Reasons to Choose McShea Insurance for Home Insurance:

Home insurance in Massachusetts typically covers the following:

• Dwelling coverage: Protection for the structure of your home from risks like fire, storms, lightning, vandalism or other perils specific to your policy.
• Personal property: Covers your belongings (furniture, electronics, clothing, etc.) if damaged by a covered peril or stolen.
• Liability coverage: Protects you if someone is injured on your property and you are found responsible.
• Loss of use: Helps pay for temporary living expenses if your home is uninhabitable due to a covered event.

• While home insurance provides valuable protection, it's important to understand what it doesn’t cover. Home insurance is not a maintenance policy, meaning it won’t cover damage resulting from lack of upkeep or normal wear and tear. 
• For example, damage caused by slow leaks, aging roofs, or mold that developed over time due to neglect are typically not covered. 
• Additionally, standard home insurance policies do not cover damage from flooding or earthquakes—you’ll need separate policies for those risks. 
• Pests and rodents are also excluded, as they’re typically considered preventable issues. To ensure you're fully protected, it’s important to maintain your home and consider additional coverage for specific risks.

Standard home insurance policies do not cover flooding. Even if you don’t live in a designated flood zone, it’s highly recommended to get flood insurance. Flood zones can change, and virtually everyone is at risk for flooding, especially with increasing storm intensity and rising sea levels. You can purchase flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or private insurers. Contact McShea Insurance to explore your options.

If you run a business from your home, home-based business insurance is essential to protect your personal property, business assets, and liability risks. Here are some key scenarios where home-based business insurance is necessary:

• Running a business from home: Whether you're a freelance consultant, artist, e-commerce seller, or a small business owner working from your home office, this insurance helps protect your business operations and assets.
• Client visits: If clients or customers visit your home for meetings or services, your standard homeowner's insurance may not cover any potential accidents or injuries. Business insurance can fill in these gaps.
• Business equipment and inventory: If you use equipment, tools, or stock that are essential to your business, a home-based business insurance policy can cover damage or theft.
• Online businesses: Even if your business operates entirely online, you still need protection for your inventory, equipment, and any liability issues that arise with your products or services.

Without this coverage, you could risk losing everything if something happens to your business assets or if a customer gets injured while visiting your home. McShea Insurance can help you assess your needs and tailor a policy for your unique home-based business.

You can lower your premium by:

• Bundling policies (auto, home, business, etc.) for a discount.
• Replacing your roof every 25 years
• Installing security systems or smoke detectors to reduce risk.
• Increasing your deductible (though this means higher out-of-pocket costs in the event of a claim).
• Maintaining a claims-free record & insurance score by paying your bills on time.
• Continuously upgrading systems such as heating, electrical, plumbing

Home insurance costs in Massachusetts can be higher than the national average due to the state’s specific risks, such as winter storms, coastal flooding, and earthquakes. However, McShea Insurance works with top-rated carriers to ensure you get the best coverage at competitive rates.

• Replacement cost: Covers the full cost to rebuild or replace your home or possessions at today’s prices, without factoring in depreciation.
• Actual cash value: Takes depreciation into account, meaning you’d receive less money for older items or structures.
• Replacement cost is more expensive because it does not include depreciation.

The amount of coverage you need depends on the replacement cost of your home and personal property. The replacement cost is based on the unique features of your home, the total square footage, and the average cost for construction labor and supplies at the time of the loss. Remember: land is not included as this is different from market value. McShea Insurance can help you assess your home’s value and recommend the appropriate coverage to ensure you're adequately protected.

Home insurance may cover water damage, but it depends on the source of the water and the specifics of your policy. Here's a breakdown:

What Home Insurance Typically Covers:

• Sudden and accidental water damage: Water damage from a burst pipe, leaking roof, or a malfunctioning appliance is usually covered by standard home insurance policies.
• Storm-related water damage: If a storm causes water to enter your home through a broken window or door, or if it damages your roof and leads to water leaks, this may be covered.

What Is Not Covered:

• Flooding: Standard home insurance does not cover flooding. If your home is in a flood-prone area, you'll need to purchase separate flood insurance.
• Water damage from neglect: Damage caused by poor maintenance, like slow leaks from aging pipes or roofs, may not be covered if it was preventable.