Property insurance in MA covers a home and its contents. It also provides protection against liability for any injuries or property damage you or any members of your family, including household pets, cause. Property insurance also pays temporary living expenses while you live away from home because of a natural disaster.

A Massachusetts homeowners insurance policy covers most types of natural disasters, including fire, hurricanes, hail, lightning and other events specified in the policy. Earthquake and flood coverage typically will require separate policies. MA property insurance does not protect against problems caused by poor maintenance.

Consider these three points when choosing property insurance in MA:

1. The location of the property may require additional Massachusetts house insurance. For example, properties in the northern United States should have coverage for ice, sleet and snow.

2. Effective loss-control measures can control the premium for Mass. property insurance. This can include installing an alarm system for theft.

3. The replacement of detached structures. Home insurance should allow you to rebuild your house, including structures such as a garage, gazebo or tool shed. Detached structures are typically covered for about 10 percent of the value of the house.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Collect quotes for a variety of Massachusetts homeowner insurance plans

Obtaining multiple quotes from different sources is an effective method of identifying the general terms of these policies and the premiums you can expect to pay.

I recommend: Begin your search for Massachusetts house insurance quotes at All Options Insurance by entering your zip code. The search function at Respond also allows you to specify a city within Massachusetts.

Find Massachusetts property insurance brokers who represent major carriers

You may want to obtain Mass. property insurance through an agent who represents a major carrier in the state and who can make a recommendation based on the specific needs of your situation.

I recommend: Go to Allied Insurance and enter your zip code and search radius to learn about insurance agents in your area. Liberty Mutual offers a similar capability for finding agents in your area and is part of the top 20 property and casualty insurance groups in the United States.

Get a Massachusetts home insurance policy from a local agent

You may wish to contact local independent Massachusetts home insurance providers rather than dealing with different national insurers. Often, a local agent can write a more customized plan for you.

I recommend: The Barnstable County Mutual Insurance Company specializes in property and casualty insurance in Massachusetts. The Bair Insurance Agency provides a variety of insurance and financial planning services in Massachusetts including property insurance.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Conduct a home inventory to determine the replacement cost for the contents of your home. Massachusetts property insurance will cover the contents of your house up to a specified percentage of the value of your home. You should consider off-premises coverage if you have a substantial amount of number of belongings outside of your home.
• •  Massachusetts property insurance typically covers expensive items such as furs, jewelry and silverware up to a fixed amount. You will need a special property endorsement to replace these items if their value exceeds the amount the primary policy covers. A property endorsement covers items that are lost or stolen.