For a first-time homebuyer, nothing is more important than properly protecting a new investment and that means purchasing a homeowner’s insurance policy. It is important to have an understanding about the importance of appropriate insurance coverage.

Here are just a few tips:

1. Factor in home insurance

When calculating monthly mortgage payments, it’s important to factor in home insurance. Just as property taxes will likely be paid out of an escrow account, so will insurance premiums.

2. Find an insurer early

Finding an insurer early can give a homebuyer peace of mind. Shop around for a policy that best suits your needs. An insurance company that works with multiple providers can assist a homebuyer in comparing policies and selecting insurance coverage.

Think of it as a one-stop comparison. The more providers a company works with, the more likely it is that you will come away with a policy tailored to specific needs.

3. Figure out your priority

You should think about what is most important in an insurance provider. Is it price, service or coverage? This can help guide you in making insurance choices.

4. Consider your future insurance needs when buying

Property features can figure into the type of coverage you need. Consider the specific aspects of the new home. Does it have a pool? A trampoline? What about a security system?

If a home is situated in a flood plain, a homeowner will need a separate policy to cover flood risk. Even owning certain types of dog breeds can affect insurance needs.

5. Don’t forget your belongings

Think about how much coverage you would need to protect all belongings and the structure itself against complete loss and total replacement and rebuilding.

Comprehensive coverage is the best way to ensure that a home and its contents are fully protected if disaster strikes. It’s also important to know which types of belongings needs separate riders — items of high value like valuable jewelry or pricy antiques.

6. Remember liability insurance

Liability insurance is an important part of a homeowner’s policy, as it protects an owner’s assets if someone should be injured on his or her property.

7. Bundle policies

Bundling policies together (auto, business and life) can save a homeowner on annual premiums.

8. Ask lots of questions

Understanding the ins and outs of insurance coverage is something a homeowner should consider along with the other aspects of homeownership.

Insurance companies that have established a network of professionals that include real estate agents, loan officers, real estate attorneys, as well as financial advisers can help homeowners manage every aspect of buying a new home.

This is particularly important for a first-time buyer who is just beginning to form relationships with industry professionals and is looking for people he or she can trust.

For an insurance company you trust, contact Lallis & Higgins Insurance.

inman

New England is in the Big Game once again! Hosting a party this Sunday can feel like trying to dodge a blitz. With lots of guests, alcohol and charged emotions, disaster can strike from any direction. Here’s how your homeowner insurance policy can keep your wallet from taking a hit.

Intercepted belongings

Even small parties could include a few friends of a friend whom you don’t know. If you discover come super-cleanup Monday that your prized autographed football is gone, home insurance can help. Personal property coverage pays to replace stolen items, up to your policy’s limit.

Extra point: Take a personal contents inventory. Even going room to room and photographing belongings with your phone will help you provide claim details if something’s stolen.

The action heats up … at the same time as the grill

Sunday is a big cooking day — and not only in the kitchen. More than 1 in 4 grill owners brave the weather to fire up grub for the game.

Unfortunately, the festive atmosphere makes cooking fires one of the more common party accidents. If your house is damaged by fire or even destroyed, you can file a claim through your home insurance’s dwelling coverage for repairs or reconstruction.

Extra point: Ask your insurance agent to help determine the home’s current rebuilding cost. If it exceeds the dwelling insurance, increase limits on that coverage.

Guests on the injured list

It’s your job to keep your property and party safe. You could be financially responsible if that big-screen TV topples onto someone’s foot or your appetizers trigger food poisoning.

A standard home insurance policy includes medical payments coverage for injuries to visitors. It also includes liability coverage, which kicks in if you’re sued for injuries.

Extra point: It’s wise to check your medical payments insurance limit. A standard home policy provides about $1,000 in medical coverage per person, which might not be enough to pay for treatment of a guest’s injury.

Ineligible partygoer behind the wheel

Alcohol plays a part in many fans’ festivities. In 2016, BACtrack examined over 5,000 tests by users of its smartphone-enabled Breathalyzer. The average blood-alcohol content measured during game was 50% higher than on other non-holiday Sundays.

If your guests leave drunk, you could be on the hook for what happens on the road. Liability insurance with your homeowner policy might help pay for damage or injuries in these cases. But it’s not a sure thing, since coverage depends on the incident and your policy.

Extra point: Taking steps to prevent drunken driving is the surest way to avoid a lawsuit, so invite designated drivers. In some states, hosts could face criminal charges, not just civil penalties, if a drunken guest causes injuries or damage while driving.

For more information on homeowner insurance in Hingham, MA, contact Lallis & Higgins Insurance.

Your home is your castle, and the day after a claim is not the time to start asking questions about what home insurance provides. That’s why it’s important when insuring your home to work with a local insurance broker who has your best interest in mind.

Talk to a Lallis & Higgins Insurance representative to find the policy that will protect you, your home and your family. Lallis & Higgins represents more than one insurance company can offer options that many insurance agents can’t.

Too many times, the home owner selects a policy that has the cheapest premium only to learn after the claim that the policy did not provide what they thought that it should pay.

You need an agent that has the experience and knowledge to give good advice and describe the policy differences. This is the person that is going to be your trusted advisor, and the person that is going to stand with you the day after a claim.

Make sure you consider special circumstances. Most policies protect you against fire, lightning strikes, wind or hail damage. Losses from vandalism and theft are also typically covered to varying degrees. Is your home in a flood plain? What is the cost of flood insurance? What about damage from the back up of sewers or drains?

Does your homeowners insurance have a coverage limit for the theft of guns?  Earthquake coverage can typically be added on your policy – is this something you would like to entertain. What about damage to your home caused by a sinkhole? Do you have a business in your home? You need to think about what coverage is appropriate for your lifestyle and location. Also not covered is damage caused by poor maintenance, mold or pest infestation such as termites.

Buying home insurance is not like ‘shopping’ for a crate of oranges. All homeowners insurance policies are not the same.  There are real differences that are more important than the premium difference For more information contact Lallis & Higgins Insurance.

Citizen Tribune

Homeowners who have resolved to save money in 2017 can try many ways to economize — energy-efficient lightbulbs, cutting the cable and more. However, they could be overlooking a potential source of thriftiness hiding in plain sight.

You may have lost track of your home insurance premium, seeing as it could be rolled into escrow along with your mortgage payment and property taxes. Just because you don't see an individual bill for it doesn't mean it's not there. Any policyholder can feel motivated to shop around, whether it's about saving money, rounding out coverage, etc.

Should you find yourself in the market for a new home insurance company you'll need to come prepared. The following tips and guidelines can help.

Things to do before you start shopping for Home Owners Insurance in Quincy, MA and the surround area.

Tips to help you prepare for your search and avoid backtracking include:

• Get your paperwork together. With a copy of your current policy in hand, you'll be better able to compare coverages, premiums and discounts among the providers you're considering.
• Update your home inventory. If you've added or subtracted personal belongings since buying your current policy, those changes can help you calculate your new contents coverage. An up-to-date home inventory will give you a better idea of how much protection you may need, whether more or less.
• Call an Independent Agent like Lallis & Higgins Insurance. Independent agents have access to many different insurance companies unlike a direct insurance carrier. Independent Agents are able to review pricing from many different companies and come up with the best options for you and your home. Lallis & Higgins Insurance will be able to review your policy and look at coverage and pricing for your specific situation and provide the best match.

Be ready to answer questions

When you speak with an agent about switching providers, the information you provide plays an essential role in determining premiums and coverages. You may anticipate such questions as:

• Have you had any life changes? From a change in marital status to the addition of a four-legged family member, recent developments in your life could affect your premiums and coverage needs. Sharing this kind of information can help you get a more accurate quote.
• Have you filed any claims? Your claims history helps determine your risk profile, which might have an influence on your premiums.
• Are you interested in switching both your auto and homeowner insurance policies? Many providers offer discounts for bundling different types of policies, such as home and auto. Consider getting your car insurance from the same agency as your homeowners to save money.

Remember to finalize and follow up

Your new insurance agent will handle the cancelation process once you’ve decided to make a switch, but you should always notify your mortgage company to confirm this switch as they generally need your confirmation of the switch.

• Notifying your mortgage lender. Many of today's mortgages feature escrows, which operate as savings accounts that mortgage lenders oversee to pay for expenses such as home insurance and property taxes. If your mortgage includes an escrow, keep your lender informed about any change in providers to keep record-keeping and payments current.

Changing your home insurance company is an important decision, one that no consumer should take lightly. When you undertake a big task, never underestimate the value of a little advance work. For more information having your home owners insurance policy reviewed, contact Lallis & Higgins Insurance.

NASDAQ

A vacation home can be a great retreat and sometimes even a good investment, but there are some important factors to consider before making the leap into second-home ownership—such as insurance costs. Just like your primary home, you’ll need to insure your vacation home against liability and other risks. Because insurance can add to the price of buying and owning a vacation home, you may want to consider the likely insurance costs before deciding on a specific property.

Key Factors Impacting Vacation Home Insurance Costs

There are many reasons that insurance for a vacation home may be more expensive than that on your primary residence. Your second home may often be unoccupied, putting it at greater risk for theft, vandalism and undetected damage, like burst water pipes. When you shop for a vacation home, it’s important to recognize that the following factors will impact your insurance costs:

• Location—The location of any home is always a factor in pricing insurance policies, but it can be especially significant for vacation homes. The very location that makes a vacation home desirable may also make it more expensive to insure. For instance, a beach house may be more exposed to wind damage or storm surge from a hurricane. These location-based risks will impact the price of insurance coverage, and in some cases may even incur higher deductibles.

In addition, if the home is located in a flood zone, you’ll be required to purchase a separate flood insurance policy. Flood damage is not covered by standard homeowners insurance policies, but coverage is available from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and from some private insurance companies. The cost of NFIP flood insurance for second homes has been increasing and there are also special surcharges that you will be required to pay. You can check the cost of flood insurance by contacting Lallis & Higgins Insurance.

• Type of Property—As is the case with any house, a vacation home’s age and types of building materials used will impact the cost of insurance. In addition, these costs will vary depending on whether your second home is a single-occupancy house, a condominium or a townhouse. A condominium may have lower insurance costs because the homeowners association maintains and insures the exterior of the property and may provide security. Generally, the cost of insuring the structure of the unit will be included in the monthly maintenance fees. Your personal condo insurance will cover your belongings and specific areas of the unit listed in the policy.

• Amenities—If your vacation home has a pool, hot tub or other special amenity that adds risk, you may pay a higher insurance premium. You may also want to purchase more liability protection as these items are considered “attractive nuisances” that lead to a higher probability of liability claims being filed.

For more information on insuring a second home or vacation home, contact Lallis & Higgins Insurance.

Insurance Information Institute

How can I get flood insurance?

If you live in a community that participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), you are eligible to purchase flood insurance. Find out if your community is one that have implemented floodplain management measures and participate in the National Flood Insurance Program.  Many homes located in AE zones can take advantage of a program underwritten through Lloyds of London that provide savings up to 38% off the NFIP rate.  You can contact a Lallis & Higgins Insurance representative to review options your home may qualify for.

What will my flood insurance premium cost?

It is essential that you visit with your insurance agent to determine exact costs. However, if you'd like to receive a general idea of how much your premium will cost contact Lallis & Higgins Insurance.

How is my flood insurance premium calculated?

A number of factors are considered when determining your flood insurance premium. These factors include: the amount and type of coverage being purchased, location and flood zone, and the design and age of your structure. For homes in high-risk areas (e.g., Special Flood Hazard Areas or AE, VE Zones) built after the first Flood Insurance Rate Maps were drawn for that community, the elevation of the building in relation to the base flood elevation is also required.

Can I get a discount on my flood insurance premium?

It's possible that you qualify for a discount based on your community's participation and status in the Community Rating System program.

Does a deductible apply to my coverage?

Building and contents policies have separate deductibles for each. This means that if your building and contents are both damaged due to a flood event, both deductibles are applied.

Will damage-preventing measures I’ve taken in my home be reimbursed by my Standard Flood Insurance Policy?

Some will be. When your insured home is in eminent danger of being flooded, you may receive up to a $1,000 reimbursement for your damage-preventing expenses. Things like renting storage space to protect your belongings, buying sandbags and lumber to make a barricade, and renting pumps are all things that qualify for reimbursement. No deductible is applied to this coverage.

To buy a flood insurance policy, call your insurance agent or contact Lallis & Higgins.

floodsmart.gov

The Federal Emergency Management Agency mapped your house or the house of someone you know into a high-risk flood zone, requiring the you or your friend to pay thousands of dollars in flood insurance rates. What do you do now?

First of all, don’t panic. The U.S. government recently took steps to soften the impact of many of the most drastic proposed changes to flood insurance this year. The Biggert-Waters Reform Act of 2012 eliminated insurance subsidies in high-risk areas and through other measures to make the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) self-sustaining.

However, if you received a letter from your mortgage lender indicating the need to purchase or pay higher premiums for flood insurance, you should take it seriously.

Here are few ways to reduce your risk of flood damage and lower your payments.

Learn the terms

Whether you already have flood insurance or are new to the coverage, it helps to know the important terms:

• Base flood elevation (BFE): The elevation at which there is a 1 percent or greater annual chance of flooding. The higher your house’s elevation sits above the BFE for your neighborhood, the lower the flood risk. FEMA uses this elevation to determine your home’s risk.
• Special flood hazard area: If you’re just now finding out that your house is high-risk, your lender probably sent you a notification that it’s in a special flood hazard area. This area is based on the base flood elevation and can determine your flood insurance rates.

Check the map

If you believe there’s been a mistake regarding your house’s placement in a flood zone, take a look at FEMA’s maps. Your insurance company or the online site can provide you with the basic information you need. It will tell you the base flood elevation for your house’s location. Use these maps generally, as they aren’t the official Flood Insurance Risk Maps that FEMA uses to determine risk.

Get a professional opinion

If you intend to challenge your house’s position on the flood map, you must first send a Letter of Map Amendment request to FEMA. After that, you should hire a licensed land surveyor to perform an elevation survey and determine the official risk for your property.

How to reduce the amount you pay

If the challenge fails and your house remains within the boundaries of a high-risk flood zone, purchasing flood insurance is a mandatory requirement for most mortgage holders. There are ways, however, to cut your monthly premiums:

• Purchase a Preferred Risk Policy: Most preliminary maps take 6 to 12 months to take effect, according to the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA recommends purchasing a Preferred Risk Policy during that time, which can provide coverage at a lower cost. The premium for a Preferred Risk Policy can reach as low as $128 per month, according to FloodSmart.gov. The NFIP recently extended eligibility for Preferred Risk Policies to apply to properties remapped on or after Oct. 8, 2008.
• Grandfather in old rates:
  
• If you buy a Preferred Risk Policy before the new maps go into effect, you may renew your lower rates for 2 years. In the third year, you potentially can qualify for low-to-moderate risk rates instead of high-risk rates.
• If you already have a flood insurance policy and the base flood elevation has increased in your area, your premiums could increase. Grandfather rules, however, allow you to use the earlier elevation to calculate rates, as long as you’ve maintained continuous flood insurance coverage on the property.
• You also can use grandfather rules if you can prove that your home was built in compliance with the flood map that was in effect at the time of construction, according to FloodSmart.gov.

Enjoy your protection

Your flood insurance rates might increase as a result of remapping, but at least you’ll have coverage if the worst should happen.

Even homeowners in lower-risk areas should consider purchasing protection and could qualify for Preferred Risk Policies. In fact, 20% of flood insurance claims come from moderate-to-low risk areas.

The average flood insurance claim from 2008 to 2012 was nearly $42,000, so purchasing coverage isn’t a bad bet. Even if your lender doesn’t require you to purchase flood insurance, flood protection could save your house from high water and you from taking a financial bath.

For more information on flood insurance in Hingham, MA, contact Lallis & Higgins Insurance.

zillow.com

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Lallis & Higgins Insurance.  We would like to thank all of our customers and our community for allowing our business to be part of your lives in 2016. We wish you a wonderful and prosperous 2017!

If we have had the pleasure of being your choice in insurance companies, we hope that we provided the highest level of customer service along with effective home, auto, life, and commercial insurance policies. If you are looking for an insurance company with whom you can develop a relationship in 2017, we hope that you consider Lallis & Higgins Insurance, a locally-owned insurance company.

It is our sincere wish that in the New Year you are surrounded by warmth, family, and friendship.From our families to yours, have a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year.

Sincere best regards to you all.

Please keep in mind we will be closed on Monday, December 26th to enjoy and relax with our families.

Anyone renting should consider getting renters insurance, and college students are no exception.

Students living on campus may expect their school to cover damaged or stolen items. Off-campus students may assume their landlords will cover these costs. But in most instances, this is not the case. Most college students usually have thousands of dollars’ worth of personal items, such as electronics, furniture, clothes, textbooks, and bicycles. As a renter, it is your responsibility to provide coverage for your valuable items.

LIABILITY FACTOR

College students who purchase renters insurance can also get liability insurance, which can protect them from being sued if they damage someone else’s property. Examples of this include leaving the water running in the bathtub and it floods the apartment or leaving food unattended on the stove that starts a fire in the kitchen.

Liability coverage also helps if someone is injured in the policyholder’s apartment. For example, if someone slips on a wet floor.

PREMIUMS/DEDUCTIBLES

According to the Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation, monthly premiums for renters insurance are usually between $15 and $30 a month. The amount depends on the size of the rented space and number of insured items.

For students who may be covered under their parents’ homeowners policy homeowners policies often have higher deductibles than what you can obtain through a renters policy. For example, deductibles for renters insurance could be a low as $100, compared with a homeowners insurance deductibles, which vary but could be anywhere from $500 to $1,000 or more.

TYPES OF RENTERS INSURANCE COVERAGE

College students can choose from two types of renters’ insurance coverage: actual cash value, or replacement cost coverage. So what’s the difference? For example, two years ago, a student purchased a MacBook Air for $1000. The computer has now depreciated by several hundred dollars and actual cash value would be much lower.

Replacement cost coverage would cover the cost of getting the exact same MacBook Air, regardless of how much that would be. Consequently, replacement coverage will cost more than actual cash value.

There are several factors to consider when weighing the decision to purchase renters insurance. Ultimately, students have to weigh the cost of paying for insurance they may never use versus the cost of replacing their personal property in the event of an accident or theft or the cost of paying for damage or injuries they cause.

For more information on renters insurance policies no matter where you live, contact Lallis & Higgins Insurance.

#HowYouLive
goodcall.com

We at Lallis & Higgins Insurance love to get out with our families during this festive time of year. We have highlighted some great ideas for you and your family to enjoy this Winter.

Go for a Ride to Look at the Lights

Here are some or our favorite spots to enjoy viewing Christmas lights to get in the Christmas spirit:

Lilah Lane Pembroke Light Show. Over 30,000 lights set to go with the music plus 48 different inflatables. Located off Route 53 in Pembroke, and are open every night until 1/1 Lights on 4:30 pm / 10:00

Loganberry Drive Abington. This boasts over 100 wooden figures that are handmade and painted. They also have over 1000 musical lights. Shows play nightly from 6pm to 10pm and you can turn to the radio station 98.1

Tick Tock Lane Weymouth. The residents of Tick Tock Lane do a great job with their holiday lighting! This is just one example.

Forest Street in Norwell! Show is every night from 5-9. It plays on the hour and lasts about 25 mins so 5-525, 6-625 and so on… Tune your radio to 88.7.    Lights should be on in early December by Dec 4th

271 Vernon St Bridgewater   The lights in the middle of the yard will dance from the top of the hour to the half… then they will take a half an hour break before starting again… for example 6 to 6:30 they will dance. 6:30 to 7 they will not… that way you can enjoy the show and then see all the lights while they are not flashing.

Middleborough Festival of Lights at the KOA campground, 458 Plymouth St. (off Rte. 44), Dec 12, 13, 19 and 20th from 4:00 – 9:00 p.m. Admission is $1 per car! — at KOA Campground.

Hyde Park Readville. The address is 26 Norton St Hyde Park Boston. From December 4 until Christmas day the house will be lit on weekdays from 5-9

Go Sledding

To take the words out of one of our son’s mouth… “Snow means SLEDING!!!”  These spots won’t disappoint!

Larz Anderson Park in Brookline, MA will make anyone happy.  They have all types of hills, and a snack shop.  Also, huge bonus for having bathrooms

Make a day out of Flagstaff Hill in the Boston Common, Boston, MA.  Along with sledding, there’s an ice skating ring, and plenty of kid friendly restaurants

World’s End in Hingham. There are four hills to sled on at this Hingham Trustees of Reservations property. Planter’s is the large drumlin rising just before you cross “The Bar” to the far side of the reservation is considered the best by many

Borderland State Park, 259 Massapoag Ave., North Easton offers a great experience for every level of sledding.

President’s Golf course Quincy/Milton line offers many hills and can be quite the thrill when the conditions are right.

The Park behind Tuft Library in Weymouth is a perfect spot for children under the age of ten.

Outdoor Skating Fun

Boston and the surrounding towns offer a great opportunity to ice skate outside. Check out these venues if you and your family are looking to get out and skate:

Boston Common Frog Pond, Boston. Hours: Mon 10am-3:45pm, Tue-Thu 10am-9pm, Fri-Sat 10am-10pm, Sun 10am-9pm. Ticket sales end 30 minutes before closing. Skate rentals and sharpening available. There’s a café for snacking and hot cocoa is available at the rental station.

Skating Under the Rotunda - Boston Harbor Hotel. 70 Rowes Wharf, Boston. Hours: December-March; Weekdays 3pm-8pm, Weekends 10am-8pm. Admission: Adults $10, Children $5 Skate under the arch of the Boston Harbor Hotel’s iconic Rotunda with views of the Boston harbor on one side and the city's skyscrapers on the other.  There are skate rentals on-site.

Jack Kirrane Ice Skating Rink at Larz Anderson Park, Brookline 23 Newton St. Brookline, MA 02476.  The season runs to February 24, 2017. Hours vary, check website for public skating schedule. Admission: nonresident adult $7, resident adult $5; nonresident child (17 & under) $5, resident child $3.

Kelly Outdoor Skating Rink, Jamaica Plain. 1 Marbury Terrace, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130. The season runs to February 24, 2017. Hours: Sunday –  Friday 12:00pm - 7:30pm, Saturday 1:00pm - 7:30pm. Schedule is weather dependent There is no cost to skate and there parking is available in the lot at the end of Marbury Terrace.  Low cost skate rentals are available.

Winter Skate at Patriot Place, Foxborough. Hours: Monday - Wednesday: 4-6pm, Thursday 4-7pm Friday: 4-10pm, Saturday & School Holidays: 11am-10pm, Sunday: 11am-9pm. Admission: Adults: $8, Seniors & Children 12 and under: $6; $2 off admission price with a coat donation to Cradles to Crayons. On-site skate rentals, concessions and bathrooms are available, and parking is free.