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In 2010 Massachusetts enacted a law to address oil leaks from home heating systems (Chapter 453 of the acts of 2008).

The law has two major provisions that required:

1. The installation of either an oil safety valve or an oil supply line with protective sleeve on systems that do not currently have these devices; and
2. Insurance companies that write homeowner policies to offer coverage from heating systems that use oil.

Nothing for the kids to do this break?  Sign them up for In Control Crash Prevention Training: https://www.driveincontrol.org/feb19  They are offering a discount over the break.

Then send us a copy of the certificate & get a discount on your auto insurance.  Win-win.

This training goes beyond the basic driver training most people take before getting their driver’s license.  It is intended for currently licensed drivers to capitalize on what they already know.  A little bad weather would be a bonus – let the professionals teach your kid to drive in the snow & ice!

Past New England winters have proven, ice dams do real damage and are the gift that keep on giving.  After the storm, the temperature warms up, the sun shines a bit brighter, you are smiling and suddenly the roof is crying.  It is the ice dam, stuck under your roof, melting.  Causing additional damage inside and out of your home.  Check out this summary, All About Ice Dams, to help you prevent & fight ice dams.

Military & Veteran RMV Information

Customers processing a registration cancellation transaction online can now use their full social security number (SSN) to validate their identity.

The information customers can use to validate their identity now include any one of the following:

• Massachusetts license/permit number

• Massachusetts FID number

• SSN

Previously, a Massachusetts license/permit number was required. This was a problem for customers who had moved out-of-state, no longer had a Massachusetts license/permit, and were unable to proceed with the transaction as a result.

This change will allow more customers to use massrmv.com to cancel their registrations, reducing the number of

customers that need to contact the RMV from out-of-state.

If you need assistance, please contact our office.

FIND THE BENEVENTO INSURANCE AGENCY’S NEW MOBILE APP

IN THE APP STORE FOR BOTH APPLE AND ANDROID PHONES

Use the app to:

Pay your bill

Report a claim

Contact our office

Create a home inventory

Request a liability certificate

And more…

Over 99% of the U.S auto makers have agreed to make automatic emergency braking (AEB) a standard feature on virtually all new cars by September 1, 2022.  The consensus is this will make the technology standard in new cars three years earlier than going through the formal regulatory process.  During those three years it is estimated 28,000 crashes and 12,000 injuries could be prevented, according to Insurance Institute for Highway Safety estimates.

Committed auto makers:

Audi                                        Honda                                   Mazda                                      Subaru

BMW                                      Hyundai                                Mercedes-Benz                      Tesla Motors Inc.

FCA US LLC                          Jaguar Land Rover             Mitsubishi Motors                 Toyota

Ford                                        Kia                                          Nissan                                       Volkswagen

General Motors                    Maserati                                Porsche                                     Volvo Car USA

Source: The Standard, March 25, 2016

Arbella Insurance and MAPFRE (Commerce) Insurance offer auto policy discounts for donations to specific partner organizations:

• Arbella: 6% discount for a minimum donation of $50 to any of the following organizations:
  • Jimmy Fund/Dana Farber
  • Special Olympics of Massachusetts (SOMA)
  • Melanoma Foundation of New England

• MAPFRE: 5% discount for a minimum donation of $25 to the Pan-Mass Challenge.

The discount is eligible for current policy year only, meaning each year you make the donation you can receive the discount.  It does not automatically renew, proof of donation is required each year.

This discount can only be added on policy renewal but the donation can be made in the 12 months prior to your policy’s effective date.

If you donate to one of these worthy organizations anyway, may as well send us the receipt so you can receive the discount.  And if you don’t, you have an additional reason to help others.

Questions?  Just ask.  That’s why we are here.

Progressive Insurance recently conducted a Renters Survey, finding nearly seven in ten (68%) of US renters do not have insurance.  A renter’s policy would cover personal belongings and liability – both on and off the premises.  Four common myths seem to be working against this concept:

• “Nothing will ever happen to me.”
• “I live in a safe building, I don’t need to lock my door.”
• “Renters insurance is too expensive.”
• “I’m covered by my roommate’s insurance.”

Theft is actually the most common renter’s claim (American Strategic Insurance).  Tenant policies are usually inexpensive: they can be as low as $20-$25/month.  IMPORTANT TO NOTE: unless items are considered “shared goods” roommates need separate tenant policies.

Think about it – if you can afford to replace all of your personal items (furniture, clothes, shoes, decorations, lamps, pictures, kitchen items, etc.) if they are suddenly gone, then roll the dice!  Of course, that does not address the Personal Liability, Loss of Use, and Medical Payments covered as well.

So, do you need renter’s insurance after all?

Source: Independent Agent Magazine