Preparing to Sell Your Home

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

Posted on June 28, 2017June 26, 2017 by cvargas

If you’re thinking of leaving the Boston area, or if you’re just upgrading to a new home, you need to get your home ready for market. With the help of a top notch real estate professional, you can have your home ready to show off to potential buyers in no time. To start preparing a little early, use the following Realtor-approved tips:

Curb appeal is crucial – make sure that your lawn is manicured, and touch up paint if necessary. Outdoor furniture and windows should be clean, and shrubbery and flowers should be pruned.
You want to make sure that your home feels spacious, so put away clutter. If you’re planning on moving, you can start packing away anything that you won’t need in the near future so that your home feels roomier.
Are there any repairs that will need to be done before your home sells? Get a start on those now – some sellers won’t like the idea of buying a home that needs repairs. For an idea of what needs to be done, ask for the help of a licensed home inspector.
When buyers tour your home, they will need to be able to envision living there. Help this process by depersonalizing the space – remove family photos, toys, and pet items from view.

And remember, when you do sell your home, talk to your Vargas and Vargas Insurance agent about how to cancel or transfer your existing Massachusetts home insurance policy. We are happy to answer any and all of your questions, and we will work hard to make the home insurance process as easy as possible for you and your family.

Do I Have to File a Claim?

Posted on June 26, 2017 by cvargas

FAQ: Do I Have to File a Claim?

We’ve all been there – you have a very minor issue with your home or car, and you think “I can handle this on my own… Do I have to tell my insurance company?” While it’s true that the answer depends on many factors (including your insurance provider and the terms of your coverage) here are some thoughts that can help you navigate this confusing situation:

Check your policy conditions – there may be language within that requires you to submit a claim. If you fail to notify your insurance provider about any occurrence that may result in a claim, you could be in violation of your policy condition, which could result in forfeiture of coverage for the incident in the future. This means that if the situation turns into more of a mess at some point, you may be up a creek without a paddle!

Most people would agree that it’s better to submit a claim from the onset rather than risk the potential of having no help from your insurance provider if the problem gets more complicated.

As you know, Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency is always available if you need to make a claim on one of your Massachusetts insurance policies. There are many ways to contact us – call 617-298-0655 during office hours, call our 24/7 line at 617-322-5289, text 617-409-0329, or email us. We will always do everything in our power to ensure that you are satisfied with your insurance experience, so let us know if there is anything that we can do for you!

The Top 3 Summer Insurance Claims

Posted on June 23, 2017June 21, 2017 by cvargas

Here at Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency, we want to make sure that your valuables stay safe. That’s why we are constantly offering blogs with safety tips for our customers. And if something does go wrong, our top of the line insurance policies will help you get back to normal quickly. If you’re interested, here is a short list of some of the most common insurance claims that we see in the summer time:

Car Accidents – Sure, these accidents happen all year round, but in the summer more people are on the road, whether they’re going to enjoy a day at the park or going on a road trip. This increased traffic leads to an increase in auto insurance claims.
BBQ Fires – When the weather warms up, so do the grills! Barbequing is a great way to get family and friends together to enjoy the outdoors, but can be a hazard if the proper safety procedures aren’t followed.
Burglaries and Break-ins – Summer is a great time to go on vacation. Unfortunately, burglars know this, and that’s why crimes like these are more common in June, July, and August. Prevent a break-in by following these safety tips. You should also check to make sure that your home insurance is ready for a claim – just in case.

For more information on how to avoid claims like the ones listed above, make sure that you check our blogs regularly. And if you’re interested in getting a Massachusetts insurance quote, just call 617-298-0655 to speak to one of our friendly and knowledgeable agents.

Keep Your Patio Furniture Looking New

Posted on June 12, 2017June 11, 2017 by cvargas

Has your patio furniture come out of storage for the summer? Being able to sit outside and enjoy the weather is one of the best parts of the summer months, and that is best done on a fabulous patio set. If you have new outdoor furniture, make sure that it looks fresh year after year with these tips:

You will probably want to give your furniture a good thorough cleaning when it comes either out of storage or home from the store. Don’t be afraid to rent a high-pressure cleaning tool, as long as your furniture’s cleaning guide says it is ok.
A layer of dirt and debris may seem like nothing to worry about, but over time this grime may eat away at your furniture’s finish and make it dull. Cover your patio set when not in use to avoid frequent cleanings, as well as the harsh rays of the sun.
Take care of rust as soon as you notice it. Rust will spread if ignored, so use these tips to help with small spots of rust that you see before they have the chance to overtake the set.
When the weather gets colder and the season for patio furniture is over, find a warm and dry place to store your set away from the elements.

Want to go the extra mile to protect your patio set? Call Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency at 617-298-0655 and make sure that your Massachusetts home insurance policy has an adequate amount of coverage for all of your furniture and other belongings.

Hurricane Season 2017 is Here!

Posted on June 1, 2017May 31, 2017 by cvargas

The 2017 hurricane season in the Atlantic will run from June 1 until November 30. Estimates for the upcoming season are already beginning to surface, and they aren’t mild – Weather.com is currently predicting a total of 14 named storms, including seven hurricanes, three of which will be major. This is right in line with the 2016 season, which had 15 named storms, 7 hurricanes (4 major).

Do you know what your home insurance policy will cover if a hurricane causes damage? While every policy is different, most offer protection for damage caused by heavy rain, wind, and hail. In addition, your home insurance may offer coverage if your home is severely damaged resulting in your need to seek shelter elsewhere – this is often called ‘loss of use.’

One important thing to note is that your home insurance probably doesn’t include coverage for damage due to floods – that is covered by a separate flood insurance policy. Since hurricanes and flooding often go hand in hand, flood insurance is something you might want to consider adding to your insurance portfolio in order to ensure complete protection.

Let’s talk numbers: in total, the 2016 storms caused over $16 Billion in damage. It’s not unheard of for a hurricane to affect us here in Massachusetts, so make sure that your belongings are protected. This includes your home, car, and more. To get a complete car and home insurance evaluation before the first threat forms, call Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency at 617-298-0655.

Summer Grill Safety Tips

Posted on May 31, 2017 by cvargas

No summer is complete without at least one cookout. Whether you’re attending one or hosting your own, make sure to brush up on your grill safety so that you can keep your family and friends safe. Here are a few things that you should know before you attend your first cookout:

The grill should be placed in a safe location – at least ten feet from any structures or trees.
Make sure all grilling tools are within reach before heating up.
Speaking of grilling equipment, make sure that there is always a spray bottle of water within arm’s reach in case of a flare-up.
If kids are present, the grill should be supervised by an adult at all times, and a “No kids” perimeter should be set up around the grill. For small kids, create a physical “Do not cross” line with some jump ropes or pool noodles.
Practice food safety techniques by thoroughly washing anything that comes in contact with raw meat, and not leaving meat at room (or outdoor) temperatures for extended periods.
As always, have a first aid kit handy in case there is an accident that requires medical care. If someone gets seriously injured, douse the grill immediately and get them the proper medical attention.

When you begin preparing to host your first cookout of the summer, first call Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency at 617-298-0655 to have an experienced Massachusetts insurance agent check over your home insurance policy. You never know when an accident will occur, so be ready for anything with our superior protection.

Insuring a Vacant or Unoccupied Home

Posted on May 19, 2017 by cvargas

In today’s world, more and more properties are vacant or unoccupied. This happened for many different reasons, including dividing time between a primary residence and vacation home, leaving a property while it is being renovated or is on the market to be sold, a rental property being between tenants, and more.

Vacant and unoccupied properties present a risk to insurance providers – whether the unit in question is a home, apartment, or condominium. Vacant and unoccupied properties can attract vandals and thieves, and accidents are more likely to occur and have serious repercussions. Just consider this scenario – you leave your home unoccupied while you are on an extended vacation and a pipe bursts. The damage is likely to be substantial because there is no one in residence to notice and remedy the issue. This makes it easy to see why insurance companies have limits and provisions for these situations.

Oftentimes, a short trip away from your home is not enough for it to be considered vacant. Most insurance providers will require a place of residence to be unoccupied for 30 consecutive days before they begin to drop coverage.

Many insurance policies contain a vacancy provision. Two similar terms—vacant and unoccupied—have specific meanings in the language of insurance and are specifically defined in some policies. A vacant building contains little or no furniture or other personal property.

If you are planning on leaving your home, apartment, or condo vacant or unoccupied in the future, call your local insurance agent to ask about how to make sure that you stay covered by your Massachusetts insurance policy. Depending on your insurance provider, you may only need to pay a small fee to ensure that your current protection continues. In other cases, you may be required to purchase a special policy tailored specifically to a vacant or unoccupied property. For more information, call Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency at 617-298-0655 today.

Is Buying a Condo the Right Choice for You?

Posted on May 9, 2017May 9, 2017 by cvargas

Here in the great city of Boston, we have many choices when it comes to where to live. You can rent an apartment, buy a home, or anything in between. Sometimes, though, people tend to skip over one of the options – buying a condominium. If you’re looking to find the perfect place for you and your family, consider these reasons to buy a condo:

You don’t have to handle any of the outside work. Mowing the grass, shoveling snow, gardening, and more will be taken care of by the condo association. Costs for these services are shared by the owners in the development.
Unlike homes, condos often have amenities. Some will offer a pool, theater room, gym, tennis court, party room, or many other possible perks.
When you’re renting, your customization options are typically quite limited. A condo, however, you can customize to your heart’s content, since you own your unit.
Oftentimes, working with a reliable real estate agent or broker can save you time, effort and disappointments, we work with many very experienced real estate agents and brokers, and we can connect you with one of them.
You may find a condo with a smaller price tag than a comparable traditional house. This makes condo living a great option, as long as you consider the monthly fees

If you have considered all of these reasons and decide that condo living is a perfect fit for your lifestyle, (it has been for Kathy and me) remember to call Vargas and Vargas Insurance for your Massachusetts condo insurance needs (even if you are told that you do not need unit owners coverage). We are experts at writing personal condo insurance policies, Condominium Master Insurance policies and we can make sure that all of your belongings are covered, in addition to making sure that your policy contains enough personal liability coverage for your needs. Call 617-298-0655 for a free quote today!

How to Start Recycling – We Can Help!

Posted on April 5, 2017April 3, 2017 by cvargas

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – it’s a phrase we hear as early as Elementary School. More than a phrase, it’s a way to make sure that each person does their part to create less waste and help the environment. Most people will admit that they could be doing more to recycle. If you’re someone that wants to do more to help the environment, start with these tips:

Pre-cycle When You Shop

Often, the biggest concern about what we buy is the product itself – and that’s understandable. But don’t forget to consider the packaging! Once in a while, opt for items that come in packages that are made of previously recycled materials, and/or that you can recycle when you’re done with them.

More than Just Newspapers and Cardboard

Nowadays, many types of material can be recycled. So, sure – still recycle the tried and true items, but make sure that you are recycling all eligible items by refreshing your knowledge of what is recyclable in the Boston area.

Get Items Ready for Recycling

Before you toss items into your recycling bin, use these tips to save on space and correctly process your recyclables:

Rinse out any items that held food or drink.
Remove both ends of aluminum and steel cans and crush.
Remove all packing materials from cardboard boxes and crush.
Keep cardboard dry and free from food waste.
Don’t recycle tissues, waxed paper, or carbon paper with other papers.
Ensure plastics are labeled with the Recycle symbol that is accompanied by a number 1-7.

How We Can Help

If you want to start doing more to reduce your waste, Vargas and Vargas Insurance agent about going paperless. Most insurance providers have a paperless billing option, and it may even reduce your premium on certain products – like home insurance and auto insurance. Call 617-298-0655 to ask if you can lower your insurance bill and help save paper!

Best and Worst Places to Store Your Wedding Rings

Posted on March 14, 2017April 2, 2017 by cvargas

When you get married, you may think that you will never take your wedding rings off. And while some people don’t, many prefer to err on the side of caution occasionally, like when things in the kitchen get messy (mixing meatloaf or kneading dough), when using harsh cleaning products, or when exercising.

If you are the kind of person that occasionally takes your ring or rings off, where do you put it? Here are some tips on what to do (and what not to do) with your precious jewelry:

DO store your rings in a fabric pouch or a ring box
DO put your rings in a memorable place
DON’T put your rings on the edge of a sink or counter
DO opt for a drawer where the rings can’t fall into the drain or trash
DON’T leave your rings in a locker when you’re at the gym
DON’T put your rings in your pocket – they could fall out or go through the wash
DO thread your rings onto a necklace if you need to take them off in a pinch

To make sure that your expensive jewelry is protected, ask your Massachusetts insurance agent about using a jewelry rider. This rider is typically an addition to your home insurance, renters insurance or condominium insurance that covers expensive items, like jewelry, art, collections, and more. This is especially important because your home or renters insurance may not fully protect expensive items like these – call 617-298-0655 and ask your insurance agent for a full explanation.

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