Too 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:

• Auto Insurance
• Small Business Owners Policy
• Business Interruption
• General Liability
• Professional Liability
• Property
• Umbrella Insurance
• Workers Compensation
• Restaurants, bars, hotel and night clubs
• Contractors
• Home based business

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

Summers 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!

Get special event insurance, then sit back and enjoy your big day!

It's your day, and you shouldn't have to put any limits on your fun. And the last thing you want to worry about are damages and injuries.

That's why you might want to Event Insurance. This protects you, your guests and your venue from accidents, unexpected damages and some cancellation costs.

What is event insurance and why do I need it?

Event insurance is a type of special event insurance (also called one-day insurance) that covers injuries and venue damages. Plus, you can add coverage for cancellations, rings, cakes, dresses, etc. The average wedding now costs $31,000, making it a significant investment.

What does event insurance cover?

You can build your own special event insurance policy, and here are the coverages offered:

Event cancellation

Insures your deposits, cake, flowers, rental cars and more if you have to cancel or postpone your event because of unforeseen circumstances.

Special coverage

Insures wedding rings, dress, tuxedos, gifts, photographs and more.

Wedding liability insurance

Comes standard and covers damages to the venue or injuries to guests. This is the type of insurance that venues often require.

Guaranteed to meet your venue's insurance requirements!

Event Insurance is available for all types of events, including rehearsal dinners, birthday and anniversary parties, showers, dinner events, sporting events, weddings, and more.

For more information, contact Lallis & Higgins Insurance.

Customers of the Massachusetts Fair Plan often ask: "Do I have any other insurance options?" Often, the answer is yes.

However, it is important to understand how people end up buying their insurance there in the first place.

"Fair Plan" is short for Fair Access to Insurance Rates. It came to be after the riots of the urban riots of the 1960’s because, as a result, these neighborhoods became difficult to insure. Most states have their own version of this kind of insurance, all with different models. The Massachusetts Property Underwriting Insurance Association (MPIUA) is the official name of "the Massachusetts Fair Plan".

Insurance agencies in Massachusetts use the Fair Plan for insurance buyers who have a profile that is difficult to insure. The most common example is coastal homes; in fact many companies choose to avoid these properties. Often times the Mass Fair Plan is the only option for coastal homes if an insurance agency only has access to a limited amount of companies to quote your homeowner insurance with.

Fortunately for Lallis & Higgins Insurance clients, we represent many insurance companies – some of which will help homeowners that live right on the shore line. We are located in Weymouth, a South Shore town that is right on the water, so it only made sense for us to align with carriers that can help our neighbors. We have many options other than the Mass Fair Plan to help insure homes that sit on the beaches in cities and towns like Quincy, Weymouth, Cohasset, Scituate, Hingham and more.

Some homeowners choose the Fair Plan over other insurance alternatives, most often for price. But buying only on price can be shortsighted. Homeowners must consider the coverage offered through the policy, and how well the Fair Plan could handle a major coastal catastrophe, such as a hurricane. On the South Shore and all the way down the coast of Massachusetts there is a high concentration of homes on the coast. The ability of the Fair plan to handle the demand is a concern. We prefer to work with carriers with a broad reach across numerous states. This way they can bring in assets to assist in a disaster quickly and efficiently. Insurance should be about getting claims paid quickly and fairly.

If you're insured by the Fair Plan because you had a claims with your previous carrier, we can look into other options. Contact Lallis & Higgins for a review of your policy and let us find you a better insurance solution.

The weather is about to warm up. That means you will be playing outside more with your summer toys, like boats, RV's and motorcycles. Now is the time to be sure your summer toys are properly insured for "smooth sailing" while you play.

It is very important that you have the proper insurance when you enjoy your summer recreation.

You always want to be sure you have the proper coverage because these summer vehicles and boats are expensive. But, on top of that if you accidentally injure someone or damage their property you want to be sure that you have the proper coverage for that as well. You need to be insured for any potential.

Many people ask if you can just wrap insurance for a jet ski or motorcycle insurance into an existing homeowners policy. Well, you can but is that really the right coverage? If your boat doesn't have a motor on it, you may be able to add it to your home policy, but if it does have a motor, it will usually be excluded.

For a boat with a motor you need boat insurance. This covers the hull, motor, and trailer and you are protected if someone gets hurt. Same goes for RV insurance and motorcycles. There are special types of insurance policies that are tailored for those types of items. You often get extra coverage like trip interruption insurance, spare parts coverage, and roadside assistance and other things like this that you may need during the summer.

RVs and classic cars have different types of policies. Because a classic vehicle can gain value you want to make sure you insure it at an agreed value in most cases. Classic car insurance policies tend to be much less money than your standard everyday car insurance policy because your classic car is treated differently by you used less.

For more information on insurance for seasonal vehicles and toys, contact Lallis & Higgins Insurance.