Spring Time Surprise for Teen Drivers

MassDOT Registry of Motor Vehicle inspectors and local police surprised teenage drivers in 60 communities during a recent state-wide educational sting designed to encourage safe driving during the prom and graduation season. Dubbed "Operation Graduation," enforcement teams set up unannounced safety checks at high schools to reward teen drivers who were in compliance with junior operator mandates. The states graduated license law is being credited for a 75% drop in teen driver deaths since the law took effect three years ago. "Although our statistics show that fewer teenagers are involved in fatal crashes, as part of Governor Patrick's commitment to safer roads, we want to ensure all beginner drivers make good choices about celebrating after the prom or graduation ceremony," said Registrar Rachel Kaprielian who was part of the undercover team at Milton High School. "This is a positive outreach campaign that also drives home the consequences of violating junior operator laws and driving recklessly." Vehicle crashes are still the number one cause of death among teenagers. Statistics show that one third of Massachusetts drivers will be involved in a traffic crash during the first year they are licensed. In the three years the new zero-tolerant penalties against junior operators took effect, traffic fatalities in this age group fell 75% percent and they received 52% fewer speeding tickets. Preliminary reporting on the sting operation showed 82% of the 9740 teen drivers who were stopped by the check-points passed the safety inspection and were rewarded with key chains, pens and other handouts. To learn more, read the article here.

Take the Pledge

Whether you're an experienced driver or teen who just got their license, texting while driving is dangerous for everyone on the road. As stated on the text-while-driving website, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found that May 20th is the deadliest day of the year for teens on the road. We are in Prom and Graduation season, combine that with the high numbers of teenagers texting while driving and you have a deadly combination. A study conducted by the Allstate Foundation revealed that nearly 82% of teens use the cell phone while driving, out of which 49% admitted to texting while driving. You can help stop this issue by spreading the word about the No Phone Zone Pledge to teens and adults! The No Phone Zone is a national movement to put an end to distracted driving. Join by signing this pledge not to text or use your phone while behind the wheel. Take the No Phone Zone Pledge now!

Summer Safety Tips

With summer right around the corner, most pool owners are gearing up to take the cover off and get ready for a summer full of fun in the sun. The last thing you want to worry about when getting ready to start the summer off right is your homeowner coverage in case of an accident involving your swimming pool. Owning a pool can be a fun and rewarding investment for your family and friends, that's why having the right homeowners insurance policy and following simple safety regulations around your pool is crucial to have a worry free summer.

Whether you're installing, remodeling or opening your pool for the summer, follow the easy pool safety tips below:
1) Never leave a child alone in and around a swimming pool or spa
2) Flotation devices do not replace supervision
3) Remove large flotation toys after use to have a clear view of the pool
4) Do not allow diving into the pool
5) Always keep a home or cell phone near the pool
6) Remove the pool cover completely before using the pool
7) Keep deck or terrace area free of clutter (i.e pool toys, towels and floats)
8) Use multiple layers of security (i.e fences, nets and alarms)
9) Learn how to perform Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
10) Teach all children to swim as soon as possible

To download your free Pool Safety Tip sheet to keep by your pool, visit the Pool Safety Organization website!

If you're unsure of the coverage you have with your homeowners policy, or would like to get a free quote, call a C & S agent today at 888-245-1618.

College Grads: Will you be needing health insurance after graduation?

With studies showing that 34% of recent college spend some time uninsured after graduating, it's no surprise that health insurance is on their minds within days and weeks of graduation. With the rising costs of health care, some people are finding it difficult to find affordable coverage. Two-thirds of uninsured young adults skip needed care due to high costs, so whether your employer does not offer health coverage, or you are self employed, you may find yourself in a position where you need to seek your own health insurance policy. Luckily, at C & S, we can help you, so feel free to visit our website or call for more information! Also, for some helpful tips and advice, take a look at the information below about how to get health insurance from this CNN article!

1. Know your rights
While many states kick you off your parents' policy after you graduate from college, other states require your parents' insurance to stick with you, sometimes until you're 26.
2. Consider COBRA
If your insurance company boots you from your parents' policy, you can pay to stay on under the COBRA laws. Because only you are going on COBRA, not your parents, it may not be as expensive as you think. It's worth checking it out.
3. Be wary of short-term policies
If you think you might land a job soon, it might be tempting to buy a short-term policy. But before you sign on the dotted line, Karen Pollitz, project director of Georgetown University's Health Policy Institute, says to read the fine print. Some short-term policies can kick you off at the beginning of each month if you've become an expensive person to insure, she says. "If you expect to start a new job in two months, but you get hit by a car in two weeks, your month-to-month policy will end mid-treatment and you'll be stuck with the remaining bills," she warns.
4. Shop around for a policy
Prices vary widely by location. We asked the folks at ehealthinsurance.com to price out some policies for us. For example, a healthy 24-year-old in Dallas, Texas, can get a policy for $117 a month, or in Chicago, Illinois, for $136 per month, or Miami, Florida, for $208 a month. All these policies have a $1,000 deductible, which means the insurance doesn't start paying until you pay $1,000 out of your own pocket.
5. Consider graduate school
Susan Vance, who teaches a class on financial responsibility to students at St. Mary's College in Notre Dame, Indiana, says you might want to consider graduate school, since policies generally will cover dependents as long as they're students. "I actually know someone who really didn't want to go to school but did so primarily for the insurance coverage," she says. "I think most college kids take it for granted," she says. "We expect to have it. But it goes away at graduation."

Life Insurance? Tell me more!

Question: When was the first life insurance policy issued?
Answer: In 1759, the first life insurance policy was issued in the United States of America.
The company that issued this policy was the "Corporation for the Relief of Poor and Distressed Presbyterian Ministers and of the Poor and Distressed Widows and Children Presbyterian Ministers". In 1856 the name was changed to The Presbyterian Annuity Company, later to be changed in 1888 to The Presbyterian Ministers Fund. Fore more information, check out this article!

You may be asking yourself, when is the best time to buy life insurance? Well, the best time to buy life insurance is right now! But, do you know what life insurance policy is right for you? At C & S, we can help you! Our dedicated team of life insurance professionals understand Massachusetts's market and regulations, so they will be able to find the right plan, or mixture of plans, for your specific needs. With so many options many people find themselves overwhelmed when they receive life insurance quotes. For example, most people choosing term life, they have a strategy for long term net worth. They need specific coverage for a period of their lives to protect from debt, loved ones and children. While, whole life insurance can be used in the retirement year as cash assets and it can provide equity for loans and have fixed payments that do not increase with time. To help figure out what life insurance policy is right for you, let one of our life insurance professionals put together the right quote for you! Visit our website or call C & S Insurance Agency today at 888-245-2618!

Barbeque Safety Tips

With all this warm weather, it's hard not to think of cooking outdoors and enjoying the company of family and friends! But, before you fire up the grill this summer remember to follow these helpful safety tips, so that you can help prevent one of the 2,000 barbeque's fires that damage homes each year. Make sure to keep your grill away from your house, low hanging trees and other objects that could catch on fire. Protect yourself by using long-handled grilling tools, wear an apron and always keep a fire extinguisher close by. Even if you take every safety precaution, things can still go wrong, this is why C & S wants to make sure you have the best homeowners coverage around! We want to make sure you have an enjoyable summer full of barbeque's knowing you have a dependable homeowners policy! For more information, check out our homeowners insurance page on our website or call today for a free quote at 888-245-2618.

Want Red Sox tickets?

Refer your friends to Cavallo & Signoriello Insurance Agency! For every two referrals, with email and phone contact information provided, you and your referral will be entered into a drawing for Boston Red Sox tickets! The winner of this drawing will receive two tickets to a game this season. Good luck!

Take Pictures of Your Home!

We all know that things can happen to your home when you least expect it, but here at C & S Insurance we want make sure you are prepared for whatever occurs, from flood damage to fire damage, we want you to be covered. If you're home is destroyed or damaged, will you be able to account for everything? Some useful advice is to take pictures of the inside of your home. Go around and take 2-4 pictures of each room, then take out jewelry, clothes and valuables and snap a few pictures of them. When you're done, email them to yourself or to your agent and ask them to store them in your file. By doing this, you can be assured that your valuables will be covered. Send us your pictures! Call us at 888-245-2618 or visit our website.