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Do You Need A Homeowners Insurance Checkup?

Joseph Coupal - Monday, July 16, 2018
Lallis and Higgins Insurance, Weymouth, MA

Summer is in full-swing. This is a great time of year for a homeowners insurance checkup based on recent changes in your life and home. Here are some questions to consider asking yourself or discussing with your agent to determine if it’s time to update your home insurance.

  • Have you made any home improvements? Is a hot tub or swimming pool in your near future? How about expanding your deck or maybe enclosing the porch? These improvements increase the value of your home, so make sure they are protected by your coverage.
  • Have you installed a fire or burglar alarm system? If so, you may qualify for a discount on your homeowners insurance.
  • Did you purchase a riding mower or tiller? Do you plan to build or buy a shed to store your garden tools? Your policy should cover these structures but reach out to your insurer to make sure.
  • Did you make any big purchases for the holidays or the New Year? Think about your furniture, appliances, electronics, jewelry, and art work. It’s important to have a list of your possessions so you know the level of coverage you need. Keep receipts and other important items that verify the cost of possessions, and store the list in a secure place like a safe deposit box. You may need to separate schedule this items if their value exceeds your current coverage.
  • Did you make any major changes to your life? Marriage, divorce, or adult children who move back into the family home may mean your coverage needs to be modified.
  • Have you started a home-based business? This could also necessitate changes to your insurance policy. You may need additional coverage for business liability and equipment.

Asking yourself these questions is a great start to making sure your homeowners coverage matches both your home and the folks that live in it. Have any more questions or need advice? Don’t hesitate to ask, contact Lallis & Higgins Insurance.

Source: Plymouth Rock


Fool Beach Thieves with these Hiding Techniques

Joseph Coupal - Monday, July 09, 2018

Lallis and Higgins Insurance, Weymouth, MAYou’re at the beach and it’s a scorcher. That water is looking pretty tempting cool down. But, how do you hide your stuff at the beach so it doesn’t get stolen?

You’re almost always going to have some kind of valuable with you: keys, credit card, cash, smartphone, e-reader, tablet, etc.

You could nominate someone to stay out of the water to stand guard. But that isn’t always an option, especially if you’re out alone or in a small group.

Buy a house with a private beach? That’s not really affordable or practical.

The first thing you need to do is decide if you really need all or any of that stuff with you. You may be able to pare it down to the essentials and leave super important stuff in your car or hotel room.

If you do leave any valuables in your car, make sure your stuff is hidden out of sight and your car is locked! And don’t try to hide a key on top of your tire.

That said, here are some ways to hide your stuff at the beach to help prevent it from being stolen.

Know that none of these ideas are 100% foolproof. Nothing is ever 100% safe, not even if you stay at home. These ideas could help prevent a theft, but cannot guarantee security.

The More Common Methods

  • Make friends with the people sitting near you – it will make it that much more likely they’ll speak up if some random person is rummaging through your stuff.
  • Put your things in a sealable plastic bag and bury the bag in the sand, underneath your towel. Lots of folks also say it’s a good idea to safety pin a string to the bag and your towel so you don’t forget it’s down there.
  • Get a beach safe. It doesn’t take too much effort to find beach safes for sale. They lock right to your chair, cooler or other heavy/immovable objects.
  • Use a waterproof container. There are lots of these for sale, too. The idea is you wear your stuff into the water. Watch out for leaks, though.

The More Clever Ways to Hide Your Stuff at the Beach

  • Book work. Bring a hollowed out book with you. It’s unsuspecting and easily concealed.
  • Make it look gross. Wrap your belongings in a disposal diaper ( … an unused one). You would ideally crumple it up to make it look like it has been used, though.
  • Attract LOTS of attention. Decorate your beach bag with loud, bright, gaudy colors and designs. The idea is that it attracts so much attention, thieves will move on to a more subtle target.
  • Hide it in a ball. You may have heard the tip about cutting a tennis ball open. That’s great, but that’s not nearly big enough for a couple of credit cards, keys, cash, earbuds and a smartphone. A soccer ball? Now we’re talking. Make sure the sliced side is down and leave it in a beach bag or on your chair under a towel.
  • Fly it. Securely attach a small rip-stop zipper bag to a kite and fly it up in the air. Then secure the string spool to a picnic table or other heavy object. It will most definitely be out of reach of thieves. But … use this one at your own risk as your stuff could just fly away.
  • Get a container that looks like something else. You can easily find containers for sale that look like sunscreen bottles or soda cans. You could also just clean out an old sunscreen bottle yourself. Also, don’t forget to bring an actual bottle of sunscreen to help prevent sunburn.

Again, none of these ideas guarantee 100% security. If your stuff does get stolen at the beach, or even stolen from your car parked in the beach lot, your home insurance policy (not your car insurance) may be able to help with the loss. Check with Lallis & Higgins Insurance about the specifics of your policy.

Plymouth Rock


Where to Celebrate Independence Day Around Boston and the South Shore

Joseph Coupal - Monday, July 02, 2018

Lallis and Higgins Insurance, Weymouth, MAIt's almost Fourth of July and that means fireworks. But where can you go watch and when are they, anyway?

Quincy:

Bay Pointe Waterfront Restaurant is celebrating their 20th year of operation by shooting fireworks from a barge in Town River Bay beginning at 9:15 p.m. on July 4.

Weymouth:

Technically, you can see 4th of July fireworks and not leave Quincy. The Weymouth fireworks on July 3 can be seen over the Fore River and starts at 9:30 p.m. You can also go to George Lane Beach in North Weymouth for music, events for the kids, and concessions.

Braintree:

Braintree Day on June 30 ends with fireworks at Braintree High School. The sky lights up at dusk.

Hingham:

The night of July 1 at Hingham Harbor includes family activities, music, food and of course, a fireworks display.

Boston:

The annual Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular along the Charles River is the main event, drawing in outstanding crowds for a night of patriotism, pyrotechnics, and musical performances. To get ready for the celebrations, we’ve rounded up the top ways to catch this monumental fireworks display. If the thought of going up against an expected crowd of 300,000 spectators for your spot on the grass doesn’t excite you, we’ve included a few backup plans with stellar views.

THE ESPLANADE DOWNTOWN

At the center of all of the action, the Charles River Esplanade hosts the extravagant Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular, which also happens to be one of the city’s biggest outdoor gatherings of the year. The free event kicks off at 8pm with performances at The Hatch Shell by headliner and “Fight Song” singer Rachel Platten and, of course, the Boston Pops Orchestra. From 10:30pm-11pm, over 10,000 fireworks are set to go off. Just make sure you take precautions so you and your family or friends won’t have an awkward train ride back because someone didn’t take the lead on planning accordingly; glass, cans, alcohol (gasp!), and even backpacks are not allowed.

PROSPECT HILL PARK SOMERVILLE

For Somerville residents looking to stay close by, look no further! Your best bet is to head over to Prospect Hill Park to catch a glimpse of the Boston Pops starting at 10:30pm while amongst your cool neighbors. Who said you had to venture into the city to be part of the excitement? And again, this view is free.

THE ROSE KENNEDY GREENWAY DOWNTOWN

Skeptical of rogue fireworks and potentially bad memories? Feel free to head to The Greenway at 8pm to view the action from afar. The Greenway will stream the Boston Pops concert at The Hatch Shell followed by the much anticipated pyro show. If you feel like staying in, you can watch the fireworks from the comfort of your apartment by tuning into Bloomberg TV or Boston’s WHDH-TV beginning at 8pm.

WOLLASTON BEACH QUINCY

Trying to scope out the best views on the water to watch the show? Wollaston Beach in Quincy is a few miles away from the Boston Pops display at 8pm, but it's still a spot worth checking out for a far-off view of the action. And it's hard to beat the feeling of sand between your toes and the ocean breeze.

TOP OF THE HUB BACK BAY

If you’re looking to upgrade your viewing experience, you can fork over some dollars for the Sky High Fourth of July Celebration at Top of the Hub. At $250 per ticket, the night begins with a five-course gourmet dinner starting at 6pm, continues with a one-hour open bar, and concludes with a prime view of the Boston Pops fireworks display. If the ticket price is a tad too aggressive, the Skywalk Observatory will be offering limited seating for views of the fireworks featuring a dessert buffet. Doors open at 8:15pm with tickets priced at $80 per person.

LARZ ANDERSON PARK BROOKLINE

If you’re looking for a popular but less congested setting, Larz Anderson Park in Brookline provides beautiful scenery and space to sprawl out before the Boston Pops show goes off at 10:30pm. The park has charcoal grills and picnic areas perfect for bigger groups looking to spend a full day outdoors. It's also totally free, of course.

CASTLE ISLAND SOUTH BOSTON

With Castle Island overlooking the Boston Harbor, you’ll catch sights not only from the Boston Pops fireworks, but also from nearby town Winthrop. Didn’t gauge the arrival time quite right? No worries. Winthrop’s fireworks display begins at 9:15pm so you won’t be waiting with crippling anticipation for long.

ALBEMARLE FIELD/HALLORAN SPORTS COMPLEX NEWTON

For the early birds in the group or for your friends that vowed to take it easy for the night, Albemarle Field/Halloran Sports Complex in Newton is the go-to. Fireworks start at 9pm with activities leading up to the display including amusement rides, face painting (for friends with kids or the young at heart), craft and food vendors, and more. Admission is free, so if you want the carnival-esque treats with the show, head here

FROM THE CHARLES RIVER ALLSTON/BRIGHTON & CAMBRIDGE

Instead of sitting idly as you watch, how about paddling down the river surrounded by reflections of the fireworks? Plus, there’s no need to bring blankets or compete for a space to sit -- even better. Paddle Boston offers rental options the night of the Fourth with options to canoe or kayak. The deposit comes at a pretty penny, but depending on where you dock, rentals range between $89-$114 for a standard canoe (which fits two to three adults).

source: thrillist.com/patch.com


A Personal Umbrella Insurance Policy Protects You Against Excess Liability

Joseph Coupal - Tuesday, June 26, 2018

Lallis and Higgins Insurance, Weymouth, MAA personal umbrella policy is there to protect you against excess liability judgments for loss, injury, or even death caused by negligent acts. It provides liability coverage over and above the insurance policies you currently have for your home, auto boat, motorcycle, etc..

The following events did happen and could happen to you:

  • While playing with BB guns, a boy was shot by another boy at their friend’s home.  PLAINTIFF VERDICT, COMPENSATORY AWARD: $500,000
  • A 12-year-old boy suffered lacerations to his lower legs and thigh when he walked by a neighbor’s house and was bitten by her two dogs.PLAINTIFF VERDICT, COMPENSATORY AWARD: $500,000
  • A man improperly installed a pool diving board at his former home that later resulted in a serious injury to the home’s new owner. OUT-OF-COURT SETTLEMENT: $2,500,000
  • A driver was rear-ended by an uninsured motorist, which forced the driver’s car into another vehicle and caused injuries to the occupant of the front vehicle. OUT-OF-COURT SETTLEMENT: $1,250,000

Source: The cases with jury verdicts were taken from Jury Verdicts Research, an LRP Publication Company, Horsham, Pennsylvania.

Why do I need more insurance?

Your current home and auto insurance will protect you against a minor misfortune—but it probably would not give you the needed protection against a catastrophic loss.

Besides providing increased liability limits, a personal umbrella insurance policy gives you additional benefits:

You are covered for defense costs and attorneys’ fees associated with claims against you that are covered by your personal umbrella policy but not by your primary policies. These expenses are paid in addition to your policy limit.

Coverage for a loss that takes place anywhere in the world.

You may be protected against claims that may not be covered by your underlying policies for homeowner’s, auto liability and/or watercraft liability.

For more information on personal umbrella insurance, contact Lallis & Higgins Insurance.


Home Insurance Tips for First Time Home Buyers

Joseph Coupal - Tuesday, June 19, 2018

Lallis and Higgins Insurance, Weymouth, MAYou've worked hard to buy your first home. Be sure to choose a policy that will protect your investment.

There’s so much to consider that many first-time buyers don’t think about home insurance — which will be important when it comes to closing on the house.

Factor the ongoing cost of home insurance into your home-buying budget, because it will probably show up in your monthly mortgage payment along with payments on your loan principal and interest and your property taxes. That means you should go into your search knowing the basics about insuring your house and what can drive up the cost of coverage.

Once you choose the house and negotiate an offer, it will be time to find an insurer. There are a few issues to take into consideration before settling on a provider — all policies are not created equal. Using these tips can help you save money and ensure that you have quality coverage to protect your largest investment.

Shop around

The price of home insurance varies widely from carrier to carrier. That’s because each provider has a different algorithm for determining customer premiums. This is one reason why it’s a good idea to comparison shop through an insurance agent. You could end up saving yourself hundreds of dollars simply by getting a few different quotes.

Don’t skimp on coverage

While you want to save money on home insurance, it’s important not to skimp on coverage. Standard home insurance policies typically offer protection from a variety of potential risks, ranging from liability to damage from weather-related perils. However, you may want to adjust or add coverage depending on your needs.

One matter you should pay close attention to is your amount of dwelling coverage — the part of your policy that protects the structure of your home. You should have enough dwelling coverage to rebuild completely in case the house is destroyed by a covered peril. That amount, however, is often different from the purchase price. Your insurance agent will be able to provide you with the estimated amount of dwelling coverage that’s right for you that is calculated with a specific replacement cost evaluator.

Bundle your policies

Buying home and auto insurance from the same provider – most sell both – can save you as much as 20% on your annual premium. Do you have multiple vehicles? Or even a boat? You can often bundle all of these items with one carrier.

Evaluate risks as you look

When you’re evaluating potential homes, consider the risk each proposes. Is the house in a high-risk flood plain? Standard home insurance doesn’t cover flooding. For this protection, homeowners must purchase a separate policy from the National Flood Insurance Program. Just a few inches of flood water can cause tens of thousands of dollars in damage.

Does one of the homes you’re considering have a swimming pool or trampoline on the property? Either factor can increase the amount you’ll pay for home insurance.

Remember, even veteran home buyers can get tripped up by the process. But take your time, ask plenty of questions and be sure to use an insurance agent.

For more information on home insurance, contact Lallis & Higgins Insurance.

Zillow.com


Meet Anthony Lallis and Derek Higgins of Lallis & Higgins Insurance in Weymouth

Joseph Coupal - Tuesday, June 12, 2018

Today we’d like to introduce you to Anthony Lallis and Derek Higgins.

Founding Partner Anthony is a graduate of Emerson College, and Quincy High School. Anthony began his insurance career in 1999 and has held positions in service, underwriting, marketing, and sales prior to opening Lallis and Higgins Insurance.

Lallis enjoys volunteering in community sports and academic programs. Anthony is the 2017 Massachusetts Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Man of the Year, and has raised over $50,000 to help assist those battling blood Cancers. He also raised $10,000 for the Quincy Fire Department in the past, and sponsors Quincy/ North Quincy High School football along with many local charities in the Boston, and South Shore areas.

Founding Partner Derek Higgins attended Western New England University, and graduated from Waltham High School. He began his insurance career in 2009 following a successful business development career in the moving and storage industry in Massachusetts and Connecticut.

As a four-year college baseball player, Derek enjoys playing sports, and stays active in local youth sports leagues – he’s always looking for different ways to give back in the community. Higgins has been a member of Business Networking International since 2009, and has served on the leadership team for the past 5 years.

They met while working in sales roles for a direct insurance carrier based out of Boston. In 2014, they decided that they were ready to go out on their own, so they formed Lallis and Higgins Insurance.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?

Opening a new agency was not an easy task. Insurance agents need to show a record of past business accomplishments in order to get appointed to represent insurance companies. Fortunately for us we had a sound business plan, and a successful track record over the past years selling insurance in Massachusetts.

We were able to get appointed to the insurance companies that would best represent our agency, and our clients. We had zero clients when we opened the doors in October of 2014, and now we have served well over 2,000 clients.

The biggest challenge for us has been staffing. We are fortunate enough to be growing at a fast pace, and we always want to make sure we are available for our clients, so hiring enough staff has been a top priority for us.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Lallis & Higgins Insurance – what should we know? Our agency enjoys helping Massachusetts residents with home, auto, business, and life insurance. We do a great job at matching each client up with the policy that best meets his/her specific needs. Our agency is able to offer competitive rates to small business through our network or carriers, we also offer many options to homeowner on Main Street to those that live on the coast, and auto insurance to drivers of all types. We pride ourselves on treating each client individual – what may work for one, most times does not work for the others.

We realized early in our career that insurance is about building relationships with clients, neighbors and communities. We love to support our client’s endeavors and organizations. We also participate in local charities, and community services throughout the year. Anthony was named 2017 Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Man of the year for his efforts in raising over $50,0000 for LLS’s services.

Our agency recently received the Regional Gold recognition naming us the top insurance agency in our region, and the number one insurance agency in Weymouth by Wicked Local Readers’ Choice awards.

We understand polices still need to be reviewed each year to make sure everything is accurate and up-to-date as life and life needs changes, so our agency always looks for the best for our clients. Whether it’s suggesting a new coverage that came out, or proactively shopping a renewal that had a premium increase. We understand that our agency is lucky our clients picked us, and we want to make sure we always have their best interest in mind, and support them.

Contact Info:

Address: 440 Washington Street Suite 3
Weymouth, MA 02188
Website: www.lallisandhiggins.com
Phone: 781-277-0673
Instagram: lallis_and_higgins_insurance
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lallisandhiggins/





 

Source: bostonvoyager.com


Seasonal Vehicles and Toys: Is Year Round Insurance Necessary?

Joseph Coupal - Monday, June 11, 2018

Lallis and Higgins Insurance, Weymouth, MAAs the temperatures rise, you may be thinking about taking your boat out for a spin. But, a channel marker disappeared sometime over the winter and you've run aground. "What do you mean I only had a six month policy?" Uh-oh.

Some seasonal vehicle and "toy" insurance policies are only six months, some owners only implement six month policies to start with, others may cancel their coverage at the end of the season. In the off-season, many owners wonder if they can save a few dollars by temporarily cancelling insurance on their bikes, boats, RVs, and jet skis.

Should you drop insurance on seasonal vehicles that are in winter storage? It may be tempting, but it's not the soundest practice. Here are some reasons why.

You Should Keep Yourself Protected

Be certain that your seasonal toys will stay in storage for the entire season. In Massachusetts, some of the nicest weather happens in October and even in the beginning of November. You can still ride a motorcycle or use your RV in these late fall and early winter months. If you cancel your insurance, you'd have to fight the impulse to take your bike out for a ride or cruise the RV to Virginia over a long weekend. If you did, you'd be out there without an insurance policy to protect you against an accident or other unfortunate event.

But, even in winter seasonal vehicles still face risks when they're "safe" in storage. Theft, fire, vandalism, and storm damage are all possible. If you cancel your insurance, and something happens to your bike, RV, boat, or jet ski you'd be left to foot the bill for damages or repair costs out of pocket.

You May Not Save by Cancelling Your Policy

You may not save money by cancelling insurance during the winter months. Some insurance companies take into account the typical riding/boating/touring season when they price a policy, even when spread over 12 months. So, you may not receive a refund for canceling winter coverage.

How You Might Save, There are some options

According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), you may be able to purchase a "lay-up" policy, which temporarily suspends everything but the comprehensive coverage on your seasonal vehicle insurance. Comprehensive coverage protects you against an event that has nothing to do with a collision, like theft, vandalism, or other incident that can happen while in storage. Even if you don't have one of these lay-up policies, you might be able to make a similar, temporary reduction of coverages on your own policy. (Be sure to reinstate all your coverages before the season starts again next spring).

Another option might be to raise your deductible off-season to lower your premium. However, be sure you are willing and able to pay the higher deductible if damage does occur while in storage.

Check with Lallis & Higgins Insurance to determine if seasonal coverage options are available.


Insurance Agents Should Understand Your Home Insurance Needs

Joseph Coupal - Monday, June 04, 2018

Lallis and Higgins Insurance, Weymouth, MAHome insurance customers most value having an insurance agent or broker who completely understands their individual needs and helps them assess and manage their risk. The highest-ranked insurers deliver on both of these metrics. Basically, your insurance agent makes a difference.

Overall customer satisfaction and interaction has the highest importance to home owners, followed by policy offerings. Interaction satisfaction is highest when customers interact with an agent or broker in person.

Providing face-to-face consultation, from insurance policy review to helping customers understand price adjustments initiated by the insurance agent, is crucial. Home owners who have face-to-face contact with their insurance agents are more likely to understand their coverage, its value and the reason for a price adjustment.

Policy offerings are increasingly important, especially for home owners on the water or in flood zones. Insurance brokers often have more and better options because they have access to different types of policies and can shop around for the homeowner to provide the best coverage.

Home owners want and need the confidence that they’re properly insured. They also need to understand the variety of insurance coverage options and they need to know that the policy meets their needs.

If you want a high level of service and a comprehensive understanding of your insurance policy, contact Lallis & Higgins Insurance. In fact, we were recently voted #1 Insurance agent in Weymouth and in the regions, which comprises Weymouth, Quincy, Scituate, Hingham, Abington, and Braintree, MA.

Excerpts - Insurance Journal


Business Insurance is an Asset

Joseph Coupal - Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Lallis and Higgins Insurance, Weymouth, MAToo often business owners feel like paying for business insurance is a waste of money, money that is going out into the ether, never to be seen again. For this reason, business owners want to keep that monthly bill as low as possible, so they are often not insured properly. Unfortunately, when you are dealing with a loss is a bad time to find out you have the wrong or not enough business insurance coverage.

Commercial business insurance is extremely important to the health and security of your business, regardless of the type of business you own. No business owner should treat business insurance as an expense, because in the case of a you’re your business insurance can be your “best asset”. You can be sure that your insurance policy is tailored to your specific needs, potential risks, and your budget. A business insurance broker can offer advice as to the style and level of insurance coverage that you need to protect your business.

Whatever your commercial insurance needs, Lallis and Higgins Insurance can design an insurance policy. Our business insurance services include, but are not limited to the following:

For information on business insurance or for a review of your policy, contact Lallis and Higgins Insurance.


Breaking in the Grill This Memorial Day!

Joseph Coupal - Tuesday, May 22, 2018

Lallis and Higgins Insurance, Weymouth, MASummers mean backyard grilling – safely!

Just like hamburgers and hot dogs, a sizzling grill is a symbol of summer and grilling isn’t just about great food. Backyard barbecues often create treasured memories with friends and family.

Keep in mind, however, that when you grill, you’re literally playing with fire. Thousands of residents each year learn this the hard way, suffering damage to their homes or even serious injuries in grilling accidents.

There’s good news, though: You can prevent grilling accidents by taking some simple precautions. The tips below can help ensure you cook only your burgers — and not your house — the next time you fire up the grill.

TIPS FOR ALL GRILLS

Your grill, whether gas or charcoal, should be on a level surface outdoors, away from anything that could be ignited by flames (bushes, fences, etc.).
NEVER use a grill indoors. Odorless carbon monoxide fumes could kill you.
Keep your grill clean and well-maintained. Check parts regularly to determine if replacements are needed.
Never leave a hot grill unattended or let children play near it.

CHARCOAL GRILL TIPS

From Kingsford.com
Do not add lighter fluid directly to hot coals. The flame could travel up the stream of fluid and burn you.
Never use gasoline or kerosene to light a charcoal fire.
Use flame-retardant mitts and long-handled barbecue tongs, as coals can reach up to 1,000 degrees.
To dispose of coals, allow the ashes to cool for at least 48 hours before disposal in a non-combustible container. If you cannot wait 48 hours, carefully place coals individually in a can of sand or bucket of water.

GAS GRILL TIPS

From the National Fire Protection Association
Check your grill’s hoses for leaks before using it for the first time each year. Apply a light soap and water solution to the hose. A propane leak will release bubbles. If you have a leak, and it will not stop after the grill and gas is turned off, call the fire department. If the leak stops when the grill and gas are turned off, have your grill serviced by a professional.
If you smell gas while cooking, immediately get away from the grill and call the fire department. Do not move the grill.
Do not keep a filled propane tank in a hot car or trunk. When getting containers refilled, make that your last stop before going home.
Store propane tanks in an upright position, and never indoors.

From all of us at Lallis & Higgins Insurance, happy grilling, and stay safe this summer!



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