Fall Home Maintenance: Dependable Home Insurance in New Bedford

While spring cleaning gets all the attention, there is another season that needs your focus as well. In order to help you prepare for the upcoming fall, your New Bedford insurance agent has compiled some helpful hints. While you can rest assured that your Massachusetts homeowners insurance has your back, it is still in your best interest to take every precaution to ensure that your home and possessions are safe. Keeping track of everything with a checklist can be helpful, but the best way to avoid the typical issues faced by New England homeowners in the fall and winter is to take preventative measures now.

MA Home Insurance Policy

Feel free to give us a call if it has been a while since you spoke with your New Bedford insurance agent. Every time you have a major  renovation to your home, it’s a good idea to review your home insurance policy and get a quote for new home insurance policy through Borden Insurance in New Bedford. New kitchens, bathroom, roof, additions, solar panels and outdoor living areas are just a few examples of the types of renovations that should be considered in reviewing your homeowner’s insurance policy. In the event of a claim, it would be helpful if you let us know that you had upgraded the original French tile countertops to brand new granite before you moved in. If you own a home in Massachusetts and you’re not sure whether or not you have enough homeowners insurance, or whether or not you qualify for any discounts, please call and speak with us at Borden Insurance Agency.

All of the home’s safety equipment, including smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, carbon monoxide detectors, and the security system, should be double-checked. All batteries should be changed, and tests should be done to ensure proper operation. If a fire extinguisher has expired, replace it and properly dispose of the old one. In the event of a power outage or other emergency, it’s a good idea to double-check your outdoor security lights and indoor flashlights.

Thermal Management in New Bedford

To make sure your HVAC system is operating properly, you should have a professional come inspect it. When the temperature drops for the first time or when the first major snowfall of the season hits the Southcoast, you’ll want to be prepared with working heating. Remove any storage boxes, paint cans, cleaning supplies, and other flammable or hazardous items from near your furnace. You should have your furnace checked out or sign up for a maintenance plan every year before you need to turn the heat on for the first time.

Do you remember if there were any drafts in the house last winter? You should probably have your current insulation checked out. Seals around doors, windows, and other openings can often be improved with a little caulking. It may, however, be time to get your house up to code and talk to an insulation expert. Insulation upgrades can save homeowners hundreds of dollars annually on energy bills for cooling and heating. It will also help your HVAC system run better, which will extend its useful life and boost your return on investment.

Maintain Your Property Inside and Out

The fireplace is another part of the house that is rarely used in the warmer months. Before you light your first fire of the season this fall, have your chimney swept and cleared of any debris. Make sure everything from the bricks to the mortar to the liner is in good working order. It’s important to get the fireplace screen and tools ready for use before the temperature drops. If you use firewood regularly, you may want to schedule annual visits from a chimney sweep.

Invest some time into cleaning out the gutters of the debris that has accumulated over the summer. You should clear the gutters at least twice a year, and more often if you live in an area with a lot of trees and heavy leaf and needle fall. Make sure that there are no rotten or dead trees or branches by inspecting them all. Cut back any branches that could fall on your garage, house, or driveway and cause damage to your property. You should also remove any trees or bushes that could fall on your neighbor’s house or cause other damage.

Home Insurance in New Bedford

Dial 508-999-3636 to speak with one of our licensed representativies about reviewing your current Massachusetts homeowners insurance policy or to receive a free quote from Borden Insurance in New Bedford. If you are looking for homeowners insurance in New Bedford, Dartmouth, Westport, Fairhaven or sourrounding towns in Massachusetts, we will be happy to assist you in finding the right policy at the right price.