Massachusetts Homeowners Insurance: Best Home Tips for Fall

While most people talk a lot about spring cleaning, there’s another season that requires your attention. Your New Bedford insurance agent wants to provide you with the best tips to help you get ready for fall. Your Massachusetts homeowners insurance protects your home and assets, but it is important to do all you can to rid your property of potential hazards. It can be helpful to use a checklist to keep track of it all, but the more you do now to prevent issues in the fall and winter months, the less likely it will be that you will experience the common problems that affect homeowners in New England.

Step One: Update Your MA Homeowners Insurance

If it is has been a while since you spoke with your New Bedford insurance agent, go ahead and give us a call. It’s a good idea to go over your policy and get an updated home insurance quote in New Bedford whenever you make a significant change. Remodeling projects and other renovations to your home, such as a brand new kitchen, updated flooring, or new outdoor living spaces should all be included in your insurance policy. If something were to occur and you needed to file a claim, it is important to ensure that we know you had added brand new granite countertops instead of the French tile that you had when you bought the house. Give us a call and speak with an agent to make sure you have the right amount of Massachusetts homeowners insurance or to see if you are eligible for any discounts on your premium.

Step Two: Inspect All Safety Devices

Check every single smoke detector, fire extinguisher, carbon monoxide detector, security system, and any other safety device that is in your home. It’s a good idea to replace all batteries, run tests, and make sure that everything is working as it should. Replace any expired fire extinguishers, disposing of the old one according to environmental requirements. Take the time to check security lighting outdoors and flashlights indoors so you’ll be prepared in the event of a power outage or another type of situation.

Step Three: Check the Furnace

Schedule an inspection with a professional to ensure that your HVAC system is working as it should. You will want to make sure that you have heat on that first night that the temperatures drop and in the middle of winter when the first big snow blankets the Southcoast region. Clean up the area around your furnace and remove any items from the immediate area that could be flammable, including storage boxes, paint products, cleaning products, and other toxic materials. Consider getting your furnace serviced or get on a service contract, so you’ll know that everything is in good working order every year before you need to turn the heat on for the first time.

Step Four: Insulation Upgrade?

Think back to last winter: did you notice any drafts throughout the house? It might be time to have your existing insulation checked. In many cases, caulking can be done to reinforce seals around doors, windows, and other access points. However, it might be time to get your home up to code and contact an insulation specialist. Homeowners can save hundreds of dollars each year on cooling and heating costs when they upgrade poor quality insulation. It will also help your HVAC system to work more effectively and efficiently, helping to increase the life and return on investment for your central heat and air.

Step Five: Fireplace Inspection

Another area of the home that isn’t likely to be used in the spring and summer is the fireplace. Make sure to have your chimney cleaned and free of debris before you use it for the first time in the fall. Check the bricks, the mortar, and the liner to ensure that they are all in good condition. Clean your fireplace screen and tools, so they are ready for use when the temperature drops. Consider hiring a chimney sweep if you burn real wood in your fireplace and make it an annual event.

Step Six: Gutters & Trees

Take time to clear the gutters of any debris that collected over the summer. Sure, you’ll have to do it again after all the leaves and pine needles fall, but it’s a good idea to clear the gutters a couple of times each year. Inspect all trees to make sure that you don’t have any dead or rotted trees and branches. Remove anything that might become a danger to your home, such as overhanging branches on top of the garage, house, or driveway. Check for any trees or bushes that could cause damage to your neighbors home or yard and remove them as well.

Contact Borden Insurance for MA Homeowners Insurance

If you are interested in getting a free home insurance quote in New Bedford or if you would like to speak with one of our agents to go over your existing policy for Massachusetts homeowners insurance, give us a call at 508-999-3636. A New Bedford insurance agent will be happy to answer any questions that you have about MA homeowners insurance and help you to ensure that you get the coverage that you need to protect your home.