An independent insurance broker is an agent who provides a wide selection of policies from many different insurers to satisfy the customer’s requirements. On the other hand, captive agents or direct writers, including companies such as Allstate, Liberty Mutual, Farmers and USAA and Amica among others, are dedicated to one particular insurer and only offer that company’s insurance products.

How much does it cost to work with an independent insurance broker?

Using an independent insurance broker does not come at any additional cost compared to dealing with a direct write or captive insurance agent or going to the insurance company directly. We can make the process simpler for you by obtaining quotes from a variety of insurers, and we may even be able to find you a better deal than if you were to shop around on your own.

Why work with an independent insurance broker?

Unlike major national insurers who need to invest huge amounts of money in advertisements instead of their communities, our drive is to offer customized service and the most competitive rates for our customers in our community. And we are involved in our community. We contribute to local companies, charities, and other groups and provide advice and assistance. We hire and spend our income in our communities.

Having more options

Having a variety of options is always beneficial. A local independent insurance broker can help you get the best-tailored coverage at an affordable rate. As opposed to being tied to one specific insurer, we will be able to partner with you to figure out the best policy for your needs.

As an independent insurance broker we are called “independent” because, unlike captive agents and direct agents who only represent one company, we have the flexibility to shop around and find the best coverage from many different insurance companies that fits your individual needs. We take the time to understand your unique situation and identify the coverage that best meets your requirements.

We’re Your Advocate

Working with an independent insurance broker has many more additional benefits, like We may be able to provide discounts and other advantages that large national companies cannot.

Working with an independent insurance broker has additional benefits.

The customer service provided by Vargas & Vargas Insurance is unparalleled. An automated chatbot may be able to provide a polite and friendly interaction, but nothing can replace the human connection and personal relationships.

Our team will stay with you through all of life’s ups and downs. You are welcome to contact us whenever you need help – whether it’s finding insurance for a new driver, buying a new home, filing an insurance claim if something unexpected happens, or anything in between. We make ourselves available via phone, email, text message or face-to-face meetings. No request is too big or small – we will review your policy details and refer you to experienced professionals such as real estate agents or mortgage lenders.

The right insurance at the right price for you

An independent agent has access to a variety of insurance carriers and coverages, which is an important distinction to note. This is because it will likely save you time, money, and frustration in the future. Gone are the days of trying to find another insurance agency to work with. At Vargas & Vargas Insurance, we don’t settle for good enough or one-size-fits-all. We are committed to finding you the right coverage at the right price.

We know you

And as an independent broker can serve as your insurance advocate over the course of your life. This local expertise can bring many benefits, such as getting to know you personally and understanding the changes in your life and circumstances over time. We offer advice and guidance and may have information about particular risks in the vicinity, which can aid you in preventing any gaps in your insurance protection.

And we always have time for you. You can reach Vargas & Vargas Insurance at 617-298-0655 and be glad that you did.

Selling a home can be both exciting and stressful. There are common mistakes that often result in costly outcomes, so it’s important to do your research before beginning the process of selling your home. Taking precautions will ensure a smoother sales experience with greater financial rewards.

Selling without the Use of a real estate agent

Real estate agents possess a wide range of knowledge and expertise to help you get the most out of your home sale. They are familiar with local market values, have experience selling homes and can point out flaws that need attention before listing. Agents also leverage their professional networks to spread word about new listings quickly, know what makes buyers qualified for purchase negotiations and handle all legal paperwork involved in closing the deal.

When selling your own home, you are responsible for the listing, showing and legal process. However, this can be difficult due to many buyer’s agents not wanting to show FSBO homes. This limits potential buyers significantly and could result in a financial loss of between $60-90k.

Avoiding Major Maintenance

Before selling a home, renovations like new garage doors and kitchen remodels can increase the value. However, it’s important to not replace essential repairs with these improvements as buyers will usually request an inspection post-offer; poor results could lead to delays or cancellations of the deal. Doing major repairs yourself may cost more initially but you’ll have control over who takes care of them.

Failing to understand the expense of selling

Selling a home can involve more than just paying realtor commission, which is usually 3.8-4.6% of the sale price plus 0.5-2.8% in closing costs; additional expenses may include repairs necessitated by an inspection report from lenders before they approve a loan.

If you decide not to make repairs, the buyer may offer a lower price for your home. The cost of staging will depend on how many rooms and what kind of decor is needed; buyers might also ask for concessions like keeping some appliances or having the seller cover their closing costs.

Failing to Have Adequate Insurance

Even if you have already paid off your mortgage, it is important to maintain a homeowner’s insurance policy. This form of insurance not only safeguards your home and belongings from disasters, but also provides liability coverage should an accident occur on your property that causes injury to someone. Furthermore, if you have moved away from the home before selling it, the lack of occupancy may increase its vulnerability to vandalism or theft.

Discuss the details of the sale with your real estate agent before you put your house up for sale and make sure your insurance policy will give you the necessary protection during the selling process.

Failing to Get Your Home Ready for the Sale

Your home is important to you for many reasons, but potential buyers want to imagine it as their own. By taking away unnecessary objects and adding tasteful decorations, you can make your home more attractive during viewings. Clutter can give the impression that the space is smaller than it actually is, and personal items can stop people from picturing themselves living there. Research shows that staging a house before showings decreases the amount of time it takes to sell by 31%, and increases its value by 6-10%. If you don’t prepare your house for showings, you could miss out on offers and take longer to find a buyer.

The best of the BEST

Vargas & Vargas Insurance only works with the finest real estate agents, mortgage specialists, and lawyers. Please contact us if you need a recommendation for one of these professionals.

Homeowners often don’t consider the consequences of pricing a house too high or refusing to negotiate, which can lead to a prolonged time on the market and a lower sale price. To avoid these issues and make your home sale go more smoothly, it is important to prepare beforehand.

For insurance coverage that will help protect you throughout the selling process in Massachusetts, contact Vargas & Vargas Insurance at 617-298-0655, your local independent agent, today!

When your child reaches the age of 18, a lot of things change. They are allowed to move out and vote, may join the military, and even come home with tattoos or lottery tickets. It can be frightening to consider that once they reach this age, you no longer have the legal authority to make decisions on their behalf; not even in an urgent situation.

You won’t be able to access their medical, school, or financial records in such cases. We understand how intimidating this can be for parents, as many of our staff at Vargas & Vargas Insurance have children who either have become adults or are close to it.

We assist clients from all backgrounds and ages in ensuring they get the right insurance coverage to fit their family’s situation. We have put together some tips in this article that can help ensure both you and your grown child are taken care of during a crisis.

Obtain consent to disclose protected health information according to HIPAA regulations

Once your child reaches the age of 18, it is not possible for you to have access to any of their medical records. Therefore, if your child consents, they should sign a HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) release form. Once this form has been signed by your child, healthcare providers will be able to share medical information with you about them. This means that if the situation arises where your child cannot communicate with you regarding a medical emergency, their doctor will be able to inform you on what is happening.

Sign a power of attorney

Apart from health considerations, parents must also consider financial security for their child once they reach 18. If the adult child is unable to take care of their own finances, what can be done? A power of attorney allows a parent to be appointed as the designated person to handle the financial matters on behalf of their son or daughter. This would include accessing bank accounts, managing credit card companies, and taking care of contracts, loans, and enrollment agreements.

Think about getting life insurance.

It can be difficult to think about the death of your child. However, if this were to occur, you would want to make sure that you had the financial means to manage their final arrangements. As soon as your child reaches 18 and starts living independently, their chances of being in danger increase. If you are not able to pay for death-related costs at this time, life insurance may be a good option. If your child gets insurance and designates you as the beneficiary, funds will be provided upon their passing for whatever expenses may arise.

Life insurance isn’t only applicable in the event of a death. If a person has the proper riders attached to their policy, they can guarantee that they will be able to get insurance in the future as their needs change.

The cost of a life insurance policy rises with age. This means that if you buy a policy when you’re younger, the cost will be lower for the length of the policy, and no one can take it away from you as long as you continue to pay the insurance premium.

Vargas & Vargas Insurance is committed to providing assistance and support to families and individuals for more than four decades. Our staff are available to answer any queries you may have, so don’t hesitate to reach out by dialing 617-298-0655.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development has announced a reduction in Mortgage Insurance Premiums (MIP) on FHA loans. This change is set to go into effect on March 20, 2023, and will cut premiums from 0.85% to 0.55%, for most mortgages insured by the FHA. This substantial reduction in premiums is expected to save homeowners and homebuyers an average of $800 per year, which is a significant amount of money for many households.

Making Home Ownership More Affordable

HUD’s goal is to make homeownership more affordable and accessible for all. This could be done by reducing the amount of money that is needed downpayment or closing costs. This would help stabilize the housing market and make it easier for more people to get into it.

What Does This Mean

The FHA mortgage insurance premium reduction means that borrowers will now be able to purchase homes with a down payment as small as 3.5%. This is great news for those who are looking to purchase a home, as it becomes more accessible with this reduction. Additionally, the interest rates are lower this spring, which makes it a good time to buy a home.

At Vargas & Vargas Insurance, we understand the importance of saving money, especially when it comes to your mortgage payments. With the recent rule changes, you can expect to save money on your monthly mortgage payments, which could add up to big savings over the life of your loan.

But that’s not all. We can also review your Home, Automobile, Business and Life Insurance policies to make sure that you are properly protected at the best possible price. We are committed to helping you save money wherever we can.

Contact our team today at 617-298-0655 to learn more about how you can save money on your mortgage payments and other insurance coverage. Our knowledgeable staff is always available to answer any questions you may have and to provide you with the best advice for your individual situation. Don’t wait any longer – call us today to get started!