Home · Second homes · Rentals · NH + CT + New England
By Jon Merwin, Founder and CEO
- Openly is not an insurance company in the traditional sense. It is a Boston-based general agency and program administrator, founded in 2017, that designs the policy, runs the technology and handles service and claims.
- Openly’s policies are underwritten by Rock Ridge Insurance Company, part of Clear Blue Insurance Group. Openly lists Rock Ridge as rated A- (Excellent) by AM Best.
- Openly is sold only through independent agents. Portsmouth Atlantic is appointed with Openly in New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Ohio and Illinois.
- Among our carriers, Openly fits homes up to about $5 million. It writes primary homes, second homes and rentals, but not condo unit-owner (HO-6) policies.
- We help you report claims and follow up with Openly until they are resolved.
If an agent has mentioned Openly, you may be wondering who it is. The name is newer than the century-old mutuals many New England homeowners know, and the structure is different too. This Openly homeowners insurance review explains how Openly works, who stands behind its policies, what its coverage is known for, which homes it tends to fit, and how we compare it with other carriers.
Portsmouth Atlantic Insurance is a family-owned independent agency, founded in 2005, and Openly is one of the 40+ carriers we work with. You can see the rest on our carriers page.
What is Openly, and who actually insures an Openly policy?
According to its About Us page, Openly was founded in Boston in 2017 by Ty Harris, formerly of Liberty Mutual, and Matt Wielbut, a founding partner of two insurtech ventures. The goal was a homeowners product built for independent agents, using actuarial science, data and modern technology to make quoting faster and policies clearer.
Here is the part that matters most. Openly’s legal disclosures describe Openly LLC as a general agency and program administrator. In industry shorthand, that is a managing general agent, or MGA. Openly designs the policy, runs the platform and services the account, while an unaffiliated insurance company issues the policy, carries the risk and is responsible for paying claims.
As of October 15, 2026, Openly names one underwriting carrier for the states it lists: Rock Ridge Insurance Company (NAIC # 11089), a member of Clear Blue Insurance Group, an admitted carrier domiciled in Texas. Your declarations page names the insurer, and we walk you through it.
| Fact | What the source says |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2017, Boston, MA, by Ty Harris and Matt Wielbut (source) |
| What Openly is | A general agency and program administrator (MGA) that offers policies underwritten by unaffiliated carriers (source) |
| Underwriting insurer | Rock Ridge Insurance Company (NAIC # 11089), Clear Blue Insurance Group, admitted, domiciled in Texas (source) |
| Financial strength | Openly lists Rock Ridge as AM Best A- (Excellent). AM Best affirmed Clear Blue Insurance Group’s A- (Excellent) rating, stable outlook, effective July 16, 2026 (AM Best) |
| States | 24 states, including Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Vermont and Rhode Island are not on the list (source) |
| Policy types | Primary homes, secondary and seasonal homes, homes rented to others (source) |
| How it sells | Only through independent agents (source) |
| Portsmouth Atlantic appointment | NH, ME, MA, CT, OH and IL |
How strong is the insurer behind Openly?
With an MGA, the financial strength question is about the insurer on the policy, not the MGA itself. Openly’s legal disclosures describe Rock Ridge Insurance Company as an AM Best A- (Excellent) rated, admitted carrier. AM Best first assigned Rock Ridge an A- (Excellent) rating in September 2019, citing its role as a member of Clear Blue Insurance Group and the group’s support, including significant reinsurance programs.
AM Best evaluates Clear Blue on a group basis. Its Best’s Credit Rating Center shows the group’s Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent), with a stable outlook, affirmed effective July 16, 2026. An A- is in AM Best’s Excellent category. Ratings can change, so it is worth confirming the current rating of the insurer named on your quote, and we are glad to help.
Where is Openly available in New England?
Openly says it offers homeowners insurance in 24 states. In New England, that includes Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Vermont and Rhode Island are not on Openly’s state list as of this writing. Portsmouth Atlantic is appointed with Openly in New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts and Connecticut, plus Ohio and Illinois, which helps families who own homes in more than one of those states.
Openly insurance in NH
New Hampshire is home base for us, and Openly is one of the carriers we compare for houses from the Seacoast to the Lakes Region. One state detail: Openly advertises guaranteed replacement cost on primary homes, but notes that in New Hampshire (and several other states) the coverage amount is subject to Coverage A and the conditions in the policy. We explain what that means for your house when we quote. Our New Hampshire homeowners insurance guide covers how we match homes to carriers across the state.
Openly insurance in CT
Openly is available in Connecticut, and Portsmouth Atlantic is appointed with Openly there. The same Coverage A note applies in Connecticut, and Openly’s disclosures add that new Connecticut policies have a cap on total insured value, meaning dwelling, other structures, personal property and loss of use combined. We serve Connecticut by phone, email and online, with a Fairfield County office coming soon. For more on Connecticut homes, start with our Connecticut homeowners insurance hub.
What does an Openly homeowners policy cover?
Openly emphasizes a broad base policy. Its coverage page highlights these features for primary homes:
- Guaranteed replacement cost on the dwelling, meaning the home is rebuilt even if the cost exceeds the policy limit, subject to the Coverage A note above in states including NH and CT.
- Personal liability up to $1 million, plus medical payments coverage for guests injured on your property.
- Blanket coverage for personal property categories such as jewelry, fine art and collectibles, with replacement cost on belongings and a zero-deductible option.
- Built-in extras Openly lists, including mold and fungi remediation, concealed water seepage, refrigerated property, tree removal, coverage during short-term home-sharing, and buried service lines.
- Optional add-ons such as water backup, equipment breakdown (varies by state) and personal cyber coverage for identity theft and online fraud.
Second homes and rentals
Openly also writes secondary and seasonal homes, such as a lake house or ski place, and rented-to-others policies for landlords that include loss of rental income. Openly says it can insure primary, secondary and rental properties, up to nine, with a separate policy for each home.
What Openly does not write
Openly does not write condo unit-owner (HO-6) policies through us, so if you own a condo unit, we will quote other carriers. Openly also says homes on a historic registry are currently excluded, which matters in older New England towns. And like nearly every homeowners policy, Openly’s is not built to cover flood.
If your home sits near the coast, a river or a low-lying area, ask about a separate flood insurance policy. And if you want liability limits above what a homeowners policy provides, an umbrella policy sits on top of your home and auto coverage.
Call our team at (603) 431-4020, or request a quote below and we will compare Openly with our other carriers.
Which New England homes is Openly a good fit for?
Every home is underwritten on its own, so this is a general guide, not a promise of eligibility. Here is how we think about where Openly fits among the carriers we work with:
- Homes under about $2 million. Almost all of our carriers can fit here, so Openly competes on coverage features and service, and we compare it head to head with the others.
- Homes up to about $5 million. This is where Openly stands out for us. Above about $2 million, fewer of our carriers fit, and Openly and National General are the ones we look to for homes up to about $5 million. Our high-value home insurance in New Hampshire page explains how we approach larger homes.
- Homes above $5 million. Here we position Chubb and Cincinnati. You can read why in our Chubb insurance review and Cincinnati Insurance review.
Within those ranges, Openly is often worth quoting for:
- Homeowners who want guaranteed replacement cost and strong liability limits in one base policy.
- Families with a second home in New Hampshire, Maine or Massachusetts, who can keep both homes with one agent and similar coverage.
- Landlords with a rental house who want a rented-to-others policy.
- Anyone who wants an agent in the middle, since Openly is only sold through independent agents.
What to keep in mind
- Openly is a program administrator, and your policy is issued by its underwriting insurer. We show you who that is before you buy.
- Coverage amounts and features vary by state, including the Coverage A condition in NH and CT.
- No condo unit-owner (HO-6) policies, and no homes on a historic registry for now.
Do you need an Openly insurance agent?
Yes. Openly says plainly that its policies are only available through independent agents. Even when you start a quote on Openly’s website, you are connected with an independent agency to finish it (Openly, Homeowners; Openly, Find an Agent).
That is a good thing, in our view. An independent agent can tell you when Openly fits and when another carrier suits your home better. We start with your house, its age, construction, roof, heating and location, then compare Openly with the other carriers that fit. Asking us for a quote doesn’t obligate you to buy anything. Portsmouth Atlantic is licensed in 10 states and is the most-reviewed independent insurance agency in New Hampshire, with 1,000+ Google reviews and over 2,000 testimonials.
How do Openly homeowners claims work?
Openly’s claims page lays out four steps. You report the claim through Openly’s online Claims Portal, by phone or through your independent agent. Openly’s claims team reviews the loss and an adjuster contacts you about next steps. You can choose your own contractor or use Openly’s Managed Repair Program of pre-vetted partners for water mitigation and restoration. Openly policies also include additional living expenses if a covered loss makes your home unlivable.
We like to be part of that process. If Portsmouth Atlantic is your agent, call us at (603) 431-4020. We help you report the claim, make sure Openly has what it needs, and follow up until the claim is resolved.
How do I get an Openly quote?
Tell us about your home and we will compare Openly with our other carriers. Prefer to talk? Call (603) 431-4020.
Frequently asked questions
Is Openly a good homeowners insurance company?
Openly is a Boston-based general agency and program administrator, founded in 2017, that designs homeowners policies and sells them only through independent agents. Its policies are underwritten by Rock Ridge Insurance Company, a member of Clear Blue Insurance Group, which Openly lists as rated A- (Excellent) by AM Best. Whether Openly is the right fit depends on your home, so we compare it with our other carriers before we recommend it.
Who underwrites Openly homeowners insurance?
Openly’s legal disclosures, checked October 15, 2026, name Rock Ridge Insurance Company (NAIC 11089), a Texas-domiciled admitted carrier in the Clear Blue Insurance Group, as the underwriting company in the states Openly lists, including Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. The insurer, not Openly, is responsible for the claims on its policies.
Is Openly insurance available in New Hampshire and Connecticut?
Yes. Openly lists both New Hampshire and Connecticut among the 24 states where it offers homeowners insurance. Portsmouth Atlantic Insurance is appointed with Openly in New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Ohio and Illinois. We serve Connecticut by phone, email and online, with a Fairfield County office coming soon.
Can I buy Openly insurance directly from Openly?
No. Openly says its policies are only available through independent agents. If you request a quote on Openly’s website, you are connected with an independent agency. Portsmouth Atlantic is an independent agency that can quote Openly alongside 40+ carriers.
Does Openly insure condos?
Openly lists policies for primary homes, secondary and seasonal homes, and homes rented to others. Openly does not write condo unit-owner (HO-6) policies through us, so for a condo unit we quote other carriers.
Does Openly cover high-value homes?
Openly writes many higher-value homes. Among the carriers we work with, Openly and National General fit homes up to about $5 million. Above $5 million, we position Chubb and Cincinnati. Openly says homes on a historic registry are currently excluded.
How do I file an Openly homeowners claim?
Openly takes new claims through its online Claims Portal, by phone, or through your independent agent. A claims adjuster then contacts you about next steps. If Portsmouth Atlantic is your agent, call us at (603) 431-4020. We help you report the claim and follow up until it is resolved.
Sources
- Openly, About Openly
- Openly, Legal Disclosures (underwriting company information and product disclosures)
- Openly, home page (states and coverage overview)
- Openly, Homeowners Insurance
- Openly, Home Insurance Coverage
- Openly, Home Insurance Claims
- Openly, Find an Independent Agent
- AM Best, Best’s Credit Rating Center: Clear Blue Insurance Company, rating unit Clear Blue Insurance Group (checked Oct. 15, 2026)
- AM Best, AM Best Assigns Credit Ratings to Rock Ridge Insurance Company (Sept. 5, 2019)
Jon founded Portsmouth Atlantic Insurance in 2005. The family-owned agency works with 40+ carriers, is licensed in 10 states and is the most-reviewed independent insurance agency in New Hampshire, with 1,000+ Google reviews and over 2,000 testimonials. Call (603) 431-4020.