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GET PREPARED!  The government offers details on preparing BEFORE a storm.  Follow this link to get the information that can help you: https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes.

Hurricanes are increasing in number (see below), but it doesn’t have to be a hurricane to do damage.  GET PREPARED!

In May 2019, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) was more optimistic about our hurricane season this year.  Since then, they have increased the likelihood of an…

• above-normal season from 30% to 45%
• near-normal activity has dropped from 40% to 35%
• below-normal activity has dropped from 30% to 20%

Now, we will likely have:

• 10-17 named storms
• 5-9 hurricanes
• 2-4 major hurricanes

El Nino is the culprit.  Or actually, lack of El Nino.  It had been suppressing  Atlantic hurricane activity, but has ended and now we go back to normal.

So be aware, storms are coming for us.  But I don’t need to tell you that, just watch the news.

Reminder: the hurricane season officially runs from June 1st through November 30th.

Source: The Standard, August 23, 2019

• Massachusetts uses the abbreviation “RMV.” Any website using the phrase “Department of Motor Vehicle” or “DMV” should be avoided.
• Make sure the Commonwealth’s seal is located somewhere on the page. This will help ensure that is it an official government website.
• The Registry will never charge a customer for
• Forms
• Information
• Status check (license, registration, title)
• Address changes
• If the site requires payment to access this information, it is an unsecured mimic site.

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