Our Ross Team had the pleasure of being a part of Astonish Result’s Changing Faces of Insurance and Agency Culture Tour. Astonish Results has paired with Ross Insurance to maximize our sales efforts and most importantly encourage us to “fish where the fish are”. A few weeks ago, Astonish team members Nick Brown and Alicia Collins traveled from their Warwick Rhode Island location to include Ross Insurance in an ongoing look as to what makes the Insurance industry today as times continue to change. Ross Insurance has been around since 1925, and as the times are changing we are finding ourselves adapting to the environment around us. We’d like to think that we are doing a great job breaking those stereo types as we move forward with new technology while still holding true to our tradition. Located right in Holyoke, Ma we were given the chance to show a side of insurance that most people do not get a chance to see. Come and see our Agency Culture Tour which gives you a look at Ross Insurance from a more human perspective.
In the past few months has anything changed in your life that may affect your current auto policy? Are you using your vehicle in business? Has the garaging location changed? Is any one new using your car? These are all types of things that your insurance agent needs to be aware of. Simple mistakes like forgetting to add your young driver can lead to denied coverage. Also, if you forget to update which city or town your car is being garaged in and something were to happen to your vehicle your claim could be denied. For example, say that you currently reside in Holyoke, MA and your young driver takes the family car with them to school out in Boston. You would need to notify your insurance agent that the car will now be garaged in Boston. If something were to happen to the vehicle and it was known that your child routinely used the car while in Boston but it was listed that the car was garaged in Holyoke, they could deny a claim for false information. We are here to help our customers and notify them of the potential risks involved if their auto policy information is not accurate or up to date. The small changes that affect your auto policy are often overlooked, which is why we are here to offer help when you need it. You can contact our office through our interactive office, or call any of our agents during our office hours and we would be glad to assist you in any changes that need to be made on your policy. In the event of an accident there are more important things to worry about than if your claim would be denied because your auto policy is not up to date, so remember to contact your agent with any changes.
When dealing with insurance, it’s important to remember a few “DOs and DONTs”. Whether you carry insurance for your home, vehicle or boat it’s beneficial to know a few things when talking over insurance with your insurance agent. Explaining to your insurance agent what type of coverage you are looking for, and what you exactly need from that coverage narrows down the search of what is going to be best for you. Make sure you ask as many questions as you need to fully understand your coverage. Often times, people feel that asking too many questions is bothersome. At Ross Insurancewe couldn’t disagree more. It is our job to ensure that you understand as much as possible of your coverage so that you know what you are paying for. When seeking new coverage, make sure that you do not cancel your existing coverage before purchasing new coverage. This gap of time in between means that you will not be covered in the event of an accident, and could affect you negatively. It is also important to remember when your payments are due, and try not to fall behind on making these payments. Late fees and reinstatement costs can easily be prevented if you are aware of your payment dates. Some insurance companies are quick to send a notice of cancellation within 5 days of non-payment. A great way to remember to pay your bill is to mark it on your calendar, or you could also set up Electronic Funds Transfer. EFT will automatically deduct your payment from your account on a day that you choose is best for you and when you are certain that funds are going to be available. Keep these tips in mind and get the most out of your insurance. Contact our office today with any questions you may have and we will be ready to assist you in any way that we can.
Did you know that motorists and bicyclists have the same rules for the road? Many people are unaware that these two must “share the road” but also share the same rules. When it comes to living in New England think of all of the overpopulated cities that have bicyclists and motorists fighting for who has more authority over major roads and lanes of traffic. From Northampton, to Springfield and even all the way out in Boston, we have a large amount of people who are now using bicycles as their means of transportation. For example, the debate over bikers not remaining in their lanes or the question of whether or not they are on the sidewalk are two prime examples of why some accidents seem to occur. The bike lane is meant to keep motorists out for the safety of the bicyclist, as obviously an auto mobile poses as a greater threat with its significantly larger size. The lane does not however mean that bicyclists must remain inside. Also, the reason why bikers are not on the sidewalks is that in some cities it is actually illegal for bicyclists to be on the sidewalk. Think of the risks involved when a bicyclist is driving down the sidewalk. There are people they must weave through to get around, the threat of doors constantly opening from vendors and even cars, the change of foundation beneath them as the sidewalk dips down for handicap access and list continues on. One piece of advice for bicyclists however is, that if they are going to ride with traffic, they should adhere to the same rules such as using turn signals, and stopping at stop signs and red lights to remain with the flow of traffic. The advantages of stopping when cars do, is that bicyclists have a better feel for their environment and this gives them opportunity to catch their breath. Want to know more “Rules of The Road”? Check out the official Same Roads, Same Rules campaign and be kind to your fellow road mates!
It is that time again when the weather is nicer and traveling concerts make their rounds to almost every city. Last night at the old Mountain Park, (click here for some really neat pictures of the amusement park at its best!) in Holyoke MA, The Counting Crows performed. The idea of getting together with good friends and family to enjoy good music and food is a perfect way to enjoy any summer, which is how tailgating became popular in the first place.
With the summer concerts filling up weekends, and making their rounds through local venues it’s important to incorporate some safety into your plans as well.
Getting the party started before the opening act is a great way to get social with other concert attendees and sets the tone for sharing a great musical experience. With great music also comes great responsibility. Whether you are firing up the grill, or filling up the cooler with refreshing drinks you should be aware of your surroundings at all times. Circumstances such as hot coals being thrown under cars, or in the beds of trucks, can lead to a tragedy or to a claim filed on your auto policy. Adding comprehensive coverage to your current auto policy could help you when dealing with an accident such as hot coals catching flames. However, your coverage is subject to your deductible, but any of our agents would be glad to review your coverage options beforehand. An unexpected accident could turn any good time into a nightmare and could also lead to severe injury. Although in the event of an accident, we are happy to help you along the way when filing a claim. Simply contact us and we’ll take care of the rest.
When looking into insurance coverage it is important that you consider all of your options. We agree with this philosophy, but also encourage that you consider the benefits of purchasing coverage through an independent agency. We are all familiar with calling the 800 numbers just to find that we are automatically prompted to an automated voice message system. Even if you have the chance to talk to an actual sales representative, how many times is your call transferred to a different department where you have to explain your reason for calling all over again? This can be frustrating, especially when you are dealing with a problem with your coverage or filing a claim. Independent agents are local business’ that are located in your neighborhood. The same community where you live and work is where you can find affordable coverage and experienced and helpful sales help. With a quick call or visit into our office, you can walk away with your questions answered and a full range of insurance coverage, without having to deal with the hassle of long wait times. As a local independent insurance agency, we support your local community. When was the last time you saw Geico or Progressive contribute to a local fundraising event? By utilizing your local independent insurance agent, you can feel confident that you are getting the best coverage for the best price as we represent many insurance companies. Whether it is a discount offered to your homeowners policy for signing a non- smoking statement, or we help you to combine your homeowner and auto policies, we are dedicated to giving you the satisfaction that you deserve. Come and visit our office, or call and speak with any of our agents to see what deals are waiting for you and how you can save money on your insurance.
The open road is calling, but before you can answer you’ll need to make sure you can afford it. With summer, comes not only the rising temperature, but rising gas prices too. Average gas prices currently range anywhere from $2.79 to $3.09 here in Massachusetts. Luckily for us, this is a few cents less than the national average. A few cents may not seem like a big difference, but it quickly adds up. Any experienced driver can tell you how they remember twenty dollars filling up a tank, and now it barely gets you to half a tank.
Why does summer go hand in hand with high gas prices? There is a higher demand for travel and more people are getting up and getting out on the open road. Vacations and joyrides make up most of the time traveled, as people are yearning to get out of their houses. When winter is around, the one place we don’t want to be is on the road avoiding black ice and getting caught in a blizzard. But at the first sign of spring, you’ll notice motorcycles and convertibles come out from the garage. For motorcycle owners, make sure that you have your bikes registered and you have proper motorcycle coverage. You can also contact any of our agents for a free quote on improving or purchasing motorcycle and automobile insurance.
Gas prices will continue to raise a few cents at a time, but don’t let that deter you from taking the time to travel. Keep your eyes open for good deals at the pump and fill up while the price is low.
With winter in our rear view mirror, it looks like clear skies ahead as far as seasons go. Adjusting to the warmer weather means taking certain precautions and staying on top of seasonal responsibilities that we often forget about in the shuffle from winter to spring.
One major change is college students will be returning home for summer break. Not only will that “empty nest” become full again, but your own “free bird” may need to be added to your current auto policy before operating any of the family vehicles.
Also returning is the opportunity to go out and bask in New England’s calming and rewarding waters. Before you take your first trip off land, be sure that both your boat and trailer registrations are up to date. We will be more than happy to help you with both.
Whether you stop into the office or contact us by phone or email, be sure to ask how you can win a free Apple iPad! Please visit our virtual insurance office for more details
Our Ross Team had the pleasure of being a part of Astonish Result’s Changing Faces of Insurance and Agency Culture Tour. Astonish Results has paired with Ross Insurance to maximize our sales efforts and most importantly encourage us to “fish where the fish are”. A few weeks ago, Astonish team members Nick Brown and Alicia Collins traveled from their Warwick Rhode Island location to include Ross Insurance in an ongoing look as to what makes the Insurance industry today as times continue to change. Ross Insurance has been around since 1925, and as the times are changing we are finding ourselves adapting to the environment around us. We’d like to think that we are doing a great job breaking those stereo types as we move forward with new technology while still holding true to our tradition. Located right in Holyoke, Ma we were given the chance to show a side of insurance that most people do not get a chance to see. Come and see our Agency Culture Tour which gives you a look at Ross Insurance from a more human perspective.
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