Important Auto Insurance Coverage Advice

Have you looked at your car insurance coverage lately?  Listed below are important minimum recommendations we suggest for your vehicle(s):

Part 5:      Optional Bodily Injury                               $250,000 per person
                                                                             $500,000 per accident

Part 3:      Bodily Injury caused by                            $250,000 per person
                an Uninsured Motorist                              $500,000 per accident

Part 12:    Bodily Injury caused by                            $250,000 per person
                an Underisured Auto                                $500,000 per accident

Part 6:      Medical Payments                                   $25,000 per person (No Deductible)

Part 4:      Damage to Someone Else's Property        $250,000 per accident

Failure to list a household member or any person who regularly operates your vehicle(s) may result in denial of collision coverage.

Information needed to list operators:

Name

License Number

Date of Birth

Date First Licensed

How Many Years Driving

If your auto insurance coverage is currently below these minimum recommendations or have questions please call us at (508) 877-0078

www.wtflynninsurance.com

Lending a Vehicle to a Friend

Our daughter has a vehicle, with her own insurance policy, away at school with her. She called me the other day to tell me the car was in an accident. She had let her friend drive it and her friend caused an accident. The accident will be reported on her friend’s insurance, right?

While the accident also may need to be reported to the insurer of your daughter’s friend in order for the friend to obtain excess coverage, if needed, the policy insuring your daughter will provide coverage for the friend on a primary basis. Primary insurance follows the owner of the vehicle, and anyone having permission to operate the auto is considered an insured under the owner’s policy. According to the ISO personal auto policy, under Part A—Liability Coverage, it states:     “B. "Insured" as used in this Part means: You or any "family member" for the ownership, maintenance or use of any auto or "trailer." Any person using "your covered auto." For "your covered auto,” any person or organization but only with respect to legal responsibility for acts or omissions of a person for who coverage is afforded under this Part. So, in essence, your daughter’s friend would be considered a permissive user of “your covered auto” (that is, your daughter’s scheduled vehicle) and, therefore, afforded primary coverage under your daughter’s personal auto insurance policy.

Why Choose a Massachusetts Independent Insurance Agency?

FREEDOM

• Independent insurance agencies are not limited to selling products from only one company. They represent multiple insurance carriers, which benefits you because it increases the number of products and services that the agent can evaluate on your behalf. A captive agent can sell the products of only one insurer.

FLEXIBILITY

• The independent insurance agency has a great deal of flexibility when it comes to solving your problems. If you are dissatisfied with your current insurance policy, the agent can move your coverage to another provider and continue to act as your liaison with the new provider.

Industry Knowledge

• Independent agencies can be more familiar with current events in the industry, because each of the carriers they represent sends its own informational updates and newsletters. Captive agents, on the other hand, only receive news information and industry updates from one specific carrier.

Resources

• Independent insurance agencies have a substantially larger network of contacts. Because they work with multiple insurance companies, and each company has its own research department, the independent agent is able to speak with multiple representatives from several companies to obtain insight about any potential problems or concerns.

 

Unbiased Opinions

• The fear of receiving a biased review or opinion of a particular insurance company or product is greatly reduced when you work with an independent agency. Since the majority of insurance carriers pay the same commission, there is no advantage to the agency to steer you toward one particular company or policy.

A local MA Independent Insurance Agency like ours has the advantage of working with several of the best insurance companies on the client's behalf, allowing us to offer unbiased, sound insurance coverage at affordable prices.

Does My Home Insurance Cover Damage From My Neighbor's Tree?

One of our valued clients asked us this question about her Home Insurance in Framingham MA.

On those mornings after a storm the night before, when you cant help but survey your yard to make sure that no major branches or power lines have fallen in or around your home – what do you do if a neighbor’s tree has fallen onto your property??

Is it something that your neighbor and their insurance company are responsible for handling? Or does your Massachusetts Insurance company step in? You may be surprised to find out that it is not your neighbor’s insurance company that responds to the situation but rather, your insurance company – it is your Massachusetts Home Insurance that is there to protect your home!

If you find yourself in this situation (or even better, before you find yourself in this situation – especially if there are several tall trees around your home) it is always a good idea to call your local Insurance agent to be sure that your Home Insurance has the right coverage for the damage and for tree removal.

Boat Insurance Metrowest MA

Happy Independence Day!  What a great weekend to enjoy your boat.  A boat is one of your biggest assets and should be insured properly.  Not all boat insurance policies are created equal!  Give us a call to determine if you have the correct insurance coverage for your boat.

For those in Metrowest Massachusetts including Ashland, Framingham, Holliston, Hopkinton, Natick, Sudbury, Wayland, more information about boat insurance can be found at http://www.wtflynninsurance.com/ or by calling (508) 877-0078.

Why An Independent Insurance Agent For Your Massachusetts Insurance?

Some people think it doesn't really matter where they buy their Massachusetts insurance but this misconception could be costing them money, service and protection. Buying Massachusetts insurance isn't like buying bread or milk. Insurance is an important safety net for your family, your home, your car or your business. Don't treat the purchase lightly!
There is a difference in where you buy your Massachusetts insurance protection. Many people don't realize there are three sources for insurance:

1. Captive Agents, who can sell you the insurance of only one company.
2. Telephone Representatives, who can offer you the insurance of one company, and only on the telephone.
3. Independent Insurance Agents, who represent an average of eight insurance companies, and research with these firms to find you the best combination of price, coverage and service.

Your Massachusetts Independent Insurance Agent:

• Is a licensed professional with strong customer and community ties.
• Gives you excellent service and competitive prices because your agent can access the insurance coverage from more than one company.
• Unlike other agents, your Independent Insurance agent is not beholden to any one company; thus, you don't need to change agencies as your insurance and service needs change.
• Assists you when you have a claim.
• Is your consultant, working with you as you determine your needs.
• Offers you a choice of Massachusetts insurance plans and programs.
• Is a value hunter who looks after your pocketbook in finding the best combination of price, coverage and service.
• Offers one-stop shopping for a full range of products - Massachusetts home insurance, renters, Massachusetts car insurance, business, life and health.
• Can periodically help you review your coverage to keep up with your changing insurance needs.
• Treats you like a person, not just another number.
• Customer satisfaction is the key to a Massachusetts independent agent's livelihood. So, serving you is a very important concern.

There Is A Difference between Massachusetts Independent Insurance Agents and Captive Agents.

Contact us by going to http://www.wtflynninsurance.com/ or calling (508) 877-0078

Framingham MA Home Insurance

Types of policies

Currently, the ISO has seven standardized homeowners insurance forms in general use:

HO1 – Basic Form Homeowner Policy

A basic policy form that provides coverage on a home against 11 listed perils; contents are generally included in this type of coverage, but must be explicitly enumerated. The perils include fire or lightning, windstorm or hail, vandalism or malicious mischief, theft, damage from vehicles and aircraft, explosion riot or civil commotion, glass breakage, smoke, volcanic eruption, and personal liability. Exceptions include floods, earthquakes.

 

HO2 – Broad Form Homeowner Policy

A more advanced form that provides coverage on a home against 17 listed perils (including all 11 on the HO1). The coverage is usually a "named perils" policy, which lists the events that would be covered.

 

HO3 – Special Form Homeowner Policy

The typical, most comprehensive form used for single-family homes. The policy provides "all risk" coverage on the home with some perils excluded, such as earthquake and flood. Contents are covered on a named peril basis. (Note: "All Risk" is poorly termed as it is essentially named exclusions (ie, if it is not specifically excluded, it is covered))

 

HO4 – Renter's Insurance

The "Tenants" form is for renters. It covers personal property against the same perils as the contents portion of the HO2 or HO3.^[6]

 

HO5 - Premier Homeowner Policy

Covers the same as HO3 plus more. On this policy the contents are covered on an open peril basis, therefore as long as the cause of loss is not specifically excluded in the policy it will be covered for that cause of loss. (can also be achieved by endorsing an HO15 to the HO3)

 

HO6 – Condominium Policy

The form for condominium owners.

 

HO8 – Older Houses

The "Modified Coverage" form is for the owner-occupied older home whose replacement cost far exceeds the property's market value.

More info can be found at http://www.wtflynninsurance.com/

Why Choose a Massachusetts Independent Insurance Agent?

http://www.wtflynninsurance.com/