by Downey Insurance Group | Jan 12, 2012 | Blog
We often hear this question in our office during the winter months. After all the power outages we have experienced over the last few years many of our clients are preparing themselves for the inevitable. It is important to be prepared, but it is equally important to make an educated decision regarding the wattage, type of generator, and knowing all the facts about how a generator will affect your Massachusetts homeowners insurance policy.
There are two types of generators, portable and permanent. Portable generators can be good option if you feel you only need to run a few appliances at a time, for a short period of time. A portable generator should always be run in open air and never inside a garage or basement. Portable generators give off a tremendous amount of CO2 and the use of a CO2 detector is strongly advised. A heavy duty extension cord is recommended to bring the power inside your home. Make sure the cord is in good working condition and with no nicks or cuts and make sure it does not get overloaded as this could start a fire. NO NOT plug the generator into a power outlet, also known as “back-feeding” this is extremely dangerous and could cause a fire in your home or seriously injury or even kill utility workers working on the lines. A generator that is being misused and causes a loss could potentially be grounds for the insurance company to denying the claim.
A permanently installed generator would be a good choice for people that want or need ease of use during a power outage. Once installed, a permanent generator can provide power to your hone with the flip of a switch. Hire a licensed electrician to install any type of permanent generator. A self-installed generator that causes a fire or damage to your home may not be covered by your Massachusetts homeowners insurance policy.
If you have any questions regarding generators and how they affect your Massachusetts Homeowners insurance policy please feel free to call our office and speak with an insurance professional. We hope everyone has a safe and power outage free winter! For more safety tips on generator safety check out the Consumer Enercy Center.
by Downey Insurance Group | Jan 10, 2012 | Blog
Even though we have not had a major snow storm this winter, we all know that New England winters can be unpredictable. In Vermont and all of New England we know we can be basking in the sun one minute and be hit with a blizzard the next. Winter weather is a main cause of accidents for our Vermont Auto Insurance clients. It is very important to us at Downey Insurance Group for everyone to stay as safe as possible during the winter months, so we put together a few tips for winterizing your vehicle for optimum winter driving.
- 1. Replace your windshield wiper blades. Poor visibility can greatly increase your odds of getting into an accident.
- 2. Check your battery. If your battery is over 3 years old, it may be time to replace it. Being stranded on the road with a dead battery during a snow storm can leave you vehicle vulnerable to other vehicles on the road.
- 3. Put snow tires on your vehicle. Snow tires increase traction and can reduce your chances of sliding on ice and wet snow.
- 4. Have your belts, hoses, and anti-freeze levels checked. This is especially important during the winter months.
- 5. Make sure your brakes are in in good working order. Bad breaks on a slippery road are not a good mix.
Hopefully this winter will pass you by without an accident, but if you do have an accident Downey Insurance Group will be there to help you through the claim process. Vermont Auto Insurance is one of our specialties but we are equipped to handle all of your insurance needs. Call us today to join the family of Downey Insurance Group clients. We look forward to working with you!
by Downey Insurance Group | Jan 9, 2012 | Blog
When renting a car there are many things to consider including the option to purchase “insurance” from the rental car company. If you chose not to purchase their insurance usually you are asked to sign a waiver of coverage. We always encourage people to read this waiver to make sure they fully understand the implications of signing it if they chose to do so. Here are some things to keep in mind in relation to your MA Auto Insurance policy when renting a car:
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Most rental companies will require you to put a credit card on file during your rental period.
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If you do not carry Collision coverage on your vehicle we strongly recommend that you purchase the insurance through the rental car company, otherwise if there is an accident you may find yourself liable for damages to the vehicle and anything else that is stated in the waiver of coverage.
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If you do not purchase the rental car insurance and you do carry Collision on your MA Auto Insurance policy and you are at fault in an accident your policy will kick in and cover the damages to the vehicle. But, the rental car company will have the right to charge your credit card for the amount of your insurance deductible regardless of who is at fault. If you are not a fault and the rental car company is able to recover the full damage to the vehicle they will refund your deductible to you at that time.
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If you do not purchase the rental car insurance the rental company will also reserve the right to charge you for any “loss of use” for that vehicle while it is being repaired.
At Downey Insurance we do recommend that you purchase the “extra” insurance when renting a car to avoided the above hassles. Your MA Auto Insurance will offer coverage, but we believe it is worth the money to purchase the extra insurance to avoid the added inconvenience and charges.
by Downey Insurance Group | Jan 9, 2012 | Blog
Until recently, investing in Vermont insurance coverage for flooding appeared to be a low priority for residents of the Bay State. This is possibly because, prior to being hit by Hurricane Irene in August 2011, Vermont’s last big rain storm was around eighty five years ago. Of course, the mass flooding across Vermont due to Hurricane Irene has many people reconsidering their previous thoughts on purchasing flood insurance.
A typical renter’s, condominium and homeowner’s insurance policy doesn’t cover damage due to flooding. Flood insurance coverage must be purchased as a separate policy.
Flood insurance may be purchased from a private insurance company or from the national flood insurance program. The national flood insurance program is backed by the government but may be purchased through most insurance agents. It’s crucial when purchasing a flood insurance policy to check and fully understand the numerous exclusions to ensure you know exactly what is covered by your policy and what isn’t.
A standard flood insurance policy, either private or national, usually doesn’t come into effect until thirty days after the purchase. Don’t be unprepared when the next storm appears on the horizon, be proactive and purchase your Vermont insurance for flood coverage without delay.
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by Downey Insurance Group | Jan 4, 2012 | Blog
Experience – An established agency can offer you a perspective that is only gained from experience. With so many options available for coverage an expert opinion on what is needed and not needed can be invaluable.
Dedication– An experienced Independent Insurance Agent will always be on the front lines with you protecting your home, auto or business.
Adaptability – We are market driven so we have to innovate and be creative for our customers.
Tech Savvy – The last think you would want right now from an agent is someone who is not up on the latest technology. Our entire office was flooded out by Irene, we had no customer data lost due to working the cloud.
Availability – 3 Locations and a virtual insurance office. Sometimes sitting down with a real person to discuss your options just makes sense. We also have emergency claim number listed in our homepage in case of an after-hours emergency.
Whether you are a Vermont Insurance, New Hampshire Insurance or Massachusetts Insurance client your patronage is the lifeblood of our business. Thanks for being part of the Downey Insurance family!
by Downey Insurance Group | Jan 2, 2012 | Blog
At Downey Insurance we are gearing up for a great year in 2012. After overcoming some challenging circumstances in 2011 including our Brattleboro Vermont Insurance office being totally flooded by Irene we are excited for the New Year to begin! As an industry leader, over the past 84 years we have become experts at overcoming tough times. We have been through thick and thin with our clients. By managing insurance portfolios and providing insight to complex insurance scenarios. After all that is what insurance is all about.
2011 was a tough year for many but we are starting to see growth in the community. As an insurance agent we have our finger on the pulse of the local economy. We watch as revenues and payrolls rise and fall for our clients. We want more than anything for them to succeed so we have come up with some creative ways to help them do that.
We are now offering Social Media help for our commercial clients. Having a strong web presence is one of the easiest and most cost effective ways to get your message out. It also makes you easily accessible to the web community. If you have no idea how to get your social media presence started we can help you with that. We have seen firsthand the effects of a strong social media presence can have on a local business, it spells success.
So here’s to a prosperous 2012! As an Independent Insurance Agent we are on your team. Our job is to act as an insurance advisor and professional representative for you, with YOUR best interest in mind. So when you need someone to take a look at your Homeowners Insurance, Auto Insurance, Business Insurance, or Financial Planning needs think of us. We are here for you, and with you.
