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

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

Posted on February 10, 2017April 2, 2017 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!

Keep Your Pets Cool This Summer

Posted on April 11, 2016April 2, 2017 by cvargas

3.30.16 - Summer Pet Safety Img

If you’re planning on enjoying the lovely weather this summer, make sure that you practice sun safety – for yourself, your family, and your pets. You probably know a lot of the tips on how to protect the humans in your life, but do you know what your furry friends need to stay cool and safe during the higher temperatures? Here are some tips to help you keep the furry friends in your life cool:

Provide Plenty of Water

When it’s warm outside, your pets will probably drink more than usual. This goes for dogs, cats, bunnies, and lizards alike. Whether you’re inside or outside, make sure that your pets have ample water available at all times, and encourage pets to drink if they spend any time outdoors.

Take Breaks in the Shade

If you take your dog on a walk or to the park, they will probably act like they can go nonstop – thankfully you know better. Regularly take Fido into the shade for a few minutes to cool off. This is also the perfect time to offer them the water mentioned in the last section.

Don’t Leave Your Pet in the Car

While the summer temperatures are nice outside, cars overheat very quickly in the summer. Even on lovely days, the temperature in a car can quickly reach over 100 degrees. Unless you have someone in the car with your pet (and you can keep the car running) it’s best to just leave them at home in the air conditioning where they won’t overheat.

Consider Pet Friendly Sunscreen

We can never recommend enough that humans practice sun safety, but did you know that these tips are equally as important for pets? We’ve already mentioned the basics like staying hydrated and taking breaks from direct sunlight – what most people don’t know is that your pet can also stay protected with sunscreen! Just make sure that you use a brand that’s meant for animals, because human sunscreen often contains zinc oxide, which is unsafe for pets.

Using sunscreen on areas of your pet’s skin that aren’t covered by fur can help to reduce their risk for skin cancer – just like regular sunscreen can for humans!

Know the Signs of Dehydration and Heatstroke

Make sure that you are always conscious of the water your pet consumes. If you think you pat may not be drinking enough, watch for dehydration. This will typically come with signs like dry gums, loss of skin elasticity, and excessive drooling.

Heatstroke is a very serious condition that needs immediate treatment. If you see your pet behaving abnormally – with symptoms such as heavy panting, glazed eyes, excessive thirst, lethargy, fever, dizziness, or vomiting – take your pet into a shady area immediately. Let them have small amounts of water and take them to a vet immediately.

The more you know about pet summer safety, the safer you will be while you enjoy the summertime with your furry friends. If you’re interested in reading more blogs about summer safety, stay tuned to the Vargas and Vargas Insurance Blog. And if you need an insurance quote, call our agency at 617-298-0655!

How to Survive 4 Common Emergency Situations

Posted on July 29, 2015April 2, 2017 by cvargas

Odds say that you will face at least one of these emergency situations in your life. If you take the time to prepare yourself now, it will make dealing with the emergency much easier – after all, Benjamin Franklin was right when he said “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

Here are four common emergencies that many people have to deal with every day, and an explanation of what you can do now to prepare yourself and your family in case they affect you in the future:

A Flat Tire or Blowout

Cars are complex machines, meaning that there are a lot of different parts in your vehicle that could potentially break and cause an issue. One of the most common issues that drivers face on the road is a flat tire (because tires are in constant contact with the road, they are more vulnerable to issues than other parts of the car).

To prevent tire problems, make sure that you check your tire pressure and rotate your tires regularly, and replace tires that begin to look worn. If you hear a tire pop or suddenly lose control while driving, get a firm grip on the steering wheel and apply the brakes slowly. Pull over to the side of the road and turn on your hazard lights so that you can change your tire or call someone for assistance.

A Severe Storm

As we’ve already mentioned here on the blog, it’s hurricane season in the Atlantic from June 1 until November 30. Don’t wait until a hurricane is heading to New England to prepare your emergency kit! It should include everything that you need for 3 days, including food, water, prescription medications, space blankets, first aid supplies, flashlights, and more. Visit ready.gov for a full list of what to include in your family’s emergency kit.

A House Fire

Every year, there are hundreds of thousands of house fires in the US. Typically, these are caused by cooking equipment, smoking, or faulty heating equipment. Reduce your risk of a house fire by following common cooking and grilling safety tips, being careful to ensure that cigarettes and cigars are fully extinguished, and following the safety tips and maintenance schedule for all of your home’s heating devices.

If there is a fire in your home, you want to make sure that the proper authorities are notified as soon as possible. Do this by checking your home’s smoke alarms regularly. Also make sure that there is a working fire extinguisher in the kitchen, and that all family members know where it is located and how to use it.

A Case of Frostbite

It may not seem like a threat right now, but Boston winters can get cold, so you should be prepared to deal with a case of frostbite. In fact, you can get frost bite when the wind chill is below -19°F, which happens several times a year here in New England.

The signs of frostbite include a loss of feeling and a lack of color in the affected area, typically the fingers, toes, earlobes, and tip of the nose. If you suspect that you or someone else has frostbite, seek shelter immediately and get medical attention. Do not use friction to warm up the affected area, as it could cause permanent damage to the skin.

Now that you’re ready to deal with these four emergency situations, please use the “Share” buttons below to help your friends and family prepare themselves as well. Also “Like” the Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency Facebook page for updates about our agency, links to informative blog posts and articles, and insurance tips!

6 Reasons You’ll Need Life Insurance in Retirement

Posted on July 17, 2015April 2, 2017 by cvargas

Often, people think of life insurance as a way to protect loved ones in case of an unexpected death while they’re still working. It acts as a safeguard for income that your loved ones depend on. Because of this, life insurance has a reputation of being superfluous once you retire. In truth, there are several reasons why someone might need a Massachusetts life insurance policy in retirement – here are the top six:

To support your dependents.

Even in retirement, you may look like a bank to your children and grandchildren. If you are often the source of spending money for others, you may want to invest in a life insurance policy to ensure that their lifestyles aren’t forced to change upon your passing.

To care for special needs children.

If you have children or other dependents with special needs, a life insurance policy can help to ensure that they are taken care of when you’re no longer around. Ask an insurance expert if a special-needs trust is right for your situation – they can be useful in providing care in this unique situation.

To replace necessary income.

In some cases, people work even in retirement. If you work in retirement and depend on the income that you bring home, you may need a life insurance policy to ensure that your spouse doesn’t need to start working (or work more) to replace your income.

To replace a pension.

Pensions can be a great source of extra income, but sometimes they don’t have a survivorship option. Just as you would use a life insurance policy to replace income from a job, you may use a life insurance policy to replace pension income that you and your dependents have come to need.

To pay off residual debt.

Many retirees still have debts that need to be paid. If you retire with residual student loans, car loans, mortgages, credit card debts, or another type of debt, you should consider a life insurance policy to cover what you owe. While debts cannot be passed down to children, those that you owe can collect out of your estate until all debts are satisfied. A small insurance policy can ensure that this does not need to occur.

To leave a legacy.

If you would like to leave an inheritance to your dependents or a gift to your favorite charity upon your passing, you can do so with a life insurance policy. A small premium can help to ensure that there is money in the event of your death to give to children or grandchildren – in some cases, you can even specify that the money is to be used for educational expenses.

If you’re approaching retirement, consider these six reasons for keeping your life insurance policy. If you have any additional questions about your policy, speak to a Massachusetts life insurance expert here at Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency. One quick call to 617-298-0655 will put you in contact with someone who can answer your questions, get you a quote, and much more.

These Distracted Driving Activities Will Shock You!

Posted on May 27, 2015November 17, 2018 by cvargas

Distracted Driving Activities Everyone admits to taking their eyes off of the road or their hands off of the wheel at one time or another while driving. While we hope that all Vargas and Vargas Insurance customers only do this to occasionally adjust the radio, there are some pretty shocking actions people perform while driving that will blow you away.

In a recent survey by Erie Insurance in Pennsylvania, over two thousand adults over the age of 18 were polled, and the data that they found is below.

Texting While Driving

Distracted driving accounts for many accidents, and texting is one of the top causes of distracted driving in today’s world. Even though most states in the US (including Massachusetts) ban texting for all drivers, 30% of respondents to the Harris Poll by Erie Insurance admit to texting while driving, and a whopping 75% say that they have witnessed others text while driving.

Delving deeper into the data, you will find that men are more likely to text while behind the wheel than their female counterparts (32% and 28%, respectively). Also, it probably won’t surprise you to learn that younger drivers tend to text more. Here are the breakdowns of how many people admit to texting, by age group:

51% of 18-34 year olds

39% of 35-44 year olds

33% of 45-54 year olds

14% of 55-64 year olds

7% of drivers aged 65+

The survey also revealed one more tidbit about texting and driving that was slightly uplifting: when you divide the nation into regions, drivers in the Northeast text the least at 24%. Drivers in the South, however, tend to text the most at 35%.

Other Driving Distractions

While texting is undoubtedly one of the most prolific distractions that drivers engage in on the road, it is not the only one out there. In fact, the survey unearthed several other reasons for distracted driving that will probably leave you shocked, or, at the very least, puzzled:

15% of drivers admit to kissing or other PDA

15% of drivers admit to styling their hair

9% of drivers admit to changing clothes

8% of drivers admit to applying makeup

4% of drivers admit to brushing or flossing their teeth

4% of drivers admit to taking selfies

3% of drivers admit to changing drivers

3% of drivers admit to using the bathroom

Regardless of the motive, all distracted driving is dangerous. Here’s a fact that also may shock you: every day in the United States, approximately 1,153 people are injured and 9 people are killed because of distracted driving.

Please, put your safety (and the safety of others) first when you’re driving. Stay focused on the road, and make sure to speak up if you see a friend or family member taking part in distracted driving activities. Here at Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency, we work each and every day to make sure that you and your loved ones are protected, and putting a stop to distracted driving would mean a huge leap forward in safe driving practices in Massachusetts and nationwide.

The Three Stages of Life Insurance Demand

Posted on May 25, 2015April 2, 2017 by cvargas

life insurance demand

“Do I need a life insurance policy?” It’s a common question to hear at Vargas and Vargas Insurance, and it turns out that there’s really no definitive answer. Every person’s situation is unique, and so is their demand for a Massachusetts life insurance policy. Thankfully, there are some guidelines available that you can use to determine if it’s time to begin thinking about getting a life insurance quote to protect your loved ones.

It turns out that one of the best indicators of your life insurance need is your age. Check out the three main categories of life insurance demand below, as well as explanations of what type of policy is best and for what period:

High Demand: Age 25 to 35

This is the stage of life when the demand for a quality life insurance policy will probably be at its highest. There are plenty of people depending on you, from parents to new spouses and even possibly young children. In addition to protecting dependents, life insurance is a key part of having debt, and people age 25 – 35 typically have student loans, auto loans, and possibly even a mortgage if they’re a first time home buyer. To find out more about how much life insurance you need, or whether term or whole life insurance is the right choice for you and your family, subscribe to the Vargas and Vargas Insurance Blog.

Decreased Demand: Age 35 to 55

As you age, you will find that your need for a life insurance policy wanes slightly. Children grow up and no longer depend on your income, and you slowly pay off your debts and save for retirement. Some people still need a life insurance policy for their remaining debts or to protect grandchildren. Talk to a Massachusetts life insurance professional to find out whether you should let your term life insurance policy lapse, and whether now is the right time to begin thinking about purchasing a whole life insurance policy.

Renewed Demand: Age 55+

When you near or enter retirement, you may being to see life insurance policies in a new light. Instead of a tool used to protect dependents and counter your debts, a life insurance policy will become a way to pay for end of life expenses, or to leave a legacy for your loved ones or a cause that you support. Some people choose instead to transform their life insurance policy into a long term care insurance policy to cover medical expenses as age increases and health becomes increasingly fickle. A qualified insurance agent can explain your options and find the policy that is right for you.

So, where do you and your loved ones fall in the life insurance demand curve? If you’re ready for a free whole or term life insurance quote, call Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency at 617-298-0655. One of our friendly and knowledgeable agents will help you asses your life insurance needs and get you a policy that is perfect for your current life stage.

Supplementing Employer-Sponsored Life Insurance

Posted on May 8, 2015April 2, 2017 by cvargas

Massachusetts life insurance policy There is a saying that we strongly believe in here in the insurance world. It’s “Plan for the worst and hope for the best.” While you’re always hoping that things will go smoothly, insurance policies like home insurance, life insurance, and business insurance help to ensure that you are protected if things get a little bumpy.

Life insurance may be the best example of this – while you probably don’t expect to leave this world anytime soon, a Massachusetts life insurance policy will ensure that your family is financially protected… just in case.

Once you are ready to purchase a life insurance policy, you have a few options: some employers offer life insurance policies to their employees. Otherwise, you can purchase a policy from an insurance agency directly. So which option is right for you? Read on to find out about your life insurance options:

How much life insurance is enough?

Every family’s life insurance needs are different. While a life insurance professional can work with you to determine your unique needs, it is possible to take an educated guess at how much life insurance you should have with one simple computation: a middle aged person with a spouse and children should have a life insurance policy worth about ten times their annual salary. This should be adjusted based on the age of each family member, whether the other spouse works, and other factors.

Unfortunately, employer-sponsored life insurance policies don’t tend to offer this amount of coverage. In fact, most employers only offer anywhere from six months to six years of annual salary in their life insurance policies. This means that your employer-sponsored life insurance policy may be a good start (especially if the coverage is free), but you should probably have another supplemental life insurance policy in order to guarantee enough coverage.

The drawbacks of employer-sponsored coverage

Having some extra coverage through your employer is great, but make sure that you read through the fine print of the life insurance policy that they offer. Sometimes, the restrictions on these policies are numerous, making them very difficult to use should the need arise. It is also worth noting that should you leave the job, your coverage will expire, which could leave you temporarily vulnerable.

What’s the bottom line?

For a person with grown children and no mortgage or outstanding debt, an employer-sponsored life insurance policy may be enough. For people with children, a mortgage, loans, or other financial burdens, a supplemental life insurance policy may be worth exploring to ensure full protection.

Getting a supplemental life insurance policy

If you’re beginning to think that your employer-sponsored life insurance policy isn’t enough to protect your loved ones, just give Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency a call at 617-298-0655. We can get you a quote for a life insurance policy to ensure that your loved ones will be financially protected in the worst case scenario. And remember – Vargas and Vargas Insurance is always here when you have something to protect, so call us or visit one of our offices whenever you need some help with your insurance.

Do You Have a Living Will?

Posted on March 16, 2015April 2, 2017 by cvargas

No one ever expects to be in a serious accident, but it is important to always make sure that you plan for the unexpected. That’s why you purchase insurance policies, and it’s the same reason why you should have a living will.

When you’re done acquiring a life insurance policy from the experts here at Vargas and Vargas, take the time to write up a living will. In the rare event that you are injured and unable to communicate your health care wishes to your doctors and loved ones, this document will legally outline explicit instructions regarding your wishes.

Do you have a living will? Here are a few suggestions of what should be included in your living will or health care directive:

Designation of a health care proxy – Your living will is a guideline in the event that you are permanently unconscious. It will not be able to make your wishes clear in every potential situation. Because of this, you will need to appoint a health care proxy, a person that will interpret your health care directive and make decisions on your behalf. In order to ensure that this person is aware of your intentions, you should speak with them about your wishes while you are healthy. It may be a difficult conversation, but it could mean a world of difference in the long run.

The point at which care should be discontinued – In some cases, people wish to have certain treatments be administered, but only while improvement is possible. It is helpful to health care professionals and families if there is express statement of the period of time that these can be administered if no improvement is shown. For example, you may wish to allow a feeding tube in the initial stages of treatment, but wish to discontinue its use if no improvement is shown in your condition.

Desired palliative care measures – You should think about and express the pain relieving measures that should be taken if you do not wish to accept life-prolonging treatments. This list can include medicines, or even whether or not you would like to be moved from the hospital into the comfort of your own home.

Treatments to exclude – If there are any types of treatment that you do not wish to have, make sure that these are stated in your living will. Common items on this list include a ventilator, intravenous feeding tube, blood transfusion, and dialysis, to name a few.

If you have any questions about medical treatments while creating your living will, you can talk to your doctor. He or she will be happy to answer any questions you may have about the benefits and drawbacks of medical treatments, and can give you resources that could help to inform you while you make these very important decisions.

Once your living will has been created, call Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency for a life or health insurance review. We will help to ensure that you have the right amount of coverage to take care of your final expenses, and more. It’s free and easy to get an insurance review for any of your policies – just call our agency at 617-298-0655. We are always happy to help you evaluate your insurance needs, and to give out free quotes.

How Much Life Insurance Do You Need?

Posted on February 6, 2015April 2, 2017 by cvargas

How Much Life Insurance Do You Need

If you want to protect your loved ones in the event of your unexpected passing, a great way to do so is with a life insurance policy. Once you realize that you need this coverage, though, it can be a momentous task to try to determine exactly how much coverage you should purchase. Instead of agonizing over this issue, call your insurance agent! They will help you determine the right amount of coverage for your needs, including the following considerations:

Make sure that you leave enough behind to support those people that depend on you financially. Your life insurance policy should leave enough support for spouses and/or parents that you support, as well as enough to support children until they are able to be financially independent.

If you currently have any outstanding debt, you should probably have enough life insurance to clear it in the event of your death. A life insurance professional can help you determine which debts you should cover, but generally speaking you want to consider covering credit card debt, student loans, car loans, and mortgages.

Let’s face it – death is expensive. Make sure that you include some money in your life insurance to cover your final expenses for a funeral and burial, which could exceed $10,000. This should also include an earmarked amount to cover any estate taxes that will be incurred upon your passing.

You will also need to include any future obligations in your whole or term life insurance policy. If you want to cover your child’s college education, or want your spouse to be able to take a vacation after you pass away, this should be accounted for when determining your life insurance policy’s payout value.

In addition to being covered for all of the above, you should make sure to call and speak with your Massachusetts insurance agent if your financial situation changes, because it could affect the amount of life insurance coverage that you need. Specifically, the following situations typically require a life insurance coverage adjustment:

A change in marital status – either a marriage or a divorce will change your life insurance needs.

The birth of a child – you should probably increase your life insurance policy to cover the child until their 18th birthday, and adjust this coverage down every couple of years until they are grown.

You take on debt – as we mentioned, your life insurance should cover your debts, so let your agent know if you buy a home or a car. You may also want to increase your coverage if your credit card debt increases. Conversely, if you pay off a significant debt, you can decrease your coverage proportionally.

Retirement – the majority of life insurance coverage is meant to replace your income if you pass away. When you retire (and therefore no longer have an income) you no longer need this coverage, and your policy should be adjusted accordingly. Make sure, though, that you still have coverage for death expenses and debts.

If you’re ready to talk to one of the best insurance agents in Massachusetts, just call Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency at 617-298-0655. We will be able to evaluate your financial situation and get you the perfect life insurance quote for your needs.

Slimming Down Your Body, Bulking Up Your Wallet

Posted on November 26, 2014April 2, 2017 by cvargas

Did you know that over 75 million Americans are considered obese? The issue of weight has plagued the country for many years, and at the current rate, it will continue to be an issue far into the future.

Slimming Down Your Body, Bulking Up Your Wallet

If you are someone that is looking to lose a few pounds, you should know that it will do more than just improve your overall health – it will also benefit your wallet! Take a look at these five examples of how slimming down your body may also help to increase the amount of money in your pocket:

Spend Less at the Grocery Store

Changing your eating habits so that you can lose a few pounds will no doubt affect your grocery bill. In most cases, it will be significantly lower, due to the reduction (or elimination) of snack and dessert foods, and the smaller portion sized meals. This is especially true if you can cut sugary beverages (like soda and juice) out of your life, and drink water instead – it’s healthier, and it’s free!

Cook for Yourself, and Go Out to Eat Less Often

When losing weight, most people cut back on eating out. Cooking at home is typically a much healthier option than fast food, or the meals that you find at restaurants, and controlling portion size is a major component of weight loss.

Not only is eating at home healthier, though, it is also significantly cheaper. By skipping your trips out for a weekend breakfast, a quick drive through lunch, or a dinner date with friends, you will be able to keep money in your pockets for other things. Don’t skip out on socializing over meals, though, just make it a dinner party at your place!

Find More Job Opportunities, and Better Wages

While it’s not fair or ethical, weight discrimination in the workplace is a real thing. Overweight people may be passed over for a position if another candidate with similar qualifications is trimmer. This may be because people that weigh more are considered more of a health risk, requiring more sick days and higher healthcare costs. While the discrimination is frowned upon, the basis may be true – just keep reading.

Spend Less Time (and Money) at the Doctor

It’s no secret that slimming down will help you stay healthy. Being overweight has several related health risks, including:

Coronary heart disease
Type 2 diabetes
Several types of cancer
High cholesterol or triglycerides
Sleep apnea

If you can shed a few pounds, you will be less likely to be affected by these issues, and could save yourself several trips to the doctor. This also means spending less money on co-pays, treatments, and medications.

Get Cheaper Life Insurance Premiums

For some life insurance policies, you will need to undergo a screening, or fill out a questionnaire. This procedure helps the insurance provider determine your overall health, and will be a big factor in how much your premium will cost. By bringing down your weight, some insurance providers will consider you healthier, and charge you less.

To learn more about getting affordable Massachusetts life insurance, call Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency at 617-298-0655. We can work with you to craft a policy with all the available discounts, while keeping the coverage that you and your family need.

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