The Difference Between Classic Car Insurance and Standard Auto Insurance

Posted on January 29, 2021January 29, 2021 by agentinsure

You might wonder why you need classic car insurance when your other vehicles carry a standard auto insurance policy from Vargas & Vargas Insurance. Your classic car requires a different level of insurance coverage than your other vehicles.

You could wreck your 2020 Chrysler or Dodge in Dorchester, MA, pick up a check from the insurance company, and purchase a new 2020 Chrysler or Dodge from the car lot. That is not the case with a classic car.

If you wreck a completely restored 1963 candy apple red Corvette Stingray, you cannot drive to the Chevy lot and buy a new one. You would have a hard time replacing it.

You also would receive a different amount of money for the new car and the classic car. With auto insurance, your payout would come in the form of a depreciated value. You would get the Blue Book value of your car or truck on the day the accident occurred. You would not want this with a classic car. The depreciated value of a 1963 Corvette is not the same thing as the actual value of the same car when completely restored to pristine condition.

Classic car insurance pays actual value or agreed-upon value. That means you either obtain the actual cost of purchasing another mint 1963 Corvette or you get a check for the value of the vehicle as you and your insurance company agreed to it when you negotiated the insurance policy.

With classic car insurance, you do not get to drive your vehicle as often. The policy typically limits you to about 1,000 miles per year. You can show it in car shows and drive it in parades.

Choosing classic car insurance saves you money if your vehicle ever incurs damage. Contact Vargas and Vargas Insurance of Dorchester, MA to learn more about classic car insurance.

A Quick Guide to Shopping for Condo Insurance

Posted on January 26, 2021December 25, 2020 by cvargas

If you are shopping for condo insurance, there are some things that you will need to understand to ensure that you get the right coverage for your specific needs. Knowing what the condo association insurance already covers is an excellent place to start. This will enable you to get condo insurance coverage that fills the gaps.

Condo association insurance covers mostly common areas within the building like roofs and shared spaces like walkways, but check with your condominium association for specifics on what they cover. Most master policies provide coverage for these areas:

• All-in policy

• Bare wall policy

• Original specification policy

Most contracts of the association will cover exterior damages of the building, and the condo owner will be responsible for managing the interior. With this information, you can assess your specific needs before getting condo insurance to fill the gaps. Here is a guide to what you need to look for as you shop:

1. Look for the Best Rates

If you have a car, you can get a discount of between 5% and 15% for a package that includes auto and condo insurance.

2. Consider the Features That You Need

Assess your needs and choose the policy that fits. Typically, condo insurance coverage will include coverage for:

• Damage to personal property

• Personal liability (for you and your family)

• Loss assessment

• Building property and fixtures

• Loss of use

You can also find additional features like identity theft and many more that might be specific to you as you start shopping for condo insurance.

3. Choose the Best Customer Service

You will need to get in touch with your insurance at a time when you are stressed. This can be due to theft or a disaster. Good customer service will be beneficial at that time. Look out for a company with a good customer service reputation.

Shopping for Condo Insurance Is Easy With Vargas & Vargas

Vargas & Vargas Insurance is one of the premier local independent insurance agencies — we work for our clients and not the insurance company. We will customize your insurance coverage to your specific needs at the right price, and our team is here to answer all of your insurance questions. Contact us today to get started.

Entrepreneurs — Quickly Review Your Commercial Insurance Policy for 2021

Posted on January 19, 2021January 13, 2021 by cvargas

Commercial insurance policies are complicated. At Vargas & Vargas, we know small business owners are focused on running their businesses. You don’t always have the time to pour over commercial insurance policies in detail. Today, we will make a few key points that you should consider as we move forward in 2021.

Review the Most Important Points of Your Commercial Insurance Policy

The declarations page (dec page) of your commercial insurance policy is usually the first page. It contains a ton of essential information.

Before getting into the minutia, check that all the information on your dec page is correct:

A correct property address is vital for claims.
Ensure the contact names and business owner names are right. Only the named insured can make changes to a policy.
Be sure the contact phone numbers and email addresses on your policy are correct, too.

Then, consider your coverages. In the wake of COVID-19, we know many small businesses have evolved.

Has Your Business Changed Much in 2020? If So, Talk to an Agent

From social distancing and healthcare concerns that limit foot traffic to increased online shopping and curbside meals, we know the business landscape has changed in Massachusetts. You might need to adjust your insurance if:

You have much lower sales numbers than predicted in 2019 — maybe you’re stocking less inventory or hosting fewer customers. Either way, you might be able to reduce your premium because your risks are lower.
You’ve sent your workforce home.
You’ve scaled back operations.

In short, if you made any significant changes to your business in 2020, it’s time to talk to an insurance agent.

If You’re Concerned About Civil Unrest

Commercial insurance policies usually cover civil unrest, riots, and malicious mischief. But if you’re worried about political turmoil in your neighborhood, then check your policy to be sure.

What if you’ve closed up the shop, but you’re still operating out of your home? Know that your homeowner’s insurance policy won’t cover much related to your business. You might still need a business owner’s policy.

Vargas & Vargas Insurance is proud to be your premier local independent insurance agency. We work for our clients, not the insurance company. We’re ready to customize your commercial insurance to your unique needs at the right price, and we’re here to answer your questions. Remember, if you have deeper questions about commercial insurance in Massachusetts or need help with a Business Owners Policy (BOP), contact a licensed agent today.

What Does Condo Insurance Cover?

Posted on January 12, 2021December 23, 2020 by cvargas

Condo insurance is property insurance for condo owners. It’s designed to protect the condo contents and repair the unit in instances of fire or burglary. Condo insurance provides liability coverage for the condo owner, too. Today, we’ll take a closer look at Massachusetts condo insurance. We’ll explore the coverages and perils that policies can insure against — and highlight some gaps, too. Remember, if you have deeper questions about condo insurance, talk to a licensed insurance agent at Vargas & Vargas Insurance today!

What’s Covered by Condo Insurance in Massachusetts?

Condo insurance policies in Massachusetts are similar to homeowners insurance, with a few key differences. The basic idea is the same — it’s an insurance policy that protects the condo owner from loss from perils like:

Fire
Wind
Hail
Lightning
Burglary or theft
Civil riot
Malicious mischief

In a nutshell, if your condo burns down or gets burglarized, then your insurance company will reimburse you for your belongings. Remember, condo insurance will only pay up to the policy limits (after the policyholder pays a deductible). It’s vital to know whether your condo insurance policy will pay you the Actual Cash Value (ACV) of your belongings or Replacement Cost (RC).

Liability Coverage

“Liability” means responsibility. In Massachusetts, most condo insurance policies will include liability coverage. If a visitor stumbles in your home and breaks their ankle, this insurance covers you.

What’s NOT Covered by Condo Insurance?

Condo owners don’t have an interest in the outer property. Your condo insurance policy won’t cover the condo building’s exterior, separate structures and outbuildings, fences, trees, and landscaping.

Also, know that certain luxury items in your condo might not be covered. If you own an $18,000 painting by Pablo Picasso or a luxury strand of pearls, you’ll need to have them specifically added to your condo insurance policy. In addition, a standard condo policy in Massachusetts doesn’t cover some perils. Floods, for instance, require a separate flood policy.

Vargas & Vargas Insurance is proud to be your premier local independent insurance agency. We work for our clients, not the insurance company. We’re ready to customize your condo insurance to your unique needs at the right price, and we’re here to answer your insurance questions. Contact us today.

What’s the Difference Between Home Insurance and Property Insurance?

Posted on January 5, 2021December 23, 2020 by cvargas

Ever wondered what the difference is between homeowners insurance and property insurance? Maybe you saw both listed somewhere and wondered if they are different. Well, if you were wondering, here is a quick overview of the terms and what they mean — and why they are important to know.

Property Insurance

Property insurance is an umbrella term for all different kinds of dwelling insurances and can include:

Homeowners insurance
Renters insurance
Flood insurance
Earthquake insurance

Property insurance is normally part of your homeowners policy, but the homeowners policy doesn’t have to be the entire property insurance policy. For example, a property insurance policy could be for a dwelling that isn’t your home (see renters insurance). The homeowners policy will be more than just the property insurance.

Home Insurance

Your homeowners policy will most likely be a hybrid policy that will include both the property insurance element and some riders that have other things on it. An example of a rider is if you have some expensive art or jewelry in your home, then you will get an additional rider to cover those expensive pieces. Here are a few of the perils that your homeowners insurance will typically cover:

Fire
Theft and vandalism
Windstorm or hail
Explosion
Falling objects
Loss of Use: This is when a part of your home ends up needing to be repaired. If it causes you extra expenses, your homeowners policy will reimburse you for those extra costs. Another part of this applies to rental properties. You may suffer from loss of rental income or “loss of rents” if you have a rental property that becomes unlivable due to a covered event. You will be reimbursed for the amount you would typically receive in rental income per month in this instance.

This list is not complete, but it should give an idea of the types of things that are covered in the typical homeowners insurance plan. Each homeowners insurance plan is customized for you, the homeowner, so the best way to discover what kind of coverage you currently have (or don’t have) is to check out the exclusions page of your policy.

Vargas & Vargas Insurance is the premier local independent insurance agency. We work for our clients and not the insurance company. We will customize your insurance coverage to your specific needs at the right price. We’re also here to answer all of your insurance questions — contact us today.

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Month: January 2021