W.T. Flynn Insurance Blog Framingham MA Insurance Agency

Most Expensive Property Insurance States

2012-02-14T18:13:00.000-08:00

When you think of the most expensive places to insure a home, you might think of flood plains or hurricane and earthquake zones. Contrary to popular belief, though, these kinds of disasters take a backseat to two more common, less damaging threats: wind and hail. For homeowners who live in states where high wind speeds are common, insuring a home can be an expensive prospect. The cost will be especially steep for those who live in wood, rather than brick, homes and who live in high-density areas that do not have nearby construction materials. When combined with hail and wind, these factors are the main risks insurers consider when writing a home insurance policy.

The Notorious Ten

Here is a list of the ten most expensive states in which to insure a home:

Texas. Average Premium: $1,328. Texas' location makes it a perfect crucible for tornadoes, hurricanes, and hail.
Louisiana. Average Premium: $975. The combination of many easily-damaged structures and the fact that many buildings are below sea level makes Louisiana a huge risk to home insurers.
Oklahoma. Average Premium: $925. Tornadoes and frequent windstorms make this state a nightmare for home insurance companies.
Florida. Average Premiums: $810. Premiums are highest for those who live in Hurricane central.
Washington, D.C. Average Premium: $806. A dense population and many unstable structures are behind these sky-high premiums.
Mississippi. Average Premium: $793. Protecting policyholders from losses related to wind damage and falling trees costs a lot.
Kansas. Average Premium: $772. Tornadoes are the primary culprit behind these premiums.
Colorado. Average Premium: $762. An explosion of new construction, a rise in property value, and frequent summer hailstorms all raise home insurance rates for the rocky-mountain state.
California. Average Premium: $753. California is naturally diaster-prone, and these premiums do not include earthquake coverage.
Minnesota. Average Premium: $733. Heavy snows and shoddy building make Minnesota properties prone to collapse.

Auto Insurance Claims: Top 10 Items You Need When You Make A Claim

2012-01-21T09:25:00.000-08:00

Auto Insurance: When an unfortunate event happens and you have been involved in an auto accident, there are 10 very important things to know:

1. Who did I have an accident with? Be sure to get complete information from the other party(ies) involved. This means copying down their address, driver’s license #, date of birth, and ask for their phone number. In addition, obtain their insurance information including, the company, policy #, agent if there is one, the policy begin and expiration date and their phone #. You need to make sure that you have as much info as possible to give your insurance company; this will help get your claim resolved as fast as possible.

2. Were there any witnesses? Was there anyone who saw the accident happen? You want to make sure that you get information from anyone who saw the accident. This will assist the insurance companies to determine who is liable for the accident.

3. Were the police called? If the police called or showed up, make sure to get the name and badge # of the officer and a report number. It may take your insurance company up to 3 months to get a police report, so be sure you take the information but don’t rely on the insurance company getting the information.

4. What kind of vehicle or vehicles were involved in this accident? You want to make sure that you get the vehicle year, make and model, the license plate #, and VIN number for each vehicle involved.

5. Where did this happen? Get the intersection or street that the accident happened on. Also, you want to make sure that you know how many lanes are on each side of the street, if the street or streets are 1 way or 2 way, the type of striping on the pavement within 100 feet each direction of the loss, i.e. is it a solid, double yellow line, a white line, etc. Also, you want to know where each vehicle impacted, what lane you and the other car were driving in just before the accident, the direction of travel for each vehicle, and if there were any signs posted that control traffic flow.

6. How many passengers were in each vehicle? Take note of how many people were in each of the vehicles involved. Once you know, make a brief note of their description or name including: ethnicity, gender, weight, height, etc. This will help if you are the victim of a staged accident or other type of insurance fraud since people sometimes mysteriously are reported as an occupant of the vehicle when they were not present. This is not common, but if it ever does happen, this will help you avoid being a victim.

7. What type of condition was the car in right after the accident? Was the vehicle drivable? Where is the damage? Is there any additional damage on the vehicle not related to the accident? If there is additional damage on the vehicle not related to this accident, be sure to tell your insurance company.

8. Where do I want to get my vehicle repaired? If you have a shop in mind, have that information with you. If you don’t, ask around, your friends might have a good recommendation. Otherwise, you can ask your insurance company if they have a repair program. If they do have one, be sure to ask about the program’s warranty, cost, and if there is a benefit to using it.

9. Write down all the information. Record all the information that you have gathered and keep it in a safe place. This is to assist you if there is a problem with the claim. When you report it, be sure to write down who you spoke with, your claim #, and what if any promises were made. This will make your life easier if someone says something and then it doesn’t happen.

10. Take pictures of the accident right after it occurred. Take a photo of your vehicle and the other vehicle(s) involved including all 4 corners. Also, if you can get the other party in the photo, that will help in the event that either insurance company needs help identifying the other party involved.

If you have a claim that needs to be filed, the above items are good to gather since it will make the process easier and assist your insurance adjuster to resolve your claim at a faster pace. The insurance adjuster(s) you will deal with each have a job, it is to resolve as many claims as they can in the least amount of time possible. As a result, the more information you can give him or her, the smoother the process will be.

Home Insurance Framingham MA

2012-01-03T18:51:00.000-08:00

Looking for a Free Home Insurance Quote?

Protect Your Home and Save Money

Your home is full of all of the things that are most precious to you – and you need to protect them. Your home is also likely to be your largest investment, and home insurance is not only the smart thing to do, it is the necessary thing to do. WT Flynn can provide you with a comparison of home insurance quotes, helping you find the best policy for the best rate. We work with many home insurance companies, and offer the most informative home insurance quotes available today. Your home insurance quote from WT Flynn is not only informative, but it is free! Just take a few moments to fill out our online questionnaire and you can start saving money today! Whether you are seeking a home insurance quote for a new home or your current home, get your free homeowner’s insurance quote today.

Do You Need Homeowner Insurance?

Of course you do. In the event of a catastrophe, you will need to repair any damage that occurs to your home and property, and replace anything that is lost or destroyed. In addition, chances are your mortgage holder requires you to have a certain amount of home insurance to protect their investment.

How does a home insurance policy protect you?

Structures. Your homeowner’s policy covers the financial damages to your home caused by accidental or weather-related damage to both your home and other structures on your property, such as garages and outbuildings. Additionally, home insurance will provide you financial compensation if you cannot live in your home due to the damage.
Personal Property. All the belongings and furniture that fill your home counts as personal property, and if they are stolen or damaged your home insurance policy will replace them.
Liability. If someone is injured in your home, you can be found liable for the medical expenses. The liability portion of your homeowner’s insurance policy protects you from this financial liability.

Things to Consider when Shopping For Home Owner’s Insurance

There are many details to keep in mind when looking at various policy options. Here are just a few things to keep in mind.

Coverage Amounts. Be sure that your home insurance policy is enough to protect the TOTAL value of your home, not simply the equity (the amount paid off) or the balance remaining on your mortgage.
Covered and Uncovered Losses. While most things such as fire, theft, and weather damage are covered by your policy, specific things such as earthquakes and flood damage may not be. Check your policy.
Policy Exclusions. There will always be items excluded. Be sure you know what they are, and protect yourself.
Deductible. A higher deductible (the amount you pay before your insurance kicks in) might mean a lower premium, but is it worth it? Make sure any deductible you have is affordable.
Discounts. What will give you a discount? A security system, not smoking, and having more than one home insurance policy might lead to a discount. Check to see if your lifestyle supports this!

Want to Reduce Cyber Risk? Avoid These 25 Worst Passwords of 2011

2011-12-10T17:49:00.001-08:00

One way to help lower personal and business cyber risk is to avoid using easy-to-crack passwords. SplashData, a password management application maker, recently compiled a list of the 25 worst passwords for the year 2011.

The research results were based on millions of actually stolen passwords that were made available online.
Having tough-to-guess passwords may not necessarily deter sophisticated, determined hackers. But they do make it much more difficult for amateur cyber thieves to breach online accounts. Here is the list of this year’s worst online passwords.

1. password
2. 123456
3. 12345678
4. qwerty
5. abc123
6. monkey
7. 1234567
8. letmein
9. trustno1
10. dragon
11. baseball
12. 111111
13. iloveyou
14. master
15. sunshine
16. ashley
17. bailey
18. passw0rd
19. shadow
20. 123123
21. 654321
22. superman
23. qazwsx
24. michael
25. football

10 Most Stolen Vehicles in U.S.

2011-10-31T18:33:00.000-07:00

In August, the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) released a top-10 list of the most frequently stolen vehicles in the United States:

For 2010, the most frequently stolen vehicles are as follows:

1994 Honda Accord
1995 Honda Civic
1991 Toyota Camry
1999 Chevrolet Pickup
1997 Ford F150 Series
2004 Dodge Ram
2000 Dodge Caravan
1994 Acura Integra
2002 Ford Explorer
1999 Ford Taurus

Older vehicles are stolen primarily for valuable spare parts, according to the NICB.

The report indicates that overall incidents of vehicle theft are down, mainly due to improved anti-theft technology. In fact, the FBI projects that 2010 saw the lowest rate of vehicle thefts since 1967.

For an auto insurance quote please call (508) 877-0078. We offer top quality insurance plans at competitive rates to Ashland, Framingham, Holliston, Hopkinton, Natick, Sudbury, Wayland and surrounding areas of Metrowest Massachusetts.

Small Business Insurance Tips

2011-10-20T16:52:00.000-07:00

Small business owners need special protection in six key domains that pose special risk for any enterprise: property, liability, worker compensation, autos, theft, and capital. There are other domains such as errors and omission that require additional security as well. Insurance companies understand the need of small entrepreneurs and that is why there are so many insurance offers for small and medium businesses on the market these days. There are numerous factors that may influence the choice of insurance for a businesses and local business condition is just one of them. In order to get the best policy it is recommended to follow these simple five tips that will assure your enterprise with the right coverage it really requires:

Most business insurance policies are designed to cover against a wide set of risks, but they have their limits. In case your business has a specific type of risk that is not included in typical policies, you may want to purchase additional coverage against this risk or get a separate policy namely for it. The main goal is to have your business insured against the particular risk and protect your funds by using insurance.
Small business insurance provides financial protection against such common things as power shortages and natural disasters. These risks are unpredictable and have the power to put you out of business for good in no time in case you don't have the necessary coverage.
Most businesses need special type of insurance to keep them protected against customer lawsuits arising from errors and omissions. Error & Omissions (E&O) business coverage is particularly useful to enterprises dealing with clients on a regular basis by providing services or producing goods.
For those enterprises that need extensive coverage against a very wide range of risks and perils there are special business owner polices that provide protection against virtually all types of risks. Of course, it is hard to be protected against just everything and it has its price, that is why you should learn the details about such a deal before signing the policy. Pay attention to exclusions, they may matter when you face an insurance situation.
Evaluate the amount of coverage your business needs for each type of risk. It's not wise to have maximum amounts from the cost point of view as such policy will have hefty premiums. Also, make sure to compare offers from different insurance providers as it often turns out that different companies have different rates for the same amount of insurance coverage.

Hopefully these tips will help you in finding the best insurance deal your company deserves that will have perfect protection against different risks for a reasonable price. Call us at (508) 877-0078 for more information about small business insurance in Ashland, Framingham, Holliston, Hopkinton, Natick, Sudbury, Wayland and surrounding areas of Metrowest Massachusetts.

Top 10 Least Expensive Cars to Insure in 2011

2011-09-04T19:33:00.000-07:00

Top 10 Least Expensive to Insure:

10. Toyota Highlander ($1,154.02)
9. Ford Escape ($1,150.26)
8. Toyota Sienna ($1,142.94)
7. Honda Odyssey EX ($1,138.16)
6. Jeep Wrangler ($1,131.27)
5. Nissan Murano ($1,127.84)
4. Honda Odyssey LX ($1,114.62)
3. Toyota Sienna LE ($1,107.70)
2. Toyota Sienna ($1,100.66)
1. Chrysler Town & Country LX ($1,091.80)

For an auto insurance quote, call (508) 877-0078 or visit http://www.wtflynninsurance.com/.

Top 10 Most Expensive Cars to Insure in 2011

2011-09-04T19:27:00.001-07:00

Top 10 Most Expensive to Insure:

10. Mercedes-Benz G55 AMG ($3,086.49)
9. Aston Martin DB9 Volante ($3,088.96
8. Porsche 911 Carrera S ($3,092.31)
7. Mercedes-Benz CL600 ($3,114.28)
6. Aston Martin DB9 ($3,120.45)
5. Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG ($3,220.86)
4. Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG ($3,263.46)
3. BMW 750Li ($3,280.70)
2. BMW 750i ($3,280.70)
1. Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG ($3,543.81)

For a car insurance quote, call (508) 877-0078 or visit http://www.wtflynninsurance.com/

Framingham, MA Insurance Agency

2011-08-07T17:42:00.000-07:00

Looking for a local Insurance Agency in Framingham, MA?

We have been serving the local communities for over 55 years. Let us be your trusted advisor to make sure you have the insurance coverage that fits your unique situation. We are not tied to just one insurance carrier like the national companies. We have partnerships with many of the top insurance carriers so that we can choose the best option for YOU, at the best rates.

In addition to Framingham we serve clients from Ashland, Holliston, Hopkinton, Natick, Sudbury, Wayland and surrounding areas.

Call us (508) 877-0078 or visit our website http://www.wtflynninsurance.com/ for more information.

Why Choose a Massachusetts Independent Insurance Agency?

2011-07-23T15:16:00.000-07:00

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.

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.

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.

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?

2011-07-09T14:08:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-04T14:05:00.000-07:00

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?

2011-06-04T18:45:00.001-07:00

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:

Captive Agents, who can sell you the insurance of only one company.
Telephone Representatives, who can offer you the insurance of one company, and only on the telephone.
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

2011-05-14T18:11:00.000-07:00

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?

2011-05-10T14:19:00.000-07:00

http://www.wtflynninsurance.com/

Massachusetts Ranks 35th on Car Insurance Premium Cost List

2011-03-27T17:35:00.000-07:00

Here are all 50 states and the District of Columbia ranked by the average annual premium that a representative driver would pay, according to Insure.com. The national average is $1,561.

1.    Michigan, $2,541
2.    Louisiana, $2,453
3.    Oklahoma, $2,197
4.    Montana, $2,190
5.    Washington, D.C., $2,146
6.    California, $1,991
7.    Mississippi, $1,896
8.    New Mexico, $1,896
9.    Arkansas, $1,836
10.    Maryland, $1,807
11.    North Dakota, $1,794
12.    Connecticut, $1,786
13.    Rhode Island, $1,747
14.    Wyoming, $1,714
15.    Hawaii, $1,707
16.    South Dakota, $1,707
17.    Georgia, $1,670
18.    New Jersey, $1,663
19.    West Virginia, $1,633
20.    Kentucky, $1,629
21.    New York, $1,627
22.    Minnesota, $1,614
23.    Washington, $1,584
24.    Missouri, $1,563
25.    Indiana, $1,518
26.    Colorado, $1,508
27.    Texas, $1,492
28.    Delaware, $1,489
29.    Florida, $1,476
30.    Nebraska, $1,470
31.    Pennsylvania, $1,468
32.    Kansas, $1,461
33.    Alaska, $1,454
34.    New Hampshire, $1,334
35.    Massachusetts, $1,328
36.    Idaho, $1,325
37.    Alabama, $1,306
38.    Oregon, $1,306
39.    Nevada, $1,300
40.    Illinois, $1,290
41.    Arizona, $1,280
42.    Utah, $1,272
43.    Virginia, $1,237
44.    Iowa, $1,179
45.    North Carolina, $1,154
46.    Ohio, $1,152
47.    Tennessee, $1,146
48.    Wisconsin, $1,128
49.    Maine, $1,126
50.    South Carolina, $1,095
51.    Vermont, $995