Why independence matters
Portsmouth Atlantic Insurance is an independent insurance agency. That means we do not work for one insurance company. We work for you. Instead of one company’s pitch, you get options from 40+ carriers, and advice from people who know homes and roads from Seacoast New Hampshire to Fairfield County, Connecticut.
Choosing the carrier matters as much as choosing the coverage. Two policies can look alike on paper and behave very differently when you file a claim or when your house sits a few blocks from the water. Here is how we decide which carriers to bring to you.
Our carrier roster by category
We work with 40+ carriers. These are some of the companies we place clients with, grouped by the kind of coverage they are best known for with us. Availability depends on your state, property and driving record.
- High-value and luxury homes: Chubb, Cincinnati, Openly, National General, Hanover and Andover. For the very largest homes, Chubb and Cincinnati.
- Standard homeowners, second homes and condos (HO-6): Hanover, Cincinnati, Vermont Mutual, Concord Group, Andover, Safety, National General and Plymouth Rock (New Hampshire, not Maine). Condo HO-6 policies are available from our carriers except Progressive and Openly.
- Auto and high-value auto: Progressive and Plymouth Rock, plus Cincinnati, Hagerty, Hanover and Progressive for high-value and collector cars. Chubb and Cincinnati auto are written alongside their home policies.
- Mobile and manufactured homes: Foremost and American Modern.
- RV and powersports: Progressive, National General, Foremost and Liberty Mutual.
- Flood: NFIP flood policies mainly through Selective, a Write Your Own carrier for the National Flood Insurance Program. Private flood through Flow Flood, Neptune Flood, Beyond Floods, The Flood Insurance Agency, CatCoverage and Aon Edge.
- Apartment and condo buildings (habitational): Vermont Mutual, Concord Group, Safety and Andover. We also arrange builders risk coverage for habitational projects only (apartment and condo buildings), not general commercial construction.
- Other carriers on our client service page: Patriot Insurance Company, Liberty Mutual, Swyfft, Universal Property & Casualty and SkiSafe.
Some carriers also offer group discounts. College and university graduates, for example, may qualify for a Hanover alumni discount on home and auto in New Hampshire and Maine. Discounts may vary by carrier and eligibility; see our guide to alumni insurance discounts.
What we look for in a carrier
- Financial strength. We want carriers with the financial footing to pay claims after a bad storm season, not just in a quiet year.
- Claims reputation. We pay attention to how carriers treat our clients after a loss, because that is when a policy proves its worth.
- Coverage options. We look at what each carrier can add or adjust, such as replacement cost, water backup, scheduled valuables and umbrella coordination, so the policy fits how you live.
- Coastal and high-value appetite. Some carriers welcome coastal homes, older homes and high-value properties. Others are cautious. Knowing the difference saves you time and avoids surprises at renewal.
“When a carrier says no to a coastal home, that’s usually where my job starts. I’d rather spend the time finding the company that actually wants your house than force-fit you into the one that’s easiest to quote. And once you’re with us, you keep the same team, so when your needs change, we’re the ones who already know your house.”
How this helps you
- We compare several carriers. We look at the carriers that fit your home, cars and budget and explain the trade-offs in plain language.
- Local advice. We know the questions that come up with Seacoast NH coastal homes, Fairfield County shoreline properties, flood zones and second homes.
- The same team over time. You work with the same people at renewal, after a claim and when you buy your next home or car.
Learn more about homeowners insurance, flood insurance and auto insurance, or read about our Portsmouth, NH insurance agency.
Frequently asked questions
Do you work for one company?
No. Portsmouth Atlantic Insurance is an independent agency. We work with 40+ carriers and we work for you, not for any one insurance company.
Can I request a specific carrier?
Yes. If you already like a carrier we work with, tell us and we will include it. We will also show you how it compares with other options so you can decide.
What if my carrier won’t cover my coastal home?
Coastal homes in Seacoast New Hampshire and along the Fairfield County shoreline are a common reason people call us. Carriers differ in their appetite for coastal and high-value homes, so we look across our carriers for one that fits, and we can pair a homeowners policy with separate NFIP or private flood coverage.
How many quotes will I get?
It depends on your home, your cars and what carriers are writing in your area at the time. We compare the carriers that are a real fit for you and walk you through the options that make sense, rather than sending a stack of quotes.
Do you charge?
No. We do not charge agency or broker fees on personal lines policies.
Do you write commercial insurance?
On the commercial side we focus on habitational coverage for apartment and condo buildings. For other business coverage, ask us and we will tell you honestly whether we can help.
Get options, not a pitch
Ready to see what 40+ carriers can do for you? Start a quote or contact our team.