Encharter Insurance Blog

Super Sunday & Liquor Liability

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 14:25:00 GMT

Game day is just about here. Even though my Patriots will not be in the big game, I am still looking forward to watching with a few close friends. This year it is more about the food, socializing, half-time show and commercials than about the game. Chances are a few “adult beverages” will be consumed. Do I have any personal liability as a result of serving alcohol in my home?

The answer is yes. If any of your guests were to be involved in a car accident after consuming alcoholic beverages in your home, you can be brought into any law suit. Therefore, here are some basic precautions you should take.

1. Make sure your guests who are drinking have a designated driver.

2. Offer to drive them home and have them pick up their vehicle in the morning. (this assumes you have not been drinking)

3. Limit alcohol consumption and be sure to offer non-alcoholic alternatives.

4. Make sure your homeowners’ insurance policy has host liquor liability.

5. Never throw a party where you charge for drinks. (this significantly increases your personal liability and negates any host liquor liability coverage you may have)

Uncertain if you have host liquor liability coverage? It is worth making a call to your Encharter Insurance Agent. Not all home insurance carriers offer host liquor liability as part of their coverage, so it is worth making the call to confirm you have the coverage. This is why having an Encharter Insurance Agent on your side is so important. They can help you assure you have the right coverage for your lifestyle. They can also help you get low cost home insurance.

So give us a call today or request a free coverage analysis online at www.encharter.com. With offices in Amherst, Lexington and Reading we can help you with all your Massachusetts insurance needs. Our office for insurance in Watertown, CT can assist you with Connecticut Insurance as well. Remember at Encharter, “It’s all about protecting you!”

How the Toyota Recall may influence your insurance pricing.

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 16:07:00 GMT

At Encharter Insurance we are in the business of helping you get the best possible auto insurance coverage for the lowest possible price. A key part of keeping your auto insurance costs low is keeping a good driving record – one free of at fault accidents.

As you may be aware, Toyota has recalled several vehicles after these cars accelerated unexpectedly. If you own one of these vehicles, you may have been involved in an accident as the result of this defect. In Massachusetts, the Division of Insurance has issued a formal consumer alert. Below is an excerpt from that alert.

2010 Toyota Recall and At-Fault Accident Appeals

In some cases, Toyota drivers may have been involved in accidents caused or influenced by stuck accelerators. In light of the recently announced recall of certain models of Toyota vehicles for unintended acceleration, the Division of Insurance is issuing this consumer alert to drivers who may have received an at-fault determination as a result of the accident.

Expansion of At-Fault Accident Appeals
The Division will expand the appeal process for drivers of recalled Toyotas who have been penalized by an at-fault determination from their insurance company after the incident. Specifically, at-fault determination appeals will be allowed in the following circumstances:

Rehearings Based on Past Appeals
Any driver that has received a Toyota recall notice and who was involved in an accident involving a recalled vehicle that resulted in an at-fault determination and who had a hearing before the Board of Appeals in which the insurer’s determination was upheld, may file a request for a re-hearing.

New Appeals
Any driver that has received a Toyota recall notice and who was involved in an accident involving a recalled vehicle that resulted in an at-fault determination, may file for an appeal before the Board of Appeals, if one has not been previously filed.

Appeals Must be Filed Within 60 Days
The request for re-hearing or new appeal must be filed within 60 days from the notice of the recall or from the date of this alert, whichever is later. A copy of the Recall Notice must accompany all requests for appeals and re-hearings. The appeal request must include the appropriate Surcharge Appeal Notice from the driver’s insurance company. If the driver no longer has this notice, we urge him to contact his insurance company immediately to obtain a copy. The appeal request also must be accompanied by the requisite $50.00 filing fee if an appeal on this determination has not been previously filed. An additional filing fee is not required if the request is for a re-hearing.

Expanded Hearings Limited to Unintended Acceleration Issue
The driver will be required to demonstrate that the vehicle involved in the accident is one of the models and types recalled by Toyota and that the accident was related to the acceleration problem outlined in the recall notice. All hearing determinations will be made on a case-by-case basis. While the recent recall was issued by Toyota, it covers several Lexus models as well the Pontiac Vibe. Drivers must show that the accident in question involved a vehicle covered by the Toyota recall notice.

If you live in Massachusetts and you believe your accident was caused by this vehicle defect, we recommend that you consider having a hearing to appeal your at fault accident determination. Since an “At Fault” determination can make low cost auto insurance difficult to get for 3-6 years, requesting an appeal may be well worth your effort.

Feel free to contact us at Encharter Insurance to learn more about how your driving record can influence your insurance costs or to find out how you can lower your cost of insurance. Our agents for insurance in Massachusetts and insurance in Connecticut are here to help you get the coverage you need at a price you can afford.

Check Your Tire Pressure For Safety

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 17:09:00 GMT

The NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) recommends checking tire pressure at least once a month. When you stop into a gas station, check your tire pressure while you’re filling your gas tank. Don’t rely on the pressure listed on the tires themselves because this is the maximum allowable air pressure, not the recommended pressure for that tire when used on your vehicle. The correct tire pressure for your vehicle can be found in your owner’s manual or on the inside door edge on the driver’s side.

So, before leaving on that business trip be sure to check your tires to make sure they are inflated to the proper tire pressure. Having properly inflated tires can increase your gas mileage and make your car handle more efficiently. This will not only extend the life of your tires but will make you safer on the road which will help you save on auto insurance.

Visit Encharter Insurance online to request a free, money savings auto insurance quote. We also have six offices of insurance in CT and MA where you can meet with any of our qualified agents to discuss all your insurance needs. Whether you need auto insurance in Watertown CT, business insurance in Amherst MA, life Insurance in Reading MA or home insurance in Lexington MA we have an office near you. At Encharter – “It’s all about protecting you!”

Going Green………Gets you information quicker

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 16:38:00 GMT

Help us save the world! We, at Encharter are committed to providing an efficient, environmentally safe way to communicate with our customers. When you sign up to ‘Go Green’ and give us your email we will be able to get information to you quicker and a portion of the money saved on postage goes to local charities such as Nature’s Classroom . So when you request your free online insurance quote for auto insurance , home insurance or business insurance don’t forget to sign up to ‘Go Green’ . You will not only save money on your insurance but will be helping our environment.

Encharter Insurance is a group of six independent insurance agencies (Blair Cutting and Smith; W.G. Leavitt; Miceli Insurance; MacNeil Insurance; Andrews & Murray Associates; Arthur G. Eheman Agency; and O’Brien Russo & Quint) operating out of four locations (Amherst MA Insurance Office; Reading, MA Insurance Office; Lexington, MA Insurance Office; and Watertown, CT Insurance Office). Encharter Insurance is in the business of offering Auto Insurance, Home Insurance (including renters insurance and condominium insurance), Business Insurance and Life Insurance in Connecticut and Massachusetts. Encharter can be found online at www.encharter.com where you can shop, buy and save on insurance. At Encharter – “It’s all about protecting you!”

Save a bundle……package your home and auto together

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 11:05:00 GMT

Bills, bills and more bills – it seems like just as you finish paying one, another one is due. One way to save time and save money on your insurance is to combine your auto insurance and home insurance . The great advantage to this is you can save 20% to 30% on each policy, all your insurance will be with the same insurance company and with the same insurance agent . Not only can this help you save on insurance , but it will make managing your insurance easier - you won’t have two or three different agents to call for your insurance issues. Even if your auto insurance is with a company that writes only autos you may still be able to get an insurance discount on both policies if they have a joint marketing agreement with a company who only writes homeowners insurance .

Encharter Insurance can help you save money on auto insurance and save money on homeowners insurance. With six insurance agencies in CT and MA (Watertown, CT; Amherst, Reading and Lexington, MA) one of our Encharter agents is available to assist you on all your insurance needs. With access to numerous insurance carriers we can save you time and money by doing all the work for you. If you would rather request an online insurance quote you can visit us online at www.encharter.com. At Encharter, “It’s all about protecting you!”

Going on a short vacation?

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 11:27:00 GMT

January is here and the winter “blues” are setting in. I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for a little vacation! Getting away to bask in the sun is just what the doctor ordered. With the freezing temperatures in New England, I’ll want to be sure to keep the house heated. I should also have someone check on the house and run water to keep the pipes from freezing while I’m away. The last thing I need is to come back to a flooded house. But if it did happen, would I be covered? Provided you have the proper home insurance , the answer to that is yes. Homeowners insurance would cover the broken pipes as well as water damage to the home and personal belongings. However, this is true only if you have left adequate heat on in the house while you were away.

Our agents at Encharter Insurance would be happy to assist you with any questions you may have about your home insurance. We have seven insurance agencies in CT and MA to serve your needs. We have an insurance office in Watertown, CT for all your CT insurance needs. Our insurance offices in MA located in Amherst, MA; Reading, MA; and Lexington, MA can assist you with all your MA Insurance needs. Or you can visit us online to read our FAQ’s on homeowners insurance and to request an online insurance quote. Besides home insurance, we also offer affordable business insurance, life insurance, and auto insurance. At Encharter, “It’s all about protecting you!”

Simple Change Request online……….Visit our service center

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 11:56:00 GMT

With our online service request form making a change to your policy just got a little easier. All you have to do is visit us online at www.encharter.com and click on the service center . Here you will be able to enter your information and describe the service you need. Whether you need to add a car, remove a lien holder or change your address, one of our representatives will get right back to you. Our goal is to take the difficulty out of the insurance change request and out of the claims process.

We can also take the difficulty out of shopping your insurance. We have a simple & secure online process. All you need to do is fill out a request for an online insurance quote for auto insurance, home insurance and / or business insurance. We have access to some of the top insurance carriers and can get you the coverage you need, at a price you can afford. Best of all, you will be kept informed of the status of your quote during the whole process.

So visit us online at www.encharter.com to request your free, no obligation online insurance quote. If you need auto insurance in Watertown, CT; home insurance in Amherst, MA; business insurance in Lexington, MA or life insurance in Reading, MA we have an office in your area. At Encharter, “It’s all about protecting you!”

How much insurance is enough insurance?

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 11:56:00 GMT

The answer is it varies. It all depends on your personal assets and lifestyle. However, one thing I can assure you is that you should have more than basic insurance limits. Back 25+ years ago a “basic limit” of insurance were established by the insurance companies. Many agents in an attempt to get you low cost car insurance or low cost home insurance, will quote your policy with very low insurance liability limits. ($25,000 or $50,000). However, these “basic limits” are simply not enough insurance. They may have been okay way back when, but in today’s dollars they are simply not adequate.

Take the following scenario for instance. You are driving down a country road in the middle of winter. You hit some “black ice” and your car spins out of control hitting the guard rail and an oncoming BMW before coming to rest. The other driver, a doctor is injured and is taken to the emergency room. Suddenly the bills start arriving. You are responsible for the other drivers injuries, the repairs to her car, and any damage to the guard rail. She can also bring a law suit for loss of wages, pain and suffering, etc. as a result of her injuries. If your auto insurance limits are not enough to cover the damages the court can attach your future wages, or force you to liquidate your assets.

Time to talk to your Encharter Insurance Agent about the right insurance limits for you and your family. We will take the time to discuss your situation and help you select the right insurance coverage for your specific situation. If you would prefer, you can stop in to one of our Encharter Insurance locations. We have an office for insurance in Lexington, MA. We also have an office for insurance in Amherst, MA or an office for insurance in Reading, MA. We can handle all of your Massachusetts Insurance needs. We can also help you with your Connecticut insurance since we have an office for insurance in Watertown, CT. You can also contact us for insurance online by going to www.encharter.com. One of our Encharter insurance agents will get right back to you to answer your specific needs.

Going on Vacation……Protect your home!

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 11:51:00 GMT

Before taking that long deserved vacation, you’ll want to be sure you have a few safety precautions in place to protect your house from burglary. Thieves target houses where the mail and newspapers have piled up. Call the post office to have the mail held; ask a neighbor to take in your paper and keep an eye on the house. Having several lights set on a timer to go on and off during the evening hours will give the appearance that someone is home. Only discuss your leaving with those people who need to know and who you trust.

By taking a few simple precautions you can help prevent thieves from targeting your home. Fewer losses and incidents at your home will help you get low cost home insurance. At Encharter Insurance we can help as well, by shopping a number of companies so you can save on homeowners insurance. We can also help you with condominium insurance and renters insurance. We also offer identity theft insurance which will provide reimbursement for expenses associated with the identity and credit restoration process if your identity is stolen. Visit us today at www.encharter.com to request your free online home insurance quote or if you prefer you can visit one of our offices. We have an office for insurance in Amherst, MA; an insurance office in Lexington, MA; an insurance office in Reading, MA; and an office for insurance in Watertown, CT. We can handle all of your Ct Insurance and MA Insurance needs. At Encharter, “It’s all about protecting you!”

Central Station vs. Local Alarm – what are the differences….

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 18:50:00 GMT

With the increase in home invasions there is a growing awareness of the need for home security monitoring systems. Having a security system in place will not only give you peace of mind, but can help lower the cost of your homeowners insurance , renters insurance or condominium insurance . You can receive between a 5% and 10% home insurance credit depending on the type of protection device you have. But even if you cannot afford a central station security system, having deadbolt locks, fire extinguishers and smoke detectors will reduce your home insurance premium.

Listed below are a few different types of monitoring systems that are available:

· Internet Home Security Camera Systems will allow you to monitor your home from any computer connected to the internet.

· A “local alarm” (burglary, smoke) when activated sets off a bell, siren/and or a strobe light outside your home. Authorities are not notified unless someone hears the alarm and calls the police.

· A “central station alarm” is monitored by an alarm company 24/7; they then notify your policy department if it is activated.

Visit us online at www.encharter.com to request a free homeowner’s quote. We can save you time by shopping our many homeowners insurance carriers for the best rate. For extra savings we can package your home insurance and auto insurance. With an office for insurance in Watertown, CT; an office for insurance in Amherst, MA; an office for insurance in Reading, MA; and an office for insurance in Lexington, MA we can handle all your insurance needs in MA and CT. At Encharter, “It’s all about protecting you!”

Homeowner’s policies include a discount for protection devices, such as deadbolt locks, smoke detectors, fire extinguishers and alarms. The amount of the discount depends on what devices you have.