Well if the summer turns out to be anything like the spring, we’re not out of the clear yet! With hurricane/tropical storm season starting June 1st, New England is bound to get our share of heavy rains in these next few months. And even if we manage to avoid the big storms, cold fronts containing strong thunderstorms (like we had last night), can release inches of water in a few short hours.
And as we all experienced, where there is rain, there may be flooding. Not in a flood zone? Unfortunately, you may still get hit. FEMA reports that at least 25-30% of ALL flood insurance claims come from low to moderate risk areas. So before you get hit with the next big one, be sure to give us a call at (800) 941-3317 to discuss flood insurance. Flood insurance is run through a federal insurance program, requiring homeowners to wait 30 days after applying until the policy is issued. So don’t delay!
Need more incentive to get your policy today? After all the flooding we had in late March/early April, FEMA is now in a process of remapping certain counties in Massachusetts. This means that if you aren’t in a flood zone now, you may be very soon.
Why is that important? Well, the lower-risk flood zone areas are the areas which can obtain the cheapest flood insurance policies. If you live in a moderate or high-risk zone, the cost for the policy will be much greater.
There’s one caveat though that helps you. If you purchase a policy today, and then your zone changes tomorrow, you will be grandfathered in at the lower zone. This means you’re basically purchasing your policy ON SALE!!!
So give us a call today at (800) 941-3317 or visit us online at www.berryinsurance.com to request your FREE flood insurance quote. We’ll also let you know if (and when) your town will be re-zoned so you can get your flood insurance policy ON SALE today!
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 locations, or give us a call at (800) 941-3317.
Last night was one for the record books. ABC captivated audiences in 2004 when LOST premiered. The show forced us to keep watching with every twist and turn it took. Polar bears? Dharma? Others? Smoke-monster? Flash-sideways? How could you not keep watching?
All the while, every episode left us asking more questions, living up to its name by making viewers even more ‘lost’ than before. After 6 years of questions and watching alternate realities play out, the world was ready for the culmination of LOST in last night’s finale.
The suspense was thrilling! On the island, Jack planned to take down Locke/Man in Black/Smoke Monster, but not before sealing Hurley’s fate as the next keeper of the island. Back on the mainland, in our alternate reality (or so we thought), all of the original survivors were making connections….remembering what happened….and agreeing to meet up. Back to the island….Locke is destroyed (or is he?) and Lapidus gets the plane to take off safely. Back again to the survivors all meeting in a church….and then, the final 10 minutes of the show……
Well, for those of you who haven’t seen it, I won’t spoil it for you. I will say it left me scratching my head in wonder as I was even more lost than before.
So many questions…so many choices…so very confusing…watching Lost is almost like buying insurance! One thing is for sure, at Berry Insurance, we won’t leave you with unanswered questions. And we certainly won’t drag out the process for 6 years! We’re here to help you find the right policy with the right coverages at the right price. And we’ll make it as simple as possible. Whether you’re in need of homeowners insurance, auto insurance, renters insurance, life insurance, or anything else, we’ll help you tailor the right policy to fit your needs. Give us a call at (800) 941-3317! (Now isn’t that better than a magnetic force causing you to crash on a remote island? JJ Abrams eat your heart out!)
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 locations, or give us a call at (800) 941-3317.
Massachusetts has a new law to address oil leaks from home heating systems (see Chapter 453 of the Acts of 2008). This law has two major provisions that require:
the installation of either an oil safety valve or an oil supply line with protective sleeve on systems that do not currently have these devices; and
insurance companies that write homeowner policies to offer coverage for leaks from heating systems that use oil.
Most homeowner policies do not include such coverage, leaving many to pay for costly cleanups out of their own pocket. Although it is mandatory that insurance companies offer this coverage, the coverage is an optional purchase for homeowners, and is NOT automatically included on a standard homeowners policy.
The effective date for both provisions is July 1, 2010. A list of licensed technicians to get you in compliance can be viewed at http://db.state.ma.us/dps/licenseelist.asp.
Insurance carriers are presently filing for this new insurance coverage as we speak to be ready for the July 1st deadline. To find out more about the coverages available to purchase, please call your account manager at Berry Insurance at (800) 941-3317!
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 locations, or give us a call at (800) 941-3317.
We love making our clients happy! And here’s another testimonial from one our happy clients!
“Back in March 2010 during that “freak” rainstorm, both of my condo skylights started leaking into my condo. I contacted my agent, Nancy at Berry Insurance, who immediately contacted Commerce Insurance. Commerce immediately got in touch with me, and an adjuster called me to set up a time to see the damage. He came out (on time) and informed me that the Condo Association should be responsible for them.
I then contacted the Condo Association, and we proceeded to go back and forth for weeks. Ultimately, they refused to pay for anything, saying that the skylights were considered windows and the ceiling was my responsibility.
I then contacted Nancy at Berry, and she in turn contacted Commerce. I e-mailed them both copies of the Condo Bylaws, the Certificate of Insurance, and the denial letter from the Condo Association. Commerce immediately contacted me and asked for a copy of the bills for the skylights, labor, and painting.
The skylights were finally put in on April 21st. On April 22nd, I e-mailed the copies of the bills to both Nancy at Berry and Commerce. Commerce called me that evening and we went over everything. The very next morning, April 22nd, I had an e-mail from them approving everything. I received the check on April 24th (hard to believe).
I cannot say enough about Berry Insurance and Commerce Insurance. I have both my automobile and homeowner’s policies with you. I also referred a close friend to you who now has his automobile and homeowner’s insurance with you.
I have dealt with Nancy at Berry a number of times and cannot praise her enough. I would recommend Berry Insurance (and Commerce Insurance) to anyone.”
Sincerely,
L. Gerstel (Quincy, MA)
Dated: 4/28/2010
Thanks for your kind words! We’re so glad we could help!
Great companies aren’t born, they’re grown. And it seems like many of those great companies started the foundation of their businesses out of a garage. Most of us are familiar with the stories of how Microsoft and Apple were founded in garages, but many of us are not aware of the story of B.C. Tent & Awning – another one of the greats.
Bob Costa knew he could create a great company. And so with one tent in a small garage, he founded B.C. Tent & Awning. Today, after celebrating 30 years, B.C. Tent is known to Massachusetts residents as one of the premier tent and event rental companies in New England.
What makes them so great, you ask? Aside from their strong focus on quality, B.C. Tent is one of the few party rental companies that focuses and specializes on tents. They own their own entire inventory of tents ranging in size from 9×10 to 60×300! In addition, B.C. Tent is one of the few reputable vendors out there that works all year round, while many other companies shy away from tenting during the winter months.
B.C. Tent specializes in weddings, corporate events, graduations (both parties and commencement exercises) and backyard parties. The staff at B.C. Tent are skilled tent event specialists who will help you plan your event, even providing full CAD drawings. And the installers are well trained and experienced, ensuring your event goes off without a hitch! You’ve probably already seen them in action at events at Boston University, Curry College, Brockton Hospital, the Extreme Home Makeover held in Maynard, and the Boston Red Sox World Series Parade!
Not just your average tent company, B.C. Tent can help with all your party needs, providing dance floors, staging, tables, chairs, lighting, heating and more. In addition, the company provides custom fabrication for awnings and signage, and fabric shelters.
And no company can be truly great without establishing a sense of community pride in their organization. B.C. Tent knows how important it is to give back to local communities and organizations, affiliating with Homes for Our Troops and Cradles to Crayons.
So if you’re looking to plan your next party or special event, be sure to call one of the greats – B.C. Tent & Awning! They’ll walk you through all your party planning needs with quality equipment and the highest levels of service and professionalism.
By Partnering with Berry Insurance, B.C. Tent is also offering $100 off rental orders of $500 or more. Click here to view and print their coupon!
B.C. Tent & Awning Co., Inc.
25 Bodwell Street
Avon, MA 02322
(800) 660-TENT http://www.bctent.com/
We all remember the childhood rhyme: “First comes love…then comes marriage….then comes baby in a baby carriage”. Planning to start a family can be a very exciting time, but it can also be very stressful. There are so many things to prepare for and buy; so much to do that it can be hard to keep everything straight during those 9 months of baby-bliss.
One thing to make sure you buy before your due date is life insurance. Life insurance is usually one of those things you think of as an aside, but when you’re planning for your family, you want to make sure it’s at the top of your To Do list.
It’s no surprise that raising and caring for a child can get expensive. But when you’re starting out, do you ever stop to think of how expensive it really is?
A new government study released by the USDA’s Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion shows that the average cost to raise a child from birth through age 17 is a $221,000. And once they pass 17, parents have to look forward to the college tuition bills that come next! The numbers add up quick and can become a daunting figure to comprehend. Most families find that there is always a way to make ends meet, but what happens if you’re no longer there to provide for your child? Would your family or loved ones have the financial means to support raising your child if you passed away?
For most families, the answer is no, which is why all couples planning to start a family should consider life insurance.
Unfortunately, life insurance has become one of those “taboo” topics that most people don’t want to discuss. Either because talking about mortality is uncomfortable, or due to the perceived cost of the insurance, or simply because they don’t understand the financial importance life insurance can bring.
As a parent or future parent, just stop and think: If you passed away, would your spouse or significant other be able to carry on without your income? And what quality of life would that give your children?
If you’re concerned, term life insurance can be an affordable and convenient option for you to consider. Premiums for younger, healthier individuals are very affordable, some starting less than $30 per month for $500,000 in coverage. Not sure how much coverage you’ll need? Check out our simple online life insurance calculator. Once you’re ready, give us a call at (800) 941-3317 to get a free no-obligation quote from one of our Life Insurance specialists and get started on securing your child’s financial future.
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 locations, or give us a call at (800) 941-3317.
As your high school senior graduates, and is moving on to their college years, what are some insurance ins and outs that you should be aware of? First, depending on whether your son or daughter is living off-campus, or on-campus, where does your homeowner’s policy stop, and a renters insurance policy pick up? What is covered under your homeowner’s policy, and more importantly, what is not?!? And if your child is taking a car to school, you’ll need to confirm they have coverage at the school’s location.
Student Housing:
Your individual situation may be different, so it’s best to check with your insurance agent, but most homeowner’s policies will cover any lost or damaged items belonging to students away from the primary residence. Your policy limits will determine the amount of coverage, however most policies set a maximum amount of coverage of $1,000. Expensive items such as jewelry may need special coverage in case of any unfortunate situations. These items can be scheduled on your policy to provide the appropriate coverage.
Creating a list of all the items worth value is a great idea. Taking pictures of all items, and keeping receipts is the ultimate protection layer in terms of compensation for your losses.
Student Drivers:
Regardless of whether their car is in your driveway or across the United States, your student NEEDS coverage! If the student will leave their car at home, it is still important to keep them listed as a driver on the insurance policy. Unfortunately, the first instinct is always to take the student off the policy since they will not be driving. Although this may seem logical, it is actually just the opposite. If you remove your child as a driver from the policy, and they then operate someone else’s automobile and have an accident, they may not be covered under the policy.
Our advice? Leave your student listed as a driver on the family auto policy, but just not as a primary driver. This will lower the cost to you, but still cover your student.
Notifying the insurance company that the automobile will be taken to a different geographical location (known as the vehicle’s ‘garaging’ in insurance lingo) is also crucial! If this is not done and a claim is filed, the insurance company may not provide coverage.
Savings, Savings, Savings:
And don’t forget the discounts! Many companies offer a variety of discounts, but one of the more popular auto discounts is given to full-time students that uphold a certain academic standing. Be sure to give us a call to review your individual policy and situation and make sure you are taking advantage of all the savings you deserve!
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 locations, or give us a call at (800) 941-3317.
Berry Insurance loves making clients happy! Check out what our latest happy client has to say about us:
“I just wanted to thank Stacy and the staff at Berry Insurance not only for their quality service and my insurance needs but also to a possible embarrassing situation and potential out of pocket cost to me. Due to Berry’s automated Birthday Card notification, I realized that my license was about to EXPIRE. Since the registry NO longer sends out notices regarding renewals, this event would have cost me time, money and the embarrassment of having my license expire (if and when pulled over) if it were not for their thoughtful little Birthday Card reminder and it’s message to check your license today for your expiration date and next renewal. Mine was about to expire and I immediately went and renewed it in Milford that day. Thanks to Stacy and the Berry staff for your thoughtfulness in this little added service that you provide.”
Sincerely, Charly D. (Franklin, Mass.)
Dated: 4/16/2010
Thanks for your kind words (and the Honey Dew gift card) Charly! Glad we were able to make your day a little easier!
The gecko tells you give them 15 minutes and they’ll save you 15% or more.
Flo promises to cut 9 minutes off the lizard, and save you $550 in only 6 minutes!
That guy from The Unit tv show – he promises you’ll be in “good hands”…. But he’s got nothing on the world’s greatest spokesperson…
He just picks up the phone and gives you the “hook, line, sinker…”
We’ve all heard these ads. Some of them are funny, some are heart-warming, and some insult our intelligence. And yet it’s easy to get caught up in the promises they make about saving lots of money, with all sorts of fancy offerings, in as little time as possible.
Don’t get me wrong, we understand the desire to save a buck, especially in this economy. And we know how convenient shopping online, from the comfort of your home can be. But we also know that each time you need them, and you call that 800-line for service, questions, or to file a claim, you most likely won’t speak to the same person twice.
And are you ever REALLY sure that you’re adequately covered? Of course, you can’t really be sure until you go to file your claim. I mean, where’s the question on the online application that asks you if you have any kids away at school and what kind of coverage you need for them? Or if you have coverage for the car you’ll be renting next week when you’re on vacation in Florida? And who explains exactly what is and is NOT covered in all the policy provisions?
So before you shop online with the cute lizard or the friendly spokespeople, we ask that you remember the words of Ben Franklin: “The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of a low price is forgotten!”
Choose an independent insurance agency, like us, Berry Insurance! And since we’re BERRY Insurance, we promise to tantalize your taste buds with the sweet flavors of exceptional service quality and the ripe taste of a low price! And here are 5 more reasons why you’ll LOVE the juice Berry has to offer…..
#1 – We do the shopping for you! As an independent insurance agency, we represent not one, but several TOP insurance companies in the nation. With a few clicks of our mouse we can give you quotes from all of our companies. And we have the knowledge and expertise to review your personal insurance needs to make sure you’re adequately protected.
#2 – When you call us, you speak to your dedicated account manager. And don’t worry if they happen to not be in, any one of our licensed insurance professionals can assist you, and will be sure to let your account manager know the results of your call.
#3 – Need us after hours? We have a 24/7 emergency claims line for all our clients. We’ll never leave you hanging when you need our help the most.
#4 – We’re local! I know, I know…who needs a local agent when you can do all your business over the phone and online, right? WRONG! Being from New England, we can advise you on all the latest local news and community events. We’ll send you tips on how to drive safe during the winter and grill safe in the summer. We send out up to date information on the flooding in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and where you can turn for repairs and assistance. And we’ll help you reduce the chances of ice dams in the winter and the subsequent melting in the spring which results in water in your basement!
#5 – We live, work, and volunteer in your community, and we take pride in giving back to our communities. Where’s the commercial of the gecko sitting in on your local Chamber meeting? And when’s the last time you saw Flo donating to the local food bank? Buying insurance through Berry Insurance helps us support and improve our communities!
Sounds pretty sweet to me! So, before you’re left with that sour taste in your mouth, give Berry Insurance a call at (800) 941-3317 and get a taste of what we can do for you! And to read more flavorful tips, visit our other blog at www.berryinsurance.com.
