Newly built single story house with 2 car garage

With Banas & Fickert Insurance Agency, Your Home Can Weather the New England Storms

If you are looking for homeowners insurance in Massachusetts, you want to work with a local company. Banas & Fickert Insurance Agency is based in Easthampton, Massachusetts. Because of this, we can help you understand exactly what coverage you need for your home.

house with an ice dam along the roof's edge

Standard homeowners insurance does not cover everything that can go wrong. Because of this, our agents can discuss a variety of options with you, including:

  • Traditional Homeowners Insurance
  • Condo Insurance
  • Renters Insurance
  • Mobile Home Insurance
  • Motor Home Insurance
  • Dwelling Fire Insurance
  • Flood Insurance
  • Vacant Property Insurance

Your home is important. It holds your most prized possessions, nearly everything you own, and a plethora of memories. When you have insurance on your home, you are looking ahead to the future. You never know what might happen. Keep your home and assets protected with proper insurance.

Factors Influencing Insurance Rates

There are a few things that will affect your monthly premium, and it is important to keep these in mind when getting a new insurance plan.

  • Deductible
  • Age of the home
  • Location of home (including proximity to a body of water)
  • Price of the home and covered assets
  • Riders

Do You Heat With Oil?

Roth’s state-of-the art double-wall oil tanks are the best you can find. At Banas & Fickert, we recommend Roth tanks over regular black steel tanks for peace of mind.

  • Better for the environment
  • Better for your safety
  • Higher quality

This style of tank could save you from a major financial loss and mental anguish beyond belief.

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brick fronted house with major fire damage indicating the need to put in a homeowners insurance claim

Do You Run a Small Business From Home?

Most homeowners and renters insurance policies do not cover losses to business-related property. What if your inventory was stolen out of your car, or your laptop was damaged by a spill? Protect your investment with Home Business Insurance. Policy features include:

  • Liability limits up to $1 million
  • Liability coverage for events and shows
  • Business property protection up to $100,000
  • Optional coverage:
    • Money & Securities, Garagekeepers
    • Unmanned Aircraft (state restrictions apply)
    • Loss of Income, and more.

What works for your neighbors and their homes may not work for you. You may find that you want more coverage, or different coverage. Because of that, the agents at Banas & Fickert Insurance Agency take the time to get to know you. We ask you questions about your situation and put together an insurance plan that will fit your budget and your needs. We believe that customer service is one of the most important things we offer.

Get a Quote

Whether you are looking for a new home quote, you want to update your policy, or you are considering adding Earthquake or flood insurance to your current package, we are here to help. Give us a call at 413-527-2700. You will be thrilled with the service you get. The insurance offerings are extensive, and we can put together a package that fits your family and your home and gets you covered correctly.

Homeowners Insurance FAQs

Legally, the state of Massachusetts does not require you to hold homeowners insurance. However, if you have a mortgage, your bank or lender will almost always require you to carry a policy to protect their financial interest in your property until the loan is paid off.

No, a standard homeowners policy does not cover flood damage caused by rising water (like overflowing rivers or heavy rains pooling in your yard). You must purchase a separate Flood Insurance policy to be covered. We can help you determine if your home is in a flood zone and find the right coverage.

This is a critical distinction. Replacement Cost pays to repair or replace your damaged property with new materials of similar quality, without deducting for age. Actual Cash Value (ACV) pays you the depreciated value of your items—what they are worth today, not what you paid for them. We strongly recommend Replacement Cost coverage for better protection.

Typically, yes. Sudden and accidental discharge of water, such as a burst pipe or a broken water heater, is usually covered by a standard homeowners policy. However, slow leaks that happen over time due to lack of maintenance are generally not covered.

Living in New England, this is a top concern. Most standard policies do cover interior water damage caused by ice dams (when ice blocks melting snow from draining, forcing water under your shingles

Yes, the Liability portion of your policy covers you if a guest is injured on your property (e.g., slips on an icy walkway or is bitten by your dog) and decides to sue. It pays for their medical bills and your legal defense fees, up to your policy limit.

Standard policies have “sub-limits” for certain categories of valuables like jewelry, watches, furs, and art (often capped at $1,000–$2,500). To fully insure high-value items, you should “schedule” them (add a rider) to your policy. This ensures they are covered for their full appraised value, often with no deductible.

It depends on the cause. If mold is the result of a covered “peril” (like that burst pipe we mentioned), your policy may cover the remediation. If the mold is due to long-term humidity, neglect, or a slow leak you ignored, insurance typically will not cover it.

If a healthy tree falls on your home due to wind or a storm, your insurance will generally pay to repair the damage to your home and remove the tree. If the tree falls but doesn’t hit anything (just lands in the yard), many policies offer a limited amount for debris removal, but some may not cover it at all.

Your deductible is the amount you agree to pay out-of-pocket before your insurance kicks in. For example, if you have a $1,000 deductible and suffer $5,000 in damages, you pay $1,000 and the insurer pays $4,000. Choosing a higher deductible can lower your annual premium, but make sure you have that amount saved in case of an emergency.