April Home Maintenance Tasks

April has arrived and brought spring with it!  There is no better time than now to get focused on home maintenance and spring cleaning.  Here are a few things you can do in April to protect (and organize) your home. 

Check For Damage - Winter can be really hard on your home.  A quick inspection around your property can reveal a lot of home improvement projects!  Look for any damage to your roof or outdoor window screens and doors.  Make note of chipped paint or areas that are in need of general maintenance.  Decide what you can do yourself and what will require a professional. 

Spring Clean - Now it’s time to tackle the inside of your home.  Start working on clearing out and donating unused items (Think tax deduction next year!).  This could be the perfect time to take inventory of any high value items that need to be documented for your insurance, like guns, artwork, and jewelry.  Take photos or make a quick video of those items and store it in a secure (and fire-proof) location. Knowyourstuff.org has a free online home inventory software. 

Organize Your Tax Documents - You probably just finished your taxes in the past few weeks.  Were all of your documents easy to locate?  What could make the process even easier next year?  Update your filing system or schedule a meeting with Dottie Booth by calling (508) 867-0478 and get prepared now.

Car Maintenance - April is Car Care Month.  If you've been putting off an oil change or a tune-up, get it scheduled now.  Your car will run better and maintain it’s value longer!

Spruce Up Your Porch - How does your front porch look these days?  Could it use a little extra care?  Buy a new welcome mat, plant a pot of flowers, and make sure you can easily read your house numbers. 

Get Great Homeowners Insurance - The best way to protect your home?  Having the right amount of insurance!  Let us give you a no-obligation review of your current policy.  Call 508-347-9343 to schedule your appointment today.


P.S. Your Invited to our Ribbon Cutting! All our wonderful customers are invited to our official ribbon cutting of our brand new office! I hope you’ll join us on May 8th at 4:00 p.m. for the ribbon cutting and the celebration of our 40th year serving our local communities. There will be food, beverages, local celebrities, raffles, and other surprises! Hope to see you there! 

Top 7 Things To Look For When Buying Insurance

So you’re ready to shop for insurance and are hoping for a great deal.  But did you know that there are a few things to look for that are much more important than the price of the policy?  In fact, don’t buy your next policy until you look for these seven things.

#1 - A Top Rated Insurance Company  You want an insurance company that will be around if you have a claim.  Don’t choose a company that you've never heard of with a price that seems too good to be true!  If you aren't familiar with the company your agent is recommending, ask for a little more information.  Find out what they are rated in your state and how long they've been around.

#2 - Choose a LOCAL agency!  While all the commercials on TV will tell you to call a 1-800 number for a quote, it’s usually not a great idea.  A local agency gives the same great policies (from the same companies!) but allows you to deal with one person on a regular basis. It’s nice to have a local agent who you can go visit when needed.

#3 - Choose an agency that offers a variety of policies.  Keeping your insurance with one agency makes it MUCH easier when you have a claim.  Plus you can qualify for huge multiple policy discounts!  Find someone who can take care of all your needs in one local location.

#4 - After-Hours Support  What if you have storm damage in the middle of the night?  Do you want to wait until tomorrow to get assistance?  Look for an agency that offers after-hours support!  Many local agencies will provide you with 24/7 claim assistance numbers.  But make sure to ask for the information and keep it in your cell phone.

#5 - Choose an agency that’s EASY to contact!  You don’t want to have to chase your agent down every time you need something.  Ask if the agency is available by email, text, and phone while doing your shopping.

#6 - Do they offer annual reviews?  Things change, especially when it comes to insurance!  You want an agency that will regularly meet with you to review your coverage and make sure you’re protected.  Ask about their review procedures and how they make sure there aren't any gaps in your protection.

#7 - Excellent Customer Service  When it comes down to it, this is the most important!  Choose an agency that wants your business and wants to give you the best possible service!  

We meet all of the criteria above and would love to work with your family.  Give us a call today for a no-obligation quote and insurance review!

New Law on the use of Headlights!

The Legislature has passed a new law that would require drivers to turn on their headlights whenever they turn on their windshield wipers. 

The new law, M.G.L. c. 85, § 15 takes effect on April 7, 2015. Below is the wording of the new section of the law:

A vehicle, whether stationary or in motion, on a public way, shall have attached to it headlights and taillights which shall be turned on by the vehicle operator and so displayed as to be visible from the front and rear during the period of 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise; provided, however, that such headlights and taillights shall be turned on by the vehicle operator at all other times when, due to insufficient light or unfavorable atmospheric conditions, visibility is reduced such that persons or vehicles on the roadway are not clearly discernible at a distance of 500 feet or when the vehicle’s windshield wipers are needed; provided further, that this section shall not apply to a vehicle which is designed to be propelled by hand; and provided further, that a vehicle carrying hay or straw for the purpose of transporting persons on a hayride shall display only electrically operated lights which shall be 2 flashing amber lights  to the front and 2 flashing red lights to the rear, each of which shall be at least 6 inches in diameter and mounted 6 feet from the ground.

As a result, the list of surcharge-able incidents has been amended by adding two new requirements effective April 7, 2015.

1. Motorists are now required to turn on headlights and taillights whenever the windshield wipers are on.

2. Motorists are also required to turn on headlights and taillights when visibility is reduced so that persons or vehicles are not visible at 500 feet due to insufficient light or unfavorable atmospheric conditions.

The requirement to turn on headlights and taillights 1/2 hour after sunset and 1/2 hour before sunrise has not changed.

Discounts....Are You Getting Them?

Discounts are the best way to save on your insurance premium each and every month.  But a lot of people are missing out on them!  With a little documentation, you could see great savings.

Security Discounts - Does your home have a security system or fire protection system?  Some of these devices will help you save big on your home or renters insurance.  If you have a certificate of installation (and even if you don’t), let us know and we’ll see if you qualify.

Driver Training & Defensive Driving - Did your child take Driver’s Ed?  Did you take a Defensive Driving course?  These classes will typically qualify for discounts!  Just bring in a copy of your completion certificate and we’ll get it added to your policy.

Teenage Driver With Good Grades - Good grades will help you save!  Some of our policies offer a discount for students who maintain a high GPA.  Give us a call to see the requirements for your policy. 

Payment Discounts - There are many different options when it comes to paying your premiums.  Some policies offer discounts for paying in full or a reduced installment fee if you put the payment on auto-draft.  We can advise you of all the payment options so you pay as little as possible.

Multi-Policy Discounts - When you have all of your insurance in one place, you save more!  If your auto and home insurance is spread out between multiple companies or agencies, let us help you consolidate.  You’ll be better protected (with less gaps in coverage) and save money!

The key?  Talk to your agent!  When we schedule regular annual reviews, we can review your policy discounts and make sure you are receiving the best coverage at the best price.  Call today to schedule an appointment.

Protect Your Family During Severe Weather

Protect Your Family During Severe Weather

Did you know that March is Severe Weather Preparation Month? 

While it may still feel like winter outside, it won’t be long until spring arrives.  And with it comes spring storms!  Is your family prepared?

First things first, make sure you have designated a safe place to go to if the weather gets bad.  It could be a basement, closet, or room with no windows or outside walls.  Make sure this space is cleared out enough that you could easily get your family inside if needed.  (You don’t want to be clearing out the closet if there is a tornado!)

Next, put together a small emergency kit.  What would you need if the power was out?  Consider putting in flashlights, extra batteries, canned food, and plenty of water.  (Don’t forget supplies for your pets too!)

Keep emergency phone numbers in your cell phone contacts, including the phone number for your insurance company!  You could even save a note in your phone with your policy numbers too.

While we can’t prevent bad weather, it’s always great to be as prepared as possible.  Take care of your family first and know that we’ll be there to protect your belongings.  

March Home Maintenance Tips

March Home Maintenance Tips

What do you need to do this month to keep your home running smoothly and your family protected?  Read below to find out! 

Change Batteries In Smoke Detectors - When the time changes, it’s a great idea to change the batteries in all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.  This way you always know that they are working and in good order!  The spring time change this year is on Sunday March 8th. 

Make A Severe Weather Plan - Designate a safe place in your home in case of bad weather.  Stock it with basic emergency supplies and throw in an extra flashlight and batteries too!

Check Your Credit Report - March is Credit Education Month.  When was the last time you checked to see that your credit reports were accurate?  If it’s been over a year, stop by www.annualcreditreport.com and order a free copy today. 

Review Your Insurance Discounts - Are you getting all the discounts you qualify for?  Call us to review your policy and see if there are any changes that need to be made.

And as always, give us a call if you have any questions or need assistance with auto, home, business, or life insurance.  

Do you have ice dams?

You can help prevent serious damage to both the roof and inside of your home by minimizing the likelihood that an ice dam will develop, and by removing one as soon as you spot it. Ice dams can form when water from melting snow re-freezes at the edge of your roofline. Without roof snow removal, an ice dam may grow large enough to prevent water from draining off the roof. This water can then back up underneath roof shingles and make its way into your home. 

  

How Do You Know if You Have an Ice Dam?

• Look carefully at the icicles around the exterior of your house. If they are confined to the gutters and there is no water trapped behind them, then an ice dam has likely not formed. Nonetheless, icicles can pose a danger to people when they fall off, so try to safely knock them down while standing on the ground, making sure not to stand directly beneath them. If you cannot safely reach them from the ground, consider hiring a contractor to help.
• Check for water stains or moisture in the attic or around the tops of exterior walls on the top floor of your house. Stains and moisture may indicate that an ice dam has formed and water has penetrated the roof membrane.

  

How to Remove an Ice Dam:

• Melt the ice dam. Fill a nylon stocking with calcium chloride ice melt, and place it vertically across the ice dam so that it melts a channel through the dam. If you try this, make sure you can safely position the ice melt on your roof, and make sure to use calcium chloride, not rock salt. Rock salt will damage your roof. Also, be aware that shrubbery and plants near the gutters or downspouts may be damaged.
• Get professional help. If you cannot safely reach the roof, avoid using a ladder in snowy and icy conditions. Consider hiring a contractor to remove the ice dam.

I you need the help of a contractor, we recommend Mike Dhembe, he can be reached at http://www.mdhembeschimneysweep.com/ and 508-765-9600.  

If you have any questions or concerns, please give us a call.