Claim risks in Quincy
- Coastal flooding
- Nor’easters
- Wind damage
- Ice dams
- Burst pipes
A city on the water
Quincy, in Norfolk County, wraps around Quincy Bay with neighborhoods that sit right on the shore. Houghs Neck reaches out into the bay with homes close to the water on several sides. Squantum sits on a peninsula near Boston. Wollaston Beach runs along Quincy Shore Drive, and Merrymount and Adams Shore are low-lying neighborhoods near the water. Inland, Quincy Center, West Quincy and South Quincy have older two-families, Capes and Colonials, plus condo buildings near the Red Line.
The March 2018 nor’easters
In March 2018, back-to-back nor’easters brought high winds and coastal flooding to the South Shore. Houghs Neck and other shoreline areas of Quincy saw streets flood and water reach homes. Storms like these are exactly where coverage disputes come from: water from storm surge is flood, which a standard homeowners policy excludes, while wind damage to roofs, siding and windows is usually covered.
When a nor’easter does both, the carrier and the owner may disagree about which damage came from which cause. Our guide to nor’easter wind vs. flood claims walks through how that split is often argued. For the wind side of the claim, see our hurricane and nor’easter appraisal service.
Winter and inland claims
Away from the water, Quincy claims look like most of Greater Boston: ice dams on older Capes, burst pipes in cold snaps, tree limbs on roofs and fire in closely spaced wood-frame homes. The city’s granite quarry history also means some homes sit on ledge and slopes, which can complicate drainage and foundation repairs.
Common Quincy disputes
- Wind versus surge arguments after coastal storms.
- Siding and shingle repairs that ignore salt exposure or matching.
- Percentage wind deductibles applied without clear explanation.
- Condo water losses involving both the master policy and an HO-6.
- Ice dam interior damage scoped too narrowly.
If the carrier’s estimate is far below a contractor’s bid, appraisal may be a path to an independent amount of loss. Each side names an appraiser, the two appraisers try to agree, and an umpire settles what they cannot. Before you start, gather photos taken soon after the storm, tide and wind information if you have it, contractor bids and the full claim file. Shoreline homes in Squantum and Houghs Neck often have exterior damage on the side facing the bay and interior damage that shows up weeks later, so a complete record makes a real difference when the scope is argued.
Services for Quincy property owners
Every Massachusetts Insurance Appraiser service is available in Quincy and the surrounding towns, including:
- Appraisal Representation
- Home Insurance Claims
- Condo, HOA & Commercial
- Roof & Hail Damage
- Wind & Tornado Damage
- Hurricane & Nor’easter Claims
Quincy questions
My Houghs Neck home took water in a nor’easter. Is that covered?
Storm surge and rising water are generally excluded from homeowner policies and covered under flood insurance, if you have it. Wind damage from the same storm may still be covered under your homeowners policy.
Do Quincy homes have hurricane deductibles?
Some coastal policies in Quincy include a wind or named-storm deductible, often set as a percentage. Your declarations page should show it.
Can appraisal resolve a wind versus flood dispute?
Appraisal sets the amount of loss. Whether flood or wind caused a given item can overlap with coverage questions that appraisal may not decide. Consult a Massachusetts attorney if coverage is disputed.