7 Easy Tips to Lower Auto Insurance Premiums Each Month

Posted on August 29, 2022August 18, 2022 by cvargas

With the kids returning to school, the holidays on the horizon, and the talk about and worry about recession and inflation, many of us look at lowering our bills each month. Today, let’s review a few ways to help lower your auto insurance premiums to keep more cash in your pocket.

1. Compare Rates Among Insurers

One of the quickest ways to find the best rates is to shop around. And we can help with shopping around, as Vargas & Vargas Insurance represents many of the region’s top insurance companies, and we do this regularly for our insureds. Some insurers may have lower prices depending on your needs. However, low rates don’t always guarantee quality service.

While the cost may be an attractive feature, you also want an insurance provider you can trust.

2. Higher Deductibles for Lower Monthly Rates

In many cases, you can opt to increase deductibles to reduce your monthly rates. This means you pay less every month but will have to pay more out of pocket in the event of an accident.

Many people choose this type of plan simply because it’s cheaper to maintain. And if you don’t need to file a claim, the higher deductible is rarely a consideration.

3. Bundle Home and Auto Insurance Together

Bundling home and auto insurance together can greatly impact how much you pay for each one. This is an exceptionally common practice and helps you keep all of your insurance needs under one roof, so to speak.

In other words, it’s convenient to have all of your insurance needs through one company while providing monthly discounts.

4. Lower Auto Insurance with Good Credit

Some insurers will provide a discount if you have good credit. This is because good credit often signifies financial responsibility, which puts just about any company at ease.

Don’t get me wrong, you can still get affordable premiums without an 800 credit rating. However, improving your score can help lower the auto insurance premiums from certain providers.

5. Ask About Low-Mileage Discounts

When talking with an agent, ask them if there is a possible “low-mileage” discount. In some instances, the amount of driving you actually do throughout a month can impact how much you pay for insurance.

An example of this is how someone who drives less than 20 miles per month will pay less than someone who drives 2,000. Fewer miles means there is less of a chance of an accident.

6. Group Policies Can Lower Auto Insurance Premiums

Home and auto isn’t the only thing you can bundle with some insurers. You may also qualify for group policies. These are exceptionally useful for families as everyone has coverage while reducing the per-person rate.

However, buyer beware here; many group plans may become more expensive over time than if you were not part of a group. So, review your group policies regularly with a local independent insurance agent to make sure that you are still receiving the best rates for your insurance.

This is why a lot of parents will add children to insurance plans as it affects the rate a child would have to pay by him or herself.

7. Ask About Good Driver Discounts

Having a spotless driving record can have a lot of benefits, especially when it comes to a lower auto insurance premium. If you can demonstrate near perfection behind the wheel, it could reduce your rates.

In fact, some insurers will offer a discount if you take defensive driving courses. That’s because these courses can result in dramatically reducing the chances you’ll be in an accident.

Reduce Your Monthly Spending in These Trying Times

You shouldn’t have to put yourself or your family at risk to simply cut costs. Today, every penny counts, and what you can save by lowering your auto insurance might help you afford other necessities.

At Vargas & Vargas Insurance, we work to help you afford coverage for your automobile without breaking the bank. Contact us today and find out how we can help you keep your vehicles covered in this uncertain world.

Protect Your Family Assets With Umbrella Insurance in Massachusetts

Posted on August 29, 2022August 29, 2022 by agentinsure

When you live in Dorchester, MA, it’s essential to have umbrella insurance. This type of insurance can help protect your family assets in case of an accident or lawsuit. Here are some things to consider when choosing umbrella insurance.

What is Umbrella Insurance?

Umbrella insurance is liability insurance that can help protect you and your family financially if you are sued or held liable for an accident. It can provide coverage above and beyond your regular homeowner’s or auto insurance policy limits.

Your Vargas & Vargas Insurance Agency can help you understand what you need to know about choosing the right umbrella insurance for you and your family.

Why Do I Need Umbrella Insurance?

Dorchester is a bustling city with a lot of traffic. This can increase your chances of being in an accident. If you are at fault in an accident, your regular insurance policy may not cover all the damage. This is where umbrella insurance can help. It can provide coverage for things like medical expenses, property damage, and legal fees.

As a homeowner, you are also at risk of being sued. If someone has an injury on your property, they may sue you to cover their medical expenses. Umbrella insurance can help protect your assets in this situation. If you have a pool, playground equipment, or other hazards on your property, umbrella insurance is also a good idea for peace of mind.

How Much Umbrella Insurance Do I Need?

The amount of umbrella insurance you need depends on your assets and income. It would help if you considered how much coverage you would need to protect your home, savings, and future earnings. A financial advisor can help you determine the right coverage for your needs.

Talk to your Vargas & Vargas Insurance Agency about umbrella insurance in Dorchester, MA.

Ways Student Drivers Can Save on Insurance Costs

Posted on August 22, 2022July 28, 2022 by cvargas

As the school year begins, many student drivers will take to the roads. And for some, this might be the first time they are actively driving an automobile to and from school. Are you getting the best insurance deals for your teens?

There are a few ways you can reduce the overall cost of insurance premiums for student drivers. Many of them require a bit more time behind the wheel than, say, a sophomore in high school.

However, there are a few ways you can still save on new drivers heading to class.

Good Grades for Student Drivers

A lot of insurers will offer discounts for students if they can maintain a B average or better. This is one way to inspire student drivers to perform as well as they possibly can in school.

In some cases, the insurer may provide a discount if the student is within the top 20% of his or her class. Some agents may also apply discounts for performing well (top 20%) on various achievement tests, such as the ACT, SAT, PSAT, and more.

Good Student discounts may be available for high school, college, or even home-schooled students between the ages of 16 and 25. If you’re unsure your insurer provides these types of discounts, it’s worth the time to contact them today. It could save a great deal on premiums every month.

In most cases, you’ll need a current grade report card for your student or a signed form from a school administrator proving your student does, indeed, have good grades.

Good Driver Discounts for Students

Doing well in school is a great way to reduce insurance costs. However, some students may also qualify as Good Drivers. Of course, this is usually for college students because of the requirements.

For instance, most Good Driver discounts are triggered by accident and violation-free driving for the past three to five years. This means anyone under the age of 19 has a lower chance to qualify because of a lack of sufficient time behind the wheel.

Nonetheless, paying the auto insurance for your college student may be cheaper should he or she have a spotless driving record.

Usage-Based Auto Insurance

Something else you could keep in mind for your student drivers is usage-based insurance. This is often referred to as telematics insurance.

In this type of insurance, the premiums are based on the amount of actual driving that is done. In most cases, mobile apps or devices collect data regarding the use of the vehicle.

Data collected could be everything from mileage tracking to capturing the speed of the driver.

Telematics uses a similar platform to pay-as-you-go. Depending on the distance traveled during any given time period and the overall driving performance of your student, insurance premiums could be significantly reduced.

Unfortunately, because of the sheer amount of setup and data collected, telematics isn’t available to every insurance provider.

Reduce the Cost of Your Student Drivers Today!

Having a child in school often costs parents a great deal of money every month. Don’t let insurance be one of those things that stress you out.

At Vargas & Vargas Insurance, we’ll help you find the best deals for your student without breaking the bank. Contact us today to find out what we can do for you and your student.

13 Easy Weatherproofing Ideas for Your Home and Auto

Posted on August 15, 2022July 28, 2022 by cvargas

As each summer gets hotter than the last, we have to do what we can to reduce the damage brought on by excessive heat. Not only does weatherproofing prolong the lifespan of certain things for the home and auto, but many of them can also save you quite a bit of money.

Today, let’s take a look at several ways you can prevent high temperatures from wreaking havoc on your property.

Weatherproofing Your Home

From a financial standpoint, weatherproofing your home is always a good idea. Not only does it reduce the onset of certain kinds of damage, but it can have an immediate impact on your monthly bills.

A few ideas that can reduce the cooling of your home include:

Using aluminum foil on the windows to reflect heat.
Using blackout curtains to block heat and light if you don’t like the appearance of aluminum.
Replacing insulation and sealing holes and cracks in your walls, windows, and doors.
Adding window awnings to provide shade from direct sunlight.
Cleaning ducts to allow better airflow.
Replacing air filters of your HVAC system every 90 days.

The best part is that most of these ideas cost very little to implement. Nonetheless, they can save you a great deal of money in the long term.

For example, simply keeping the ductwork clean allows for better airflow, which results in the HVAC system having to work less to keep the home cool or heated. This means less wear and tear on the unit itself.

In other words, that $10 filter could save you hundreds of dollars in energy bills and repair costs.

Weatherproofing Your Car

Not everyone thinks about weatherproofing the car or truck. However, they can benefit in much the same way as your home. Well, actually it is you who benefits as it will save you quite a bit in repair costs when the temperature spikes.

Keep in mind that electronics are more susceptible to failure when the ambient temperatures are higher. As there are a lot of electronic devices in vehicles today, it’s imperative to do what you can to reduce the impact of those high temperatures.

A few things you can do to protect your auto include:

Keeping the tires properly inflated, as heat can weaken the rubber and reduce elasticity. This can lead to cracking.
Making sure all fluids are at proper levels as lubricants are more vital during times of excessive heat.
Replacing the battery before it fails, especially those that are exceptionally older.
Using window coverings to keep the heat out. It’s more comfortable and prevents damage to things inside the vehicle.

Just like the home, weatherproofing your vehicle now can save you on future repair costs. Not to mention reducing the likelihood of breaking down on the side of the road with temperatures in excess of 100 degrees.

Leave Nothing to Chance

Although there are plenty of ways for weatherproofing your car and home to save money, Vargas & Vargas insurance can help you take the savings to that extra level. Contact us today to find out how we can customize your policy to accommodate your lifestyle.

From protecting your property from the ravages of heat waves to giving peace of mind throughout the winter months, we can help you.

Does Inflation Cause Insurance Rates to Go Up?

Posted on August 8, 2022July 27, 2022 by cvargas

Inflation will affect a wide scope of products and services. Unfortunately, this also includes home and auto insurance. The reason for this is that insurers examine several factors when determining rates. One of these factors is the cost to repair or replace.

How Inflation Can Affect Insurance Rates

If the cost of raw materials goes up, this will have an impact on how much an insurer will need to cover predetermined expenses.

For example, a lot of automobiles require microchips in order to function properly. Thanks to the global chip shortage, the costs to replace them are much higher than they were five years ago.

This means insurers must pass on the more expensive auto repairs to clients.

Some expenses for home repair recently increased in 2020 and 2021. However, lumber prices have come down as inventories continue to pile up due to things like mortgage rates increasing, which decreases demand for new home sales.

However, shortages can come in a variety of forms for housing. For example, a current lack of labor and certain electrical equipment can ultimately affect new construction and repairs.

This all culminates in how an insurer adjusts your premiums. In other words, it’s common for inflation to directly affect how much you’ll pay for home and auto insurance.

It all comes down to the cost of repairs should something happen.

Ways to Lower Your Monthly Premiums

Although inflation will directly impact insurance rates, there are several things you can do to reduce the costs on your end.

A few ways you can lower monthly insurance premiums include:

Bundling auto and home insurance packages – many insurers will offer discounts by combining policies.
Pay for a year in advance – depending on your insurer, you may be offered a discount if you pay for a year or more ahead of time.
Increase your deductibles – Although this means you’ll need to have more money out-of-pocket before insurance kicks in, a higher deductible often results in lower monthly premiums.
Check your insurer for any home and auto insurance discount programs – for instance, many auto insurers will have “good driver” discounts for those who have never filed a claim.
Demonstrate being a safe homeowner – it’s possible that you may qualify for discounts if you show a history of not filing insurance claims or have equipment installed to prevent damage to the home.
Make home improvements – it doesn’t take a massive investment to improve the home. Something as simple as improved lighting, CO2 sensors, or installing a doorbell camera may help reduce insurance premiums.

Of course, this also depends greatly on your insurance agent. But for the most part, insurers have a variety of discounts available if you ask for them.

Let Us Help You Weather Inflation Issues

At Vargas & Vargas Insurance, we’ll help you customize your plan to help you adjust during times of inflation. We are here to offer you solutions that will fit your budget. Contact us today and find out how we can help you.

From auto insurance to home protection, don’t let rising costs scare you away from protecting your property.

Who Should Get Flood Insurance?

Posted on August 1, 2022July 27, 2022 by agentinsure

For everyone who owns a home, it’s important to give it all the protection it needs against a wide range of risks. Home insurance protects against many threats but doesn’t offer any protection against flooding. Floods are an expensive type of disaster that can cause enormous damage. Flood insurance can help pay for the damage done after a flood, which may even require rebuilding the house. If you don’t have flood insurance, give us a call today at Vargas & Vargas Insurance in Dorchester, MA.

Everyone Needs Flood Insurance

There are high-risk areas for flooding and areas with little risk of it. Many homeowners don’t consider getting a flood insurance policy unless they live in a high-risk area. And while it’s essential to have this insurance if you’re in a high-risk area, it’s also essential if you aren’t in one of these areas. About 20% of the claims for floods originate from areas not at high risk for flooding. For people who don’t have flood insurance and experience flooding, it can mean significant damage to their homes. The National Flood Insurance Program recommends that all homeowners get this insurance to protect themselves.

The Backing of Flood Insurance

Flood insurance is sponsored and backed by the National Flood Insurance Program. This program ensures government backing for these policies and sets the price of this insurance. This means you don’t have to shop around or hope you got the best price, as it costs the same everywhere.

Get Your Flood Insurance Policy

Getting flood insurance is important whether you are in a high-risk or low-risk flood zone. To get this insurance protection, give us a call at Vargas & Vargas Insurance in Dorchester, MA.

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Month: August 2022