Keep Your Pets Cool This Summer

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

Posted on April 11, 2016April 2, 2017 by cvargas

3.30.16 - Summer Pet Safety Img

If you’re planning on enjoying the lovely weather this summer, make sure that you practice sun safety – for yourself, your family, and your pets. You probably know a lot of the tips on how to protect the humans in your life, but do you know what your furry friends need to stay cool and safe during the higher temperatures? Here are some tips to help you keep the furry friends in your life cool:

Provide Plenty of Water

When it’s warm outside, your pets will probably drink more than usual. This goes for dogs, cats, bunnies, and lizards alike. Whether you’re inside or outside, make sure that your pets have ample water available at all times, and encourage pets to drink if they spend any time outdoors.

Take Breaks in the Shade

If you take your dog on a walk or to the park, they will probably act like they can go nonstop – thankfully you know better. Regularly take Fido into the shade for a few minutes to cool off. This is also the perfect time to offer them the water mentioned in the last section.

Don’t Leave Your Pet in the Car

While the summer temperatures are nice outside, cars overheat very quickly in the summer. Even on lovely days, the temperature in a car can quickly reach over 100 degrees. Unless you have someone in the car with your pet (and you can keep the car running) it’s best to just leave them at home in the air conditioning where they won’t overheat.

Consider Pet Friendly Sunscreen

We can never recommend enough that humans practice sun safety, but did you know that these tips are equally as important for pets? We’ve already mentioned the basics like staying hydrated and taking breaks from direct sunlight – what most people don’t know is that your pet can also stay protected with sunscreen! Just make sure that you use a brand that’s meant for animals, because human sunscreen often contains zinc oxide, which is unsafe for pets.

Using sunscreen on areas of your pet’s skin that aren’t covered by fur can help to reduce their risk for skin cancer – just like regular sunscreen can for humans!

Know the Signs of Dehydration and Heatstroke

Make sure that you are always conscious of the water your pet consumes. If you think you pat may not be drinking enough, watch for dehydration. This will typically come with signs like dry gums, loss of skin elasticity, and excessive drooling.

Heatstroke is a very serious condition that needs immediate treatment. If you see your pet behaving abnormally – with symptoms such as heavy panting, glazed eyes, excessive thirst, lethargy, fever, dizziness, or vomiting – take your pet into a shady area immediately. Let them have small amounts of water and take them to a vet immediately.

The more you know about pet summer safety, the safer you will be while you enjoy the summertime with your furry friends. If you’re interested in reading more blogs about summer safety, stay tuned to the Vargas and Vargas Insurance Blog. And if you need an insurance quote, call our agency at 617-298-0655!

Four Green Habits that Will Save You Money

Posted on April 7, 2016April 2, 2017 by cvargas

3.24.16 - Green Habits Img

Did you know that you can help the environment while simultaneously saving yourself money? Here are some tips from the experts on how to cut down on your energy use while you’re at home and on the go. The best part about most of these tips is that they require minimal effort – some only a few moments each day.

Take Advantage of Natural Light

On bright, sunny days, don’t waste energy turning on the lights in your home. Instead, take advantage of natural light by opening your blinds. As an added benefit, getting a few minutes of sunlight each day will allow your body to begin natural processes that help you synthesize vitamin D. Just make sure that you practice sun safety if you’re going out in the sun for more than a few minutes.

Adjust Your Appliances

Are your appliances working harder than they should be? When was the last time you checked the settings on your fridge, or your water heater? Make sure that your appliances are at the manufacturer’s recommended settings so that you’re not wasting energy unnecessarily. For example, your hot water heater should be set so that your water is hot but not scalding when you turn on only the hot tap – otherwise you’re wasting energy heating up water. Likewise, your refrigerator and freezer should be set so that they keep food at a safe temperature, but no lower.

Use a Power Strip to Ward off Energy Vampires

Did you know that things you keep plugged in use some power even when they’re turned off? The very slight energy consumption is called ‘vampire energy’ and it’s easy to remedy. First, if something is easy to keep unplugged when it’s not in use, do so. Then just plug it in when you need it.

Otherwise, use this trick involving power strips – plug several things into a strip, and turn the strip on and off as needed. This is especially helpful for the more wasteful energy vampires, like your television and game consoles. Just make sure to keep essentials (like the refrigerator) running at all times.

Don’t Waste Water

In addition to lowering your energy consumption, make sure that you are aware of your water use as well. There are many ways that you can save water every day, including:

Not running water while you brush your teeth
Plugging leaks in faucets and pipes right away
Install a greywater system in your home
Take shorter showers
Use water efficient fixtures
Only run full loads in the dishwasher and washing machine

Know of another way to save energy or water in your home? Let us know on our Facebook Page about your money saving, environmentally friendly tips!

If you take advantage of even a few of these tips, you will be well on your way to saving energy – which will help the environment as well as your wallet. Want to help out your wallet even further? Call Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency at 617-298-0655 for an insurance review!

Why to Insure Your Home for More than it’s Worth

Posted on April 6, 2016April 2, 2017 by cvargas

3.21.16 - Home Ins and Value Img

Here at Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency, we are always happy to answer questions from our customers. We have been in business for many years, and have answered a lot of questions. One of the questions that we get asked most often is “Why should I insure my home for more than it’s worth?”

While it may seem counterintuitive at first, there are actually several good reasons why your insurance is set at such a high level.

First, consider the purpose of your Massachusetts home insurance policy. You get a home insurance policy so that you are covered – even in the direst situation. If your home was ever deemed a total loss, your home insurance would be there to protect you, and it would cover the cost of rebuilding – assuming you have enough coverage. It’s important to realize that the cost to rebuild your home is rarely the same as its market price – often the rebuilding cost is much higher, and that’s the number you need to consider when choosing a home insurance coverage level.

In addition to covering the cost to rebuild your home in the case of a total loss, your insurance should also include enough coverage to clear out debris and damage before the rebuilding begins. This is a costly process, and it’s certainly not something that you want to pay for out of pocket – so it’s included in your insurance coverage.

And that’s not all – your home insurance also covers all of your belongings. So in addition to paying for the cleanup and rebuilding if there is a total loss, your home insurance will reimburse you for either the replacement cost or actual cash value of your destroyed property.

So remember, you should be insuring your home with the cleanup and rebuilding costs in mind, plus the value of all of the property within. Your insurance provider’s coverage recommendation may be very different than the home’s market value, but that is totally normal – your insurance provider is just making sure that you will be fully covered, even in the worst case scenario. If you aren’t fully covered in the case of a total loss, you could find yourself paying for some of the repairs out of pocket, and that can get very expensive very quickly.

One thing that’s important to consider is that the replacement cost of your home is not a static number. As the price of things like building materials and labor change, so too does your home’s replacement cost. That’s one of the reasons why it’s so important to have a Massachusetts home insurance expert review your policy annually to ensure that it’s up to date.

And if you’re worried about the cost of your home insurance policy, just call Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency at 617-298-0655 to talk about your premium. We can do a complete review of your current insurance policy and make recommendations on how to lower your insurance costs, including how to get discounts through your current provider, or if another provider may be a better fit for your needs. Remember, we’re an independent insurance agency, so we work for you!

How does having a Pool Affect Home Insurance?

Posted on April 4, 2016April 2, 2017 by cvargas

3.02.16 - How Does a Pool Affect Home Insurance

Whether you’re thinking about adding a pool to your existing home or thinking about purchasing a new home with a pool already included, you should know the risks and the rewards of having this feature. While having a pool is a great way to get some exercise, and to cool off in the heat of summer, the simple fact that you have a pool will affect your home insurance, and here’s why:

Safety Requirements

Depending on your local laws, you may be required to have certain safety measures in place for your pool. Check with local zoning officials to find out if you live in an area where safety regulations are necessary. Some insurance providers also require pool owners to have certain safety devices, or offer an insurance premium discount if safety measures are taken.

Safety devices may include, but are not limited to, pool fences with child-proof locking gates, door alarms, water displacement alarms, and safety covers. Tell your insurance agent if you have any of these to find out if you qualify for a discount. And for more great information and tips about pool safety, visit PoolSafely.gov.

Increased Risks

A pool is a great way to cool off and have some fun, but it also represents an increased risk for damage or injury. According to poolsafely.gov, there were 390 deaths of children aged 0-14 from 2011 to 2013. The number of emergency department pool and spa related injuries to children in the same age bracket were nearly 5,000 – at least 47% of which were in a residential setting. Because you are at an increased risk when a pool is present, you need to adjust your insurance coverage accordingly.

To further ensure that you have enough coverage in case someone gets injured on your property, ask your local independent insurance agent about getting an umbrella insurance policy. They are typically inexpensive, but carry coverage that can be indispensable in certain claim situations.

Property Values

It is very important that your home insurance policy accurately reflect the value of your home. As you probably know, having a pool will raise your home’s value, which needs to be accounted for in your policy. And the pool itself is only the beginning. Make sure to evaluate your increase in personal property if you get lawn furniture or any other pool or patio items. Also ask your insurance agent about ensuring that your pool’s equipment is covered. Those pumps and filters can be expensive, so make sure that you’re protected!

If you want to talk to an experienced Massachusetts insurance agent about how much a pool will affect your home insurance rate, just call Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency at 617-298-0655. We will be able to tell you the estimated cost change and any necessary safety precautions based on your insurance provider. Get balanced coverage at the right price every time with the help of your favorite local insurance provider. And remember – one of the best ways to combat increased risk is with extra insurance protection.

Tips to Stay Cool during a Power Outage

Posted on March 31, 2016April 2, 2017 by cvargas

2.22.16 - Stay Cool in Summer

Unfortunately, power outages are always a threat here in Massachusetts. During the winter, heavy snow can bring down power lines, and in summer strong storms (even hurricanes) can cause a loss of power. It’s important to know how to handle power outages that happen during the year. In this post, we will cover a few tips for how to stay cool during summertime power losses that would otherwise be unbearable.

Stay Hydrated

Did you know that if you’re feeling thirsty, you’re already slightly dehydrated? Everyone needs to make sure that they drink enough water year-round, but hydration is especially important during the heat of summer. If anyone starts to feel dizzy or weak, have them sit down and have a cool drink. If they don’t recover quickly, get medical attention.

Dress for Success

Now is not the time to primp – if you’re suffering through a power outage, pick clothing that is loose-fitting and light-colored. Cottons are great at keeping you dry and cool. A damp towel on the back of a person’s neck can also be a great tool for beating the heat when it starts to get overwhelming.

Get Out of the House

If you have the opportunity to get out of the house, take it! No need to sit and mope about the loss of power and the fact that you can’t watch TV or access the internet. Instead, find something to do either outside (did someone say pool party?) or somewhere outside of the power outage zone. There are plenty of things to do here in the Greater Boston Area – in fact, you may have trouble picking just one activity!

Just remember to follow the rules of sun safety if you do decide to spend the day outdoors. Cover up skin, wear a hat and sunscreen, and know the signs of heat exhaustion and heatstroke. As mentioned earlier, also make sure to stay hydrated with frequent water breaks.

Leverage Your Windows

If your power outage lasts more than a few hours, you may be forced to sleep in a house with no air conditioning. Anyone that has been in this situation will tell you that it’s no fun, especially in the summer months. Make sure that you take advantage of the cool night air while you sleep by opening your windows. Take this a step further by closing all of your windows at the first sign of warm air in the morning, effectively trapping some cool air in your home.

Talk to Your Insurance Agent

If you are suffering due to a power outage, take a few minutes to call your Vargas and Vargas Insurance agent. Depending on your home insurance coverage, we may be able to cover any lost food from your fridge and freezer for an extended outage. If you’re trying to stay cool because of an AC failure, we can see if you are covered for equipment breakdown to cover the cost of repairs. Regardless, it never hurts to call 617-298-0655 and have a chat with your local insurance experts at Vargas and Vargas Insurance.

The Financial Checklist for Newlyweds

Posted on March 30, 2016April 2, 2017 by cvargas

1.26.16 - Newlywed Financial Checklist

You have gone through quite a journey with your significant other just getting to the point that you’re ready to walk down the aisle. At that point, though, the real trip begins. You’ve just committed to spending the rest of your life with someone, so it’s important to set yourself up for success. One of the best ways to do this is with the following financial tips for newlyweds:

Make a Joint Budget

Getting used to coordinate with someone regarding your spending can take some getting used to, but communication about spending and saving is critical to the financial success of a marriage. Even if you decide to keep your finances separate, you will need to discuss how to handle joint expenses, and how you will contribute to savings for your future. Also make sure that you decide on the definition of a ‘big expense’ – a purchase amount that must be discussed and agreed to by both of you. Usually there isn’t a problem spending $20 or even $50, but $1,000 is definitely something that most couples would agree to discuss.

It’s also important to remember that this is not a one-time discussion. Set aside time to discuss your budget and your spending with your spouse, and do it often – the more communication that you have regarding your money, the better off you will be going forward.

Contribute to an Emergency Fund

Speaking of contributing to savings account, you should discuss how much you would like to have set aside in an emergency fund. Experts recommend having between three and six months’ worth of expenses saved for a rainy day. This should include enough to cover your housing, food, utilities, health care, and debt payments.

Balance Your Investment Allocations

Now that you’re married, you have joint financial goals. It only makes sense to take another look at your existing investments to ensure that they are contributing to those goals. You may also want to show your investment allocations to a Massachusetts financial planner. They will be able to assess your desired level of risk and make sure that your investments are balanced and working toward your marital success.

Re-evaluate Health and Dental Insurance Benefits

Once you’re married, you have many options when it comes to health and dental insurance coverage, especially if both you and your spouse’s workplaces both offer coverage options. Take a look at all of your options, considering both the coverage options and difference in pricing. Figure out what’s best for your situation, and make sure that you reassess your situation occasionally – if benefits change, you may be better off switching your coverage.

Check Your Insurance Coverage

As the Massachusetts insurance experts, your local Vargas and Vargas Insurance agent will be happy to guide you through the process of updating your insurance portfolio for married life. We can update your home or renters insurance to cover your spouse’s belongings (also ask about how to add a rider to your insurance to cover your wedding and engagement rings). You can also add your spouse to your Boston auto insurance, and set up or update your disability and life insurance policies to protect your loved one.

RV Safety Tips for Your Road Trips

Posted on March 28, 2016April 2, 2017 by cvargas

Super C Motorhomes - Class C Diesel Motorhomes

Having your own Recreational Vehicle is a great way to take road trips in comfort. If you’ve had an RV for several years, or if you are thinking of getting into the game, we would like to share a few tips that will keep you safe while on the road. As with most aspects of life, a little bit of preparation goes a long way, so take a few minutes to brush up on your RV safety with these guidelines:

Have the Right Tools

Recreational vehicles are larger than the typical car, and that makes it more difficult to plan your route. You need to know the clearance of bridges and tunnels along your route to know whether you will fit under them. That’s where a road atlas made specifically for large vehicles like RVs and semi-trucks can come in handy.

Another important tool to have on hand in your RV is a first aid kit. You never know what might happen while you’re out having RV adventures, so make sure that your kit is stocked with the essentials – especially if you plan on doing any RV camping.

Realize the Value of Maintenance

An RV is like a car and a home in one – and that means that maintenance is doubly important. To make sure that you follow your manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule, write it down in your calendar. Make sure to include checking under your hood, as well as your lights, tires, and hitch. Also remember to maintain the living area of your RV, including cleaning your cooking vent and changing the batteries of your smoke detector and checking your fire extinguisher.

Make Your Plans Adjustable

Weather can be dangerous, even for regular sized automobiles. Your RV’s size makes it even more susceptible to the dangers of heavy rain, fog, and ice. If you know that you’re heading for an area that can fall prey to bad weather, make sure to give yourself plenty of time to make the trip. That way you won’t feel rushed, and can decide to postpone your trip if the weather gets bad.

Have a Breakdown Plan

You never expect to break down, but having a plan will make the situation much less stressful if it ever occurs. Have emergency telephone numbers (including the ones for our agency) saved in your cell phone, as well as written in an accessible location in your vehicle. Also make sure that a friend or family member knows your travel plans in case of emergency.

And remember – the best way to protect your RV and its precious cargo is with a Massachusetts RV insurance quote from the insurance experts here at Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency. One quick call to 617-298-0655 will get you on the path to the protection that you deserve. Don’t even think about hitting the road again without at least calling for a free insurance evaluation from our experts – we can evaluate your current policy and alert you if there are any gaps in your coverage. Don’t leave yourself open to disasters, call our agency today!

Five Ways to Increase Your Household’s Net Worth

Posted on March 25, 2016April 2, 2017 by cvargas

2.01.16 - Increase Net Worth

Your net worth is simply the value of all of your family’s assets. Those people that are living paycheck-to-paycheck probably don’t have a very high net worth. On the other hand, those people that wish to retire comfortably will focus on building their net worth and achieving financial freedom.

If you’re interested in increasing your net worth (and, truly, who isn’t?) here are five ways that you can do so:

Earn More and Spend Less

One of the simplest ways to improve your finances is to leverage your budget. Most people know that spending less means that you have the opportunity to put more into savings. You can also do this by increasing your earning. Ask your boss for that long overdue raise, or explore other earning opportunities. If you do both, you will be well on your way to increasing your net worth.

Reduce and Eliminate Debt

Once you’ve got some extra money around, you can begin putting it to work for you through many different types of investments. Remember, though, that you should also focus on paying down your debts, especially those with high fees and interest rates. When considering your net worth, all types of debt will be deducted. This includes student loans, car loans, mortgages, and credit card balances.

Purchase a Home

Don’t make this decision lightly – owning a home can be a huge commitment. When it comes to net worth, though, owning a home is definitely a plus. Instead of ‘throwing money down the drain’ paying rent each month, you can own a home and build equity in an investment each month when you pay on your mortgage. And when you pay off your mortgage, the value of your home will be a huge part of the net worth of your household.

Maximize Your Retirement Contributions

If you were offered free money, wouldn’t you take it? You would be surprised how many people don’t take advantage of money offered by their employer via a 401K match program. Make sure that you read the fine print of your workplace’s retirement account, and contribute at least the percentage required to receive a full company match – typically somewhere around 3% of contributions. Also remember that the money that you contribute to a 401K is tax deductible!

Protect Yourself with Insurance Policies

Once you’ve begun building your household’s worth, don’t leave it exposed to emergencies. It would only take one accident to completely wipe out all that you have built. Alleviate this stress with an insurance portfolio. Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency can help you get the proper coverage for your home, car, valuables, and more. Just call 617-298-0655 to talk to one of our expert Massachusetts insurance agents about protecting your assets with top of the line insurance.

To learn more about achieving financial stability and getting on the right road to retirement, talk to a financial planner. Here at Vargas and Vargas Insurance, we have financial planning professionals that would be happy to review your current financial standing and help get you on the right track to financial success.

Small Business Insurance that Every Business Needs

Posted on March 24, 2016April 2, 2017 by cvargas

1.15.16 - Small Business Insurance

Insuring a small business is a complicated affair. Thankfully, you have Vargas and Vargas Insurance in your corner – we will work with you to make sure that you have all of the coverage that you need (and none of the coverage that you can do without).

It goes without saying that every business is different, but in general, every business owner should consider adding the following seven types of business insurance coverage to their insurance portfolio:

Commercial Property Insurance

The first type of insurance policy that almost all businesses need is a commercial property insurance policy. This insurance will protect your company’s property from a wide variety of potential perils, and can also protect your furniture, equipment, and inventory – depending on your needs, of course.

Business Interruption Insurance

What would happen if your business were forced to close due to a natural disaster? Do you have enough savings to cover the bills that you would need to pay in the event that your sales skidded to an unexpected halt? With business interruption coverage, you would have financial protection in these cases so that you could relax knowing that you won’t have to permanently close your doors in these situations.

Data Breach Insurance

Imagine for a minute how much time and money your business would spend recovering from a data breach. It could easily cost thousands of dollars and dozens (if not hundreds) of hours depending on the severity of the breach. While you should definitely implement cybersecurity protocols to prevent any possible breach, also cover all of your bases by having data breach insurance coverage.

Trade Credit Insurance

Does your business run on a credit system? If you have a large Accounts Receivable, you need to have coverage for all of the debts that you are owed, and that’s where this coverage comes in handy – a trade credit insurance policy will insure you against risks like protracted default and insolvency.

Workers Compensation

If your business has employees, then those employees need insurance. Workers can get injured in any line of work, so make sure that your business is protected just in case – workers comp will typically cover medical expenses, lost wages, and much more. Also inquire about getting group benefits for your employees to improve recruiting, retention, and satisfaction in your workplace.

General Liability Coverage

No one expects to be involved in a lawsuit, but unfortunately it’s always a possibility. Don’t let the thought of costly legal expenses keep you up at night – a general liability insurance policy can provide protection in a variety of legal situations. Also consider excess liability insurance for added protection.

Errors and Omissions Coverage

While having general and excess liability insurance provides your business with increased levels of protection, there still may be a few gaps in your coverage. That’s where Errors and Omissions Insurance (aka Professional Liability Insurance) comes in handy – it provides even more liability protection for your business in the case of certain situations, including claims of negligence.

If you’re worried that your small business is missing any of these types of insurance, just call your local Massachusetts business insurance experts at Vargas and Vargas Insurance. One quick call to 617-298-0655 can help you ensure that your business has the protection that it needs.

Keep Your Car Running with This Maintenance Schedule

Posted on March 23, 2016April 2, 2017 by cvargas

2.08.16 - Car Maintenance Schedule

Whether your car is your ‘baby’ or just a way to get from Point A to Point B, you need to make sure that it stays in shape. The only way to do that is with regular maintenance. While it’s true that every make and model of car will have slightly different needs when it comes to their occasional tune-ups, the following maintenance schedule is a good basis for most automobiles.

Whether you perform these tasks yourself, or prefer to trust a professional, this maintenance schedule is the starting point to keeping your vehicle properly cared for:

Check Often:

See if any dashboard indicator lights are lit.
Check to make sure that all the car’s lights are working. This includes your headlights, turn signals, tail lights, and brake lights.
Inspect your tire’s air pressure, making sure the PSI is within your car’s suggested range.
Evaluate your tire’s treads, replacing if there is significant wear.
Top off your windshield wiper fluid and engine oil, if needed.
Check your car’s windshield for cracks and chips – repair or replace as needed.

Check Every 3 Months:

Check your automatic transmission and power steering fluids. Instructions for checking these fluid levels is often included in a car’s manual.
Test your car battery and cables.
Inspect belts and hoses for wear and tear, or have a professional do so.
See if you need a new air filter for your engine or cabin.

Check Every 6 Months:

Ensure that your chassis has the proper lubrication.
Replace your windshield wipers, if they are beginning to show wear or streak.
Check your car’s exhaust.
See if you need a tire rotation – these can significantly extend the life of your tires.

Check Every Year:

Make sure that wheels are properly aligned.
Check your vehicle’s steering and suspension.
Examine your coolant level.

While this general maintenance schedule will keep most cars up to date on their routine maintenance, it is important to follow your manufacturer’s instructions when servicing your vehicle. Also make sure that you ask a professional for advice and assistance in any job you are not comfortable performing yourself.

And don’t forget – the state of Massachusetts requires that all vehicles registered here receive a yearly safety inspection. Mark your date on your calendar, and when the time comes, find an inspection station near you!

It is also important to remember that the weather fluctuations that we get here in New England can wear on a car. Prepare your car for incoming warm weather in the summer, and the frigid winter temperatures in the fall. Doing just a little bit of preventative seasonal maintenance can significantly increase the lifespan of your vehicle!

To help make sure that your car is protected against anything the world throws its way, call 617-298-0655 to get an auto insurance quote from the Massachusetts insurance experts at Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency. We will ensure that you and your car have full coverage. We can even review your current coverage to see if you are sufficiently protected – and the insurance review is free! Don’t wait, contact Vargas and Vargas Insurance today.

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