by Downey Insurance Group | Aug 28, 2013 | Blog
Fall seems to be a very popular time for lease agreements to start. It may be the cooler weather or the start of the new school year that prompts it. If you own a rental property, now is the best time to find tenants and get them in. But before you do, you will want to make sure your property is safe and welcoming for its new inhabitants.
Here is a short checklist of things you might want to do before giving your new tenants a set of keys to your rental.
• If it has been a while, have a building inspection completed. An inspector will know exactly what to look for and will advise you how to fix any problems that may arise. He can also be a great resource for other professionals in the area that may help resolve any issues your rental property has.
• If you do not have an inspector come in, do your own inspection. Check the plumbing to make sure nothing is leaky or broken. Test all the electrical outlets to make sure they are working properly. Walk the perimeter of the property to see if any trees need pruning or sidewalks need repairing. Clean the gutters to ensure proper drainage.
• Once all the big problems are fixed in your rental, move on to the smaller things. Mow the lawn. Clean the gutters. Sweep the floors. Repaint the walls if you need to. Replace any broken blinds or shades.
• Review your rental property insurance and your lease agreement to see if you need to make any changes to either before allowing new tenants to move in. If you have any questions or concerns about how much insurance you will need for your property, give us a call. We can certainly help get you the right insurance for the right price.
by Downey Insurance Group | Aug 27, 2013 | Blog
Laptops are now the computer of choice for the ordinary consumer, leaving the desktop computer in the dust. They are also the computer of choice for students living at home, and for students heading to the dorms this fall. They are convenient and portable and seem to be safe enough. But, the desktop had one great advantage that the laptop does not have, ventilation. Your desktop tower was always in the same place, with vents strategically placed to do their job of keeping the motor cool and preventing a fire. Laptops need the same ventilation, but it is easily forgotten. Left on a soft surface such as a bed or a couch, a laptop can cause serious property damage. This type of Property Damage is covered under your Massachusetts Homeowners Insurance Policy, but it can be devastating, and should be easily avoidable.
Just recently a fire broke out in a Framingham State College dorm. A lap top was left on a bed, it overheated and ignited the bedding causing a fire. The fire was extinguished by the dorm sprinkler and no was hurt, but this is not always the case in an unsprinklered home. Here are some tips to keep your home or dorm room safe from a Laptop Fire.
- Do not leave laptops on a soft surface such as bedding or a couch.
- Turn off your laptop when not in use.
- Always use your laptop on a hard surface to avoid overheating.
- Make sure vents and fans are not blocked or covered.
- Listen for the fan, if it is running continuously, it may be a sign of overheating.
Make sure students headed for college in the fall are aware of this real danger. Also students in your home should avoid doing their homework on the bed or on the couch. We wish everyone a great and safe school year, from Downey Insurance!
by Downey Insurance Group | Aug 14, 2013 | Blog
Whether you have children who ride the school bus or you do not, it is always a good idea to be aware of the school bus routes in your neighborhood as well as on your daily commute. You do not need to be a parent to know bus safety. All drivers should know the rules of the road when it comes to school buses. Here are some reminders for you.
When a school bus is present, it is very likely that there will also be pedestrians present as well. In a lot of cases, those pedestrians will be small children waiting to board their school bus. Even if those kids are the best mannered, wonderful children in the world, they can still forget about bus safety. It is important for us as adults to be extra cautious in case one of those children accidentally goes into the road, runs across the street before looking for traffic, or does something else that could cause an accident. Drive cautiously when you are near a school bus.
If that school bus slows down and turns on its yellow blinking lights, that means it is about to stop at a school bus stop. When those lights turn from yellow to red, the bus will be opening its doors for passengers to enter or exit. You as a driver should be completely stopped within a safe distance from the bus. You must wait until the bus turns off its red lights to progress. Even then, you should be cautious of students walking away from the bus stop.
If you find yourself stuck behind a school bus on its route to or from school, you may want to find a different way to get where you need to go the next time. If you can avoid school buses, you will be avoiding potential accidents that could happen. Stay safe out there this school year!
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by Downey Insurance Group | Aug 13, 2013 | Blog
Most Massachusetts Insurance companies have jumped on the mobile app train by creating Company Specific apps for their clients Allowing policyholders to access policy data and billing, document a claim, and contact the Insurance Company. These Company Specific apps can be very helpful for the on-the-go policyholder looking for information but as with most apps and websites they have limited functionality. Sometimes a quick call to your agent can be a faster and less frustrating experience.
Most of these apps also allow for claim documentation. This can be very helpful during the hustle and bustle after an auto accident.
Beware of “generic” auto accident documenting apps or other Insurance apps not affiliated with your Insurance Company, they may be compiling and selling your data. The privacy laws that govern apps are fuzzy at best, and your personal data is not something you want to be sharing with just anyone. Your best bet is to use your own Insurance Company specific app.
Here are a few apps from Downey Insurance Companies:
by Downey Insurance Group | Jul 29, 2013 | Blog
Are you thinking of visiting a water park this year? There are so many awesome water parks to choose from in the northeast it might be hard to stay away! The thought of sliding down a huge water slide may be exactly what your family wants for a vacation before the school season gets underway. Just remember to stay safe when visiting a water park. Here are some things to keep in mind for your visit.
• Most water parks require young guests to wear a Coast Guard approved life vest to participate in the water attractions. It is suggested that all people less than 48 inches in height, non swimmers and people that are not strong swimmers wear one. Call ahead to see if the water park provides life vests or if you should bring your own.
• Even if you are the best swimmer, paying attention to the rules is important. If the park requires you to follow certain restrictions, you need to follow them. Certain rides are designed for certain groups of people in mind. Height and weight do have a lot to do with safety on particular rides. For example: If you are too small for a ride, you could slip out of safety harnesses. Treat the rules with respect.
• If you are not feeling well or are sick, do not go in the water. Even though water park water is treated, it can still carry bacteria to others. Children who are not potty trained need to wear waterproof diapers to prevent leakage from getting into the water. And you should always practice safe personal hygiene when visiting water parks. Take showers before and after entering the water and always wash your hands after using the bathroom or changing a diaper.
Stay safe and have a wonderful time at the water park this summer!
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