Building Permits for Residential Renovations

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

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

They say that the only constant in life is change, and I tend to agree. If you’re in the mood for a change in your life, why not make an improvement to your home? A home renovation can be a great way to improve the value of your house, as well as give you a fresh new take on your living space.

If you want to make a modification to your home, you will probably need a permit. The types of projects that almost always require a permit include, but are not limited to:

Electrical Updates
Changes to sewer or plumbing
Mechanical Improvements
Alterations to the roofline
Adding a fireplace

Things that sometimes require a permit include building a deck, replacing siding, and building a fence. Just remember – it is always worth checking with the proper parties before taking on a project that may require a permit, even for small projects that probably don’t need one. After all, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Remember – while getting a permit for your renovation may seem like an unnecessary obstacle, it is a requirement to keep everyone safe. Ensuring that building improvements are up to code means that new structures and changes to existing structures follow the current laws and regulations.

It’s also important to let your Massachusetts insurance agent know about any changes you plan to make to your home, so that your home insurance policy may be updated accordingly. Your home insurance policy covers your home for the replacement cost of your home and not the market value. So as you do improvements or increase the living space of your home, your insurance agent should be kept current of the changes. And remember – keeping things up to code, and installing safety features, will keep your insurance premiums low!

Vargas & Vargas Insurance is always here to help answer any questions you may have.

5 Things You Should Always Tell Your Houseguests

Posted on March 1, 2017April 2, 2017 by cvargas

When you are planning to play host for a group of houseguests, whether for a weekend or an indeterminate amount of time, there are things that they should know. You need to tell them where to find their clean towels, and where the coffee is, for example.

According to the American Red Cross, there are a few other things you should go over with overnight guests for safety reasons, and they are easy to forget when a guest walks in for the first time. These tips include:

The rules of the pool or hot tub, if either will be in use, especially if there are children visiting.
Potential hazards for young children, including breakables and unsecured furniture. Designate an ‘off-limits’ room in which to store items that are hazardous.
A health emergency plan, for events like allergic reactions (make sure to ask about allergens and special diets ahead of time and warn guests of foods to stay away from).
The escape plan in case of fire, including locations of all emergency exits from your home.
Location of a nearby shelter if severe weather strikes.

If you want some suggestions for activities in the Boston area that your guests will love, follow the Vargas and Vargas Insurance Facebook Page! We are always posting about upcoming events that can help you fill your time making great memories. And know that you can also always call Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency for a simple and free insurance review for all your Massachusetts insurance policies.

Valentine’s Day – Time to Rekindle with Your… Insurance Agent?

Posted on February 10, 2017April 2, 2017 by cvargas

When was the last time you had a real ‘heart-to-heart’ with your insurance agent? Even though it may have been a while, now is the perfect time to rekindle your relationship – it is Valentine’s Day, after all!

Did you know that you should talk to your insurance agent at least once a year to ensure that all your policies are up to date, and that you have the right amount of coverage?

As you chat with your agent, you can expect to review all the major changes in your life, including:

Changes in relationship status (marriage or divorce)
Children being born, starting to drive, or leaving the household
Windfalls or (hopefully not) major monetary losses
New ‘toys,’ including cars, boats, RVs, and motorcycles
Other purchases – like Valentine’s Day jewelry, perhaps?

In addition to updating your insurance policies to reflect the recent changes in your life, your insurance agent will use your annual meeting as a chance to search for any new discounts for which you may qualify. This means that you may come out of your meeting with a decreased insurance premium! Wouldn’t that be nice?

If you’re ready to rekindle your relationship with your Vargas and Vargas Insurance agent, just call 617-298-0655. We can set you up with an appointment and let you know what to bring to get the most out of your meeting. Also bring a list of all your insurance questions – we love to make sure our clients are well-informed about their insurance!

Our Top Tips for First Time Car Insurance Customers

Posted on February 7, 2017April 2, 2017 by cvargas

Recently, we’ve had a lot of questions regarding first-time car insurance buyers. Turns out lots of new drivers are going to be on the road soon, and they will be needing top of the line car insurance from the experts here at Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency!

If you know a teenager that will soon be driving, make sure to share these tips with them, and have them call Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency at 617-298-0655 for their first car insurance quote!

There is a minimum amount of insurance that you need to have, and that is defined by the state in which you live.
If you could not easily replace your vehicle with cash on hand, you should probably have extra comprehensive and collision coverage.
Insurance policies have a maximum – if you need to make a claim, this is the most that insurance will pay out, and you will be liable for anything above and beyond this number, unless you have umbrella insurance.
If you use an independent insurance agent (like Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency), your agent will comparison shop for you, and make sure that you have great coverage at a low rate.
As a teenager, you probably don’t qualify for discounts like home and auto insurance bundling, but there are other discounts that you may get – like for being a good student or taking driver’s ed.
Your insurance premiums may seem high right now – that’s because you’re riskier as a new driver. As you age and have more experience behind the wheel, your premium will decrease.

We look forward to speaking to the new drivers in your life about their Boston auto and home insurance options. After all, making sure that the members of our community are educated about the benefits of proper insurance is our goal!

Never Get Locked Out Again!

Posted on February 1, 2017April 2, 2017 by cvargas

There isn’t much more inconvenient than finding yourself locked out of your own house. It happens to everyone at some point, so make sure that you are prepared when this situation rears its ugly head with these helpful hints:

Think Twice About Your Hiding Spot

Everyone has seen those fake rocks that hide your key in magazines – and that includes potential burglars! Instead of hiding your key somewhere around your front door, hide it somewhere that’s just as convenient but less obvious. Women can hide a spare key in their pocketbook, men can slip a spare between their phone and the phone’s case, or you can use a wall-mounted key box, like this one from Master Lock.

Have a Key Master

One of the most effective ways to ensure that you don’t get sidelined by a lockout is to give a spare key to someone local that you trust. After all, calling up a neighbor to use your spare will be much less of a headache than calling a locksmith!

Be Prepared for the Worst

In case you do get stuck outside your home without access to your spare keys, make sure that you are prepared. Have all the numbers you need stored in your cell phone for easy access, including a reliable locksmith and the local non-emergency police number.

Hopefully with these tips you will be able to avoid a lockout, or at least be prepared if one happens to you. If you want to be even more prepared, talk to me about getting a home insurance review. Often times, I will see people that don’t have the right coverage or people that are paying too much for the coverage they have. If you want to make sure that you have the right homeowners, automobile or business coverage at the right price, just call Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency at 617-298-0655.

Friends Are The Most Important Ingredient

Posted on January 28, 2017April 2, 2017 by cvargas

“Friends are the most important ingredient in this recipe of life.”
– Dior Yamasaki

I thought this week I would give you a few Facebook tips that I have found very helpful in our business.

In the presentations that I do, I’m often asked for tips and strategies to create and connect with friends and customers on Facebook.

Here’s a few:

When a person “likes” your Facebook post, always respond with a comment with their name in it. Use their name to personalize the comment.

If you start to type their name in, Facebook will fill it in, and it will tag them. If you want to make it more personal, you can back out their last name, which is what I suggest.

Here are some examples:

Mary, I love that you enjoyed this.

Mary, I knew this message would resonate with you.

Mary, I love it when you like what I share.

2. In the beginning of the post that you do, encourage people to share it with others. What I do is simply write on the top of the post:
“This is worth sharing with your friends.”

“Please share.”

Put a message either at the top of your post or at the end of the post encouraging people to give it away.

When someone shares your post, send them a “private message” thanking them for doing so.
Here are a couple of examples:

Mary, thank you for sharing my post.

Mary, I am so glad that you found my post helpful, thank you for the share.

Mary, thank you for the share! I hope that you are well and business is going well, let’s meet for coffee soon.
If a person comments, always “like” their comment and respond to it with a question.

For example, if a person says, “That is really cool”, you would comment and ask them what is it about his that you found to be cool?

Just have some fun with it. When people comment, don’t let them hang, go back and say something about what they said. You want to encourage and facilitate a conversation and therefore build the relationship with them.

Don’t forget to wish your friends a happy birthday on their birthdays.
Use the list feature to sort our your friends, clients, colleagues, acquaintances, etc. Learn more about Facebook lists here.

Why is this Key? I call it the “Law of Familiarity”, the more communication, in whatever form, you have with people, the more familiar they become with you.

The reality is that people love to do business with the people they know, like and trust, and they love to refer others to people they are familiar with. Facebook is the ultimate way to create a high level of familiarity with others.

I LOVE connecting with people. In fact, if there was just one thing I feel that I am THE EXPERT in, it is branding and marketing. I use what I have learned to work with a few local business folks on how to connect and grow their brand both online and offline.

I am so committed to these local business friends that we have a Monday accountability call each week. The good news is that I have room for a couple more of these Monday accountability calls. So, look at 2017 – if you’re trying to START or GROW your personal brand, let me know. We’ll spend a little time together, and I will give you an assessment and a clear direction on HOW TO CRUSH 2017 to BOOST YOUR PERSONAL BRAND. Want to meet in person? We can do that too. All you have to do is comment below now, and I promise to make time for you because you are important to me.

Spring Cleaning Tips that Everyone Should Know

Posted on January 27, 2017April 2, 2017 by cvargas

It’s a ritual here in the US – every spring, millions of Americans begin to clean their houses with an annual vigor. Did you know that this custom of “Spring Cleaning” may have come from Iranian, Jewish, and Chinese origins? Regardless of the reason for this custom, here are some tips that you can use to ensure that your Spring Cleaning is successful:

Work on your home from the top to the bottom and from one side to the other. Finishing rooms one at a time will give you a sense of accomplishment, and will also ensure that you aren’t carrying dirt or clutter between rooms.
If you can, multi-task. Run the washing machine or the dishwasher while you scrub or dust so that you can knock out two birds with one stone.
While you clean and organize, make a pile of things to donate – it will help you get rid of clutter, and can help benefit the community!
Go at your own pace – take breaks often to rest and rehydrate. Split big jobs into several smaller chunks so that you don’t get overwhelmed. Also, make sure that you know your limits, and hire a professional if necessary.

When you finish cleaning your house, give Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency a call and we’ll help you clean up your insurance portfolio! One of our friendly and knowledgeable agents can review your home insurance, auto insurance, health insurance, and other insurance policies to make sure that you have all the coverage that you need, and at the right price. Don’t hesitate, call now – 617-298-0655.

Planning Your Patriots Super Bowl Party

Posted on January 25, 2017April 2, 2017 by cvargas

The New England Patriots have done it again – our boys will soon be on their way to Houston to play in the Big Game! Now that we know the lineup, it’s time to start planning a watch party with a red, white, and blue theme (my apologies to anyone from Atlanta).

If you’re going to have anyone over to watch the game on February 5^th, make sure that you consider these party planning and safety tips from your friends at Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency:

Ask your guests ahead of time if they have any food allergies, and plan your menu accordingly.
Before anyone arrives, move valuable and breakable objects to a room that isn’t a part of the festivities. If any of your belongings (or a part of your home) is damaged during the party, call your local insurance agent to start a home insurance claim!
Make sure that everything is safe for your guests – you don’t want any hazards around the house, like an icy sidewalk or rug that could be tripped over.
If you are serving alcohol, make sure that all partygoers have a designated driver, and don’t let anyone get too impaired.
If you’re going to be frying any of your party foods, keep guests (especially children) away from the fryer and out of the kitchen.

Have a great party, and make sure to show your Patriots pride on the Vargas and Vargas Insurance Facebook Page! We want to see how you are rooting for the team! And remember – to make sure that you are fully prepared for any house party, call for a free home insurance review at 617-298-0655.

Answers to Your Umbrella Insurance Questions!

Posted on January 23, 2017April 2, 2017 by cvargas

Everyone knows the purpose of home insurance, business insurance, and car insurance. But do you know what umbrella insurance does? It’s one of the most mysterious insurance policies out there, but it is also a policy that gives you a fantastic amount of coverage for a very low price. Read more about umbrella insurance here:

What is Umbrella Insurance?

In short, umbrella insurance is coverage above and beyond your other insurance policies. For example, if you cause a car accident that results in property damage, injuries, and lost wages for the other party, your auto insurance policy will cover up to a certain amount of the damages. If the damages are more than the liability coverage limit on your insurance, you would be on the hook for the rest – unless you had umbrella insurance! The same umbrella insurance would also cover your home insurance and more.

Who needs Umbrella Insurance Coverage?

No one expects to need coverage above and beyond their home and auto insurance limits, but sometimes life has other plans. Most people could benefit from a Massachusetts umbrella insurance, especially those who own property, own a business, own a trampoline or dog, have significant savings or investments, or engage in activities that increase chances of a lawsuit.

How much Umbrella Insurance should I get?

Every person has different needs when it comes to their insurance. To find out how much umbrella insurance you should carry, talk to your local independent insurance agent. They will be able to identify your risks and recommend a policy based on your unique situation. For more information about Boston umbrella insurance, call the Vargas and Vargas Insurance team at 617-298-0655.

What Happens to a Mortgage When the Owner Dies?

Posted on January 18, 2017April 2, 2017 by cvargas

It’s a topic that no one wants to discuss, but that everyone should be talking about. Have you done any estate planning? After all, the fact is that we will all die one day, and it would be a huge burden lifted from the shoulders of your loved ones if you were prepared. Thankfully, there are lots of resources available to help make sure that your affairs are in order when your time comes.

One of the most important things that you should iron out is what will happen to your home. If you have a mortgage, there are several things that you need to consider. After all, the mortgage payments won’t just disappear!

If you have a co-borrower, the mortgage will automatically pass to them. If there is no co-borrower, a co-signer is the next person who would assume the property. If neither of these positions are filled, a Boston estate planning lawyer can help you construct a plan regarding passing your home to a person of your choice, whether it’s a child, grandchild, or someone else. When you die, your home (and your mortgage) will be transferred to that person, and it will be up to them whether to continue payments or sell the property.

Have you thought about having some extra life insurance or mortgage protection insurance to help pay for your property when you pass on? If you want to explore your options, call our agency and speak to a knowledgeable agent about what you can do to leave a parting gift for your loved ones.

Do you have any more questions about your mortgage? If so, please let me know! I have many friends in the mortgage industry and would be happy to help you find all the answers you are looking for. Also, we are always ready to answer your homeowners, automobile, homeowners, business insurance questions! Call or email me at cvargas@vargasinsurance.com, and we can find a time to chat and answer all your questions.

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