New Bedford Home Insurance and Snow Removal Responsibilities
With the first significant storm of the year descending upon the New England region, it’s a good time to think about the responsibilities that homeowners in New Bedford and the surrounding area have regarding snow removal. As a homeowner, you are responsible for keeping your property safe for visitors, workers, and even people who are just passing by to ensure that no one becomes injured due to your negligence. Your local insurance agency in New Bedford can provide you with additional information concerning responsibilities and can sit down with you to discuss your existing Massachusetts homeowners insurance policy to ensure you have adequate coverage for your property. Home maintenance is more than just making sure your house and yard look good, it also means ensuring that everything is safe and that any potential hazards are moved or dealt with quickly.
Massachusetts Snow Removal Laws
While each town, city, and county does have its own requirements regarding snow removal, Massachusetts has state laws as well. As a result, homeowners in New Bedford or anywhere in the Southeastern Massachusetts region must adhere to all local regulations. According to the state law, homeowners are responsible for making pathways in and out of the home safe for any visitors. This includes family, friends, neighbors, delivery drivers, postal employees, utility workers, or anyone that might have cause to come on your property. This is not limited to sidewalks but includes driveways, steps, and other entrances to the yard, property, or home. Public sidewalk rules can vary based on ordinances in the city or town where you live, but most require the same responsibilities to ensure that sidewalks are kept cleared and free of snow and ice.
Another aspect that homeowners in New Bedford might not be aware of is how quickly the snow must be cleared and removed. It is a good idea to check with your local ordinances or code enforcement, as well as any HOA or property management guidelines, to ensure that there aren’t any stricter rules than the state requires. For the most part, homeowners must remove any snow and ice that falls before dark by that evening. Any nighttime or overnight storms require clearing first thing in the morning. Again, some cities and rural areas might have different requirements. Some towns demand a certain number of hours after a snowfall, such as three to ten hours, depending on the ordinance. Until you are able to check with local code enforcement in your area, the best rule of thumb is to clear the snow and ice as soon as it is possible to do so and stay on it as snow continues to fall.
Massachusetts Homeowners Insurance
Even if you keep up with the shoveling and ice removal, someone might still slip and fall on your property. This is where your local insurance agency in New Bedford comes in to provide support. If you have any questions about liability insurance or the coverage that is included with your New Bedford home insurance policy, make sure to contact your agent at Borden Insurance. We can answer any questions that you might have about your existing policy and can provide added coverage or increased protection for homeowners in New Bedford who are concerned about being sued. Some neighborhoods have extraordinarily little foot traffic, while others are quite busy even in the winter months. There are different requirements and coverage options for multi-family structures as well, such as apartment complexes, duplexes, and other rental properties.
If you do not keep the property clear of snow and ice, you may be cited by the city, town, or code enforcement. This could either be a warning, if it is your first offense, or might start out with a hefty fine that you are required to pay. Owners are responsible for snow removal in order to make it safe for all visitors. Single-family homes, apartment complexes, store owners, and other businesses all have different requirements that must be met to ensure the safety of those who visit the property during the winter months. To avoid fines and lawsuits, your best bet is to stay on top of snow removal. If you cannot get out in the cold weather because of an illness or physical impairment, or if you simply don’t have the time due to a busy schedule, consider hiring a professional company to do it for you. Don’t rely on a neighbor kid to provide shoveling services, as this could increase your liabilities as well. Make sure to hire a licensed, insured, and certified snow removal company to provide the services you need in the State of Massachusetts.
Contact Borden Insurance – If you have concerns about your Massachusetts homeowners insurance policy coverage, contact your trusted agent at Borden Insurance. We can answer any questions you might have about your policy and have helped many homeowners in New Bedford and the surrounding Southcoast communities get the coverage they required to protect their investment. Contact Borden Insurance Agency in New Bedford by calling 508-999-3636 to speak with one of our agents.