Policyholders are doing their part to limit the spread of COVID-19 by staying at home. This is leading to lower auto usage and resulting in fewer auto claims. In response, and to ease some of the financial burden many customers are experiencing, we are pleased to announce that all of our carriers have chosen to issue a “Stay at Home Auto Premium Refund”. Insurance companies will return a small portion of auto premiums for the months of April and May to our voluntary personal auto policyholders in Massachusetts, subject to regulatory approval.
Our agency will keep you informed when this credit is approved by the insurance department. Our commitment to you remains certain as we endure these challenging times.
ACCOUNT CREDIT – Save 15-25% when you insure both your auto & home with our agency PAID IN FULL – Up to 5% when your annual premium is paid in full GO GREEN – Up to 3% when you make electronic payments and receive your policy online GOOD STUDENT – 10% if the youthful driver meets certain grade qualifications STUDENT AWAY FROM HOME – 10-15% off your premium for youthful drivers that are away from home and meet specific qualifications MULTI-CAR DISCOUNT – up to 8% per household with two or more private passenger vehicles
Discounts may vary according to the companies we represent and the state in which you are insured.
So you got a new piece of jewelry…do you know what kind of coverage your insurance provides? A basic policy will provide you with some coverage but thebest way to protect your jewelry is to schedule it on your policy.
Why should I schedule my jewelry?
Your house or tenant’s insurance has basic coverage for jewelry, however there is usually a limit of $1,000 on a basic policy.
In addition to having a lower limit, a basic policy only covers you for theft of jewelry.If you lose a stone or lose the piece in general, you don’t have coverage.
Another benefit to scheduling your jewelry is that there is no deductible in the case of a loss. If it is not scheduled any claims would be subject to the deductible.
I want to schedule my jewelry, what do I do now?
Get appraisals for the pieces you want to add to your policy and contact our office!
Hit & run accidents are becoming more common. Whether your car is hit while parked or another vehicle leaves the scene of an accident, follow these steps to stay safe and get your claim filed properly.
If you are involved in a hit and run while driving:
Pull over to a safe area. DO NOT try to chase the car that hit you. Chasing can lead to reckless driving, putting you and other drivers at risk.
Call the police to make a report.
If you were able to see the plate number of the car that hit you, write it down. Write down any information such as make and model of the car that hit you that you recall. Take down the time and place where the accident occurred.
Check for witnesses to the accident, if the police are not coming to the scene, see if they are willing to give you their contact information to put on the police report.
File a report with the local police and file a claim with your insurance company.
If you are involved in a hit and run while parked:
Call the police to make a report.
If the police are not coming to the scene, take pictures of the scene, take note of the time, location, and damage to your car.
See if there are any witnesses willing to give their contact information.
File a claim with your insurance company.
To report a claim with LSB click here or call the office at 598-8304.
Many renter’s assume that their landlord’s insurance is enough to protect them. Unfortunately, it is not. Your landlord’s insurance does not protect your belongings and doesn’t protect you from liability suits. That’s where renter’s insurance comes in.
Isn’t Renter’s Insurance Expensive?
Depending on your coverage, renter’s insurance can cost as little as $10-12 a month! Nationally, the average cost of renter’s insurance is $187 according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Bonus – having renter’s insurance will give you a discount on your car insurance too!
I Don’t Own Enough to Need Insurance
While you may not own many things you think of as valuables, possessions add up quickly. Things like cell phones, TV’s, computers and even clothing are all common possessions that would be covered by your renter’s insurance. Additionally, many renter’s own furniture and kitchen appliances, adding up to thousands of dollars in personal property that they may not even think of.
Doesn’t My Landlord’s Insurance Cover Liability Claims?
Not necessarily. If someone trips and falls in your apartment, you need liability coverage. If you have a pet and someone is injured by your pet, you need liability coverage.
In 2011, the average cost of dog-bite claims was $29,396
On average, the cost of slip-and-fall accidents exceeds $12,000
The cost of legal defense in a slip-and-fall lawsuit is $50,000
I want Renter’s Insurance. What do I do now?
First, estimate the amount of personal property you own. You will not get paid over this amount so be sure to consider everything. You want enough coverage so that if you had a fire and lost everything you would have enough to replace your belongings and start over!
Next, call us! We will ask you a little about your apartment, such as type and age of the building and number of units. Then we will go over how much coverage you want for both property and liability and have you sign an application.
Whenever we quote an auto insurance policy we always ask the customer about their home insurance.
Why do we do this? To save you money!
Our carriers offer account credits to customers who insure both their auto and home with the same company (and sometimes even a different company within the same agency). These credits are often significant and can save you up to 20% off your insurance.
When you bundle your policies, insurance companies will give you a discount on both your auto insurance and your house insurance. Our companies offer approximately 10% off auto insurance and 20% off house insurance when insured with the same company.
Not a homeowner? Not a problem! Some companies offer a family discount for those who live with family. Have an apartment or condo? You can still get an account credit with renters or condo insurance!
Benefits Beyond Savings
You always talk to the same person. When you call us, you deal with your agent. When you call an 800 number, you deal with whoever answers the phone.
We know your account. Because you always deal with the same person, we get to know you and your insurance. We know what coverage you need and know when to recommend changing coverage.
We represent multiple companies. Buy a new home? Have a change in your family? A new, young driver? We can quote your policies with our other carriers to see if they may be a better fit.
Prom, graduation, and summer are all just around the corner. Keep your teen driver safe by knowing the law and enforcing household rules.
Junior Operator License
Teenage drivers who are under 18 are subject to Junior Operator restrictions when they first get their license. These restrictions prevent teens from driving with other passengers under 18, driving between 12:30am and 5:00am, and using their cell phone while driving.
The Massachusetts RMV has great resources for parents and teens to help explain the laws and penalties associated with Junior Operator licenses. It is important for drivers to understand how easy it is to lose their license when violating these laws. First Offense violations can lead to a 60 day to year long suspension and fees ranging from $100 to $500.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) both have great tips for encouraging safe driving habits in teens.
NHTSA reminds parents to set the rules before teens hit the road with “5 to Drive“:
No cell phones while driving
No extra passengers
No speeding
No alcohol
No driving or riding without a seat belt
The CDC publishes the 8 Danger Zones associated with teenage drivers. The Danger Zones are:
Driver Inexperience
Driving with Teen Passengers
Nighttime Driving
Not Using Seat Belts
Distracted Driving
Drowsy Driving
Reckless Driving
Impaired Driving
By teaching young drivers to identify and prevent these dangerous habits we can create safer roads.
Prom, graduation, and summer are all just around the corner. Keep your teen driver safe by knowing the law and enforcing household rules.