How Should I Insure My Motor Home?

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

Posted on December 25, 2017December 22, 2017 by agentinsure

There are a number of factors to consider before finally settling on a motorhome insurance policy, and Vargas & Vargas Insurance wants you to have all the facts. If you live in Dorchester, MA, see what you can do to get the right amount of coverage.

Consider Your Habits

Some people purchase their motorhome as means to get away for a weekend or two out of every month, while other people want to live in it for nine months out of the year. If you’re planning on taking beat-up fishing equipment with you to the lake every now and again, you don’t necessarily need to buy a comprehensive policy. However, if you’re planning to load up your motorhome with plenty of expensive clothes, tools, or jewelry, then you’ll need to consider the limits on your policy before you take it for a spin.

The Places You’ll Go

Your insurance is based on what you do with your RV while you have it. If you plan to take it to treacherous areas, you’ll need to have some precautions set up against all the natural disasters that might occur. There’s also all the man-made disasters that can occur too. From a curvy mountain road to a precariously dangling tree branch to a hungry criminal, you’ll want to be as open and honest about what you’ll do so that you know you’re getting the right policy. You’ll be glad that you took this extra step if you have to make a claim later on.

If you have questions about how motorhome insurance works, call Vargas & Vargas Insurance. It’s our job to serve the people of Dorchester, MA, so everyone gets a motorhome policy that works. Let us take the reins to find you the best policy!

Questions Asked when Buying Auto Insurance

Posted on December 7, 2017November 29, 2017 by cvargas

When you call Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency to get an auto insurance quote, your agent will ask you a series of questions about you, your car, and your driving habits. These questions are designed to assess your risk, and the premium that you will pay for your insurance policy. These questions should always be answered truthfully and to the best of your ability. Here are just a few examples of the questions your agent may ask:

Where do you live and park your vehicle? – The crime rate in the area where your vehicle is normally parked will be considered.
How much do you drive? – Someone is riskier to insure if they drive dozens of miles a day vs. someone that barely uses their vehicle.
Will you use your car for work? – Vehicles used for business purposes may require extra coverage to be fully protected.
Who else will be driving the vehicle? – Other drivers that live with you should be listed on the policy, including spouses and licensed children.

When determining your premium, your insurance agent will consider your answers to these questions, along with the make and model of the vehicle and other factors (including the minimum required insurance coverage in the state of Massachusetts).

Looking for an auto insurance quote? Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency may be able to save you money on your premium by shopping insurance providers to find you great coverage at a great price. Just call 617-298-0655 to get a free, no-obligation Massachusetts auto insurance quote.

Tips for Buying a New Car in Massachusetts

Posted on August 8, 2017August 4, 2017 by cvargas

Are you in the market for a new car? Massachusetts shoppers should know that buying a new car is exciting, but the process can be complicated and is sometimes stressful. In order to be prepared for your new car shopping experience, review these four car buying tips:

Just like going to the grocery store, you should never go to a car dealership on an empty stomach. Test driving and making a car purchase can be a lengthy process, and you don’t want your state of mind to be altered by hunger.
Pick the most opportune time to go shopping. You want to hit the dealership when they are looking to meet quotas – often around the end of the month. At that time, they are more likely to give you a great deal.
Before you even think about going to a dealership, know the market prices for the cars you’re interested in. You should also look into loan rates at your bank or credit union to know if what the dealership offers is good for you.
Monthly payment isn’t everything. Often, the dealership’s representative will talk to you in terms of your monthly payment. Make sure that you also ask about the loan term, interest rate, and total cost.

Also, don’t forget that insurance expenses are a part of car ownership in Massachusetts. If you would like to know an estimate of insurance costs based on the vehicle makes and models that you are considering, call Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency at 617-298-0655 – we will give you a Massachusetts car insurance quote so that you are better prepared for your shopping adventure.

Tips for Buying Your First Condo

Posted on July 10, 2017 by cvargas

Condominiums are one of the best-kept secrets of the real estate world. When looking for a new home, some people still only consider buying a house or renting an apartment, without realizing that purchasing a condo may be the perfect balance between the two – allowing you to have the ‘best of both worlds.’ If you’re in the market for a condo in Boston, check out these buying tips:

Hire a professional Real Estate Agent to help you with your search. If you need a referral, please let us know so that we can connect you to a top-notch agent in the area.
When you’re looking for a unit, make sure that you consider resale value. More bedrooms and bathrooms, scenic views, and better school districts are just a few of the features that will make your condo more appealing the next time you look to move.
Consider the amenities offered at each condominium you tour. Does the complex have a gym? Laundry facilities? Rentable event space? These are all important things to think about when making your decision.
Before you make a final decision, make sure that you are clear on the extra fees associated with the unit you choose. Condos often have monthly maintenance fees, and some will charge property taxes separately.

Once you’ve found your perfect Boston condominium, make sure that you call Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency at 617-298-0655 to get a quote on Condo Insurance. This policy is tailored specifically for the needs of a condo owner, and will cover your personal belongings, your unit, and anything else not covered in your association’s master policy. For more information, or if you have any questions, simply call our office and speak to an agent!

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!

Tips for Buying a Classic Car

Posted on April 19, 2017April 18, 2017 by cvargas

Spring is here, and if you are like some people, you may be thinking about looking into purchasing a classic or antique automobile. When it comes to cars, they just don’t make ‘em like they used to. Sure, modern cars have rear-view cameras, Bluetooth, and a million other snazzy features. But for some old souls, there’s nothing quite like a leisurely drive in a classic car. I’ve done some homework, and hope that you may find these tips for buying a classic car useful!

Do a Thorough Check for Rust – Many classic car experts have one firm rule – don’t buy rusty cars. A few small spots are easily fixed, but any signs of ‘the brown stuff’ under the car, inside fenders, and under doors should be a red flag.

Perform a VIN Number Check – It’s getting harder and harder to find a number matching car. If you can find one, it may be worth more. On the other hand, pointing out that a car’s numbers don’t match could be a good point of negotiation if you’re still willing to buy.

Weigh the Mileage Numbers – Classic cars are all used, but they are not all created equal. Some buyers will only consider low-mileage classics, while others are okay with higher mileage vehicles (as long as the price tag reflects the increased use).

Be Patient – If you’re in the market for a classic vehicle, don’t jump at the first car you like. Wait for a car that you can’t live without. After all, this should be considered an investment – there are plenty of great fish in the sea if you’re willing to cast your line and wait a while.

Get an Insurance Quote – We can help you with a quote on your new Classic Car, or your current Classic car. Just give us a call 617-298-0655 to get a quote on Massachusetts insurance for the classic car of truck you’re considering.

Watch the video here.

I would LOVE to know your thoughts if you own a classic or antique car (or have additional tips) leave a message below.

Carlos

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!

Auto Insurance Q&A: Borrowing the Car

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

As a knowledgeable Boston insurance agency, Vargas and Vargas Insurance gets questions from clients all the time, and we are happy to help! One such client sent a message on Facebook recently, and her question was an interesting one:

The Scenario

The woman’s sister-in-law has no auto or renter’s insurance of her own and lives in Massachusetts. She wants to borrow a car from her Father-in-law that lives in NY for a month or so. The woman wanted to know how her sister-in-law should handle coverage for the car, and if her father-in-law’s auto insurance would cover this unusual situation.

The Solution

The woman should tell her Father-in-law to call his auto insurance agent. He should proceed to list the sister-in-law as the principal operator on the vehicle (on his current NY auto policy) and further update the policy with her Massachusetts driver’s license number and MA garaging address for the vehicle. That way she will be covered under the NY policy while driving in Massachusetts. As always, make sure to keep a current Proof of Insurance in the vehicle at all times.

Do you have an insurance question? Just ask the expert Massachusetts insurance agents at Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency! We love to answer our clients’ questions, and we are only a phone call away. One quick call to 617-298-0655 and we can help you with all of your insurance needs, whether you need a question answered or want an insurance quote or review.

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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