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Vargas & Vargas Insurance

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Dorchester, MA 02124

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Month: October 2017

Were You Affected by the Equifax Breach?

Posted on by cvargas

By now, I’m sure that you have heard about the data breach that happened at Equifax, one of the largest credit reporting agencies in the US. It turns out that my wife Kathy and I were affected, and I have since signed up for the free credit monitoring offered by Equifax. This got me thinking about what other precautions I should be taking to protect my identity. Here are just a few ideas:

  • Shred everything that has personal information on it. Get a cross-cutting shredder and put it in a central location in your home – it will easily pay for itself in peace of mind.
  • When paying for something, try to always use either cash or a credit card. Debit cards don’t offer liability protection, and checks are easy to duplicate.
  • Consider hiring a service to monitor your credit. There are plenty out there, both paid and free – just make sure that you are familiar with the level of service offered before you pick one.

If you were affected, it’s important to remember that the hackers are likely to keep your information for several years before they attempt to use it, so it’s crucial that you stay diligent and always be on the lookout for suspicious activity in your financial accounts as well as on your credit reports.

Now there are rumors that Equifax may have been hacked a second time. This just goes to show how important it is to protect your personal information in this digital age. Make sure that you stay safe, and that you take your safety seriously. Call Vargas and Vargas Insurance if you have any questions that we can answer for you. Our office number is 617-298-0655.

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Fill in the Gaps with Umbrella Insurance

Posted on by agentinsure

Your auto, property, and business insurance policies cover most of your valuables. But for those with multiple properties, luxury items, and other high-dollar assets, these policies may not fully cover your investment. If a complete loss occurs, you could be left footing the bill.

Vargas and Vargas Insurance in Dorchester, MA offers insurance policies to protect the things you care about most. Our experts are able to customize a package of policies to fit your specific needs. However, all policies have their limits.

Umbrella insurance policies provide additional coverage for your existing plans. Here are several ways an umbrella policy can protect you financially.

Commercial Umbrella Insurance

A lawsuit, natural disaster, or economic fluctuations can contribute to the ruin of a thriving business. You may need more than your current policies provide if a catastrophic event takes your property and inventory.

When the liability limit on your primary policy is reached, your umbrella policy will provide additional funds to get you back on your feet. This removes the financial burden when problems occur, giving you the peace of mind to deal with other issues. Your losses from legal judgments, natural disasters, and theft may be covered.  

Umbrella Policies for Home and Auto

For most people, your primary residence and vehicle are your largest assets. If your house burns down or your car gets totaled, primary policies may help pay off what you still owe. Any extra may not cover the cost of replacing your property.

After your auto, renters, or auto insurance pays their share, an umbrella policy further reduces your out-of-pocket costs for replacing your property.

Contact the insurance experts at Vargas and Vargas Insurance in Dorchester, MA. We can help you decide if umbrella insurance is the right strategy for you.

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Why Buy Flowers for Your Home?

Posted on by cvargas

Have you ever felt like your home needed a little burst of freshness and color? It’s easy to get into a groove (or, rather, a rut) when it comes to your home’s accessories – but fear not! All you need to do if you want to cheer up a room in your home is add a bouquet of freshly cut flowers!

First, a fun fact. Did you know that hospital patients who have plants or flowers in their room often need less post-operative medicine? In addition, these patients had lower blood pressure and less anxiety. And you can take advantage of the stress relief at home by simply adding a small plant or vase of flowers to a room that you spend a lot of time in.

In addition, the color of the flowers that you choose can impact the mood that your bouquet creates. Choose lighter, similar colors to increase your relaxation, or a bright and varied bunch for an energizing vibe. Even consider bringing in some flowers or a plant to the office to boost your productivity and be the envy of your coworkers!

Adding a plant to your Massachusetts home or office will also act as a natural humidifier, and plants can remove 87% of toxins from the air every day! So whether you’re looking for some inspiration, relaxation, energy, or health benefits, a bunch of flowers or a potted plant may be the answer!

If you would like to buy a lovely plant or a bunch of flowers for your home, stop by one of my favorite local flower shops, Cedar Grove Gardens. And if you want to add to your peace of mind with more than just flowers, call 617-298-0655 for a free Boston home insurance review from your friends here at Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency.

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Three Common Myths about Flu Vaccines

Posted on by cvargas

Have you gotten your flu shot yet? Many people want an excuse to not have to get poked with a needle, but getting a flu shot is one of the best things you can do for yourself in the fall and winter. In this post, we want to clear up a few of the common misconceptions around the flu shot:

Myth 1: The Flu Vaccine can give you the flu.

While it is true that some flu shots are made with an ‘inactivated’ flu virus, it has been scientifically proven that these shots can’t make you sick.

Myth 2: It’s better to risk getting the flu than to get the vaccine.

Some people would rather take their chances, and some will say “I’ve never gotten the shot, and I’ve never gotten sick.” But it’s not worth the risk – the flu can be very serious in some cases, and can on occasion result in complications. The CDC recommends that everyone over 6 months of age receive the vaccine.

Myth 3: You don’t need to get the vaccine every year.

Just getting one shot isn’t enough to keep you protected against the flu virus. The protection that the vaccine offers wanes over time, so you need to get a vaccine every fall in order to maintain maximum defense against the flu.

Make sure that you use your Massachusetts health insurance when you get your flu vaccine – many insurance providers will cover part or all of the cost of the vaccine. And if you have any questions about your health insurance policy, you can always reach out to Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency at 617-298-0655.

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Tips and “Tricks” for Handing Out Halloween Candy

Posted on by cvargas

There’s no doubt about it – Halloween is right around the corner. No doubt you’ve noticed the huge displays of decorations, costumes, and candy in your favorite stores. If you’re planning to get in the spooky spirit and pass out candy to trick-or-treaters this year, here are some tips to make sure that you are one of the ‘cool houses’ on the block:

  • Let trick-or-treaters know that they should come to your home for candy on Halloween night. This should be done by decorating your home (it doesn’t have to be extravagant) and by leaving the porch light on.
  • Kids love when they are recognized, so do yourself a favor and brush up on this year’s most popular costumes, including Marvel and DC superheroes, Disney princesses, and more.
  • Only give out candy that is sealed in its original packaging. While it is a nice thought to give kids homemade treats, most parents won’t allow their kids to eat these kinds of treats from strangers.
  • Your trick-or-treaters will be looking for sugar, so don’t disappoint by handing out pencils (or worse – toothbrushes). If you want to give something like a pencil or small toy, do so alongside a piece of candy.
  • If you don’t want to be bothered by your doorbell all night long (and you don’t mind missing all the cute costumes), you may choose to put out a small bowl of candy. It’s best to put out less and refill often so that latecomers aren’t disappointed by an empty bowl.

Before the big day, make sure that your home is ready for any ‘trick’ with the right Massachusetts home insurance policy from Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency. One quick call to 617-298-0655 will help you ensure that no ghouls, goblins, or poltergeists get the best of you this Halloween.

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It’s That Time of Year – Go Apple Picking!

Posted on by cvargas

One of the most popular activities in the Fall here in Massachusetts is picking produce. And there’s good news on that front – now is the perfect time for apple picking! Orchards have been open for a few weeks, but we’re hitting peak season to get ripe, perfect apples. So sometime between now and Veteran’s Day, pack up your family and hit your nearest apple orchard to see what fun you’ve been missing.

When you’re picking, make sure to look for apples that are firm and bruise-free. The color of your apple will change based on the variety of apple you’re picking, so you can’t depend on the color of your apple to tell you if it’s ready to pick. It’s also important to remember that apples ripen from the center of the tree outwards.

In addition, some farms will offer much more than just fruit harvesting. If you want a little more excitement, find a place that also has apple cider doughnuts (they’re a Fall favorite here at Vargas and Vargas Insurance), hayrides, or even a petting zoo.

Once you’ve got your apples in hand, you need to decide what to do with them. Sure, apples are great as a snack, but there’s nothing quite like a homemade apple pie that’s made with apples you picked off the tree with your own hands. If you want something a little healthier, try putting your apples in a smoothie or a salad. You can even use them to make apple chips! If you’re a fan of Fall spices, why not try making your own apple butter or an apple cider?

Make sure that you stay tuned to the Vargas and Vargas Insurance Blog for more ideas about seasonal activities here in Massachusetts. And remember to call 617-298-0655 with your insurance questions and quote needs!

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