A Boston area homeowners insurance policy is a must. Natural disasters, fires and other perils can cause us to lose everything. Claims adjustors and restoration contractors often hear people say, “I never thought this would happen to me.” And while we can only do so much to protect our homes and possessions against loss, there are steps we can take to make sure they are replaced. Few people know exactly what they own. Therefore, they can’t remember or don’t always list everything in the event of a loss. Without a home inventory, it’s almost impossible to prove your losses to the insurance company.

Your Boston Area Homeowners Insurance Checklist

When a fire or a natural disaster occurs, often the event is so stressful people are preoccupied with so many other things they forget about some possessions or incidental items. Boston area homeowners insurance experts encourage you to create a complete home inventory. You can do this in a few different ways. There are free software programs available for download that will help. You can also take videos of your possessions and dictate the price and date of purchase. Take photos and store them in the “cloud” on the Web, in a safe deposit box, at the office, or at a friend’s or relative’s house.

List your possessions individually and keep the list organized and categorized with headings such as “Furnishings,” “Accessories,” “Clothing,” etc. Having an inventory and listing your possessions in checklist format will help you if you have a partial loss, theft or other claim.

Your Boston area homeowners insurance policy provides coverage against most perils and damages. There are some, however, that are not covered. Unfortunately, those are usually the ones that catch you off guard — and they can be expensive. While every policy is different, you should peruse your Boston area homeowners insurance coverage to see if you’re protected against termite infestation and mold damage.

Boston Area Homeowners Insurance: Two Conditions That May Exist in Your Home

Mold.
Contrary to popular belief, mold can rear its ugly head in almost any household. It’s not uncommon for even the best maintained home to have a little mold somewhere. The most dangerous thing about mold is that it doesn’t go away on its own, and unchecked it can spread undetected. Because hazardous mold problems can affect the health of the home’s occupants, mold infestation should be treated immediately.

Combatting mold damage can be an expensive undertaking. As such, homeowners often turn to their Boston area homeowners insurance policy for coverage — only to find out they may or may not be covered. Here’s why:

Mold is caused by excess moisture. Mold spores can thrive by coming into your home through windows and doors. A common cause of mold is a leak somewhere in your home. If the mold is a result of a leak that occurred due to a covered peril like a damaged roof or a water pipe that burst, it could be covered by your Boston area homeowners insurance policy. However, most homeowner’s insurance policies contain specific mold exclusions. If the mold is a result of poor room ventilation, excessive crawlspace moisture, unrepaired water leaks or lack of home maintenance your policy probably doesn’t cover it.

One of the biggest causes of mold damage is flooding. Since most standard Boston area homeowners insurance policies don’t offer flood insurance, you’ll find that unless you have a specific flood policy you won’t be covered for mold damage caused as a result of flooding. To be absolutely sure about mold coverage, talk to your insurance company.

Termites.
Another common problem that can plague a homeowner is termite infestation. Untreated or ignored, termites can cause serious structural damage to your home. In addition, as a general rule termite damage isn’t covered by most Boston area homeowners insurance policies.

It’s estimated that termites are responsible for over $5 billion in home damages each year. There are several steps you can take to prevent termite infestation and damage. Soil treatment, termite barriers and other preventative measures can give you peace of mind and guard against damage. Because termite damage isn’t covered by insurance, it may be a good idea to consider hiring a pest control company to make sure your home is termite-free and that it stays that way.

Again, consult your Boston area homeowners insurance professional to find out what your coverage includes. And, since mold and termites typically aren’t covered, they are probably good reminders that good home maintenance can prevent potential damage from those sources.

The old adage, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” certainly applies when it comes to the value and condition of your home.

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Since having a good Boston area homeowner’s insurance policy on your home is one of the most important things you can do, it’s important to note these tips. They will assist you in understanding your policy and procedures.