Donald J. Medeiros Insurance Agency

Can I Insure My Valentine’s Day Gift? Absolutely!

Wednesday, February 15th, 2012 | How to Protect Yourself | 1 Comment

Americans are projected to have spent $17.6 billion on Valentine’s Day this year, pushing those hand-written love letters aside and grabbing their wallets to pony up some serious dough. According to a survey from the National Retail Federation, the average consumer will spend approximately $126 to ensure that Cupid hit its mark.

This estimate is about an 8.5 percent increase from last year’s spending, putting those claims to rest about how one can’t put a price on love. But after all is said and done and Valentine’s Day is another year away, some of these tokens of love will get damaged, lost or stolen. As you may or may not know that homeowner policies generally cover valuable and precious items such as jewelry, but they usually have limits. So what is the best way you can protect your valuables?

Here’s the simple answer, Valuable items coverage.

Here is a list of items that you should consider obtaining coverage for:

• Jewelry and engagement rings
• Silverware, china and crystal
• Antiques
• Fine Art
• Stamp and coin collections
• Bicycles
• Trophies
• Sound equipment (recorders)
• Sports equipment (archery, camping, fishing, skiing)
• Wedding gifts

• Cameras
• Computers
• Musical instruments
• Golf Equipment
• Furs
• Guns
• Pedigreed dogs
• Garden tractors
• Political campaign collections

Protecting your valuables from loss is an affordable option for anyone with treasured belongings. Whether you just need jewelry insurance or want insurance for multiple valuables, there are plenty of options to choose from. So you can add on and choose the exact coverage you need. Plus, if you purchase more than one policy with a company you can save with a multi-policy discount. Many companies offer this savings to you, so all you have to do is ask.

Hope you had a wonderful Valentine’s Day and Cupid was very good to you!

Here at Donald J. Medeiros Insurance Agency our goal is to try to help our viewers by suggesting solutions for all insurance needs. By no means can we address each reader’s specific concerns in every incident. So, we strongly advise to check with an insurance representative to address your specific needs. However, you can also contact us for any questions or concerns and we will be happy to help you. We can offer a complete line of personal & commercial insurance products for all of Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New Hampshire.

Come visit us at www.donmedeirosinsurance.com or give us a call at 508-678-1271. We look forward to hearing from you! If you have a Facebook account, fan us at http://www.facebook.com/donmedeiros.

Homeowners Insurance: Take an Inventory!

Monday, February 6th, 2012 | How to Protect Yourself | No Comments

Don’t fall victim into thinking that a catastrophe could never happen to you. Statistics indicate that in 2010 there were over 300,000 house fires, resulting in $6.9 billion dollars in property damage. 37% of these house fires originated in the kitchen from a cooking accident being the cause of a fire.

As a precautionary measure, what is your best plan of action?

Besides being careful with your food preparation and having a kitchen fire extinguisher always within reach, do a home inventory. It may be a very tedious task and it’s not on the top of anyone’s agenda of enjoyable things to do. But, if you were to think about all of the possessions you’ve accumulated over the years and if they were destroyed in a house fire, do you think you would be able to remember it all? It’s not just the actual items that you would need to recall, but the approximate date of purchase and value, as well. So, not only would you be dealing with the loss and heartache of a house fire, you will be burdened with the stress of making an inventory AFTER the fact. Having an up-to-date home inventory will help you get your insurance claim settled faster, verify your losses for an income tax return and help you purchase the correct amount of insurance.

Here is what to do to get started.

Don’t put it off! Once you’ve realized the importance of a home inventory, do not delay! If you are just setting up a household, starting an inventory list can be relatively simple. If you’ve been living in the same house for many years, the task will be more complicated. However, it is still better to have an incomplete inventory than nothing at all. A good place to start is with your most recent purchases then proceeding backwards through your older possessions.

Make a detailed list of your possessions. Describe each item and make a note to as where each was purchased and its make and model. Add to your list any sales receipts (make photocopies for they will last longer), purchase contracts and appraisals you may have. For clothing, count and itemize them by category such as pants, coats, shoes, for example. Make notations on items that are especially valuable (such as Chanel, Prada). As for major appliance and electronic equipment, record all of the serial numbers (it can be found either on the back or bottom of the item).

Insure big ticket items separately. Valuable items like jewelry, art work and collectibles usually increase in value from the day you purchase them. It’s a good idea to check with an insurance agent to make sure that you have adequate coverage for these items.

A picture is worth a thousand words. Besides the list, take pictures of all the rooms as well as important individual items within them. On the back of the photo or as a photo file name if saved digitally, note the name of item shown and where you purchased it. Don’t forget any important items that may be in closets or drawers.

Videotape it. Walk through your house or apartment videotaping and describing the contents or do the same thing using a tape recorder.

Use a personal computer. Use your PC to make your inventory list. There are personal finance software packages that often include a homeowner room-by-room inventory program.

Securely store the inventory list, photos and tapes. Regardless of how you record your household items (written list, photos, videotape or audio tape), keep this information along with any receipts and records in a safe deposit box, at a friend’s or relative’s home. This way you’ll be sure to have something to give your insurance representative if your home is ever damaged by fire or even robbed.

Keep your records up to date. Every time you make a significant purchase, add the information to your inventory while the details are fresh in your mind.

Attached we have included a sample of a homeowners inventory checklist that you can download for your use to get your inventory list started. Home Inventory Checklist

Here at Donald J. Medeiros Insurance Agency our goal is to try to help our viewers by suggesting solutions for all insurance needs. By no means can we address each reader’s specific concerns in every incident. So, we strongly advise to check with an insurance representative to address your specific needs. However, you can also contact us for any questions or concerns and we will be happy to help you. We can offer a complete line of personal & commercial insurance products for all of Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New Hampshire.

Come visit us at www.donmedeirosinsurance.com or give us a call at 508-678-1271. We look forward to hearing from you! If you have a Facebook account, fan us at http://www.facebook.com/donmedeiros.

Having a Super Bowl Party? Cheer the Patriots On, Not Your Guests…

Tuesday, January 24th, 2012 | How to Protect Yourself | No Comments

If you’re serving alcohol at your Super Bowl party and one of your guests end up involved in an accident, you could be held responsible.  Many homeowners fail to realize that they can be found legally liable if an intoxicated guest leaves their home and has an auto accident and a third party involved is injured, the party host can be sued, particularly if the drunk driver has little or no insurance.

In preparation for your party, take the time and effort to limit your risks and here’s how.

• Check how much coverage your homeowners’ policy has and if it includes for liability risks, including those for property damage, injuries and alcohol-related risks.
• Understand what you could be liable for under your state’s laws for serving alcohol. In Massachusetts & Rhode Island, party hosts may be liable for injuries caused by an intoxicated guest especially when alcohol was served to the guest that the host either knew or should have known he/she was intoxicated.
• Prepare your bartender. Make them aware to spot impending drunkenness and to immediately stop serving that guest.
• Don’t get drunk yourself. You need to be aware of your guests’ behavior and drunkenness therefore you cannot be impaired yourself in order to do this.
• Serve non-alcoholic beverages and food. Offer your guests virgin frozen concoctions and punches for it may help counter the effects of the booze they are drinking. Also, have plenty carbohydrate snacks available such as crackers and breads for these can slow down the alcohol absorption.
• Don’t allow drinking games. For starters, don’t have a keg and do not allow shot games. If a group begins to formulate one, put an end to it.
• Cut off the serving of alcohol two hours before the end of the game or end of the party.  Switch to coffee, tea and soft drinks. Serve desserts along with the coffee for the added carbs will help the slow the effects of the alcohol consumed.
• Ask guests to pick a designated driver who won’t drink and remind them to wear seat belts when they leave.
• Call cabs, arrange rides or allow people to sleepover if someone doesn’t seem fit to drive. It would be wise to collect car keys ahead of time, but this isn’t always easy to do. So, at the very least, escort each of your guests out as they leave so you can monitor who is fit to drive or not.

Have a safe & enjoyable Super Bowl! Go Pats!!!

Here at Donald J. Medeiros Insurance Agency our goal is to try to help our viewers by suggesting solutions for all insurance needs. By no means can we address each reader’s specific concerns in every incident. So, we strongly advise to check with an insurance representative to address your specific needs. However, you can also contact us for any questions or concerns and we will be happy to help you. We can offer coverage for both Massachusetts and Rhode Island communities.

Come visit us at www.donmedeirosinsurance.com or give us a call at 508-678-1271. We look forward to hearing from you! If you have a Facebook account, fan us at http://www.facebook.com/donmedeiros.

Renters/Apartment Insurance, For As Little As $10 A Month, How Can You Afford NOT To Have It?!?

Tuesday, January 17th, 2012 | How to Protect Yourself | 9 Comments

In the wake of our area’s most recent devastation, three multi-family homes were leveled and numerous families lost everything they owned in the fire. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPREoMuVxT4

As the generous contributions continue to pour in to help rebuild their lives, additionally insurance payouts would have provisioned them with a place to stay, their meals eating out and replacement of their personal property.

Many renters don’t buy renters insurance for they make the mistake thinking their landlord’s insurance will cover their belongings, when it in fact does not. Others feel that renters insurance is too expensive or they don’t believe their belongings are valuable enough to insure. On the contrary, the fact remains that renters insurance is one of the true bargains that insurance companies have to offer. It is a very small price to pay to make sure a renters’ personal property is safe. Consider all you would lose and how much it would cost to replace your furniture, food, clothing, appliances, electronics, etc. Furthermore, renters insurance is often discounted for those who have multiple policies with the same company. If you insure your apartment where your auto insurance is covered, you can save a significant amount of money.

In addition to the personal property protection, renters insurance also covers liability. Consider this, if you have guests in your home and someone slips and falls and is injured, your insurance would pay in the event you are sued. Potentially a lawsuit could run into thousands of dollars when covering for loss of wages, medical bills and pain and suffering. So, not having liability coverage could cost you your life savings.

Whether you rent an apartment, condo or townhouse, consider talking to your agent about Renters Insurance. You can’t put a price on knowing that your covered in the event of a total loss.

Our hearts and prayers go out to the victims and their families of the Fall River Hood Street fire. For more information on where to donate items, check out the Community Support Facebook page for continuous postings. http://www.facebook.com/pages/170-Hood-Street-Fire-Fall-River-MA-Community-Support/277618532298013?ref=ts&sk=wall

Here at Donald J. Medeiros Insurance Agency our goal is to try to help our viewers by suggesting solutions for all insurance needs. By no means can we address each reader’s specific concerns in every incident. So, we strongly advise to check with an insurance representative to address your specific needs. However, you can also contact us for any questions or concerns and we will be happy to help you. We can offer coverage for both Massachusetts and Rhode Island communities.

Come visit us at www.donmedeirosinsurance.com or give us a call at 508-678-1271. We look forward to hearing from you! If you have a Facebook account, fan us at http://www.facebook.com/donmedeiros.

Who Are Better Drivers, Men or Women? What’s your opinion?

Thursday, January 12th, 2012 | Just Some Good Info | 5 Comments

It is official ladies! We rule the road!

A recent study was done by an analytics company called Quality Planning, who gathers statistics for policyholder information. They wanted to determine which gender was the better driver. They ran comparisons using records from traffic violations, accidents and insurance price statistics. The results came back that a whopping 80% of all car accidents that were either fatal or produced serious injuries were caused by male drivers. The study also indicated that women were 27% less likely to cause an auto accident than men. Back in 2007, 6.1 million car accidents were male drivers, while women were only involved in 4.4 million. As for the traffic violations, the males were higher in almost every category. Whether it was reckless driving, failure to yield, seat beat violation or speeding, the men were cited at a much higher ratio. On the more serious side of things, male drivers out-numbered the females 3.08 to 1 ratio for driving under the influence and driving while intoxicated. These statistics all indicate to as why the average policy for a male costs approximately $200 more a year than  the average female.

You can call it testosterone, higher levels of aggression or whatever the case may be, it is quite obvious that women on a national average are better drivers than men. So, next time ladies when a comment is made about “a female driver”, rest assured you’ve got the ammunition to put that person in his place. Who Ha!

Here at Donald J. Medeiros Insurance Agency our goal is to try to help our viewers by suggesting solutions for all insurance needs. By no means can we address each reader’s specific concerns in every incident. So, we strongly advise to check with an insurance representative to address your specific needs. However, you can also contact us for any questions or concerns and we will be happy to help you. We can offer coverage for both Massachusetts and Rhode Island communities.

Come visit us at www.donmedeirosinsurance.com or give us a call at 508-678-1271. We look forward to hearing from you! If you have a Facebook account, fan us at http://www.facebook.com/donmedeiros.

Want To Know Where You Can Save On Your Auto & Home Insurance?

Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 | Ways to Save | 1 Comment

One Answer.. Your local independent insurance agent. Period.

It’s the convenience, the reassurance and the service that will make it all worth your while and here’s why.

• One stop-shopping for competitive rates. Most insurance agencies will have multiple carriers. This will allow them to do competitive ratings on your policies.
• Your time is money. All the shopping for a better price is done for you. An independent agent would price out the coverage you need at the best price they can find between their carriers. All you have to do is pick up the phone and ask.
• Eliminate the guesswork. Trying to figure out the correct amount of coverage needed can be a frustrating experience. An independent agent has the knowledge to advise you correctly.
• Everyone is different. The liability risk in the event of a loss for each individual is different. It all depends on what you have to lose. An agent can take in consideration all of your assets and make a determination what you should have for liability coverage.
• Insurance for multiple types of coverage. Whether it’s a boat, auto, RV, motorcycle or home, to have your policies in one place makes it easily manageable and in most cases, easier on the wallet. An independent agent can offer you a multi-policy discount when combining your auto & home policies.
• It’s not Tinbuktu. A local independent agent is just that, local. It’s only a phone call away and if you have a problem that your insurance carrier cannot resolve with you, you can get in the car and visit an agent for help. That’s what makes them different than the rest. It’s the service which is unsurpassable.
• It may be half the price, but it’s also half the coverage. In most cases, when shopping for a better price, if it’s half the price of what you paid, it’s probably only 6 months of coverage. Read the small print. Who wants to have a policy renewing every 6 months?!?
• Everyone knows your name. The State Farm commercial said it best. That is what an independent agent is all about, the personal rapport with the customers. Being able to put a face or voice with the name, whether at the agency, a phone call or just passing by on the street.
• Circumstance forgiveness. An independent agent has a rapport with their carriers and if a circumstance occurred that a customer was late paying a bill and the policy went into cancellation before the payment arrived, in some cases an agent may be able to obtain a one-time forgiveness from the carrier and the policy would be reinstated without a penalty.
• Free personal insurance advice all the time. It may not cost anything to pick up the phone and call any XYZ insurance company, but consider what it may cost you in time and effort in order to reach an actual PERSON. An independent agent is only a phone call away and better yet to go stop in and visit personally for all your questions and insurance needs.

Here at Donald J. Medeiros Insurance Agency our goal is to try to help our viewers by suggesting solutions for all insurance needs. By no means can we address each reader’s specific concerns in every incident. So, we strongly advise to check with an insurance representative to address your specific needs. However, you can also contact us for any questions or concerns and we will be happy to help you. We can offer coverage for both Massachusetts and Rhode Island communities.

Come visit us at www.donmedeirosinsurance.com or give us a call at 508-678-1271. We look forward to hearing from you! If you have a Facebook account, fan us at http://www.facebook.com/donmedeiros.

Snowmobile Insurance; Get It Before The Snow Really Flies!

Thursday, December 29th, 2011 | How to Protect Yourself | No Comments

Where’s The Snow?!? Many folks from snowmobile associations across New England are asking that very question. It’s almost January and the trails have very little if any snow cover on them. However, since the holiday season is almost over, there is some extra time to focus on their final preparation.

Besides getting the machines ready and planning your routes, you may want to add to your checklist to ask your insurance agent about having the proper insurance coverage.

Just so you know a good policy will provide you with a set amount of coverage for optional equipment such as windshield, seats and running boards which is included with your comprehensive coverage. There is also a consideration for the damage of safety apparel such as helmets, gloves, boots and any other clothing that is designed to minimize injury. Also, discuss with your agent about liability coverage; this is important in the event that you are found responsible for someone else’s injury while driving your snowmobile. Attorney fees and other litigious costs can increase substantially, so having higher limits is definitely a plus. A general rule of thumb is that most folks will match the limits that they have on their auto policy. Lastly, don’t forget to ask if you qualify for a multi-policy discount. If you insure more than just your snowmobile with the same company, you may be able to receive a discount on your insurance. Every little bit helps.

Now that you’ve taken care of your checklist and are about to head out to the trails, here is some good advice to remember:

• Know the rules of the trails.
• Gear up properly. Always wear a helmet, warm gloves, a windproof outer layer and winter boots.
• Take a friend. Never snowmobile alone and stick together.
• Be prepared. Take along spark plugs, belt and tools for basic repairs. Have a first aid kit, flashlight, extra batteries, food and water.
• Maintain control. Do not be impaired by any drugs or alcohol.
• Know the weather. Be aware of the weather conditions for the duration of the ride.
• Tell a friend. Let friends and family know your destination, timeframe and expected time of arrival or return. Stick to the predetermined trail route.
• Charge your cellphone and take an emergency handheld radio.

Happy riding and pray for snow!

Here at Donald J. Medeiros Insurance Agency our goal is to try to help our viewers by suggesting solutions for all insurance needs. By no means can we address each reader’s specific concerns in every incident. So, we strongly advise to check with an insurance representative to address your specific needs. However, you can also contact us for any questions or concerns and we will be happy to help you. We can offer coverage for both Massachusetts and Rhode Island communities.

Come visit us at www.donmedeirosinsurance.com or give us a call at 508-678-1271. We look forward to hearing from you! If you have a Facebook account, fan us at http://www.facebook.com/donmedeiros.

Now That Christmas Is Over…

Thursday, December 29th, 2011 | How to Protect Yourself | No Comments

If you have a fresh cut tree just because the Christmas holiday is over doesn’t mean that you should stop maintaining it. If you choose to leave your tree up until the New Year you need to keep watering it frequently to reduce the chance that its needles will dry our and pose a fire hazard.

A Christmas tree fire isn’t a frequent occurrence, but when it does occur, it is more deadly than a typical house fire. According to NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) one of every 18 Christmas tree fires causes a fatality for the fire spreads well beyond the room where the fire begins 33 percent of the time. The tree provides an unusually large amount of fuel making the fire increase in seconds therefore leaving very little time for the occupants to get out of the house. This is especially true if the fire occurs when they are sleeping.

The NFPA recommends:

• Do not put a tree near a heat source (radiator, fireplace or heater).
• Keeping trees well-watered.
• Turning off tree lights before leaving the home or going to bed.
• Replacing lights that have worn cords or loose bulb connections.
• Getting rid of trees when they are dry.
  • To test tree for dryness, shake the tree from its trunk and if a good amount of needles fall, it is too dry to keep and can be a potential fire hazard.

Did you know that if you water a tree that it is practically impossible to ignite? Check out the following video from NFPA that demonstrates a dried out tree and a regularly watered one, how they ignite.

Please note: Take this opportunity to review your homeowners insurance to make sure you have the proper replacement cost and contents coverage in the event of a house fire.

Here at Donald J. Medeiros Insurance Agency our goal is to try to help our viewers by suggesting solutions for all insurance needs. By no means can we address each reader’s specific concerns in every incident. So, we strongly advise to check with an insurance representative to address your specific needs. However, you can also contact us for any questions or concerns and we will be happy to help you. We can offer coverage for both Massachusetts and Rhode Island communities.

Come visit us at www.donmedeirosinsurance.com or give us a call at 508-678-1271. We look forward to hearing from you! If you have a Facebook account, fan us at http://www.facebook.com/donmedeiros.

The Changing Tides for Insuring Coastal Communities

Wednesday, December 14th, 2011 | How to Protect Yourself | 2 Comments

Back in 1969, the first coastal pool (Fair Plan) was created following Hurricane Camille. The idea was to provide insurance coverage for areas that were particularly vulnerable to windstorm losses.  It allowed insurance companies to write a policy “ex-wind” and have the pool write a “wind only” or a “wind/hail” policy for designated coastal areas.

Fair Plan’s coverage in coastal areas has ballooned as insurance companies pulled out from the wake of the September 11^th terrorist attacks as well as Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Fair Plan’s rates have  increased almost 25 percent for Cape Cod and the islands and it’s because of what the company says is a higher risk of damage from hurricanes. In Fair Plan’s defense, their role was not to serve as a primary insurer for these communities, but because of the lack of insurers available, they ended up being just that.

There are consumer groups that have argued for years that even though Cape Cod and Boston’s South Shore are coastal communities, they are not at a great risk to storm damage. Nonetheless, these towns have suffered from the rate hikes and the increased caution by insurers after the hurricanes that hit the Gulf Coast.

The good news now for coastal communities is that insurance agents, including Donald J. Medeiros Insurance Agency, are obtaining more companies that are offering to provide coverage to homeowners who have, by default, ended up in the Fair Plan but are relatively low risks and could be eligible for private insurance. Those qualifying homeowners may see prices 10 to 40 percent below the average Fair  Plan premium. These insurers are effectively doing business based on the same argument of risk and will rate each house individually to determine whether they are willing to cover the house rather than issue a blanket decree about denying coverage based on the geographical area. There are detailed measures that are used such as how far the structure is located from the shore, how high it sits above sea level, how well it’s constructed and whether it has year-round or summer-only residents. The insurers, as well as the agents, are hopeful to relieve the financial pressures from Fair Plan and therefore result in lower premiums for the coastal community homeowners.

Here at Donald J. Medeiros Insurance Agency our goal is to try to help our viewers by suggesting solutions for all insurance needs. By no means can we address each reader’s specific concerns in every incident. So, we strongly advise to check with an insurance representative to address your specific needs. However, you can also contact us for any questions or concerns and we will be happy to help you. We can offer coverage for both Massachusetts and Rhode Island communities.

Come visit us at www.donmedeirosinsurance.com or give us a call at 508-678-1271. We look forward to hearing from you! If you have a Facebook account, fan us at http://www.facebook.com/donmedeiros.

Donald J. Medeiros Insurance Agency Christmas Holiday Trivia Contest

Tuesday, December 13th, 2011 | Some Fun Things Here at Our Agency | 3 Comments

Trivia Question: “What was the original Christmas Day called and what was the date it was celebrated on?”

To enter the contest, come and visit our facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/donmedeiros become a fan and submit your answer in by December 22nd, 2011.

All correct entries will be put in a drawing box and one lucky winner will be chosen to win a $25 gift certificate, just in time for the holidays! We will post the winner’s name on our page by noontime on December 22nd.

Good luck!

Have a safe and happy holiday season!