8 Steps to Take if You’re in a Car Accident

Name: Vargas & Vargas Insurance
Address: 1133 Washington St, Dorchester, MA, 02124
Telephone: 617-298-0655

Posted on April 6, 2015April 2, 2017 by cvargas

Getting in a car accident is never a part of your daily agenda, but it will likely happen to all of us at one time or another. Make sure that you are prepared if and when you are in an accident by following these 8 steps. These will make sure that you don’t miss a step in the process when you are in the middle of this stressful and chaotic situation.

1. Stop Safely – When an accident occurs, you need to immediately get yourself and your automobile in a safe location and stop. Pull off the road, or into a parking lot nearby. Make sure that the place you go is well lit if the accident occurs at night.

2. Get Medical Attention – If anyone was hurt in the accident, call for medical help immediately. Your health should be your #1 priority – don’t neglect it!

3. Call the Police – Regardless of whether medical attention was necessary, make sure that you call the police. They can collect evidence, take statements from witnesses, and will file an accident report that could come in handy when you file an insurance claim.

4. Document the Accident – Before you leave the scene, write down and take pictures/video of everything that you can. This includes the damage to your car and any other cars involved, any injuries that you sustained, and the area where the accident occurred. Also draw a map or diagram of the accident as it happened from your point of view. If you have a smartphone, make sure that you download the Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency Mobile App.

5. Exchange Information – According to the Massachusetts DMV.org website, you should exchange the following information with all parties involved in the accident:

Names, addresses, and telephone numbers
Driver license numbers
License plate numbers
Vehicle descriptions
Insurance information

And don’t forget to also write down the contact information of anyone that witnessed the accident. Also make note of any nearby businesses that could have recorded the accident on their security footage, and ask for a copy if you think you will need it. But don’t wait, this information is sometimes deleted after only a few days.

6. File an Insurance Claim – It is important that you call your Massachusetts auto insurance agent early in the process so that they can get started in the claims process. The earlier that you report the accident, the earlier that you will be able to get your repair reimbursement.

7. Get Your Car Repaired – After you’ve informed your insurance agent about the accident and gotten their advice about the situation, you will probably need to get your car inspected or repaired. Make sure that you go to a qualified repair shop. If you need a recommendation, your insurance agent will likely be able to give you one. Also ask your insurance agent if your coverage will pay for a rental car if your primary automobile needs extended repairs.

8. File Your Receipts – After you’ve gotten your car fixed and your car insurance claim is in the works, make sure that you save all receipts that you get that are related to the accident and associated damages. This includes health care statements and car repairs.

We are car insurance experts here at Vargas and Vargas Insurance, and we deal with insurance claims frequently. If you have any questions or concerns about the claim process, feel free to call us at 617-298-0655 to discuss your auto insurance policy and your unique claim.

A Spring Home Insurance Guide

Posted on April 3, 2015April 2, 2017 by cvargas

Spring is finally here. It may have seemed like that brutal winter would never end, but a new season is here. As of March 20th, winter is over and spring has sprung. Unfortunately, this does not mean the end of potential home insurance issues. With the new season comes new challenges that all homeowners must face. Thankfully, there are actions that you can take now to prevent several of the possible springtime hazards.

Here are a few of the most important home maintenance tips that you can take in the beginning of spring to help ensure a happy home:

Take care of your roof.

Now that the threat of ice dams is waning, you should make sure to check your roof for damage that may have taken place during the winter. Leaks could be an issue if an ice dam damaged your roof, and can be fixed with a call to a roofer and a simple home insurance claim. Also check for any damaged shingles that need to be replaced – this should be taken care of by a roofing professional before those pesky “April Showers” come along.

Now is also the perfect time to check your gutters for damage and bending. Gutter repairs are simple, and can help to ensure that spring and summer rain is properly diverted away from your home. In addition, make sure that you keep an eye on your gutters during the year for blockages. This is more of a concern in autumn, but being aware of the state of your gutters is always a good idea for a cautious homeowner.

Prepare for rising temperatures.

We’re all excited to put coats and scarves into storage for a few months, but your home needs some work before it will be ready to handle the warmer weather. The most important thing that you need to do to prepare your home is to take care of your air conditioner. Change or clean your filters, and check your refrigerant levels. It is also good to keep an eye on the condensing coil for blockages.

Perform “Spring Cleaning” tasks.

There are several tasks that need to be done in your home annually. Since spring is traditionally a time of refreshment and new life, it seems like a perfect time to check off some of these tasks, like testing and changing the batteries in your home’s smoke detectors! Some other tasks that you should consider include having professionals come to clean your sump pump and your hidden built-up dryer lint.

Don’t neglect your automobile.

Don’t make the fatal mistake of focusing solely on your home and forgetting about your vehicle! The winter is hard on cars, so take this opportunity to check and refresh your motor oil and clean out your fuel system. Also have a professional check your tires to make sure that they are wearing evenly. If not, you should consider a tire rotation. Also, there’s nothing like a good thorough wash to get off all of the winter salt!

If you need a Massachusetts auto or home insurance quote, look no further than the insurance experts here at Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency. Call 617-298-0655 and one of our agents will give you a free quote, and answer all of your questions.

6 Spring Break Tips for Students and Boston Residents

Posted on April 1, 2015April 2, 2017 by cvargas

If you are the parent of a public school student in the Boston area, then you already know that Spring Break is approaching quickly! While most colleges have already had their week of R&R during the spring semester, public schools in Boston wait until the end of April this year for their break. For the 2014-2015 school year, Spring break for Boston Public Schools is from April 20th until the 24th.

While elementary and middle school students can be supervised, some high school students have their drivers licenses, and will be roaming our area with newfound freedom. Regardless of age, though, there will be thousands of students in the area looking for a good time. This means an increase in revenue for local businesses, but also an increased opportunity for accidents in the area.

Tips for Parents and Students

1. Before a young driver uses your vehicle, call your Boston auto insurance agent to check your coverage. Students may be eligible for discounts, just ask an insurance professional about the requirements.

2. If there is a vacation in your future, make sure that your luggage will be covered under your home insurance policy. If you’re taking a road trip, have your car checked by a qualified mechanic before you depart.

3. Spending any of your vacation poolside or outdoors to enjoy the lovely Spring weather? If so, make sure to brush up on sun safety before you venture out into the rays!

4. Don’t let this week of freedom pass by in a haze of sleep and video games. Go somewhere new, learn a new skill, volunteer – do something productive that you will remember. For older students, this activity could be something to use in a college application! Older students may want to take advantage of this time off for college tours and scholarship applications.

Tips for Boston Residents

1. Once school is out, everything is going to be more crowded. If you like things a little more quiet, consider putting off your outings until school is back in session.

2. During the week of Spring Break, students of all ages will be out and about looking for a good time. This means that you should be extra careful when you’re driving. You never know when a small child may run into the road, or when an inexperienced driver may inadvertently cause an accident.

Following these tips will help you and your family ensure that the upcoming week of Spring Break is safe and productive. If you have any more tips that you want to share with the readers of our blog, post a comment on this blog, or message us on Facebook!

Everyone here at Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency wishes all Boston Public School students a fun and safe Spring Break. If you have any insurance related questions or concerns during your vacation, you know who to call – 617-298-0655! Our offices are open Monday to Friday from 8:30 am until 5:30 pm.

Vargas & Vargas Insurance

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Month: April 2015

8 Steps to Take if You’re in a Car Accident

A Spring Home Insurance Guide

6 Spring Break Tips for Students and Boston Residents

Tips for Parents and Students

Tips for Boston Residents

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