The Skinny on Somerville Insurance Quotes
This small city somehow manages to stack 75,662 people into just 4.1 square miles making it the one of the most densely packed communities in Massachusetts, But that’s a small city better than WWII when Somerville housed 106,000. With all these folks living so close to each other, it pays to be on top of the insurance game whether it’s understanding your own needs or shopping for Somerville insurance quotes.
Somerville is a city with some of the oldest homes in the country; it was #2 on city-data.com’s Top 100 list at one time. It’s also a city with a lot of renters, again making city-data.com’s list as a top renter city. Not surprising with all the colleges in its radius. These make for some important homeowner’s insurance considerations.
Be Safe; Be Smart
Let’s say you’ve just rented a 100-year-old, 3-bedroom place on Union Square. It’s a pretty safe neighborhood but in a city there are no guarantees. You own several computers, a nice bike, stereo, plasma TV –the fruits of your labor. With renter’s insurance, averaging just $15-$30 a month, you’d be covered for things like theft, vandalism and a busted water pipe soaking your valuables. And if you have a roommate, some policies will allow their property to be protected as well so you can split the coverage making it even cheaper. Be sure to ask an agent whether replacement is for “actual cash value” which factors in depreciation or “replacement value” which will pay for a new stereo less deductible.
Homeowners should think about the uniqueness of their property. Are there antique features about the home that should be specially listed with a policy? Like stained-glass windows and doors, 19th Century wood trim or other items that may require additional money to replace to keep the character of the home.
Auto Coverage: Your Rights and Responsibilities
First, you should know when shopping for Somerville insurance quotes that you have certain rights under Mass law for auto insurance, rights that residents of many other states don’t enjoy. Here are a few:
- You can’t be denied because of age, income, and principal place of garaging your car among others.
- You can’t be denied because of your credit history.
- You have the right to know how your driving record affects your premium.
- You have the right to change coverage or cancel the policy at any time.
- If you’re found “at fault” in an accident by your insurance company, you have the right to an appeal.
- You have the right to appeal a notice of cancellation.
And in order to obtain Somerville insurance, you must buy the following minimum coverage:
- $20,000 per person for Bodily Injury to Others; $40,000 per accident.
- $8,000 Personal Injury Protection (PIP).
- $20,000 per person, $40,000 per accident for Bodily Injury Caused by an uninsured driver.
- $5,000 for property damage.
Because of the closeness you share with Somerville residents, you should think about additional coverage for things like theft, vandalism, side swipes, etc. Here’s a scenario that provides protection for all these things:
For a driver of a compact, licensed for at least four years with one speeding ticket in the last year, driving 12,500 miles per year.
Bodily Injury ($100,000/$300,000); Personal Injury Protection; Uninsured Motorist ($100,000/$300,000); Property Damage ($100,000); Collision and Comprehensive ($500 deductible).
Rates range from $1,750 to $4,500. Wow! A huge difference.
Lowering Your Somerville Insurance Quotes
Now that you know some things to consider when assessing your Somerville insurance needs and how greatly rates can vary, try shopping with NetQuote. NetQuote will search from hundreds of insurers, finding the coverage you need and providing comparisons so you can make an educated decision on your purchase. It’s free, takes less than 30 minutes, and could save you hundreds of dollars. Let’s get started.
