• Make sure appropriate fuses are being used and all sockets are filled. Do not use pennies or foil to fill the sockets.
  
• Eliminate all situations where more than one electrical unit is plugged into a single outlet.
  
• Check electrical units for overheating.
  
• Major appliances should be plugged into appropriate outlets.
  
• Do not place floor coverings (e.g., carpeting) over electrical cords.

Heating

• It's tempting to use supplemental heating devices (such as electrical or kerosene heaters) during the winter. If they must be used, keep them away from flammable materials and surfaces that can ignite from prolonged dry heat. Do not store additional fuel in the same room.
  
• Have furnace/air conditioners professionally cleaned and serviced annually (including the filter).
  
• Inspect underground fuel tanks.
  
• Hire a certified chimney sweep to inspect and clean creosote build-up in chimney.

General security

• All exterior doors should have deadbolt locks.
  
• Do not leave personal property (such as lawnmowers, bikes or grills) unsecured outdoors.
  
• A heat and smoke detector should be on every floor.
  
• It's recommended that detectors be powered by an electrical source with a battery back up.
  
• Check heat and smoke detector batteries every 3 months.
  
• Test heat and smoke detectors when checking the battery.
  
• A fire extinguisher should be located in the kitchen and near the furnace. Household members should be taught to use a fire extinguisher.
  
• Motion sensitive outdoor lighting is suggested for added safety and security. If it's affordable, central station burglar and fire alarms are another security alternative.
  
• Neighborhood watch groups are also suggested.
  
• Do not hide a spare key outside your premises.

Liability

• Keep walkways, stairs and sidewalk free of obstacles.
  
• Shovel snow as soon as possible and use salt/sand substances to reduce ice formation.
  
• Keep stairs, porches, stoops and their rails in good repair.
  
• Maintain and use outdoor lighting.
  
• If you own a dog, you should enroll it in Canine Good Citizenship classes offered by the American Kennel Club. The dog does not have to be a pedigree to attend.



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Massachusetts Homeowners Insurance Policy

Your Massachusetts Homeowners Insurance is important; it protects what is probably your greatest asset. The following coverage definitions should help you understand your Homeowners policy--but be sure to consult with us to assure that you have the right coverage.

Dwelling Coverage/Coverage A:

The dollar amount carried to cover your home and any structures attached directly to it. Ideally, the amount of coverage you carry should equal the cost of rebuilding your home after a total loss.

Other Structures/Coverage B:

Covers other structures set apart from the dwelling on the residence premises such as a detached garage. This coverage applies up to the limits provided in your policy and can be increased if necessary.

Personal Property/Coverage C:

This coverage provides worldwide coverage for personal property owned or used by the insured.

Loss of Use/Coverage D:

This coverage is available when you cannot live in your home due to a covered loss. It pays living expenses which go over and above your normal living expenses up to the limit provided in your policy.

Liability/Coverage E:

Liability coverage protects you in two ways. First, it provides for your legal defense against a liability claim--whether the claim is legitimate or not. Second, it will pay any court judgments against you up to the policy limit.

Medical Payments/Coverage F:

This pays emergency medical bills for anyone injured on your property or any injury caused by a member of your family or a pet regardless of where it happens. All bills are paid, up to your policy limit, whether or not you're legally responsible.

Massachusetts Homeowners policies have many other optional features available to you depending on your individual need. These include earthquake and scheduled personal property coverage.

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Massachusetts Renters Insurance Other coverages and Deductibles

Massachusetts Renters Insurance also includes the following coverages:

Additional living expenses


If you are forced out of your apartment by a covered hazard, Vermont Mutual pays you up to 20% of the contents coverage for necessary additional living expenses (hotel, meals, laundry, etc.) while your damaged apartment is being repaired.


Improvements

Many renters spend considerable time and money on alterations or redecorating. Under a renters policy, you may apply up to 10% of your contents coverage to repair or replace these damaged improvements.


Credit card and check forgery

Renters insurance automatically provides you with up to $1,000 of coverage (in most states) for losses resulting from forgery or any alteration made in connection with credit cards, automated teller cards, and checks used by you and your family.


A deductible is the amount of loss you agree to assume before your insurance coverage takes over. The higher your deductible, the lower the cost of your policy premium. The deductible applies to property losses only. Liability protection does not require a deductible.

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Massachusetts Renters Insurance Personal Liability Protection

Massachusetts Renters Insurance includes Personal Liability Coverage.

Stuff happens...and sometimes it's not always good. In the event that you are sued, your renter's personal liability protection helps to cover the associated legal costs and related damages.

Most renters policies provide $100,000 (minimum) of financial protection against liability claims and lawsuits brought by others for accidental bodily injury or damage to their property:



• While in your apartment
• Caused by your personal activities, including most sports
• Caused by your children or pets.



Liability protection also includes medical payments coverage. For example, Vermont Mutual will pay up to $1,000 per person -- regardless of your legal responsibility -- when an accident involves bodily injury to others. Higher amounts of coverage are available.

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Massachusetts Renters Insurance Optional Property Coverages

Massachusetts Renters Insurance includes Optional Property Coverage

Since each of us enjoys a unique lifestyle, you may require special coverages for your individual needs. The following coverages can be purchased separately:



• Contents Replacement Cost: pays full cost to repair or replace most personal property in your apartment with no deduction for depreciation.


• Valuable Items Plus: provides higher limits and worldwide protection for special property such as jewelry, silverware, fine art, furs, cameras, firearms, musical instruments, and home computers for an extended variety of losses.


• Additional Coverage Endorsement (ACE): extends protection or increases limits on special types of property (for example: jewelry, firearms, or silverware).



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Massachusetts Renters Insurance Personal Property Coverage

Massachusetts Renters Insurance includes Personal Property Coverage.

While your landlord should have insurance coverage for the building in which you live, you need to be aware that that coverage does not extend to protect your personal possessions. Renters insurance provides protection for your furniture and personal possessions - at home or away from home - against damage from such hazards as fire, lightning, windstorm, hail, explosion, smoke, vandalism, and plumbing leakage. A renters policy also protects your property against practically every type of theft loss in your apartment or anywhere in the world.

This personal property coverage is also called contents coverage since it insures the contents of your apartment. You determine the value of your property and the renters premium is based on this amount.


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Massachusetts Renters Insurance

It happened again. A devastating fire destroyed an apartment complex. Countless families were left homeless, most escaping with just the shirts on their backs. But the tragedy didn't end there. Many of the tenants found themselves without renters insurance. The landlord had insurance coverage on the actual building, but that coverage did not extend to the tenants' property or possessions.

More and more people who rent are turning to Massachusetts Renters Insurance for the special protection they need. That's because Massachusetts renters insurance combines the following coverages in one, low-cost package.



• Personal property coverage
• Optional property coverages
• Personal liability protection
• Additional living expenses
• Improvements
• Credit card and check forgery
• Deductibles

If you rent your home or apartment, you owe it to yourself to learn all about the important protection offered by renters insurance.

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Personal Umbrella

An umbrella policy is designed to protect you in the event of a major loss. It is an "excess liability" policy which provides additional limits of liability insurance over and above your underlying policies i.e. Massachusetts homeowners Insurance or Massachusetts auto insurance. They typically start at $1 million and can run up to $10 million or more.

If you think they're just for rich people, you might want to reconsider. It's not that difficult to imagine getting into an auto accident and having the unfortunate circumstances of hitting a carload of people. The damages could easily top $1 million dollars. The umbrella policy pays damages for bodily injury, property damage or personal injury for which the insured is legally responsible.

There are certain underlying and underwriting requirements needed in order to obtain the policy. First, you must carry specified limits on your underlying policies. For example, most insurance carriers would want you to maintain $250,000/$500,000 on your auto policy for "bodily injury to others" and $300,000 liability on your homeowner's policy. You must also have a safe driving record and a good loss history.

The cost may surprise you as they generally start at $225.00 per year for $ 1 million of coverage. Ideally, you'll never need the coverage but if you do, you'll be happy for the coverage.



This information was brought to you by the Robert L. Summers Insurance Agency (617-542-8432) in Boston, Massachusetts. The Robert L. Summers Insurance Agency sells Massachusetts Auto Insurance as well as Massachusetts Homeowners Insurance.

This information is advisory in nature. No liability is assumed by reason of the information in this document.

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Protecting your House from Lightning

Fire caused by lightning accounts for more than a quarter billion dollars in property damage every year. Lightning is a peril covered under a Massachusetts Hone Owners Insurance policy. Below are some things you can do to protect your house from lightning.

Property Protection

The best safety rule is to install proper lightning protection. A number of specialty firms in your area can help you to design a protective system to safeguard your home. Any system you choose should be in accordance with guidelines set forth by groups such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Components of the system may include:

• Installation of lightning rods on the roof of your home and large trees around your home to control and redirect the lightning's damaging effects. This lightning rod system should be installed by a UL-listed company.
• Installation of voltage surge suppressors to limit the exposure of electronic equipment to excessive voltage spurts.
• Installation of surge arrestors to help divert power surges along utility lines away from source equipment.

Life Safety

Your chances of getting struck by lightning during a thunderstorm are extremely small. Nevertheless, lightning is not an entirely predictable event. These precautions can reduce your risk even further:

Get off high ground and away from tall trees.

• Keep away from all metal fences and other metal objects.
• If you are swimming or in a boat, make for the shore at once.
• Never ride a horse or a bicycle in a thunderstorm. If you are driving, stay in your car. It is one of the safest places to be in a thunderstorm.
• Lightning may enter a house through anything that conducts electricity. Do not handle electrical appliances during a storm and stay away from all parts of the plumbing system. It is also not advisable to use the telephone during a thunderstorm.

This information is advisory in nature. No liability is assumed by reason of the information in this document.

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Historic Homes

Unfortunately old age affects more than just people. Homes get old and need some additional maintenance in order to prevent losses and filing claims.

Here are some Preventive maintenance measures you can take if you have an old or historic home:

• Make sure you get routine maintenance for all of the essential systems like electrical, plumbing and heating.
• Since older homes have less insulation the probability of pipes freezing increases. Therefore, insulate pipes directly, shut off exterior faucets and make sure the temperature in the house is at a comfortable level.
• If you begin to notice: cracked or missing mortar, loose bricks or stones, damp walls, or damaged plaster work begin repairing or re-pointing of mortar walls and chimneys.
• Check during a rainstorm to see if gutters and downspouts are properly transferring water away from the house.
• Get new insulation in the attic and also look to improve air ventilation on the attic.
• Have all fuel lines checked for leakage.
• Order an inspection of the roof to assess it's condition.
• Check the flashing around windows, skylights and chimneys to prevent rain from penetrating.

This information was brought to you by the Robert L. Summers Insurance Agency (617-542-8432) in Boston, Massachusetts. The Robert L. Summers Insurance Agency sells Massachusetts Homeowners Insurance as well as Massachusetts Renters and Condo Insurance.

This information is advisory in nature. No liability is assumed by reason of the information in this document.

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Protection from Fire

Fire is one of the most basic perils covered in your Massachusetts Homeowners Insurance Policy. Careful planning can often help you avoid loss or injury. Here are some steps you can take to help reduce the chance of loss or injury in the event of a fire.

Precautionary Measures

• Smoke detectors should be installed on each level of the house and outside every bedroom. It would be best to have detectors that are wired to a central alarm system so the signal can be heard throughout the house. If you have a battery system make sure the batteries are checked regularly and changed at least every six months.
• Fire extinguishers should be kept in the kitchen, furnace, laundry room and garage. There should also be an extinguisher on each floor of your home.
• Prepare and then practice an escape plan with your entire family.
• Every family member should know two ways out of every room and they should also know every possible exit to the house.
• Everyone should be educated and practice to unlock all doors and windows for quick escape.
• Predetermine a meeting place outside your home. Use landmarks that everyone can remember.
• Depending on the amount of usage you should have your chimney professionally inspected and cleaned at the beginning of each heating season This will clear out materials such as soot that cause chimney fires.
• When using your fireplace use a fire screen to control flying embers and burn only quality seasoned hardwood.
• Any ashes should be placed in a metal container and removed from the house immediately.
• Install a spark arrestor for your chimney especially if you have a wood roof or live in a windy area.

This information was brought to you by the Robert L. Summers Insurance Agency (617-542-8432) in Boston, Massachusetts. The Robert L. Summers Insurance Agency sells Massachusetts Homeowners Insurance as well as Massachusetts Renters and Condo Insurance.

This information is advisory in nature. No liability is assumed by reason of the information in this document.

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Earthquake

Earthquake is not a peril that is covered in your Massachusetts Homeowners Policy. The purchase of an additional endorsement is necessary to be covered for Earthquake. Earthquake damage can be mitigated if you take the right steps. Here are some steps you can take to mitigate the damage of an earthquake:

• Have a contractor check the stability of your chimney and wall foundations. Also you want to ensure that your house is bolted to the foundation.
• Use water heater strapping to secure the water heater in place.
• Make sure all heave furniture and heavy objects are secure to the walls and floors.
• Be aware of the location of all your shutoff valves, such as gas, electric and water.
• Keep solid work shoes available to have on during and after an earthquake.
• Keep work gloves handy and available.
• Maintain a first aid kit.
• Maintain an emergency supply kit, which includes flashlights with extra batteries, canned foods, water, blankets, cash, clothing, fire extinguisher and sanitation supplies.
• Try to always remain calm.
• During an earthquake stay away from windows.
• After an earthquake turn off all appliances and turn off the main circuit breaker.
• After an earthquake check for household hazards

This information was brought to you by the Robert L. Summers Insurance Agency (617-542-8432) in Boston, Massachusetts. The Robert L. Summers Insurance Agency sells Massachusetts Homeowners Insurance as well as Massachusetts Renters and Condo Insurance.

This information is advisory in nature. No liability is assumed by reason of the information in this document.

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Defending against Burglary

Not many things in life are worse than when you come home after a vacation to discover your home has been burglarized. You feel like you have been violated. Although burglary is covered under your Massachusetts Homeowners Insurance here are some general tips to defending against burglary to your home:

• All doors that lead to the basement or garage should have dead bolt locks. The doors should also be constructed with durable wood or metal.
• Keep interior and exterior lights on. Use timers and set the timers for different times.
• Make sure all doors and windows are unobstructed by bushes and trees.
• Purchase an immovable Underwriters Laboratories (U.L.) approved safe or vault for storages of valuables.
• Purchase a burglar alarm system.
• If away from home arrange for a friend or neighbor to pick up your mail and check your house.
• If you are away from home lock all vehicles and if you have a garage, park the vehicles in the garage.
• Lower the volume on your telephone ringer so when the phone rings it cannot be heard from the outside.

This information was brought to you by the Robert L. Summers Insurance Agency (617-542-8432) in Boston, Massachusetts. The Robert L. Summers Insurance Agency sells Massachusetts Homeowners Insurance as well as Massachusetts Renters and Condo Insurance.

This information is advisory in nature. No liability is assumed by reason of the information in this document.

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Risks During Renovation or Construction

In addition to being a disturbance of daily living, building an addition or remodeling your home can bring about many risks of loss. The chances of fire and damage increases when renovation and construction is taking place. Here are some ways to reduce the risk of loss:

• Have several portable fire extinguishers located through out the work area. Purchase multi-purpose extinguishers that weigh at least 10lbs and are well marked and easily visible.
• Dust can trigger your alarms. Cover your fire and burglar alarms with plastic bags or tops versus disconnecting them.
• Reduce chances of theft by using perimeter fencing, gates or chains across driveways, Motion-activated lighting, and security guards.
• Work out with your contractor that all sawdust, containers, and other debris are removed from the site daily. Also if there is any paintings make sure the flammable materials like rags and solvents are removed.
• Work out all these issues with your contractor
• Speak to your insurance agent about premium savings associated with these protection strategies.

This information was brought to you by the Robert L. Summers Insurance Agency (617-542-8432) in Boston, Massachusetts. The Robert L. Summers Insurance Agency sells Massachusetts Homeowners Insurance as well as Massachusetts Renters and Condo Insurance.

This information is advisory in nature. No liability is assumed by reason of the information in this document.

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Water in the Basement

Since a Massachusetts Homeowners Insurance Policy does not include flood coverage it is important that you know the best ways to keep your basement from flooding. The two most common ways to get water in your basement is water coming in from the ground or rain and water coming in from a sewer backup. Usually only homes in low-lying areas are subjected to floods; however any home can be subjected to a sewer backup.

One thing you can do to keep water from coming into your basement is to protect the outside of the basement windows with window well covers. It is also a good idea to grade soil away from the house and periodically clean out debris from rain gutters.

If water does find it's way into your basement buy a sump pump with an automatic switch and enough horsepower (usually 1/3). Make sure you do not store any valuable or keepsake property. If you do store furniture or other expensive property keep these items raised at least 6 inches off of the floor. Worse case scenario is you may have to install a drainage tank to hold excess water until the sewer system can absorb it.

This information was brought to you by the Robert L. Summers Insurance Agency (617-542-8432) in Boston, Massachusetts. The Robert L. Summers Insurance Agency sells Massachusetts Homeowners Insurance as well as Massachusetts Renters and Condo Insurance.

This information is advisory in nature. No liability is assumed by reason of the information in this document.

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Keeping an inventory of Personal Property

Per your Massachusetts Homeowners Insurance Policy it is the responsibility of the insured to prepare an inventory of damaged personal property after a loss. This inventory should show the description, quantity, actual cash value and the amount of the loss.

Most of the time due to the trauma of the loss and remembering what you actually owned it is difficult for insured's to prepare this inventory. The loss adjuster can provide some assistance but the ultimate responsibility for the inventory is with the insured. The best course of action is to have an inventory of all of your personal affects before any loss occurs. The inventory will also help you determine how much insurance you should purchase and in the event of a loss will allow you to settle your insurance claim most efficiently. In addition to the inventory you should take pictures of all personal property.

More responsibilities of the Insured

Your Massachusetts Homeowners Insurance Policy requires you to protect your property from further damage during a loss. You are also required to make reasonable and necessary repairs to protect your property from further loss. These repairs are reimbursable through your policy.

This information was brought to you by the Robert L. Summers Insurance Agency (617-542-8432) in Boston, Massachusetts. The Robert L. Summers Insurance Agency sells Massachusetts Homeowners Insurance as well as Massachusetts Renters and Condo Insurance.

This information is advisory in nature. No liability is assumed by reason of the information in this document.

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Old Man Winter

Unfortunately if you live in the Northeast you have to deal with "Old Man Winter". That means ice, snow and wind. Your Massachusetts Homeowners Insurance Policy covers these perils, but there are precautions that you can take to reduce your exposure to these perils.

One Problem you may encounter is the build up of ice and snow on your roof. This is usually caused by inadequate attic insulation. So the first step is properly insulating your attic floor. This will keep the attic cool as you do not want to have a warm attic. You only want the temperature in the attic to be about 5 degrees warmer than the outside temperature. Proper attic insulations will also help you save money on your heating bills in the process. It would also be a good idea to get a ventilator for the attic to help distribute the air evenly.

Another problem you may encounter is frozen pipes. Since most of your plumbing is located in the outer walls most of the pipes are exposed to colder air than the temperature your thermostat is set. Given that it is possible your pipes can freeze even if your thermostat is set significantly above the freezing point. Here are some things you can do that will reduce your exposure to freezing pipes:

• All unfinished rooms (including garages) should be properly insulated. In addition you should insulate the pipes.
• All pipes that go to outdoor faucets should be shutoff at the end of the Fall season.
• If you are away you can expose plumbing to warmer air by opening cabinets.

This information was brought to you by the Robert L. Summers Insurance Agency (617-542-8432) in Boston, Massachusetts. The Robert L. Summers Insurance Agency sells Massachusetts Homeowners Insurance as well as Massachusetts Renters and Condo Insurance.

This information is advisory in nature. No liability is assumed by reason of the information in this document.

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Temporarily Renting Your home

A friend of mind recently traveled around the country for one year. He did not want to leave his house vacant because it is dangerous and uninsurable under a Massachusetts Homeowners Policy. So he rented the house for one year. Here are some steps he took and you should take to help protect his property if you are going to rent it for the short term:

• Make sure you tell your insurance agent that you are renting your house as coverage's will change.
• Get a property manager to watch over things while you are away.
• Draw up a lease that are specific as to the time period, the number of people intended to occupy the house, whether or not you are going to let them have pets and the type of pets, the rent amount with default provisions and a security deposit amount.
• Take pictures of your house before you leave. Take pictures of the rooms as well.
• If you do not know the tenants personally make sure you get references and follow up on those references. Know exactly who is going to be living in your house.
• Move all valuables and valuable personal effects out of the house. Either leave them with a relative or put them in a safe deposit box.
• For a small fee you can maintain your phone number and not allow the new tenant access to it. That way the tenant will be required to get another phone number for themselves and you will not lose your phone number.
• Let your neighbors know and give them your contact information in the event of an emergency.
• You may want to consider changing your locks after the rental period.

This information was brought to you by the Robert L. Summers Insurance Agency (617-542-8432) in Boston, Massachusetts. The Robert L. Summers Insurance Agency sells Massachusetts Homeowners Insurance as well as Massachusetts Renters and Condo Insurance.

This information is advisory in nature. No liability is assumed by reason of the information in this document.

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Insuring Your Laptop

Laptops are becoming more popular than briefcases especially for the business traveler. There are more wireless internet connections available to keep up with the use of laptops. Of course with the popularity of laptops comes a new wave of laptop crime. Thieves steal both hardware and software.

Laptops for personal use are covered under a Massachusetts Homeowners Insurance Policy but any valuable software or files are not covered. You should speak to your insurance agent regarding your specific use of your laptop.

Here are some suggestions for protections if you have a laptop:

• Use a weatherproof, padded, inconspicuous carrying case for storing and transporting laptops.
• Use a locking cable to secure the laptop to a desk.
• Use password locking programs
• Write down the laptop's serial number for future reference.
• Use encryption programs with file compression capability
• Maintain Anti-virus software
• Do not leave your laptop in front of windows and do not leave your laptop unattended in an office environment.
• Engrave your name or a company name on the laptop. Putting an email address on it is also a good idea.
• Use a disk drive lock to prevent unauthorized access and operation.
• Do not leave your laptop in your car. Lock it in the trunk.
• Avoid storing your laptop in vehicles during very cold or very hot weather. If unavoidable, use an insulated case.

This information was brought to you by the Robert L. Summers Insurance Agency (617-542-8432) in Boston, Massachusetts. The Robert L. Summers Insurance Agency sells Massachusetts Homeowners Insurance as well as Massachusetts Renters and Condo Insurance.

This information is advisory in nature. No liability is assumed by reason of the information in this document.

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What To Do Before, During and After a Storm to Minimize Your Insurance Losses

It is the responsibility of the insured to make every attempt to minimize losses especially during a storm. There is very specific language to that effect in the Massachusetts Homeowners Insurance Policy. Below are steps you can take to minimize losses and also provide more safety for you and your family:

Before a Storm:

• Refill prescription medicine especially if elderly people are involved
• Tune to your local TV or Radio Station
• Take pictures of the outside of the house.
• Make sure you have plenty of food especially canned goods
• Make sure your car has plenty of Gas
• If high winds are expected board or shutter windows and doors
• Make sure gutters and down spouts are clear of debris.
• Make sure any watercraft or lawn furniture is secure.

During a Storm:

• Stay indoors and away from windows
• Unplug non-essential electric appliances
• Fill containers with drinking water
• Fill coolers with ice
• Turn up refrigerator to maximum cold
• Use phone for emergency calls only and keep your cell phone charged and available
• Move all of your valuable items upstairs

After the Storm

• Take pictures of any damage
• Check for gas leaks
• See if you can control any further damage if you have a loss
• Report any utility damage or down lines
• Discard spoiled food and water

This information was brought to you by the Robert L. Summers Insurance Agency (617-542-8432) in Boston, Massachusetts. The Robert L. Summers Insurance Agency sells Massachusetts Homeowners Insurance as well as Massachusetts Renters and Condo Insurance.

This information is advisory in nature. No liability is assumed by reason of the information in this document.

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Insuring Jewelry

I know you don't even want to think about your jewelry getting lost or stolen. It leaves most of us with an uneasy feeling. Since more than $1 billion of jewelry per year disappears in the United States unfortunately you do have to think about it.

Here are some very important things you need to know about protecting your jewelry under a Massachusetts Homeowners Insurance Policy:

• Some Jewelry Coverage is included in a Massachusetts Homeowners Insurance Policy.
• What is included in most Homeowners policies is protection from fire or theft not for items lost or misplaced.
• The coverage in your Homeowners policy is typically limited to $1,000.
• To obtain the most coverage you should "Schedule" your jewelry and get each piece individually listed with a description and an appraisal. Generally this covers most jewelry losses.
• Jewelry should be re-appraised every 2 to 4 years so it reflects current values.
• To reduce your premium get "in vault" coverage if you store your jewelry in a bank vault. Note that you must notify the insurance company if you take the jewelry out of the vault storage otherwise there is no coverage.
• There is usually an upper limit on what insurers will insure on a schedule.

What a Jewelry appraisal should include:

• The weight of the item
• The color of the item
• The grade of the item
• The clarity of the item
• The precious metal content of the item
• The hallmark of the item
• Taking pictures Appraisals and photographs of the item should be stored in a safe place outside your home, such as in a bank safe deposit box.

When you take pictures of your Jewelry it is a good idea to store the pictures off site or on a computer that has off site backup.

This information was brought to you by the Robert L. Summers Insurance Agency (617-542-8432) in Boston, Massachusetts. The Robert L. Summers Insurance Agency sells Massachusetts Homeowners Insurance as well as Massachusetts Renters and Condo Insurance.

This information is advisory in nature. No liability is assumed by reason of the information in this document.

Massachusetts Insurance
Insurance Agent Boston MA
Umbrella Insurance
Massachusetts Renters Insurance
Massachusetts Home Insurance
Massachusetts Homeowners Insurance
Massachusetts Auto Insurance
Legal Insurance
IRS Audit Defense
Boston Insurance
Tax Audit Defense
Massachusetts Condo Insurance