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.