Now that the weather is finally warming up, there’s no denying that the South Coast of Massachusetts and Rhode Island is a great place to live — especially when you consider the beautiful beaches and scenery, fresh seafood, and sense of community found along the coast. Coastal homeowners also enjoy a boost as their home values increase, with many waterfront homes doubling in value over the last 20 years, according to a recent Zillow study.

As home values increase, however, so do the costs of insuring these beautiful properties. Luckily, your HIG insurance agent is here to help. While we can’t control the weather, we can help make sure you’re prepared for whatever it brings. Whether you live in Tiverton, RI or Fall River, MA, your HIG agent can help you put together a home insurance policy to fit your coastal home’s unique needs.

As experienced insurance professionals who have spent a combined 100 years living and working along the coast, we’re proud to be one of the most experienced coastal home insurance advisors in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Our goal is to always answer any questions you may have about your insurance policies, which is why we sat down with HIG partner, Paul Burke, to go over some common insurance questions coastal homeowners often have — but remember, if you have a question that you don’t see answered below, you can always give us a call at 508.676.5949 or visit our offices in Fall River and Somerset.

1) Why is it difficult to find insurance companies that will write a policy on a home near the coast?

Insurance companies have to buy insurance, just like individuals do. This ‘reinsurance’ is more expensive for homes along the coast because of the recent increased prevalence of storms like Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Sandy. These storms cause more costly damages for coastal homes than inland homes. Subsequently, many insurance companies no longer write home insurance policies for homes along the coast.

2) My homeowners policy has a Hurricane Deductible. Do all companies have this for properties near the coast?

Not all companies will have a hurricane deductible for homes along the coast. It’s important to understand that each insurance company will define a coastal home differently — some will say that a home near the ocean is coastal, while some will also call homes by bays or rivers coastal. The type of deductible the homeowners insurance policy for your coastal home will have is dependent on the company writing your policy. Some policies will have a hurricane deductible while some will have a wind deductible. Make sure to ask your agent which your policy has.

3) What is the difference between a hurricane deductible and a wind deductible?

A hurricane deductible will only apply when damage is incurred by a storm that has been named by the National Weather Service. A wind deductible applies to all wind losses, regardless of the type of storm.

4) Do I need flood insurance for my coastal home?

We can’t stress this enough: your homeowners insurance policy does not cover flood damage! This means it is vitally important for homeowners to discuss their flood insurance options with their independent insurance agent.

5) What separates HIG from other agencies when it comes to insurance for coastal homes?  

HIG has partnered with several top quality insurance providers, which allows us to write home insurance policies that address the specific needs of homeowners along the South Coast of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. This gives us more flexibility to make sure our clients get the policies they need at a price they can afford.

When you work with an HIG agent, you’ll also get the best customer service around. We will walk you through your entire coastal home insurance policy from start to finish to make sure you are comfortable and confident in the policy you are purchasing. We will also continuously monitor the insurance options available for your home to make sure you are getting the best value and the best coverage.

Insuring your coastal home can seem like a daunting task, but your friends at HIG want to help simplify the process so that you can spend more time enjoying your home and less time stressing about your insurance. You can rest assured knowing that you will receive knowledgeable advice and recommendations from a local agent who knows exactly what is necessary to protect homes along the coast. Get in touch with an HIG agent today by visiting our website or giving us a call at 508.676.5949.