Coverage That Protects the Life You’ve Built
Standard insurance policies rely on automated estimates and basic calculations that miss crucial details about your property’s true replacement value.
If disaster strikes, these gaps leave you with inadequate coverage and protection based on guesswork.
As a fourth-generation, family-owned business with more than 115 years of experience, we understand what it means to build something meant to last—and how to protect it.
That’s why we go beyond basic estimates by conducting a thorough investigation of public records, analyzing construction methods and materials, and factoring in local building codes that impact your replacement costs.
We account for unique architectural features that standard valuations often overlook, replacement costs based on current construction rates, detailed risk analysis to ensure proper coverage for potential hazards, and more.
We conduct a thorough property evaluation to establish your home’s value and coverage needs and won’t write substandard coverage that could put you in a difficult position later. If a policy doesn’t meet our coverage standards, we’d rather not put our name on it than compromise on protection.
Homes in our region present unique challenges that require specialized knowledge:
Understanding these factors is essential for securing the right coverage that meets your home’s specific needs. Our team is here to guide you through your options and ensure your home is properly protected.
Insurance can be complex, but it doesn’t have to be confusing. Below, we’ve addressed common misunderstandings about homeowners insurance and coverage types. If you have additional questions, we’re happy to provide personalized guidance for your specific situation.
While your homeowners policy covers most personal belongings, it has important limitations for high-value items like jewelry, furs, sports memorabilia, and wine collections.
These special items are subject to “interior limits” in your policy, which cap how much you can claim for them regardless of their actual value.
For proper protection of valuable items, we recommend scheduling them individually. This provides coverage beyond standard policy limits and includes protection against risks like mysterious disappearance and breakage.
A Declaration of Homestead and liability insurance serve completely different purposes.
What Homestead Protection Does:
What Homestead Protection Does NOT Do:
Your homeowners policy provides essential protection against personal liability claims. For comprehensive protection against potentially large judgments, we recommend adding a Personal Umbrella policy to extend your coverage beyond standard policy limits.
Home insurance policies are as unique as the homes they cover, making direct comparisons between properties difficult, even for neighboring houses. Many factors influence your premium:
Home-specific factors:
Discount opportunities:
We take the time to help our clients understand what drives their rates and how to keep them competitive so they can make informed decisions about managing their insurance costs.
No, you shouldn’t be concerned. This is a common misunderstanding about home insurance coverage. Your Dwelling coverage is based on replacement value, not market or assessed value.
Here’s what these different values mean:
Your insurance coverage is based on replacement value because that’s what you’d need if your home was severely damaged or destroyed. Our replacement cost models are tailored to your specific location (down to the zip code) and account for your home’s exact features, square footage, and finishes.
We carefully calculate your replacement cost to ensure you have the right amount of coverage to rebuild your home as it is today.
It’s the foundation for your family’s future and possibly your most meaningful inheritance. We make sure your coverage reflects that.
As your partner and advocate, we won’t cut corners or leave anything to chance. We’ll ensure your coverage reflects your home’s true value and completely protects the life you’ve built.
John Hackett, Jr. leads J.J. Ruddy Insurance as President, overseeing commercial lines with the same commitment to advocacy that has defined the agency for over 115 years. A Saint Anselm College graduate with his Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation, John excels at identifying gaps in coverage and solving complex insurance challenges.
His analytical approach has made meaningful differences for countless clients across all types of industries. From small businesses to real estate developers and municipalities, John finds the holes in insurance programs and develops comprehensive solutions that address all kinds of loss exposure. He has guided businesses through complex risk analysis and contractual requirements—exemplifying his belief that “advocacy is a crucial part of the trusted partner relationship.”
John constantly updates his industry knowledge through ongoing education and close relationships with carriers, enabling proactive risk management strategies that prevent losses before they occur. His leadership extends beyond J.J. Ruddy having served on the Agency Advisory Council for Travelers Insurance and many other carrier leadership groups.
Following his family’s tradition of community involvement, John has been an active Rotary member for over 30 years as Past President and Paul Harris Fellow while also serving on the Hallmark Health Risk Management Committee and coaching youth sports in Andover. When not advocating for clients, John enjoys skiing, golfing, and time with his wife Amy and their two children.
As Vice President of J.J. Ruddy Insurance, Ed overseas Personal Lines and agency operations with a focus on building trusted client relationships. His degrees from Providence College and Bentley University, combined with is professional designations like CRM, CPRM, CIC and CISR bring a unique perspective to service standards, risk management, and client advocacy.
Ed’s approach to insurance combines risk management, analytics, and practical solutions personalized to each individual client relationship. He regularly identifies coverage gaps, develops strategies for complex client needs, and negotiates effectively with carriers to deliver comprehensive insurance plans. His commitment to ongoing education through multiple professional designations ensures clients receive current, relevant advice addressing both traditional and emerging risks.
Inspired by his father’s example, Ed is committed to giving back to the community—coaching Reading Youth Hockey for 15 years, serving on the Hallmark Health Audit and Compliance Committee, and holding multiple roles with Medford Rotary. His Paul Harris Fellow recognition honors his deep commitment to the communities J.J. Ruddy has served since 1909.
Ed carries forward the agency’s legacy with a clear sense of purpose: “We stand on the shoulders of the generations before us. That might seem like a lot of pressure, but really, it’s an opportunity to be part of something special.” Outside of work, Ed enjoys time with his wife, Kathy, trying to keep up with their four children and he is always looking for the next home improvement project.
