Recap: Preparing for April Showers

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

Posted on April 13, 2018May 25, 2018 by cvargas

“You have to accept the storms and the rainy days and the things in life that you sometimes don’t want to face.” – Bai Ling

April is not in full swing, and we’re starting to see why the saying is “April Showers Bring May Flowers.” Did you see our blog from last week with advice on how to handle these Spring rainstorms? In case you missed it, here are just a few of the tips that we gave:

Prepare for April showers by making sure that your emergency kit is stocked.
Perform home maintenance tasks like cleaning gutters and trimming trees to ensure that you are storm ready.
If you are a gardener, April is a great time to plan your layout and plant seeds so that you can harness the rain!
Remove standing water around your home to eliminate breeding grounds for pests.
Check your sump pump to ensure it is working as intended during storms and snow melts.
Review tips for driving in the rain, especially how to handle your vehicle if it hydroplanes.
Buy rain gear before you need it.

If you’re ready to start your Spring Cleaning for the year, remember that Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency is here to help dust off your insurance policies. Call and speak to your Massachusetts insurance agent about reviewing your home insurance, auto insurance, etc. to check for thorough coverage and opportunities for savings. One quick call to 617-298-0655 will check this item off your to-do list!

Know More about Your Credit Score

Posted on April 12, 2018April 6, 2018 by cvargas

The credit score – a seemingly ‘all-knowing’ number that will determine your eligibility to get a mortgage or rent an apartment, buy a car, start a business, and more. This little number is a huge part of your life, so you need to do what you can to get it as high as possible. But, you may say, “it seems so arbitrary! What can I do to raise it?”

Never fear, dear reader! The professionals here at Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency are here to demystify the credit score. Here are the details on many of the most-asked credit score issues:

What is a Credit Score?

When making a decision about whether you’re a good candidate for a loan, institutions want some credit history. Rather than sift through your entire history, though, they quantify your past spending. Credit bureaus take many factors and turn it into a number between (generally) 300 and 850. They pass this number on to the institution you’re looking to borrow from so that a decision can be reached.

What affects Your Credit?

The three credit bureaus (Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax) take many things into account when determining your credit score. Each is slightly different and has differing weights, but generally the things that will affect you the most are:

Whether you pay your bills on time
How much of your available credit is being used.
The types of credit you carry.
The number of active credit accounts you have open.

Establishing Credit

For young people and those that have not previously taken out a loan or owned a credit card, the question of how to establish credit can feel like a Catch-22. Most places want you to have a credit history before they will extend you any additional credit, so starting out is tricky.

Thankfully, there are a few products available to new borrowers. One is a secured credit card – you may open this line of credit by providing a deposit to back the card, and you can reclaim the deposit when the card is closed. You can also open a traditional credit card with a co-signer that has an established credit history.

Another way that many people establish their credit is with a student loan. There are many types of student loans available, so if this is the route you wish to take, do your homework to find the product that best suits your needs.

Improving Your Credit Score

If you’re looking to buy a car or apply for a mortgage, you may want to improve your credit score. There are several ways to raise your credit score. The quickest is to check all three of your credit reports to ensure that there are no mistakes.

Once you have made sure that your credit reports reflect your financial standing, you can move on to other methods of raising your score. Be warned, though, that it will take some time before you see an improvement. To see your credit score increase, you will need a history of on-time payments with a variety of lines of credit that you have carried for a long time.

Remember also that your credit score will take a small hit when you apply for a new line of credit, so if you want to apply for a mortgage in the near future, ask a financial planner whether you should wait to open a new credit account or purchase a new car.

Myths About Credit Scores

Don’t listen to everything you hear when it comes to your credit score. There are lots of myths floating around that aren’t true! Like these:

Your credit score measures how rich or poor you are – People with less income that have established credit and pay their bills on time can have a better score than higher income people with little to no credit and a history of late payments.
It doesn’t matter how much of your available credit that you use – Credit utilization is a key factor when determining your score. Often, people with better credit use far less of their available credit than people with low credit.
Only one person in a relationship has to have good credit – When you apply for a loan or mortgage with your partner, both of your scores will be analyzed.
You have to carry a balance to have a good score – In fact, you can pay off your card(s) in full each month and still have a great score. Paying in full also means that you won’t have to pay any interest!

Does that answer all of your questions about credit scores and how they affect you? If you have more, reach out to us – we can direct you to a professional with the answers.

And if your credit score recently helped you get approved for a home, car, or business loan, call us! We can get you set up with the right insurance policy to protect you. Our quotes and insurance reviews are always free, so you have nothing to lose.

Recap: Business Disaster Plan

Posted on April 10, 2018May 25, 2018 by cvargas

“One of the tests of leadership is the ability to recognize a problem before it becomes an emergency.” – Arnold H. Glasow

Massachusetts business owners: Did you see our post last week about business disaster plans? You never know when an emergency may strike, so the time to prepare is now. Create a disaster plan or refine your existing plan. Here are just a few tips from your Boston business insurance agency:

Create and practice an evacuation plan in case there is an emergency during business hours.
A communication plan is critical for disseminating information with employees about a disaster that has happened, and what they are expected to do during recovery.
Make an inventory of all of your business’s physical property in case of a loss.
Businesses that rely on digital data need a thorough and secure backup and recovery plan for files.
Having the right commercial insurance is critical – speak to your Massachusetts business insurance agent to check your policy for gaps.

If you need help with your business insurance policy, call Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency at 617-298-0655. We can get you a free business insurance quote or review your existing policy to make sure that you have coverage that will protect you thoroughly in case of an emergency. And program our 24/7 emergency line into your phone just in case you ever need to reach an agent outside of normal business hours: 617-322-5289.

Common Insurance Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

Posted on April 9, 2018April 4, 2018 by cvargas

Making mistakes is a part of life. We are all guilty of having faults and making errors, but it’s important to do what you can to minimize your mistakes, especially the ones that could be costly. Insurance is a product meant to help you financially recover if something happens to something you value. That is why it is so important to have the right coverage. The agents here at Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency want to make sure that you are fully protected, so ensure that these common insurance mistakes don’t apply to you.

Home Insurance Mistakes

Insuring your home for its market value – If your home is destroyed, you will need to rebuild it. This is why most insurance professionals recommend that you insure your home for its rebuilding cost.
Thinking home insurance will always cover you – There are limits on every insurance policy, and home insurance is no different. For complete coverage, you may need to purchase additional riders or policies, like earthquake and flood insurance.
Skipping a home inventory – While we hope that you never have to deal with this, home insurance will cover you if you are ever the victim of a total loss. In that case, you will need to provide a list of possessions when you submit your claim. Wouldn’t it be a lot easier to make this list now, instead of trying to recall everything you own when it’s gone? That’s why we recommend making a home inventory!

If you don’t own a home, you’re not off the hook! Renters insurance and condo insurance are also available to make sure that you are completely covered even if you’re not a homeowner in the traditional sense. And these policies are very important!

Auto Insurance Mistakes

Buying the minimum possible amount of liability protection – As a driver in the state of Massachusetts, you are required to have a certain minimum amount of coverage. Some people buy just that amount, not realizing that they should purchase coverage above and beyond that amount. Talk to a Massachusetts car insurance expert to find out how much coverage they recommend before you scrape by without enough protection.
Ignoring coverage add-ons – When you purchase auto insurance, you will have several options that you can add to your policy. Instead of declining all of them to lower your cost, consider the added protection they will offer and if they make sense for you. Depending on your insurance provider and policy, this could include coverage for car rentals, roadside assistance, and more.
Not considering your deductible – When purchasing car insurance, you will have to consider the common insurance trade-off: deductible vs. premium. If you’re ok with spending a little more when you make a claim, you could have lower monthly payments. On the other hand, spending more on your premium could mean less of a cost when you have an issue.

There is a potential for an accident every time you get behind the wheel, so it’s important to make sure that you’re protected. Getting into a fender-bender or bumping into a neighbor’s mailbox is generally nothing to worry about, but you don’t want to cause a multi-car accident with serious injuries and then find out your underinsured.

Business Insurance Mistakes

Not enough coverage – The most common mistake when it comes to business insurance is simple: most businesses just don’t carry enough coverage. In fact, it’s almost impossible to have “too much” protection. Insurance is very cheap compared to the financial loss you would otherwise face, so talk to your insurance agent and see if you should increase your coverage.
Passing Up Liability Insurance – Did you see our blog post about Liability Insurance (aka Umbrella Insurance)? Having an umbrella over your existing business insurance is critical to ensure complete coverage, so don’t overlook this inexpensive way to add protection for your company.
Paying for unnecessary policies – Here at Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency, we know that each business is unique. That’s why we take the time to get to know you and your business to determine the types of protection that you need. You need an agent that is experienced in providing unique policies to small businesses.

There is also one general insurance mistake that anyone is capable of: not updating policies. As time goes on, your insurance needs change. This means that you should plan on a chat with your Massachusetts insurance agent at least once a year to make sure that your insurance policies are still tailored to your needs.

If you think that you may be making one of these insurance mistakes, or if you just want an insurance professional to review your policies for gaps in coverage, call Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency at 617-298-0655. We will do our best to ensure that your coverage is tailored to your needs, and that you will be able to rest easy if you ever need to file a claim on your Massachusetts home insurance, auto insurance, business insurance, or other policy.

Recap: Overlooked Home Maintenance Tasks

Posted on April 6, 2018May 25, 2018 by cvargas

“Light is the task where many share the toil.” – Homer

Last week, we posted a blog for homeowners detailing several of the most-forgotten home maintenance tasks. Were you able to add any of these to your ‘to-do’ list? The most ambitious of you may have already checked a few items off! To refresh those who may have missed the prior post, here are just a few of the tasks that you need to make sure get done around your home:

Clean your refrigerator coils and drip pan.
Flush your water heater.
Clean your dryer’s exhaust tube of lint and other debris.
Have your fireplace and chimney cleaned annually.
Lubricate your automatic garage door opener.
Change the filter of your A/C and heater.
Remove debris that has collected in your gutters.
Trim the trees and other greenery on your property.

Completing these tasks will ensure that your home is properly maintained, and many will even help you avoid having to file a claim on your Boston home insurance policy. That being said, however, if you do ever need to file an insurance claim, the Vargas and Vargas Insurance team is here for you! Just call our Stoughton or Dorchester office at 617-298-0655 to speak to a Massachusetts insurance agent that can help you with all of your insurance needs.

Are You Ready for April Showers?

Posted on April 5, 2018March 29, 2018 by cvargas

The first quarter of the year has passed, and April has arrived. Even though temperatures are still struggling to get above 50 degrees here in Boston, we are ready to welcome warmer weather. Unfortunately, as the saying goes, “April Showers Bring May Flowers,” meaning that this month has a history of being on the dreary side.

To help you prepare for the rainy weather associated with the month of April, we have amassed an “April Showers” guide for the rain. Here are tips for dealing with downpours and sprinkles alike:

Storm Preparedness

First and foremost, we have some tips about how to get ready for the storms themselves. In case of a severe storm, you should have an emergency kit in your home (and one in each car). Make sure that these kits include a flashlight and extra batteries! Also include nonperishable foods in case of an extended power outage (and make sure that you have a manual can opener in the house).

Make sure that your home is ready to take on a storm by performing some maintenance, including cleaning your gutters and trimming trees around your property. Here at Vargas and Vargas Insurance, we deal with a lot of Massachusetts home insurance claims related to broken tree limbs. Taking time ahead of spring and summer storms to prune weak branches could save you a headache in the future.

Gardening

It is still definitely chilly, but those of you with green thumbs may want to start planning out your garden soon so that you’re ready for planting season. Soon it will be time to plant seeds for winter harvest (like squash and potatoes) and even some flower and fruit seeds. Just make sure to wait to plant seedlings until it warms up a bit, otherwise you risk them dying due to frost!

Pest Control

The increased amount of rain in April makes it a perfect atmosphere for bugs and critters. Do your part to prevent mosquitoes by ensuring that your property isn’t a magnet for standing water.

Rain also gives you the perfect opportunity to check for leaks. And any place that water can get into your home, a bug can too! Pay special attention to doors and windows, as that is the most common place for a gap. Also check for small holes around electrical outlets.

If you are having a pest problem, a trained Massachusetts pest control professional can help get the issue under control as quickly as possible.

Plumbing

It may sound silly at first, but all of the excess water falling from the sky can put a strain on your home’s plumbing. This is especially true in Massachusetts, where we also have to deal with the yearly snow melt as Spring temperatures arrive.

Pay special attention to your sump pump (if there is one in your home). It is critical that your sump pump works properly so that excess water doesn’t cause mold and mildew, or worse, a flood! Test to ensure that it is working by pouring water into the pit and waiting for the motor to start. Watch to see it pump water out and away from your home. You should also ensure that the pump is free of leaves and debris.

Driving and Vehicle Tips

Some people like the dreariness of rain, and it is relaxing if you’re trying to sleep or want to cozy up and read a good book. On the other hand, though, rain can create treacherous driving conditions. This makes it so important to make sure that your car can handle slick roads – after all, there are over 1 million weather-related vehicle crashes every year, according to the Federal Highway Administration.

Before you drive in the rain, be sure that your tires are ready for the wet roads. They should be properly inflated according to the specifications in your car owner’s manual. The tread on your tires and your car’s brakes should also be checked.

When you are behind the wheel in the rain, you should increase the distance between you and the car that you are following, turn on your car’s headlights (it’s the law in Massachusetts!), and know how to handle your vehicle if you start to hydroplane.

Rain Gear

At some point in the next month or so, you are probably going to get caught in the rain. Now is the perfect time to make sure that you are ready when that moment arrives. After all, you don’t want to be running through a rainstorm thinking, “I should have bought that raincoat!”

A raincoat is a perfect place to start when it comes to buying gear. You should also have some waterproof boots and even a hat (otherwise make sure that your jacket has a hood). Everyone also should plan to have a few umbrellas. One for your home, one for your vehicle, and maybe even an extra for your workplace.

Hopefully this blog has helped you prepare for the rain-filled Spring months ahead. If you want, tell us about some of your favorite Spring activities on our Facebook page. And make sure to stay tuned to the blog for more insurance tips and tricks.

Recap: Tips for Hiring a Boston Contractor

Posted on April 3, 2018May 25, 2018 by cvargas

“Hiring people is like making friends. Pick good ones, and they’ll enrich your life. Make bad choices, and they’ll bring you down.” – Jason Fried

Have you been considering a remodel or addition for your Boston home? If so, you need to hire the right contractor for the job. Here at Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency, we want to make sure you’re happy with the work you have done, so we have compiled a list of tips to help you choose the right contractor:

Find someone who will communicate early and often.
Don’t automatically accept the lowest bid.
Make sure your contractor is licensed, bonded, and insured.
Inspect your written contact, ensuring it contains deadlines and financial estimates.

Once the work begins, there are a few more tips that you should follow to ensure that the process goes smoothly:

Allow workers to store their tools and equipment on site.
Relocate anything fragile or valuable.
Choose between options in plenty of time.
Keep a detailed record of all documents and communications.

For the full list, and a few additional tips to help you through the construction or remodeling process, visit our original post from last week. And remember, your Vargas and Vargas Insurance agent is able to give you a free home insurance review to ensure that you have the right amount of coverage for your property. Also make sure that you update your policy if the value of your home changes because of a remodel!

Creating a Business Disaster Plan

Posted on April 2, 2018March 26, 2018 by cvargas

Most people are prepared for a disaster at home, they have an evacuation plan, a point of contact for the family, an emergency kit, and a home inventory for insurance purposes. Have you ever given any thought to creating a similar plan for your business?

Businesses aren’t immune to disaster, so it is critical that you have a plan – just in case the worst happens. You will need to take a few steps to formulate your plan depending on the disaster, and make sure that you share these plans with your employees so that everyone knows how to respond in case there is an emergency.

Evacuation Plan

If there is ever an emergency during business operations, your employees should know how to evacuate safely. Post evacuation maps through the building, and practice emergency drills throughout the year. If your business hosts customers, instruct employees on how to help them evacuate in a safe and calm manner.

Communication Plan

Disasters don’t always happen during regular business hours. If a disaster happens when no one is working, you will need to inform all employees about what has happened, and the steps that they need to take, including whether they will be expected to work from home or an interim location. Your communication plan may involve an email blast or a phone tree – or both!

Physical Property

If your business were affected by a fire, would you know exactly what was destroyed? Probably not. This is why it is critical to have an inventory of the physical property in your business. List everything that your business owns. This will include things like your furniture, electronics, décor, and even inventory. Then it will be up to you to keep this inventory up to date as you upgrade or purchase new items. Ask your Massachusetts business insurance agent what details they recommend recording about each item.

Keep a copy of your business’s full inventory list in an offsite location, which could be a safe deposit box, your personal property, or even in the cloud. This ensures that you will have access even if something happens to your business’s location. You may even want to keep an updated copy on file with your Vargas and Vargas Insurance agent for safe keeping!

Digital Data

Many businesses nowadays rely on digital data. If a disaster affected your computers, would you be able to recover? Make sure that all of your critical information is backed up to a secure location in the cloud so that losing your computers wouldn’t cripple your business. You can also ask your business insurance agent about digital liability insurance and equipment breakdown insurance for your digital business.

Off-Site Disaster

Your business would certainly be affected by a fire or flood, but think outside of the box: what if a disaster affected one of your suppliers, or an important client? Think about the possibility of losing each of these parties and create a back-up plan in the event that something happens. Being prepared ahead of time will greatly cut down on your response time if an issue arises.

Insurance Prep

Having the right Massachusetts business insurance is a crucial part of disaster recovery. If your business is affected by a fire, flood, theft, etc., your business insurance will help to put you back on track to getting back to normal – but only if you’re carrying the right types of coverage.

Talk to your insurance agent about whether your business is prepared to deal with the aftermath of potential disasters. A Vargas and Vargas Insurance rep can help you evaluate your commercial insurance coverage to ensure that you have all of the coverage that you need.

This means something else for every business, which is why we tailor business insurance policies to each of our clients. You may want to consider building coverage (including flood insurance), property and inventory coverage, tenant’s improvements coverage, coverage for extra expenses, and additional coverage to rebuild a damaged or destroyed building in compliance with building codes. As discussed above, digital liability insurance may also be something to consider. For added protection, our Massachusetts insurance experts may recommend an umbrella insurance policy for your business, especially if you are at an increased risk for liability issues.

Preventing a Disaster

Make sure that your business is prepared for the worst, but also take steps to minimize your risk of an emergency. For tips on how to make your business safer, stay tuned to our blogs for tips!

You never plan to be affected by an emergency – that’s what makes your disaster response plan so critical. Make sure that part of your plan is contacting your Vargas and Vargas Insurance agent. During business hours, call us at 617-298-0655. If you have an emergency outside of our normal hours, you can always call our 24/7 line at 617-322-5289. Program both of these numbers in your phone now for easy access if you ever need to reach us! We can help you get the best business insurance for your Massachusetts business.

April National Days Calendar

Posted on April 1, 2018April 3, 2018 by cvargas

April 1st

April Fools’ Day
National One Cent Day
National Sourdough Bread Day
Easter – Changes Annually

April 2nd

National Ferret Day
National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day
National Reconciliation Day

April 3rd

National Film Score Day *
National Chocolate Mousse Day
World Party Day
National Find a Rainbow Day
National Tweed Day
SAAM Day of Action – First Tuesday in April
National Tweed Day

April 4th

Jeep 4×4 Day
National Chicken Cordon Bleu Day
National Hug a Newsperson Day
National School Librarian Day
National Walk Around Things Day
National Walking Day – First Wednesday in April
Childhelp National Day of Hope – First Wednesday in April

April 5th

National Caramel Day
National Deep Dish Pizza Day
National Go For Broke Day
National Raisin and Spice Bar Day
National Read a Road Map Day
National Burrito Day– 1st Thursday of April
National Alcohol Screening Day – Thursday of the First Full Week in April

April 6th

National Caramel Popcorn Day
National Sorry Charlie Day
National Student-Athlete Day
National Tartan Day
National Teflon Day

April 7th

National Girl Me Too Day *
National Handmade Day*
National Beer Day
National Coffee Cake Day
National No Housework Day
National Love Our Children Day – First Saturday in April

April 8th

National All is Ours Day
National Empanada Day
National Zoo Lovers Day

April 9th

National Cherish an Antique Day
National Chinese Almond Cookie Day
National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day
National Name Yourself Day
National Winston Churchill Day

April 10th

National Cinnamon Crescent Day
National Encourage a Young Writer Day
National Farm Animals Day
National Siblings Day
National Equal Pay Day – A Tuesday in April – Changes Annually
National Library Workers Day – Tuesday of National Library Week

April 11th

National Barber Shop Quartet Day
National Cheese Fondue Day
National Eight Track Tape Day
National Pet Day
National Submarine Day
National Bookmobile Day – Wednesday of National Library Week

April 12th

National Big Wind Day
National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day
National Licorice Day

April 13th

National Make Lunch Count Day
National Peach Cobbler Day
National Scrabble Day
National Thomas Jefferson Day
National Blame Someone Else Day – First Friday the 13th of the Year
National Donate Life Blue and Green Day– Changes Annually

April 14th

National Dolphin Day
National Ex-Spouse Day
National Pan American Day
National Pecan Day
National Reach as High as You Can Day

April 15th

National Glazed Spiral Ham Day
National Rubber Eraser Day
National Take a Wild Guess Day
National Tax Day
National Titanic Remembrance Day

April 16th

National Orchid Day
National Bean Counter Day
National Eggs Benedict Day
National Healthcare Decisions Day
National Wear Your Pajamas to Work Day

April 17th

National Bat Appreciation Day
National Cheeseball Day
National Ellis Island Family History Day
National Haiku Poetry Day

April 18th

National Animal Crackers Day
National Columnists’ Day
National Lineman Appreciation Day

April 19th

National Amaretto Day
National Garlic Day
National Hanging Out Day
National Oklahoma City Bombing Commemoration Day
National High Five Day – Third Thursday in April
National Get to Know Your Customers Day – Third Thursday of Each Quarter

April 20th

National Cheddar Fries Day
National Lima Bean Respect Day
National Look Alike Day
National Pineapple Upside Down Cake Day

April 21st

National Yellow Bat Day
National Chocolate Covered Cashews Day
National Kindergarten Day
National Auctioneers Day – Third Saturday in April
National Record Store Day – Third Saturday in April

April 22nd

National Earth Day
National Girl Scout Leader’s Day
National Jelly Bean Day

April 23rd

National Cherry Cheesecake Day
National Lost Dogs Awareness Day
National Picnic Day
National Take a Chance Day
National Talk Like Shakespeare Day

April 24th

National Pigs in a Blanket Day
National Teach Children to Save Day– Changes Annually

April 25th

National DNA Day
National East Meets West Day
National Hug a Plumber Day
National Telephone Day
National Zucchini Bread Day
National Administrative Professionals Day – Wednesday of Last Full Week in April

April 26th

National Audubon Day
National Help a Horse Day
National Kids and Pets Day
National Pretzel Day
National Richter Scale Day
National Take Our Sons and Daughters to Work Day – Fourth Thursday in April
National Poem in Your Pocket Day – Changes Annually

April 27th

National Devil Dog Day *
National Babe Ruth Day
National Prime Rib Day
National Tell a Story Day
National Arbor Day – Last Friday in April
National Hairball Awareness Day – Last Friday in April
National Day of Silence – Changes Annually

April 28th

National Kiss of Hope Day – Last Saturday in April
National Blueberry Pie Day
National BraveHearts Day
National Great Poetry Reading Day
Workers’ Memorial Day
National Superhero Day
National Rebuilding Day – Last Saturday in April
National Sense of Smell Day – Last Saturday in April
National Pool Opening Day – Last Saturday in April

April 29th

National Peace Rose Day
National Shrimp Scampi Day
National Zipper Day
National Pet Parents Day – Last Sunday in April

April 30th

National Bubble Tea Day *
National Military Brats Day
National PrepareAthon! Day
National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day
National Bugs Bunny Day
National Hairstylist Appreciation Day
National Honesty Day
National Oatmeal Cookie Day
National Raisin Day
National Sarcoidosis Day

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