It's Official: Texting while Driving is Illegal in MA

Starting today, September 30th, drivers who are caught texting behind the wheel in Massachusetts will be pulled over and face hefty fines as the state joins the nationwide push to limit distracted driving. WCVB reports that the new law also prohibits scanning the Internet on a phone or mobile device while driving and bans anyone under 18 from talking on a cell phone while driving. Violators will face fines ranging from $100 for a first offense and up to $500 for repeat offenses. The ban still applies when drivers are at a stoplight.

Gov. Deval Patrick signed the bill into law earlier this year and said it should help make roads in the state safer. "Driving while texting or using a cell phone carelessly is seriously unsafe," Patrick said in a statement. "This law means police are going to take it seriously." Last year, almost 6,000 people were killed in crashes on U.S. roadways that were reported to have involved distracted driving. In Massachusetts, there were 400 crashes in 2008 where cell phones were reported to be a contributing factor, according to the state.

The Registry of Motor Vehicles and the AAA are working to warn drivers about the texting ban. The RMV has advised drivers about the new law through eight large digital billboards on highways across the state and has posted similar information on electronic road signs. Posters are also being put up at RMV branches and MBTA stations. AAA has produced two public service announcements and is sending e-mails about the new law to its more than 2 million members in Massachusetts. "Texting is the great triple threat, the most dangerous of distractions," said Mark Shaw, AAA Southern New England President and CEO. "It takes our eyes off the road, our hands off the wheel and our mental focus off our driving."

For more on the WCVB article and information about the new law, visit their website.

Study: Texting ban may cause more crashes

On Thursday September 30th, 2010 the Commonwealth of Massachusetts will join 28 other states in banning texting while driving. Later this year and in early 2011, Wisconsin and Delaware will make the 29th and 30th states.

Although states are putting a ban on texting while driving, a new study came out today that claims the laws may not be doing much. According to an ABCNews report, texting while driving may be very dangerous, but state laws banning the activity are not reducing the number of auto crashes. Researchers at the Highway Loss Data Institute reported today they found no reduction in car collisions after texting-while-driving laws took effect. The researchers calculated rates of collision claims for vehicles in California, Louisiana, Minnesota and Washington, immediately before and immediately after those states banned texting while driving. Not only did the researchers find that crashes did not decrease after texting bans, they found that in three states, crashes actually increased slightly.

For more information regarding the changes in the law, log onto the MassDOT website.

Registry Changes for September

The month of September is seeing a lot of registry changes. Below are changes that take effect before the end of the month:

Three Surchargeable Events Suspension:
Effective September 30, 2010, three surchargeable events in a two-year period may cause a license suspension. A surchargeable event is a motor vehicle violation or an at-fault accident. If you get a third surchargeable event, you must complete a Driver Retraining Course within 90 days of the date of the notification you receive from the RMV. If you do not, your license will be suspended. You must complete the course each time you get a third surchargeable event within two years. It does not matter if you have already taken the course. See the Surchargeable Events section on page 46 of the Driver’s Manual for more information.

Required In-Person Renewals for Operators Over 75:
Effective September 30, 2010, operators 75 years of age or older can only renew a driver’s license at an RMV branch. The operator must either pass a vision test or present a completed Vision Screening Certificate.

Duplicate Title Online:
Effective September 22, 2010, a request for Duplicate Title online transaction will be available in the RMV’s Online Branch section of the Internet. Vehicle owners will now be able to request a duplicate title online. The request will be processed in Real Time, which means that it will be processed immediately in ALARS. To request a duplicate title, the owner must provide the following information: Valid e-mail address, Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or Title Number, Owner’s Driver’s License Number or FID/EIN Number and valid payment information.

For more information, visit the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicle website.

Divorce Insurance: Get Unhitched, Get a Payout

All over the internet there have been articles, blogs and editorials about the new widely talked about form of insurance; divorce insurance. An article from the September 13th issue of TIME Magazine explains how divorce insurance is on the rise. WedLock, as it's coyly named, is a new type of casualty insurance that gives the unhappily married policyholder a payout after he or she is unhitched. It costs about $16 a month for every $1,250 of coverage. But to discourage people from signing up just prior to their divorce, policyholders must ante up for four years before the policy will pay out. It adds a premium of $250 per unit for every year the marriage survives beyond four. So if a policyholder who bought 10 units got divorced after 10 years, he or she would have handed over $19,188 and would receive a payout of $27,500. It's probably not worth getting divorced for, but the lump sum might salve some wounds, whether through lawyers or vacations.

The idea bubbled up from the bottom of a financial pit. After John Logan watched his wealth follow his marriage down the drain, the Kernersville, N.C., entrepreneur figured there must be a market for those who want to hedge their marital bets. He won't reveal how many policies he's sold since the Aug. 5 launch of WedLockDivorceInsurance.com. But he's surprised at how much insurance his customers are buying: some of the premiums are more than $1,000 a month.

To learn more about divorce insurance or to read the entrire article, visit TIME Magazine's website.

Social Networking to Increase Insurance?

An article from ITWORLD thinks it could. The article states that social networkers who use location-based services such as Facebook Places should expect to see their home insurance premiums rise, says Confused.com. The online insurance firm, which predicted earlier this year using social networks could plead to hikes in insurance premiums, issued the warning after a burglary scam in the US saw 50 homes broken into and $100,000 worth of goods stolen.

The criminals used Facebook to monitor when web users 'checked in' to places on the social network, highlighting the fact they were away from home, and then targeted the empty properties. Confused.com also urged web users not to post home addresses or personal information on social networks, as well as turning-off location-based services and only 'following' or connecting with people you know.

For more information, read the full article here.

Glitch Delays RMV Branch Openings

WCVB-TV is reporting that the state Department of Transportation said it had to delay the opening of several of its Registry of Motor Vehicle branches until 10 a.m. Thursday because of a mainframe hardware failure within the state's Information Technology Division. Because of the breakdown, the RMV said it wasn't able to conduct system maintenance and updates and process transactions through its database which are normally run overnight.

This work must be completed before the database can be accessed for processing new transactions, the RMV said. "This is a problem that surfaced in the middle of the night which ITD immediately addressed. However, it will take at least until 10 a.m. for our database to catch up so we can begin processing transactions," said Registrar Rachel Kaprielian. "We apologize to our customers for the inconvenience this presents."

Even with some branches closed this morning, customers were still able to do some transactions online by visiting http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/rmv/.

New MA Safe Driving Law

Starting September 30, 2010, The Safe Driving Law becomes effective in Massachusetts. The law creates a series of new violations, which the RMV Division, MassDOT IT staff and the Merit Rating Board are working to program and implement.

These new violations include:
1. Use of a Mobile Phone by a Junior Operator
Civil Offense- No insurance surcharge (Reporting an emergency is the only exception. Drivers are encouraged to pull over and stop the vehicle to report the emergency.)
1st offense-$100 assessment 60-day license suspension and attitudinal course
2nd offense-$250 assessment 180-day suspension
3rd or subsequent offense-$500 assessment 1-year suspension
$100 reinstatement fee for any suspension
Knowledge and road test required for reinstatement

2. Use of a Mobile Phone by a Public Transport Motor Vehicle Operator Civil Offense- No insurance surcharge-$500 assessment each offense

3. Use of a Mobile Phone by a Public Transport Non-Motor Vehicle Operator Civil Offense- No insurance surcharge (MBTA Trolley), $500 assessment each violation

4. Improper Use of a Mobile Phone by Operators 18 and Over Civil Offense- No insurance surcharge (One hand must be on the steering wheel at all times and no use of device can interfere with driving)
1st offense-$35 assessment
2nd offense in 12 months-$75 assessment
3rd offense in 12 months-$150 assessment

5. Sending/Reading Text Messages Civil Offense- No insurance surcharge
(Operators cannot use any mobile electronic device to write, send, or read an electronic message including text messages, emails, instant messages or accessing the internet while operating a vehicle. Mobile electronic device includes mobile telephone, text messaging device, paging device, PDA, laptop computer, electronic equipment capable of playing video games or video disks or can take/transmit digital photographs or can receive a television broadcast. Mobile Device does not include any equipment permanently or temporarily installed to provide navigation, emergency assistance or rear seat video entertainment. Law applies even if the vehicle is stopped in traffic.)
1st offense-$100 assessment
2nd offense-$250 assessment
3rd or subsequent offense-$500 assessment

6. Negligent Operation & Injury from Mobile Phone Use Criminal Offense- Insurance surcharge
JOL Suspensions:
1st offense-180-day suspension
2nd or subsequent offense within 3 years-1 year suspension
$100 reinstatement fee
Over-18 suspensions:
1st offense-60-day suspension
2nd or subsequent offense within 3 years-1 year suspension
$100 reinstatement fee
Additional Suspensions

The law repeals the current suspension for 5-surchargeable incidents in a 3-year period and replaces it with a new suspension for 3 surchargeable incidents in 2 years. Only violations with an incident date on or after 9/30/2010 can be factored into the new suspension calculation. However, older violations will still be considered a basis for operators that accrue 7 surchargeable incidents. Similar to the current suspension process for 5 surchargeable incidents, operators will have 90 days from the suspension notice to complete a National Safety Council course to avoid going into suspension.

EXAMPLE: An operator receives a citation on October 1, 2010 and is cited for 3 offenses on the ticket: speeding, failure to yield, and a marked lane violation. Under the new law, this driver will receive a notice that they must complete the NSC course in 90 days or have his/her license suspended until completion of the class.

Elder Driving Provisions:
License applicants, either for initial licensure in Massachusetts or license renewal, age 75 and older must conduct the transaction in a RMV office. Use of the Internet for license renewals will no longer be allowed for these applicants. All applicants, regardless of age, that obtain or renew a license in a branch office are required to undergo the RMV vision test that is given to all drivers or provide a vision screening certificate from an appropriate health care provider to complete the transaction.

For more information regarding the Safe Driving Law, please visit the MassDOT website.

MassDOT Registry Website

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation, Registry of Motor Vehicles website is more helpful than ever before! By visiting the website, you can save a trip to the RMV if you're looking to renew your license or registration, schedule a road test, change your address or pay a citation. You can also enter your zip code to find the closest RMV and the wait time. For more information, visit their website!

Hurricane Myths That Aren't Mythical

With Hurricane Earl suspected to touch down in New England Friday, WCVB TV has posted some helpful links for learning more about what to do in case a hurricane hits us. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shares these five myths about hurricane’s that people need to know aren’t mythical.

1. The area is under evacuation order but the weather looks great right now, so people should wait until the weather gets bad before they evacuate.
This can be one of the most dangerous decisions you can make. Evacuation orders are based on the best available information and are issued early enough to provide people with time to get to shelter. Waiting until the last minute can leave you with no escape if the storm does not behave according to forecast.

2. Only coastal areas are at risk from hurricanes.
A hurricane is not just a coastal event. The strong winds, heavy rains, tornadoes and inland flooding from weakening tropical systems can spread well inland and cause tremendous damage. For example, in 2001, heavy rainfall produced by Tropical Storm Allison caused catastrophic floods in Houston, Texas. FEMA estimated that the damages in the Houston area reached approximately $4.8 billion.

3. Winds from a hurricane can not be that much worse than winds from a summer thunderstorm.
While summer thunderstorms can produce wind gusts of more 60 miles per hour, the winds of a major hurricane can reach more than twice that speed and will be sustained for hours, much longer than a thunderstorm. Each time wind speed is doubled, the wind force increases by a factor of four. Also, minimum hurricane strength winds of 74 mph can drive a piece of 2x4 lumber through a reinforced concrete wall four inches thick.

4. The storm surge is only going to be 15 to 20 feet at worst. My condo is on the upper floor. I’m riding out the storm there.
Vertical evacuation, or escaping the rising storm surge by going to the upper stories of a building, is not always a good idea. Wind speeds increase the higher you get, so you are evacuating into a more dangerous place. Also, the high winds and water make getting help to you harder once the storm is over.

5. Why prepare for a big hurricane? When it comes, my house will be destroyed anyways.
While a hurricane’s winds can destroy even the most solidly built structures, taking some basic precautions can significantly reduce damage from a storm. Shuttering windows, bracing garage and entry doors and bringing in yard items can be the difference between destruction and minor damage.

Learn the Basics for Preparing for a Storm

With all the buzz around Hurricane Earl fastly approaching New England, these basic tips for preparing for a storm may come in handy:

• If you live in a mobile home, check the tie-downs and leave immediately.
• Prepare for high winds by anchoring securely or bringing indoors anything that might blow away or be torn loose: Garbage cans, garden tools, signs, lawn furniture, awnings and toys. Loose objects can be deadly in hurricane winds.
• Board-up or shutter large windows. When you board-up, use good lumber securely fastened. Makeshift boarding may do more damage than good. Have strong bracing for outside doors.
• Boats on trailers: Fill with water, secure to trailer and use tiedowns to anchor trailer to ground or house.
• Get away from low-lying beaches or other locations which may be swept by high tides or storm waves. If passage to high ground is over a road likely to be under water, leave early. Don't run the risk of being marooned. On the coast, damage is from water, lots of it, and storm conditions may continue for many hours.
• Add extra chlorine to swimming pool to prevent contamination, and lower the pool's water level to allow for increased rainfall.

For more helpful information about hurricanes and preparing for them, visit WCVB TV website. (Above information provided by WCVB TV)

10 Ways to Save on Your Homeowners Insurance

1. Shop Around
As it sounds, it is best to look at several different insurance companies to find competitive prices. A good way to do this is to find an insurance agent to do the shopping for you.

2. Senior Discounts
If you are 55 or older and retired you may find certain insurance companies willing to discount you. Seniors tend to spend more time at home allowing for more time for maintenance and the ability to spot any fires sooner than a working individual. A senior discount can be as much as 10 percent.

3. Stop Smoking
Believe it or not, smoking mishaps account for almost 23,000 residential fires annually. Some insurance companies offer lower premiums if your home is smoke free.

4. Combine Your Home and Auto Policies
By buying both policies from the same insurance company, you may be able to get a multi-line discount. This is one of the more substantial discounts you can get for your insurance.

5. Improve Your Home’s Security
By adding such improvements to your home as a deadbolt lock, a burglar alarm, or smoke detectors, you can receive from some insurance companies up to $5.00 an improvement. Some companies even offer up to 15 to 20 percent for an added home security system.

6. Group Coverage
Larger employers and business associations often work out discounted prices and deals with the insurance companies for their employees and members. Check with your employer or association to see if they qualify.

7. Maintain Your Credit
Some insurance companies, in states it is permitted, check a person’s credit history to assess the “risk” and adjust the premium prices accordingly. Keep your credit in good condition and this may help you.

8. Check Your Coverage Every Year
Before renewing a policy, it is good to check your coverage against your current assets. For example, if you recently sold a valuable item you would want that to be reflected in the amount of property coverage you have. Also, if you were to put in an addition, you may wish to up your dwelling coverage.

9. Consider Insurance When Purchasing a Home
When you are thinking of buying a home, consider your insurance. For instance, if you buy an older home the heating, electric, etc are probably more outdated and therefore the insurance would be more. A newer home has new systems and therefore, would allow for a lower premium. Also, if you are thinking of building or buying a home, think of the area in which you wish to live. If you are on the Atlantic coast for example, you would want to think of the other insurance costs you would have, i.e. wind damage. The Pacific coast you would need to worry about the extra cost of earthquake insurance as these calamities are not covered under most home insurance policies.

10. Skip Insuring Your Land; Insure Only Your Home
Your home is at risk of various disasters such as fire, theft, etc. but the land it’s on is not at such risk. Do not include the value of the land your house sits on when determining coverages and this will help you save.

Be sure to check with your current or soon to be insurance company to see if they offer the discounts you are looking to receive. Visit http://www.candsins.com/ today!

Buying or Leasing a New Car

The other day at C & S Insurance Agency, we had a new customer come in to the office to register their new car! They told us that the car dealership had offered them gap insurance for $595. We told them that we can offer it for just $25!

You may be asking yourself "what is GAP insurance?" Well, GAP insurance can provide valuable protection during the early years of your car's life if you have a loan or a lease. If a loss occurs, GAP insurance will pay the difference between the actual cash value of the vehicle and the current outstanding balance on your loan or lease. Gap Insurance protects your vehicle lease or loan. Sometimes it will also pay your regular insurance deductible.

If you're buying or leasing a new car and are in need of GAP insurance, contact C & S Insurance today!

We want YOU to win Red Sox Tickets!

Refer your friends to Cavallo and Signoriello Insurance Agency for your chance to win Sox tickets! For every referral, 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!

For more information, visit our website.

It's almost impossible to live without health insurance these days

With the rising costs of health care, some people are finding it difficult to find affordable coverage. 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.

Health insurance policies most often provide coverage for:
•Doctors visits
•Prescriptions
•Medical Testing
•Specialized care
•Surgical procedures

Although every health insurance policy is different, typically you can work with your insurance agent to create a policy that best suits your lifestyle and needs. It is important to consider your financial situation AND the health of you and your family members when creating a health insurance policy. Most insurance agents can offer you two types of health care coverage:

Indemnity Plans (or Fee-for services plans)
•Cafeteria/Flexible Spending Plans
•Indemnity Health Plans
•Basic & Essential Health Plans
•High Deductible Health Plans (HDHP)
•Health Savings Accounts (HSA)

Managed Care Plans
•Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs)
•Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO)

Your insurance agent may also provide Medicare supplements, long term care, income protection, etc. Contact Cavallo and Signoriello Insurance today for a free health insurance quote and more information on all of the policy options we offer.

Restaurant Coverage

A quality dining experience is the convergence of a number of factors. Unfortunately, each of these factors carries a number of risk concerns, which include everything from the quality of the food, to the cleanliness of your establishment, to the safety of the kitchen.

At Cavallo and Signoriello Insurance we offer general and specialized restaurant liability insurance that can address your unique risk exposure, including:

•General Liability Coverage
•Liquor Liability Coverage
•Workers Compensation Insurance
•Food Contamination Insurance

Contact us to learn more about our restaurant insurance coverage today!

Are you a landscaper in need of insurance?

You've come to the right place! Landscaping is no easy task. It takes a crew of dedicated, hard-working specialists to turn green into gorgeous. A faulty tool, a lapse of concentration, or even an uncooperative tree can turn the task at hand into a liability nightmare.

At Cavallo and Signoriello Insurance, we can tailor a landscaper’s insurance policy to protect you and your crew from:
•General liability issues
•Commercial liability issues
•Vehicle and equipment malfunction or damage

Contact us today to learn how our landscapers insurance can give you the protection you need, at a price you can afford.

Massachusetts Most Common Claims

In Massachuetts, the top 5 most common claim types are listed below:

1. Water Damage
2. Wind Damage
3. Physical Damage
4. Theft/Burglary
5. Freezing Water (including bursting pipes)


Water Damage
Wind Damage

Physical Damage

Theft/Burglary

Freezing Water (includes bursting pipes)

(Information obtained from the Allstate Common and Costly Claims)

Are you a Business Owner?

Insurance is important for any business; there is no doubt about that. However, is it not the kind of coverage a business owner should rush through purchasing. Buying business insurance is a complicated process and you want to make sure you have an insurance agent who will take the time to ensure that you have all of the policies your business needs to operate smoothly. Many business owners assume that purchasing a Business Owners Policy (BOP) is the only type of insurance they will need, but this is not the case. Although BOPs are useful for most businesses, it is also wise to purchase other business insurance policies to go along with a BOP that meet the specific needs of your business.

Many insurance agencies can offer the following business insurance coverage:
•Business Owners Policies
•Worker’s Compensation
•General Liability
•Errors & Omissions
•Commercial Auto
•Commercial Property
•Group Benefits
•Professional Liability
•And much more…

A business is a huge investment; do not leave it to chance by having inadequate insurance coverage. Cavallo and Signoriello Insurance is a business too, so we understand the importance of comprehensive coverage. We offer many options for business insurance, no matter how big or small your business may be. Contact us today and fill out our free business insurance quote form!

Helpful Auto Accident Tips

If you were in a car accident, would you know what to do? For many people, the course of action after a collision is very puzzling. Here’s a few tips to help you out:

1. Turn on your hazard lights and move your vehicle if possible. This can prevent a second collision.
2. Do not discuss who was at fault. Let your insurance company battle it out.
3. Call the police. If somebody is injured, call 911 immediately.
4. Exchange information. This includes name, address, number, insurance info, and vehicle info. Obtain info from witnesses as well.
5. Talk to the police. Write down his/her name and department. Ask for the incident number.
6. Take photos of the car and surrounding area. If you do not have a camera, write down the names of streets and possibly draw a quick diagram.
7. Call your insurance company. The sooner the better! Most companies offer tow services as well.

We hope that you never get into an accident, but if you do, remember these tips!

Number one agency in Southeastern Massachusetts!

Thank you to everyone who voted in the 2010 Community Newspaper Group Reader's Choice Awards! C & S Insurance Agency was named number one insurance agency in Southeastern Massachusetts for the third straight year!