Why Does My Landlord Require $100,000 of Renters Insurance in Portland Maine?

Name: Noyes Hall & Allen Insurance
Address: 170 Ocean St, South Portland, ME, 04106
Telephone: 207-799-5541

Posted on August 6, 2016March 27, 2019 by Bob O'Brien

Maine Renters Insurance 101

Whether you’re renting an apartment, house or a condo, in Scarborough, South Portland or Portland, Maine renters insurance is usually required by landlords. Many leases require a minimum of $100,000 personal liability (renters) insurance. Buying renters insurance is a great idea. Buying $100,000 of liability insurance is a TERRIBLE idea. Read on to find out why.

What’s the Cost of $100,000 Renters Insurance in Maine?

This is the most common question our South Portland independent insurance agency gets from first time renters. They usually focus on the liability insurance requirement, which is only a small part of the cost (and benefit) of renters insurance. The short answer is that a first-time renter with minimal property to insure usually pays less than $150 a YEAR for insurance. If you’re insuring an engagement ring or other jewelry, expensive electronics or sports equipment, you might push $200.

How to Get Renters Insurance in Portland, Maine

Figure out how much your stuff is worth. Renters insurance prices are based upon how much you insure your belongings for. The minimum is often $20,000. This should be the cost to replace all your old stuff with new. That costs more than you think. A new phone, computer, TV, furniture, bike, everything in your drawers and closets – it adds up FAST!
Don’t buy the minimium $100,000 liability insurance. That may be what your lease requires, but liability insurance may be the only thing between you and a huge lawsuit. What if you burn the place down? Or, if a guest slips on an ice cube? Or your cute puppy bites a kid while you’re at the dog park? Liability insurance is cheap. You can buy $500,000 for about $10 more than the minimum $100,000. Do it.
Find a good, Portland Maine area insurance agent. Preferably an insurance agent with great reviews from real clients.
Call them or request a renters insurance quote online. The agent will ask you a few questions, and you’ll probably have your quote before you know it. It’s that easy!

Related: Moving to Portland Maine – An Insider’s Guide

Should I Combine Renters and Auto Insurance Together?

Many insurers offer a discount if you insure both renters and cars with them. Ask your agent about the discounts. Getting a Maine online car insurance quote is almost as easy as getting a renters insurance quote. You’ll need to provide information about yourself, your vehicles and your driving record. Even if you don’t end up bundling car insurance with your renters insurance, you’ll know whether or not your current insurance program is any good.

Can I Include My Roommate on My Renters Insurance?

If you and your roommate are unrelated, you each have to buy your own renters insurance. If you’re married, you and your spouse can buy one together. If you’re engaged, ask your agent. Insurance companies’ rules can vary.

For answers to questions about Maine renters insurance, moving to Portland Maine, insuring and registering a car in Maine, insuring an engagement ring, or other common questions, contact a friendly Noyes Hall & Allen Insurance agent at 207.799.5541. We’re independent and committed to you.

5 Things You Didn’t Know About Insuring Your Engagement Ring

Posted on July 9, 2016March 27, 2019 by Bob O'Brien

You’re engaged! The world is a happier place when you share your life with someone else. The most common symbol of that commitment is an engagement ring. As high as you feel when that ring is on your finger, you can feel equally sad and angry if the ring is lost or damaged.

Insurance can’t stop bad things from happening, but it can pay to repair or replace your precious engagement ring. We see it regularly in our South Portland, Maine insurance agency. Here are five things we’ve learned that most people don’t know about insuring their engagement ring.

Basic Home and Renters Insurance Doesn’t Cover Theft of Expensive Jewelry

Most modern homeowners policies limit coverage for theft of jewelry to $1,500. Some have an even lower limit. Your policy also has a deductible – often $1,000.

If your $4,000 ring is stolen along with other things from your jewelry box and some small electronics, your insurance might only pay $1,000 or $1,500 for all of it.

Basic Insurance Doesn’t Cover Losing a Stone from Your Engagement Ring

Off-the-shelf homeowners or renters insurance covers your personal property (“stuff”) for 16 listed perils. Those perils are fine for most types of property, but not jewelry. If your jewelry is damaged by something outside of those 16 perils, you have no insurance coverage.

A gem falling out of a loose setting is not one of the 16 named perils. Neither is having to cut your ring off after an accident or injury to your hand. Or, dropping your engagement ring into the ocean while proposing, for that matter.

It’s Not Expensive to Insure Your Engagement Ring Properly

The proper way to insure jewelry in Maine is to “schedule” (list) it on your homeowners or renters insurance using a Scheduled Personal Property Form. This changes the insurance coverage on your jewelry from “named perils” to “open perils”. That sounds small, but it’s BIG.

Instead of the insurance listing perils that are COVERED, an “open perils” policy lists a few that are EXCLUDED. And those exclusions really are few. Things like wear & tear, intentional damage, and war.

Most insurance companies charge a rate of less than 1% for scheduled jewelry. It should cost less than $100 a year to insure your $10,000 diamond engagement ring.

graphic - cost to insure engagement ring in Maine

Insuring Your Engagement Ring Probably Protects Your Other Stuff

Most people in Maine insure their jewelry as a part of a renters or homeowners policy. It’s the most cost-effective way to insure jewelry. Bonus: your renters policy also covers your other belongings, and protects you against most general liability lawsuits for negligence.

Many couples don’t think to buy renters insurance until they get engaged, and suddenly have a very small and valuable asset: the engagement ring. Their renters policy also covers their furniture, electronics, bikes, clothing and other “stuff” – almost anywhere in the world.

Engagement Ring Insurance Usually Has No Deductible

Unlike the rest of your home or renters insurance policy, most jewelry insurance riders have no deductible. The insurance company covers 100% of the cost to replace or repair the damage to your engagement ring if you separately schedule it.

If you’re recently engaged…

you’re starting a new and wonderful path together. You’re combining your lives as never before, and making big plans together. It’s also a great time to think about saving money – and protecting yourselves better – by combining your insurance.

How does Maine auto insurance change when you’re engaged? What about renters insurance or homeowners insurance? If you live in the Southern Maine, contact Noyes Hall & Allen Insurance at 207.799.5541 for answers to your insurance questions. We’re especially convenient to the Portland peninsula, South Portland, Cape Elizabeth and Scarborough Maine. And, we’re independent and committed to you!

How Do Insurance Agents & Brokers Get Paid?

Posted on April 18, 2016March 27, 2019 by Bob O'Brien

Insurance is a $1 trillion business in the U.S. The industry employs about 2.5 million Americans, according to the Insurance Information Institute. Life/health (L/H) insurers collect about $650B and property/casualty (P/C) insurers about $500B each year.

Noyes Hall & Allen specializes in property/casualty insurance. Before talking about how property/casualty agents are paid, let’s take a brief look at the P/C business.

Maine Property/Casualty Insurance Overview

P/C insurers provide auto, home and business insurance. There are 3 top distribution models for P/C insurance.

Direct writers rely on advertising to generate the majority of their business. When you call or respond to an advertising piece, you’re speaking with a company employee. They only offer products from one company. GEICO, USAA and esurance are direct writers. While they don’t pay agents to generate business, they spend a LOT of money on advertising. GEICO alone spends over $1B per year.
Exclusive agents (sometimes called “captive agents”) also sell insurance only from one company. Unlike direct writers, they have local agents who sell and service their products. These companies also advertise a LOT to drive business to their retail agents. Allstate, State Farm and Liberty Mutual use the exclusive agent model.
Independent agents (sometimes called IAs or Trusted Choice agents) are locally owned and operated. Each contracts with 5 to 15 insurers, thus offering their clients a choice of insurance companies. IAs can access an international network of brokers for unusual insurance needs. Insurers that contract with IAs advertise much less than other insurance companies. They are less likely to be household names. Many IA insurers specialize on one region or type of customer. Popular IA insurers in Maine include: Concord Group; Hanover Insurance; MMG Insurance and Vermont Mutual.
Hybrid companies (ok, this makes 4 models, but not really). These insurers will write insurance using one or more different channels. These are usually large national insurers. Examples: Hartford; Liberty Mutual; Travelers; and Progressive.

How Maine P/C Insurance Agents Make Money

Both exclusive and IA insurance companies pay agents a percentage of the premium. Commission varies by policy type and whether the policy is new or renewal. Usually, commission is between 10 and 20 percent.

Exclusive agents often make a higher percentage commission on new business than renewals. Some exclusive companies even stop paying agents after several years. This incents the exclusive agent to focus on writing new policies.

Independent agents often make the same commission on both new and renewal policies. This allows the agent to provide consistent customer service year after year. If you’re an existing client of an independent agent, you’re even more valuable than a new one. It takes an independent agent 3-5 years to recoup the cost of insuring a new customer.

Who Pays an Insurance Agent’s Commission?

The insurance company pays the agent’s commission out of the premium they collect. There is no specific surcharge on the premium that goes to the agent. Of course, the customer pays the agent’s commission – just not by a separate line item. Insurance premiums do not rise or fall with the agent’s commission percentage.

Can You Save on Insurance if You “Cut Out the Middleman”?

No one sales channel is always the lowest cost. Claim costs and insurance company expenses all impact premiums. Some direct writers would have you believe that you save money by bypassing an agent. In reality, you might pay MORE without an agent to advocate for you. Of course, you could pay less, too.

Our Agents Speak English – And Insurance. If you don’t know the system, you can leave money on the table. We know to ask about certain discounts. Is your child on the honor roll or away at college without a car? Your local agent may know these things, or you might ask when you call in to do something else. If your agent is independent of the insurance company, they’re more likely to act on your behalf.

If you have a question about Maine home, auto, boat, motorcycle or business insurance, contact a Noyes Hall & Allen agent at 207-799-5541. We’re independent and committed to you.

Maine Condominium Association Insurance – Who Insures What?

Posted on February 7, 2016March 27, 2019 by Bob O'Brien

If you’re on your condominium’s board of directors, one of your largest responsibilities is placing and managing your Maine condominium association insurance program. Noyes Hall & Allen in South Portland has insured dozens of condo associations and hundreds of unit owners. Our experience dates back to even before the 1981 Maine Condominium Act standardized many association affairs.

What Property Does a Condo Association Insure?

Most often, a condominium association insures commonly owned property and the associated liability. The unit owners insure their own units and personal property. Those properties are defined in the condominium declarations and bylaws. Common property can be defined as broadly as “all real property in the association” – sometimes called “all-in”. Some bylaws define that the association owns no property at all, putting all of the responsibility for real property on individual unit owners. You must read the declarations and bylaws to find out how your association is set up.

Your board should review the declarations and bylaws closely with any insurance agent who bids on the association’s insurance. It’s critical to purchase adequate insurance so that repairs and replacement of property damaged by a covered loss can be funded by insurance settlement.

Sometimes, an association will choose to insure more real property than is required in the condominium bylaws and declarations. This can be done for several reasons, including: to reduce overall insurance costs; or to control insurance proceeds and rebuilding after a loss. If your condo board decides to do this, you must work closely with your insurance agent to make sure that the insurance company understands and agrees to what you’re trying to do. You don’t want any confusion or controversy after a claim has happened.

Should a Condo Association Suggest Insurance Coverage for Unit Owners?

For many years, when our clients purchased a condominium unit, we reached out to the association’s insurance agent to compare notes on whose insurance should cover what. Recently, we’re disappointed to see more agents shy away from discussing coverage due to liability concerns. They’re afraid of an “Errors & Omissions” claim. They simply tell unit owners (and their insurance agents) to “refer to the bylaws and declarations”.

We think this is not only unhelpful, but harmful. It can lead to unit owners buying too much – or not enough – insurance. Most condo unit owners are not on the board, and unaware of the details of the association’s insurance. Very few condo buyers are sophisticated insurance consumers. Many are first-time condo owners, and really don’t understand what insurance they need to purchase. We review the documents for our clients and try to help them navigate the process. God help those who don’t use an insurance agent, and buy “DIY” insurance.

A few helpful insurance agents provide a “cheat sheet” to the unit owners of the associations they insure. The unit owners can take this information to their own insurance agent to make sure they have the coverage they need. Yes, it may expose the association’s agent to some liability, but who knows better than they what the policy they sold covers? Needless to say, if your association is a Noyes Hall & Allen client, we are happy to provide such a document for unit owners if the board agrees.

Can I Be Sued as a Condominium Board Member?

The condo board of directors has a fiduciary duty to the association. Board members also make decisions that may subject them to claims of discrimination, harassment, mismanagement or other wrongdoing.

Before you agree to join your condo board, check your association’s Errors and Omissions / Directors & Officers policy and ensure that it is effective and adequate. These policies cover many situations, but like all insurance policies, they do have exclusions and limitations. Make sure that the policy provides coverage to defend you even if you are wrongly accused.

Danger! If Your Condo Association Switches Insurance Companies

Any time your association switches insurance carriers, your agent should meet with the unit owners. No two insurance policies are exactly the same. Your association’s agent should explain what’s different between the old and new programs. This helps you decide whether you need to change your own coverage. Even better, maybe the new agent will provide a “cheat sheet” like the one mentioned above.

A Cautionary Tale

Our client is a unit owner in an association that was insured with one company for decades. The association policy covered on an “all in” basis, which meant that our clients needed very little “building” coverage. The association moved insurance to a new company whose policy only covered building from the “studs out” of each unit. Our clients were suddenly responsible for insuring A LOT more of the building portion of their unit. Unfortunately, our clients never knew of this change. Or, if they were, they didn’t know that they should have increased their coverage. And they had a claim.

To avoid this unfortunate situation, when your condo association changes insurance programs, if the agent doesn’t offer to meet with the group, ask your association to arrange it.

If you are a board member of a Maine condominium association, insurance is a big responsibility. If you have questions about Maine condo insurance, or would like a second opinion on your program, contact a Noyes Hall & Allen Insurance agent at 207-799-5541. We represent Maine’s preferred condominium insurance companies. We’re independent and committed to you.

5 Portland Maine Restaurant Owners’ Nightmares – Solved by Insurance

Posted on August 19, 2015March 27, 2019 by Bob O'Brien

Portland Maine is a foodie town. In a city of 65,000, our city hall issues about 600 food prep licenses. Between Beard Award finalists, dining savvy locals and travel magazine-inspired foodie tourists, Portland is a popular – and challenging – town to run a successful restaurant. The stiff competition raises the bar for everyone. There’s little room for error or bad luck.

The Unfriendly Fire

You’re careful with your life’s work. But no matter how often you clean your filters, or get your Ansul and fire extinguishers checked, fire is a threat every day. Oils, high temp grills and gas ranges are a delicate combination. The danger doesn’t go away when you close up for the night. Appliances can be left on. Lighted candles can be forgotten. Appliances and extension cords can short out. After a fire, officials will force you to throw out any food for fear of contamination.

The Problem Neighbor

Food bloggers and tourists call Portland “quaint and cozy“. What that really means is we’re wedged into a tight peninsula. It’s not unusual to have 3 or 4 restaurants in one city block – even more in the Old Port. Plus, apartments and offices above. No matter how careful you are, you can be done in by one of your less careful neighbors. A frozen pipe upstairs that leaks into your dining room, or a fire up the block can shut down YOUR restaurant.

CLOSED, for…?

Diners are fickle. If you’re off line for just a few weeks, even your regulars can find a new spot in a restaurant town like Portland. It can take months – or longer – to get business back to pre-shutdown levels. Meanwhile, you have bills to pay. An estimated 25% of businesses never re-0pen after a disaster. In the restaurant business, that’s probably a lot higher.

The Difficult Diner

No matter how good your restaurant is, not every customer experience is flawless. It isn’t always food-related. People can trip on a carpet or fall on stairs or on the sidewalk. They don’t even have to be your customers. Someone can be injured in your parking lot. Of course, the food business has its own unique hazards. A customer’s stomach flu can sometimes become “food poisoning”; a broken tooth attributed to a piece of shell in their meal. It’s expensive to defend against these accusations – and expensive to make the situation right if you were in the wrong.

Drinking and…?

Most Portland restaurants have a full bar or good beer and wine list. Alcohol sales can be the difference between a profit and a loss. Of course there are plenty of regular bars in town. That means your diners may have drinks before they arrive at your place, and more after leaving. If they get into an accident on the way home and are found to be over .08, people they harm might sue any business that served the negligent driver. Even if you’re blameless, that lawsuit can be expensive to defend.

Restaurant Insurance to the Rescue

A thoughtful Maine restaurant insurance program can protect your business from all of these nightmares and more. Insurance may not make your worries disappear, but it can help you sleep better after a long night’s work. And, it can keep a terrible day at work from destroying your business. If you own or run a Portland Maine area restaurant, food truck, bakery or other food prep business, call a Noyes Hall & Allen Insurance agent at 207-799-5541. We’ll work with you and your budget to keep your nightmares at bay, so you can focus on what you love most: creating great food.

5 Essentials for Portland Maine Apartment Owners & Landlords

Posted on August 14, 2015March 27, 2019 by Bob O'Brien

Portland Maine has more rental units than any other city in the state – more than 19,000 units according to the 2000 US Census. Portland’s very low vacancy rate – as low as 1% by some estimates – makes it an attractive place to own residential income property.

But landlords know that owning an apartment building is more than just sitting back and collecting rent. From property damage to liability concerns, apartments can threaten your net worth as well as increase it. Here are 5 essentials for you to consider to protect your investment in habitational income property.

Doors, Windows and Locks

It’s basic, but surprising how many landlords ignore the first line of security defense: doors and windows. Make sure the entry doors to your building and each unit are solid wood or steel, with a deadbolt lock. Windows on lower levels should also have solid locks. To protect your tenants and your property, re-key the entry lock every time a tenant moves out. A door peephole is also an appreciated safety feature to allow your tenants to see who’s at their door without opening it.

Intercoms, Alarms and Security Cameras

Maine law requires every rental property to have working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. That’s just a start. If you own a building with a locked main entry, an intercom is another valuable security feature. Some intercom systems have built-in cameras. Whether you have an intercom or not, a security camera system is also a good idea.

Security cameras with a recording device:

Provide added security for your tenants;
Deter vandalism;
Protect you in liability cases, by recording a fall or incident;
Document any criminal or nuisance activity.

Proper Tenant Screening

Rental property management companies do a good job of screening potential tenants. If you choose not to use a property manager, you’ll want to use a professional rental application. A proper application asks about job history; income level; pets and number of occupants; and personal references, including prior landlords. The application should also give you permission to do a background check on prospective tenants, including criminal history and a credit check.

If the initial background information report indicates that someone is a desirable tenant, you may want to conduct a quick interview. Of course, the Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination based upon color, disability, race, national origin, gender or sexual preference, religion or family status. But, you can ask potential tenants about pets and their behavior; what hours they work and sleep; smoking; and roommates and frequent guests.

A Good Rental Contract – including a Pet Policy

A good lease agreement spells out the responsibilities of both landlord and tenant. It also outlines grounds for eviction, which will be critical if your tenant turns out to be a payment or behavior problem. Keep signed rental agreements in a secure place.

Your rental agreement should include a pet clause, which limits animals by type, number, size or breed – or prohibits them altogether. Even if your prospective tenant has no pets, their lease should include this clause. They may want to get a pet after they move in.

We recommend that all landlords require renters’ insurance policies. Many renters think that their landlord’s insurance protects their belongings. It doesn’t. Moreover, if someone is injured in your tenant’s apartment and the tenant has no insurance, you can easily be sued for damages. For a more detailed description, read “Should a Portland Maine Landlord Require Renters Insurance?”

Solid Insurance

Even the best managed Maine income properties can still create costly losses for their owners. Good landlord insurance can make the difference between a financial disaster and a manageable expense. At a minimum, your insurance should protect you against:

Damage to your property – with an insurance limit sufficient to replace or rebuild.
Liability Suits – including injury, damage to others’ property, wrongful eviction, invasion of privacy and slander.
Loss of Rental Income – caused by damage to your property

Many landlords set up LLCs or other ownership entities for their real estate. Make sure that the legal owner of the building is an insured on the policy. Depending on your property’s location and characteristics, you might also consider flood or earthquake insurance.

If you have questions about Portland Maine landlord insurance and Maine income property insurance, contact Noyes Hall & Allen Insurance at 207-799-5541. Noyes Hall & Allen is a partner organization of the Maine Apartment Association, which offers helpful information and member benefits for apartment owners. One of our insurance agents, Dave McKenna, is currently a Committee Member of the MAA. Noyes Hall & Allen is independent and committed to you.

What is Hazard Insurance? Maine Home Insurance Explained

Posted on August 4, 2015March 27, 2019 by Bob O'Brien

Whether you’re buying a home in Falmouth, a condo in Portland or income property in Scarborough, if you’re borrowing money, your lender will ask for proof of “hazard insurance”.

What is Hazard Insurance?

Hazard insurance is just the bank’s term for property insurance. The bank wants to make sure that if a disaster strikes, they will be protected at least up to the amount of your loan. Typical types of hazard insurance in Maine include:

Homeowners insurance (sometimes called an HO-3 or HO-5);
Condominium Unit Owners Insurance (aka HO-6);
Renters insurance (HO-4);
Dwelling Fire policy (often used for rental property or camps).

How Much Hazard Insurance Do I Need on My Home?

The bank would prefer to have 100% of your loan protected by property insurance. Sometimes, that’s too much insurance. After all, your insurance will only pay to rebuild your home. Insurance doesn’t cover items such as land, site work, landscaping or other items that are included in the purchase price. Your Maine homeowners insurance agent should help you

estimate the cost to rebuild your home;
provide cost estimates based upon the coverage you need;
provide proof of insurance that will satisfy the bank.

A good insurance agent can help you avoid buying too much – or too little – insurance.

If you have questions about Maine investment property insurance, or protecting your home, camp or condo, contact a Noyes Hall & Allen agent at 207.799.5541 today. We offer a choice of many of Maine’s preferred property insurance companies, so we can do your shopping for you. As we like to say: “we’re independent and committed to you.”

Can My Insurance Company Force Me to Make Changes to My Property?

Posted on July 30, 2015March 27, 2019 by Bob O'Brien

Insurance policies give insurance companies the option to inspect your property from time to time. The result of your insurance property inspection is a report to the company underwriter.

If the underwriter has concerns, they make “recommendations” to address them. This is a euphemism. These are not recommendations at all, but requirements. A “recommendation” may be as minor as fine-tuning the amount of insurance on your property (up or down); or as major as replacing the roof.

The underwriter sets a deadline for the “recommendation” to be completed. The deadline varies depending on the severity of the situation, how long they’ve insured your property, when your policy expires, and the season of year.

The Importance of Communication

The worst thing you can do is ignore an insurance company “recommendation”. Nobody likes to be ignored; insurance underwriters dislike it more than most. It’s better to let the insurance company know your intentions, or to ask questions if you don’t understand.

Your Maine insurance agent is the link between you and the insurance company. Talk to them! They can explain the situation and advocate for you. If you are uncertain what the underwriter requires and why, ask your agent for a clarification. If you are unable to comply or need help, tell your agent. Depending on the circumstances, your agent may be able to negotiate with the underwriter for more time or for a different solution to the issue.

If the insurer’s recommendation involves physical changes to your property, they will require confirmation that you’ve made them. This usually means sending a photo of the completed change. The company may ask for a signed statement confirming that the change is permanent (such as removing a trampoline from the yard).

What Happens If You Can’t – or Won’t – Comply With Insurance Company Inspection Recommendations?

If the underwriter’s deadline passes without confirmation that the recommended changes were made, they may cancel your policy. Depending on the severity of the recommendation, they may cancel your policy within 30-45 days, or send a notice of non-renewal for when the policy expires.

When your policy is canceled or non-renewed by an underwriter, it’s very difficult to obtain replacement insurance with a preferred company. Your agent may be able to find replacement coverage, but it will probably at a higher cost and with less broad coverage.

Also, remember that you’re then a new customer with another insurance company. Now THEY may want to inspect. The cycle begins again, and it’s not always a good cycle.

If you have a question about Greater Portland Maine home or investment property insurance, contact a Noyes Hall & Allen agent in South Portland at 207-799-5541. We offer you a choice of Maine’s preferred property insurance companies. We’re independent and committed to you.

Insurance Inspections in Maine : What to Expect

Posted on July 19, 2015September 18, 2024 by Bob O'Brien

Insurance inspection is common in Maine. Home and investment property insurers routinely inspect properties that they protect. Because of more severe property insurance losses in recent years, insurers have stepped up the rate of inspections. Inspections allow them to make sure that they insure properties that fit their guidelines and that those properties are adequately protected.

Is an Insurance Inspection Mandatory?

Inspections are expensive for insurance companies, so they don’t perform them unless they feel it’s necessary. Often, one of these conditions can cause an underwriter to order an inspection on your property:

You bought a new property.
You switched insurance to a new company. The new company wants to make sure that your home or business meets their underwriting requirements.
You had a recent property claim. The insurance company may want to make sure that you have repaired the damage following your claim. This is especially common after a water damage loss, to avoid mold developing.
You own property that the insurance company hasn’t inspected in several years. Over time, DIY renovations; property improvements and additions; or lack of maintenance can create situations that can increase the probability or size of an insurance claim. The insurance company wants to make sure that your policy stays up to date in case they have to pay a claim.

Can I Opt Out of an Insurance Inspection?

In short, no. Each insurance policy has an “inspection clause”, which gives the insurance company the right to inspect your property with reasonable advance notice. If you refuse, it’s a violation of the contract. The insurance company may cancel your policy as a result.

Does the Insurance Inspector Need to Get Inside my Home?

There are two types of insurance home and business inspections: exterior only; and interior/exterior. The company underwriter decides which report to order based upon the age and value of your property, your claim history, and other factors. Some inspectors are employees of the insurance company, but many are independent contractors.

What Does an Inspector Look For?

During a routine inspection, the inspector looks for features of your home or investment property that can affect the probability or the severity of an insurance claim. Items they typically inspect include:

Condition of
- roof, including age of shingles, overhanging trees and accumulation of debris or vegetation
- plumbing fixtures, drains and supply lines
- electrical, including wiring, outlets and breaker boxes
- heating and similar systems.
General property condition, paying particular notice to peeling paint; signs of rot; debris in the yard; and overhanging trees or vegetation close to the property. Because of an increase in deck collapse claims, insurers pay special attention to how your deck or porch is attached to the home, and its overall condition.
Special hazards such as dogs; trampolines; swimming pools; or business operations.
Condition of any outbuildings or other structures.
Dimensions of structures, so they can estimate the cost to rebuild them.

What Happens During an Insurance Inspection?

The inspector sends their report to the insurance company underwriter. If no deficiencies are noted, you will probably not hear from anyone. If the underwriter has concerns, they make “recommendations” to address them. For more information about insurance recommendations and how to deal with them, read “Can My Insurance Company Force Me to Make Changes to My Property?”

If you have a question about Greater Portland Maine home or investment property insurance, contact a Noyes Hall & Allen agent in South Portland at 207-799-5541. We offer you a choice of Maine’s property insurance companies. We’re independent and committed to you.

What to Do if You’re in an Auto Accident in Maine

Posted on March 22, 2015March 27, 2019 by Bob O'Brien

Auto accidents are stressful, and the scene is often chaotic. Emotions and nerves run high, which can prevent clear thinking. Whether you’re driving a personal vehicle or a business vehicle, if you’ve been in an auto accident in Maine, you may have these questions.

Do I Need to Report an Auto Accident in Maine?

Maine state law requires you to report to the police any accident on a public road causing more than $1,000 in property damage or any bodily injury (a driveway, parking lot or other private property is not considered a public way). If you fail to report, you’ve committed a Class E crime, and may have your driver’s license suspended. So, it’s better to report it, just in case.

3 Good Reasons to Report Your Accident Anyway

$1,000 damage is less than you think. On modern vehicles, most parts are replaced, not repaired. A simple cracked bumper plus labor costs will do it. The responding police officer may estimate it lower, but it almost always costs more.
Injuries aren’t always immediately apparent. Sometimes everyone says they’re fine at the scene, but ends up at the ER or the doctor’s office later.
Stories can change. A police report captures them at the scene. ‘Nuff said.

While You’re Waiting for the Police to Respond to Your Accident

Assuming everyone’s OK, not belligerent, and you’ve been able to pull over to a safe spot:

Take photos of the vehicles with your phone. Include license plate numbers and any apparent damage.
Take photos of the other person’s info: driver’s license, insurance card an registration.
Get the other person’s phone number.
Record names, addresses & phone numbers of any passengers in either vehicle.

Won’t the Police Get Information About the Other Driver?

Yes, but police no longer are required to share this information at the scene, and they rarely do. We get it: the police are busy, and traffic accidents are mostly a paperwork chore for them. They didn’t become cops because they loved to file reports. And they file a lot of them. The police office will tell you that the insurance company can get the report and all the information online.

Important Things About the Accident Report that the Police DON’T Tell You

Accident reports aren’t available for a long time. If you’re lucky, it’s 2-3 days. In larger cities, it can be weeks. That’s a long time if you’re waiting to start your insurance claim.
Accident reports cost money to obtain. The insurance company will order one, so your local agent doesn’t want to pay for it, too – just to get the info to report your claim.

That’s where than info you gathered before the police arrived comes in handy.

You’ll be able to report your auto accident to your agent or insurance company with all the info you need.
If you were clearly not at fault, it allows you (or your agent, if you have one) to report the claim RIGHT AWAY to the other driver’s insurance company. This is especially important if you don’t carry collision coverage on your own vehicle. If the other insurance company accepts responsibility, they will pay to fix your vehicle and rent a replacement while yours is in the shop. If it turns out the other driver didn’t have valid insurance (it happens), you can make a claim under your own insurance, or, if you didn’t buy collision coverage, at least plan accordingly.
Your photos document the extent of damage at the scene. Believe it or not, things sometimes change between the time of an accident and the time an adjuster sees the vehicle (’nuff said).

Noyes Hall & Allen Insurance clients can report claims here, or call us at 207-799-5541. If you live in Greater Portland and find this information helpful, why not get 5 Maine car insurance quotes in 10 minutes from our website?