Author: agentinsure

Winter Motorcycle Safety Considerations in Dorchester

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Cold weather in Massachusets comes early in the fall, so motorcyclists will be able to enjoy the fall foliage in the chilly air. When it changes to icy and even colder there are some safety considerations for drivers that must be considered. At Vargas & Vargas Insurance we want all drivers to be safe throughout our beautiful state. We deliver quality insurance to clients in Dorchester, MA and the surrounding areas. 

Winter Motorcycle Safety Tips

  • Wear your helmet. Helmets are required under Massachusets law, however, in the winter they offer more than a lifesaving exoskeleton. In the winter helmets protect your face and head from the extreme elements that your face can be exposed to on a normal daily ride. 
  • Layers are a necessity. Many bikers will wear motorcycle gear to protect their skin however in the winter a bit more is needed. Layers to hold your own warmth to your body on the underside in addition to the layers to block the icy wind on the outside can feel like a lifesaver in frigid months.
  • Handguards are needed in the winter months because riding gloves are not enough to block the brunt of the wind and thicker gloves can decrease your hand’s mobility putting yourself at risk while driving. 
  • The roads in winter also present their own hazards due to the ice patches, snow, and the salt used to melt the ice. These things can present safety hazards and affect the workings of your bike so driver beware of the road as well as yourself. 

Call us as Vargas & Vargas Insurance for quality motorcycle insurance, and remember to keep safe on the roads this winter while you travel in and around Dorchester, MA. 

Is Motorhome Insurance Mandatory?

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A lot of families pack up their camper for a road trip during summer. It’s one of the best ways to travel and see the country with your family. But if you own or are considering getting a recreational vehicle, commonly referred to as an RV or a motorhome, you may be confused on whether or not you need a motorhome insurance. When it comes to motorhome insurance, many factors come into play and laws vary from one state to the next. 
 
In Massachusetts, for instance, you will be required to carry valid liability insurance to drive legally. But do you need a separate insurance for your camper or fifth wheel when driving on Massachusetts roads? Well, not necessarily. But the fact that you may not be legally obligated to carry motorhome insurance for your RV doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t. At Vargas & Vargas Insurance in Dorchester MA, we can help you choose a motorhome insurance coverage that makes sense for your situation.
 
When Is Motorhome Insurance Required?
 
One critical factor that comes into play when it comes to deciding whether you need a separate motorhome insurance policy is the class of the RV. There are three major classes of RVs i.e. class A, B, and C. Class A motorhomes include long RVs such as luxury coaches. The small class of recreational vehicles are covered in class B and include camper vans, travel trailers, and cargo van type designs. 
 
Fifth wheels and other vehicles whose camper portions extend over the cab area are in Class C motorhomes. You definitely need a separate motorhome policy if you have a Class A or Class B motorhome. You may also need motorhome insurance if your RV is a rental or if you don’t own it outright. Find the right coverage for your camper or motorhome at Vargas & Vargas Insurance in Dorchester, MA. Give us a call if you need more information on motorhome insurance. 

Do I need umbrella insurance for a startup business?

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Most startup businesses operating on a tight budget make the mistake of not prioritizing insurance. What these business owners fail to understand is that it takes a small accident or disaster to lose all that they have worked so hard to build. An umbrella insurance policy from Vargas & Vargas Insurance will help you protect your startup business against disasters in Dorchester, MA.

What is umbrella insurance?

The purpose of umbrella insurance in your startup business is to supplement underlying insurance policies such as general liability and auto insurance policies. The insurance policy provides you with an extra buffer of financial protection when you have exhausted your other existing insurance coverages. Depending on your preferences, the umbrella insurance policy can cover more than one of your other insurance policies. Your umbrella insurance policy kicks in when your existing insurance policy has been exhausted or in situations where some claims are not covered. Umbrella insurance will provide extra coverage for various risks including restitution for injuries and paying for litigation costs.

Does my startup business need umbrella insurance?

Your startup business in Dorchester, MA is definitely predisposed to a wide range of risks or mishaps. Just as the small business requires other insurance coverages, it also requires umbrella insurance. In addition, most insurance policies don’t cover every risk that your startup business is potentially facing. There are certain claims your startup faces that are not only rare but also very costly. Therefore, protecting your business’s assets with an umbrella insurance policy is very important.

Umbrella insurance can also help you save money. When you raise the limits of your individual liability policies, you will also have to increase your premiums. But with umbrella insurance, you will get the extra coverage buffer without worrying about the limits of your other individual policies. This is a rainy day coverage that you can get without breaking the bank.

Unfortunately, most people think that umbrella insurance is for big businesses or the rich in the society with a lot of assets to protect. But, even a small accident in your startup business can lead to claims worth large amounts of money, especially if the accident was serious. Protect your startup business idea today by purchasing an umbrella insurance policy from Vargas & Vargas Insurance.

 

Does Flood Insurance Cover the Cost of Associated Medical Bills?

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Flood insurance is something that is very important if you live in areas where flooding is frequent, and it does cover a wide range of things. Flood insurance covers more than you might imagine and if you take out special policies that cover extra, you can have a policy that is fairly comprehensive. For those that live in the Dorchester, MA area, the agents with Vargas & Vargas Insurance can help you to find the policy that you need.

Flood insurance as a general rule covers things like the repair of homes that have been damaged, mold mitigation; sometimes it covers the cost of a place to stay while your home is repaired and more. In some cases, you can get an illness or medical bills associated with flooding covered but, in most cases, your health insurance is going to cover any medical bills. You can take out particular flood policies that have medical coverage built in, but for the most part, it is going to be best to use your health insurance to cover your costs.

For those that do need to use flood insurance to cover medical costs, you need to make sure your policy covers medical expenses. Most flood policies are only going to include the replacement and repair of items and the home. You need to take the time to really look at your coverage and you need to make sure you understand the ins and outs of flood insurance. For those that live in the Dorchester, MA area, the agents with Vargas & Vargas Insurance can help you to find the perfect flood policy so that you can get the coverage you need to keep your home safe no matter what disaster may befall it.  

When Can You Claim Your Condo Insurance?

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You can claim your condo insurance in case of a covered risk. Different condo insurance policies cover different risks. As the policyholder, you need to know the kind of risks that your condo insurance policy covers. Get the help of an insurance agency such as Vargas & Vargas Insurance in Dorchester, MA to find the best condo insurance for your needs.

When You Can Claim Your Condo Insurance

If You Lose Your Personal Possessions

You can claim your condo insurance if you lose personal belongings such as furniture, electronics, clothing, or jewelry in your condo as a result of covered perils such as theft or fires.

If You Incur Additional Living Expenses

If your condo is damaged by covered risks, it may become unsuitable for you to live in. You can claim your additional living expenses coverage to pay for the unplanned costs of living such as hotel bills. The policy can offer you compensation for the period it takes to repair your condo.

If You are Liable For Property Damage or Personal Injury

You can claim your condo insurance if a visitor gets injured in your condo. If, for example, a guest trips and falls down your stairs, you can make a claim to pay for their medical costs. You just need to be sure that the fall is accidental. If they choose to sue you, you can make a claim to pay for the legal charges. You may also file for a claim if you lose or destroy the property of a visitor in your condo unit.

If There is Damage to Structures of Your Condo

You can file for a claim if insured risks cause damage to your condo units. The risks could include fires or vandalism.

Contact Vargas & Vargas Insurance in Dorchester, MA for your home insurance needs. Our agents can help you get started.

Why Does the Cost of Auto Insurance go Down when You Turn 25?

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We all want to save money on things like insurance because we are paying for it anyway. That being said, some drivers are what insurance companies consider high-risk drivers which leads to higher rates across the board. So what makes the magic age of 25 different? For those in the Dorchester, MA area, the agents with Vargas & Vargas Insurance can help you answer this question in more depth.

High-risk drivers are often those that are considered either inexperienced or with less to lose in the case of an accident. High-risk drivers are also those that have statistically been placed in the category due to things like gender, age, and location. Drivers under the age of 25 are considered to be drivers with less experience and therefore drivers that are more likely to be in a traffic accident. When you turn 25, you can contact your insurance agency and let them know, and your rates will be adjusted according to your age. Though there are no other milestones so to speak according to age and rates, the older you are, the less your insurance generally costs so long as you have not had a ton of accidents.

Some other factors that may affect the overall cost of your insurance are things like your gender, males have a higher rate generally, if you are married or single, if you have multiple cars on your policy, if you have kids, have a degree, etc. These are all factors that your insurance agent will help you consider to get the best rate possible. For those in the Dorchester, MA area, the agents with Vargas & Vargas Insurance can help you to find your perfect policy every time.  

When Should I Buy Life Insurance

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Most people don’t purchase life insurance right after they are born because many people believe life insurance is about death, but it’s not. The earlier you decide to purchase life insurance the cheaper it typically is. So, buying it as a newborn should be incredibly inexpensive. The independent agents at Vargas & Vargas Insurance in Dorchester, MA can help you secure a life insurance policy for your loved one no matter the age.

Buying Life Insurance for Children

One good reason to purchase life insurance for your child is that it is very affordable. Another reason is that once the policy has matured, the policy can be cashed in. If you were to purchase a whole life insurance policy and pay the entire amount, the amount could be repaid when the child reaches his or her majority.

The Value of Life Insurance

There are two types of life insurance. The first is called term life insurance. It covers a specific period. Generally, it comes in increments of 5, 10, 15, or 20 years. If you die during the term, your insurance will pay your beneficiaries the entire amount of the insurance. This type is usually less expensive than whole life insurance.

Typically, life insurance policies grow in value over time. For a whole life policy, the rate is fixed for the entire length of the policy. The cash value of the policy will mature after 12 to 15 years, as long as the premiums are paid on time. You can cash it in after it has matured and use it to pay off debts, college tuition, or buy a home.

Life Insurance to Protect

For those adults entering the workforce, getting married, and having children, buying life insurance is an excellent way to help remove some of the burdens of the primary household earner. If the head of your household dies suddenly, there will be unexpected expenses that a life insurance policy could cover. Such costs include items for the funeral, utilities, mortgage, and auto loans. In Dorchester, MA, Vargas & Vargas Insurance can get you started on a life insurance policy today.

The Most Common Threats for Business Owners

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It could drive a person crazy to think about the many things that might potentially go wrong over the course of any given day. And yet, sometimes failing to acknowledge what’s out there can lead to an avoidable situation. If you’re thinking about upgrading or buying commercial insurance for your new business in Dorchester, MA, it’s worth noting the following facts from your friends at Vargas & Vargas Insurance. We provide commercial insurance for hard-working business owners around the state of Massachusetts. Here are a few reasons to get protection.

Criminal Activity  

Criminal activity today doesn’t just mean a person breaking the door to your stockroom and stealing all of your available inventory. It can also mean someone breaking into your computer systems and stealing customer data or holding your files hostage for ransom. It can even be a person assaulting an employee at the end of their shift. It can also mean a group of kids just looking to cause a little mischief on a weekend night. Wherever the criminal element may come from, it’s the owner’s responsibility to take care of any physical or emotional damages that may result. 

Lawsuits, Weather, and More 

From an employee suing the company for wrongful discrimination to an odd blizzard in Dorchester, MA, there are plenty of reasons why a business owner should worry about the state of their business. It only takes a few broken windows to wipe out several days worth of income, which is just one reason why an owner could use a good backup plan.

For a better chance at handling everything that may come your way, it helps to have a commercial insurance policy that works for you. Giving Vargas & Vargas Insurance a call today can make it easier for business owners to handle it all. Reach out to our agents to discuss a policy and have your questions answered.

Is It Time for a Home Insurance Review​?

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Spring is a time for new projects. It’s also an excellent time to review your current home insurance policies to make sure they are working for you. If you live in the Dorchester, MA area, Vargas & Vargas Insurance is here to help you every step of the way. 

Home Insurance is Often a Requirement

If you are like many homeowners, you know that you need insurance to protect your home. Almost all financial institutions require that a homeowner have such insurance if they issue a mortgage on your home. However, even if your home is entirely paid off or the financial institution that you deal with does not require you to have insurance on your home, it is still a good idea to do so.

Why is it a Good Idea to Have Home Insurance? 

Your home is probably going to be the largest purchase you ever make in your life. It makes sense that you should protect it to the best of your ability. Having it insured protects your financial situation if something catastrophic should happen. If you are like most people, you don’t have several hundred thousand dollars sitting around that you can tap into should you have to replace your home unexpectedly. That’s what home insurance is for. 

Home Insurance Review

It’s a good idea to undertake a review of your home insurance at least once a year with a representative from Vargas & Vargas Insurance. With a variety of ways to contact us via text, phone call, and email, you can also head to our office at 1133 Washington Street in Dorchester, MA. There, the friendly and knowledgeable staff will carefully go over your current home insurance policy with you to determine if your needs are being met. If they are not, you’ll learn about the many different options that can be added to your policy to offer you the coverage you need.

Can I allow anyone to drive my classic car?

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Why have a classic car if you can’t show it off? You may want to take it to a car show or drive it in a parade because letting other people admire your car is part of the fun. But can you let other people drive it too? If there is someone you really trust, you may want to give them the chance to experience the pleasure of operating your vehicle.

If you live in or around the Dorchester, MA area, you can talk to the representatives at Vargas & Vargas Insurance about what your policy can cover. Protecting your investment is important and knowing what is allowed and not allowed is key when cruising in your classic. 

You Can Allow Other Drivers to Operate Your Vehicle

As long as there are no restrictions stated in your contract, you should be able to allow other people to drive your classic car. Your current coverage should protect your guest from any mishaps they may have while driving your vehicle. There are certain restrictions but, as long as the state laws are followed, there should be no foreseeable issues.

The individual must be of age to drive and must have a valid license, with no suspensions or restrictions. Failure to ensure that the driver is eligible to drive can cause you problems if anything happens while the other person is behind the wheel.

A big part of the American automobile experience is independence. Classic cars let you show off your unique style and do things your own way. If you drive a classic car in Dorchester, MA and want to make sure you are getting maximum protection, call Vargas & Vargas Insurance for more information today.