Living in Massachusetts means dealing with everything from harsh winter weather and aging homes to coastal storms and changing insurance needs.
Whether you're buying your first home, protecting your family's vehicles, or reviewing your business insurance, we're here to help you better understand your coverage.
These are some of the questions our team hears most often from clients throughout Massachusetts.
Whether you're buying your first home, protecting your family's vehicles, or reviewing your business insurance, we're here to help you better understand your coverage.
These are some of the questions our team hears most often from clients throughout Massachusetts.
Last Updated: August 2026
I'm moving from another state to Massachusetts. Will my insurance work the same way?
Not necessarily. Insurance regulations, available carriers, coverage options, weather risks, and policy requirements can vary from one state to another, so the insurance you had elsewhere may not translate directly to Massachusetts.
If you're relocating, we'll help you understand the differences and coordinate your new home and auto coverage. Reviewing everything before your move can make the transition easier and help avoid gaps in protection.
If you're relocating, we'll help you understand the differences and coordinate your new home and auto coverage. Reviewing everything before your move can make the transition easier and help avoid gaps in protection.
Do Massachusetts homeowners need separate coverage for coastal wind?
It depends on the property and insurance company. Homes in coastal areas such as Cape Cod and the Islands may have different wind-related coverage, deductibles, or underwriting requirements than properties farther inland.
If you own a coastal Massachusetts home, we'll review how wind and named stormsare addressed by your policy. Understanding these details ahead of time can help prevent surprises after a major storm.
If you own a coastal Massachusetts home, we'll review how wind and named stormsare addressed by your policy. Understanding these details ahead of time can help prevent surprises after a major storm.
Does homeowners insurance cover damage from a Massachusetts nor'easter?
It depends on what caused the damage and the coverage provided by your policy. A nor'easter can produce several types of losses—including wind damage, fallen trees, snow and ice damage, and coastal flooding—and each may be treated differently.
That's why it's important to understand your coverage before a major storm arrives. We'll help you review your deductibles, exclusions, and coverage so you know how your policy may respond to different types of storm damage.
That's why it's important to understand your coverage before a major storm arrives. We'll help you review your deductibles, exclusions, and coverage so you know how your policy may respond to different types of storm damage.
Why does the age of my Massachusetts home matter for insurance?
Massachusetts has many older and historic homes, and their age alone doesn't necessarily make them difficult to insure. However, insurance companies may pay particular attention to the roof, electrical wiring, plumbing, heating system, and other major components.
If you own or are purchasing an older home, we'll help you understand what insurance companies may look for. Updates you've already completed may also be important when we're comparing coverage options.
If you own or are purchasing an older home, we'll help you understand what insurance companies may look for. Updates you've already completed may also be important when we're comparing coverage options.
Does Massachusetts require homeowners insurance?
Massachusetts doesn't generally require homeowners to purchase homeowners insurance by law. However, if you have a mortgage, your lender will typically require coverage to protect the property securing the loan.
Even after your mortgage is paid off, homeowners insurance can provide important protection for your home, belongings, and personal liability. We'll help you understand the coverage options available for your Massachusetts property.
Even after your mortgage is paid off, homeowners insurance can provide important protection for your home, belongings, and personal liability. We'll help you understand the coverage options available for your Massachusetts property.
Why did my homeowners insurance go up this year?
This is one of the questions we hear most every renewal season.
Many homeowners think their premium only changes if they've filed a claim, but that's not always the case. Across Massachusetts, rising construction costs, severe weather, inflation, and increased rebuilding expenses can all affect homeowners insurance rates.
Whether you own a historic home in Plymouth, a year-round home on Cape Cod, or a newer home elsewhere in Massachusetts, we're happy to review your policy and explain what's changed.
Many homeowners think their premium only changes if they've filed a claim, but that's not always the case. Across Massachusetts, rising construction costs, severe weather, inflation, and increased rebuilding expenses can all affect homeowners insurance rates.
Whether you own a historic home in Plymouth, a year-round home on Cape Cod, or a newer home elsewhere in Massachusetts, we're happy to review your policy and explain what's changed.
I'm buying my first home. When should I start shopping for insurance?
We recommend reaching out as soon as you have a signed purchase agreement.
Starting early gives us time to compare coverage options, answer your questions, and work with your lender before closing. It also gives you the opportunity to understand important coverages like replacement cost, liability protection, deductibles, and whether flood insurance should be considered.
Buying a home is exciting, and we want to make the insurance process one less thing to worry about.
Starting early gives us time to compare coverage options, answer your questions, and work with your lender before closing. It also gives you the opportunity to understand important coverages like replacement cost, liability protection, deductibles, and whether flood insurance should be considered.
Buying a home is exciting, and we want to make the insurance process one less thing to worry about.
I live near the coast. Do I still need flood insurance if my lender doesn't require it?
It's a conversation worth having.
Many homeowners throughout Cape Cod and other coastal areas are surprised to learn that standard homeowners insurance generally doesn't cover flood damage.
Even if flood insurance isn't required, factors like heavy rainfall, storm surge, and local drainage can increase flood risk. We'll help you understand your property's unique situation so you can make an informed decision.
Many homeowners throughout Cape Cod and other coastal areas are surprised to learn that standard homeowners insurance generally doesn't cover flood damage.
Even if flood insurance isn't required, factors like heavy rainfall, storm surge, and local drainage can increase flood risk. We'll help you understand your property's unique situation so you can make an informed decision.
I recently renovated my home. Should I update my insurance?
Yes. Home improvements can change the cost to rebuild your home, which may affect your insurance needs.
Whether you've remodeled your kitchen, finished your basement, added a garage, or completed other renovations, it's a good idea to let us know. We'll review your policy and help make sure your coverage still reflects your home's current value.
Whether you've remodeled your kitchen, finished your basement, added a garage, or completed other renovations, it's a good idea to let us know. We'll review your policy and help make sure your coverage still reflects your home's current value.
My child just got their driver's license. What should I do?
Congratulations! It's an exciting milestone—and a great time to review your auto insurance.
Adding a new driver may affect your premium, but there may also be discounts available depending on your situation. We'll walk you through your options and help make sure everyone in your household has the right protection before they hit the road.
Adding a new driver may affect your premium, but there may also be discounts available depending on your situation. We'll walk you through your options and help make sure everyone in your household has the right protection before they hit the road.
Why should I review my insurance every year?
Life changes—and your insurance should keep up.
Whether you've bought a new home, purchased a vehicle, welcomed a new driver, started a business, or simply haven't reviewed your coverage in a while, an annual review helps make sure your insurance still reflects your needs.
One of the things we enjoy most is sitting down with our clients, answering questions, and helping them identify coverage gaps before they become costly surprises.
Whether you've bought a new home, purchased a vehicle, welcomed a new driver, started a business, or simply haven't reviewed your coverage in a while, an annual review helps make sure your insurance still reflects your needs.
One of the things we enjoy most is sitting down with our clients, answering questions, and helping them identify coverage gaps before they become costly surprises.
Can you review my current insurance even if I didn't buy it from your agency?
Absolutely.
Many of our clients first contact us because they want a second opinion on their current insurance. We'll review your existing policies, explain your coverage in plain language, and help you understand if there are any potential gaps or opportunities to improve your protection.
There's never any pressure—our goal is simply to help you make informed decisions.
Many of our clients first contact us because they want a second opinion on their current insurance. We'll review your existing policies, explain your coverage in plain language, and help you understand if there are any potential gaps or opportunities to improve your protection.
There's never any pressure—our goal is simply to help you make informed decisions.
Why do Massachusetts families choose Arthur D. Calfee Insurance Agency?
For more than four decades, we've had the privilege of helping homeowners, drivers, families, and businesses throughout Massachusetts protect what matters most.
As an independent insurance agency, we work with multiple insurance carriers so we can provide coverage options tailored to each client's needs—not just one company's products. We believe insurance should be personal, easy to understand, and backed by local experience.
Whether you're purchasing your first home, insuring a seasonal property, or reviewing your family's insurance, we're here to answer your questions and help you make confident decisions.
As an independent insurance agency, we work with multiple insurance carriers so we can provide coverage options tailored to each client's needs—not just one company's products. We believe insurance should be personal, easy to understand, and backed by local experience.
Whether you're purchasing your first home, insuring a seasonal property, or reviewing your family's insurance, we're here to answer your questions and help you make confident decisions.
Don't see the answer you're looking for? We'd love to hear from you.
Many of the questions in our Knowledge Center come directly from conversations with our clients.
Submit your question below, and it may be featured in a future FAQ.
Many of the questions in our Knowledge Center come directly from conversations with our clients.
Submit your question below, and it may be featured in a future FAQ.
Insurance isn't one-size-fits-all, and neither is the guidance we provide. Whether you're buying your first home, reviewing your current coverage, protecting a seasonal property, or planning for the future, we're here to help you make informed decisions with confidence.
If you have questions or would like personalized guidance, contact Arthur D. Calfee Insurance Agency. We'll take the time to understand your needs, review your coverage, answer your questions, and help you find insurance solutions that fit your home, your family, and your goals.
If you have questions or would like personalized guidance, contact Arthur D. Calfee Insurance Agency. We'll take the time to understand your needs, review your coverage, answer your questions, and help you find insurance solutions that fit your home, your family, and your goals.
