by Downey Insurance Group | Feb 15, 2012 | Blog
Many people understand the value of having an accurate home inventory record of their possessions. This record may also be helpful in determining the correct amount of Massachusetts homeowners insurance coverage you need.
Try inventorying a single room at a time to avoid being overwhelmed by this task. Here’s a suggested list of the details you should consider documenting for each item.
- Object or item. Don’t go into reams of detail but do list specific points so you know exactly what each item is.
- Brand and model number. This is particularly relevant with electrical equipment and appliances.
- Location. In the future you may be unsure of what the item is, knowing the room it’s located in may be helpful in refreshing your memory.
- Purchase price. Sometimes the price is documented on the warranty or guarantee. Try to jot down the price of all new purchases on your inventory record.
- Photo. A photo of the item may be invaluable if the item needs to be traced after a theft.
Once your home inventory record is completed, it’s a smart idea to store it in a safe place away from your home, in case a natural disaster or fire severely damages your home. Remember to inventory your garage and your basement as well; you’ll probably be amazed at the value of your stored items.
Keep in mind that some expensive items may not be protected by your standard Massachusetts homeowners insurance and additional coverage may need to be purchased. Contact your local insurance agent for further information on purchasing extra coverage for your valuables.
*
by Downey Insurance Group | Feb 10, 2012 | Blog
When finances are tight, you’re probably not in the mood to see a bill to renew your New Hampshire auto insurance policy come in the mail. Without auto insurance however, you are putting yourself at risk of serious financial pain, particularly if you cause a serious accident.
Imagine being uninsured and being found at fault for an accident which has physically injured somebody. You could be sued for thousands, even millions, of dollars in damages. Imagine if not just the driver, but the three passengers of the car were injured. The medical costs for all four occupants could be astronomical. This is why it’s so important not to let an auto insurance policy lapse.
You are also putting passengers in your car at risk if you let your policy lapse and you have an accident. You might be forced to pay medical expenses for your passengers if they get injured. You may not have the money to cover the expenses, thus putting their health seriously at risk.
Forgetting to renew your New Hampshire auto insurance policy on time, even just for a matter of days could have consequences. Even if you’re lucky enough not to have an accident, you might be stopped by police and fined for driving uninsured. You might even have your vehicle impounded. That would be a costly exercise.
*
by Downey Insurance Group | Feb 3, 2012 | Blog
Fun and Excitement are on the top of the list of things we should be anticipating for Super Bowl Sunday, and this year is even more special for us in New England. We get to experience the Super Bowl rematch against the NY Giants that will go down in history. While fun and excitement should be our main focus, avoiding and preventing drunk and buzzed driving should not be forgotten. Allowing a drink driver to leave your home after a super bowl party could leave them and others in danger, and you could be liable for a MA Homeowners Insurance claim.
Super Bowl Sunday is one of the deadliest nights out on the road for Drunk Driving accidents. The Insurance Information Institute states that up to 60% of auto accident fatalities on Super Bowl Sunday are a result of drunk driving. If there is an accident, the host of the party could be partially liable for the death or damage caused by a drunk driver.
So be smart this year and make your Super Bowl party a “Drunk driving –free zone” by making sure everyone has a safe way home or by providing them with a place to stay.
With that being said, Enjoy the game and GO PATS!
by Downey Insurance Group | Feb 2, 2012 | Blog
It’s Ground Hog Day, and according to Punxsutawney Phil we have 6 more weeks of winter in store although it doesn’t feel like it! Traditionally we have seen snow well into March so we still may have a few large New England snow storms to look forward to over the next few weeks. Surprisingly during this very mild winter we had had some inquiries about snow plow coverage and MA Auto Insurance so I thought it would be helpful explore some common insurance questions that you may want to consider if you are plowing this winter.
I have a Personal Auto Policy for my light truck and I would like to plow, do I now need a Commercial Auto Policy?
This depends on whether you will be performing any other business operation with your vehicle. Strictly plowing (even for money) is not outside the parameters of a Personal Auto Policy. You would need to contact your agent and have them amend your policy to include a class 30 Businesses rating or assess your business operation to see of a Commercial Auto Policy would be a better fit.
I have a Commercial Auto Insurance Policy would this cover slip and fall accident at a residence or business that I have plowed?
No, your Commercial Auto Insurance policy will only cover damages caused by your vehicle or your plow. You would need to have a plowing endorsement on your general liability policy that includes products and completed operations coverage to cover this type of liability claim.
Will my premium go up on my Commercial Auto Insurance policy if my business offers plowing services?
If plowing will be less than 20% percent of your business your premium may not go up. Trucks that are plowing more than 20% of the time will need to be rated as Commercial which is charged a slightly higher rate than a vehicle that is rated as a Service vehicle.
Is my snow plow covered for physical damage or theft?
Your plow will be covered only if the vehicle that it is attached to is carrying physical damage coverage. If you add a plow to a vehicle it is important to let your agent know so they can adjust the value of the vehicle to reflect the addition of the plow.
If you have any questions regarding plow coverage and you’re Massachusetts Commercial Auto Policy or your Massachusetts Personal Auto Policy please feel free to call to talk to one of our agents who can answer any additional question you may have. Happy Plowing!
by Downey Insurance Group | Feb 1, 2012 | Blog
Have you been considering increasing your level of home security in order to help reduce the risk of a claim having to be made against your Massachusetts home insurance policy? During your research you may have come across the term “passive infrared” or PIR, this is the technology used in motion sensors or detectors to detect movement.
They work by sensing a change in the heat in the area they are set to control. When a change of heat is detected some PIR devices trigger an alarm while others trigger a spotlight. Slow heat changes such as the sun warming up shouldn’t be detected. To reduce false detections, many PIR devices have two sensors side by side and one must detect a heat change immediately after or before the other sensor for an alarm to be triggered.
Some people hesitate to install PIR detectors if they own pets for fear that the pet would constantly set off an alarm. Many modern detectors ignore movements below sixteen inches from the ground. Some models allow you to choose the detection height, but remember a burglar with a slight build may be able to wriggle under a detection limit set higher than sixteen inches.
While PIR detectors may not be 100 percent burglar proof, their visibility alone may make a potential burglar hesitate and then move elsewhere. Inform your Massachusetts home insurance agent about your detector installations, as you may be eligible for an insurance discount.
*
