Vargas & Vargas Insurance

1133 Washington St
Dorchester, MA 02124

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How Do You Figure Out How Much Life Insurance You Need?

Make an appointment with your life insurance agent at Vargas & Vargas Insurance to determine the policy benefit your life insurance should provide. We help Dorchester, MA, residents ensure that their life insurance adequately covers the needs of their beneficiaries.

Make a List of Big Things Your Spouse Would Need to Pay Off

Base your life insurance policy benefits on the needs your family would have to cover if you died. Make a list of things your spouse would have to pay for alone if you died. This list might include paying off your mortgage, putting your children through private school and college, and paying off any auto loans your family has open. Your credit card bills and other loans belong on this list, too.

Determine the Loss of Your Annual Income

Your benefits amount should factor in how many years your spouse would potentially live. While your spouse might also maintain a career, a life insurance policy should cover the difference the loss of your income would make. That would ensure your family could continue to live at its current level when you die. 

Record Activities You Handle for Your Family

Finally, consider the things you do for your family that they would need to hire another person to do if you died. That might include lawn care, child care, meal preparation, or home repairs.

Parental Care Needs

All of these items vary by person. No two people have the exact same situation, so each person needs to calculate their life insurance needs. If your parents are still living, consider the benefits they would need as they age that they would lose if you passed away. Today, many aging parents move into an addition at their child’s home or relocate to an assisted living center near their child and grandchildren. They may need help paying for this elder care or medical assistance in the house.

Contact Vargas & Vargas Insurance for Life Insurance

At Vargas & Vargas Insurance, we understand the complexities of insurance and work hard to simplify them for our Dorchester, MA clients. Contact us to determine how much life insurance coverage you need based on your family composition and potential beneficiaries.

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How do You Select the Right Type of Commercial Insurance Policy?

Vargas & Vargas Insurance is committed to assisting the residents in businesses of Dorchester, MA with selecting the right commercial insurance policies to meet their needs. Our team of professionals can help guide you through the selection process and assist with any changes or events that occurred during the policy’s lifetime. Let us help you get the ideal level of protection today.

Commercial Insurance Protection 

Commercial Insurance is essential for protecting your assets and interests when you have any commercial Endeavor or business. To get the proper coverage, it helps to have access to a knowledgeable and helpful Insurance agent.

Our team of experts can work closely with each individual customer to ensure they understand the terms and conditions of each policy. The information we gather provides recommendations for policy options.

Once a policy is selected, we submit any information and documentation necessary to acquire the policy. Changes to the policy or claims in the future. It’s all a part of our mission to provide top-quality insurance services for our customers to help them get complete coverage and protection from risk.

Learn More Today 

If you would like to learn more about how Vargas & Vargas Insurance can provide ideal insurance coverage to businesses around the Dorchester, MA area, we encourage you to contact us today. Please call or stop by our office to schedule a consultation with one of our insurance agents. We can help you get a complete layer of protection through quality insurance products. Let us show you how easy selecting the right commercial insurance policy can be so that you can have peace of mind.

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The Limitations of Classic Car Insurance

Classic car insurance offers specialized coverage for classic vehicles in and around the Dorchester, MA area. Not all vehicles qualify for this type of insurance due to their limitations. Several criteria determine eligibility: age, rarity, condition, and usage restrictions. Understanding these factors is essential for classic car owners to determine if their vehicles meet the criteria.  

Usage Restrictions 

Classic car insurance often imposes usage restrictions to qualify for coverage. The first thing considered is if there are any age restrictions on the vehicle. Other restrictions vary but commonly include limitations on mileage, requiring the vehicle to be used for pleasure or exhibition purposes rather than daily commuting. Some policies may prohibit commercial use or restrict the distance traveled from the owner’s residence.

Limited Coverage for Modifications 

Classic car insurance may have limitations on modifications. Insurers often expect classic cars to be kept as close to their original condition as possible. How rare the vehicle is can be a factor. Extensive changes or aftermarket alterations may impact eligibility or result in limited coverage.

Limited Use for Regular Transportation 

Classic car insurance is designed for vehicles primarily used for recreational purposes rather than as daily drivers. Consequently, coverage for regular transportation, commuting, or extensive business use may be limited or excluded.

Agreed Value vs. Actual Cash Value 

Classic car insurance policies typically offer coverage based on an agreed value or stated value rather than the vehicle’s actual cash value. This means the insurer and owner agree on the vehicle’s value upfront, ensuring appropriate coverage. It also means that depreciation may not factor into claims settlements.

How Vargas & Vargas Insurance Can Help You

Here at Vargas & Vargas Insurance, we are ready to assist you with your classic car insurance needs. We cover areas around the Dorchester, MA region. Contact us today.

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Tips for making your home a safer place

Home safety is a significant concern for people everywhere. Home is where your heart is, but it is also where many accidents happen. Many accidents in the house are preventable if the correct measures are taken in advance. At Vargas & Vargas Insurance in Dorchester, MA, we want to make your home safer by providing you with the best and most affordable home insurance. 

Keep poison out of reach.

Many things we use daily in our homes are not safe if ingested by pets or children. It can be things like cleaning products or even laundry detergent. If you treat weeds in your lawn, these products may be unsafe if your pet or children get into them. Keep these products in a locked cupboard if possible but at the very least in a high location. 

Avoid falls

Falls are a major risk in the home. Some simple things, such as never placing things on stairs and removing clutter, can help decrease the risk. Don’t run extension cords across spaces where people walk; they are a trip hazard. Add slip-resistant mats or decals to your tub or shower. Make sure that the lighting is adequate so that you can see where you are going, and use night lights or motion activation lights. 

Common sense

Some things that can help keep you safe are just common sense things. Set your water heater temperature to a safe temperature. One hundred twenty degrees is recommended. Never climb a ladder alone; always have a spotter. Have a fire extinguisher in your home for small fires. Have smoke detectors and make sure they are working. 

Contact Vargas & Vargas Insurance in Dorchester, MA, either through our website or by calling or visiting our office. 

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Tips to care for your classic car

Owning a classic car can be a great joy and an exciting hobby here in the Dorchester, MA area. However, taking care of your classic car is no small feat. Here are some tips from us at Vargas & Vargas Insurance to help you keep your classic car in excellent condition: 

1. Regularly Check Fluids – Keeping the engine fluids of your classic car at the correct level is essential to its good health. Regularly check the oil, coolant, brake fluid, transmission fluid, and power steering fluid levels and top off when needed. 

2. Protect from Rust – Rust can quickly damage the body of your classic car if not taken seriously. Treating any rust spots with a rust-inhibiting primer as soon as they appear will help protect them from further damage. Covering exposed metal parts with wax or protective paint will also help keep the rust away. 

3. Invest in Quality Parts – Using quality parts when repairing or upgrading is critical to keeping your classic car running smoothly for years. Buying cheap parts that don’t meet your vehicle’s specifications may lead to bigger problems down the road, so it’s essential to do research before deciding what parts you use for repairs or replacements. 

4. Perform Regular Maintenance – Just like any vehicle, regular maintenance is important for keeping your classic car running well over time and avoiding costly breakdowns in the future. Take the time to change spark plugs, filters, and other components as necessary, and ensure everything is working correctly before putting it back on the road again. 

For more tips, please call us at Vargas & Vargas Insurance today. We are proud to serve the Dorchester, MA area.

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What Does Home Insurance Cover?

The agents at Vargas & Vargas Insurance serving the Dorchester, MA area offer home insurance policies to protect and secure one of your most significant investments.

While home insurance is not required under Massachusetts law, having a good policy in place is still very important. If you owe money to a bank or mortgage lender for the purchase of your home, you will be required to carry a home insurance policy. Even if you’ve already paid off your house, you should still have homeowners insurance because you never know when disaster will hit.

What Does Home Insurance Cover?

A home insurance policy will cover the structure of your house along with the items inside of your house. These can include your personal belongings, such as toiletries, clothing, and jewelry, as well as your furniture, appliances, and so much more.

A variety of home insurance policies also cover any outbuildings on your property. These can include garages and sheds as well as decks and porches.

You never know when your house will become damaged or destroyed by a natural disaster, a fire, or even an act of vandalism. You also can’t predict that your home will be burglarized, but in any of these cases, your home insurance policy will help replace the lost items and repair or rebuild your house.

Contact Vargas & Vargas Insurance

The old saying, "It’s better to be safe than sorry," applies to home insurance policies. To create the best home insurance policy for you and your situation, contact the agents at Vargas & Vargas Insurance serving the Dorchester, MA area today!

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What Does Renters Insurance Cover?

The agents at Vargas & Vargas Insurance serving the Dorchester, MA area are happy to explain the importance of having a renters insurance policy.

Many people who rent their home, apartment, or other types of home are under the impression that their landlord’s property insurance policy will cover their personal belongings, but that is not the case. While most landlords in Massachusetts are required to have property insurance on the properties they own, it does not cover the belongings of the tenants living in these places. This is why a renters insurance policy is so fundamental for all tenants to have in place.

What Does Renter’s Insurance Cover?

Renters insurance will cover all of your personal belongings, such as your clothing and toiletries, furniture, appliances, and anything else you have purchased for your home. This means that if your house catches on fire, you will not lose everything you own because your renter’s insurance policy will assist you in replacing the items you lost and then getting back on your feet. A renters insurance policy can also assist you if a natural disaster occurs and destroys or damages the home you are renting or if the place is vandalized. A renters insurance policy can also assist you in paying for items that are stolen in a burglary.

Contact Vargas & Vargas Insurance

To obtain an adequate amount of renters insurance for your situation, you will need to create a policy. Call the experienced and knowledgeable renters insurance agents at Vargas & Vargas Insurance serving the Dorchester, MA area today to obtain a quote and to get your renter’s insurance policy started!

 

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Caring For Your Motorcycle During the Off-Season in Dorchester, MA

For motorcycle owners in Dorchester, MA, the off-season can be a great time to keep your ride in top condition. With proper care and maintenance, you can ensure that your motorcycle runs smoothly when the spring arrives.

Cleaning and Waxing 

Before putting your motorcycle into storage, you must give it a thorough cleaning and waxing. Use a mild detergent and soft cloth to clean your bike, then apply a wax coating to protect against the elements. This will help to protect your bike’s paint job from any dust or dirt that may accumulate while it’s in storage. It will also help prevent rust or corrosion from taking hold when exposed to moisture. 

Lubrication Maintenance 

Another critical step is lubricating your bike’s moving parts before storing it away for winter. This includes everything from chains and cables to brakes and bearings, so pay special attention to these areas during the lubrication process. You should also check all nuts and bolts to ensure they are tight, as loose parts can cause significant damage down the road if not taken care of now. 

Insurance Coverage Review 

Finally, reviewing your insurance coverage when preparing for the off-season months is always a good idea. Ensure that you have adequate coverage for any potential losses or damages that could occur while your bike is in storage. If you’re looking for a reliable motorcycle insurance policy, look no further than Vargas & Vargas Insurance. We offer competitive rates throughout Dorchester, MA, and beyond—so don’t hesitate to contact us today if we can assist you with finding the proper coverage.

To learn more about our insurance policies or get started with a free quote, don’t hesitate to contact Vargas & Vargas Insurance today! We look forward to helping you get ready for the off-season!

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What Is Umbrella Insurance Policy, Do You Need It?

A personal umbrella policy provides additional liability protection beyond the liability limits that you now carry on your home, renters, or condo insurance and auto insurance. If you are sued and exhaust your existing liability coverage, the umbrella policy will take care of the remainder up to the limit you selected.

Furthermore, it covers legal costs while defending or settling a lawsuit. In certain situations it may even provide coverage not available in your original policies.

Carrying umbrella insurance makes you less stressed about the future.

Worrying about how a lawsuit down the road could destroy you financially is stressful. Purchasing umbrella insurance is the ideal way to avoid such stress.

Umbrella insurance provides a safety net and protects your finances from the uncertainties you face in the coming years.

Umbrella insurance allows you to participate in activities you love without the risk.

Umbrella insurance is particularly recommended for those who participate in certain activities. For example, umbrella insurance coverage is recommended for consumers who use recreational vehicles or coach children’s sporting activities.

Umbrella coverage is also recommended for those who serve on an organization’s board or participate in activities such as hunting.

With umbrella insurance, you can enjoy activities like these that may leave you open to financial risk without adequate coverage.

Umbrella insurance protects your hard-earned money.

It’s typically recommended that consumers carry enough umbrella insurance to cover the full value of their net worth. That’s because umbrella insurance protects all of the hard-earned money a consumer has saved up throughout their life.

Umbrella insurance protects the funds and assets you have worked hard to accumulate throughout your life.

What does it cost?

The good news is probably not as much as you think. Costs of personal liability umbrella policies range based on various factors such as how many properties you have, how many autos you have, your driver history, and your experience as a driver.

A $1 million policy may cost between $160 and $300 per year. As you increase policy limits beyond $1 million, the premium cost increases in smaller increments. For example, a $2 million policy might only cost 1.8 times the cost of the million dollars one, a $3 million dollar policy might cost 2.55 times the million dollar policy, and a $10 million dollar policy might cost 8.9 times the million dollar policy.

Your Local Independent Insurance Broker

At Vargas & Vargas Insurance we always have time for you, you can reach our team at 617-298-0655, we  can help make sure that your financial future is properly insured. Give us a call to get a quote on an umbrella insurance policy!

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What does flood insurance consider to be a flood?

Living in, Massachusetts means that you may need to consider flood insurance. But before you decide to invest in a policy, it’s important to understand what constitutes a flood and how flood insurance can protect your home and possessions. In this post, Vargas & Vargas Insurance looks at some of the key facts about floods and flood insurance.

What is Considered a Flood? 

According to FEMA, flooding is a temporary condition where two or more acres of dry land become wholly or partially submerged in water.

In other words, if water accumulates in an area that would normally be dry, such as your lawn and driveway, it is considered flooding. It doesn’t have to be an overflowing river; even heavy rain that causes puddles on your property can count as flooding.

What Does Flood Insurance Cover? 

Flood insurance covers damage to your home caused by the rising waters associated with flooding. This includes physical damage to the structure itself (walls, floors, roofing), any items contained within the structure (furniture, electronics), and any appliances that are connected to the house (such as HVAC systems). It also covers items outside the structure, like decks and fences. Additionally, it will cover cleanup costs associated with restoring your property after it has been flooded.

Now that you know what constitutes a flood—and what is covered by flood insurance—you can make an informed decision about whether purchasing flood insurance makes sense for you and your family. To find out more information about getting coverage in Dorchester, MA, contact Vargas & Vargas Insurance today! We’ll help you get the right policy for your needs so you can rest easy knowing that your home is protected against floods!

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