Vargas & Vargas Insurance

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Dorchester, MA 02124

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Do These Things Before Leaving for a Vacation

Summer vacation is finally here – are you planning a family trip? Many families will be taking advantage of school breaks and beautiful weather to go somewhere and make memories.

Do These Things Before Leaving for a Vacation

Whether you’re staying close to home with a trip to Cape Cod or the Berkshires, or leaving for a cross country or international trip, make sure that you make a detailed checklist of the things that you need to do before you leave. Every family’s checklist will be different, but here are a few suggestions to get you started:

  • Check to make sure that all bills are taken care of for the entire time that you will be gone. Send in payments early or schedule automatic payments so that you won’t come back facing late fees.
  • Contact your local post office to put a hold on your mail, and stop newspaper deliveries. Nothing tells a burglar that you’re away quite like an overflowing mailbox or pile of old papers.
  • Clean out your wallet or purse of all unnecessary items. This includes credit cards and rewards cards that you won’t need. While you’re at it, make sure to write down emergency contact information and keep it in a safe place. Also give a copy to a neighbor or family member.
  • Carry copies of important documents with you when you travel. This can mean passports for international trips, or credit cards for domestic and international travel.
  • Call your bank and credit card companies to let them know you will be travelling. They will often put a note on your account so that your card isn’t frozen for suspicious activity. Some institutions will even let you do this online.
  • Purchase travel snacks and entertainment. Nothing busts a vacation budget quite like needing to purchase food and entertainment while you travel. Instead, pack a travel bag full of healthy snacks and several entertainment options from home.
  • Before you leave your home, make sure that your electronics are fully charged, and that your chargers are packed in an easy-to-reach place. You may even want to invest in an extra battery or a portable charger for your devices.
  • Tidy your home. It doesn’t have to sparkle, but there’s something to be said for coming home to an organized place. Take out the trash and clean out the fridge before you leave, and pick up any noticeable clutter. Extra kudos if you’re able to clean the sheets and do some laundry!
  • Take a walk around your home and power off or unplug everything you can. Obviously things like your fridge need to keep running, but the more that you can unplug the less you will spend on phantom energy, and the lower your chances of a spontaneous electrical fire while you’re away.

Of course, as Massachusetts insurance experts, we always encourage our clients to make a quick call to our agency before leaving for a trip to ensure that your policies will protect you while you’re away. For a quick and free review of your home insurance, just call 617-298-0655. Also make sure that you get an auto insurance review if you’re taking a road trip or parking your car at the airport for an extended period of time.

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Eight Essential Car Care Tips

car care tips

You know how to take care of your body with good nutrition and regular exercise, but do you know these eight car care tips that will keep your vehicle healthy? Some of these maintenance tasks can even be done a home with some inexpensive materials and a little bit of training! If you make your car’s well-being a priority, it will continue to serve you for many years to come.

Regular Oil Changes – One of the best things that you can do for your vehicle is to ensure that it gets fresh oil on a regular basis. If you neglect your oil, it will begin to take a toll on your engine – something that no one wants to replace prematurely, especially when the preventative care is so cheap comparatively!

The Cooling System – Ensure that your coolant is changed annually. Make sure to follow your manufacturer’s instructions to do so, but a good rule of thumb is a 50/50 mix of coolant and distilled water. This will prevent corrosion and deposits from forming in your cooling system.

Transmission and Other Fluids – Your car requires several different types of fluids to run. Make sure that you are following your manufacturer’s recommendations for the types of fluids to use when it comes to things like the transmission fluids, and have them replaced regularly to keep your car healthy.

Lubrication is Key – Parts of your car need to move in sync in order to function. This is made possible with lubrication. Making sure that your engine is properly lubricated will help ensure that everything continues to move smoothly.

Wheel Bearing ServiceMaintaining your wheel bearings is cheap and simple for most vehicles. What’s not cheap and easy is replacing your spindle and hub, or fixing your vehicle when a wheel detaches.

Brake Fluid Maintenance – Brake fluid is a peculiar substance because it’s attracted to water. Water is an enemy to metal, the main component of your vehicle. Replacing your brake fluid annually will keep moisture away from other parts of your car and prevent corrosion.

Wash Inside and Out – Your car deserves a good deep cleaning once in a while. Give everything a good vacuum and wipe down, and remember to rinse off the undercarriage (especially in the winter if there’s salt and debris under there).

Apply Wax Regularly – Keep your car looking shiny and new (and protect your paint) with a fresh coat of wax every six months. You can do this yourself at home, or opt for a car wash that includes wax the next time you go to a local car wash for a scrub!

The one main point to take away from these eight tips is that preventative maintenance is cheap and easy, but fixing the issues that could otherwise arise is a huge (and typically expensive) task. Learn how to do some car maintenance yourself, or make regular appointments with your service provider to keep your vehicle healthy for years to come.

And here’s a bonus tip for keeping your car in tip-top shape: get a car insurance policy from Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency! With a policy from our agency, you can rest assured knowing that you will be protected in case you get into an accident. Financial protection like that is hard to find, so call us at 617-298-0655 now to speak to a Massachusetts auto insurance expert about getting a free quote.

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These Distracted Driving Activities Will Shock You!

Distracted Driving ActivitiesEveryone admits to taking their eyes off of the road or their hands off of the wheel at one time or another while driving. While we hope that all Vargas and Vargas Insurance customers only do this to occasionally adjust the radio, there are some pretty shocking actions people perform while driving that will blow you away.

In a recent survey by Erie Insurance in Pennsylvania, over two thousand adults over the age of 18 were polled, and the data that they found is below.

Texting While Driving

Distracted driving accounts for many accidents, and texting is one of the top causes of distracted driving in today’s world. Even though most states in the US (including Massachusetts) ban texting for all drivers, 30% of respondents to the Harris Poll by Erie Insurance admit to texting while driving, and a whopping 75% say that they have witnessed others text while driving.

Delving deeper into the data, you will find that men are more likely to text while behind the wheel than their female counterparts (32% and 28%, respectively). Also, it probably won’t surprise you to learn that younger drivers tend to text more. Here are the breakdowns of how many people admit to texting, by age group:

51% of 18-34 year olds

39% of 35-44 year olds

33% of 45-54 year olds

14% of 55-64 year olds

7% of drivers aged 65+

The survey also revealed one more tidbit about texting and driving that was slightly uplifting: when you divide the nation into regions, drivers in the Northeast text the least at 24%. Drivers in the South, however, tend to text the most at 35%.

Other Driving Distractions

While texting is undoubtedly one of the most prolific distractions that drivers engage in on the road, it is not the only one out there. In fact, the survey unearthed several other reasons for distracted driving that will probably leave you shocked, or, at the very least, puzzled:

15% of drivers admit to kissing or other PDA

15% of drivers admit to styling their hair

9% of drivers admit to changing clothes

8% of drivers admit to applying makeup

4% of drivers admit to brushing or flossing their teeth

4% of drivers admit to taking selfies

3% of drivers admit to changing drivers

3% of drivers admit to using the bathroom

Regardless of the motive, all distracted driving is dangerous. Here’s a fact that also may shock you: every day in the United States, approximately 1,153 people are injured and 9 people are killed because of distracted driving.

Please, put your safety (and the safety of others) first when you’re driving. Stay focused on the road, and make sure to speak up if you see a friend or family member taking part in distracted driving activities. Here at Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency, we work each and every day to make sure that you and your loved ones are protected, and putting a stop to distracted driving would mean a huge leap forward in safe driving practices in Massachusetts and nationwide.

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How to Improve Your Commute

TRAVEL(1)Do you wake up in the morning dreading the long journey into work? For most people, the day improves greatly once work begins because that means the commute is over. If this sounds like your feelings, you may be suffering from the commuting blues.

Thankfully, there are several things that you can do to improve your commute. Here are just a few ideas that may be able to make your daily trips a little less infuriating and a little more enjoyable:

Avoid Traffic

Everyone agrees that a shorter commute is a happier commute. This means that it is well worth your while to search for the route that gets you to and from work in the shortest amount of time. While you’re probably happy with the suggestion given by your map application of choice, you need to be aware of the traffic changes every given day. By using a ‘Social GPS’ app like Waze (free on both Google Play and the Apple App Store) you can make sure that your commute is the shortest possible route each day.

Do Something Rewarding

You are much more likely to get frustrated on your commute if you feel like you are wasting your time sitting in the car. Counter this feeling by increasing your productivity while on the road. It’s true that driving will occupy both your eyes and your hands, but even then your ears are available for productive activity! Instead of idly tuning in to a radio, do something more productive (and engaging) like listening to a podcast or an audio book. You can choose to listen to things that are of personal interest, or double your productivity and listen to a show or a book that will help you professionally.

Stress Less by Driving Less

If you don’t like driving, remember that there are always other options available. Depending on the location of your home and workplace, you may be able to use public transportation to get to and from work each day. It may make the journey a little bit longer, but you will be helping the environment while also reducing your own stress levels. If public transportation isn’t an option, you can also look into carpooling. Find a friend or neighbor with about the same commute, and share the driving responsibilities.

Not doing the driving all yourself will also open up your rewarding activities even more. You can include reading and writing to your potential activity list. If work is close enough, consider skipping traffic altogether and getting some exercise by walking to and from work on days with good weather.

It is also important that you let your Vargas and Vargas Insurance agent know if there are any changes to your commute. Your auto insurance coverage changes based on how much you drive, so if you reduce (or eliminate) your travel to and from work each day, your agent will need to adjust your policy accordingly. To make a policy change, or to ask an agent a question, all you need to do is call 617-298-0655. We are always happy to help you with your insurance needs!

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General Car Insurance FAQs

General Car Insurance FAQs

Insurance is a complicated business – there’s no denying that! Thankfully, the insurance experts here at Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency are here to answer some of your general car insurance questions.

Here are five questions that we are asked all the time by our current and prospective customers:

Do I need to have a certain amount of auto insurance coverage?

Yes! Each state requires that you purchase a certain amount of auto insurance. In Massachusetts, the current requirements are as follows:

$20,000 per person ($40,000 per accident) for Bodily Injury to Others.

$8,000 per person and per accident for Personal Injury Protection.

$20,000 per person ($40,000 per accident) for Bodily Injury Caused by an Uninsured Auto.

$5,000 per accident for Damage to Someone Else’s Property.

How much coverage should I have for my vehicle?

We listed the minimum amounts required in the state of Massachusetts, but for the most part, it is recommended to have more than the minimum amount of coverage. When deciding how much coverage you need, you should consider the value and size of your vehicle, as well as whether your vehicle is paid off.

An insurance agent from Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency can help you wade through the process of deciding on your car insurance coverage amounts, as well as setting a premium and deductible that make sense for you and your financial situation.

What kinds of auto insurance discounts do you offer?

We offer so many different auto insurance discounts that we couldn’t possibly list them all! Here at Vargas and Vargas Insurance, we compare several different insurance providers when looking for a car insurance quote, and we will help you choose the one that will get you the best coverage at the best price based on the discounts that each provider offers.

Can I make changes to my car insurance policy?

Absolutely! You can always call our office to make changes to your policy. Whether you’re getting married, there’s a new driver in your family, or you need to increase or decrease the amount of coverage in your policy or your deductible, a Vargas and Vargas Insurance staff member will be glad to help you update your policy.

Depending on what you need to change, your policy could be updated immediately, or we can set an ‘effective date’ for the change to go into effect at a later time.

I’m looking to switch insurance providers – How do I get a car insurance quote?

Getting an insurance quote is as easy as contacting Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency. The quote process is quick and simple. All you have to do is answer a few questions and we will have quotes from major insurance providers that you can compare.

Make sure that you keep our number in your phone, too. You can always call us at 617-298-0655 if you need to ask a question or update your policies. That’s also the number that you want to dial if you need help with any other type of insurance – from home to health to business and more!

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Factors that Affect Boston Car Insurance Quotes

Factors that affect your Boston Car Insurance Quotes

When people call Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency for Boston car insurance quotes, they are always blown away by our friendly and quick service. What goes on behind the scenes is very interesting though! When you call us for an insurance quote, we gather information from several insurance providers in order to make sure that you receive the best possible insurance at the best possible price.

Each insurance provider will often quote a different price on an auto insurance policy. This is because they each use different factors when determining your quote. Here are just a few examples of factors that some car insurance companies use when determining a quote:

Your Age – The older you are, the less risky a driver you are. This means that older people pay less for car insurance than younger people (under 25).

Your Gender – Men sometimes pay more for their auto insurance than female drivers due to trends of males being more reckless.

Your Marital Status – Insurance providers know that married people are (on average) less accident prone than their single counterparts.

Your Education Level – Typically speaking, the more educated a person is, the less likely they will file insurance claims. Some insurance providers will provide lower premiums for people with advanced degrees.

Your Credit Score – Did you know that there is a high correlation between a high credit score and a clean driving record? Read some tips about how to keep your credit score high at the Vargas and Vargas Insurance sister site, First Time Home Buyer Tools.

Your Driving Record – If you have been a safe driver in the past, most auto insurance providers will reward you with lower rates.

Your Driving Habits – If you don’t drive your car very much, tell your insurance agent. You may be eligible for a low mileage discount on your premium! This is also true if you live close to your workplace.

Your Location – Where you do your driving tells insurance providers how accident prone your region is, as well as how expensive repairs will be if you ever need to file a claim.

The Vehicle You Drive – The type of vehicle that you wish to insure (sedan, SUV, truck, etc.) will affect the quote you receive. Another factor that insurance providers consider is the age of the vehicle.

Your Vehicle’s Saftey Features – If your car has certain safety features, like extra airbags and a car alarm, insurance providers will often offer you lower rates.

Your Vehicle’s Business Use – If your car is ever used for a commercial purpose (delivery, transportation, etc for a business) you will probably pay a little extra for auto insurance.

Your Current Auto Insurance – Insurance providers don’t like to see gaps in insurance coverage. Some providers will charge you more if you don’t have a current policy.

To get one of the free and comprehensive Boston car insurance quotes for which Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency is famous, all you need to do is call 617-298-0655. One of our service-centered representatives will be happy to gather the necessary information and start the quote process right away. And make sure to recommend us to your friends and family!

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4 Tricks to Save Money on Your Boston Auto Insurance

4 Tricks to Save Money on Boston Auto Insurance

As the premier Boston insurance agency, Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency is always looking out for you – our customers. We want to make sure that you have a great Boston auto insurance policy, and that it comes at a great price. If you’re in the market to lower your car insurance premium (after all, who isn’t?) then check out these four tips from the insurance experts:

1. Consider insurance costs when buying a car.

Not everyone has the luxury to do this right away, but the next time that you buy a car, consider the cost to insure it. Generally, the more safety features a car has, the less it will cost to insure. Depending on the insurance provider that you use, you could receive discounts for a number of different safety features, including (but not limited to):

Encouraging you to have features that make your car less likely to be damaged or stolen is worth it to insurance providers, and discounts are how they show their appreciation for you valuing your asset. This means it may be worth considering getting some safety upgrades when you buy a new car – both for your auto insurance cost and for the health concerns of yourself and your future passengers. Nothing is too expensive when it could save the life of a loved one.

2. Maintain a good credit score.

Did you know that (according to research) drivers with a strong credit history are less likely to file claims on their Boston auto insurance policy? Knowing this association, some insurance providers will decrease your insurance premium if you have a high credit score.

How to improve your credit score could easily be its own post, but some quick tips to raising your score are: pay off debt, pay bills on time, limit the number of credit accounts that you have, and keep credit balances low.

3. Take advantage of “Low Mileage” discounts.

Do you drive less than the average driver? If so, talk to your insurance agent about your driving habits, and see if you qualify for a “low mileage” discount on your car insurance policy. Most people drive to and from work most days, in addition to running errands. If your car mostly sits in the driveway, you could qualify for a discount due to the fact that a car in a driveway is at a decreased risk for filing a claim. This discount sometimes also applies to people that carpool, so ask an insurance professional if you think that you may qualify.

4. Ask your agent about getting more discounts on your policy.

If you still think you’re paying too much for your Massachusetts car insurance, we encourage you to call Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency at 617-298-0655. Our agents would love to review your unique situation, and can determine if there are any additional discounts for which you qualify. Our agents are experts at finding the best Massachusetts car insurance, so never fear – just call Vargas and Vargas Insurance now for a free quote!

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Do You Know these Massachusetts Driving Laws?

Here in the US, the driving laws that you must follow depend on the state in which you’re driving. That means that Massachusetts has its own set of driving laws that are different from every other state, including even our neighboring states of New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Vermont.

Do You Know these Massachusetts Driving Laws?

Hopefully, you caught our featured article a few weeks ago about the new Massachusetts headlight law that went into effect on April 7, 2015. (If not, go ahead and catch up on that blog post now!)

If you were curious as to some of the other Massachusetts specific driving laws, today is your lucky day! We’ve scouted out just a few of the driving laws that are unique to Massachusetts. Read more about them below:

1. Accident Reporting – In Massachusetts, you are required to report accidents in cases of injury and death, and also if property damage exceeds $1,000. The accident must be reported within five days.

2. Child Passenger Safety – Children under age 8 and under 4 feet 9 inches tall must have a child safety seat. Children aged 8 through 12 need a properly adjusted safety belt or child restraint. In addition, all drivers and passengers in Massachusetts must wear seatbelts, with few exceptions.

3. Cell Phones and Texting – Cell phone use is prohibited for school bus drivers and all drivers under the age of 18. Texting is banned to all drivers in Massachusetts.

4. Speed Limits – Unless otherwise posted, Massachusetts has suggested speed limits of 65 mph for rural and urban interstates. Speed limit citations have a minimum penalty of $75. This fine increases $10 for each mph you were travelling over the first 10 mph.

5. Mature Drivers – For drivers 75 and older, license must be done in person and every five years.

6. Work Zones – If you are caught speeding in a work zone in Massachusetts, you can get an enhanced penalty of double the original fine. Workers don’t need to be present for this to happen, though the zone must be marked with signs.

In addition to all of these laws, there are minimum Massachusetts Auto Insurance requirements. Every car in Massachusetts must have the following coverage:

  • Bodily Injury to Others – $20,000 Per Person and $40,000 Per Accident
  • Personal Injury Protection (PIP) – Pays up to $8,000 for Medical Expenses
  • Bodily Injury and Uninsured Motorist – $20,000 Per Person and $40,000 Per Accident
  • Property Damage to Another Person’s Property – $5,000

It is important to remember, though, that these are the minimum requirements. To ensure proper protection, call a Vargas and Vargas Insurance agent at 617-298-0655. There, you can get a quote for auto insurance protection that will provide protection for your property, yourself, and your loved ones.

Please make sure that your friends and loved ones know these Massachusetts driving laws by sharing this post on Facebook or Twitter with the buttons below. Also make sure to tell them about how Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency can get them a fast and free insurance review.

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5 Massachusetts Commercial Vehicle Insurance Myths

Does your business use a vehicle? If a car or other automobile is a part of your business, you need to make sure that you have a top notch commercial vehicle insurance policy! A commercial auto insurance policy will protect your business in several different ways.

5 Massachusetts Commercial Vehicle Insurance Myths

Unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation floating around about commercial vehicle coverage. In an attempt to clear up the misconceptions, here are five common commercial auto insurance myths, and the truth behind the confusion:

Myth 1: Any employee is covered when driving a company vehicle.

In some cases, commercial vehicle insurance policies specify that drivers are only covered if their name is on the policy. This means that it is the business owner’s responsibility to make sure that this list of drivers is kept up to date, and that employees that are not listed on the policy know that they are not permitted to drive company vehicles.

Myth 2: Seasonal businesses should cancel their coverage when their vehicles aren’t in use.

If you run a seasonal business, you may be tempted to only purchase commercial auto coverage for your business vehicles when your business is open. There are several reasons why cancelling your coverage is a bad idea. First off, your vehicles will lose their protection – while they won’t get into an accident when they’re not on the road, they could still be the target of a thief, or get damaged by a storm or a falling tree. It is also worth noting that some commercial auto insurance providers will charge you more to insure a vehicle that has gone without coverage. So, letting your coverage lapse may cost you when you’re ready to start business again. Instead of cancelling your coverage altogether, call your Massachusetts insurance agent and ask about reducing your coverage to liability only.

Myth 3: You don’t need commercial vehicle insurance coverage for your personal automobile.

If you only use your automobile for personal use, then a traditional auto insurance policy will suit you just fine. If, on the other hand, you know that you will occasionally employ your personal vehicle for commercial uses, you need to ask your insurance agent whether you need a commercial automobile policy. This includes transporting commercial goods or paying passengers, or if your vehicle has equipment installed to support a business.

Myth 4: You must pay your insurance premium in full and up front.

Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that you are required to pay your entire insurance premium up front. In fact, many insurance providers will allow you to pay in installments. It is important to note, though, that by using a payment plan you will sometimes be losing out on a ‘Pay in full’ discount. Ask your business insurance agent about the details of your policy to find out more.

Myth 5: It will always be cheapest to bundle your business insurance policies with the same provider.

Here at Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency, we are experts at getting our customers great insurance at a low price. Because of this, we know that bundling isn’t always how you get the best price on protection for your commercial vehicles. In fact, sometimes you will pay much less in insurance premiums if you take advantage of discounts offered by different insurance providers. To find out about how to save on all of your business insurance policies, call the experts at 617-298-0655.

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

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.

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

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.

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