Reader’s Question:

While visiting Vermont recently, my wife and I purchased our first, bona fide antique desk. We love it but want to make sure it is covered under our mobile home insurance policy in Boston. Any recommendations?

Douglas and Sharon

Boston, MA

Hello Douglas and Sharon,

Sounds like a successful trip to a spot known for great antiques. Assuming the desk is at your house and not at another location, you will need to modify your homeowners policy. Typically when homeowners first acquire mobile home insurance they accept the policy’s standard property value coverage. As homeowners settle in, they acquire more sophisticated possessions. Most mobile home insruance policies set a value equal to 50% of the home’s value as a standard amount of insurance for items within the home. As you look around, do some quick math. That figure is probably not enough. As with your desk, you may have certain items that dramatically cause the personal property coverage provided by your homeowners policy to be inadequate.

Your homeowners policy provides remedies for this shortfall. You might want to increase your personal property coverage at an increased rate, say up to 75% of the house value, or you may want to modify your homeowners policy by adding a rider to specifically insure valuable items.

It is important to make a list of your personal property in Boston. You should include all pertinent, identifying information. This list should be kept in a very safe place not just for mobile home insurance but for other possibilities, such as theft. Once you have formulated your list, contact your agent in Boston and discuss possible updates to your homeowners policy. Meanwhile, Douglas and Sharon, enjoy your special desk.