Recap: What is Liability Coverage?

Name: Vargas & Vargas Insurance
Address: 1133 Washington St, Dorchester, MA, 02124
Telephone: 617-298-0655

Posted on February 27, 2018February 22, 2018 by cvargas

Did you see our blog last week about liability coverage? In case you missed it, here is a quick recap on what liability insurance is, and why it is such an important part of your insurance portfolio:

Liability insurance is protection to ensure that you are financially protected if you are held liable for damage or injury to someone else, most commonly due to a lawsuit. Liability insurance is almost always a part of insurance that you probably already hold, including home insurance, renter’s insurance, auto insurance, business insurance, and more.

And since you can truly never have too much protection, consider an umbrella insurance policy. One umbrella policy goes above and beyond all of your current liability coverage – meaning that if your costs and damages in a lawsuit exceed the liability limits on your home, renter’s, or auto policy, your umbrella insurance will kick in to extend your coverage. There is even commercial umbrella insurance available for businesses. These types of policies are very inexpensive, especially considering how much protection they offer.

So, have you talked to your Massachusetts insurance agency about how to mitigate liability risks? Call 617-298-0655 to talk to a Vargas and Vargas Insurance agent about your current liability coverage, and whether you should consider purchasing an umbrella insurance policy.

Celebrating Employee Appreciation Day

Posted on February 26, 2018February 22, 2018 by cvargas

Every year on the first Friday in March, the US celebrates “Employee Appreciation Day.” It is an opportunity for businesses and business owners to acknowledge the hard work of their employees throughout the year.

The Origins of Employee Appreciation Day

Employee Appreciation Day isn’t a new holiday. In fact, it’s been around for more than twenty years! In 1995, a man named Bob Nelson created the holiday and celebrated it at his publishing company, Workman Publishing.

Mr. Nelson was also a founding board member of Recognition Professionals International, an organization that “brings awareness, credibility and accountability to employee recognition through best practices, tools, strategies, thought leadership, education and professional certification.”

Why You Should Celebrate

A business is only as good as its employees – and this goes for every type of business, from technology startups to restaurants to local stores and beyond.

It’s easy for a business to be so focused on increasing their bottom line that the people aspect of the business gets lost. Remember that your employees work hard and sacrifice a lot to do a great job for you and your business. For all of the nights that they stayed late or went above and beyond the call of duty while at work, a little appreciation goes a long way.

Treat your employees well, and they are more likely to look forward to coming in to work and put in that little bit of extra effort to make you proud. It’s also important to note that workplaces where employees feel appreciated have a lower turnover rate!

Ways to Show Your Appreciation

This day is all about recognition – your celebrations don’t have to be lavish in order to show your employees how much they mean to you and to your business. Here are just a few ideas that you can use in your Massachusetts small business:

Food is always a good place to start when it comes to showing appreciation. Bring in treats for your employees, whether it’s homemade confections, a spread from a local bakery, catered lunch (or a lunch outing), you will be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t like free food!
A small gift is also a great way to show appreciation. Purchase something for each employee or get gift cards. You can also bring in a massage therapist and give the gift of an in-office massage.
Have you considered a company outing? Come up with a few ideas and have employees vote on the activity they want. Bowling, laser tag, karaoke, an escape room – all are great options!
A blanket ‘Thank You’ is nice, but you should try to go above and beyond – recognize each employee for their individual contributions to the business. Give a specific example of a time when they did great work. It’s up to you whether you want this to be in a written personal note or spoken during an Appreciation meeting.
You can also tell your employees that you appreciate their efforts is by giving them some unexpected time off. Even just shortening the workday by a couple of hours will make a big impact and will be well worth the small amount of productivity lost.

Don’t Stop There!

Celebrating Employee Appreciation Day in March is a great place to start in showing employees that you care and appreciate them. Just remember, though, that your employees are the backbone of your business. Is one day a year really enough to say a proper “Thank You?” Make employee appreciation a cornerstone of your business by including some of the following ideas into your routine:

Encourage a culture of appreciation. Hold a regular meeting (quarterly, monthly, or even weekly) where employees are encouraged to appreciate one another. This is a great opportunity to give out an “Employee of the ___” award.
Show that you care about your employees by celebrating the milestones in their lives. This could include birthdays, work anniversaries, weddings – the opportunities are endless!
Say “Thank You” often. There’s nothing as rewarding as hearing those two simple words, so speak them frequently and honestly.

When they occur often, small acts of kindness and appreciation will make your employees feel like the valuable parts of your business that they are.

Let us help you show your employees how much you care about your business with a five-star business insurance policy. One of our Massachusetts insurance experts can review your current policy to ensure that you don’t have any gaps in your coverage. We can also check to see if you could get better or less expensive coverage from another carrier. Just call 617-298-0655 for a free commercial insurance quote or review.

Remember, we are an independent insurance agency – that means we work for you, and we will ensure that your business will get the best available protection so that you can focus on helping your employees excel and increasing your bottom line.

Six Ways to Avoid Car Accidents

Posted on February 22, 2018February 15, 2018 by cvargas

Most days, we drive to and from work or make shopping trips without a second thought. After all, driving is such a part of life nowadays that it’s easy to forget how dangerous it can be. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), there were 37,461 car accident deaths in 2016, including almost 400 deaths in Massachusetts (2017 statistics have not yet been released).

Here at Vargas and Vargas Insurance, we want to make sure that all of our clients are safe on the road, so we have compiled a list of the most common causes of car accidents, and how you can avoid being involved in a crash.

Speeding

One of the most significant causes of auto accidents is speeding. Approximately 30% of auto collision related deaths involved someone exceeding the speed limit. It’s easy to fall into the trap of wanting to get somewhere a little faster, but the risk of going too fast just isn’t worth the seconds you will save. Speed limits are determined for a reason, so please respect them – it could help you avoid a ticket, as well as possible accidents.

Disobeying Traffic Laws

Many other car accidents each year are caused by drivers disobeying traffic laws. Most common in this category is running red lights, often caused by trying to speed through and “beat” a yellow light. Let’s face it, no one wants to stop and wait for the light to cycle, but it’s worth adding the extra minute or two to your drive to ensure that you cross intersections safely, instead of getting hit by another car or striking a pedestrian or bicyclist.

Impaired Driving

Because of how much we drive in our lives, it may seem like a ‘no big deal’ activity. In fact, driving while impaired is very dangerous. When you drive, you need to make sure that your reaction time is uninhibited, and this means not driving under the influence of substances like alcohol and drugs (both recreation and prescription). If you are impaired for any reason, do not get behind the wheel – stay where you are, or get a friend or taxi to transport you.

Distracted Driving

Nowadays, it seems like everything is in need of our attention. When you’re driving, though, your attention should be focused 100% on the road. Many accidents occur because a driver was focused on their cell phone, their passengers or children, or even just taking a few seconds to fiddle with the radio. It may seem silly to most people, but pulling over (or at least waiting until you are at a full stop) is the only safe way to handle distractions while driving.

Weather Conditions

One thing that drivers have no control over is the weather. On foggy days, visibility is reduced. Rain reduces visibility and causes roads to become slick. In Boston, we also have to deal with snow and ice in the winter, which cause blocked and slick roadways. To avoid the possibility of getting into an accident, try to avoid driving in adverse weather conditions. If it can’t be avoided, practice extreme caution by reducing your speed and increasing your following distance. It may cause your journey to take an extra few minutes, but it is worth it in order to reach your destination safely.

Emotional or Fatigued Driving

Your state of mind is a huge factor in determining how safely you drive. Driving while drowsy or fatigued can lead to decreased focus on both the road and other drivers, and also greatly decreases your reaction time. Equally as dangerous is driving while emotional – getting behind the wheel while sad, angry, or overly stressed can lead to being distracted, or taking unnecessary risks on the road. Before you drive, make sure that you are in a balanced emotional state. Otherwise, wait until you are ready or have someone else do the driving.

Bonus Tip: Wear Your Seatbelt!

An unbuckled seatbelt isn’t a cause for collisions, but it is critical to make sure that you are wearing your seatbelt to avoid injury if you are involved in an accident. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, “safety belts reduce the fatality risk of front-seat occupants of passenger cars by 45 percent.” Remember, it’s also the law – all drivers and passengers in Massachusetts must wear their seat belts, with very few exceptions.

Follow these tips and you will be much less likely to be involved in an auto accident. Also ensure that you practice defensive driving techniques so that you are aware of other drivers on the road that may not be as cautious. And if you know another driver that could use a reminder of these techniques, please share this post with them!

Also remember that it is critical to make sure that your car is protected so that you don’t encounter a financial speed bump if your car is damaged. Call Vargas and Vargas Insurance at 617-298-0655 for a free Massachusetts auto insurance quote, or to review your coverage and find out if it is enough. You should talk to your insurance agent at minimum once a year to update your policies on any changes that you have made in your life, including is there are any new drivers in the house, or if your driving habits have changed.

What Is Liability Coverage, and Why Do You Need It?

Posted on February 19, 2018February 22, 2018 by cvargas

When talking about insurance, there are many ‘buzzwords’ used that many people don’t know the meaning of. One example of this type of term is ‘liability’ – many policies have liability protection built in, but do you know precisely what it is that this type of coverage protects you from?

This is a quick guide on Massachusetts liability insurance, including the definition of the coverage, explanations of the liability coverage you probably already have as a part of your current insurance products, and an easy way to get added liability protection.

What is Liability Insurance?

Liability insurance is the critical coverage that offers financial protection if you are sued or held legally liable for damages to another person, such as property damage, injury or negligence.

Let’s face it; we live in a litigious society where getting sued is more a right of passage than something that will never happen to you. What’s more is that being involved in a lawsuit is expensive. No one wants to have an unexpected outlay of that much cash, thankfully that’s what insurance is for! Liability protection will ensure that being involved in a lawsuit doesn’t ruin your financial future.

Depending on the details of your policy, liability insurance will often cover legal costs, and will also cover restitution including damages and/or the injured party’s medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, or death benefits.

Home Insurance and Renter’s Insurance Liability Coverage

When thinking of the coverage offered by a renter’s or home insurance policy, most people will immediately jump to coverage offered to fix things that are broken or damaged – but that’s not all that these policies include!

Home and Renter’s insurance often also includes liability coverage to protect against injury and damage to others in your home for which you are held liable. For example, this usually includes situations where someone falls or otherwise injures themselves on your property.

Massachusetts Auto Insurance Liability Coverage

Most states (including Massachusetts) require that a driver have a certain minimum amount of auto insurance coverage. This is to ensure that you will be covered if you are involved in an accident.

In Massachusetts, there are four required types of coverage when purchasing auto insurance:

Bodily Injury to others: $20,000 per person, $40,000 per accident
Personal Injury Protection (PIP): $8,000 per person, per accident
Bodily Injury Caused by an Uninsured Auto: $20,000 per person, $40,000 per accident
Damage to Someone Else’s Property: $5,000 per accident

Some of this coverage is to ensure that you are able to cover medical bills and property damage to another party if they are involved in an accident that is legally deemed to be ‘your fault.’ While we certainly never plan to be involved in an accident, it’s impossible to know when one will occur. More so, we don’t know whether our next accident will be a small fender bender or something more serious – that’s why the agents at Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency often recommend that you carry more auto insurance protection than what is required by the state of Massachusetts.

Commercial Liability Insurance in Massachusetts

Businesses have a lot of moving parts. Whether you own a big or small business in Massachusetts, there is a potential that you will be held liable for damages by an employee, or even a customer. Thankfully, your business insurance will have built-in liability coverage for these situations as a part of your business insurance policy.

When speaking to your commercial insurance agent, make sure to ask about additional types of liability protection that your business may need, including EPLI, Product Liability Insurance, Indemnity Insurance, Directors and Officers (D&O) Liability Insurance, Errors and Omissions (E&O) Insurance, Cyber Liability and Data Breach, and more.

Get Umbrella Coverage for “Above and Beyond” Protection

So, how much liability protection do you need? There is no right answer, but the expert insurance agents here at Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency agree: there’s no such thing as too much liability coverage. Thankfully, there’s an easy way to get this protection without increasing the coverage on each of your policies: get an umbrella insurance policy.

As discussed above, most policies have a liability component. The truth is that these are limited by the dollar amount set in the policy. Thankfully, umbrella insurance offers extra coverage that is very affordable. It offers a liability ‘umbrella’ on top of all of your existing policies. This means that if your costs or damages go above the original insurance policy’s limit, your umbrella coverage will kick in and ensure that you have added protection. This type of policy is available for both individuals and businesses, and the added protection is well worth the cost.

To talk to an experienced Massachusetts insurance agent about your liability protection, and to find out about our great deals on umbrella insurance policies, just call Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency at 617-298-0655. We can get you a free umbrella insurance quote, or let you know where your liability coverage could use a little padding to ensure that your family or business is financially secure.

We Are All Here For A Reason

Posted on February 17, 2018September 26, 2024 by cvargas

I like to start most posts with some positive words:

Having a rough morning? Place your hand over your heart. Feel that? That’s called purpose; you are alive for a reason. Never give up!
-Unknown

If you met me during my school years, you would not recognize me today.

Here’s my story, our family emigrated to the US in 1968, I went to school, watched my siblings while my parents worked (sometimes two jobs each). They put food on the table, purchased a home, and kept us as comfortable as possible in order to live the American dream.

In school, English was my second language. In fact, when we arrived in the US I spoke no English and was placed in a second-grade class, despite being eight years old. As I progressed through public school, I messed up a lot. I was placed in the work-study program in High School for students who were feared that they would not graduate. I did the things that youth do thinking that they would live forever. I started working at 13 years old (I lied about my age) and have been working ever since. I tried community college at night and failed, but, frankly, school was not for me. I came to find out many years later that I have a nonverbal learning disorder (NVLD); you may remember me sharing that with you earlier this year.

I met #TheMan (click here to see photo) when I met him I was 20 years old and working two jobs. He recruited me into the world of Prudential Insurance, trained me, and taught me to have empathy and make a difference in the life of every person that I met. He taught me how to prospect and connect in a deeply meaningful way with everyone that I came across who needed or may one day need my services. He is my second father, and I am blessed to have him as my mentor to this date!

I met my wife Kathy in 1980. She worked at the same Prudential office that I did in Braintree, MA. we got married in 1983. We (she) raised two sons, I was rarely home as we had decided that she would be an at home mom and I would hunker down and do what needed to be done to make a good living for our young family. Both of our sons are college graduates and are now married, working, and on their own. (click here to see photo)

“Someone needs to pay the price, whether the family pays the price and has a modest lifestyle or one Parent works the extended hours and pays the price to give the family the best life possible.” – #TheMan (Vasco Rodrigues)

I was the 4th child born to my parents, but the first to survive. I have a sister who owns her own insurance agency and two brothers who are co-owners of our agency.

I have always taken great pride in the Vargas and Faria (my mother’s maiden name) names but they took on a special significance recently.

I stopped by to see my oldest living aunt the other day, Aunt Rosa, (click here to see a photo) and as she always does, she brought out the photo albums and starts explaining to me our family history and where we came from (after all, someone needs to keep the mental records for the family, she does this with everyone who visits) we came from a small village on the island of Faial in the Azores.

Of course, my father never talked about his life in the Azores to me or anyone else. After we emigrated to the US, my father never had any interest in ever going back to visit the country of his birth. My mother, on the other hand, had great memories of her youth with friends and cousins. I was able to meet some of them when we visited Faial together on numerous occasions over the years.

I came to the realization while sitting with my aunt that my father and mother came from the same exact place, experienced the same schools and the same ups and downs, had the same wants, but my father never forgot the bad stuff that he experienced, while my mother tried to only remember the good in her life when living in Faial.

I know I am here for a reason. I know that you are here for a reason. We are not accidents. The fact that you are reading this is not an accident. We have a purpose and there is a plan for our lives.

As the people who came before us made our lives possible, we have the opportunity to make the best possible life for others. Let’s use this gift of life we have been given and make a positive impact on everyone we meet!

My mother always told me I was going to do something special (she told all of her children this) and somehow through all the difficult times in our lives I heard her words and believed them. She gave me the greatest gift an adult can give a child. She believed in me. She called out the best in me and I think of her all the time, and always try to look at the “good side” of things. (click here to see photo)

And in case no one has told you recently, I want you to know that you are special. You are here to do something meaningful, and I believe in you.

You are meant to make a difference. You can start today.

Carlos

How to Spend Less at the Grocery Store

Posted on February 15, 2018February 8, 2018 by cvargas

Did you know that an average family of four spends between $200 and $250 at the grocery store each week? The dollars spent feeding your family are important… after all, nutrition is key to a long, healthy life. But what if you could get the same results by spending less? If you want to reduce your grocery bill, try integrating one (or all) of these tips into your next shopping foray:

The more you can plan ahead for your shopping trip, the less room there will be in your cart for impulse purchases. Plan your family’s meals ahead of time, and you will know exactly what you need to buy before you even leave your home. You can even search out budget-friendly recipes!
Learn to compare unit prices. Sometimes, you can save money in the long run buy buying a larger size product – just make sure that buying the larger product won’t increase your consumption, and that you aren’t buying more than you need just to save per ounce or per piece.
Clipping coupons used to be the most popular way to save money at the store. It’s still a great option, but there’s an app (actually, several) for that. If you can use a smartphone, you can use great apps like Ibotta and Checkout51 to save at the store. Again, just make sure that you don’t get lured into buying items that you don’t need.

Want to save even more? Let Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency do your insurance shopping for you! We will review your insurance needs and find the perfect policy for you, ensuring that it has both the right coverage and the right price point! Call 617-298-0655 to find out if we can save you money today.

The “Levels” of Valentine’s Day Relationships

Posted on February 12, 2018February 8, 2018 by cvargas

Every February, we celebrate Valentine’s Day in a flurry of red roses and chocolates. Largely considered the holiday of romantic love, Valentine’s Day is a great opportunity to show your love to your significant other. How you do this will depend quite a bit on how long you’ve been together. So, which level of Valentine’s Day are you in this year?

Newly Dating – There is nothing quite as exciting (or nerve-wracking) as a first Valentine’s Day with someone. Focus on getting a thoughtful gift that’s not too over the top.
Getting Serious – If this isn’t your first rodeo with your beau, you probably have a better idea of what they like. This makes picking out a gift (or a restaurant) much easier.
Committed – If Valentine’s Day is old hat to you and your significant other, you may want to get out of the rut. Instead of dinner and roses and chocolates, try a weekend getaway (or even just a staycation while the kids visit their grandparents).

Just remember that there is no ‘right way’ to celebrate. Whether you buy lavish presents or opt for a quiet night at home, the important part is to show your partner how much you care.

And don’t forget – as your relationship evolves, so should your insurance policies. When you get engaged, you need to make sure to insure the ring, and getting married is the perfect life event to spur a life insurance investment. Through all of your stages of relationships and life, Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency is here to help. If you ever have an insurance question, just call us at 617-298-0655 – we are always here for you.

Saving for a Home Down Payment

Posted on February 8, 2018January 30, 2018 by cvargas

Home ownership is the American dream. Many people know that they want to own a home one day, but don’t have a concrete strategy to one day become a homeowner. If you’re one of those people with a goal of buying a home, here are a few tips that you can use to turn your lofty goal into a reality:

Determine Your Needs: Calculate your savings goal by finding out the average cost of a home similar to one you would like to buy and figuring a down payment of 15-20%.
Consider Investing: If it’s going to be a while before you need your down payment, grow the money you have saved by investing it in a diversified portfolio.
Make Budgeting Decisions: The less you spend, the more you can save. Make some sacrifices now in order to put more into your down payment fund – all those little savings will add up!
Consider Using Your IRA: For any other expense, tapping into your traditional or Roth IRA is a no-no, but you may be able to take money out of these accounts tax-free for use as a down payment.
Put “Found Money” to Work: Whenever extra money comes your way (whether it’s from a weekend job or a birthday gift) put some or all of it toward your future home.

And when it’s finally time to use your down payment and buy your home, remember that Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency is here to help you with your homeowner’s insurance policy. Just call 617-298-0655 for a free, no-obligation quote.

Tips for Meeting Your Neighbors

Posted on February 5, 2018January 30, 2018 by cvargas

Whether you’re moving within the city, or are a new Boston-ite, settling into a new home can be exhausting. Getting settled in amongst half-unpacked boxes is no one’s cup of tea, but there is always the chance to unwind and be social by meeting your neighbors. If you have trouble with getting to know people, here are a few tips on how to meet your new neighbors.

Spend time outside. If you’re cloistered in your home, it’s hard to meet new people. Do some yardwork, take a walk, or go to a local park with your kids (or a dog park with your fur babies). Start introducing yourself!
Take a gift. You don’t have to wait for your neighbors to initiate a housewarming gift. Take over a plate of cookies or a bottle of wine and use it as a way to make others’ acquaintance.
Throw a party. You don’t have to have a fancy soiree, just invite the people on your street over for finger foods and drinks – you’re sure to make lots of new friends!

Once you know some of your new neighbors, consider swapping contact information with them. It’s always nice to have someone nearby that’s willing to keep an eye on your home while you’re on vacation or a source of help if you’re ever laid up and could use someone to pick up a prescription or a few groceries for you.

Boston is a very friendly place, so getting to know your neighbors should be easy and fun. And don’t forget to tell them about the great deal that Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency got you on home insurance for your new place! Invite them to call us at 617-298-0655 and have them mention your name!

February 2018 Newsletter

Posted on February 4, 2018 by cvargas

Happy February!

I thought that I would start this month’s message with a positive message:

“No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn.”

-Hal Borland

It’s been a rough winter for many of us! With all of the really cold weather, there have been many claims around frozen pipes, check out our blog below on what to do to prevent pipe freeze-ups and Ice Dams.

Check out the story behind Saint Valentines Day, Click here to read more.

February marks the beginning of Black History Month. Each year Americans set aside this month to focus their historical hindsight on the contributions that people of African descent have made to this country. We must celebrate ourselves and do it loudly. No matter the shape, size, hue or ability, all of our stories matter and they deserve to be told through our lens. I recently read this article on the Queens of Black History Month, that I found very interesting, Click here to read it.

Life Insurance is LOVE Insurance, which makes February and Valentines Day a perfect time to remind you of the need for Life Insurance. The majority of Americans would have trouble paying for living expenses immediately or shortly after the primary wage earner in the house dies. Please click here to read more on how much life insurance you should carry. Have questions? Please c lick here and we will contact you to review your questions and your current life insurance.

I recently had the pleasure of cooking with guest chef Adelina Armas of International Food Gourmet in Brockton. Adelina shows Sharon and me how to make chicken breasts stuffed with prosciutto, mozzarella and spinach., Click here check out the latest “Get Fresh” cooking show below.

Click here to watch the video.

There are lots of great things to do in and around the Boston area this month, please find some fun family things to do below.