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Massachusetts Home Insurance

Beaches, cities and countryside – Massachusetts has no shortage of beautiful places to put down roots. Having the right insurance coverage in place is essential for safeguarding your home and belongings against unforeseen events.

Is home insurance required in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts doesn’t legally require homeowners to have insurance on their property, but if you finance your home through a mortgage, your lender will likely require you to have homeowners insurance. Even if you own your home outright without a mortgage, it's still highly advisable to have homeowners insurance. Home insurance is not a one-size-fits-all product. It should be tailored to your specific situation and needs.

Typical homeowners insurance coverages in Massachusetts

  • Coverage A – Dwelling:

    Coverage for your home and attached structures for damage caused by events such as fire, lightning, wind or hail.

  • Coverage B – Other structures:

    This covers damage to other structures on the property that are set apart from the dwelling, such as a fence, shed or detached garage.

  • Coverage C – Personal property:

    Coverage for your belongings, such as furniture, clothing and electronics, if they’re damaged by a cause listed in your policy.

  • Coverage D – Loss of use:

    This covers your temporary living expenses when a covered loss makes your home unfit to live in.

  • Coverage E – Personal liability:

    This covers damage or injury to another person or their property that you’re responsible for causing. It also covers legal assistance for claims made against you.

  • Coverage F – Medical payments to others:

    This coverage can pay for medical bills for people who are accidentally hurt on your property, not including members of your household.

Remember, each of these coverages is subject to a policy limit and exclusions, which are specified within your policy.

Your homeowners insurance won’t cover flood damages, so it helps to ensure you’re properly covered if there’s a flood. Flood damage is not covered by standard homeowner insurance policies. Flood insurance policies are available, however, and are written through the federally backed National Flood Insurance Program. It’s common for mortgage companies to require flood insurance if your home is within or near a floodplain. Regardless, a flood can occur anywhere and it’s a good idea to buy this additional coverage. 

Additional coverages

You may find that the general coverages afforded in a basic homeowners policy don’t cover certain losses or types of property. Amica offers home insurance options in the form of policy endorsements that can fill in some of those gaps in coverage. Adding endorsements to your homeowners insurance policy can provide valuable additional coverage tailored to your specific needs. Here are a few endorsements you might consider:

  • Special computer coverage:

    Additional protection beyond what’s included in your policy for devices against direct physical loss, like accidental damage or theft. Devices covered under special computer coverage include:

    • Desktops
    • Laptops
    • Smartphones
    • Gaming devices
    • Smart TVs

  • Identity fraud expenses:

    Identity theft is a growing concern, and this endorsement can help cover expenses associated with restoring your identity, such as legal fees, lost wages and other related costs.

  • Water backup and sump overflow:

    Unexpected and accidental water damage, like from an appliance or burst pipes, is covered by most homeowners insurance policies. But, at the same time, they also exclude coverage for backed-up sewers and drains. This endorsement provides coverage for water that backs up through drains and sump pumps.  

  • Scheduled personal property:

    If you have high-value items such as jewelry, fine art or collectibles, a basic homeowners policy may not provide sufficient coverage. With this endorsement, you can insure specific items to make sure they're adequately covered against loss or damage.

  • Earthquakes:

    A standard policy excludes damage caused by earth movement, including earthquakes. This endorsement would extend coverage to damage caused by an earthquake.

What affects your Massachusetts home insurance rates?

Living in a city like Boston or a coastal town like Gloucester can significantly influence your home insurance premiums. Population density, crime rates, proximity to the coast and environmental risks (such as flooding or hurricanes) all play a role in determining insurance costs.

Your home insurance policy should be tailored to your unique needs and circumstances, taking into consideration specifics like the type of dwelling, the value of your belongings and the level of coverage desired. Certain factors that impact home insurance rates may be beyond your control, such as repair costs or your proximity to a fire station. There are strategies to help manage your premiums, like exploring available discounts or changing your deductible.

Additionally, regularly reviewing and updating your policy can ensure that you're not paying for unnecessary coverages and that you are protected in a way that fits your current needs.

Explore homeowners insurance discounts for more savings

There are several ways Massachusetts homeowners can save money on home insurance without compromising the quality of their coverage.1 We offer home insurance discounts for:

  • Alarm systems: Receive a discount when you insure a home with burglar alarms, sprinkler systems or fire alarms.
  • Automatic detection devices: Insure an Massachusetts home with a temperature monitoring, water leak detection or gas leak detection system installed and receive a discount.
  • New or remodeled homes: Receive a credit when you insure a new or remodeled home.
  • Claim-free: Receive a discount when you’ve had no claims in the past three years.

If these don’t apply to you, we also offer discounts for:

  • AutoPay: Receive a discount when you opt to pay your premium using automatic deductions.
  • E-discount: Receive a discount when you sign up to receive policy information and bills electronically.

One of the best ways to conveniently manage all of your insurance needs and save money at the same time is to bundle your insurance coverages for home and auto with the same insurance company. In fact, Bay Staters who bundle home and auto insurance with Amica could save up to 30% with a multiline discount.

Facts and figures about Massachusetts

Common claims in Massachusetts:

Massachusetts experiences a wide range of weather events throughout the year, from blizzards in the winter to tropical storms in the summer. These extreme weather conditions can pose significant risks to homeowners and their properties. Standard home insurance policies in Massachusetts typically provide coverage for most damages caused by these types of extreme weather events, up to policy limits.

  • Frozen pipes: When temperatures drop below freezing, water pipes in homes can freeze and burst, causing significant water damage. As long as heat in the residence was adequately maintained, homeowners insurance typically covers damage resulting from burst pipes, including water cleanup and repairs to the affected areas.
  • Ice dams: Ice dams occur when snow on the roof melts and refreezes at the edges, forming a barrier that prevents water from draining properly. This can lead to water seeping into the attic or walls, and can cause damage to ceilings, insulation and interior spaces. Homeowners insurance may cover repairs for damage caused by ice dams.
  • Roof damage: Coastal areas in Massachusetts are particularly vulnerable to storms and high winds, which can result in property damage, including roof damage and falling trees. Homeowners insurance typically covers roof damage caused by wind or fallen trees, although coverage may be subject to certain exclusions or limitations.

Massachusetts homeowners may want to consider purchasing supplemental coverage for specific risks, such as flood insurance even in areas that are not flood plains.

Fun facts about Massachusetts:

  • Boston is listed as the seventh most expensive city in the U.S., with the cost of living 48% above the national average and housing-related costs 127% higher than the national average.2
  • Cape Cod-style homes originated in Massachusetts and were designed to withstand the harsh New England weather.3
  • The first batch of Fig Newton cookies was baked in a bakery in Cambridge and named after the city of Newton.3

How to get home insurance in Massachusetts

We’re here to guide you through the process of personalizing your homeowners insurance. Here’s how to secure your policy in three easy steps:

  1. Assess your coverage needs:

    An Amica representative can provide personalized guidance and help you navigate your options to find the right coverage for your needs.

  2. Discover potential discounts:

    A representative can also assist you in exploring potential discounts or cost-saving measures available to Massachusetts homeowners based on your unique circumstances.

  3. Get a quote:

    Amica offers convenient options for getting a quote. You can either get a home insurance quote online or call 800-242-6422 today to speak with a representative.

With Amica, you can rest easy knowing that your home is safeguarded against the unexpected, allowing you to focus on what matters most – enjoying life in beautiful Massachusetts.

Get a home insurance quote

or call 833-513-3881

1 Discounts not available in all states and may vary.
2 The 10 Most Expensive Cities to Live in the U.S.
3 What is Cape Cod Architecture?
4 11 Interesting Facts About Massachusetts That We'll Bet You Didn't Know

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