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Vargas & Vargas Insurance

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Dorchester, MA 02124

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Tips for Buying Your First Condo

Posted on by cvargas

Condominiums are one of the best-kept secrets of the real estate world. When looking for a new home, some people still only consider buying a house or renting an apartment, without realizing that purchasing a condo may be the perfect balance between the two – allowing you to have the ‘best of both worlds.’ If you’re in the market for a condo in Boston, check out these buying tips:

  • Hire a professional Real Estate Agent to help you with your search. If you need a referral, please let us know so that we can connect you to a top-notch agent in the area.
  • When you’re looking for a unit, make sure that you consider resale value. More bedrooms and bathrooms, scenic views, and better school districts are just a few of the features that will make your condo more appealing the next time you look to move.
  • Consider the amenities offered at each condominium you tour. Does the complex have a gym? Laundry facilities? Rentable event space? These are all important things to think about when making your decision.
  • Before you make a final decision, make sure that you are clear on the extra fees associated with the unit you choose. Condos often have monthly maintenance fees, and some will charge property taxes separately.

Once you’ve found your perfect Boston condominium, make sure that you call Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency at 617-298-0655 to get a quote on Condo Insurance. This policy is tailored specifically for the needs of a condo owner, and will cover your personal belongings, your unit, and anything else not covered in your association’s master policy. For more information, or if you have any questions, simply call our office and speak to an agent!

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Building Permits for Residential Renovations

Posted on by cvargas

They say that the only constant in life is change, and I tend to agree. If you’re in the mood for a change in your life, why not make an improvement to your home? A home renovation can be a great way to improve the value of your house, as well as give you a fresh new take on your living space.

If you want to make a modification to your home, you will probably need a permit. The types of projects that almost always require a permit include, but are not limited to:

  • Electrical Updates
  • Changes to sewer or plumbing
  • Mechanical Improvements
  • Alterations to the roofline
  • Adding a fireplace

Things that sometimes require a permit include building a deck, replacing siding, and building a fence. Just remember – it is always worth checking with the proper parties before taking on a project that may require a permit, even for small projects that probably don’t need one. After all, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Remember – while getting a permit for your renovation may seem like an unnecessary obstacle, it is a requirement to keep everyone safe. Ensuring that building improvements are up to code means that new structures and changes to existing structures follow the current laws and regulations.

It’s also important to let your Massachusetts insurance agent know about any changes you plan to make to your home, so that your home insurance policy may be updated accordingly. Your home insurance policy covers your home for the replacement cost of your home and not the market value.  So as you do improvements or increase the living space of your home, your insurance agent should be kept current of the changes. And remember – keeping things up to code, and installing safety features, will keep your insurance premiums low!

Vargas & Vargas Insurance is always here to help answer any questions you may have.

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Three Reasons Why You Need Renters Insurance

Posted on by cvargas

You would never drive a car without auto insurance, and you should never rent an apartment or a home without the proper renters insurance policy. Here are three reasons why you and your loved ones that rent their living space should make sure that they are always covered by a Massachusetts renters insurance policy:

1. You shouldn’t rely on your landlord for coverage.

Some people believe that their landlord’s insurance will cover them. While it is true that landlords do have insurance, it is a special type of policy that only covers their belongings – typically the structure of the building and any appliances that they own and lend out with the unit (like ovens and refrigerators).

2. Your belongings are probably more valuable than you think.

It’s easy to think at first that your belongings aren’t all that valuable, but think again! If there was a fire, for example, and you lost everything, you would probably spend hundreds of dollars replacing just your clothing – let alone your furniture and electronics.

3. It’s about more than just your possessions.

Renters insurance provides many types of protection. It will cover the replacement cost of your stuff, as discussed above, but it will also cover you for accidents that could occur. For example, most policies will provide coverage if you break a neighbor’s furniture, or if someone sustains an injury tripping on an unsecured rug in your apartment.

If you want to speak to a knowledgeable Massachusetts insurance agent about getting a renters insurance quote, just call 617-298-0655. And at Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency, we also offer special insurance for people in condos and townhomes. Don’t go unprotected any longer – call our agency for a free insurance quote today.

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Valentine’s Day – Time to Rekindle with Your… Insurance Agent?

Posted on by cvargas

When was the last time you had a real ‘heart-to-heart’ with your insurance agent? Even though it may have been a while, now is the perfect time to rekindle your relationship – it is Valentine’s Day, after all!

Did you know that you should talk to your insurance agent at least once a year to ensure that all your policies are up to date, and that you have the right amount of coverage?

As you chat with your agent, you can expect to review all the major changes in your life, including:

  • Changes in relationship status (marriage or divorce)
  • Children being born, starting to drive, or leaving the household
  • Windfalls or (hopefully not) major monetary losses
  • New ‘toys,’ including cars, boats, RVs, and motorcycles
  • Other purchases – like Valentine’s Day jewelry, perhaps?

In addition to updating your insurance policies to reflect the recent changes in your life, your insurance agent will use your annual meeting as a chance to search for any new discounts for which you may qualify. This means that you may come out of your meeting with a decreased insurance premium! Wouldn’t that be nice?

If you’re ready to rekindle your relationship with your Vargas and Vargas Insurance agent, just call 617-298-0655. We can set you up with an appointment and let you know what to bring to get the most out of your meeting. Also bring a list of all your insurance questions – we love to make sure our clients are well-informed about their insurance!

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Motorcycle Insurance Quotes for Spring and Summer

Posted on by cvargas

Motorcycle Insurance Quotes

We know that you love your bike. You’re probably beyond excited that it’s getting warm enough to ride again, and are planning your first outing (if you haven’t gone out already!) Before you unveil your motorcycle from the depths of hibernation, though, make sure that you call Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency for a motorcycle insurance quote that will protect you and your bike.

Insurance for your motorcycle

Obviously, the most important part of purchasing motorcycle insurance is getting protection for your bike. Most insurance providers offer different coverage options. We can help you sort through all of the available options to figure out which will be best for your situation. We can explain the difference between replacement cost coverage and actual cash value coverage, recommend an appropriate deductible, and much more.

Insurance for your accessories

If you need to insure more than just your bike, we’ve got you covered. Ask us about getting additional coverage for your motorcycle’s accessories. This will vary for every rider and insurance provider, but will typically include coverage for custom electronics, sidecars, tractor trailers, and more. Just tell your insurance agent what peripherals you want covered – we will figure out how much coverage you need and add it to your policy for a low price.

Discounts on your coverage

Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency knows how to get you a good price on all of your insurance policies, and motorcycle insurance is no exception. When you call for a free Massachusetts motorcycle insurance quote, a Vargas and Vargas representative will gather the information required for the quote. They will also ask several questions to see if you are eligible for discounts, including:

  • If you will be insuring more than one motorcycle
  • If you have completed a motorcycle safety course
  • What anti-theft devices your motorcycle has
  • If you belong to a Motorcycle organization that has a discount program

If any of these bullet points applies to you, let your insurance representative know – it could mean that you qualify for a discount on your motorcycle insurance policy (depending on the insurance provide that you decide to use).

The best service in Massachusetts

All of our customers agree – Vargas and Vargas Insurance has the best service in Massachusetts! You will be glad that you have your insurance through our agency if you ever have a question or concern about your insurance policy, or if you need to file a motorcycle insurance claim. Call our office during work hours for questions, or call our emergency line when the office is closed to report a claim – we’re available on that line 24/7/365. We are famous for our service!

All you need to do for a top of the line motorcycle insurance quote is call 617-298-0655 and speak to a Vargas and Vargas Insurance representative. We will gather information about your motorcycle and the coverage that you desire, and we will prepare a quote that will meet all of your needs for a great price. Don’t hesitate – your bike deserves the best coverage, and Vargas and Vargas Insurance is the best around!

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Factors that Affect Your Boston Insurance Quote

Posted on by cvargas

Insurance is a great way to protect your investments and your family against calamities. While there are insurance providers everywhere (if you haven’t seen a commercial for one lately you must be hiding under a rock) there is only one way to make sure to get the best Boston insurance quote for your needs. That is to use an independent insurance agent like Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency!

Factors that Affect Your Boston Insurance Quote

When you call us for an insurance quote, we will search several providers to make sure that you get a great policy at a great price. When determining an insurance premium, most insurance providers will consider similar factors. These differ for each type of insurance. Here are the most common factors that usually affect the insurance quotes for four different types of insurance coverage:

Home Insurance Quotes

  • Age and features of home, including electrical wiring, plumbing, HVAC and more.
  • Home’s location – risk for natural disaster and crime, proximity to police and fire stations, building costs in the area.
  • Claim history of the homeowner(s).
  • Risk factors in the home, including swimming pools, trampolines, etc.
  • Credit score of the homeowner(s).
  • Amount and value of possessions to be insured.

Note: Renters insurance is very similar to home insurance, and typically considers many of the same factors. TIP: To lower your quote, update your home and prevent risks with safety measures.

Auto Insurance Quotes

  • Age, gender, marital status, and profession of the primary drivers.
  • City or cities where the car is often driven.
  • Vehicle’s size, age, and safety rating.
  • Vehicle value and/or replacement cost.
  • Driving history of the drivers (reported accidents, past insurance claims).
  • Average mileage car is driven in a week or month.
  • Reasons car is driven (personal, business, or both). Lower your quote by driving a safe car and being mindful of your driving habits.

Health Insurance Quotes

  • Person’s gender, age, and preexisting conditions.
  • Family history of the insured.
  • Tobacco use including cigarettes, chewing tobacco, or snuff. Body Mass Index.
  • Person’s profession and its implications on health (increased stress, sedentary or active lifestyle, etc).

Many of these factors are also considered when you are looking for a life insurance quote. TIP: Lower your quote by losing weight, exercising regularly, and ceasing use of tobacco products.

Business Insurance Quotes

  • State(s) of operation.
  • Amount of gross sales per year.
  • Number of employees and/or independent contractors.
  • Nature of the business (computer based, service based, increased risks of danger). Physical location of the business property.
  • Amount of equipment and inventory owned by the business.

TIP: To lower your quote, use safety devices to prevent theft, ensure that employees are properly trained, and look into discounts offered by trade associations.

If you or someone that you know is in the market for an insurance quote in the Greater Boston Area, we hope that Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency comes to mind. With one quick call to 617-298-0655, you can speak with an insurance agent that will make sure that you get a quality insurance quote at a lot price. We look forward to earning your business.

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