By Jon Merwin, Founder and CEO
Exeter is a river town. The freshwater Exeter River becomes the tidal Squamscott right downtown, and the historic center, home to Phillips Exeter Academy and the American Independence Museum, grew up along its banks. For homeowners that means some of the most varied housing on the Seacoast: Front Street colonials and 19th-century houses near the river, mid-century capes and ranches, and newer subdivisions and townhome communities on the edges of town.
Portsmouth Atlantic Insurance is a family-owned independent agency founded in 2005, a short drive away in Portsmouth. We compare home coverage from 40+ carriers, charge no agency fees, and we are the most-reviewed independent insurance agency in New Hampshire, with 1,000+ Google reviews and over 2,000 testimonials across our two offices. Call (603) 431-4020 or start a quote.
Homeowners insurance in Exeter
Exeter is not a beachfront town, so the insurance questions here are about age, construction and water rather than storm surge. Two houses at the same price can insure very differently: a 1790 colonial with plaster walls and older wiring is not underwritten like a 2024 build with modern systems. Most Exeter homes are well under $2 million in rebuild cost, which means almost all of our carriers are available, and that gives you real choice on coverage form, deductibles and endorsements.
Older and historic homes near downtown
Many houses in and around Exeter’s historic district date to the 1700s and 1800s. Carriers will ask about wiring, heating, plumbing and roof age, and some want to see updates before they quote. Restoring custom millwork, plaster and slate costs more than standard construction, so we set the dwelling limit from a replacement-cost estimate rather than the purchase price. Ask about:
- Ordinance or law coverage, which helps pay to bring a damaged home up to current code.
- Replacement cost versus functional replacement, because some carriers settle older homes differently.
- Updates to the roof, wiring, plumbing and heat, which affect which carriers will quote.
Buying new construction in Exeter
Newer neighborhoods and townhome communities have added a lot of housing in Exeter. New homes are often attractive to carriers because of new roofs, updated electrical and plumbing, and modern code. When you buy new construction, plan for:
- Timing. Your lender needs a binder before closing. If you are building, the builder may carry builder’s risk until you take ownership, so confirm the handoff date.
- Accurate rebuild cost. Insure to what it would cost to rebuild, including finishes and upgrades, not to the purchase price.
- Builder warranties versus insurance. A warranty covers defects. Homeowners insurance covers sudden losses such as fire, wind and burst pipes.
- Association policies. In townhome and condo communities, check whether the master policy covers walls-in or only the structure. That decides whether you need an HO-6 or an HO-3. See our New Hampshire condominium insurance guide.
Mid-century capes, ranches and split-levels
Between the historic center and the newest subdivisions, much of Exeter is made up of capes, ranches, split-levels and colonials built in the second half of the 20th century. These homes are usually straightforward to insure, but carriers will ask about roof age, the heating system and the electrical panel. Older roofs may be settled at actual cash value on some policies, so we check that before you bind. Many of these homes also have basements that were finished later, which makes water backup coverage worth a look.
First homes
If this is your first home, you will hear new terms: dwelling coverage, loss of use, liability, deductible and replacement cost. We walk through each one and show how the choices change your coverage. We also check discounts that may apply, such as bundling with auto, protective devices or a newer roof, without promising a specific savings figure.
River flooding, winter storms and water damage
Heavy rain has flooded parts of Exeter more than once, including during the Mother’s Day storm of 2006. The town removed the Great Dam downtown in 2016, but low-lying properties along the Exeter and Squamscott rivers and local brooks still carry flood exposure. Homeowners policies exclude flood, so check your address on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center.
- NFIP: we write National Flood Insurance Program policies through Selective. NFIP building coverage tops out at $250,000 and contents at $100,000, with a usual 30-day waiting period unless the policy is tied to a loan closing.
- Private flood: for higher limits or different terms, we compare Flow Flood, Neptune Flood, Beyond Floods, The Flood Insurance Agency, CatCoverage and Aon Edge.
See our flood insurance page for more. Winter is the bigger everyday risk for most Exeter homes: frozen pipes, ice dams and nor’easter wind. Water backup coverage for basements and sump pumps is a separate endorsement we recommend reviewing, especially if the basement is finished.
Matching your Exeter home to the right carriers
- Homes under about $2 million: almost all of our 40+ carriers can fit, and that covers most of Exeter.
- About $2 million to $3 million: Hanover writes homes up to about $2 to $3 million. Andover writes up to about $1.5 million in dwelling coverage, or about $1 million for homes far from a fire hydrant or fire station.
- Over about $3 million: we highlight Cincinnati.
- $5 million and up: Chubb, which specializes in high-value homes, is a strong fit.
For new construction, historic homes and first homes in town, see our guide to homeowners insurance in Exeter, NH. For larger homes in Exeter and nearby Stratham, see our New Hampshire high-value home insurance guide. For policy forms and endorsements, see homeowners insurance in New Hampshire.
Renting to students, faculty or staff
If you rent a house or apartment, a homeowners policy is usually the wrong form. You need landlord insurance, and tenants should carry renters insurance. If you rent part of your own home, tell us so the policy reflects it.
Auto and umbrella
Exeter sits on Route 101 and Route 108, and many households commute to Portsmouth, Manchester or Boston. We write auto with the same 40+ carrier approach, and most clients put home and auto together. A personal umbrella adds liability protection above the home and auto limits.
What an Exeter homeowners policy should include
These are the parts of an Exeter policy we review most closely:
- Dwelling limit from a current replacement-cost estimate, with extended replacement cost where available. That matters for both historic homes and new builds with high-end finishes.
- Ordinance or law coverage for older homes that would need code upgrades after a loss.
- Other structures for barns, detached garages and sheds, which are common on older Exeter properties.
- Personal property on a replacement-cost basis, with scheduled coverage for valuables.
- Loss of use, which pays for somewhere to live while the house is repaired.
- Liability high enough to sit under a personal umbrella.
- Water backup coverage for finished basements and sump pumps, and service line coverage where offered.
Why Exeter homeowners use an independent agency
We are not tied to one company. We gather your details once, compare 40+ carriers, explain the trade-offs in plain language and stay with you after the sale for claims, changes and renewals. When you buy, we get the binder and evidence of insurance to your lender on time, which clients tell us is one of the things they value most.
Nearby towns
We insure many homes in neighboring Stratham, where larger lots, private wells and newer construction are common, and also in Hampton, Greenland, Kensington, Rye, Dover and Portsmouth. Exeter is part of our New Hampshire service area.
Get your Exeter quote
Buying, building or switching? Send us the address and closing date, and we will compare carriers and get your binder to your lender. Prefer to talk? Call (603) 431-4020 or use our quote page.
Frequently asked questions
When should I get homeowners insurance when buying in Exeter?
Once your offer is accepted. Lenders require a binder before closing, so start early.
Is new construction cheaper to insure?
Newer roofs and systems can make a home more attractive to carriers, but price depends on many factors. We compare options for your specific home.
Do I need flood insurance in downtown Exeter?
Only if your lender requires it for a high-risk zone, but homes on low ground near the Exeter or Squamscott rivers should consider it because homeowners policies exclude flood.
How do you insure a historic house in Exeter?
We start with a replacement-cost estimate that reflects period materials, look at ordinance or law coverage, and compare carriers that write older homes.
Does my condo or townhome association policy cover my unit?
It depends on the master policy. Some cover only the shell and others cover more. We read it with you and match your HO-6 or HO-3 to it.
I rent a room to a student. Does my homeowners policy still work?
Tell us first. Some carriers allow a roomer or boarder with an endorsement and some do not, and liability and theft coverage can change. We will find a policy that matches how you actually use the house.
Can you insure a home in Stratham or Newfields too?
Yes. We insure homes throughout the Exeter area, including Stratham, Newfields, Kensington and Brentwood, from our Portsmouth office.
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 and the most-reviewed independent insurance agency in New Hampshire, with 1,000+ Google reviews and over 2,000 testimonials across our two offices. Meet our team.