By berryinsurance on June 3, 2011
It’s hard to believe that I came home last night to this beautiful rainbow in the sky, especially after the devastating tornado activity we had in Massachusetts a few days ago!
As families and businesses continue the cleanup and rebuilding process, it’s hard to think that this could happen to us again. But unfortunately, it just might. And if you were like me, when the tornado came knocking, I wasn’t ready to answer the door. (You can read all about my experience when the severe tornado weather hit Massachusetts).
So before another storm strikes, it’s time to get prepared! Here are a few tips (this list is definitely not exhaustive) to help you create your disaster plan:
- As you’re watching the news reports of the devastation and damages in Massachusetts, make a list of all the things that could have happened to you, or maybe even did happen to you, during the storm. For example, did your power go out? What would you do if your car was damaged? Where would you go if you lost your home?
- Once you’ve exhausted your list of “what ifs”, start to brainstorm solutions. Be sure to get your whole family involved!
- Contact local and government officials to find out what kind of alert systems are available in your region. And be sure to post emergency phone numbers in a place where everyone can find them.
- Make sure all your loved ones are accounted for. Don’t assume that your family will be together at the moment a disaster strikes. Be sure to talk with your workplace, daycare centers, etc. to incorporate their plans with your own.
- Don’t forget about your non-human loved ones! News reports have been coming in about all the pets left homeless or abandoned as a result of the disaster. Make sure you outline how you will protect your pets.
- Create an emergency supplies kit. First aid kits are great, but you may want to take it one step further by adding in blankets, spare clothes, flashlights, snacks, water, etc. And don’t forget to keep a kit in your car too!
- Create an evacuation plan. Sometimes staying put isn’t the best idea!
- Create a home inventory and keep it in a safe or secured location. This will help you with any insurance claims you may need to file. It’s also a good idea to make copies of vital documents, insurance policies and credit cards to keep in the safe as well.
- Review your plan annually. Be sure to update it and incorporate any changes in your life.
Some additional resources to check out:
Good luck! And if you have any tips or suggestions, please comment below. We’d love to hear them and share them with the community!
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For more information about this topic, or to get some answers about your current Massachusetts home insurance situation, please visit our virtual insurance agency at www.berryinsurance.com, stop by one of our two locations, or give us a call at (800) 941-3317.
You can also find us on all your favorite social networking sites!
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Posted in All Posts, Auto, Business, Flood Insurance, Homeowners, Personal Protection Tagged berry insurance, disaster planning, emergency preparedness, family disaster plan, FEMA, filing an insurance claim, franklin insurance, home inventory, insurance claim process, insurance franklin ma, ma home insurance, Ma Insurance, Mass Home Insurance, mass property insurance, massachusetts home insurance, massachusetts homeowners insurance, Massachusetts insurance agencies, massachusetts insurance companies, Massachusetts tornado, MEMA, Monson MA, Red Cross, Southbridge MA, Springfield MA, Sturbridge MA
By berryinsurance on June 2, 2011
The reports keep coming in on the devastation yesterday’s tornadoes caused Massachusetts and surrounding areas. Our thoughts go out to all those affected, especially in the hardest hit areas around Springfield, Monson and Sturbridge.
If you were affected by the storm, here are a few tips to help you get back on track and get your insurance claim process started:
- First things first – check on your family, friends, loved ones and pets to make sure all are accounted for and safe.
- Take notes and pictures to document your damages. The more detailed these are, the faster your claims process will be.
- Take steps to prevent any further damage to your property. Start to make any immediate and necessary repairs. If you do so, be sure to keep receipts to include in your claim. If repairs aren’t needed immediately, you should contact professionals and obtain estimates of damages and costs to repair.
- If you don’t already have one, start a home inventory. Try to be as detailed as possible.
- Call your insurance agent to start the claims process. Your insurance agent can assist you with filing your claim and can advise on what will be covered.
- If able, help your neighbors. The areas hardest hit are in need of volunteers. Talk to your local and government officials to see if there is anything you can do to lend a hand.
Even if you weren’t affected by the storm, we encourage you to contact your Massachusetts insurance company to discuss your homeowners and auto insurance policies. Now is the best time to review your coverages and make sure you’re protected should another storm system head our way. Proper insurance coverage can give you peace of mind should another devastating event happen.
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For more information about this topic, or to get some answers about your current Massachusetts home insurance situation, please visit our virtual insurance agency at www.berryinsurance.com, stop by one of our two locations, or give us a call at (800) 941-3317.
You can also find us on all your favorite social networking sites!
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Posted in All Posts, Auto, Business, Flood Insurance, Homeowners, Personal Protection Tagged berry insurance, filing an insurance claim, franklin insurance, home inventory, insurance claim process, insurance franklin ma, ma home insurance, Ma Insurance, Mass Home Insurance, mass property insurance, massachusetts home insurance, massachusetts homeowners insurance, Massachusetts insurance agencies, massachusetts insurance companies, Massachusetts tornado, Monson MA, Southbridge MA, Springfield MA, Sturbridge MA
By berryinsurance on June 2, 2011
Interactive Radar - WHDH.com
Today is June 1st – the first day of hurricane/tornado season. And I know we’ve had watches and warnings, but I can’t say I ever remember a tornado like this hitting Massachusetts. So when I came home at quarter to five tonight to messages on my answering machine about the impending tornado coming my way, I was in shock.
My husband was also on his way home, so within a few minutes we were packing up supplies and grabbed our son and two cats and headed to hunker down in the basement. Luckily, our power stayed on so we managed to stream WHDH.com, Channel 7 News, on our laptop. As we sat and watched multiple tornados strike towns across the state, I started making a mental note of if we had everything we’d need….baby clothes, food and supplies…check…snacks, water and a flashlight…check….laptop and phones…check…clothes for us, shoes and my eye glasses…oops. So, apparently our disaster plan wasn’t as well thought out as it should be.
Pete Bouchard’s forecast showed tornado activity hitting my town twice during the evening. So then I moved on to thinking about what would happen if we were hit and what my insurance would cover. If the power went out and the food in my refrigerator spoiled, would that be covered? Or what if my basement flooded from the rain? Or what if a power surge destroyed my electronics? And as a condo unit owner, what exactly am I responsible for insuring and what is my master condo association responsible for?
Well, thankfully we made it through the storm with no damage. And my 4 month old son slept through most of it too! We hope everyone made it out ok and our thoughts go out to those who were affected by the storm. If you weren’t one of the lucky ones, or even if you were thinking the same thoughts that I was, give Berry Insurance a call. We’re here to help you through the claims process and can answer your questions to make sure you’re properly covered before the next storm!
We’d also love to hear from you on your experiences during this wild weather. Feel free to comment below. And please, Stay safe!
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For more information about this topic, or to get some answers about your current Massachusetts home insurance situation, please visit our virtual insurance agency at http://www.berryinsurance.com, stop by one of our two locations, or give us a call at (800) 941-3317.
You can also find us on all your favorite social networking sites!
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Posted in All Posts, Flood Insurance, Homeowners, Personal Protection Tagged basement flooding, berry insurance, disaster plan, franklin insurance, insurance franklin ma, ma home insurance, Ma Insurance, Mass Home Insurance, mass property insurance, massachusetts home insurance, massachusetts homeowners insurance, Massachusetts insurance agencies, massachusetts insurance companies, Massachusetts state of emergency, Massachusetts tornado warning, Massachusetts tornado watch, Pete Bouchard, tornado, WHDH, wild weather
By berryinsurance on May 5, 2011
We understand that for most people, Insurance is one of those necessary evils in life. You need it to protect your belongings and loved ones, but it can often be one of the most complicated purchases you’ll make. At Berry Insurance, we try not to make buying your Massachusetts homeowners insurance policy a drag! So, we want to let you in on a little secret….we can help you save money! Here’s a look at some of the common (and not so commonly known) discounts available to you when purchasing your home insurance policy.
- Have you made any updates? If your systems are out of date, you may not quality for quotes from all the insurance companies available, meaning you may be paying more than you should. If you’ve updated your wiring, roof, heating or electrical systems, you may be eligible for quotes from other carriers which could give you a savings on your policy.
- Have you filed any previous claims? Unfortunately accidents happen which sometimes results in having to file a homeowners insurance claim. But if you’ve been claim free you will often be able to obtain a better quote. Filed a claim? That’s ok, every year you go without a claim will help you. Be sure to check with your insurance agent annually to see if your renewal policy will qualify for better pricing.
- Do you smoke? If the answer is no, then you may be eligible for a small credit on your policy. Let’s face it, where there’s smoke, there’s fire. So insurance companies will often offer a discount for smoke-free households.
- Are you a mature insured? Some companies will give discounts based on your age, typically for those insureds over the age of 65.
- Is your home secure? If you have a security system in place in your home, you may qualify for additional credits.
- Do you wish to receive electronic communications? Most companies are pushing clients to “Go Green”. By receiving your policy documents electronically, you help save the environment and you get a discount on your policy!
- How many years have you lived in your home? Some companies offer discounts based on how long you’ve lived in your home or even in your town.
- Do you wish to pay your bills electronically? By enrolling in automatic withdrawals from your bank account, your insurance company will typically waive your billing installment fees, which can often mean a savings of $50-$100 annually.
- Are you placing all your insurance with one company? Most insurance companies offer significant discounts when you insure your autos and your home with them. Even more discounts can be found if you also have a personal umbrella policy!
- How old is your home? Many companies offer discounts for newer homes, typically build within the last 20 years.
- What’s your score? Credit score that is. The better your score, the better pricing you’ll be offered.
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For more information about this topic, or to get some answers about your current Massachusetts home insurance situation, please visit our virtual insurance agency at www.berryinsurance.com, stop by one of our two locations, or give us a call at (800) 941-3317.
You can also find us on all your favorite social networking sites!
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Posted in All Posts, Homeowners, Personal Protection Tagged berry insurance, franklin insurance, go green, insurance discounts, insurance franklin ma, insurance savings, ma home insurance, Ma Insurance, Mass Home Insurance, mass property insurance, massachusetts home insurance, massachusetts homeowners insurance, Massachusetts insurance agencies, massachusetts insurance companies
By berryinsurance on April 12, 2011
Do you really own your home?
It’s no surprise…the housing market is still in a state of despair. Unfortunately for some Massachusetts homeowners who find themselves underwater, this means the threat of foreclosure. For others, a foreclosure can mean the opportunity to buy their dream home at a significantly discounted price. Or, can it?
In January of this year, the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts made a unanimous ruling to invalidate two foreclosures that happened back in 2007 in the state. The court ruled that the lenders had failed to provide legal documentation proving the lender had actual title to the home. What happened? Well, as you may know from personal experience, when an individual takes out a mortgage loan, that loan is often sold to other lenders over the course of its life. But if the title isn’t accurately assigned during that process with the Registry of Deeds, the question of who actual owns the property comes into play.
The recent rulings by the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts are sure to affect foreclosure proceedings in the state going forward. Foreclosure rates will decline as banks must now take the time to carefully verify that they indeed own the mortgage for the property they are trying to foreclose.
The upshot? The delay in proceedings may help give the homeowner a chance to get their home back. But what about the people who have bought their home out of foreclosure? Unfortunately, it means that they may not actually have clear title to their new home.
According to the January 28th edition of The Week magazine, a random sample of 30 foreclosed properties in Massachusetts revealed that 10 properties had “chain-of-custody” concerns. Don’t panic yet. If you purchased a title insurance policy on the property, your company may be willing to insure the problem. And if you bought your new home out of foreclosure, this doesn’t necessarily mean that the foreclosure will be overturned. But it does beg the question, “Do you really own your home?”
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For more information about this topic, or to get some answers about your current insurance situation, please visit our virtual insurance agency at www.berryinsurance.com, stop by one of our two locations, or give us a call at (800) 941-3317.
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Posted in All Posts, Homeowners, Personal Protection Tagged berry insurance, foreclosure process, insurance franklin ma, invalid foreclosure, mass property insurance, Massachusetts foreclosure, massachusetts homeowners insurance, Massachusetts housing market, Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts, title insurance
By berryinsurance on April 11, 2011
With all the extreme weather conditions lately, you’ll want to understand your homeowners’ insurance policy and exactly what it covers, as well as, what’s excluded. Nobody wants to find out after a loss that they are not fully covered, or even worse, not covered at all for the damages incurred. One of the first concepts taught in insurance school is, insurance is not meant to make you rich, or any better off than you were initially for that matter; insurance is only meant to place the insured back in the exact same financial position.
But, depending upon the coverage you elect, your policy might not make you financially whole again in the case of a loss. As an insurance professional, I realize that insurance is a complicated matter; policies are difficult to understand and a shortage in coverage could be devastating, as well as, irreversible. That’s the reason it’s best to have an insurance agent to discuss all coverage’s and explain what they entail. Understanding your insurance policy fully, allows for recognizing gaps in your coverage before a loss is financially devastating.
Two vital words within an insurance policy are replacement cost, and actual cash value; these communicate how a payout would be calculated in the event of a loss. Policies written on a replacement cost basis do not take depreciation into account; the item that was destroyed will be replaced. So for example, if my house thirty year old home were to burn to the ground, and my homeowners insurance policy paid on a replacement cost basis, my home would be rebuilt (even though I built it thirty years ago, it might have been less expensive). Actual cash value policies consider depreciation; your destroyed property will not simply be replaced. Actual cash value pays the amount the item is worth at the time of the loss; depreciation is deducted. Using the same example as above, if my home burnt to the ground, I’d have to subtract thirty years of depreciation, the payout is not nearly the same.
For more information about this topic, or to get some answers about your current insurance situation, please visit our virtual insurance agency at www.berryinsurance.com, stop by one of our two locations, or give us a call at (800) 941-3317.
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Posted in All Posts, Homeowners, Misc, Personal Protection, Uncategorized Tagged berry insurance blog, Berry Insurance Franklin, berry insurance franklin ma, home insurance franklin ma, home insurance medway ma, home insurance quincy ma, home insurance wrentham ma, insurance actual cash value, insurance agent quincy ma, insurance agents quincy, insurance replacement cost, ma, personal insurance agent franklin ma, personal insurance agent medway ma, personal insurance agent quincy ma, personal insurance agent wrentham ma
By berryinsurance on March 21, 2011
If your family is anything like mine, the dog is part of the family! Unfortunately this can complicate your homeowners’ insurance situation depending upon the breed of your family dog. Some insurance companies are wary of insuring homes with specific dog-breeds because of the insured’s strict liability. Any damage caused by your pet is considered your personal responsibility, which can become very costly. With dog bites accounting for about one-third of all homeowners’ claims companies must protect themselves.
Although at first there was disagreement, the insurance company excluding various dog breeds under the policy is perfectly legal. Any company can exclude specific things on a policy; it is the responsibility of the insured to fully read through and understand the terms. Today, there is a standard list of the dog breeds that will likely not be covered under the Massachusetts homeowners’ policy (although some companies do not exclude any dog breeds under their homeowners’ coverage).
The breeds include, Akita, American Bulldog, Bullmastiff, Dalmatian, German Shepherd, Great Dane, Pit Bull, Rottweiler, Staffordshire Terrier, and Wolf Hybrids. Also, any dog with a mix of any of these breeds would be considered ‘on the list’.
With $9.6 billion per year paid due dog attacks, it’s easy to see why this could be a crippling expense for some insurance companies. Different companies and states have different regulations; so the best way to determine about your specific situation, is to contact your local independent insurance agent. Although notifying your insurance company may lead to having a higher premium, or cancelation by your company, disclosure is necessary.
Not notifying the insurance company of a dog’s breed will only lead to more troubles for the insured; claims may not be paid if information is not disclosed. By not telling the full truth to the insurance agent, the insured will consequently nullify their policy, even if the claim has NOTHING to do with the dog. So it’s best to be honest, and find coverage that works for you; for the right premium coverage is usually available.
For more information about this topic, or to get some answers about your current insurance situation, please visit our virtual insurance agency at www.berryinsurance.com, stop by one of our two locations, or give us a call at (800) 941-3317.
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Posted in All Posts, Happy Clients, Homeowners, Misc, Personal Protection, Uncategorized Tagged berry insurance, berry insurance franklin ma, dog breeds affect insurance rates, dog friendly home insurance, dog list for insurance MA, ma homeowners insurance, massachusetts homeowners insurance
By berryinsurance on March 8, 2011
Flooding is a very serious issue for homeowners, mainly because of the extent of damage caused by water. Understanding the repercussions of flooding and the potential damage it can cause, allows homeowners to plan accordingly for these disasters, as well as make better decisions following the damage. Flood insurance is offered nationwide by agents, this is the ONLY insurance policy that can help with the financial burdens caused by a flood. Flooding is excluded in all other policies.
So your home has been hit by flooding, now what? Hopefully you have flood insurance to cover the financial loss, either way; a few things should be known by all homeowners. Water causes structural damage to houses, so depending upon the severity of flooding; a professional should be consulted before entering the damaged property. After the property is deemed to be safe, next thoughts are about the ‘stuff’ inside. Throw away any foods that have come in contact with flood waters, many other items besides food may also need to be discarded.
Is the property covered by a flood insurance policy? If so, it’s important that pictures are taken of the damaged property before any clean-up is done. This is important because when filing a claim, the company will require proof of the damage. Pictures are great, but a list highlighting lost and damaged items should be kept. This list should include the age and value of items to make things clearer for the insurance company when reimbursement time comes.
Reality is that not everyone thinks ahead and invests in flood insurance. This leaves homeowners left to clean-up the property themselves and make the best of what is left. Clean-up is often difficult because after the interior of a home has been flooded, mold quickly begins to grow, leading to greater problems for the homeowner. Mold is very difficult to clean, and usually requires professional services to avoid further complications.
Complete drying of any flooded property should take place as soon as possible. Often dehumidifiers are used for this job; air conditioners can help the process along until a dehumidifier can be located. As the drying out process progresses further, it will become more obvious as to the permanent damage that has been caused. With or without flood insurance, the flooding of your home will likely be a nightmare, at least with the policy you’ll be financially reimbursed for the loss to bring the property back to life. For further information visit FloodSmart.gov.
For more information about this topic, or to get some answers about your current insurance situation, please visit our virtual insurance agency at www.berryinsurance.com, stop by one of our two locations, or give us a call at (800) 941-3317.
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Posted in All Posts, Flood Insurance, Homeowners, Misc, Personal Protection Tagged berry insurance, berry insurance franklin ma, berry insurance quincy ma, floodsmart.gov, franklin ma home insurance, home flooding, massachusetts business insurance, Massachusetts Flood Insurance, wrentham massachusetts home insurance
By berryinsurance on February 9, 2011
So it’s almost Valentine’s Day, and the snow is finally beginning to melt. As the snow melts away, large puddles are formed that have nowhere to go. This is because of the blocked drainage systems due to accumulated snow from the past months. The dangerous combination causes flooding and water damage to homes and businesses.
So, if there is flooding in your neighborhood are you covered under your homeowner’s policy? Since flooding is an excluded loss on almost all homeowners’ policies, I’d be willing to bet your not covered. Although flooding is not covered under your homeowners policy, a separate policy can be purchased to cover losses such as this one.
The policy that you’ll need to purchase is for Flood Insurance, which is backed by The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) under The National Flood Insurance Program. Flood coverage will aid insured’s in the event of a flood; which is defined as, water from outside your home coming in that you did not allow, which causes damage.
Flood policies usually cover your home, and permanent fixtures within your home, your contents, or ‘stuff’, as well as, reimbursement for clean-up of any damage that were caused by the flooding. Coverage is provided for any additional expenses incurred to minimize damage to your property during the flood. So what isn’t covered? Do you have a finished basement? A flood policy will almost never cover your basement area, the insurance company does not care how beautiful your finished basement is, and the damage will not be covered. Think your home isn’t in an area that’s vulnerable to flooding? Think again, twenty-five percent of all ‘floods’ occur in low to moderate risk areas.
For more information about this topic, or to get some answers about your current insurance situation, please visit our virtual insurance agency at www.berryinsurance.com, stop by one of our two locations, or give us a call at (800) 941-3317.
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Posted in All Posts, Business, Flood Insurance, Holiday Exposures, Homeowners, Misc, Personal Protection, Uncategorized Tagged Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, flood in finished basement, Flood Insurance, Flood Insurance Policy, massachusetts auto insurance, Massachusetts Flood Insurance, Massachusetts flooding, National Flood Insurance Program, puddles, rhode island flood insurance, Whats a flood, whats covered under flood insurance
By berryinsurance on November 24, 2010
Everyone hopes for a peaceful holiday season, but we never know what might happen. That’s what insurance is for…planning for what you cannot plan for! So how are you feeling as the holiday season approaches – covered or exposed? Are you looking at the big picture, and doing what’s possible to protect yourself and your assets?
For instance, where are you having Thanksgiving dinner this year? Is it at your house? If so, this means an increase in potential homeowner’s exposures for you. For example, if someone were to slip and fall, or hurt themselves on your property, do you have adequate personal liability coverage? And how large is your Thanksgiving gathering? Depending on the answers, you may also want to consider a personal umbrella insurance policy.
Maybe you’ve had a few requests for a deep fried turkey this year! Serving deep fried turkey has become a popular menu item this year, but are you taking the necessary precautions? Even if the turkey is deep fried outdoors, you can still put yourself at risk. What if the back deck catches on fire or someone is burned by the hot grease? Are you sure you are adequately covered under your homeowner’s insurance policy?
Even if you make it through Thanksgiving Day without incident, don’t forget, there is always Black Friday shopping! With all the great deals and early store openings, often the last thing on a consumers mind is how their driving is. With all the tired Mom’s and Dad’s, along with all the crazy shoppers, now is the best time to consider how your auto insurance coverages stack up.
And lastly, don’t forget about Cyber Monday! This glorious day offers special deals and promotions available only online, accessible through the comfort of your home. But buyers beware! Make sure you shop at only reputable sites. Purchasing gifts online could increase your potential to identity theft. What would happen if your credit card or personal identity was stolen? And do you have coverage for the costs it will take to recapture your life?
So before Thanksgiving Day arrives, be sure to check with your Berry Insurance Account Manager to review your coverages and exclusions on all your insurance policies. We’ll make sure you’re properly protected this holiday season!
Gobble Gobble! Happy Thanksgiving to all!
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For more information about this topic, or if you have any questions about our Partners Program or any of your Massachusetts insurance needs, our agents at Berry Insurance would love to help! Call us at (800) 941-3317 begin_of_the_skype_highlightingend_of_the_skype_highlighting, visit our virtual insurance office at http://www.berryinsurance.com/ or stop by one of our locations in Franklin and Quincy, MA.
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Posted in All Posts, Holiday Exposures, Homeowners, Misc, Personal Protection, Uncategorized Tagged berry insurance, berry insurance agency, Berry Insurance agency franklin ma, berry insurance franklin ma, berry insurance quincy ma, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, deep fried turkey, homeowners insurance in massachusetts, personal umbrella, thanksgiving concerns, Thanksgiving Day, Thanksgiving Exposures, thanksgiving facts, Thanksgiving Hazards, thanksgiving problems, thanksgiving risk
It’s hard to believe that I came home last night to this beautiful rainbow in the sky, especially after the devastating tornado activity we had in Massachusetts a few days ago!
