By Jon Merwin, Founder and CEO
Driving in Amherst? See our page on car insurance in Amherst.
Amherst pairs one of New Hampshire’s best-preserved village centers with large, wooded house lots spread across the rest of town. Homeowners here usually have private wells and septic systems, long driveways, and plenty of trees, and many own either an antique house near the village green or a newer colonial on several acres. Both shape the homeowners policy.
Portsmouth Atlantic Insurance is a family-owned independent agency founded in 2005 and licensed in 10 states. We compare home coverage from 40+ carriers, charge no agency fees, and work from our Portsmouth, NH office.
What Amherst homeowners should know
Houses in Amherst Village
The village around the town green is a historic district with houses from the late 1700s and 1800s. Rebuilding period details costs more than standard construction, so we set the dwelling limit from a replacement-cost estimate and ask whether district rules could affect how a damaged house must be rebuilt.
Wells, septic and long driveways
Most Amherst homes are on private wells and septic. A worn-out well pump or failed septic field generally is not covered, though some carriers offer equipment breakdown or service line endorsements. Distance from a fire hydrant can also affect pricing, so tell us about any nearby hydrant, pond or cistern.
Baboosic Lake and the Souhegan River
Homes near Baboosic Lake or on low ground along the Souhegan River can take on water in heavy rain or spring melt. Flood is excluded from homeowners policies, so check your address on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center and ask about flood insurance. A boat needs its own boat policy.
Larger homes and outbuildings
Barns, detached garages and workshops fall under other-structures coverage, usually a percentage of the dwelling limit. For larger homes, Openly and National General write up to about $5 million. Cincinnati and Chubb both write homes at any dwelling limit, so we quote both. A personal umbrella adds liability protection.
Nearby towns
We also insure homes in Bedford, Manchester and Windham.
Get your quote
Tell us about the house and we will follow up with options. Prefer to talk? Call (603) 431-4020 or use our quote page.
For a closer look at home coverage, see our page on homeowners insurance in Amherst.
Frequently asked questions
How do you insure an antique house in Amherst Village?
We start with a replacement-cost estimate that reflects period materials, and ask whether historic district rules could affect a rebuild.
Is my well pump covered?
Generally not when it wears out. Some carriers offer equipment breakdown or service line endorsements that may help.
Which carriers do you use for Amherst homes?
We compare coverage from 40+ carriers. For larger homes, Openly and National General write up to about $5 million. Cincinnati and Chubb both write homes at any dwelling limit, so we quote both.
Do you charge agency fees?
No. We do not charge agency fees on any policy, including home, auto, flood and umbrella.
By Jon Merwin, Founder and CEO
Family-owned since 2005, with 1,000+ Google reviews and over 2,000 testimonials. Meet our team.
Amherst is part of our New Hampshire service area. See our New Hampshire insurance agency page for other towns we serve.