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The largest purchase most people make is a home. Surprisingly, given the importance of this purchase, and the impact that losing it could have on their lives, many persons not only carry inadequate insurance but rarely, if ever, review their insurance policies. Worse is the fact that many agents feel that homeowners insurance is a “no brainer” and deserves short shrift in the agency. Get the business on the books, and let it take care of itself.

That philosophy works fine until there is a loss.  To paraphrase a well-known saying, a good agent knows the client; a great agent knows the coverages. When the agent is not knowledgeable, the insured is left to deal with the claims adjuster. If the claims adjuster is new to the business, or is uncertain, then it becomes all too easy to err on the side of caution and deny a claim. This is not to say that the adjuster is to blame; unfortunately, insurers often put pressure on the adjuster to close claims quickly. Of course, the adjuster can simply decide it is easier to pay a claim and close it rather than research the reasons why it is not covered.

Further, in event of a catastrophe, many homeowners insureds find that their insurance is inadequate. Either replacement costs have been woefully miscalculated, or, in the case of an older home that must be rebuilt, there is either none or insufficient ordinance and law coverage so that rebuilding to code must come from the insured’s pocket. The lessons from Northridge, Andrew, and Katrina have not yet been learned. Agents and insurers have not yet begun to educate the public in the importance of adequate insurance, let alone the advantages of earthquake, flood, or ordinance and law coverage.

Equally important as the property exposure, and frequently overlooked, is the liability exposure. The homeowners forms provide comprehensive personal liability, but frequently common exposures are overlooked. Watercraft, a home business, and volunteer work — the agent must make sure the client is not left unprotected.

The current Insurance Services Office (ISO) HO 00 03 is the basis for much of the following. Although convention generally refers to “all risks” policies, we will use “open perils” since the homeowners forms now refer to “risk” of direct physical loss unless excluded.
One final note — the many cases used in this training are by way of example. Interpretation varies, so if alluding to any of the court cases, please check to make sure that they are valid in your jurisdiction.

Tips for Homeowners

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  • Top 7 Things You Can Do to Make Your Home More Efficient
  • Preventing & Addressing Water Damage Due to the Spring Thaw
  • 10 Tips On How To Manage Insurance Costs
  • Avoid Dreaded Surprises: What Is Really Covered Under My Homeowner's Policy?
  • What Causes Flooding and Will my Homeowners Insurance Cover Flood Damage

Brochures
  • Preventing ID Theft
  • Preventing Water Damage Inside the Home
  • Reducing Hurricane Risk
  • Is Your Boat Safe?
  • Is Your Home Alone?

20 Tips for Home Safety and Security

In addition to your a monitored home security system, there are steps you can take to protect your home and family from burglary, fire and intrusion. Below are some basic tips to keep yourself and your loved ones safe. 

General Home Safety and Security
  1. If out of the house for an extended period of time, create the illusion that someone may still be home. Leave a TV or stereo on in the room where a burglar would most likely break in. Use exterior lighting and motion detectors to minimize burglar concealment.
  2. Make sure all exterior doors have good proper locks. Install 1-inch deadbolt locks on all exterior doors.
  3. If you get an unexpected knock at the door, check to see who it is before opening it.
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  1. Do not leave extra keys under doormats, potted plants or any other obvious outdoor location. Thieves will generally find them. Find an inconspicuous place to hide the keys, or give a set to a neighbor you can trust.
  2. Burglar-proof your glass patio doors by setting a pipe or metal bar in the middle bottom track of the door slide. The pipe should be the same length as the track.
  3. Keep garage doors shut.
  4. Keep drapes and blinds shut – especially in rooms where there is expensive equipment. Don't advertise the items in your home.
  5. Store cash, jewelry and other valuables in a safe or safety deposit box instead of leaving them lying around the home.
  6. Don't leave notes on the door for service people or family members. These alert the burglar that you are not home.
  7. If you're going to be away from home for a few days, adjust your telephone ring to its lowest volume setting. An unanswered phone may tip off a burglar that no one is home. Also, have a neighbor or friend collect your newspaper and mail. Never cancel delivery – you don't know who will get that information.
For more valuable home safety tips, visit the following websites:
  • Home Safety Council
  • Disaster Safety
  • National Safety Council
  • Consumer Product Safety Commission - Your Home Fire Safety Checklist
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Home Fire Safety

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  1. Never leave candles or other open flames burning unattended.
  2. Douse cigarette and cigar butts with water before dumping them in the trash.
  3. Don't leave hot irons, or burning stovetops and outdoor grills unattended while in use. Double-check that you've turned them off after use.
  4. Regularly clear and dispose of dry or dead vegetation in your yard or areas near your home.
  5. Make sure the lid stays on your trash can, and store firewood and other combustibles away from your home.
  6. Install smoke alarms on every level of your home. For the best detection and notification protection, install both ionization and photoelectric-type smoke alarms. Put them inside or near every bedroom. Test them monthly to make sure they work. Put in new batteries once a year.
  7. Don't have deadbolts that lock with an inside key. You need to get out fast if a fire starts. A missing key could trap you inside. Also, don't nail windows shut. Make sure they open easily.
  8. Make a fire escape plan for your family. Find two exits out of every room. Pick a meeting place outside. Practice makes perfect – hold a family fire drill at least twice each year.
  9. Be sure your street address is visibly posted so that firefighters can identify your home in the event of an emergency.

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Arthur D. Calfee Insurance Agency, Inc. is proudly serving primary home, vacation home, auto, collector car, business, general liability, property, professional liability, contractor's liability, worker's comp, key man, whole life, term life, group or personal disability, & long-term care insurance policies to patrons in the following Cape Cod, Massachusetts towns, communities and villages: Barnstable, Bourne, Brewster, Buzzards Bay, Centerville, Chatham, Cotuit, Craigville, Dennis, Eastham, Falmouth, Hatchville, Harwich, Hyannis, Hyannisport, Marstons Mills, Mashpee, Orleans, Osterville, Provincetown, Sandwich, Truro, Wellfleet, Woods Hole, Yarmouth, and Yarmouthport.   
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  • HOME
    • Send me a Home Insurance Quote >
      • Thank You! Home Insurance Rates Are On Their Way!
    • FLOOD Insurance, Massachusetts >
      • Pay Your Bill Online
      • Videos - Cape Cod Home Insurance
    • Cape Cod Home Insurance
    • Pay Your Home Insurance Bill Online
    • Ordinance or Law Coverage
    • How to Prevent a Claim on your Home Insurance Policy
    • Videos - Cape Cod Real Estate Tips >
      • Videos - How to Qualify a Tenant for your Cape Cod Home >
        • Videos - Cape Cod Real Estate Investing
    • Cape Cod Massachusetts Arbella Insurance Discounts
    • Cape Cod Massachusetts Lloyds of London Home Insurance
    • Safety Insurance Discounts for Cape Cod, Massachusetts
    • MPIUA - MA Property Insurance Underwriting Association "Fair Plan"
    • Cape Cod Massachusetts Home Protection Insurance
    • Hurricane Preparedness >
      • Cape Cod Massachusetts Hurricane Survival >
        • Cape Cod Massachusetts Hurricane Preparedness
  • AUTO
    • Send me an Auto Insurance Quote for Cape Cod, Massachusetts
    • BOAT Insurance >
      • Send me a Boat Quote
    • Cape Cod, MA Dept. of Motor Vehicles
    • Cape Cod Massachusetts - Report an Auto Insurance Claim
    • Auto Insurance Quote - CAR BUYING TIPS : Auto Insurance for Cape Cod, MA
    • InControl Driver Training
    • Car Insurance for Cape Cod Massachusetts - Arbella Insurance - Send me an Auto Quote >
      • Cape Cod Massachusetts Arbella Car Insurance Discounts
    • Plymouth Rock - Send me an Auto Quote >
      • Plymouth Rock Asurance Discounts
    • Encompass Insurance Discounts
    • Safety Insurance - Send me an Auto Quote >
      • Safety Insurance Discounts
    • Travelers Insurance Discounts
    • Progressive Insurance - Send me an Auto Quote
  • LIFE
    • Send me a Life Quote
    • Long Term Care >
      • Videos - Living Trust >
        • Videos - Life Insurance
  • OFFICES
    • Pay Your Bill Online
  • ABOUT US
    • Reviews & Testimonials
    • Contact Us
  • Stay Home
    • Pay Your Bill Online
    • Report an Insurance Claim
    • Send me a Home Quote
    • Send me an Auto Quote
    • Send me a Boat Quote
    • Send me a Business Quote
    • Send me a Life Quote
  • Home Insurance Explained
  • Agent Login
  • Privacy Policy
  • Videos - Cape Cod Real Estate Investing, Taxes & Insurance
  • Videos - Cape Cod Coastal Real Estate
  • Português