Time to Prepare for Autumn: New Bedford Homeowners Insurance

prepare home for autumn in MAThe fall season can be extremely wet, bringing lots of potential issues for New Bedford homeowners. It is essential to work with your local agent to discuss the things you can do to prevent issues that might result in claims against your MA homeowners insurance policy. The more you can do to ensure that your New Bedford homeowners insurance is up to date and stay on top of home maintenance and preventive services, the easier it will be to protect and secure your real estate investment and safeguard the things that matter most. If you need home insurance in New Bedford, contact your local insurance agency at Borden Insurance. Since 1909, we have proudly served clients in the Southcoast communities, providing quality home and auto insurance at affordable rates.

Address Any Outdoor Issues

Now is the time to take advantage of the good weather and get outdoors to inspect your home for any potential risks. Clean out the gutters, taking care to eliminate all leaf, stick, acorn, pine needle, and other debris, to ensure a proper flow of water during the autumn rains. While you will likely need to get back up there again after the last of the neighborhood leaves fall, it is a good idea to get ahead of the work and clear out anything that might be lingering from spring and summer. Check out your gutters and make sure everything is working properly by running some water from a hose through it all the way to the runoff at the base of your home. The water should push away from the foundation to protect your basement or crawl space from water collection during a storm.

This is also a good time to get a rake and remove any leaves or debris from around the foundation of your home. Check sloping to ensure proper water flow away from the structure and ensure that there is nothing standing in the way of water control. Bushes, plants, shrubs, mulch, rocks, and other landscaping items placed on your property during the summer season might need to be moved or removed if they block water flow in any way. This is also essential for winter snow, ice, and melting, to remove the moisture away from your home and help keep the foundation as dry as possible.

Other outdoor issues can include checking for drafts or air leakage from inside the home. Windows, doors, and utility access points are frequent culprits that might make keeping your home warm in the autumn and winter months more challenging. Taking time to clean and caulk window wells, spacing between doors or windows and the home’s structure, as well as checking vents, filters, and other HVAC-related equipment can save you hundreds of dollars each year by proving more efficient heating and cooling. Inspect your roof – or have it inspected by a professional – and take time to clean and inspect the fireplace and chimney before lighting the first fire of the season. These small but essential steps can help you to effectively maintain your home and ensure the best coverage from your MA homeowners insurance policy. Neglecting basic maintenance might cause a claim to be denied – speak with your local insurance agency for more tips to help you protect your home from seasonal issues.

Get a FREE Quote

It is critical that you have the right New Bedford homeowners insurance based on your property, type of home, and individual needs. There is no such thing as a one size fits all MA homeowners insurance policy. Our trained and experienced agents at Borden Insurance, a reputable local insurance agency, can help you choose the best type of home insurance in New Bedford based on your unique requirements. Not only can this help you to get a premium that suits your financial needs, but it will also ensure that you are covered for the type of potential claims and incidents that could impact you the most. Call today to go over your existing policy or to get a FREE quote for new coverage at 508-999-3636. We can answer any questions you might have about New Bedford homeowners insurance.