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Massachusetts SDIP Points Explained

The Massachusetts SDIP or Safe Driver Insurance Program can be a little confusing and many people don’t realize just how much this rating factor affects their Massachusetts Auto Insurance Polciy.  This program, overseen by the Merit Rating Board of Massachusetts, has been in effect since 2006 when it replaced the old “step based” program.  The current SDIP program has been specifically designed to reward safe drivers, and to encourage drivers with a high SDIP score to practice safe driving by requiring them to pay a higher insurance premium.  If you would like to contest applied SDIP points you do have the right to Appeal a MA SDIP Surcharge

Resolve to Be Happy in the New Year

Almost half of all Americans make at least one resolution on New Year’s
Eve. Many make several: some aspiring to meet all of their goals, while
others would be satisfied to accomplish one task on their mental lists.
Even if you’re the type that doesn’t usually partake in this New Year’s
tradition, this is a great time of year to reflect on your ambitions and
to make sure that your life is headed in the direction best suited to
make your dreams a reality.

DON’T OVERLOOK WINTER CAR SEAT SAFETY

As a Massachusetts Personal Auto Insurance agent we want to help you protect your family, and this is something that gets overlooked by even the most well intentioned parents. Putting your child into a car seat with a winter jacket can greatly increase their risk of injury in the event of an automobile accident.

5 Things to Prepare for a Winter Storm

It looks like we have our first “real” winter storm heading our way with 6-10 inches of snow expected to hit southern New Hampshire including our Keene, NH insurance office. A Winter Storm warning has been issued in New Hampshire for the following Locations: Cheshire; Eastern Hillsborough; Western and Central Hillsborough. After last year’s uneventful winter, we may get more snow this season than we are expecting. Don’t get caught unprepared! Here are 5 things to prepare for a winter storm that Downey Insurance Group recommends you check out before the storm hits.

Prevent Holiday Stress

Without preparation and the development of an organizational system, the
holidays can become quite stressful. When you are tired and stressed,
it’s nearly impossible to enjoy the time spent with family and friends.
There are numerous steps you can take to ensure that your holiday is
stress-free and immensely enjoyable.

Avoid Drinking & Driving: It’s National Impaired Driving Prevention Month

December is National Impaired Driving Prevention Month. The president
named this month in 2010 in response to the increasing number of arrests
for driving under the influence. Uniform crime reports available from
the FBI indicate that authorities arrested 1.4 million people
for driving under the influence in 2010 alone. The approaching holiday
season means that there will be more drivers on the road traveling,
attending celebrations and doing holiday shopping. Drivers can protect
themselves by keeping their car insurance current, checking their
coverage and following these tips:

Downey Marketing Intern Alycia Dafoe Continues to Shine at UMASS Amherst Isenberg School of Management

One of our marketing inters, Alycia Dafoe, of Marlborough, MA is strategically taking the knowledge and experience she acquired with us at Downey Insurance Group and is applying it to her college education at UMASS Amherst. Alycia worked on our Blog Great Insurance People, or Facebook Page, Twitter Account and our You Tube Channel during her time with us. But her work on our

Do We Really Need more Stuff? How About the Gift of Peace of Mind with Life Insurance

Being an independent insurance office we see all lines of insurance every day, Personal Auto, Workers Compensation, General Liability, and in the nature of our business we see claims. A lot of claims. Most are minor accidents, that are filed without much shock and awe, but then there are the occasional ones that hit you like sledge hammer, and these are the ones where “Did they secure a Life Insurance Policy?” is at the front end of the conversation. The answer is not always yes, and then the conversation becomes different. It is now about how the family will “get by” or not without them.

Tips to Prevent Kitchen Fires This Season

Thanksgiving is once again upon us, and across the country we are
beginning to see pumpkin bread and cinnamon being stalked on the grocery
store shelves with a background of holiday music. While the holidays
provide a great time for family bonding and good food, studies have
shown that more home insurance claims are made on Thanksgiving than any
other day of the year, and this is primarily caused by kitchen fires.
There are some simple tips that can be followed to reduce your risk
becoming part of this disturbing statistic this holiday season.