College students can take simple steps to protect their belongings from theft and loss when heading to school this fall.

For a college student, experiencing the loss of a bike, laptop or mobile phone is not only an inconvenience, but can be a big hit to the pocketbook. Taking basic precautions can help prevent theft or loss and help students avoid unnecessary stress while away at school.

According to the U.S. Department of Education's campus safety and security analysis tool, burglary is a top criminal offense at colleges and universities.

If you're a victim of theft or your apartment is damaged in a fire, your landlord is likely not responsible for replacing your belongings. If you live in on- campus housing, your belongings may be covered under your parent's homeowners or renters policy but it's a best to check with your insurance representative to see what is covered.

A typical renter's insurance policy will cover personal belongings in the event of an unexpected loss such as a burglary or fire. Some policies also cover part of the expense for living in another location if the apartment were to become inhabitable due to a covered loss. In addition, liability coverage may protect a renter if a visitor were to injure themselves in the apartment or the renter accidentally damages property.

Renter's insurance on average costs $240 per year. Policies are frequently added to auto or homeowners policies. Students' parents may be able to add a renters insurance policy to their homeowners or auto policy to cover a full-time student.

Students should start by taking an inventory of their possessions to determine the value of their personal property. Take photos or video to get a record. The value of items like electronics, bikes, jewelry etc. can add up quickly. It's best to be pro-active than to look back and say "I should've done that."

5 Simple Steps to Protect Your Belongings While at College

1. Create a list of your valuables with photos and serial numbers. Give a copy to your parents and save a copy in the cloud.
2. Register your valuable with campus police. Many schools let you register your laptop, tablet or bicycle to deter thieves and identify your stolen property if it is recovered.
3. Don't leave your valuables unattended in public areas. If you're studying at the library or a coffee shop bring your laptop with you if have to step away.
4. Always lock your doors and windows and make sure your roommates do the same. Consider keeping a safe for your room for extra protection.
5. Leave your prized possessions at home. If it can't be replaced or has sentimental value, it's best not to bring it in the first place.

To learn more about protecting your stuff, visit Lallis & Higgins Insurance.

Patch.com

If you were at risk of losing $5,000, $10,000 or even $15,000 and could do something to stop it, would you? The answer is a no-brainer: you’d would.

Yet, more than half of adults ages 23 to 29 years old who rent apartments don’t have renters insurance, putting all their stuff at risk.

Homeowners buy homeowner’s insurance to cover their home and belongings. Those who live in dorms or college apartments should get renters insurance to do the same thing. A renter’s policy will cover your personal possessions (clothes, electronics, furniture, etc.) if they’re stolen and will pay to repair or replace them if there’s a fire, burst pipe or other unfortunate event. Renter’s policies can also pay for you to rent a new home or stay in a hotel in if you are displaced by a fire or other natural disaster — coverage that most policies refer to as “loss of use.”

Like homeowner’s insurance, renter’s insurance includes liability coverage – if someone is injured in your home, the cost of their care and potential legal proceedings is covered up to your policy’s liability limits, which is typically $100,000.

But unlike a homeowner’s policy that covers the home structure and its contents, renter’s insurance covers just the contents of your home. That makes it a lot cheaper. Your landlord has an insurance policy that covers the building, but that does nothing to protect your valuables.

Most people don’t have the cash sitting around to replace all their stuff. So why do so few buy renters’ insurance? One reason: while homeowner’s insurance is almost always required if you are paying for your home with a mortgage, there are no blanket laws requiring that you purchase a renter’s policy.

Another reason:

A lot of people are under the misconception that if they live in an apartment that their landlord is responsible for their belongings.

In fact, of the 59% of adults ages 23 to 29 who do not have renter’s insurance, 46% didn’t think they needed it. Another third said they thought it was too expensive and a quarter said they just hadn’t gotten around to purchasing it.

The average millennial carries $45,000 in debt, and it is thought that for that reason as well as other societal trends, they’re delaying a lot of life moments like marriage and home-buying. That means they’re going to rent longer.

Another reason younger renters don’t immediately think to insure their stuff is that they underestimate the value of their possessions. Once they do the math they’re shocked by the full value of what they own.

Think you can’t afford renter’s insurance?

You can. The average cost of renter’s insurance is $20 per month — equal to the cost of ordering takeout one night. What you pay for a renter’s insurance is largely based on the value of your belongings.

All renters policies should cover your belongings in your apartment and up to 100 feet from your apartment — to include damage or theft while you’re moving. Policies will cover your items whether or not you’re home at the time of the vandalism, fire, burst pipe or other disaster that ruined your belongings.

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

If you need to get your car inspected or renew your driver’s license soon, you need to prepare for new driver’s license rules.

Massachusetts drivers are seeing big changes—including waiting in line if they want a new type of licenses instead of renewing online.

The new software can, among other tasks, issue new types of “Real ID” driver’s licenses required by federal law as a security safeguard in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks.

Drivers seeking to renew or get a new driver’s license will need to bring several documents to the RMV, one that shows their Social Security number, another proving US citizenship such as a passport, or that shows lawful presence in the country, like an employment authorization card. Applicants will also need two documents proving Massachusetts residency, such as utility bills or bank statements.

The new Real ID licenses will include a small mark in the upper right corner showing the license complies with federal rules, making it acceptable as a federal identification. Drivers wanting a Real ID license will have to renew in person, either at an RMV office or a branch of the AAA.

Drivers aren’t required to obtain a Real ID, but if they don’t, their license will no longer be a valid form of identification for boarding a flight within the US, or entering a federal building after October 2020. Instead, they would need to use a passport.

The state will also issue non-Real ID-compliant licenses that nonetheless will require drivers to show more documentation than previously, including proof of citizenship or lawful presence, and a single document showing proof of residency. These licenses can still be renewed online. Previously, only holders of US visas had been required to provide such documentation for license renewals.

The Registry is bracing for more traffic at its branch offices.

A significant number of the 5.3 million people with an existing Mass ID are going to want a Real ID.

The new software will help with Real ID compliance; for example, the existing software could not always print long last names in full on every licenses, which the new system can as required by the federal government.

This new software will also facilitate a number of new features, such as paying for multiple transactions at once, creating customer profiles, and allowing the RMV to communicate with drivers by email – functions that state officials admit are not exactly high-tech breakthroughs today.

To see what documents you will need for a Learner’s Permit, Driver’s License, or Mass ID Card, click here.

For more information, contact Lallis & Higgins Insurance.

Source: Boston Globe

In the wake of summer storms, many homeowners are surprised to learn that their homeowners insurance policies does not cover damage caused by flooding. It should be one of the big lessons: Know what your insurance policy covers – and what it does not.

Looking forward, do you need flood insurance? According to FloodSmart.gov, nearly 25% of flood insurance claims come from moderate-to-low risk areas. It doesn’t take a major body of water or a significant storm to cause flooding. A flood can occur as a result of a slow-moving rainstorm, snow melt, land development runoff, and more.

A common argument against flood insurance is that federal disaster assistance will be available when flooding occurs. This is not always the case, and when it is, federal disaster assistance may still cost more than flood insurance. Federal disaster assistance is only offered when a disaster is federally declared, and it usually comes in the form of a loan with interest.

If you’re interested in protecting your home with flood insurance, call you local agent at Lallis & Higgins Insurance who can help you purchase a policy through the National Flood Insurance Program. We can help you fully understand your coverage options and can continue to advise you as your needs change.

The best time to buy flood insurance is now. Policies do not take effect until 30 days after purchase. 

 Source: Plymouth Rock

Summer is the season people travel to second homes by the lake or seaside. If you've purchased such a getaway, make sure it's properly insured.

The cost of vacation home insurance should be factored into the second home-buying equation.

These attractive properties are also attracting risks.

Such risks include natural disasters and dangers posed by vandals and thieves. Those types of risk drive up the cost of insurance.

Here are six questions to ask when insuring your vacation home:

Question 1: Does my insurer offer a secondary home endorsement?

Most people automatically assume they need to buy a stand-alone home insurance policy to cover their vacation home.

But some insurers will let you add an endorsement to your primary home's policy that covers the vacation home.

This is often the most cost-effective way to go.

Although you likely will save money with an endorsement, the coverage level might not be as extensive as with a separate insurance policy. That is particularly true if the home is at greater risk of falling prey to natural disasters such as hurricanes, brush fires or flooding.

Because the cost and coverage levels of endorsements vary from company to company, it is important to talk to your agent and discuss your options.

Question 2: Do I need to increase liability coverage?

People with vacation homes frequently invite guests for weekends of fun.

Unfortunately, such activities raise the risk someone will be injured on the property, leaving you liable for the loss.

In addition, vacation homes often are vacant for longer periods of time than primary homes. That also increases your liability risk.

If someone breaks in or doesn't have permission to be on your property, that limits your personal liability. But you could always be sued anyway.

Purchasing an umbrella liability policy can boost the liability coverage on your vacation home. These policies typically cost just a few hundred dollars a year, and they can boost your liability protection by $1 million or more.

Question 3: Should I buy coverage for sewer and drain backups?

Many home insurance policies don't automatically cover damage caused by drain and sewer backups.

This type of damage can be a major problem in any type of home, but the risks may be greater in a vacation home.

The amount of damage that can occur when it goes unchecked will likely be much more extensive.

It's easy to insure against this risk. An insurance rider with this type of protection typically costs around $50 a year.

This coverage is just the first step. Have someone look after the vacation home while you are away, and to perform maintenance such as removing snow and checking the thermostat.

Question 4: Are my 'out buildings' protected?

Summer homes often have additional features -- including boat houses and sheds -- that aren't attached to the home. In most cases, these structures will be covered under the policy that protects the main building.

However, in most cases there is a limit to the coverage amount for these buildings.

Coverage would be limited to 10 percent of the vacation home policy. So, if your home was insured for $100,000, you would have $10,000 in coverage for such buildings.

Of course, the exact percentage can vary from insurer to insurer. If you need more coverage, talk to your agent about purchasing a rider that will provide higher levels of protection for the individual buildings.

Question 5: Is my boat covered?

Home insurance may offer some coverage for small boats, but only for a limited amount.

Coverage varies, with some insurers covering boats for about $1,000, while others offer coverage of around 10 percent of your home's property value. Liability coverage usually isn't included, but can be added through an endorsement to your homeowners policy.

However, don't count on a homeowners policy to cover losses to your yacht.

With bigger and more expensive boats, it's recommended that people consider a separate boat policy to ensure adequate coverage for both damage and liability.

You also will likely need a separate policy to cover Jet Skis and wave runners.

Policies that specifically cover boats and other watercraft come in two types:

• Actual cash value. This pays your replacement costs after subtracting any depreciation. 
• Agreed amount value. With this policy, you and the insurer agree upon an amount that represents the boat's true worth. If the boat is totaled, you will be paid in this amount. If a partial loss occurs, you will receive new parts to replace the damaged parts. 

Actual cash value coverage tends to be cheaper that agreed amount value coverage because the former only pays you the depreciated rate of your loss. So, while you may pay less in premiums, you could end up paying more out of pocket to cover a loss.

Question 6: Do the insurance requirements differ at the location of the vacation home?

Many people own vacation homes located far from their primary residence, often in another state. Because insurance is regulated at the state level, it's important to know which rules apply in your vacation home's community.

If you have a primary home in Massachusetts and buy a second home in New Hampshire, you should know that the vacation home insurance policy has a separate water damagae deductible.

In some cases, the insurer of your primary home may refuse to insure the vacation home if it is located in an area at a higher risk for loss due to flooding or other circumstances.

Talk to Lallis & Higgins Insurance before you buy a prospective vacation home to find out if coverage will be available.

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

You’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

It'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 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.

You'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