Amherst Homeowners Insurance
(Find the right homeowners insurance policy for you.)
Written by
Ann Herro has been writing about insurance and employee benefits for over 15 years. She has covered topics as easy as insuring a car, and as difficult as transparency in healthcare costs.
Whether it’s the call of the University of Massachusetts, the rugged Berkshires or a small town convenient to day-trip to Boston, Amherst, MA has a lot to offer both newcomers and longtime residents alike. The rich history and poetry that run deep in every inch of the town, from Emily Dickinson to Robert Frost, have no equal. Relatively mild weather even makes it a fabulous place to retire. If you love Amherst and have a home there, you know what a great place it is. To have a home, however, you need to insure your home. It is a bit expensive, and it can be tricky to get to know your options, however.
Your Independent Insurance Agent is your best choice to find Amherst homeowners insurance at the best cost. By getting to know your needs and obtaining multiple quotes from many carriers, your agent can get you the coverage you need at an affordable price so that you can enjoy everything Amherst has to offer. Home insurance is a bit more expensive in Massachusetts than nationally:
- Nationally, homeowners spent $1,034 per year on homeowners insurance in recent years.
- In Massachusetts, the average is $1,150 – ranking the state 11th overall in cost in recent years.
The main driving force for home insurance costs in Massachusetts is replacement cost. Homes are simply more expensive to build, and replacing one after it has been damaged costs more than in other states. There is also more damage from storms closer to the coast, so overall, you should be able to cover your home for less in Amherst than you would closer to Boston. For residents of Amherst, home insurance is based on a number of things such as the size, type of construction and liabilities present. This is why it is best to shop around to find the best price for your situation.
Save on Home Insurance
Our independent agents shop around to find you the best coverage.
Second Home and Vacation Home Insurance
Many people from both north and south maintain a second home in and around Amherst. Generally, it’s best to cover any vacation home the same as you would your main residence. If you do opt for lower coverage, you are taking on the risk that your losses may not be covered. The biggest concern for second homes is the potential for higher rates of theft, given that no one is there to check up on the home. You can minimize this risk with a security system or any building that has security built into it, lowering the cost of your home insurance substantially.
Number of Thefts in Massachusetts
The burglary rate is very low in Massachusetts compared with other states. Where the average state has 37,814 reported burglaries in a year, the number reported recently in Massachusetts was only 30,735. Your homeowners insurance automatically covers any damage to your house due to a burglary. It’s always a good idea to cover the contents of your home as well, however, and you can opt for a policy that includes the replacement cost of an item so that you can recover quickly from any loss due to theft. It’s critical to have homeowners insurance that fits your lifestyle.
Save on Home Insurance
Our independent agents shop around to find you the best coverage.
Number of Catastrophes in Massachusetts
The weather is quite mild in Massachusetts, particularly away from the coast. With no other major events like earthquakes, widespread damage from a catastrophe is very rare:
- Recently, only 140 recorded catastrophes were reported in Massachusetts.
- Only 2 tornadoes were reported the same year.
- About 1 in 15 insured homes have a claim every year.
Still, there are storms sometimes, and there can be flooding. Some insurance agencies are better suited to help you get back up and enjoying the good life quicker once the storm has passed, which is why an Independent Agent is so critical to finding the insurance that best fits your lifestyle.
What Are the Risks in Amherst?
Overall, with few external threats and a low crime rate, the biggest driver of home insurance in Amherst is going to be the potential for fire. A wood home, especially a historic structure, will cost more. More than fire and theft, your homeowners insurance covers you against a wide variety of risks and liabilities that you may not even be aware of. For example, a trampoline in the backyard may be an “attractive nuisance,” which may cause someone to be injured. Even someone who you didn’t invite onto your property can sue you if they are injured in your pool or some other enhancement on your property.
Compare Amherst Home Insurance Quotes
Contact your Independent Insurance Agent today to learn more about the homeowners insurance you need. Your agent will help you do what you can to lower your cost and help you find the best insurance coverage by scouring many different companies for the best-priced insurance for your home in Amherst.