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Month: July 2015

Best Places in Massachusetts for Cheap Car Insurance

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Best Places in Massachusetts for Cheap Car Insurance

You already probably know that your place of residence has a huge effect on your home insurance cost. Did you know that it also affects what you pay for car insurance? It turns out that the average car insurance premium varies per city, according to Boston.com. Even in the state of Massachusetts, car insurance rates can vary by as much as $1,000 per year based on where you live.

There are a few reasons why your location affects your insurance premium. Most notably, people who live in areas that have a high population and traffic density are more likely to get into an accident. Insurance providers also consider the car theft rates when determining insurance premiums. For example, the state average of car thefts per 1,000 residents is 1.44. In Chelsea (the area in Massachusetts with the highest car insurance premiums) the rate is 4.98 thefts per 1,000 residents.

The ten most expensive places for car insurance in Massachusetts:

  1. Chelsea: $1,875.25
  2. Swampscott: $1,724.17
  3. Saugus: $1,724.17
  4. Randolph: $1,650.33
  5. Brockton: $1,593.88
  6. Springfield: $1,587.75
  7. Lynn: $1,511.50
  8. Everett: $1,448.38
  9. Malden: $1,448.13
  10. Medford: $1,448.13

The ten locations with cheap car insurance in Massachusetts are:

  1. Nantucket: $827.50
  2. Greenfield: $827.50
  3. Maynard: $839.08
  4. Northborough: $839.08
  5. West Concord: $839.08
  6. Medfield: $839.08
  7. Wellesley: $886.92
  8. Newburyport: $886.92
  9. Franklin: $886.92
  10. Arlington: $896.75

Assuming that you’re not willing to relocate just to save on your car insurance premium, there are still plenty of ways that you can lower your premium to get cheap car insurance. Some cars get better insurance rates than others. Often, insurance providers offer several discounts for safe drivers and cars with safety features. Drivers that belong to certain organizations also can receive discounted rates.

One of the best ways to save on auto insurance (whether you’re on the ‘best’ list, the ‘worst’ list, or anywhere in between) is to shop around at several insurance providers. Here at Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency, we gather information from our clients and compare several insurance providers to ensure that they get the best rate available.

If you want to make sure that you’re getting cheap car insurance, all you have to do is call Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency at 617-298-0655. Our auto insurance experts will get you a car insurance quote that gets you the coverage you need at a price that’s right for you.

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How to Improve Your Home’s Curb Appeal

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How To Improve Your Home's Curb AppealDoes your home need a dash of glamour? Whether you’re getting ready to sell your home, or you’re just looking to spruce up the outside of your abode, we’ve got some tips that will help you get your home looking fantastic in no time flat. Improve just a few of these areas, and you’ll notice a difference – heed all of these suggestions and your home may look so great that you don’t recognize it when you’re done!

The Front Door

One of the easiest and most impactful changes that you can make to your home in no time flat is to spruce up your front door. Make sure it is clean and fresh. Give it a new coat of paint if the New England weather is starting to take its toll, or simply add a classy door knocker or seasonal wreath to add a special touch to the focal point of your entry area.

The Entry Area

While you’re working on the front door, add some symmetry to the rest of your entry area. A pair of statues or topiaries can make this area seem fresh and clean. Also make sure to keep your front porch or stoop swept of debris. Adding some new light fixtures will take some extra effort, but can greatly increase your home’s curb appeal.

The Mailbox

When driving up to your home, the first thing that people often notice is the mailbox. Whether your current box needs a fresh coat of paint, or you want to replace your current box with something more sophisticated, a little bit of “TLC” will help freshen things up. Just remember that your mailbox should have the same style as your home – a lovely home that is hundreds of years old would need a classic mailbox (something modern would probably look severely out of place).

The Lawn and Walkways

Another great way to improve your home’s curb appeal is to freshen up your lawn and walkways. Make sure that grass is fresh and no dead spots are visible. Walkways should be clear of debris, level, and crack-free. Add some small solar powered lights along sidewalks and driveways for an instant boost.

Flowers and Greenery

Nothing increases the attractiveness of a home quite like greenery. If you have a green thumb, do some gardening this summer and add some color to your front yard. If, on the other hand, you need some help when it comes to choosing plants and keeping them healthy, call on our friends at Cedar Grove Gardens for advice about anything from houseplants to growing a garden. Even just a window box or potted plant will take your home’s curb appeal to the next level.

If you have a few extra minutes to spend on your home when you’re done improving its curb appeal, why not improve your Massachusetts home insurance policy? With one quick call to the experts here at Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency, you can get a free review of your current policy, or a quote for something new.

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Have a Safe and Fun Fourth of July

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Safe and Fun Fourth of JulyOn the fourth day of July each year, we celebrate Independence Day – the anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. This year, we will celebrate America’s 239th birthday, and we will do so in style! No matter what your plans are for this year’s Independence Day celebrations, make sure that you put safety first! Here are a few safety tips for the most popular Fourth of July activities:

Sun and Water Safety

Enjoy the warm weather without exposing yourself to dangerous rays – limit your sun exposure during peak hours (between 10 am and 4 pm) and make sure that you are wearing sun protection, including hats, sleeved shirts, and sunscreen. Also brush up on the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Make sure that you and your party also have plenty of fluids while spending time out in the heat.

If you’re thinking of hitting the pool over the holiday weekend (or any time this summer) make sure that you follow Vargas and Vargas Insurance’s Swimming Safety Tips for Summer, including supervising children at all times, enrolling in swimming or water safety classes, having the right tools when around water, and more.

Grilling Safety

Are you planning to break out the grill for an Independence Day BBQ? Whether you’re just making lunch for your family or hosting a party, make sure that you follow these basic safety tips:

  • Supervise grill when hot
  • Never grill indoors or near flammable objects
  • Ensure that pets and children stay away from the grill
  • Use utensils with long handles for grilling
  • When in doubt, follow your grill’s manufacturer’s instructions

When the cooking is done, you should also ensure that your food doesn’t sit out at room temperature for more than two hours. At that time, it could begin to go bad and could cause distress to those that consume it. Before your two hours is up, either refrigerate your leftovers or throw away anything that’s not been eaten.

Fireworks Safety

According to MGL Chapter 148, S. 39, “It is illegal for private citizens to use, possess, or sell fireworks in Massachusetts, or to purchase them legally elsewhere and then transport them into the state. The law prohibits any article designed to produce a visible or audible effect.” The penalty for possession or use of a firework is confiscation of the fireworks and a fine of $10 to $100.

If you want to watch a traditional fireworks display for the Fourth, check out the list of fireworks shows in the area from Mass.gov. If you attend one of these shows, make sure that you stay in the designated viewing area, a safe distance from the fireworks themselves.

Events in Boston

If you’re looking for plans for the Fourth this year, you’re in luck! There are tons of events going on in Boston, like the 2015 Boston Harborfest, the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular, and more!

From all of us here at Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency, we hope that you have a fun and safe Fourth of July weekend. If you have any insurance concerns, please call us at 617-298-0655 during regular business hours, or call our 24/7 CSR hotline at 866-760-1442 in an emergency. Also “Like” our Facebook Page for links to our blog posts and interesting information, which we encourage you to share with your friends and family.

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Ten Reasons to Support Local Businesses

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Here at Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency, we love to support local businesses. After all, local businesses are what make our neighborhoods unique! It may be convenient to go to a chain store where you can get everything that you need in one stop, but next time you go out shopping, consider shopping at local businesses.

Support Local Businesses

Here are ten good reasons why you should make your next trip out a small business shopping experience from our friends at Sustainable Connections:

  1. Strengthen your local community – When you patronize local business, more of your money stays in the community, being used to support other small businesses rather than going to national chains and lining the pockets of big-wig CEOs.
  2. Support community nonprofits – Local businesses are approximately 250% more likely than larger businesses to give to non-profit organizations. Shopping at small businesses helps your community in so many ways!
  3. Keep the community unique – Every city has the same national chains. It’s the locally owned businesses that distinguish our community from all the others.
  4. Decrease environmental harm – Local businesses typically buy local – this means less sprawl, less congestion, less habitat loss, and less pollution than when you purchase from a large chain.
  5. Create more local jobs – Small businesses are the largest employer nationally when considered as a whole. Spending your money locally ensures more jobs stay in our neighborhoods.
  6. Get better service – Local businesses have a reputation for hiring the best employees – they don’t settle for any warm body.
  7. Invest in the community’s future – Small businesses are an integral part of any community, and they tend to be invested in the community’s future. It’s why we attend and sponsor so many community events here at Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency!
  8. Use your taxes wisely – Because small businesses are, well… smaller… they use less infrastructure than their national counterparts. This means that your tax dollars will go further if you support small businesses.
  9. Ensure innovation and competition – Local businesses sell products based on the needs of the community, not as the nation (or world). This means that the products sold at small businesses will be better tailored to meet your needs as a consumer.
  10. Encourage community prosperity – Did you know that entrepreneurs and skilled workers are more likely to settle in communities that back small businesses.

If you’re interested in supporting businesses in your area, consider joining a Cash Mob. A Cash Mob is an organized event designed to increase revenue at pre-chosen local businesses, like shops, restaurants, and more. Visit the Vargas and Vargas Insurance website’s Cash Mob page for more information, and to find links to the Dorchester and Stoughton Cash Mob Facebook Pages.

Continue to support local Massachusetts businesses by purchasing your insurance through Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency. We provide local consumers with top of the line home, auto, life, business insurance, and much more. Simply call 617-298-0655 and one of our agents will get to know you and assess your unique insurance needs. Don’t wait any longer – call now!

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