For many of us the tradition of carefully selecting and decorating a Christmas tree is our favorite time of year!  But did you know that every year, an averageof 240 Christmas tree-related homefires occur in the United States?  Those fires are usually caused by electrical problems, heat sources placed too close to the tree, decorative lights, cigarettes or other open flames.

Don’t let your carefully-chosen fresh Christmas tree become a fire hazard. Observe these fire safety tips:

• Keep the trunk of the tree immersed in water at all times.

• Do not permit smoking near the tree.

• Use flame retardant trim/decorations.

• Use only lights that are UL approved.

• Inspect lights for frayed or cracked wiring, broken plugs and defective sockets.

• Unplug lights at night and when leaving home.

• Do not over load circuits or outlets.

• Do not run extension cords under carpets or across doorways.

• Remove the tree soon after the holidays, before the needles dry out.

• Check your smoke alarms; install new batteries if necessary.

• Use caution if hanging lights outside; be aware of power lines and hazards while using a ladder.

• Use caution with candles or open flame devices.

Most importantly, talk to your insurance agent and make sure your home or renter’s insurance policy is up to date and you are adequately covered- no one plans to have a house fire. Call us today at our toll-free number 877.550.0025, we are happy to help!

Vargas & Vargas can help you with your MA homeowners or Ma automobile insurance policies. We wishe everybody a safe and happy holiday season!

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average American spends more than $1,000 annually on car insurance. While this amount does not seem large when compared to other expenses that adulthood entails, it can add up to about $94,000 over the course of a lifetime of driving, Car Insurance.com cites. Therefore, it is important to understand how your rates are determined in order to save as much as you can.

How you drive:

Your driving record is the key factor in calculating your insurance rate and is based on a point system.This point system is intended to identify dangerous drivers and penalize them accordingly. For example, the more points you accrue for traffic violations, the higher your rate. While Massachusetts does not let you trim points from your record, there are defensive driving courses you can take to help lower premiums and improve your record.

Keep in mind that even safe, young drivers with a clean driving record still will have higher premiums simply based on their age and gender. However, there are steps younger drivers can take to ensure the best deal possible.  

Where and when youdrive:

Rates vary based on certain geographic areas such as ones that have harsher winters or higher crime reports. This is because insurance companies calculate how much damage is likely to occur to your car and the amount of risk they are taking on by insuring it.

How often you drive your car also determines how much you will pay for insurance. This is another risk-assessment strategy that car insurance companies do. The more likely you are to get into an accident or need repairs, the more you insurance you will have to pay toward your car.

What you drive:

When shopping for a car on a designated budget, keep automobile insurance rates in mind. The greater the car value, the higher your insurance rate. This is because new cars’ repairs cost more in the event of an accident, and they are more susceptible to theft. However, used cars do not always require collision insurance, which typically is a given with new cars.

For driving tips in Boston, visit Boston Discovery Guide. In addition, Mass.Gov’s Roadway Safety Tips is a good resource for drivers and pedestrians.

Remember, car insurance is an essential expense. Click here for a free insurance quote. For more information about factors that determine your premium rates, contact your local insurance agent.

Vargas & VargasInsurance is dedicated to keeping Massachusetts’ families safe by providing quality Automobile Insurance and Homeowners Insurance. Call one oftheir agents today at 877-550-0025 to learn more about how they can get you the coverage you deserve at a price that fits your budget.

“Black Friday”, the day after Thanksgiving Day is the kick-off to the holiday shopping season- it is also the start of what we like to call “fender bender frenzy”.  Folks get caught up inthe hustle and bustle of holiday shopping and “crash”, you’ve been in an accident! It can really deflate your holiday spirit to come out to your car in the parking lot only to find that some other motorist has left their mark…a dent in the fender, a scrape along the door panel, or broken taillights…..not the holiday gift you were hoping for.

Don’t be a victim of “fender bender frenzy” by getting caught without the proper insurance coverage. Generally, even hit-and-run accidents are covered by your MA AutoInsurance policy under the Collision coverage. If when an unknown motorist inflicts damage, your car insurance policy typically covers the cost ofthe loss subject to your chosen deductible.

The best way to make sure you will be covered is to review your auto insurance policy with your agent.  Your agent can confirm that you have all the necessary coverages you need to be properly insured.  Vargas & Vargas suggests automobile drivers carry a $500 deductibles on their collision coverages.  Call us today at 877.550.0025 and shop with confidence this holiday season!

The autumn leaves are falling; the days are shorter, and there is a chill in the air all the preludes to the entrance of winter. Some of us have already experienced the first few flakes of snow! The time has come for preparing your motorcycle for winter storage. Of course, getting your bike ready for winter is more than just parking it in the corner of the garage and throwing a tarp over it till next spring. Experts suggest that you take the time to do a proper motorcycle winter maintenance program to maintain your bike’s peak performance. The following are some helpful tips in prepping your ride for a long winter’s nap; however you should always refer the bike’s maintenance and repair manual for the manufacturer’s suggestions.

First clean and wax your motorcycle. This will keep all painted surface and chrome parts protected from dust and moisture.

When you park the bike you should put pieces of plywood under each tire, Make sure that the entire bottom of the tires are sitting on the wood, store your bike on a stand if possible. This will protect the rubber from cracking or rotting. Don’t forget to check the tire pressure and if any tires are low inflate to the proper pressure.

Next, drain the oil and flush the crankcase. This will keep the corrosive deposits from building up over the years. Now is the time to also replace the oil filter. So too can old gasoline damage your bike’s engine. The sediments in old gasoline can plug carburetors and fuel lines. Avoid this by either draining all fuel from the tank, carburetors and the fuel lines.

Inspect the wiring by sliding you fingers along all the wiring you can see, and feel for cracks or breaks in the insulation. If you find any damaged casings repair or replace them. Make sure all the connectors are tight and all are free of corrosion. Disconnect and remove the battery and store it in a warm vented place sitting on a piece of plywood to catch any acid leaks. The battery will discharge over the winter months and this can cause the battery to freeze and crack. Clean the battery post and the battery cables. Use fine steel wool or a battery cleaning tool. Once the posts are clean apply petroleum jelly. This will not affect the cable connections when you hook up the battery in the spring.

Prevent rust from forming on the chain or the shaft drive by lubricating with the manufacture recommended oils. Before you lube it, make sure the chain is clean. Any dirt left on the chain will cause the chain to wear faster and speed up the wearing of the sprockets

Take a look at the brakes for any wear or damage to the pads or the rotors. Make sure you top up the brake reservoir. Replace the air filter and wipe out the container it fits in if it has one.

Before covering your bike, make sure you plug the intake and exhaust so critters cannot get in and set up house!

Most insurance carriers offer special rates for winter storage of your motorcycle so remember to let your insurance agent know your bike is off the road for winter.

Take care to prepare your bike for winter storage and as soon as the snow melts in spring, she will take care of you on the open road!

And when it comes to all of your insurance needs, whether automobile insurance, homeowners insurance, business or life insurance, Vargas & Vargas Insurance is always available to answer any of your questions.

 

First things first:

1. Confirm you guest list, and any weekend house guests
2. Determine what recipes you are going to bemaking. Some important things to consider, or remember: Do your dishes gowell together, flavor-wise?  What dishes can be prepared ahead?
3. Can you cook all the dishes in your stove/oven? Run through thecooking process, noting when things are on the stove, or in the oven (and atcwhat temperature), and that you have space for it all.
4. Once your menu has been finalized, determine what can be made inthe few days before Thanksgiving to save time, such as pies, casseroles, stuffing,even peeling the potatoes and leaving them to soak in a water bath.
5. Next create a timeline/checklist for the day of Thanksgiving: whenthe turkey needs to go into the oven,the side dishes that still have to be made, and which ones that have been madeahead which need to be heated. The end goal of all the food being ready toserve, at the proper temperatures, at the same time.
6. Consider the beverages you will serve. Will you offer a fullystocked bar, or simply just soft drinks, beer, and wines. Make sure you haveenough liquor, water, and mixers for the number of guests you’re expecting, andhave the proper utensils and ingredients – don’t forget cocktail napkins,lemons and limes!

2 weeks before:

1. With your menu, go through your serving dishes and utensils. Marrytogether each recipe with the dish you want to serve it in and the utensil itwill be served with, labeling each set with a post-it. Do the same with yourcooking utensils, making sure you have a turkey baster and kitchen twine, andcheck to make sure you have enough containers/tin foil for storing leftovers. 
   1. Consider your centerpieces and décor. Determine how you want toset each place: Dinner and salad plates? Bread and butter plates? How manypieces of flatware? Just a fork and knife, with a dessert spoon on top? Don’tforget about glassware: for water, white wine, red wine, mixed drinks, kidsdrinks.
   2. Make sure the dishware and glassware you are using is clean.Polish any silver that you may be using.
   3. For centerpieces, think about where you want to put candles, andwhat kind. Remember to never leave lit candles unattended!
   4. Make sure you have linens for the table(s) – not just the diningtable, but bar table(s), serving table(s), or tables of appetizers, whateveryou are using — and that they are clean and pressed. If not, you shouldarrange that now.
   5. Write up a shopping list based on your menu. Create a Grocery listdivided by department such as produce, dairy, spices, storage containers, kitchen tools, etc. Then have shopping listsfor any other errands you may have e.g. Liquor store. This will help to makeyour shopping trip less chaotic and overwhelm in
   6. Write up a shopping list based on your menu. Create a Grocery list divided by department such as produce, dairy, spices, storage containers, kitchen tools, etc. Then have shopping lists for any other errands you may have e.g. Liquor store. This will help to make your shopping trip less chaotic and overwhelming.

The week before:

1. Remind your guests that you’re looking forward to sharingThanksgiving with them, and confirm when they will be arriving.
2. Prepare! Is your bathroom organized and stocked? Do you have roomin the freezer for extra ice needed for drinks? Clear out the refrigerator tomake room for dishes. Straighten up around the house.
3. Check your lists and what you have in your pantry. Do you havecocktail napkins, toothpicks, paper towels? Coffee, tea, milk and sugar toserve with dessert?
4. Organize your bar and chill any beverages that need to be cold.

The Week of Thanksgiving

Monday and Tuesday:

1. Begin defrosting your turkey if it is frozen.  
2. Make your pies, cranberry sauces, and other dishes that can hold forfour days.
3. Set your table and decorate the spaces where yourguests will be.
4. Begin chopping vegetables for cooking, and slicing lemons andlimes for the bar. Are your butter dishes ready, and salt and pepper shakersfull? If you are brining your turkey, you can make the brine, too.

Wednesday:

1. Continue chopping and prepping, assembling the stuffing and otherdishes that can be refrigerated overnight.
2. Do a final run through of your lists, recipes, and check your pantrymaking a final grocery run if necessary.
3. Determine when you need to get up in order to preheat the oven,and get the turkey in so it will be cooked at the proper time.
4. Get a good night’s sleep.

 Thanksgiving Day:

1. Do a final sweep of your set table and bar area, set the servingdishes in a place where they can all sit before being served, preparing acreamer and sugar for coffee and tea.
2. Prepare your appetizers.
3. Cook and enjoy the time with your family and friends!

Vargas & Vargas wishes you and yours a Safe and Happy Thanksgiving!

Most insurance policies contain a vacancy provision, a Massachusetts homeowner’s policy does have a vacancy exclusion that typically applies after a home has been empty for 30 to 60 days when the policy starts removing coverage.

Click here to view the rest of this blog on Patch Media.

 

For more information regarding coverage on your vacant or unoccupied properties call Vargas & Vargas Insurance Agency, your local independent insurance agent. 

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It has been this way in America since 1845, but how did it come to be?

It may seem to be a random choice today but back in the America of the 1800’s it made great sense. Back then most Americans made their living in rural areas by farming and ranching. As a result Congress needed to determine the most convenient month for farmers and those living in rural areas to get to the polls. Spring and Summer months were dedicated to preparing fields and planting crops. Whereas early November was a time when the harvest was complete and before the harsh winter weather set in that would have prevented travel by horses and buggy over the unpaved dirt roads of the day.

So November was chosen due to the harvest cycle – but why not then make voting day on November 1^st?  November 1stis a Holy Day of Obligation in the Roman Catholic Church (All Saints Day). In addition, many businesses tallied their sales and expenses and did their books for the previous month on the first of each month. Congress feared that an unusually good or bad economic month might influence the vote if it were held on the 1^stof November.

So November 1^st is out but why not the first Monday of November? As many folks needed to travel great distances,often requiring and overnight journey to reach their closest polling station.  It was therefore determined the optimum voting day be on a Tuesday to avoid the need to travel on a Sunday, the day of rest reserved for attending religious services.

So, in 1845 the US Congress made the law, mandating that the presidential elections would be held every four years on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November.

Listen to a NPR radio story on the history behind Tuesday voting HERE.