Portsmouth Atlantic Insurance has been an independent insurance agency since 2005, comparing coverage from 40+ carriers for clients in the 10 states where we’re licensed. Here are straight answers to the questions we hear most at our offices in Portsmouth, NH and Stratford, CT.
Jump to: Home and condo · Coastal and flood · High-value homes and cars · Auto · Buying, renting and umbrella · Working with us
Home and condo
What does homeowners insurance cover, and what does it leave out?
A homeowners policy typically covers the house, other structures like a detached garage, your belongings, loss of use while you’re displaced, and personal liability. The common gaps are flood, earth movement, wear and maintenance, and sewer or drain backup unless you add it. Limits on jewelry, art and collections are often low until you schedule items. Older New England homes also raise questions about replacement cost versus actual cash value. See our New Hampshire homeowners guide or Connecticut homeowners guide.
What does condo (HO-6) insurance cover if my association has a master policy?
The master policy usually covers the building and common areas. Your HO-6 covers what the master policy doesn’t, which depends on whether the association’s coverage is “bare walls” or “walls-in.” A good HO-6 covers interior finishes and improvements, your belongings, liability, loss of use, and loss assessment, which helps if the association charges owners for a large claim or its deductible. Read your association’s bylaws and master policy summary before choosing limits. Our New Hampshire condo insurance guide walks through each piece.
Coastal and flood
Does homeowners insurance cover flooding? Do I need flood insurance outside a flood zone?
Standard homeowners policies exclude flood, including storm surge and rising water. Lenders require flood insurance for many homes in FEMA high-risk zones, but homes outside those zones flood too, especially near the coast and rivers. We quote the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and private flood carriers including Flow Flood, Neptune Flood, Beyond Floods, The Flood Insurance Agency, CatCoverage and Aon Edge, so you can compare coverage, waiting periods and limits side by side. NFIP policies usually have a waiting period before coverage starts, so don’t wait for a storm forecast. Learn more on our flood insurance page.
What should coastal New Hampshire homeowners know about insurance?
Homes in Portsmouth, Rye, New Castle, Hampton and the rest of the Seacoast face three recurring issues: flood and storm surge, wind and ice damage to roofs, and the cost of rebuilding older or historic homes. Check that your dwelling limit reflects today’s rebuilding cost, ask about wind or named-storm deductibles, and price flood coverage separately even if your lender doesn’t require it. Our Portsmouth office works with Seacoast homeowners every day. Start with our Seacoast NH flood page and Portsmouth high-value home page.
Still have a question? Ask a licensed agent. Ask your question
High-value homes and cars
How is high-value home insurance in Connecticut different from a standard policy?
High-value home policies usually offer broader replacement-cost options, higher limits for valuables, cash-out options after a total loss, and more flexibility for custom construction. On the Connecticut shoreline, review hurricane deductibles and flood limits carefully, because NFIP limits may not cover a larger home. For high-value homes we compare carriers such as Chubb, Cincinnati, Openly, National General, Hanover and Andover, and for the largest estates, Chubb and Cincinnati. Our Stratford office handles Fairfield County and shoreline homes. See high-value home insurance in Connecticut and coastal home and flood insurance in Connecticut.
How do you insure luxury, collector or high-value cars?
It depends on how the cars are used. For daily-driven high-value cars and collector vehicles, standalone options include Hagerty, Hanover and Progressive. Chubb and Cincinnati can also write auto, but only when it’s packaged with your home or other policies with that same carrier. Collector cars often qualify for agreed-value coverage, which settles a total loss at a value set in advance rather than depreciated market value. Pair high auto limits with an umbrella. Read more about high-value auto insurance and collector car insurance.
Auto
How much car insurance do I need beyond the state minimum?
State minimums are a legal floor, not a recommendation. A serious accident can easily exceed minimum liability limits, and your savings and future earnings may be at risk. Most households should look at higher bodily injury and property damage limits, uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, and an umbrella if they own a home. New Hampshire and Connecticut handle auto insurance rules differently. Read Does New Hampshire require car insurance? and Connecticut car insurance requirements, or see our auto insurance page.
Buying, renting and umbrella
I’m buying a home. When should I start on homeowners insurance?
Start as soon as you have an accepted offer. Your lender will need proof of homeowners insurance before closing, and the property’s flood zone, roof age, heating system and electrical can all affect which carriers will write it. Share your inspection report and the seller’s disclosure with us early so there are no surprises. If the home is in a flood zone, your lender may require flood coverage too. Start a quote request or review our homeowners insurance page.
Do I need landlord insurance for a rental property?
Usually, yes. A standard homeowners policy is written for a home you live in. Once you rent a home, condo or multi-family property to tenants, you typically need a landlord or dwelling policy that covers the building, liability, and lost rental income after a covered loss. Your tenants’ belongings aren’t covered; ask tenants to carry renters insurance. Short-term rentals may need different coverage, so tell us how you rent the property. See our landlord insurance page and renters insurance page.
What is an umbrella policy, and who needs one?
An umbrella policy adds liability coverage above your home, auto and other policies. It can help if a serious car accident, an injury on your property, or a lawsuit exceeds your underlying limits. It’s worth considering if you own a home, have teen drivers, own a rental property, a pool or a boat, or have significant savings to protect. Most umbrellas require certain liability limits on your underlying policies, so we review them together. Read more on our umbrella insurance page.
Working with us
Why work with an independent agency like Portsmouth Atlantic Insurance?
We aren’t tied to one insurance company. Since 2005 we’ve compared coverage from 40+ carriers for clients across the 10 states where we’re licensed, from our offices in Portsmouth, NH and Stratford, CT. You get one team for home, auto, flood, umbrella and specialty coverage, and we show you the trade-offs side by side. Our clients have shared over 2,000 testimonials. See why clients choose Portsmouth Atlantic, the carriers we work with and our locations.
How do I get a quote or a coverage review?
Fill out our quote request or ask for a policy review. Have your current declarations pages, the drivers and vehicles in your household, and the details of any homes or rentals you want to insure ready. A licensed agent will review your current coverage, point out gaps, and compare options. You can also call or visit our Portsmouth, NH or Stratford, CT office.
More resources
Insurance glossary · Blog · Client testimonials
Didn’t see your question? Ask us.
Tell us what you’re trying to figure out, whether it’s flood coverage on the Seacoast, a high-value home in Connecticut, a first home, a rental or a condo. A licensed agent from our Portsmouth, NH or Stratford, CT office will reply with an answer, not a sales script. We compare 40+ carriers, so we can show you the trade-offs.
Send us your question or, if you prefer a full quote, start here. No obligation. We’ll only use your information to answer your question.