High-value homesNH · ME · MA · CT · OH · ILIndependent agent review
By Jon Merwin, Founder and CEO, Licensed Insurance Advisor
Reviewed by Jon Merwin, Founder and CEO, Licensed Insurance Advisor
Key takeaways
- Openly was founded in Boston in 2017 and sells home insurance only through independent agents.
- Openly is a general agency. Its policies are underwritten by Rock Ridge Insurance Company, a Clear Blue Insurance Group member rated A- (Excellent) by AM Best, affirmed July 16, 2026.
- Openly offers Guaranteed Replacement Cost coverage up to $5M, liability up to $1M and blanket personal property coverage up to $100,000. In CT, NH and OH, the replacement amount is subject to Coverage A and policy conditions.
- Portsmouth Atlantic writes Openly for homes up to $5M in New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Ohio and Illinois.
- Homes on a historic registry are excluded, so for those homes we quote Chubb, Cincinnati and our other high-value carriers.
Is Openly a good choice for a high-value home? For many New England homes up to about $5M, it is one of the strongest options we have. Openly was built around broad coverage for homes that are worth more than average, it offers Guaranteed Replacement Cost coverage in many states, and it works only through independent agents. Portsmouth Atlantic Insurance is appointed with Openly in six states, and we quote it from our office in Portsmouth, NH. This review covers who stands behind an Openly policy, what the coverage includes, which homes fit and what to check before you switch.
Who is Openly?
Openly was founded in Boston, Massachusetts, in 2017 by Ty Harris, formerly of Liberty Mutual, and Matt Wielbut, a founding partner of two insurtech ventures. Openly says it set out to offer broad, straightforward home insurance through independent agents with faster quoting, clearer policies and smoother claims (Openly, about us).
Openly LLC is a general agency and program administrator, sometimes called an MGA. It designs and services primary, secondary and rented-to-others homeowners policies that are underwritten by an unaffiliated insurance company (Openly, legal disclosures). Openly policies are sold only through independent agents (Openly homeowners).
Who insures an Openly policy, and how strong is it?
With an MGA, the financial strength question is about the insurer named on the policy. Openly’s legal disclosures name Rock Ridge Insurance Company (NAIC 11089), domiciled in Texas, as the underwriting carrier and describe it as an AM Best A- (Excellent) rated, admitted carrier (Openly, legal disclosures). Rock Ridge is part of Clear Blue Insurance Group (Clear Blue, about).
AM Best rates Clear Blue Insurance Group A- (Excellent) for financial strength, with an a- issuer credit rating and a stable outlook, affirmed effective July 16, 2026 (AM Best Credit Rating Center). An A- is in AM Best’s Excellent category. Ratings can change, so we confirm the rating of the insurer named on your quote.
Founded in Boston
Openly was started to sell home insurance through independent agents.
AM Best A- (Excellent)
Rock Ridge Insurance Company, part of Clear Blue Insurance Group.
Up to $5M replacement
Guaranteed Replacement Cost coverage up to $5M, subject to state conditions.
Six PAI states
We write Openly in NH, ME, MA, CT, OH and IL.
Where does Portsmouth Atlantic write Openly?
Openly offers home insurance in 24 states (Openly, find an agent). In New England, its underwriting list includes Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Vermont and Rhode Island are not on the list (Openly, legal disclosures).
Portsmouth Atlantic writes Openly for homes up to $5M in six states:
| State | Openly through Portsmouth Atlantic |
|---|---|
| New Hampshire | Homes up to $5M |
| Maine | Homes up to $5M. Homes and rentals only, not condos or renters |
| Massachusetts | Homes up to $5M |
| Connecticut | Homes up to $5M |
| Ohio | Homes up to $5M |
| Illinois | Homes up to $5M |
| Vermont and Rhode Island | Openly is not available. We quote other carriers. |
New Hampshire
On the Seacoast and around the lakes, Openly fits many higher-value primary and seasonal homes. In New Hampshire, Openly’s Guaranteed Replacement Cost amount is subject to Coverage A and the conditions in the policy (Openly, homeowners coverage), so we review your replacement cost estimate closely before you buy.
Massachusetts and Maine
Openly is based in Boston, and Massachusetts and Maine are not on its list of states where the replacement amount is limited to Coverage A. In Maine, we write Openly for homes and rentals only, not condos or renters, and we quote other carriers for those.
Connecticut
In Connecticut, the Guaranteed Replacement Cost amount is subject to Coverage A and policy conditions. Openly’s disclosures also say that for new business in Connecticut, the total insured value of the dwelling, other structures, personal property and loss of use is capped at $6M (Openly, legal disclosures). We work with Connecticut homeowners by phone, email and online.
That six-state footprint helps families with a primary home in one state and a second home in another, such as a Massachusetts primary home with a New Hampshire lake house or a Maine cottage.
What does an Openly homeowners policy cover?
Openly highlights four core features of its homeowners coverage (Openly, homeowners coverage):
Guaranteed Replacement Cost
Openly says your home will be rebuilt even if the cost exceeds your initial policy limits, up to $5M.*
Liability up to $1M
Coverage for personal injury, bodily injury and property damage claims, plus medical payments to others.
Blanket personal property
Blanket coverage for belongings with limits up to $100,000 and replacement cost on contents.
Optional add-ons
Water backup, equipment breakdown, service line and cyber coverage can be added.
*Openly notes that in CT, NH and OH, among other states, the amount is subject to Coverage A and the conditions listed in the policy.
Openly also lists built-in coverage features, each with its own limit in the policy (Openly, homeowners coverage):
- Mold and fungi: remediation up to $10,000 and liability up to $50,000 for covered losses.
- Concealed water seepage: up to $20,000 for damage from hidden leaks.
- Other structures: pool structures, detached garages, sheds and fences.
- Refrigerated property: up to $5,000 for food lost to a power outage.
- Tree removal: up to $5,000 per occurrence when a tree falls from a covered peril and damages the home or blocks the driveway.
- Home-sharing: coverage during short-term home-sharing.
Higher-value features
Openly says its policies provide higher blanket limits for valuables such as jewelry, fine art, antiques and collectibles, and cover custom-built features such as high-end finishes, pools and guesthouses (Openly, homeowners coverage). For individual pieces worth more than the blanket limit, we review whether separate scheduled coverage makes sense.
Second homes and rentals
Openly writes primary homes, secondary and seasonal homes and rented-to-others properties. Its landlord policy covers loss of rental income, the landlord’s personal property on the premises and liability claims for named perils. Openly insures up to nine properties for one owner, with a separate policy for each home (Openly, homeowners coverage).
What Openly does not cover
Openly says homes on a historic registry are currently excluded (Openly homeowners). That matters in older New England towns. Like nearly every homeowners policy, Openly is not built to cover flood. We place flood through Selective for NFIP policies and through private flood carriers, and an umbrella can add liability limits above the home policy.
Is your dwelling coverage keeping up?
For a high-value home, the replacement cost estimate drives everything else in the policy. It is the cost to rebuild the home as it stands today, with its size, materials and finishes, not what you paid for it or its market value. Construction costs have risen in recent years, so a limit that was right five years ago may be short now.
Openly’s Guaranteed Replacement Cost coverage can help when a rebuild costs more than expected, but in Connecticut, New Hampshire and Ohio the amount is subject to Coverage A and the policy conditions (Openly). That is why we review the replacement cost estimate with every client. Our guide to insurance on a $2 million home walks through how we think about it.
Expert tip
“With rising inflation, dwelling replacement costs have gone up, and the goalposts have shifted. The dwelling coverage a high-value home needs now is much higher than it was. The upside is that carriers are expanding their appetite for higher-value homes, so homeowners have more good choices.”
— Jon Merwin, Founder and CEO, Licensed Insurance Advisor, Portsmouth Atlantic Insurance
Which homes is Openly a good fit for?
- Higher-value homes up to about $5M. Openly and National General both fit homes in this range, so we often quote both.
- Families who want broad coverage built in. Replacement cost protection, $1M liability and blanket contents limits are part of the core policy.
- Owners of second homes and rentals. Openly writes secondary, seasonal and rented-to-others homes.
- Families with homes in several of our Openly states. We write Openly in NH, ME, MA, CT, OH and IL.
When we look at other carriers
- Homes on a historic registry, which Openly excludes.
- Homes above $5M, where we compare Chubb and Cincinnati, which write homes at any dwelling limit.
- Homes in Vermont or Rhode Island, where Openly is not available.
- Condos and renters in Maine, which we write with other carriers.
See whether your home fits Openly
Tell us about your home and we’ll compare Openly with Chubb, Cincinnati, National General, Hanover and Andover.
What to ask before you switch to Openly
- What is the replacement cost estimate? It should reflect what it costs to rebuild your home today, not its market value.
- How does Guaranteed Replacement Cost work in your state? In CT, NH and OH, it is subject to Coverage A and policy conditions.
- Is the home on a historic registry? If so, Openly is not an option, and we quote other carriers.
- Do your valuables fit the blanket limit? If a single piece is worth more, we review separate scheduled coverage.
- Do you need flood or an umbrella? Neither is part of the homeowners policy, so we review both at the same time.
What are Openly’s pros and cons?
| Pros | Things to know |
|---|---|
| Guaranteed Replacement Cost up to $5M in many states | In CT, NH and OH, the amount is subject to Coverage A and policy conditions |
| Liability up to $1M and blanket contents up to $100,000 | Homes on a historic registry are excluded |
| Primary, secondary and rental homes | Not available in Vermont or Rhode Island |
| Sold only through independent agents | Underwritten by Rock Ridge, rated A- (Excellent); confirm the insurer named on your quote |
How do Openly claims work?
You can file an Openly claim through its online Claims Portal or by calling Openly Claims at (888) 808-4842. A claims adjuster reviews the claim and contacts you with next steps. Openly says most policyholders are contacted within one day of filing. You can choose your own contractor or use Openly’s Managed Repair Program, a network of pre-vetted repair professionals (Openly, home insurance claims).
If you insure with Openly through us, call (603) 431-4020 and we will help you start the claim.
Why we place high-value clients with Openly
We place clients with Openly when the home fits its range and the family wants broad coverage with a strong replacement cost feature. Openly is a good match for many Seacoast, lakefront and suburban homes, and for families with a second home in another of our Openly states.
Openly gives many higher-value homes broad coverage up to $5M. We check how its replacement cost feature works in your state before we recommend it.
Where Openly fits among our high-value carriers
Portsmouth Atlantic works with 40+ carriers, so Openly is one of several high-value options we compare.
| Carrier | Where it fits through Portsmouth Atlantic |
|---|---|
| Openly | Homes up to $5M in NH, ME, MA, CT, OH and IL |
| National General | Homes up to about $5M |
| Chubb | Homes at any dwelling limit, in all 10 states where we are licensed |
| Cincinnati | Homes at any dwelling limit, in all 10 states where we are licensed |
| Andover | Homes up to $2M in CT, up to $2.25M in MA and up to $1.5M in NH |
| Hanover | Another high-value option we compare |
See our high-net-worth insurance page for how we insure larger homes and collections.
Frequently asked questions
Is Openly a good insurance company for a high-value home?
For many homes up to about $5M, yes. Openly offers Guaranteed Replacement Cost coverage up to $5M, liability up to $1M and blanket personal property coverage up to $100,000, and it sells only through independent agents. In Connecticut, New Hampshire and Ohio, the replacement amount is subject to Coverage A and the policy conditions. We compare Openly side by side with our other high-value carriers.
Who underwrites Openly home insurance?
Openly LLC is a general agency and program administrator. Its homeowners policies are underwritten by Rock Ridge Insurance Company (NAIC 11089), an admitted carrier and a member of Clear Blue Insurance Group. AM Best rates the Clear Blue group A- (Excellent), affirmed effective July 16, 2026.
Where can Portsmouth Atlantic write Openly?
We write Openly in New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Ohio and Illinois, for homes up to $5M. In Maine, we write Openly for homes and rentals only, not condos or renters. Openly is not available in Vermont or Rhode Island.
What is Openly’s Guaranteed Replacement Cost coverage?
Openly says Guaranteed Replacement Cost means your home will be rebuilt even if the cost exceeds your initial policy limits, up to $5M. In Connecticut, New Hampshire, Ohio and several other states, the amount is subject to Coverage A and the conditions in the policy, so we review how it works for your state before you buy.
Does Openly insure historic homes?
Openly says homes on a historic registry are currently excluded. Many older New England homes are not on a registry and can still qualify, but if yours is listed, we will quote Chubb, Cincinnati and our other carriers instead.
How do I file an Openly claim?
You can file through Openly’s online Claims Portal or call Openly Claims at (888) 808-4842. You can choose your own contractor or use Openly’s Managed Repair Program. If you insure with Openly through us, call (603) 431-4020 and we will help you start the claim.
Related reading
- Insurance Carriers
- NH High-Value Home Insurance
- Homeowners Insurance Connecticut
- NH Home Insurance Agency
- Flood Insurance in New Hampshire & CT
- Umbrella Insurance NH & CT
Sources
- Openly, about us
- Openly, legal disclosures (underwriting company and states)
- Openly, home page (coverage and state conditions)
- Openly, homeowners coverage
- Openly, homeowners insurance
- Openly, find an agent
- Openly, home insurance claims
- AM Best Credit Rating Center, Clear Blue Insurance Group
- Clear Blue Insurance Group, about
This review is general information, not a policy. Coverage, forms and availability vary by state and policy, and every policy is subject to underwriting. Your policy documents control.
Related carrier reviews: Cincinnati Insurance Review (2026) · Chubb Insurance Review (2026) · Andover Companies Review (2026) · High-net-worth insurance
Get an Openly quote for your home
We write Openly in NH, ME, MA, CT, OH and IL, and we’ll compare it with our other high-value carriers.
Jon Merwin, Founder and CEO, Licensed Insurance Advisor
Jon founded Portsmouth Atlantic Insurance in 2005 in Portsmouth, NH. Our family-owned independent agency is licensed in 10 states and works with 40+ carriers, and we have earned 1,000+ Google reviews and over 2,000 testimonials. We don’t charge any fees. Meet our team.