Author Archive

Freak Happenings

It felt like 2020 threw every surprise in the book at us. For Massachusetts residents, there was even an earthquake late in the year which turned out to be the strongest ever recorded for our state.  Not many people in our region have considered the possibility of an earthquake-related loss in our area, but as last year kept showing us, NEVER say NEVER!

What may seem like a freak occurrence, however, gave many homeowners a much needed reminder to review what their insurance policy covers. Unfortunately, for Massachusetts’ residents earthquake

Baby its getting cold outside! Last week we discussed preparing our home for winter, and now it’s time to start considering our cars. There’s is nothing more frightening than getting stranded in the cold because your car has a issue cause by inclement weather. Below are some seasonal car maintenance tips to help you prepare to make it through this winter unscathed.

Check the tread on your tires. Your cars ability to stop on slippery or wet surfaces decreases when the tread reaches 4/32”. A quick trick for measurement is to

Insurance legislation varies state by state. In Massachusetts, insurance is mandatory and you cannot legally drive your car without it. Insurance premiums in Massachusetts, however, vary immensely from one insurance company to another meaning it’s important to be knowledgeable about what you are buying with this must have purchase.

An Insurance Agent Works for You

The above is one of the main reasons it is is so beneficial to work with a local agency to shop for your insurance quotes. At FBinsure, we represent over 20 different insurance companies for home and

Often times people think that the Condo association’s master policy is covering the building and they do not need to purchase any separate coverage for themselves.

In order to determine what you, as a unit owner, are responsible for in your condo you must obtain a copy of the bylaws, master deed, and trust for your condo.  These documents outline exactly who pays for what in the event of a loss.  The agent that is writing your individual unit owner’s policy needs to review this information to design your coverage to

You own a great ski house in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Friends, family and even coworkers have asked to use it for a long weekend during ski season, leaf peeping in the fall or a week away in the summer months. For these types of scenarios you most likely will not need to change your insurance policy.

But what if you decide to take it one step further and list it on an online site such as Home Away or AirBnB? While some online vacation rental websites now offer

We live in an age where we are more “connected” than ever before.  Our phones are “smart,” are homes are “smart”and Alexa is our best friend. All of these conveniences can also make us more vulnerable to a range of new cyber risks.

What is Malware?

Malware is software that’s main function is to damage or disable a computer.  Generally, it infects our computers with a virus because we have clicked on an infected email or link.

What is Ransomware?

Ransomware is a type of malware is used by Cyber criminals to hold computer

This month’s Jeans Day advocate is Judi Kagiwada from our Personal Lines Sales Team. Judi is no stranger to the YMCA’s mission. She has served on their Board of Governors’ since 2009 which has given her the opportunity to see firsthand how the lives of so many have been enriched through various Y programs. Judi also attends many YMCA sponsored events. Her favorite memory is hearing a young mom speak of how her special needs daughter has flourished in the Y Ability program. This is a program for children with

Your home and auto insurance renews on a yearly basis. How does your agent handle the renewal  process with you? Perhaps they send a letter or call you asking to review your current limits. The renewal is the perfect time to look at your policy to be sure you are insured properly, and to make sure nothing has changed over the past year. Maybe your carrier experienced a rate increase. It could be the right time to see if you can save money or even take advantage of a better

There are more than 78 million people who own a dog in the US.  That is 78 million dog owners who could potentially be, or have been, a defendant in a dog bite liability case.  Although the consequences may vary, the fact remains that dog bites are costly.  It is also a fact that medical bills, property damage, and litigation fees cost a great deal more than the premium to insure against a dog bite. If you have liability coverage on your home insurance policy and your dog bites or

With energy prices increasing more homeowners are choosing wood or pellet stoves as alternate heating devices.   Heating equipment is a leading cause of home fires.  You can heat efficiently and safely with wood by following recommended procedures and methods.  Proper installation, operation and maintenance will help to avoid chimney and wood stove fires.

Another great recourse could be your local fire department or the town’s building code official.   We suggest you contact them prior to installing your alternate heating device.

You should burn only dry, well seasoned wood. Dry wood burns hotter