Even though you do your best to keepyour business premises safe, unfortunate incidents may happen.  A guest or customer to your business may be injured, and with colder weather the number of incidents rises. Your Vargas & Vargas Insurance agent most likely explained that the liability coverage of your Massachusetts Business Insurance policy may cover the expenses related to such an incident. What you may not be aware is that your actions at the time of the incident can determine if legal action is taken by the injured party.  There are however some things to keep in mind in the event somebody is injured on your business premises.

Firstly, be compassionate and courteous to the injured person, even if you suspect the injury may be intentionally deceitful with the intention of making a claim. Make every effort to offer assistance, call for medical assistance or an ambulance if the injury may be serious. Get the individual’s contact details, and take notes about the incident including any conversations with the individual, injuries sustained, and the circumstances. Finally, call your insurance agent and advise them of the incident.

Accidents will happen, and even when the greatest care and concern is shown to the injured party, litigation is a possibility. Protecting yourself with the knowledge of what to do and a Massachusetts Business Insurance policy with sufficient liability coverage could help minimize the liability hit to your business. Call us today at our toll-free number 877-550-0025 to ensure that you and your business are adequately covered.

As 2012has come to a close, we advise our valued clients and social media followers to schedule an appointment with your local independent insurance agent. By meeting with your agent, you will be able to be assured you have proper insurance overage’s, and get the best value for your insurance dollars!

Some additions in your life will result in new insurance risk that must be covered.  Examples of new insurance risks are upgrades to your home(s), having a newly licensed driver in your family, family members who have moved from your home, or the hiring or dismissing of employees from your company. It may be difficult to keep track of changes to your belongings throughout the year. As a result, make note of these changes so you will be prepared at your annual insurance review of your coverage’s.

Vargas & Vargas Insurance Agencyis the local independent insurance that will assist you with your Massachusetts Auto Insurance, Massachusetts Home Insurance, Massachusetts Life Insurance or Massachusetts Commercial Insurance needs. Also, we will be happy to assist youwith the reviewing of your insurance policies. Call us today at 877-550-0025 and one of our experienced insurance experts may be able to increase your coverage’s and help you get the best value for your insurance dollar! 

With a new year come new resolutions! As you say “goodbye”to 2012 and “hello” to 2013, follow these tips to help you make those resolutions last.

Write a specific goal list. If you take the time to write down your goals and set deadlines, you make yourself more accountable to fulfilling them. Place the list in a spot where you will see it every day to keep the goals – and accomplishing them – on your mind.

Try this Goal Setting Worksheet to help you stay on track.

Have a “Resolution Buddy”. Talking about your resolutions with others, getting support and working toward accomplishing them together will make it easier and more fun todo so. You might even consider joining a support network, such as a local weight loss program or smoking cessation group.

Remember to reward yourself. While your overall goal may seem distant, if you reward yourself along the way, it can make the experience of working toward it more enjoyable.  According to Family Therapist/LifeCoach Sharon Lotoczky, doing something positive that lightens your mood is the most successful way to make a resolution stick.

Build off of existing habits. If you already make coffee every morning, and your resolution is something like taking daily vitamins, keep the vitamin jar next to the coffeepot. Doing so will make the resolution an easier habit to form.

Lifehacker provides information on what it takes to form a good habit.

Understand there will be obstacles. Trying to accomplish your goals won’t always be easy.  However, that does not mean you should simply give up. According to CNN.com, 71% of New Year’s Resolvers have a slip, yet they feel that the obstacle actually strengthens their resolution and motivation to change.

Visualize the end result. If you have trouble staying motivated, focus on what you’ll get and how you’ll feel once you reach your end goal. While this may be easier said than done, making a conscious effort to stay positive will help keep you on track.

Although these tips can encourage you to make the resolutions last beyond the first few weeks of 2013, ultimately, the change only will come if you make it.  For some popular resolution ideas, visit Boston.com. Or, share your resolution with others here.

Vargas &Vargas Insurance would like to wish everyone a happy and healthy 2013. For information on how they can help you save money on home, auto, lifeinsurance and more, call 877-550-0025 today.

New vehicles are shown with lavishing young people behind the wheel, but in reality, the new automobile features are created to keep the elderly drivers on the road! These baby boomers no longer feel old and achy; they feel young and rejuvenated because of certain new features such as; push button start and park assist.  

Push Button Start:

Jump in your car, push a button and go! Push button start is a new hit feature that corresponds withyour remote control car key. Once you unlock your car doors with keyless entry and sit on your comfy leather driver’s seat, plop your key into your cup holder and press the ignition button, your engine roars to life! This system is super convenient for the elderly because many baby boomers have arthritis in their joints that causes pain when physically turning the ignition key. Push button start allows parents and grandparents to drive with more comfort and less agony.

Park Assist:

Park Assist is another luxurious feature that parks the car with no exerted effort expressed by the driver! Once you’ve found the spot where you would like to park, pull up next to the space, press the park assist button and let the car do all the work! Park assist relieves stress that is placed on elderly people’s backs and necks when trying to back into a spot or parallel park. This feature also reduces the potential stress that is created by the driver thinking of getting in an accident while parking.

            In the unfortunate event of getting into an accident while driving or parking your car, be sure that you have the proper automobile insurance coverage with your local independent insurance agent. Vargas & Vargas Insurance Agency is the local independent insurance agent that you can trust to correctly advise you on your Massachusetts Auto Insurance! If your additional needs are Home Insurance, Life Insurance or Commercial Insurance, our experienced representatives always know how to assist you. Call us today at 877-550-0025! 

It’s a great idea to take your pet to your veterinarian for a check- up.  Better to take preventative measures to pre-empt any problems that could worsen as temperatures continue to drop. This is especially important for older pets, as they often have conditions like arthritis that makes their joints very sensitive and tender in colder months.

As the thermometer drops during winter, keep your pet indoors as much as possible. Keep your pet on a leash when on walks, so that they are close to you at all times. This way you can make sure that they aren’t going to get into anything dangerous, like anti-freeze or rock salt. Keeping you furry friends on a leash prevents them from wondering too close to frozen ponds or lakes with thin ice. When you return from home your walk, wipe off your dog’s feet. He can ingest road salt, antifreeze, or other chemicals while licking his paws.

Did you know that Antifreeze is like maple syrup to animals?Anti-freeze is poisonous to your pets and its sweet smell and taste can be attractive and LETHAL to pets. So be sure all antifreeze containers are tightly closed and placed on a high shelf.

Whether it is for a cat or dog, make sure your pet has a warm place to sleep, away from any drafts. We all know not to leave our pet in a car during summer, but you may not realize that the same goes for the winter-when a car basically acts as a refrigerator!

If you keep your pet outside, make sure he has adequate shelter from the winter elements, and regularly check your pet’s water bowl to make sure it isn’t frozen.  Know the signs of hypothermia and frostbite. Here’s a great article that will help you out, http://hypothermia.org/animalhypo.htm.On particularly cold days or nights, bring your pet indoors where it is warm.

Vargas & Vargas can help you with your MA homeowners or Ma automobile insurance policies.

As the holiday whirlwind is upon us, it is easy to forget the season’s true meaning: helping one another and supporting those in need. Here are some ways you and your family can reach out and pass on the holiday spirit to others, making this time of year festive for all.

Donate: Toys for Tots is a charitable organization that helps about 40,000 children across the country receive gifts this holiday season. Click here to find a place near you to donate. You also can bring clothes, toys and home items to your local Salvation Army and Goodwill stores.

Or, donate to your favorite charity; any little bit helps!

Volunteer: Heading Home is committed to ending homelessness in Boston through several out-reach programs. In addition to on-goingvolunteer projects, Heading Home has special holiday opportunities such as fulfilling a family’s gift wish list or throwing a festive party for those in need.

Boston has many other volunteer opportunities, which you can participate in throughout the year.

Make crafts: Several organizations accept homemade craft projects that the whole family can help make together. About.com provides a list of ideas, and Squidoo features art supplies and a video on how others are crafting for charity.

Host a party: Ask your guests each to bring an item to donate to the charity of your choice. This is a simple way for all to enjoy making a difference together.

In addition, the city of Boston hosts several exciting charity events throughout the holiday season. However, it is important to remember that the spirit of giving and helping others doesn’t have to end when the decorations are taken down.

Vargas & Vargas Insurance cares about keeping the community safe every month of the year.Call today at 877-550-0025 to speak with a dedicated agent about how they can help you and your family with your MA automobile and MA homeowners insurance policies.

Our planners and they are in.

Please contact Carlos Vargas (cvargas@vargasinsurance.com)
if you are interested in receiving one. 

(Quantities are limited)

Being on a budget doesn’t have to stop you from fully embracing this holiday season’s festivities. The following tips can help you save money and still bring joy to those who matter most.

Create a budget notebook. Keeping track of those you buy gifts for and setting limits on how much you spend annually can prevent you from overspending year to year. One way to do this is to have a special holiday spending notebook. Attach a plastic bag, and save all receipts in it. Bring it with you while you shop, and record how much certain gifts cost at various stores.

In addition, you can use this holiday budget template to plan and track purchases.

Set expectations for gift exchanges. Discussing with friends and family members how much to allot for gifts is a great way to make sure you don’t spend more than each other. This ensures that everyone receives a similar gift and respects each other’s holiday budgets.

Organize your home. Cleaning out closets could be a way for you to find forgotten goods you never used (re-gift ideas), holiday decorations and gift-wrap bought in previous years or items to sell on ebay or Craigslist.

For quick and crafty ways to organize your home, visit HGTV.

Be an educated consumer. Ellie Kay, author of “The Little Book of Big Savings”, advises people to comparison shop on sites like mysimon.com before even setting footin a store. There also are sites dedicated to coupons such as couponcabin.com, dealhunting.com and retailmenot.com helping you save even more.

Buy Smart, Shop local.  You may just find what you are looking for at a better price at a local store, it’s important to spend money at
local businesses in our neighborhoods. When you spend $100 at a locally
owned business, $73 stays local, versus, when you spend $100 at a
non-locally owned business, only $43 stays local. Spending money in our
neighborhoods keeps that money in our neighborhoods

Create homemade gifts. Making your own gifts is a good way to stay on budget while still showing the ones you love that you care. Spoonful and Martha Stewart are useful resources for crafty homemade holiday gift ideas.

For fun, family activities to do around Boston this season,visit Mommy Poppins or Chiff.com.

Vargas &Vargas Insurance cares about keeping your family safe and protected with the right MA homeowners or MA automobile insurance coverage. Call 877-550-0025 and speak with their friendly agents today about how they can help you get the coverage you deserve.

As we leave the warm and humid days of summer behind, the cold, dry weather of winter is starting to settle in.  The generally warmer temperatures we have been experiencing in Massachusetts have made many people question if true winter is ever coming. But even though you’ve barely noticed a change in the weather,your skin, nails, and lips most definitely have and no doubt that they are starting to show. Whether its dry skin, cracked hands, or chapped lips! Survive the harshness of winter with the following few helpful suggestions:

Face- Exfoliate &Moisturize!

The combination of wind and a lack of sunlight have the unfortunate effect of drying out your skin. Get your glow back by exfoliating, and moisturizing. While in the shower (when your skin is soft and your pores are open), gently scrub your face with an oil-free exfoliating wash. Then, right after the shower, apply a moisturizer. Moisturize your face both morning and night and fight the dry, flakes of winter skin!

Hands and Body-Drink It In!

Sometimes wearing gloves when you are out in the cold is just not enough to prevent your hands from painful cracking.  Probably one of the best things you can do to fight winter dryness is to drink water!  You can also incorporate inside-out moisturizers, like fish or vitamin E oil capsules, or flax seed oil, to help your body produce enough lipids to keep you soft and smooth.

Caffeine and alcoholic drinks can also dry you out, so if you’re into sipping your sins, be sure to increase your water intake, and carry your moisturizers (one for face, one for the rest of your skin) around with you and use whenever your skin needs “a drink of moisture”

If you’ve got itchy winter skin, use a scrubbing loofa or a body brush to remove any and all flakes while in the shower or bath. Then, you guessed it! Liberally apply lotion/body butter as soon as you get out.

Lips-Don’t Let Winter Lick You!

The skin of your lips isn’t like your other skin; it doesn’t produce sweat, natural oils that help skin stay supple on its own. When you lick your lips you are accelerating the damages already being done by the winter weather. So to protect your pucker from the harsh conditions of winter- be sure to keep them hydrated.

To care for your lips, run a facecloth under some warm water, then, gently, rub your lips with the facecloth to remove any dead, dry, flakey, chapped skin. Then slather on a heavy moisture and keep some with you to re-apply throughout the day. Be sure to drink plenty of water, and try to keep the lip-licking to a minimum.

Vargas & Vargas wishes everybody a safe and happy holiday season!

We have a pair of Taylor Swift concert tickets (section 136, 3rd row from the field, awesome seats) to give away for her concert on Friday July 26, 2013 at 6:30PM at Gillette Stadium.

Taylor Swift Contest Rules

1. Stop by one of our two offices in either Stoughton or Dorchester, starting this Friday December 7th

2. Drop off a food item for one of the food pantry charities that we are supporting, AND/OR a toy for the US Marines, Toy’s for Tots charity we are also supporting. 

3. Have your photo taken with one of our agency staff and the items that you’re donating

4. Post and tag the photo on our Vargas & Vargas Insurance Facebook page

Each item you donate is an individual entry into the contest, the more visits you make with items, the more entries you have in the contest. 

The contest ends on Wednesday December 19^th, the winner will be announced Thursday December 20st on Facebook.

So…make sure you get to one of our offices and help us support these wonderful charities, you may just make someone’s Christmas a little bit more exciting!

Thank you AND Good Luck!

 

No purchase necessary to enter this contest.

For many of us the tradition of carefully selecting and decorating a Christmas tree is our favorite time of year!  But did you know that every year, an averageof 240 Christmas tree-related homefires occur in the United States?  Those fires are usually caused by electrical problems, heat sources placed too close to the tree, decorative lights, cigarettes or other open flames.

Don’t let your carefully-chosen fresh Christmas tree become a fire hazard. Observe these fire safety tips:

• Keep the trunk of the tree immersed in water at all times.

• Do not permit smoking near the tree.

• Use flame retardant trim/decorations.

• Use only lights that are UL approved.

• Inspect lights for frayed or cracked wiring, broken plugs and defective sockets.

• Unplug lights at night and when leaving home.

• Do not over load circuits or outlets.

• Do not run extension cords under carpets or across doorways.

• Remove the tree soon after the holidays, before the needles dry out.

• Check your smoke alarms; install new batteries if necessary.

• Use caution if hanging lights outside; be aware of power lines and hazards while using a ladder.

• Use caution with candles or open flame devices.

Most importantly, talk to your insurance agent and make sure your home or renter’s insurance policy is up to date and you are adequately covered- no one plans to have a house fire. Call us today at our toll-free number 877.550.0025, we are happy to help!

Vargas & Vargas can help you with your MA homeowners or Ma automobile insurance policies. We wishe everybody a safe and happy holiday season!

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average American spends more than $1,000 annually on car insurance. While this amount does not seem large when compared to other expenses that adulthood entails, it can add up to about $94,000 over the course of a lifetime of driving, Car Insurance.com cites. Therefore, it is important to understand how your rates are determined in order to save as much as you can.

How you drive:

Your driving record is the key factor in calculating your insurance rate and is based on a point system.This point system is intended to identify dangerous drivers and penalize them accordingly. For example, the more points you accrue for traffic violations, the higher your rate. While Massachusetts does not let you trim points from your record, there are defensive driving courses you can take to help lower premiums and improve your record.

Keep in mind that even safe, young drivers with a clean driving record still will have higher premiums simply based on their age and gender. However, there are steps younger drivers can take to ensure the best deal possible.  

Where and when youdrive:

Rates vary based on certain geographic areas such as ones that have harsher winters or higher crime reports. This is because insurance companies calculate how much damage is likely to occur to your car and the amount of risk they are taking on by insuring it.

How often you drive your car also determines how much you will pay for insurance. This is another risk-assessment strategy that car insurance companies do. The more likely you are to get into an accident or need repairs, the more you insurance you will have to pay toward your car.

What you drive:

When shopping for a car on a designated budget, keep automobile insurance rates in mind. The greater the car value, the higher your insurance rate. This is because new cars’ repairs cost more in the event of an accident, and they are more susceptible to theft. However, used cars do not always require collision insurance, which typically is a given with new cars.

For driving tips in Boston, visit Boston Discovery Guide. In addition, Mass.Gov’s Roadway Safety Tips is a good resource for drivers and pedestrians.

Remember, car insurance is an essential expense. Click here for a free insurance quote. For more information about factors that determine your premium rates, contact your local insurance agent.

Vargas & VargasInsurance is dedicated to keeping Massachusetts’ families safe by providing quality Automobile Insurance and Homeowners Insurance. Call one oftheir agents today at 877-550-0025 to learn more about how they can get you the coverage you deserve at a price that fits your budget.

“Black Friday”, the day after Thanksgiving Day is the kick-off to the holiday shopping season- it is also the start of what we like to call “fender bender frenzy”.  Folks get caught up inthe hustle and bustle of holiday shopping and “crash”, you’ve been in an accident! It can really deflate your holiday spirit to come out to your car in the parking lot only to find that some other motorist has left their mark…a dent in the fender, a scrape along the door panel, or broken taillights…..not the holiday gift you were hoping for.

Don’t be a victim of “fender bender frenzy” by getting caught without the proper insurance coverage. Generally, even hit-and-run accidents are covered by your MA AutoInsurance policy under the Collision coverage. If when an unknown motorist inflicts damage, your car insurance policy typically covers the cost ofthe loss subject to your chosen deductible.

The best way to make sure you will be covered is to review your auto insurance policy with your agent.  Your agent can confirm that you have all the necessary coverages you need to be properly insured.  Vargas & Vargas suggests automobile drivers carry a $500 deductibles on their collision coverages.  Call us today at 877.550.0025 and shop with confidence this holiday season!

The autumn leaves are falling; the days are shorter, and there is a chill in the air all the preludes to the entrance of winter. Some of us have already experienced the first few flakes of snow! The time has come for preparing your motorcycle for winter storage. Of course, getting your bike ready for winter is more than just parking it in the corner of the garage and throwing a tarp over it till next spring. Experts suggest that you take the time to do a proper motorcycle winter maintenance program to maintain your bike’s peak performance. The following are some helpful tips in prepping your ride for a long winter’s nap; however you should always refer the bike’s maintenance and repair manual for the manufacturer’s suggestions.

First clean and wax your motorcycle. This will keep all painted surface and chrome parts protected from dust and moisture.

When you park the bike you should put pieces of plywood under each tire, Make sure that the entire bottom of the tires are sitting on the wood, store your bike on a stand if possible. This will protect the rubber from cracking or rotting. Don’t forget to check the tire pressure and if any tires are low inflate to the proper pressure.

Next, drain the oil and flush the crankcase. This will keep the corrosive deposits from building up over the years. Now is the time to also replace the oil filter. So too can old gasoline damage your bike’s engine. The sediments in old gasoline can plug carburetors and fuel lines. Avoid this by either draining all fuel from the tank, carburetors and the fuel lines.

Inspect the wiring by sliding you fingers along all the wiring you can see, and feel for cracks or breaks in the insulation. If you find any damaged casings repair or replace them. Make sure all the connectors are tight and all are free of corrosion. Disconnect and remove the battery and store it in a warm vented place sitting on a piece of plywood to catch any acid leaks. The battery will discharge over the winter months and this can cause the battery to freeze and crack. Clean the battery post and the battery cables. Use fine steel wool or a battery cleaning tool. Once the posts are clean apply petroleum jelly. This will not affect the cable connections when you hook up the battery in the spring.

Prevent rust from forming on the chain or the shaft drive by lubricating with the manufacture recommended oils. Before you lube it, make sure the chain is clean. Any dirt left on the chain will cause the chain to wear faster and speed up the wearing of the sprockets

Take a look at the brakes for any wear or damage to the pads or the rotors. Make sure you top up the brake reservoir. Replace the air filter and wipe out the container it fits in if it has one.

Before covering your bike, make sure you plug the intake and exhaust so critters cannot get in and set up house!

Most insurance carriers offer special rates for winter storage of your motorcycle so remember to let your insurance agent know your bike is off the road for winter.

Take care to prepare your bike for winter storage and as soon as the snow melts in spring, she will take care of you on the open road!

And when it comes to all of your insurance needs, whether automobile insurance, homeowners insurance, business or life insurance, Vargas & Vargas Insurance is always available to answer any of your questions.

 

First things first:

1. Confirm you guest list, and any weekend house guests
2. Determine what recipes you are going to bemaking. Some important things to consider, or remember: Do your dishes gowell together, flavor-wise?  What dishes can be prepared ahead?
3. Can you cook all the dishes in your stove/oven? Run through thecooking process, noting when things are on the stove, or in the oven (and atcwhat temperature), and that you have space for it all.
4. Once your menu has been finalized, determine what can be made inthe few days before Thanksgiving to save time, such as pies, casseroles, stuffing,even peeling the potatoes and leaving them to soak in a water bath.
5. Next create a timeline/checklist for the day of Thanksgiving: whenthe turkey needs to go into the oven,the side dishes that still have to be made, and which ones that have been madeahead which need to be heated. The end goal of all the food being ready toserve, at the proper temperatures, at the same time.
6. Consider the beverages you will serve. Will you offer a fullystocked bar, or simply just soft drinks, beer, and wines. Make sure you haveenough liquor, water, and mixers for the number of guests you’re expecting, andhave the proper utensils and ingredients – don’t forget cocktail napkins,lemons and limes!

2 weeks before:

1. With your menu, go through your serving dishes and utensils. Marrytogether each recipe with the dish you want to serve it in and the utensil itwill be served with, labeling each set with a post-it. Do the same with yourcooking utensils, making sure you have a turkey baster and kitchen twine, andcheck to make sure you have enough containers/tin foil for storing leftovers. 
   1. Consider your centerpieces and décor. Determine how you want toset each place: Dinner and salad plates? Bread and butter plates? How manypieces of flatware? Just a fork and knife, with a dessert spoon on top? Don’tforget about glassware: for water, white wine, red wine, mixed drinks, kidsdrinks.
   2. Make sure the dishware and glassware you are using is clean.Polish any silver that you may be using.
   3. For centerpieces, think about where you want to put candles, andwhat kind. Remember to never leave lit candles unattended!
   4. Make sure you have linens for the table(s) – not just the diningtable, but bar table(s), serving table(s), or tables of appetizers, whateveryou are using — and that they are clean and pressed. If not, you shouldarrange that now.
   5. Write up a shopping list based on your menu. Create a Grocery listdivided by department such as produce, dairy, spices, storage containers, kitchen tools, etc. Then have shopping listsfor any other errands you may have e.g. Liquor store. This will help to makeyour shopping trip less chaotic and overwhelm in
   6. Write up a shopping list based on your menu. Create a Grocery list divided by department such as produce, dairy, spices, storage containers, kitchen tools, etc. Then have shopping lists for any other errands you may have e.g. Liquor store. This will help to make your shopping trip less chaotic and overwhelming.

The week before:

1. Remind your guests that you’re looking forward to sharingThanksgiving with them, and confirm when they will be arriving.
2. Prepare! Is your bathroom organized and stocked? Do you have roomin the freezer for extra ice needed for drinks? Clear out the refrigerator tomake room for dishes. Straighten up around the house.
3. Check your lists and what you have in your pantry. Do you havecocktail napkins, toothpicks, paper towels? Coffee, tea, milk and sugar toserve with dessert?
4. Organize your bar and chill any beverages that need to be cold.

The Week of Thanksgiving

Monday and Tuesday:

1. Begin defrosting your turkey if it is frozen.  
2. Make your pies, cranberry sauces, and other dishes that can hold forfour days.
3. Set your table and decorate the spaces where yourguests will be.
4. Begin chopping vegetables for cooking, and slicing lemons andlimes for the bar. Are your butter dishes ready, and salt and pepper shakersfull? If you are brining your turkey, you can make the brine, too.

Wednesday:

1. Continue chopping and prepping, assembling the stuffing and otherdishes that can be refrigerated overnight.
2. Do a final run through of your lists, recipes, and check your pantrymaking a final grocery run if necessary.
3. Determine when you need to get up in order to preheat the oven,and get the turkey in so it will be cooked at the proper time.
4. Get a good night’s sleep.

 Thanksgiving Day:

1. Do a final sweep of your set table and bar area, set the servingdishes in a place where they can all sit before being served, preparing acreamer and sugar for coffee and tea.
2. Prepare your appetizers.
3. Cook and enjoy the time with your family and friends!

Vargas & Vargas wishes you and yours a Safe and Happy Thanksgiving!