Whether it’s walking through a neighborhood of Christmas lights or stuffing yourself with holiday snacks, everyone has special traditions and treats that put them in the Christmas mood. Every season Lallis & Higgins Insurance shares some of our favorite activities and things to do. Here are some Massachusetts places and activities that are sure to get you into the holiday spirit.

1. Go ice-skating on the Frog Pond in Boston.

Skating on the frozen Frog Pond in Boston Common is a winter tradition for many Bay Staters. It’s free for skaters under $58 inches and just $6 for skaters over that height. They offer rentals, lockers and ice sharpening. (38 Beacon St., Boston)

2. Get your thrills at this wintery amusement park.

Six Flags New England has transformed into a holiday wonderland. From meeting Christmas characters to riding festive rollercoasters, there's something here for everyone in the family.

3. Visit "the Christmas City" of Massachusetts.

Taunton has earned the official nickname "The Christmas City" due to its spectacular holiday celebrations and light displays. Checking out the festive town green in this community is a must-do every season.

4. Play with the reindeer at Stone Zoo.

The annual ZooLights festival at Stone Zoo in Franklin is an enchanting holiday tradition. With animal enclosures bedecked in holiday lights and garlands, crafts, food and even meet-and-greets with real reindeer, everyone should check this event out.

5. Indulge in a cup of holiday-flavored coffee from Dunks.

Hey, nothing says Christmas like something hot and sweet from Dunkin' Donuts. Slurping down some sort of candycane-cinnamon-chocolate frankendrink is the perfect way to get that festive feeling inside you.

6. Drive through miles of fantastic holiday lights.

Bright Nights at Forest Park in Springfield is one of the largest displays of Christmas lights in New England. Pile into the car and prepare to be dazzled by three miles of glittering scenes. Click here for more information.

7. Splurge on holiday gifts at a festive Christmas market.

Massachusetts is filled with holiday markets and festive craft fairs to inspire you on your hunt for the perfect gift or decor. The Salem Holiday Market is the perfect spot to pick up something handmade and beautiful this season.

8. Stroll through a vintage Christmas village.

The Enchanted Village once dazzled Bay Staters at its original location at Jordan Marsh in Boston during the 1960s. Today, it's been restored and brought back to life at Jordan's Furniture in Avon. Take a stroll through the festive lanes of the village for free this season.

9. Hitch a ride to the North Pole.

Yes, Massachusetts has its very own Polar Express and it's a fantastic way to get in the holiday mood. Grab the kids and ride the Scituate North Pole Express for special time with Santa, milk, cookies and storytelling.

10. Take in the beauty of LaSalette Shrine's Festival of Lights.

LaSalette Shrine's Festival of Lights is a Christmas tradition that is sure warm your heart. It's a good option if you're looking to celebrate the spiritual side of the season, or just surround yourself with holiday beauty. (947 Park Street, Attleboro)

11. Explore a magical indoor Christmas wonderland.

Yankee Candle Village in Deerfield isn't just a purveyor of smelly wax – it's home to a year-round Christmas village that just gets more enchanting each year. Visit the Bavarian Forest, make your own candles, indulge in holiday treats and experience an indoor snow shower.

Only in Your State

Those in Quincy and Weymouth, MA who have tasted deep-fried turkey usually say there’s simply no comparison to an oven-roasted bird — turkey out of the fryer is moist, with crispy skin and a beautiful color.

And, it cooks much more quickly than a turkey in the oven, which means you don’t have to wait for hours on end to get your fix.

But, if you’re not careful, frying a turkey can ruin your Thanksgiving, too. You’ve no doubt seen videos of people accidentally starting fires with their attempts. In some cases, families have even lost their homes.

With a little common sense, though, you can safely enjoy that great taste and fast cooking time. Here are five tips for cooking a great deep-fried turkey — without doing any damage (except maybe to your waistline):

1. Find a safe place to cook.

Don’t ever set up a fryer any closer than 10 feet from your home, garage or any other structure. Make sure the area is flat to keep the fryer from tipping, and never put it on a deck or other flammable surface.

2. Don’t use too much turkey.

You don’t want to drop a 20-pound bird in your fryer; it’s just too big. Keep your turkey to 12 pounds or less, don’t stuff it and make sure it’s completely thawed and dry.

3. Don’t use too much oil, either.

When it comes to the oil, use something with a high smoke point (for example, canola or safflower) and do a test with water beforehand to figure out how much you need. Put the turkey in your fryer and fill with water until it is covered. Then take the turkey out and make a mental note of the water line — that’s how much oil to use. Be sure to dry everything completely after your test.

4. Use caution when it’s time to cook.

Don’t just drop the turkey into the fryer, unless you want to splash hot oil on yourself (bad) or the burner (even worse). Gently lower it into the oil, and then monitor everything as it’s cooking. Keep an eye on the oil temperature to make sure it doesn’t get too hot. Keep an eye on the clock, because you want your turkey to cook for about 3-5 minutes per pound. And, watch kids and pets so they don’t get too close to the fryer.

5. Be prepared for disaster.

If you’re cautious, the odds are you won’t need a fire extinguisher, but you should have one on hand anyway – a multi-purpose model with dry powder. Don’t ever spray water on a fryer fire. If you don’t have an extinguisher, either cover the oil or dump a large amount of baking soda on the blaze. And, if all else fails, call 911 – quickly.

Of course, there’s one way to get a deep-fried turkey that can’t fail: Buy one from a professional. They’re available at some grocery and specialty stores, and even restaurants are getting into the act now.

Whichever you choose, we here at Lallis & Higgins Insurance wish you a happy and safe Thanksgiving!

As snowmobile owners prepare to take to the trails with friends and family this winter, we want to remind enthusiasts that proper snowmobile insurance coverage is crucial to enjoying the ride.

According to the International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association, the average snowmobiler spends $6,550 on a snowmobile and $1,100 on accessories such as clothing and a trailer. It is important to choose the right coverage to protect this investment.

Below are some tips for snowmobile owners choosing insurance coverage:

• Cover your snowmobile with a dedicated policy. If your snowmobile is covered under a homeowner's policy, you may not be as protected as you think. Many riders don't realize that snowmobile damage usually is not covered under a homeowner's policy if the snowmobile is ridden off the insured individual's property. Companies have stand-alone policies for snowmobiles that keep you covered on and off your property.

• Check for discounts. Taking a safety course will teach you valuable skills about everything from trailering to handling rough terrain. Plus, many companies offer policy discounts for snowmobilers who have completed a safety course. Other discounts are available to riders who belong to organizations such as a state snowmobile association.

• Protect the extras. If you're adding a personal touch to your snowmobile, check on insurance coverage first. Some policies include custom equipment as part of the standard coverage-a big benefit if you are investing in costly aftermarket parts.

• Ask about roadside assistance or trip interruption coverage. Many owners trailer their snowmobiles to their favorite riding spot. Be sure your coverage includes reimbursement for lodging, transportation and meals if you are stranded due to an accident or breakdown.

• Check to see if one policy can cover all your motorized transportation and toys. Some policies cover up to 12 vehicles, including motorcycles, Segways, golf carts, dune buggies and ATVs.

For more information on insurance for winter toys, contact Lallis & Higgins Insurance.

Snowest

Almost half of the owners surveyed don’t understand liability home insurance, a quarter have no idea how much they have

Liability insurance is one of the major components of a home insurance policy, but 84% of homeowners surveyed incorrectly thought you pay a deductible when filing a liability claim. Almost half (48 percent) don’t understand what liability home insurance covers and nearly a quarter (24 percent) have no idea how much liability insurance they have.

This was a survey of 1,000 homeowners to find out how much they know about their home insurance policy, if they shop for the best rates and whether they're discussing needed coverage changes with their insurer. Turns out, many homeowners don’t understand how their home insurance coverage works.

The survey also found that many homeowners aren't shopping around to get the best coverage for the best price. One-third don't compare home insurance rates to make sure they're getting the best deal.

Additionally, the survey found that nearly a quarter said they’ve never read their policy. That could leave them vulnerable and underinsured.

Homeowners don't understand their policies and coverage

The survey found that many respondents didn't comprehend or are confused about parts of their home insurance policy.

Slightly more than half of the respondents (52 percent) recognized what liability insurance covers. Liability insurance covers accidents in which the homeowner or family member is at fault and causes bodily injury or property damage, as well as lawsuits filed because of those accidents.

More than one-fifth thought it deals with damage to your home. Slightly less answered that it covers injuries for you and your family.

Concerning replacement cost, slightly more than half (52 percent) answered correctly that it's the cost to repair damage to your home or rebuild it completely at equal quality at current prices. One-third of respondents thought replacement costs deal with personal items damaged or stolen at a depreciated value.

Most respondents also didn't know about dwelling coverage:

• 41% correctly said it's the amount that best matches the replacement cost of your home
• 24% believed it was the amount it would cost to rebuild your home with the same materials used during construction
• 23% thought it was the same as the market value of your home.
• 12% admitted they had no idea

When it comes to personal property coverage:

• 60% correctly said it replaces your personal possessions up to a certain limit, usually a percentage of your dwelling coverage, and up to $2,500 for valuables.
• 29% thought it replaces all of the items in your home.
• 7% thought it replaces trees and landscaping.
• 4% thought it just covers valuable items, such as jewelry, antiques and art.

Cost of flood insurance

Though many homeowners didn't know basics about their home insurance coverage, most understood flood insurance and how credit affects insurance rates.

Two-thirds of respondents answered correctly that home insurance doesn't cover flood damage from groundwater. Slightly less than half of people 25-34 knew that flood insurance isn't part of a homeowners policy. Instead, homeowners need a separate flood insurance policy.

Though flood insurance costs can vary depending on where you live and if you buy from a private company or the federal program, the average yearly cost for a policy bought from the National Flood Insurance Program is $700. When asked how much flood insurance costs, 18 percent answered correctly. Forty-four percent thought it was much more expensive than that, 38 percent thought it was several hundred dollars cheaper.

Credit history and home insurance

The vast majority of respondents (88 percent) also knew that credit history can influence your home insurance rates.

Many homeowners don't tell insurers about renovations and other changes

Renovating your home usually increases the value of your home. That could be whether it's an addition or a new bathroom. Insurance.com's survey found that 87 percent of people told their home insurance company about an addition or a new deck and 67 percent informed their insurer about a home renovation project that didn't add to the footprint, but increased the home's value.

When it comes to telling the insurance company about something that could add more risk though, 31 percent of people who added a pool or trampoline and 52 percent of people who brought a dog into the family didn't let their insurer know.

Homeowners might not know they should contact their insurer in these cases. However, not telling your insurer about these situations could mean you're not adequately covered if someone files a claim later. Also, you might not have enough insurance to cover your renovated home without improving your coverage.

Many homeowners don't shop around for home insurance

The survey found that one-third of homeowners don't ever compare home insurance rates to make sure they're getting the best deal. That includes 39 percent of women and 24 percent of men.

Only 27 percent said they compare rates whenever their policy is up for renewal. Another 39 percent said they compare prices every two or three years.

These results show that many homeowners may be paying more for their insurance. It's a good idea to get multiple quotes from companies each year or at least every two to three years. That way you can make sure you're getting the best deal. Insurance.com’s average home insurance rates tool shows rates by ZIP code, as well as the highest and lowest rate fielded from up to six insurance companies. You’ll see that the difference in price for the same policy can be hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars. That’s why it’s important to compare rates – you can wind up overpaying if you don’t.

For a comparison rate on your home insurance policy, contact Lallis & Higgins Insurance.

Insurance.com