Encharter Insurance Blog

In the Wake of Winter...

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:39:00 GMT

This winter has been an extraordinarily difficult one for all of us on the East Coast. No one needs to tell us how bad it’s been…WE KNOW! Some of us are STILL reeling. A recent article said that the damage from these last snowstorms resulted in losses that could total two billion dollars . Reports say that “the most common sources of losses [are] resulting from roof damage, pipe breakage and ice dams…”—all things with which we northerners are very familiar (see my blog entry on Ice Dams for reference). And “According to the Insurance Information Institute, winter storms are the third-largest cause of catastrophe losses, behind hurricanes and tornadoes…” .

Don’t wait until you come home to a lake in your living room to discover that your Homeowner’s Insurance cannot meet your needs. At Encharter Insurance, we want to make sure that you get the best possible coverage for the best possible price. Not only can we provide you with Home Insurance that will cover structural damage, but we offer Flood Insurance in the event that the frozen ground causes water build-up where you live, which can harm your home. But what about your valuables? Some Homeowner’s Insurance Policies do not adequately cover losses due to the destruction of your possessions. Supplemental Home Insurance Policies, such as a Collections Insurance Policy, can provide extra peace of mind in the wake of a tragedy.

So give your friendly, knowledgeable Encharter agent a call today at 888-865-1244 and put them to work doing what they love—finding the right policy for you! You can also visit us online at www.encharter.com to get a FREE Homeowner’s Insurance Quote or a FREE Homeowner’s Insurance Savings Analysis. Just fill out the forms and see how easy it is to Shop for Insurance with Encharter. But if you prefer a more personal touch, our agents in our Insurance Office in Watertown CT, our Insurance Office in Amherst MA, our Insurance Office in Lexington MA, or our Insurance Office in Reading MA would like to meet with you. And remember at Encharter Insurance—“It’s all about protecting you!”

Insurance for My Comic Book Collection?

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 13:34:00 GMT

When was the last time you went through the things in your attic? If you’re like me, the items within arm’s reach of the door are what I see at least twice a year, but that leaves almost ¾ of the contents of the attic untouched for years. And what is all that stuff doing, other than taking up space and collecting dust? Some experts say that it may be increasing in value the longer that it sits there and that “nostalgia and rarity are the two biggest factors that will determine what people are paying for in 20 to 40 years”. Your old comic book or baseball card collections that hold only nostalgic value for you now, may repay you for all those years of attention and TLC in childhood. Now the question is: How do you protect your investment in the form of these potentially valuable collections?

The knowledgeable agents at Encharter Insurance can help you find a Collections Insurance policy that covers your valuables if, or when, your Homeowner’s Insurance does not. Don’t assume that the insurance for your house will take care of your precious heirlooms. Buying a supplemental policy such as a Collections Insurance policy, Fine Arts Insurance policy, or Jewelry Floater policy can mean that parts of your life would start coming together after a substantial loss.

Here at Encharter, we enjoy knowing that our customers can depend on us in a time of need, which is why we will try our hardest to find you the best insurance policy at the best price. Give us a call at 888-865-1244 and speak with one of our agents today! You can also visit us at www.encharter.com for a free insurance quote or a free insurance savings analysis. And if you prefer a more personal touch, our agents would like to meet with you at our insurance office in Watertown CT, our insurance office in Lexington MA, our insurance office in Reading MA, or our insurance office in Amherst MA. And remember, at Encharter—“It’s all about protecting you”... and your belongings!

Going on Vacation……Winterize Your Home

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 16:22:00 GMT

If you are a snowbird heading to your home in Florida and will be gone for the winter months, be sure to winterize your home and have someone check on it occasionally. Don’t let frozen pipes ruin your home or your time away. Reputable sources such as the AARP Bulletin Today and Weather.com have a few good tips to prevent your pipes from bursting during the winter:

· Lower the thermostat to save on heat, but not too low

· Make sure outside faucets are shut off and free of water

· Leave a faucet inside dripping or:

· Shut off the main water valve

· Inside your home, wrap the entire length of all pipes in non-heated areas such as crawl spaces, attics, and outside walls

Also, contact your Encharter Insurance agent to review your homeowners insurance to be sure you have sufficient coverage should anything happen while you are away. We have insurance offices in CT and MA. With an insurance office in Watertown CT; Amherst MA; Lexington MA and Reading MA we have an office near you! No time to stop by our office? Go online today at www.encharter.com to find out how you can save money on your homeowners insurance. At Encharter, It’s all about protecting you!”

Windshield Chipped or Damaged?

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 13:38:00 GMT

Let’s face it – it has happened to all of us. You’re driving down the road and “ping”, a rock from the road hits the windshield. If it’s not in our line of vision, we often ignore it. But driving over a speed bump, pothole or just the hot and cold weather can put additional pressure on the chip and eventually lead to a crack. Often a small chip can be repaired without replacing the window. A resin that is injected into the chip fills and seals the damaged area. It is then heated with a high-power ultra violet light to harden the resin.

Cracks will weaken the window and could cause a more serious problem, such as the glass breaking while you are driving causing you to have an accident. Larger windshield cracks will need a full windshield replacement. The best advice? Don’t wait! Have the windshield checked by a reputable glass repair specialist.

By having full safety glass coverage on your auto insurance, the cost to repair or replace the cracked windshield would be fully covered with no deductible. Not sure if you have this coverage? Why not give us a call at 888-865-1244? Have one of our agents at Encharter go over all your auto insurance coverages to make sure you not only have full safety glass coverage, but that you are adequately insured and getting all the auto insurance discounts you are entitled to. By combining your auto insurance with your home insurance or renter's insurance you could save up to 30%. Or, you can fill out the request a quote form at www.encharter.com and start saving today! If you would rather visit one of our offices, we have locations for insurance in Watertown CT, Insurance in Amherst MA, Reading MA, or Lexington MA. At Encharter – It’s all about protecting you!

Thank you to our Raving Fans!

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 13:53:00 GMT

Most of us who shop online check out the reviews of the products or companies before we make the purchase. This way, we can make a more informed decision as to whether or not we want to buy the product or do business with that company. We, at Encharter Insurance would like to thank our clients, 15,000 strong, who value the expert advice they get from Encharter and for sharing their experiences. You can check out what our clients are saying about us by visiting our Raving Fan page at www.encharter.com . After reading the testimonials you will have a better understanding of what you can expect from our services and agencies. Our agents are here to provide you with the right coverage at the right price . But that is not all that we are about. Our goal is to provide you with excellent customer service also.

So, why not contact Encharter at 888-865-1244 for a low cost quote on home insurance, low cost quote on auto insurance or cheap quote on business insurance? You can get a free insurance savings analysis by filling out our online form. Or if you are in the neighborhood, stop into one of our insurance agencies in CT or MA. We have an insurance office in Amherst MA; an insurance office in Lexington, MA; an insurance office in Reading MA and an insurance office in Watertown CT. At Encharter, “It’s all about protecting you!”

Refer a Friend and enter to win an IPod Touch!

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 13:47:00 GMT

Looking to save money on insurance without sacrificing the coverage? Well, I’m sure you are and so are your friends! How great would it be to win an IPod Touch? It’s as simple as referring a friend by filling out the online form at www.encharter.com . We have access to a number of companies to get you and your friends the best price on auto insurance , home insurance , or renter's insurance . We also offer business insurance , general liability insurance and worker's compensation for all your business insurance needs.

So why not request a free savings analysis of all your insurance? We may be able to save you up to 30% on your insurance premiums by making sure you are getting all the discounts on insurance that you are entitled to. The discounts can include a good student discount for your child with a “B” or better average, having an alarm on your car, or by having dead bolt locks, fire extinguishers and smoke detectors in your home.

If you would rather visit one of our offices, we have an insurance office in Watertown, CT where our agents would like to help you get the best coverage at an affordable price. We also have an insurance office in Amherst MA; an office for insurance in Lexington MA and an office for insurance in Reading MA ready to serve all your insurance needs. After all, at Encharter, “It’s all about protecting you!”

Not All Insurance Is Created Equal!

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 13:56:00 GMT

I love my car, and who doesn’t love their trusty vehicle? I wouldn’t trade it for any other machine that I had not worked so hard for and into which I have invested so much time. My car isn’t like yours and I am sure you feel the same way, regardless of the similar materials that make up the automobile. The same goes for my home, and just like no one’s home or car is the same, neither is the insurance that covers them. Some home insurance policies may cover just the insured value of a home (fair market value) rather than the replacement value (cost to rebuild a home at current reconstruction prices). The contents may be covered only for actual cash value (what it would cost to replace an item at the time of loss after subtracting depreciation) instead of replacement cost. Unfortunately, you may not find this out until you sustain a loss and learn that the beautiful, custom-built home you had will only be replaced with a builder’s grade home.

The same holds true for auto insurance. Many things affect your insurance rates for car insurance. The type of car you drive, where you live, your driving record and how much you drive are just some of the factors that go into calculating an insurance rate.

This is why you need the expert advice that our agents at Encharter Insurance can provide you. We will explain in easy terms the coverage that is right for you. We know how important it is to have the proper coverage as well as a good price. With Encharter, you will be sure you have the coverage you need in the event of a loss.

Fill in the online form to request a quote for Auto Insurance, Home Insurance, Renters Insurance or Business Insurance. We will shop your insurance with several of our carriers. We can get you a low cost insurance quote that will meet your specific needs. If you would rather visit one of our offices, we have locations for insurance in Watertown CT, Insurance in Amherst MA, Reading MA, or Lexington MA. We can cover all your MA insurance or CT insurance needs. At Encharter – It’s all about protecting you!”

Another Toyota Recall in the Works?

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 13:48:00 GMT

So if you own a car and you’ve been listening to the news like I have, you should have heard about the newest Toyota recall that may be in the company’s near future. Articles from every reporting agency are popping up all over your internet homepages on the automaker’s newest farce, including two from the Associated Press on Yahoo! News last week . Now, instead of just acceleration problems on their Corollas, customers are now complaining of issues with the power steering— 363,000 complaints on the 2009 models and 136,000 complaints on the 2010 models . With these numbers coming in, America’s favorite Toyota model, second only to the Camry , has the potential to be under the scrutiny of not one, but two, recalls. What is the responsible car owner supposed to do in a situation such as this, especially if you were the victim of a car accident caused by a car defect ?

Firstly, BE INFORMED! Please see my blog entry from February 4 titled, “How the Toyota Recall May Influence Your Insurance Pricing”. You will see information from the Massachusetts Division of Insurance and the consumer alert it has issued. Secondly, make sure your car insurance policy will be there to protect you in the event of an accident.

At Encharter Insurance, we have the resources to provide you with the right auto coverage at the right price. Our agents at Encharter would like to talk with you about our automobile insurance policies, so please give us a call at 888-865-1244. You can also visit our website www.encharter.com and fill out the “request a FREE car insurance quote form” or have a FREE auto insurance savings analysis done. Of course, if you would rather visit one of our four offices, the agents there would like to meet with you about auto insurance in Watertown CT, car insurance in Lexington MA, auto insurance in Reading MA, and auto insurance in Amherst MA. Remember, at Encharter—It’s all about protecting you!

Ice Dams: What To Do

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 13:38:00 GMT

Is your attic experiencing water issues during the winter months that are damaging your precious keepsakes and heirlooms? I recently read an article that warned homeowners of the potential damage caused by ice dams on roofs. These frozen phenomena occur when the snow on your roof experiences a “re-freezing” after the heat of your home has melted it through a poorly ventilated, poorly insulated attic. The ice subsequently causes a “dam”, preventing the remaining water and snow on your roof from melting off your roof and so it goes through it. This is how your grandmother’s antique furniture and your kid’s old toys can get ruined by water damage in the unpredictable weather patterns of a New England winter. The article recommends preventing ice dams on your roof by fixing the ventilation and insulation of your attic, and in the event of the formation of an ice dam to “leave it to the professionals” . However, if you don’t like the unsightly ice on your house, the article recommends an old remedy: “Cut the legs off a pair of pantyhose, fill with calcium chloride melter and lie them down the slope of the roof so that each leg crosses a section of ice and the toes dangle over the edge of the gutter.”

While stockings and some “run-of-the-mill” salt may do the job, at Encharter Insurance, we recommend purchasing an insurance policy to protect your valuables and investments. Ice dams might cause water damage to your attic and your roof stability, so you will want to look into Homeowner’s Insurance policies. But what about those valuable collections and keepsakes you store upstairs for posterity? Consider buying a Private Collections Insurance policy and you will find that you, and your kids, will thank you.

So, in lieu of displaying ladies’ hosiery on your roof for your entire neighborhood to see, give the agents at Encharter Insurance a call at 888-865-1244. Or fill out the “request a quote” form at www.encharter.com and start saving today! If you would rather visit one of our offices, we have locations for insurance in Watertown CT, insurance in Amherst MA, insurance in Reading MA, or insurance in Lexington MA. At Encharter—It’s all about protecting you, and your belongings!

Neighborhood Advertising Program

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 14:33:00 GMT

I love to see signs in store windows that read, “SALE” or “50% off!”. But the best is when the posters show four little letters: F-R-E-E!

Encharter Insurance is excited to be involved in a new program that will allow our current and prospective commercial customers to advertise for FREE on our website – where thousands of home and car owners visit. By advertising on our website your business will be able to reach our more than 15,000 local customers to offer discounts or promotions on your services or products. For instance, a restaurant owner can offer a free drink with dinner, a contractor - $50 off any job $500 or more. A retail store could offer 10% off of your customer’s next order. These are just some of the savings your business could offer our clients. We want to help the businesses in our communities grow. To get involved in Partners of Encharter, all we need for you to do is contact us at 888-865-1244 and we will go over all the details. If you prefer, you can go to our website at www.encharter.com and click on Partners of Encharter, then on ‘Become a Partner’ and follow the instructions. What better way to get the word out about your business and to increase your sales? Best of all, it’s free!

So, don’t delay. Call or visit us online to get started. Our friendly, experienced agents can also help you save on business insurance while at the same time making sure you have the proper coverage. At Encharter Insurance you can request an online business insurance quote. We can save you money on general liability insurance, commercial auto insurance or workers compensation insurance. If you would rather visit one of our offices, we have locations for insurance in Watertown CT, Insurance in Amherst MA, Reading MA, or Lexington MA. We can cover all your MA Business Insurance or CT Business insurance needs. After all, at Encharter, “It’s all about protecting you!”