By berryinsurance on April 30, 2010
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.
For more information about this new law, please visit the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection website at http://www.mass.gov/dep/cleanup/laws/hhsl.pdf.
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.
Posted in All Posts, Homeowners, Personal Protection, Uncategorized Tagged Barry, barry insurance, berry, Berry Ins, berry insurance, berry insurance agency, berry insurance agency inc, berry insurance franklin ma, Berry Insurance MA, berry insurance quincy ma, berry insurance waltham ma, Chapter 453 of the Acts of 2008, combining policies, Commerce Insurance, Fire insurance, franklin, heating system, home heating systems, home insurance, home insurance franklin ma, home insurance quincy ma, home insurance waltham ma, homeowners coverage, homeowners insurance, homeowners policy, insurance, insurance franklin ma, insurance quincy ma, insurance savings, insurance waltham ma, ma home insurance, ma homeowners insurance, Massachusetts, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, massachusetts homeowners insurance, oil leaks, oil tank, peerless insurance, personal lines, pollution coverage, quincy, Quincy MA, safeco insurance, safety insurance, saving money on insurance, travelers insurance, waltham, Waltham MA
By berryinsurance on April 29, 2010
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!
Posted in All Posts, Auto, Flood Insurance, Happy Clients, Homeowners, Misc, Personal Protection, Uncategorized Tagged auto insurance, automobile insurance, Barry, barry insurance, berry, Berry Ins, berry insurance, berry insurance agency, berry insurance agency inc, berry insurance franklin ma, Berry Insurance MA, combining policies, Commerce Insurance, flood, home insurance, home insurance franklin ma, homeowners insurance, insurance, insurance franklin ma, insurance savings, ma home insurance, ma homeowners insurance, Massachusetts, massachusetts auto insurance, massachusetts homeowners insurance, personal lines, quincy, Quincy MA, saving money on insurance
By berryinsurance on April 15, 2010
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.
Posted in All Posts, Auto, Homeowners, Misc, Personal Protection Tagged auto insurance, auto insurance agent, auto safety tips, automobile insurance, Barry, barry insurance, Ben Franklin, berry, Berry Ins, berry insurance, berry insurance agency, berry insurance agency inc, berry insurance franklin ma, Berry Insurance Juice, Berry Insurance MA, Berry juice, business insurance, combining policies, Commerce Insurance, Fire insurance, Flo, flood, franklin, gecko, home insurance, home insurance franklin ma, homeowners insurance, independent insurance agent, insurance, insurance agency, insurance franklin ma, insurance professional, insurance savings, juice, local agent, ma, ma home insurance, ma homeowners insurance, Massachusetts, massachusetts auto insurance, massachusetts homeowners insurance, massachusetts life insurance, personal lines, quincy, Quincy MA, saving money on insurance, waltham, Waltham MA
By berryinsurance on April 15, 2010
More than 130 disaster housing inspectors under contract by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are currently performing inspections for registered homeowners, renters and business owners in seven counties whose homes or businesses were damaged by the severe flooding that began on March 12.
Recovery officials said that more than 9,000 damage inspection requests have been received to date. Nearly 50 percent of the requests, or 4,269, have been completed and returned to FEMA. Most housing inspections are completed within four days after an inspection is assigned.
Registration is the First Step
Residents of declared counties must first register with FEMA if they are seeking assistance. This can be done online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or by calling toll-free 800-621-3362 (FEMA), or (TTY) 800-462-7585 for those with a speech or hearing impairment. Representatives are available 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time, seven days a week. Multilingual assistance is available. Once registered, applicants can easily stay in touch with FEMA to track their status.
Eligible applicants may receive:
- Federal disaster-assistance grants from FEMA and/or
- Low-interest home and business disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration.
- Payments to individuals made to cover uninsured or underinsured disaster-related expenses. Examples of these are emergency home repairs, temporary housing or assistance toward the replacement of a destroyed home, and other serious unmet disaster-related expenses.
- Information about various disaster-assistance programs can be found online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.
Damage inspections are critical to the FEMA application process because they document damage. Inspectors do not determine whether an applicant is eligible or provide estimates on damages.
Understanding the Inspection Process
- Damage inspection is free.
- A FEMA inspector will contact an applicant by phone to schedule an appointment.
It is critical to update FEMA with current contact information, including a phone number and accurate directions to the damaged property. An applicant who is unable to return for the mandatory damage inspection may authorize an adult agent to be present.
- A street address is required since post office boxes do not show locations.
- An inspector will try three times to schedule a damage inspection appointment. Delays may occur if you cannot be reached.
- Owners and renters must show proof of occupancy such as a utility bill or landlord statement.
- Owners must also show proof of ownership.
- Each inspection generally takes 30 to 40 minutes.
Be Alert for Disaster Fraud
FEMA inspectors carry official photo identification with their name and the words “Under contract to FEMA”printed on it. Residents should ask for this photo identification before allowing an inspector inside their home.
Official inspectors will never ask for money or use a vehicle bearing a FEMA logo. If money is requested for an inspection or an applicant feels someone is misrepresenting themselves as a FEMA inspector, this should be reported to local police.
Massachusetts counties declared as major disaster areas March 29 are: Bristol, Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk and Worcester counties.
FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers Open in MA …
On Wednesday, April 7th, FEMA opened Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) in five of the seven counties declared major disaster areas. Each DRC is staffed with FEMA and state agency disaster recovery specialists who are ready to help survivors through the process of applying for disaster assistance.
Hours of operation will vary at each center. Locations and daily hours are:
Essex County
Flint Public Library
1 South Main Street
Middleton, MA 01949
Hours:
Monday – Thursday: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Friday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday: 1 p.m.- 5 p.m. |
Worcester County
Town Hall
Auditorium
242 Church Street
Clinton, MA 01510
Hours:
Monday—Friday: 9 a.m.—7 p.m. |
Norfolk County
Richard J. Koch Recreation Center
1 Merrymount Parkway
Quincy, MA 02170
Hours:
Monday – Friday: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. |
Middlesex County
Billerica Public Library
15 Concord Road
Billerica, MA 01821
Hours:
Monday – Thursday: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. |
Worcester County
Thayer Memorial Library
717 Main Street
Lancaster, MA 01523
Hours:
Seven days a week: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. |
Plymouth County
Lakeville Free Public Library
4 Precinct Street
Lakeville, MA 02347
Hours:
Seven days a week: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. |
Homeowners, renters and business owners are urged to register before visiting a DRC by calling FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). Multilingual operators are available.
Those with speech or hearing impairment may call TTY 800-462-7585 to apply. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate 7:00AM to 10:00PM daily until further notice. Registration can also be done online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.
*Reprinted from the Massachusetts Association of Insurance Agents publication: The Massachusetts Agent, 4/15/2010.
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.
Posted in All Posts, Business, Flood Insurance, Homeowners, Misc, Personal Protection, Uncategorized Tagged Barry, barry insurance, berry, Berry Ins, berry insurance, berry insurance agency, berry insurance agency inc, berry insurance franklin ma, Berry Insurance MA, damage inspection request, Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, FEMA application, flood, flood damage, Flood Insurance, Flood Insurance Policy, flood policy, flood zone, flooding, franklin, home insurance, home insurance franklin ma, homeowners insurance, house inspections, insurance, insurance franklin ma, insurance savings, ma home insurance, ma homeowners insurance, mass flood insurance, Massachusetts, massachusetts flood, massachusetts homeowners insurance, quincy, Quincy MA, saving money on insurance, waltham, Waltham MA
By berryinsurance on April 8, 2010
Driving in the east coast when warmer months are approaching appears different from the winter months in a few ways. One is motorcycles! Motorcycles are everywhere once the beautiful weather hits! No longer are motorcycles only for the typical ‘biker dude’, a variety of different kinds of people enjoy riding. The trend has caught on, and spread like wild-fire throughout the east coast, and the entire United States.
The Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) strives to “make motorcycling safer and more enjoyable by ensuring access to lifelong quality education and training for current and prospective riders, and by advocating a safer riding environment.” This is a non-profit organization that provides training and knowledge to all fifty states.
The MSF conducts hands-on training and provides online information regarding motorcycle safety for drivers, as well as, car operators. The training provides car drivers effective ways of dealing with motorcycles, as well as giving motorcycle drivers safety tips. Massachusetts offers the RiderCourse training in many locations, which is taught from the Motorcycle Operator Manual. The course is fifteen hours total, and often scheduled on weekends for convenience.
Rhode Island offers the motorcycle drivers RiderCourse also, and while much of the course is identical, minor differences in state laws and instructor styles make each state unique.
For more information concerning RiderCourse training in your area visit MSF’s website or call (800) 446-9227. When you are ready to hit the road with your new motorcycle; whether today, next month, or next year, keep Berry Insurance in mind to provide the right coverage for you, and your motorcycle insurance needs. Get a free quote online, it’s that easy!
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.
Posted in All Posts, Auto, Business, Charitable Events, Life, Misc, Personal Protection, Uncategorized Tagged auto accident, auto accident prevention, auto insurance, auto safety tips, automobile insurance, Barry, berry, Berry Ins, berry insurance, berry insurance agency, berry insurance agency inc, berry insurance franklin ma, Berry Insurance MA, business insurance, combining policies, Commerce Insurance, commercial general liability insurance, east coast, home insurance franklin ma, homeowners insurance, insurance, insurance franklin ma, Ma Insurance, massachusetts auto insurance, motorcycle, motorcycle insurance, Motorcycle Operator Manual, motorcycle riding, motorcycle safety, Motorcycle Safety Foundation, Motorcycle safety tips, MSF, non-profit, quincy, Ri Insurance, RiderCourse, riding, safety tips, saving money on insurance, state laes, state laws, training, waltham
By berryinsurance on April 1, 2010
Not once in the four years of living in my home, with its extremely dated (yet solid) field stone foundation, have I experienced water in the basement. That all changed this past Tuesday. The time had come…..
My husband was working late and asked that I “just check” the basement when I got home. Much to my dismay, my faithful field stone basement had let the villain in….rainwater….and lots of it! At least an inch covering my entire floor.
My shop vac became my best friend that night. And I silently thanked the contractor who renovated my home for installing a sink in my basement. There was no way I was going trek up and down my basement stairs to empty the vac (which was filling up every 1-2 minutes)!
As I cleaned up the mess (thankfully realizing there was no damage), I thought about all the other regions in Massachusetts and Rhode Island that were hit much harder than I was. My heart went out to the homeowners that were evacuated or whose homes experienced a significant amount of damage.
As an insurance geek, I also wondered if people realized what damage was covered and what was NOT covered on their homeowners insurance policy. So for everyone out there still cleaning up the mess and damage caused by the heavy rains, keep reading for a quick snap shot comparison of what’s covered under your Massachusetts homeowners policy and flood policy.
|
Homeowners Policy
|
Flood Policy
|
|
Whatever you insure your home for, you get an additional 10% of that value for coverage for other structures of any type.For example, if you have $150,000 coverage for your home, you get an additional $15,000 coverage for other structures.
|
Whatever you decide to purchase for dwelling coverage, up to 10% of that limit can be used ONLY for detached garages.For example, if you have $50,000 coverage for the building, you can use $5,000 of that towards damages to a detached garage.
|
| The deductible on your policy applies per occurrence. |
The deductible on your policy applies separately to both building and contents. |
| A typical homeowners policy provides coverage for many perils, including fire, theft, etc. All homeowners policies exclude coverage for flood. |
A flood policy only covers you for one peril: Flood. |
| Debris removal coverage can be provided in addition to the limits purchased for your home and contents. |
Debris removal coverage is included within the limit of insurance purchased. |
| You can endorse your policy to provide replacement cost coverage for your home and your contents. |
Only certain dwellings can purchase replacement cost coverage on the building (subject to restrictions) and contents are always insured at actual cash value with no option to insure for replacement cost. |
| You can endorse your policy to provide Loss of Use coverage when a covered loss occurs. |
There is no Loss of Use coverage available under the Flood policy. |
* This list is not meant to be exhaustive, and should only be used for illustrative purposes. Your individual policies and coverages may vary from what is listed above.
If you don’t have flood coverage, now is the time to get covered before the April showers begin! Visit our Virtual Insurance Office to request a Massachusetts flood insurance quote today! Or give us a call at (800) 941-3317 and we’ll you protected!
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.
Posted in All Posts, Flood Insurance, Homeowners, Misc, Personal Protection, Uncategorized Tagged berry, Berry Ins, berry insurance, berry insurance agency, berry insurance agency inc, berry insurance franklin ma, business insurance, combining policies, Commerce Insurance, flood, flood damage, Flood Insurance, flood policy, flooding, franklin, heavy rains, home insurance, home insurance franklin ma, homeowners insurance, insurance, insurance franklin ma, insurance savings, ma home insurance, ma homeowners insurance, massachusetts homeowners insurance, Norfolk County, personal lines, quincy, rhode island flood, saving money on insurance, suffolk county, waltham, Worcester county
By berryinsurance on March 29, 2010
Unpredictable is the word that comes to mind when considering the possibility of a flood. Volatile natural disasters don’t give warning before striking which makes it essential to plan and be ready for anything. Recently, the Massachusetts area experienced extensive flooding which caused severe damage to many people’s personal property. Planning ahead could have eliminated the vulnerability associated with the chance of a disaster, as well as lessened the financial burden caused by the damage of the flood.
Coverage for damage caused by a flood is NOT included in the homeowner’s insurance policy or the commercial property insurance policy; but this in no way means you can’t be covered! Flood insurance can be added to commercial or residential property policies, and protects against damage caused by lengthy rains, storm surges, or snow. Many times it’s not realized the damage a few inches of water can cause. By clicking here you can asses your property inch-by-inch, in order to decide what the right amount of flood coverage for you is so that your assets are adequately covered.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides proper planning tips to be used prior to a flood to prevent damages if possible; these tips can be useful in making a selection of the perfect location to build or buy a home. The Flood Zone Designation breakdown entails descriptions of various intervals shown on the detailed map which gauges geographical ‘flood risk’ all over the United States. Precautions don’t minimize chances of disasters happening, but do provide coverage in case of a tragedy so that no matter what, YOU’RE COVERED!
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.
Posted in All Posts, Business, Flood Insurance, Misc, Personal Protection, Uncategorized Tagged Barry, barry insurance franklin ma, berry, Berry Ins, berry insurance, berry insurance agency, berry insurance agency inc, berry insurance franklin ma, Berry Insurance MA, commercial insurance, Commercial lines, coverage, disaster, Federal Emergency Managment Agency, FEMA, FEMA.org, flood, Flood Insurance, Flood Insurance Policy, flood risk, flood zone, Flood Zone Designation Map, flood zone map, franklin, Franklin MA, home, home insurance, home insurance franklin ma, insurance franklin ma, ma home insurance, ma homeowners insurance, mass flood insurance, massachusetts homeowners insurance, natural disasters, personal assets, personal lines, personal property damage, prior to a flood, quincy, Quincy MA, residentail property, residential property, waltham, Waltham MA
By berryinsurance on March 8, 2010
It’s every girl’s dream and every boy’s nightmare. It’s being asked (and having to do the asking) to the prom. And prom night is right around the corner (usually occurring in May for most schools).
Prom night always causes worries, for your teen, and yourself. As your son or daughter prepares for the big night, you’ll want to make sure you are prepared for the celebration as well. Click here for a few tips to help you prepare, all the way from transportation to after-party.
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.
Posted in All Posts, Auto, Homeowners, Life, Misc, Personal Protection, Uncategorized Tagged auto accident prevention, berry insurance agency, franklin, Franklin High School prom, Franklin MA, home insurance franklin ma, ma, massachusetts homeowners insurance, motor vehicle accidents, prom, quincy
By berryinsurance on February 26, 2010
Those big, wide eyes….that cute puppy face.…that wagging tail….who can resist a puppy? If you’re like me, you can’t! It’s easy to fall in love with a puppy and want to take them home right away. But before you do, make sure to call your insurance agent and talk to them about the new addition you are thinking of making to your family.
“Why does my insurance agent need to know?”, you might ask. Well, most insurance companies have identified breeds of dogs that have a history of aggressive behavior or history of biting. And while each dog’s temperament is different, and may not follow the breed’s history, the insurance company will most likely either increase your insurance rates, or will cancel your policy as a result of owning that breed of dog.
If you’re an animal lover like I am, you probably feel that your pooch is an extension of your family, and should be considered as an individual, and not a potentially harmful canine. You can also argue that some dogs serve as protection for the home, acting like a natural alarm system by barking at intruders.
Unfortunately, the debate between dog-lovers and insurance companies continues to play out. For the time being, each insurance company has created a list of “restricted” breeds that could put your Massachusetts homeowners insurance policy at risk.
So, will your family pet cost you more on your insurance premium? Breeds most often hitting companies lists are as follows:
The above list is not exhaustive, and each company’s list may vary slightly on the breeds they exclude, so it’s best to discuss it with your insurance agent. Thankfully, some companies may allow the breed as long as the dog has successfully passed the American Kennel Club (AKC) Canine Good Citizens program.
Each dog is considered on a case by case basis so before you pick out man’s best friend, make sure to find out the history and breed of the dog, and then give your insurance agent a call. We’ll make sure you have the proper coverage and company for your dog!
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.
Posted in All Posts, Homeowners, Misc, Personal Protection, Uncategorized Tagged barry insurance, berry insurance agency inc, dog breeds, dogs, franklin, massachusetts homeowners insurance, pet insurance, quincy
By berryinsurance on February 17, 2010
After many revisions and delays, the new data privacy regulations put forth by the Office of Consumer Affairs & Business Regulation will take effect in Massachusetts on March 1, 2010. The new law requires Massachusetts businesses to create, maintain and adhere to a security program to protect private information of Massachusetts residents.
The Standards for the Protection of Personal Information of Residents of the Commonwealth (201 CMR 17), requires businesses that own, license, or store personal information, to take proper measures to protect that data. The regulations define personal information as a person’s name combined with a social security number, driver’s license number, financial account number, or credit/debit card number. Businesses are also required to create a program that protects employee information as well as client data.
Every business that owns, licenses, or stores personal information as defined by the new law must have their information security program in writing detailing the measures adopted to secure such data. In addition, the new regulation requires the encryption of all portable devices that contain any personal information of clients or employees. There are also suggestions on email encryption when it is technically feasible to do so and the level of training needed to make sure staff members are in compliance.
To read more about the new regulations and make sure your business is in compliance before March 1, 2010, click here.
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.
Posted in All Posts, Business, Laws, Misc, Personal Protection, Uncategorized Tagged 201 CMR 17, berry insurance agency, commercial general liability insurance, compliance, data protection, driver’s license number, email encryption, financial account number, franklin, general liability insurance, ID theft, ID Theft Insurance massachusetts, identity theft insurance, identity theft insurance massachusetts, Office of Consumer Affairs & Business Regulation, privacy laws, protect employee information, protecting client data, quincy, saving money on insurance, social security number, Standards for the Protection of Personal Information of Residents of the Commonwealth, store personal information
