On the last Monday of May each year, Americans celebrate Memorial Day. It is a day of remembering and honoring those military personnel that have given their lives in the service of our country. The holiday’s origin dates back to 1868, just after the Civil War, where soldiers were remembered on Declaration Day. The first large observance of this holiday was at Arlington National Cemetery. The holiday’s name was officially changed to ‘Memorial Day’ in 1967, and the holiday is observed by the US Government and most US businesses.

There are many traditional ways to observe Memorial Day. One of the most well-known is displaying the US Flag. On Memorial Day, it is customary to raise the flag fully before then lowering it to half mast. At noon, the flag is raised to its full height once more. According to The Memorial Day Wikipedia Article, “The half-staff position remembers the more than one million men and women who gave their lives in service of their country. At noon their memory is raised by the living; who resolve not to let their sacrifice be in vain, but to rise up in their stead and continue the fight for liberty and justice for all.” It is also a tradition to adorn the graves of deceased military members with American Flags or flowers. 

Another popular celebration in honor of late military personnel is the Memorial Day Parade. This event traditionally features marching bands and service men and women. If you’re interested in attending your community’s Memorial Day Parade, check out the list of events on bostoncentral.com.

Some military museums also offer families a great opportunity to spend the long weekend learning about our great country. For example, the USS Constitution Museum is having their annual Memorial Day Family Weekend. The Boston Museum of Fine Arts is celebrating the holiday by offering free admission for the full long weekend.

In Washington DC, they celebrate with an annual Memorial Day Concert, live from the lawn of the Capitol Building. This year’s event will take place at 8pm on Sunday May 26th, and will be available to watch on PBS nationwide.

Even if you choose to spend your long weekend at a barbecue, make a point to spend at least a little bit of your time contemplating the meaning of the holiday – all those brave service-people who lost their lives in service to our country. 

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Now that the weather has finally warmed up, it’s time to take advantage of our beautiful community! One great way to experience nature and get some exercise is to break out your bicycle. You can ride around your neighborhood, take a trip to a local park, or even get in the habit of taking your bike to work.

No matter where you decide to go, make sure that you gear up for bicycle safety.

Wear The Right Safety Gear

The first rule of bike safety is always the same – never ride your bike without the proper safety gear. Don’t leave home without these pieces of equipment:

• Your helmet.
• Bright or reflective clothing. 
• A bike bell and front and rear bike lights.
• Gloves and sunglasses.
• A cell phone (preferably one with GPS).
• Identification and some money for emergencies.

If you ensure that you have all these things with you when you use your bicycle, you will reduce your risk of injury, and you will be ready for any situation that may present itself.

Make Sure That Your Route Is ‘Bike-able’

When you consider taking a ride, you should first ask yourself these four questions to assess the safety of your intended path:

1. Is there room for you to bike? A path, sidewalk, bicycle lane, or wide road shoulder provides bicyclists a safe place to ride.
2. How is the condition of the road? A road with an uneven surface, excessive potholes, debris, rumble strips, or broken pavement can be an unsafe place to take a bicycle.
3. Is it easy to use your bike? Routes that have lots of hills, or where you ride by unleashed dogs or unsupervised children can be dangerous.
4. Is your destination bike friendly? Only bike somewhere if there is a safe place to leave your bike when you arrive. Also, make sure that there is an easy way to get yourself and your bike home if there is an emergency or you cannot ride, such as a bike-friendly bus or train.

If your route passes these 4 tests, then it is a good route to take. If not, you may want to consider a different path, or a different mode of transportation.

Keep Your Bike Properly Maintained

Also make sure that you occasionally check your bicycle to make sure that it is safe to ride. Here’s a quick checklist of what you need to do:

• Check that your seat, handlebars, and wheels aren’t loose.
• Regularly check your chain and oil.
• Test your brakes to make sure that they work properly and don’t stick.
• Examine your tires to make sure that their pressure is at the recommended level.

If you have any questions about bike safety or maintenance, remember to call or drop in on our friends over at Ashmont Cycles in Dorchester. They can answer all of your bike-related questions!

And remember, Vargas and Vargas Insurance will be raffling off a “Street Cruiser” bike from Ashmont Cycles at the opening of the Dorchester Farmer’s Markey on Friday, June 21st, so don’t miss out! Stay tuned to the Vargas & Vargas Insurance Agency Facebook Page for more information.

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When purchasing a home, you receive a title document. The title states that you are the owner of the property, and that you retain the rights to the property. While there aren’t typically issues relating to the true owner of a piece of land, questions do sometimes arise.

In some cases, a lawsuit may arise concerning the property’s true owner. There are many scenarios that can cause this quarrel to occur, including:

• Federal or state liens on the property.
• Unpaid homeowner’s association dues.
• Utility easements.
• Mechanic’s liens.
• Unnamed heirs to the property.
• “Wild deeds” that were never recorded.

In fact, this list is only a small portion of the full list of reasons why a title of ownership may be contested. It’s easy to think that none of these affect your property, but it is impossible to know for sure.

While you can never be certain of the fact that you are the sole title holder for your property, there is a way to protect yourself with an insurance policy. This policy is called “Title Insurance,” and it comes in two distinct forms.

Lender’s Policy

This policy, as the title suggests, is only issued to mortgage lenders. It is intended to protect the lender in the case that the property in question:

• Has a defective or unmarketable title.
• Is subject to title defects or liens.
• Cannot legally be accessed.
• Cannot have a lien.
• Is already subject to a mechanic’s lien.

In most cases, a lender’s policy will be required when you obtain a mortgage (just like they require that you have a home insurance policy). While your lender can require that you purchase a lender’s title insurance policy, they cannot legally require you to purchase from a specific insurance provider, as stated in the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA).

Take this as an opportunity to do your homework. Find an insurance provider that can offer you the protection you require at a price that fits your wallet.

Owner’s Policy

When your property is no longer covered by a lender’s policy (a lender’s policy is only valid while the property is under a mortgage) you should make sure that you are still protected by a title insurance policy. In this case, you will want to have an owner’s policy.

This policy will provide you with the protection you need, including coverage for any and all legal battles regarding your property’s title, and compensation for any financial losses related to those battles. Typically, the financial compensation that the policy will provide is capped at the value of the property, but this can be changed as a part of the insurance policy.

An owner’s policy is typically broken down into two types of costs: premiums and service fees. Just as with any type of insurance policy, a premium will cover the perpetual costs associated with the policy, and generally vary. In addition, you will be responsible for covering the cost of underwriting the policy and performing a title search. These costs are bundled and charged to you as a one-time “service fee.”

If you have questions about title insurance, or want to find a policy that will fit your needs, call 877-550-0025 and speak to a Vargas and Vargas Insurance representative! 

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In the US, homes are typically financed with either a 15 or a 30 year mortgage. A mortgage allows homeowners to pay off their residence over a period of time, instead of having to pay potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars up front. 

When purchasing a home, some people cannot afford to put down 20% of the purchase price. When that is the case, Private Mortgage Insurance (also known as PMI) is often taken out on the loan in order to protect against default. The amount you will pay monthly for PMI depends on three main factors:

• The total value of the home you are purchasing.
• The amount you are borrowing in your mortgage.
• Your credit score.

When everything is computed, PMI can add $100 or more to your monthly mortgage payment. While the protection provided by Private Mortgage Insurance is invaluable at the onset of your mortgage, you can typically eliminate the extra cost a little ways into the life of your loan. This is typically done one of four ways:

Pay off more than 20% of your mortgage

Private Mortgage Insurance is only necessary if you owe more than 80% of your home’s value. As you make payments (and therefore have paid off more and more of your home) you should naturally reach the point where you have paid off more than 20% of your mortgage. At this point, call your lender and verify that your PMI charge has been removed.

Reappraise your home

If you have spent money upgrading your home, or if you pay a high interest rate on your mortgage, you may benefit from having your home reappraised. If your appraiser determines that your home’s value has increased, it may push you over the 20% hurdle that is key when it comes to eliminating your Private Mortgage Insurance payment.

This method does not come without risk, though. You will have to pay for your home’s appraisal, and that will typically cost anywhere from $200 to $500 (or more, depending on the value of your home).

Lender Paid Mortgage Insurance

Some mortgage lenders will allow you to use an alternative to PMI. It is called “Lender Paid Mortgage Insurance,” and, as the name indicates, it is mortgage insurance that is covered by your mortgage provider instead of by you.

You may ask: what’s the catch? In the situation that you opt for Lender Paid Mortgage Insurance, your lender will require you to pay a higher rate of interest on your mortgage for the life of the loan. While this can sometimes result in a higher tax deduction, it is normally impossible to cancel. Typically, this route is only recommended if you have a short term loan, or if you plan to move or refinance within 10 years. 

It is also important to remember that Private Mortgage Insurance only protects you from default on your mortgage. This policy is completely separate from your home insurance policy, which protects your home from many types of perils. 

Typically, mortgage lenders will require that you purchase a home insurance policy as a part of their financing agreement. If you don’t know where to start, talk to a representative from Vargas and Vargas Insurance. You can get on the road to peak home protection, just by calling us at 877-550-0025.

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Tides aren’t the only things that are rising nowadays – if you haven’t already, you may soon see an increase in your flood insurance premium. This is thanks to a new act passed through congress last July – the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act.

This piece of legislation was passed in an effort to recoup the losses of the National Flood Insurance Program due predominantly to Hurricane Katrina, which devastated the Gulf Coast back in 2005.

As you can imagine, the reform act document is rather lengthy, and its verbiage is unarguably hard to follow. In an effort to save you some sanity, here is a summary of the two key points of the act that may affect you and your flood insurance:

Loss of Subsidies

In the Flood Insurance Reform Act, certain types of buildings lost subsidies that have been in place since the 1970s. This change has the possibility to significantly raise rates on certain varieties of property, which include:

• Residences that are not classified as a primary residence. This includes second homes, vacation homes, investment properties, and more.
• Any and all business properties.
• Properties that have suffered severe repetitive losses due to flooding.
• Buildings that require a new flood insurance policy (including both new and pre-existing buildings).

In addition to these properties losing their subsidies, this Act has increased the maximum annual rate increase of flood insurance policies from 10% to 20%.

New Standards for Existing Properties

Another major change that the Flood Insurance Reform Act has initiated has the potential to greatly affect older properties. 

When a building is erected, it is built following the existing flood maps and flood specifications, and its flood insurance was always calculated based on the flood maps drawn the year the building was constructed. As flood standards changed over the years, older buildings weren’t penalized. This is all about to change. 

According to the new legislation, all buildings will be evaluated based on current flood maps, not the flood maps that existed the year the building was constructed. This means that buildings in areas that are now considered to be at risk for floods will probably see a dramatic increase in their flood insurance rates. 

Thankfully, this change should only truly affects older homes, and homes built in the last decade or two shouldn’t notice much of a change when flood maps are reevaluated.

If you have questions about your flood insurance policy, remember that Vargas and Vargas Insurance is always here to answer your questions. We have offered flood insurance to our Massachusetts clients for many years, and we can help you determine how all this new legislation will affect you and your home.

We encourage all home and business owners to call 877-550-0025 today to speak to an insurance specialist from Vargas and Vargas Insurance about your flood protection. We will evaluate the effects of the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act on your property, and may also be able to save you some money on your flood insurance premiums!

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Here at Vargas and Vargas Insurance, we talk to a lot of people about their automobile insurance. We do everything we can to make sure that all of our clients get the coverage that suits their needs. 

One of the auto insurance topics that we discuss most is the policy’s deductible. You can set your auto insurance deductible low or high, and there are some people that are confused as to why anyone would choose to have a higher deductible.

In truth, there are a few major benefits to setting a more elevated deductible. These reasons include:

Higher Deductibles Mean Lower Premiums – If you agree to pay a higher deductible in the event of an accident, your insurance provider will agree to let you pay a lower monthly premium. This monthly savings on your collision and comprehensive auto insurance coverage can really add up over time!

According to USA Today, raising your auto deductible from $200 to $500 could save you 15% to 30% of your monthly insurance cost.

File Fewer Auto Insurance Claims – If your car insurance deductible was a $1000, you wouldn’t bother telling your insurance provider about a measly ding in your car, would you? The goal of an insurance policy is to financially protect what you cannot. If you feel confident that you can cover minor dings and scratches yourself, you probably don’t need a low deductible policy.

In addition, it is a well known fact that when you file an auto insurance claim, your policy’s rates may rise. By filing less claims with your insurance provider, therefore, you will be saving yourself from raising your rates due to little, somewhat meaningless, claims.

Who Would Benefit?

You should really only consider this method if you fulfill a few categories. First and foremost, you should have enough money to cover a higher deductible should you ever need to make a claim. This can be accomplished by putting the money you save on each insurance bill into a separate account just in case of an accident.

Second, this method is really only viable for safe drivers. A high deductible is not a good choice for those people that are “accident prone,” as they could end up spending a great deal of money each time they find themselves at fault for an accident.

Who Wouldn’t Benefit?

While increasing an auto insurance deductible is the right choice for some car owners, there are others who would not benefit from this tactic.

As we said earlier, those who make auto insurance claims often would not benefit from this approach. In addition, you should only attempt to save this money if you are comfortable putting aside your savings until you have your auto deductible within easy reach in its own savings account. This step is vital in ensuring that you are prepared for an accident, should one occur. Remember – you never plan to get in an accident, and they always happen at the most inconvenient times!

If you are interested in talking to an automobile insurance expert about how raising your automobile insurance may save you money on your premiums, call 877-550-0025 now to speak to a Vargas and Vargas Insurance representative.

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Once you know that you need a life insurance policy, finding one that fits your needs can seem like a daunting task. The options appear endless – you need to choose whether you want a whole or term life insurance policy, then you need to settle on how much coverage your life insurance policy needs to offer. 

Here at Vargas and Vargas Insurance, we are dedicated to helping our customers work through these types of decisions. For example, when you are looking to estimate the amount of coverage your life insurance policy will need to have, you should consider the following factors:

End of Life Expenses

If you pass on, you need to ensure that the burden of your final medical expenses and funeral expenses does not fall on your family. This is done by ensuring that these expenses are covered as a part of your life insurance policy.

Double check your health insurance policy, and make sure that all of your final medical expenses will be covered. If there are any holes or gaps in your coverage, you can use your life insurance policy to fill them in.

Also, it is easy to overlook how costly a funeral can be. Remember that your family will most likely need to cover a bunch of different expenses, including purchasing a gravesite, a casket and burial expenses or cremation expenses. They will also need to cover the cost of a funeral home, and an accompanying service.

Remaining Obligations

A life insurance policy needs to be able to cover your remaining financial obligations. These obligations can range greatly, but typically include mortgages, car loans, student loans, and the like. 

This is, of course, assuming that these obligations are not covered by another type of insurance. For example, a car loan is sometimes covered as a part of your car insurance. If you are unsure of your loan coverage, just ask your insurance agent to review your policies. 

Anticipated Expenses

If you have children under the age of 18 at home, you may wish to include some money for them in your life insurance policy. As an added benefit, this money can sometimes be earmarked. This will ensure that the inheritance is only spent in the way you intend, typically for college tuition or other educational expenses.

Future Needs

In addition to covering these three specific things, you need to make sure that your life insurance policy covers the rest of your loved one’s needs. This is best quantified by looking at your household’s current expenses. Add up all of the little things that your family spends money on – like groceries and entertainment.

When you are calculating these additional expenses, remember to do your best to account for a changing cost of living due to inflation!

If you need help estimating these figures, remember that a life insurance expert is only a phone call away! With a quick and easy call to Vargas and Vargas Insurance at 877-550-0025, you can speak to an insurance representative that will walk you through the steps of determining what level of life insurance you need to make sure that you and your family are protected in case of the unthinkable. So don’t wait – call now!

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With both Arbor Day and Earth Day upon us, it’s time to think about what you are doing to help out this gorgeous planet that we all call home. Going green may be easier than you think, and you can do something to help out the environment in almost every facet of your life.

Here are 10 quick and easy ways that you can save some energy (and some of your hard-earned money) by helping the environment:

At Home

• Use Cold Water: Did you know that 85% of the energy used when washing clothes is spent on heating up the water? If you wash in cold more often, you won’t waste all that extra energy!
• Unplug Appliances: Even if an appliance is off, it is using a tiny amount of energy if it is plugged in. Take one extra step and unplug your appliances when they’re not in use to avoid this unnecessary energy loss.
• Manage Your Thermostat: Air conditioning and heating use a lot of energy. If you can keep your thermostat lower in the winter and higher in the summer, you can save energy and save money on your heating and cooling bills!
• Use Green Fixtures: You can save a lot of water by switching to low-flow showerheads and toilets. If you don’t want to switch over your whole house at once, consider trying these in the bathrooms that are used most often.

In the Car

• Use Alternative Transportation: If you can, take a walk or bike to the place that you are going. Also remember, you can sometimes save money on your car insurance by driving less!
• Make Less Trips: Instead of doing errands one at a time, make an effort to do one errand trip a week. It may seem like a hassle, but you will save a lot of gas.
• Drive Smart: When you do need to get in the car, make sure that you do your best to drive in an energy efficient manner. 

At Work

• Turn Off Your Electronics: At the end of the day, make sure that all of your hardware is fully powered down. Sleep mode will save a little power, but fully shut down electronics are much greener.
• Save Paper: If you need to print something, make sure that you use both sides of the paper. Also, make sure that paper is recycled instead of just thrown out.
• Get a Plant: A little greenery will brighten up your office, and it is appropriate with Arbor day right around the corner. Having some greenery at the office also serves many other purposes. A plant will help filter the air you breathe, and can even absorb indoor air pollution!

Do you see how easy it is to help the earth? Even if you only pick out a few of these methods to try out, you will be saving precious resources and helping fuel the green movement. Also, remember that we at Vargas and Vargas Insurance want to help you save on your insurance policies! For a free quote or evaluation, call one of our great team members at 877-550-0025 today!

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As a business owner, you do everything in your power to make sure that your business is marketed to as many potential clients as possible. You may do this through word of mouth advertising, running advertisements in local papers, or through the power of social media.

The next step in your business plan should be to close the deal. You must show your customers that the product or service you provide is valuable, and that they will miss out if they decide to pass you up on your offerings.

If you aren’t trained or practiced in sales techniques, here are some tips on how you can show potential clients the value of your business:

Give the buyer choices

Not every one of your customers will be looking for a premium, all-inclusive package. If you offer different tiers of your products or services, you can broaden your business’s customer base. For example, Vargas and Vargas Insurance offers business insurance policies that can be customized to fit the needs and the budget of any Massachusetts business that needs proper coverage and protection.

Quantify the buyer’s benefits

In this day and age, everything centers around a purchase’s ROI, or return on investment. In layman’s terms, this is exactly how much benefit a client will get from a purchase. If a customer perceives a deal to have a positive ROI, they are much more likely to buy from you.

Your business can leverage this fact by making ROI a selling point of your products or services. When speaking to a potential customer, outline all the benefits your product. It can help even more if you can quantify these benefits. Showing concrete evidence to support the products or services you sell can help you take a huge step toward making a sale.

Show the buyer their potential losses

If a customer won’t make the deal based solely on what they will gain, sometimes you can tip the scale in your favor by also showing them what they will lose. 

It is not uncommon for a customer to shy away from making a rushed decision, and for good reason – rash decisions can lead to negative consequences. Your job, though, is to make sure that your customers know what they’re going to lose if they delay acting on your offer. Make your examples specific too: explain their potential losses of reputation, profits, quality of life, or anything else that your product or service stands to improve.

If you and your business are able to take advantage of these three simple tips, you will start to close sales like a pro. With some training for your staff and a little practice, you could see your business’s sales and profits start to slowly rise over time. 

You can even take this opportunity one step further by encouraging your buyers to tell their friends about your products. After all, every business owner knows that the benefits of word of mouth advertising can be astronomical!

Call the Vargas & Vargas Insurance staff today to review your business insurance. You want to put your business in a position to sustain itself in case of an insurance loss. Contact us at 877.550.0025.

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It’s that time of year already! The Boston Marathon is right around the corner. Many people wonder why anyone would run more than 26 miles just ‘for fun.’ The truth is, running can be a great way to exercise, lose weight, and reduce stress, among many other reasons.

You don’t need to be marathon ready to reap the benefits, however. Start slowly and build yourself up. Your body will start conditioning right away, and you will be able to exercise longer and longer as you build up muscle and endurance. 

Ready to give running a try? Here are some tips and tricks to help you get started:

How to Get Started

Before you hit the pavement, there is one piece of equipment that you will need; good running shoes. Take heed – this does not mean those old tennis shoes that have been buried in your closet for the last 10 years. Your shoes will be your foundation, so you need to make sure that they are solid. If you need help picking out a new pair, check out this guide from REI.

Once you have the right shoes, you need the right mindset. It’s easy to get overly excited when you start something new. Reign in your energy, and start slow. It is important to let your body ease into the effort that running takes. Start out running for a few minutes, then walking for a few minutes. As that process gets easier, you can increase the amount of time you run in each set. Eventually you will be able to run outright. 

Running Safety Tips

Before you do your running for the day, make sure that you stretch out your muscles first. A few minutes of walking and another few minutes of stretches can significantly reduce your risk of injury while you run.

In addition, there are a few safety precautions that you should take depending on where you choose to run:

If you are a treadmill runner, make sure that you are familiar with your machine. Read all of its instructions before you begin, and always wear the safety key if one is available. Also make sure that your treadmill is in a safe place, and away from children, pets, and fragile objects. 

Outdoor runners have a few more safety concerns. If outdoor running is more your style, make sure that you follow this list of safety tips:

• Ensure that you are visible. Wear reflective or bright clothing so that drivers can see you easily.
• Carry the essentials. While you want to run as unburdened as possible, you should always carry identification (like this Shoe ID) and a cell phone. In case of emergency, you may also wish to carry a small amount of cash or an ATM card.
• Pay attention to your surroundings. Don’t tune out the world if you run outdoors. You need to pay attention to what is going on around you! Make sure that you can hear everything as well – don’t blast music or an audio book, as it could hinder your ability to hear car horns or other pedestrians.
• Tell someone where you will be. It is important that someone know the route you will be taking, in case of emergency. If possible, leave a map of your course with a friend or family member.

If you follow these tips and guidelines, you can start reaping the health benefits right away! Running can help you burn fat, improve coordination and versatility, relieve stress, and prevent loss of bone and muscle, among many other factors.

Running is even so beneficial that it can help you to prevent medical catastrophes such as heart attacks, stroke, and certain types of cancer. We know that you are protected by your health insurance if these conditions were to affect you, but wouldn’t you rather prevent them in the first place? If you do need to discuss your health insurance coverage, please call our office at 877.550.0025.

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It doesn’t matter whether you run a construction site or an office building – there is always the chance that one of your employees could be injured while at work. As an employer, it is your responsibility to make sure that your workplace follows the laws and regulations established by the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA). Even when all these guidelines are followed, though, there is the chance that an employee could get hurt.

If an incident were to occur under your watch, would you know how to handle the situation correctly? Here are the steps you should take to ensure that an accident in the workplace is handled properly:

Get the injured employee medical attention

The most important part of the process is making sure that your employee is given the appropriate medical attention. If the injury needs immediate attention, call an ambulance right away. Remember, if you are on the fence about getting emergency medical help, it is always better to be safe than sorry.

If your employee’s injury does not require immediate attention, you should still encourage them to seek medical care from an approved provider as soon as possible.

Know your role in the claim process

In the event of an accident in your workplace, you have a few very important responsibilities. It is up to you to act as a liaison between your injured employee and your workers compensation insurance provider, ensuring that all of the correct paperwork is completed correctly and in a timely manner. 

If you have questions about your role in the event of an incident, you can always call 877-550-0025 to speak to a Vargas and Vargas insurance agent. We can help provide the expertise you need when it comes to filing insurance claims like these.

Gather all the facts about the incident

Take the time to gather all the information you can about the accident. Cover all of your bases by collecting the following:

• The injured employee’s account of the incident.
• Reports from anyone that witnessed the accident.
• Photos or video of the area where the accident occurred.

The more information you have, the easier it will be for you to fill out your claim form!

Complete your own report about the accident

The Employer’s Report of Accident is your opportunity to tell your side of the story. Using all the facts that you gathered in the previous step, you need to tell the insurance company what you know. This is also where you can indicate if you think there is any validity to your employee’s claim. 

Once this section of the workers’ compensation form is filled out, your insurance agent should be ready to officially file your employee’s claim.

Manage the claim process

Once your claim is filed, you could wait up to 90 days to find out whether it has been approved or denied. During this time, it is important for you to stay on top of the process. Make sure that any questions or requests from your insurance provider are answered in a timely manner, and make sure to also check on your employee’s recovery. 

If you follow all five of these steps after an employee is injured, you should be able to breeze through the workers’ compensation claim process. And remember, Vargas and Vargas Insurance is here to help if you get lost or stuck along the way!

While it (finally) seems time to put away the snow shovels, scientists around the world warn that blockbuster storms such as Nemo and Saturn are likely to become the norm. Weather patterns currently are in a state of upheaval, bringing with them more powerful storms, floods and droughts. So, how will the climate change affect homeowners insurance, and what can you do to protect your home?

While the full extent of the climate change remains unclear, it does increase your home’s exposure to potential storm-related damages. Currently, insurers price winter storms into their home policies. Yet these recent storms have caused damages that extend beyond those covered in typical policies. As a result, it is likely that homeowners insurance rates will inflate in upcoming years to account for the increased damage potential. Therefore, it is important to take certain precautions to keep your house protected and your costs down.

Reduce the risk of tree damage. Spending a little money now may stop a tree from turning into a big cost later. Schedule regular maintenance, and have your trees inspected on average every five years. If a branch is hanging within 10 feet of your house or in need of buttressing, the arborist will arrange for workers to fix it before it becomes a danger next winter. While this means you need to budget for maintenance, CNN Money cites the trees will more than cover those costs over time. For example, larger trees provide protection from basement flooding; their shade can reduce air conditioning costs, and they block harsh winter winds that make the house colder and raise heating expenses. 

For tree maintenance services in and around Boston, visit the YellowPages.

Prevent ice dams. Ice dams form when warm air leaks through your roof and melts the snow, which refreezes when it reaches the roof’s cold overhang. This causes water to back up and leak into the home, ruining walls, ceilings and insulation. Fortunately, this damage is preventable by ensuring that your roof is properly insulated and ventilated. Center-Point Energy and Energy Star are good resources for show how to do the project yourself. Or, for trusted businesses in the area that can help with insulation, visit Superpages.

Additionally, having a properly insulated and ventilated roof will do more than prevent ice dams and protect your home from next winter’s damage. According to the U.S. Green Building Council, a well-insulated roof can drastically reduce your heating and cooling needs along with your electricity bill and your home’s emissions. For more ways to make your roof energy-efficient, visit the Green Home Guide. 

Protect against high winds. According to FEMA, protecting your home from damages that high wind speeds cause is one of the most important tasks you can do to avoid nightmare costs and perils. Make sure to check that your doors, windows, roof and garage – which are the areas of weakness against the wind – are secure and strong enough to withstand high speeds. You may have to purchase reinforcing bolt kits for doors, especially ones that are double entry.  It also is a good idea to get storm shutters, but check with your local building official first to see if a building permit is required. In addition to buttressing your doors and windows from high winds, Against the Wind details how to protect your roof and garage. 

Furthermore, it is a good idea to speak with your insurance agent to ensure your homeowners insurance policy provides you with the right coverage for your area. We can also assist you with coverages you may need in addition to your homeowners policy.

Vargas & Vargas Insurance is dedicated to meeting all of your coverage needs at a price you can afford. Call and speak with a friendly agent today at 877-550-0025.

Everyone has to deal with stress occasionally. It is an unavoidable part of life. In small doses stress can act as a stimulant, encouraging hard work and completion of tasks. In large or constant doses, though, stress can be a very negative influence on your health. 

Stress can manifest itself for a number of different reasons. New responsibilities at work, moving to a new place, and changes in relationships are just some of the reasons that adults succumb to stress. Children can also suffer from anxiety when they change schools, get too little sleep, or have trouble with friends or classmates. No one is exempt from the dangers of stress.

People who suffer from high amounts of anxiety can suffer from symptoms that include:

• Headache
• Upset stomach
• Low energy levels
• Difficulty sleeping
• Changes in appetite
• Overwhelmed feeling
• Low self esteem

The items listed are just a small portion of the full list of the possible signs of stress. If you notice that you are suffering from these symptoms because of a high level of stress, talk to your doctor about what you can do to decrease your stress levels. Your doctor may suggest some stress relief methods and coping strategies. These typically come in two distinct families:

Relax your Mind

There are many ways that you can relax your mind. The key to helping relieve your stress is to find out what works best for you. Some people find relief in cathartic methods, such as talking to people about their stressors. The person you talk to can be almost anyone – a family member, a friend, a counselor or therapist, or a clergy member can all provide a listening ear. 

If you need to express your feelings, but don’t feel comfortable divulging your feelings, you may find a journal can provide you with a sense of release as well.

You can also relax your mind with other activities, such as:

• Meditation
• Guided imagery
• Volunteering
• Creative outlets
• Hobbies

Try a few of these stress relief methods, and see which become part of your routine. 

Relax Your Body

In addition to relaxing your mind, relaxing your body is an important part of stress relief. One of the most common means of body relaxation is regular exercise. In addition to making sure that you are in good physical condition, exercise can be a great way to release stress.

Other techniques that can help relax your body include:

• Breathing exercises
• Progressive muscle relaxation
• Everyday physical activities (housecleaning, yard work, etc.)
• Yoga, tai chi, or other mind and body exercises

In addition to these ways to de-stress, there are a few things that you can do now that will help you avoid some stressors all together. Make sure that you have healthy eating and sleeping habits, and try to find a healthy work/life balance. Get yourself organized, and make sure that you and your family are protected, even in your worst-case scenarios.

One of the best ways to make sure that you avoid stress later in life is with insurance policies! They can provide peace of mind that you just can’t find anywhere else, and they can help you protect every part of your life – your health, your home and car, your business, and much more!

If you want to learn more about how you can achieve serenity with insurance protection, call 877-550-0025 now. A Vargas and Vargas Insurance agent can help you through the process of protecting yourself and your family against the possible stresses of the future.

Since its enactment in 2010, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, also known as ObamaCare, has been steadily changing health care throughout the country. By the time it is fully implemented in 2014, every American will be affected. While the reform’s aspects are expansive – and seemingly complex – it is important to understand how its changes affect you and your family.

ObamaCare’s goal is to provide affordable, quality health care to all Americans. To do this, the following are some of the changes taking place in our country’s health care system:

New Protections: Health insurance policies used to have lifetime limits on how much insurance companies would pay for an individual’s medical bills. This often meant people with serious or long-term illnesses would go into debt because their coverage would run out. Now, these lifetime limits are illegal. Additionally, if you get sick or have a pre-existing condition, insurers can no longer choose to cancel or deny your policy. 

However, it is important to note that insurers still can place limitations on other aspects, such as length of hospital stays and office visits, and you should review your specific policy to know what restrictions apply to you. 

Broader Benefits: To help keep long-term medical costs down, ObamaCare focuses on making prevention and primary care accessible to all. Now, all preventive care and annual check-ups are fully covered at no cost to you within your health plan’s network. Examples of preventive care include free cancer screenings, wellness visits, personalized prevention plans, vaccines and flu shots. Additionally, the cost share will be waived for certain prescriptions, such as birth control, should your program allow it. 

Expanding Coverage: Under ObamaCare, millions more seniors on Medicare are going to be able to afford their prescriptions. This is because the reform is striving to eliminate the “donut hole”, which has hindered many seniors’ ability to purchase necessary prescriptions. In addition, children can stay on their parents’ health plans until age 26. This gives them more time to establish themselves financially before taking on the responsibility of paying for their own insurance. 

However, many people are concerned about how these changes affect them financially. Beginning in 2014, an “individual mandate” will require most Americans to have qualifying health insurance or possibly pay a tax if they do not comply. The reasoning? Because insurers cannot exclude anyone, regardless of pre-existing conditions, not requiring insurance would drive the cost of coverage up even higher, according to Consumer Reports.

Visit the NFIB for more information about the mandate and its exemptions.

So, how is ObamaCare striving to make the required health care affordable?

Personal Tax Breaks: Many Americans will receive tax breaks when purchasing health insurance on the upcoming online marketplaces called the ObamaCare Exchange. Shoppers will be able to use a price calculator to find the best deal for them and their families. Furthermore, the marketplaces will streamline and simplify the application process.

New Discounts: For those who qualify, discounts and subsidies will be offered to help pay medical expenses. Medicaid will be offered to more individuals, and young adults in particular will have more options to afford care. For example, they will be able to buy subsidized private insurance or health plans that cover essential benefits and three primary care visits a year. While these plans may have higher cost-sharing expenses for certain services, annual premiums are likely to be lower. 

To get an estimate of the discount you might have coming to you and review your qualifications, visit the Kaiser Family Foundation.

However, it is important to note that ObamaCare’s changes are ongoing and not fully implemented as of 2013. Therefore, for individuals whose employers do not offer insurance or are self-insured, it is a good idea to discuss options for personal health insurance policies with your insurance agent.

Vargas & Vargas Insurance is committed to helping you understand and meet all of your insurance needs. Call today at 877-550-0025 and work with one of our agents to get the coverage you need at a price you can afford.

A few decades ago, having a 12″ black and white television in your home meant that you were on the cutting edge of technology. Nowadays, though, it’s hard to imagine life without a computer, a tablet, and at least one smartphone!

It is natural to use these devices for personal reasons, like checking your email, keeping up with friends on Facebook, and even playing games. Did you know that you can also get apps on your phone or tablet to organize your professional life as well?

Both Google and Apple have basic business suites – apps that can help you with your email, calendar, contacts, and more. Once you have mastered the basics, try moving on to more advanced applications, such as:

HootSuite: It’s said again and again – social media is a must have for businesses. With the HootSuite app, you can use your mobile device to publish to Facebook, Twitter, and even LinkedIn! This tool is a one-stop-shop for businesspeople who are on the go, but still wish to keep up to date with their customer base.

Brewster: These days, it is so easy for a contacts list to get out of hand. Between your email contacts, and the connections you have on all your social media platforms, keeping track of everyone can be near impossible. With Brewster, you can import all of your contacts, and search for someone by name, location, or even keyword! 

Expensify: Keeping up with a business’s expense reports is a hassle. With the Expensify app, you can automate the process, and keep all your business’s receipts in one place: the cloud! They are also a piece of the “paperless2013.org” initiative, which encourages businesses to use a collection of apps to eliminate paperwork from the office environment altogether. You can read more about this program on TechCrunch!

Dropbox, SugarSync, or Box: Sharing files between devices used to mean emailing them to yourself. Now, there are a bunch of apps that can help you share all of your important documents between your computer, tablet, and smartphone. This will ensure that you can always access the files you need, anywhere you go.

Evernote: Before technology became so prevalent, businesspeople would carry around some sort of journal – a legal pad, or some similar device, whose sole purpose was to jot down thoughts and important information. In the same fashion, Evernote is a veritable “junk drawer.” Use it to jot down ideas, notes, and anything else you may deem important. Then just file it away so that you can access it later!

If you give any or all of these applications a try, you may find that your professional productivity increases, which is not an easy feat nowadays. In addition, these are just a small sample of the apps available to help your business. Try searching through your provider’s app store to find other programs to make your business more efficient!

Did you know that a business insurance policy can also help your business? Find out how by talking to a Vargas & Vargas Insurance representative now – our phone number is 877-550-0025.