Ways to Save
Homeowners
If you rent or own a home you need to protect your assets. We offer many companies with competitive products. Each insurance company offers different credits, but we can help you determine which ones apply to you. Some of the credits available are:
- New home credit (home built in the last 15-20 years are considered a new home)
- Account credit if we also write your auto
- Loss free credits
- Non-smoker credits
- Mature home discount (works less than 20 hours)
- Renewal credits
- Protective device credits/ Alarm
- First time buyers credits
- Home Renovations
- Safe home credit (no pool, woodstove or dogs)
- Increased Deductibles
- Senior Citizens (Some companies will allow this)
- Convenient payment plans including EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer). This plan has no finance charges, no checks and no postage.
Some companies offer a multi policy discount if they insure both your home and auto. Some offer discounts if home and auto are simply with the same agent.
Ideas for controlling your homeowner insurance premiums
- Review your policy with us every few years • programs change
- Are you getting a "package" credit on your homeowner policy? Some companies give a discount if they insure both your home and personal auto(s).
- Consider the highest deductible that makes sense for you. Most of our home insurance clients carry a $500 or a $1000 deductible.
- Credit for alarms • make sure that you are getting the proper credit for burglar and fire alarms
- Generally the newer the home the broader the coverages available and the more competitive the premiums
Problems / issues that could make it more difficult to obtain insurance or that could increase your insurance premiums
- Homes on close to the coast • and for some companies that could mean within one mile of the ocean.
- Homes "out in the woods" with no fire hydrant within site and with a volunteer or non-existent town fire department.
- Some businesses that are run out of the home.
- Homes that may not be well updated with their electrical service
- Poor past claim history
- Less than satisfactory personal credit history
- Dogs of an aggressive breed
- Trampolines
AUTO
Check Out These Discounts on Your Auto Insurance Coverage - You May Be Eligible!
Anti-Theft Discount
If you have an anti-theft device installed in your automobile you may be eligible to receive a discount of up to 35% of the premium on your comprehensive coverage.
Multiple Automobiles
You may be eligible for a 5% discount on Collision and Limited Collision sections of your automobile insurance coverage. The following criteria must be met to be eligible:
- Have 2 or more cars insured by the same company (applicable if single or married).
- No inexperienced operators listed on the insurance policy
- The vehicles carry collision coverage
- The vehicles are not used in business
Mileage
If your annual mileage is 5,000 miles or less you are eligible for a 10% discount on premiums paid on most every section of your insurance policy! If you drive 5,001 to 7,500 miles per year a 5% discount would apply. This discount however, is not available for antique automobiles.
Public Transportation
If you take public transportation to work you may be eligible for a 10% discount on your insurance coverage on two sections of your coverage (Damage to Someone Else's property and Collision). This discount is valid up to a maximum of $75 per vehicle and you meet this criteria:
- You do not drive your automobile to work or school more than 10 days per month
- You provide us with evidence of purchase of 11 months of commuter passes
(from qualified transit systems) - Driver's Education
- Inexperienced drivers are eligible for a 10% discount on most sections of their insurance policy for the first 3 years after completing an approved driver's education course.
Restraints
You may be eligible for a 25% discount on sections like Bodily Injury and Personal Injury Protection of your insurance policy premium if your automobile is equipped with air bags or automatic seat belts.
65 or older
A discount of 25% for all coverages after all other discounts, except the Safe Driver Insurance Plan rating step, are applied on your insurance premium. This discount applies if there are no inexperienced drivers and the automobile is not used for business.
Company Discounts
AAA member discount SBLI Life Insurance
Adding a young driver? In control advanced driver training drivers with Safety Insurance coverage who complete the driver skills development program at In Control and become members of Safe Roads Alliance will receive a 5% group discount on their automobile insurance. In addition, drivers with Safety Insurance coverage will have the opportunity to participate in the driver skills development program at In Control for only $75; more than a 70% discount from the normal $299 enrollment fee.
Convenient payment plans including EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer). This plan has no finance charges, no checks and no postage.
Massachusetts Auto Insurance
There are many changes in store for Massachusetts Auto Insurance in 2008. For the first time in 30 years the state is changing to a competitive auto insurance system. We expect most "Excellent Drivers" will enjoy a significant premium reduction beginning in April of 2008.
We are prepared to work with you to find the most competitive premiums available. We have been working under a competitive auto insurance system in Rhode Island for over 10 years and have the experience needed to help you understand the recent changes in Massachusetts. The new system in Massachusetts will resemble the systems in place in Rhode Island and most other states.
Our agency represents four of the largest auto insurance companies in Massachusetts. The new system allows companies to offer new discounts and new coverage.
EXISTING DISCOUNTS | NEW DISCOUNTS | NEW COVERAGE |
Age 65 and over | Account Discount for home and auto | Disappearing Collision deductible |
Passive Restraint | Steps 98 & 99 Additional credits | Guaranteed Replacement Cost |
Low Mileage | Good Student Discount | Extended Substitute Tranportation |
Anti Theft | Students Away at School | Air Bag Mechanical Failure |
Multi Car Discount | Multi Car increased from 5% to 10% | Auto Loan/Lease Gap coverage |
Advanced Driver Training Discount | Loyalty or renewal credits | Accident Forgiveness program |
Public Transit Discount | Experienced Driver Discounts | Vet Bills for pets injured in accidents |
Group Discounts including: AAA, SBLI, Professional organizations. | Hybrid Vehicle Discounts | Coverage for Laptops or cell phones |
The rates that were filed in November will be for policies effective April 1, 2008 and later. Under the new system companies will have the option of changing their rates that will be effective in May 2008 and later. As your policy renews you will be subject to the new system and new rates.
We expect all of our "Excellent Drivers" will be rewarded with lower premiums in 2008! Please call us if you would like a personal review of your coverage. Thanks for insuring with Lapointe Insurance.
Safety Tips
Electrical Systems
Most of us are unaware of how dangerous electricity can truly be within our homes.
It is important for homeowners to understand the severity of an electrical wiring fire, as it often begins behind a wall, in a basement or in the attic where the fire can spread throughout the home before setting off the smoke alarm or becoming evident to occupants. This reduces the amount of time available to escape a burning building.
Below are additional safety tips to help homeowners create the safest home possible:
- Make sure smoke alarms are installed on every floor outside sleeping areas and in every bedroom, and are in good working order.
- Look for telltale signs of electrical problems such as dimming of lights, frequent circuit breaker trips or blown fuses.
- Ask a qualified electrician if your home would benefit from AFCI protection, especially during inspections of older homes or upgrades to electrical systems.
- Limit the use of extension cords, particularly cords used to power room air conditioners.
- Use light bulbs that are the proper wattage for the fixture - higher wattage bulbs can degrade the wires in and around the fixture
Candles
Candles are no longer used for the occasional dinner party. In fact, only a small percent of candle fires start in dining rooms. Candle sales are booming and families are lighting candles in their living rooms, family rooms, dens and bathrooms. Fires from candles have increased dramatically, but they are preventable. Reduce the chance of a fire, by following these simple safety tips.
- Keep matches, lighters and candles away from children.
- Never leave burning candles unattended.
- Keep combustible materials away from candles.
- Don't put candles in a location where children or pets could knock them down.
- Use only non-flammable candle holders.
- Always trim the wicks before lighting.
Carbon Monoxide Detectors and Smoke Detectors
Consumers need to remain vigilant against carbon monoxide poisoning and fires. CPSC recommends three simple tips to protect your life, your loved ones, and your home:
- Make sure your home is protected with both smoke and CO alarms. Combination smoke/CO alarms are available in the marketplace.
- Test alarms monthly to make sure they are working.
- Once a year, change batteries when you change your clocks.
For more Safety Tips visit the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission at www.cpsc.gov/tips.
Deductibles
The standard homeowners deductible is $250. Deductibles apply to every property loss, and are designed to reduce the frequency of losses and eliminate small claims. Keeping small claims out of the insurance system reduces overall cost for property insurance. If you can afford to pay more out of pocket in the event of a claim, you can save substantially on your policy. Increasing your deductible to $500 will probably decrease your premium by 10%. Call your account manager for an exact price on your policy.
Storm Shutters
Hurricane Katrina taught us all a valuable lesson. We must be prepared for the worst when storm warnings are posted.
Many insurance companies have restricted the number of properties they are willing to insure within 10 miles of the coast. Here in coastal Massachusetts and Rhode Island many of us live within 10 miles of the coast. Most companies will agree to insure your home regardless of the distance to the coast if you install hurricane shutters.
Hurricane shutters have proven to be an effective way to protect your home or business from hurricane force winds. Most properties in the coastal areas of Florida, the Carolina's and the Gulf Shore are built with Hurricane Shutters. Many of those communities have included Hurricane Shutters or reinforced glass as part of the building codes.
Here in New England we should embrace the lessons learned in the more Hurricane prone states and encourage the use of Hurricane Shutters to protect our property. Your insurance costs could be substantially lower if you do.
For more information go to: www.Hurricaneprotect.net or www.shadeandshutter.com.
Alarm Credits
Unfortunately the high cost of installing many security systems generally is not realized in insurance savings. While installing a security system is a good idea from a risk management standpoint, insurance savings won't pay for the cost of the system. Nonetheless insurance companies will lower your premium some for having an alarm. Contact your account manager to discuss security systems before buying one.
Training
Visit the websites listed below for information on training.
© The Lapointe Insurance Agency 2007 - All Rights Reserved.