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Dorchester, MA 02124

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Month: December 2014

The Best Auto Insurance Policies Cover Underinsured Motorists

Posted on by cvargas

Here at Vargas and Vargas Insurance agency, we pride ourselves in providing the best auto insurance policies available to our clients. As a part of this goal, we want to make sure that your car insurance has coverage for underinsured motorists.

Auto Insurance Policies Cover

You should know if this coverage is included in your policies, and also know why this coverage is essential to all drivers. If you don’t, here are a couple of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) that we get about underinsured motorists and how they affect your Massachusetts car insurance:

What is an underinsured motorist?

In the simplest possible terms, an underinsured motorist is someone that doesn’t have enough car insurance to cover the expenses of a car accident where they were at fault. Similarly, an uninsured motorist is someone who (illegally) is driving without insurance coverage for their vehicle.

What happens if an underinsured driver hits me?

If you are in an accident, and an underinsured (or uninsured) driver was at fault, you may have issues getting your insurance provider to pay to repair your vehicle or pay medical bills.

While there are minimum amounts of liability insurance that Massachusetts motorists must purchase, it is not always guaranteed that a driver with the minimum amount of coverage will be able to fully cover the damage of an accident that they cause. Unfortunately, there is always the chance that you will be involved in a crash where the other driver is at fault and is unable to fully cover the damages that they cause with their car insurance policy.

What does underinsured motorist coverage typically include?

When you have underinsured motorist coverage as a part of your Massachusetts auto insurance policy, you are guaranteed to be financially protected by your insurance provider if the driver at fault isn’t able to cover the damage. This means that you won’t have to worry about having your car repaired or your medical bills paid if you get into an accident, because you will always be covered – even if the other driver isn’t!

In addition to covering car repairs and medical expenses, some underinsured motorist coverage options also include coverage for other miscellaneous bills or expenses that you run into because of an accident, sometimes even including medical coverage for passengers of your vehicle, pain and suffering caused by the accident, and lost wages.

What about “Hit and Run” accidents?

In most cases, if another driver hits you and then flees the scene, they will be considered an uninsured motorist. This means that an underinsured/uninsured motorist addition to your current Massachusetts auto insurance policy can protect you from the potential financial burden of a “hit and run” accident!

How can I get underinsured motorist coverage?

That’s easy! Just call 617-298-0655 and speak to a Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency representative. One of our agents will be happy to review your current policy and make sure to upgrade your coverage so that you have the best auto insurance possible. It’s always our pleasure to help our customers, so don’t hesitate – call now!

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Last Minute Holiday Gift Ideas

Posted on by cvargas

As the holidays inch ever closer, you may soon find yourself in a situation that you need a quick and inexpensive gift for someone, like a neighbor, a teacher, a deliveryman, etc. It has happened to us all, so we polled the Vargas and Vargas Insurance staff to find out what their favorite ‘last minute’ holiday gift ideas are. Here are some of the ideas that we got.

Holiday Gift Ideas

Homemade treats – Who doesn’t love to receive something homemade for the holidays, especially if it’s edible? Make your signature cookies if you’re a baker, or just whip up some homemade hot chocolate mix if you’re in a pinch. You should be able to find a recipe online that will take advantage of all that you have in your pantry, and one batch of baked goods is enough for several small gifts, making this option a great time saver for gifts to coworkers or your children’s teachers.

Cooking equipment– Most people will be doing a lot of cooking during the coming holidays, so a small cooking related gift basket will be the perfect gift for some of the people on your list. Fill a small serving bowl or measuring cup with ingredients and tools. For a personal touch, include a favorite cookbook or a family recipe that you can share with the recipient.

Something from a local small business – There are so many great places in our area where you can get a small gift for someone. Whether it’s something from the Langwater Farmstand (they’re open until December 23rd), a treat from Hilliards Chocolates, a gift certificate to one of the dozens of amazing local restaurants, or a flower bouquet from Cedar Grove Gardens, just make sure to let your recipient know where the gift came from so that they can spread the word about the wonderful local products!

Pampering supplies – Men and women alike can occasionally use a break, and these relaxing gifts are sure to please even the pickiest of recipients. Lotions, soaps, candles, and scrubbing brushes are a great place to start. You can even make a great sugar or salt scrub from items that you probably have in your home right now. If you want to take this to the next level, go ahead and purchase a gift certificate to a local spa. You can use it as a gift during the holidays, but you can also be sure that it won’t go to waste if it isn’t given away!

Remember, too, that these small gifts can be combined to make bigger gifts. All you need is a pretty basket or container and a few small trinkets, and you have a more meaningful gift in seconds flat!

Do you have another favorite last minute holiday gift idea that you would like to share with other Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency clients? Just post it to our Facebook page! That is also where you can go to learn more about our office’s holiday hours. For your insurance needs, just call 617-298-0655 and speak to one of our agents! Happy holidays!

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How to Spend Less on Groceries

Posted on by cvargas

When was the last time that you looked over your household’s budget? If it’s been a while, it may be time to sit down and see where you could be saving. Your grocery budget is likely one of your biggest (and most flexible) categories. If you use the following tips, you could probably save a bit of your allotted grocery budget each month:

How To Spend Less on Groceries

Take the time to do it yourself.

At the grocery store, you may for convenience. That means that the pre-made items, such as bakery goods, spice mixes, prepared meals, etc, are all going to cost you more than if you were to buy the ingredients and make it yourself.

Stick to the edges of the store instead of the aisles.

While we’re on the subject of doing it yourself, you will save yourself money by buying most of your groceries from the edge of the store. This includes the Dairy section, the Meat and Seafood counters, and the Produce section. Buying the basic, raw ingredients is also healthier than buying the processed foods that they stock in the aisles. This, of course, doesn’t count for staples like flour and sugar, which most home cooks aren’t equipped to make themselves.

Buy in bulk for a lower price per unit.

When you are looking at what size product to buy, you always want to consider the price per unit (it’s often listed on the item’s shelf label). More often than not, the bigger size will cost less per unit. This means that buying a large – or bulk – size will cost you less in the long run.

Never shop on an empty stomach.

If you go grocery shopping with a stomach that is begging to be filled, you are more likely to purchase foods that are high in calories, according to this article from the New York Times.

Use a list of meals for the week.

Have a plan before you even think about stepping foot into the store. Before you shop, you need to know two things: what you already have in your pantry and fridge, and what you need to buy for the week (or until the next time that you plan to shop). Your grocery list should include all of the ingredients that you need to make a preplanned list of meals for your family.

Be careful with your coupons.

Coupons can save you money, but only if you plan to buy the item in question. Don’t use a coupon simply for the sake of saving – it can backfire if you end up purchasing items that you wouldn’t otherwise have put in your cart.

Now that you know how to cut back on your grocery budget, call 617-298-0655 to find out how you can save on your home insurance and auto insurance budgets! Get in touch with an agent at Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency, and we will check your current insurance policy to ensure that you are receiving all the discounts to which you are entitled. The call is easy, and the policy check is free, so pick up the phone today!

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