A little caution and some common sense can prevent a cozy fire from turning into a devastating blaze Relaxing in front of a roaring fire is standard practice for many of us in New England, especially with the frigid temps we’ve experienced so far this month. But before you strike a match, take a few minutes to review these standard
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One of the standout quotes from the movie Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, back in 1986, was: “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” The same holds true with your insurance coverage. While most people remember to update their insurance after major life events, like a marriage or a
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Know how to protect your rental property. When you buy a home, you buy homeowners insurance—usually. The exception? When the home you own isn’t for you to occupy. Rental property, whether a single-family home or one split into multiple units, is a whole different ballgame in terms of insurance. Although one or more parties call the place home, homeowners insurance
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Before you measure twice, think twice—and consider the implications Across the nation, it’s happening every day. Executives and editors channeling their inner electrician. Stockbrokers and sous chefs playing professional plumber. Teachers, office managers, personal trainers and innumerable others embarking on a serious building endeavor. And, in many cases, insurance agents cringing for them. Yes, it’s a DIY world out there,
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The Dowd Agencies, LLC, a leading insurance provider serving New England for over 115 years, recently welcomed Mason Lebron, a resident of Springfield, as an account executive. “The Dowd Agencies continues to grow to meet the needs of the communities we serve,” said John E. Dowd, president and CEO. “Mason is a welcome addition to our team, bringing experience with
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Not every holiday fire is so delightful
Chestnuts roasting on an open fire… candles in the window… despite the lovely images they may elicit, some traditional holiday lyrics should carry a disclaimer: Don’t try this at home!
We’re not trying to dampen spirits (honest!); on the contrary, we want everyone to enjoy a season that’s merry and bright. We just want to make sure the source of that brightness is a safe and well-controlled one. Many of the classic joys we associate with winter holidays—candles, decorative lights, indoor greenery and plenty of home cooking—are also classic fire hazards, making fire safety a key consideration this time of year.
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Simple safety measures make for a happily memorable Thanksgiving On Thanksgiving Day, millions of Americans fall into one of two categories: the travelers and the hosts. As to which represents the smaller piece of the furcula (better known as the wishbone; #TurkeyTrivia), that depends heavily on whom you ask. Some would rather spend hours crawling a highway than days cleaning
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A simple process to ensure your claim is covered There is a reason why the phrase “accidents happen” is so cliché: because it’s so true. And when it comes to car accidents, it’s especially true on the icy roads of New England in fall and winter. If you’ve been fortunate enough to have never had a car accident, congratulations! Still,
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An ounce of prevention may prevent a pound of headaches As the weather turns cooler—and in New England, downright cold—we spend more time in our homes, and the risk for some types of potentially catastrophic home damage increases. The two most common type of seasonal loss reported by homeowners in the fall and winter months are water and fire damage.
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3 misconceptions about flood insurance In Massachusetts, we enjoy the classic rock hit “Dirty Water,” especially during baseball season in the summer. But it’s a whole different story when that dirty water invades your home. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), flooding is the most common natural disaster in the United States, affecting every region and state. Yet
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