Posted on

Where’s Your Water Shutoff?

Water Shutoff

Do you know where your water shutoffs are? For your sinks? For toilets? For your washer? What about the main valve that controls your whole house or business? If you don’t know the locations of your water shutoffs, you need to!

Knowing where your shutoffs are is important for variety of reasons. If you’re replacing your kitchen sink, you’ll need to know how to shut off the water. If your toilet is running, you can shut off the water between uses until it can be repaired. Most importantly, if you are experiencing a burst pipe, you can shut off the water to the whole building to lessen the possibility of flooding!

Our Claims Department has seen many instances where shutting off the water could have saved home or business owners’ time, money and hassle, but they didn’t know where the water shutoff was. Our advice- find your shutoffs! Show your family where to find them, show your employees where these are located, tell anyone who is housesitting for you where to find them, and put a tag on the main valve so it’s easily visible in an emergency. We have a printable tag on our site for just this purpose.

Quincy Mutual Group is dedicated to helping you maintain your lifestyle, and that includes easy tips that allow you to act quickly if an emergency arises. Prevent flooding; prevent hassle; prevent a claim! If you’re not a Quincy Mutual client yet, find your closest agent here.

Posted on

Offering Equipment Breakdown & Service Line Coverage

Kitchen

Did you know that Quincy Mutual offers Equipment Breakdown & Service Line coverages for homeowners? These coverages are very affordable solutions to some pretty expensive problems.

𝗘𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲

KitchenEquipment Breakdown protects you in the event of Mechanical, Electrical, or Pressure System breakdowns from televisions to security systems to pools and much more!

A single power surge could short-circuit the appliances in your kitchen; imagine paying for a replacement stove, refrigerator, dishwasher and microwave! What if your appliances are smart appliances? The cost could get out of hand quickly! This coverage would help pay to replace these items for you.

𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲

Construction_Underground_PipesIf you thought the utility lines on your property were covered under your standard homeowners insurance or that it’s the city’s responsibility to pay for repairs to these, you are mistaken. Water pipes, gas lines, cable lines, sewer lines- all cost thousands of dollars to repair or replace if needed!

Service Line coverage protects you if there is damage to underground piping, wiring, valves or attached devices that connect a home to a public utility service provider or private system!

You can find an interactive link that explains more about these coverages here. You can also contact your local Quincy Mutual Group agent with questions or to add this coverage to your homeowners policy. If you’re not a Quincy Mutual client yet, find your closest agent here.

Posted on

Winter Safety Guide

1

 

2
2

We’re officially in one of the most dreaded winter weather months — February. Historically, this month is infamous for heavy storms, frozen roadways, and the risk of dangerous conditions. In the coming days we know it is likely that temperatures will drop drastically. As you prepare for the cold, brush up on these safety tips.

Staying Warm and Avoiding Frostbite

  • Dress warmly in several layers of clothing—wear boots, gloves, or mittens and a hat when going outside.
  • Limit time outside for infants as they lose heat quickly.
  • Make sure to protect your pets and ensure they are not exposed to extreme temperatures.
  • Use the “buddy system” to monitor your physical reaction to the cold if you are going to be outdoors for an extended period of time.

Preparing your home

  • Sealing any drafts if the first step to keeping the inside of your home warm and the cold weather out. Doors and windows can leak heat 24/7, but weather-stripping will give you an added layer of protection.
  • Ensure all windows, storm windows and doors are closed; add insulation to prevent drafts.
  • Maintain consistent temperature in the home greater than 65 degrees.
  • Open cabinets and doors under sinks or where plumbing exists.
  • Turn off water to outside faucets and spickets, and open valves to let them drain. Allow hot and cold faucets in kitchen and bath to drip or single control faucet in the middle. Know the location of your water shut off valve for your home. If a pipe freeze does occur, call a plumber, and keep the faucet open when thawing to allow water to flow. If a plumber is not available, gradually warm the pipe to restore flow.
  • Make sure your fireplace, chimney, and furnace are all working properly in order to keep your home safe while heating it.
  • Close your fireplace flue when you are not using it.
  • Check current oil level, order fuel if necessary.
  • Insulate exposed pipes (both hot and cold), especially under house, with foam insulation.
  • Clean your gutters to avoid ice forming in them. Keep a roof rake on hand and clear excessive snow from the roof to prevent ice dams and avoid collapse if excessive amounts of snow fall.
  • Reverse your ceiling fans to help distribute heat through the house.
  • If a generator is used as backup, confirm it is operational and fuel is secured and stored properly.
  • Check on your elderly neighbors.
  • Check on any secondary or rental exposures to utilize the same loss prevention techniques as noted above.
  • Have some important essentials in your home as a Winter Preparedness Kit in the case that you may need them:
    • Flashlights and batteries
    • Battery operated radio
    • Bottled water
    • Medications and first aid kit
    • Blankets, warm clothes, and heating alternatives
    • Non-perishable foods.

Preparing your vehicle

  • If you can, fill up your gas tank.
  • Make sure you have the proper tires for icy conditions.
  • Having some important essentials in your car as well is also key:
    • Jumper Cables
    • Flashlight
    • First Aid Kit
    • Shovel
    • Ice Scraper
    • Warm Clothes
    • Hand Warmers
    • Blankets

Preparing your business

  • Freezing temperatures could force businesses to close down for several days. Investing in generators can help to ensure businesses will have constant power.
  • The ability to make arrangements to allow employees to work from home can help keep businesses operating if commuting becomes unsafe. If your employees still have to drive, remind them to take additional caution due to the winter weather. Drive slowly, give extra time to stop and change direction, bridges can be icy when other road surfaces are not, do not use cruise control during slippery conditions.
  • It is always helpful to ensure that there is adequate business coverage, including loss of business income, to help in the case of these events.
  • Here are some additional important things to note on winter preparation for your business:
    • Ensure the thermostat is set to at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit in all areas to keep pipes from freezing.
    • Turn off water to outside faucets and spickets, and open valves to let them drain. Allow hot and cold faucets in kitchen and bath to drip or single control faucet in the middle. Know the location of your water shut off valve for your home. If a pipe freeze does occur, call a plumber, and keep the faucet open when thawing to allow water to flow. If a plumber is not available, gradually warm the pipe to restore flow.
    • Open cabinets and doors under sinks or where plumbing exists.
    • Review winter storm contingencies and have alternative power options like generators.
    • Set expectation with employees and keep them informed.
    • If you are a landlord, you may want to send the information regarding preparing your home to tenants to keep them and the property safe as well.
    • Follow weather updates.
    • Add ice melt to sidewalks and periodically clear them to keep up with snow accumulation.
    • Add non-slip mats and fans for water removal by building entrances.
    • Hire a snow/ice removal service.
    • Repair any defects in sidewalks and walkways.
    • Inspect building insulation.
    • Add new tires to the business auto fleet.
    • Stay up to date on vehicle maintenance.
    • Maintain the roof of your building.
Posted on

Umbrella Insurance – Consider This

Umbrella

You’ve heard the term Umbrella policy before, but figured you already had insurance for your belongings. So why do you need this coverage? Consider this- you’re in an auto accident and the other driver sues you. The other driver wins the lawsuit against you and you’re now required to pay them $1 million, but your auto insurance only covers a portion of that. Now you’re on the hook for the remaining amount. Without an umbrella policy in place, this sum is an out of pocket expense not covered by your primary homeowner or automobile policies.

With an umbrella policy, this scenario plays out differently. You have an additional coverage that goes above and beyond what your auto insurance pays out. Instead of dipping into your personal finances to pay the other driver, you pull from your umbrella policy and avert the potential for financial struggles!

In a nutshell, an umbrella insurance policy offers you and your family additional liability protection over the basic coverage provided by your automobile, homeowners or boat policy. $1 million, $2 million, $3 million or $5 million ($3 and $5 million option not available in all states) limits are available.

If you would like more information on our products, or to add this coverage, please contact your existing Quincy Mutual agent or use our agent locator.

Posted on

Hauling Your Christmas Tree

Tree_Tie_Down

You know it’s the holiday season in New England when you see cars on their way home with a Christmas tree tied to their roof! While we love seeing this display of Christmas cheer, Quincy Mutual Group wants to ensure that if you’re planning to join the crowd traveling with trees, you are doing so correctly!

Step 1- Use the Right Vehicle: Trucks, minivans and SUVs are perfect for this task! They either have a bed in the back, or a roof rack for carrying items. We do NOT recommend that sedans or similar cars carry a tree home!

Step 2- Protect Your Vehicle: Avoid scratches and sap damaging your vehicle’s paint by throwing down a blanket before securing your tree.

Step 3- Correctly Position Your Tree: You’ll want to have the trunk of your tree facing the front of the vehicle. This allows for less resistance from the branches, which will be bundled toward the rear of your vehicle.

Step 4- Secure Your Tree: Don’t skimp on this part of the process. Weak tie-downs (or worse, the twine some tree lots offer) will not give the security needed for the tree’s trip home. Bring out the ratchet straps or bungee cords instead.

Step 5- Mind Your Speed: Slow and steady gets the tree home. Mind your speed, and take backroads home if needed. Going too fast or braking too suddenly could result in your tree coming loose and causing an accident or injury.

Step 6- Getting Your Tree Down: Just like in Step 2, you’re going to want to protect your vehicle. Consider leaving the tree on the blanket it traveled on, and use the blanket to gently carry the tree off your vehicle.

Avoid auto insurance claims and ensure the safety of your passengers, other motorists and pedestrians by following these tips. At Quincy Mutual Group, your road safety is very important to us. Visit our Agent Locator here and any of our 500+ agents can assist you with a car insurance quote!

Posted on

Guide To Commercial Auto Insurance

If you run a company that relies on the use of vehicles for yourself or employees to complete job-related tasks, a personal auto insurance policy isn’t sufficient coverage to protect you in the event of an accident or damage.

Commercial auto policies are designed to provide coverage for
the increased risks that come from a business’s daily operations.
If you have employees who spend a lot of time on the road, or you’re an individual who uses your personal vehicle to make money, here’s everything you need to know about commercial auto insurance:

What is commercial auto insurance?
Commercial auto insurance is a business insurance policy that applies to autos owned by or used for your business that protects against liability for damages caused by accidents involving your business autos. This type of policy also provides certain compensation to occupants of your business autos who may be injured in an accident.

The difference between personal and commercial auto policies
The main difference between commercial and personal auto insurance is the coverage provided. A personal auto policy provides coverage to protect you, your personal assets, and prevent you and your family from experiencing financial hardship. Commercial auto insurance provides coverage to protect you and businesses from auto-related lawsuits and settlements.
Another key factor to this policy is vehicle ownership. If your vehicles are owned by your business, they need to be covered under a commercial auto policy. That way, commercial auto insurance will help protect your business’s finances from costs related to accidents or other covered losses. It’s events like these — when you or your employees are driving one of your
business’s vehicles — where you need this protection most.

Do I need commercial auto insurance?
When do you need business auto insurance for your vehicle? Consider the following:

How is the vehicle used?

If you own a business, have a business owner policy, or general liability policy for your business, and own or use the auto in conjunction with your owned business, you’ll most likely need a commercial auto policy to protect those vehicles and your business.

Who owns the vehicle?
Your vehicle will most likely need commercial auto insurance if it’s owned by a business, but if you’re the sole proprietor, you might only need a personal auto insurance policy. For instance, if you only use your vehicle simply for commuting to and from work, you might be covered by your personal auto insurance policy. Contact your agent to make sure.

You’ll typically need commercial auto insurance if:
● Any of your vehicles are owned by a partnership, LLC, or corporation.
● Any of your vehicles are registered or titled to a business, including corporation or partnership.
● Any of your employees or you rent or lease vehicles for business purposes.
● Any non-listed drivers use their own vehicles to conduct business on your business’s behalf.

How is the vehicle being used?
The type of your vehicle, ownership and how the vehicle is used are important factors when determining if you need commercial auto insurance. Consider the following:
● Are any of your vehicles a dump truck, semi or commercial trailer?
● Do any of your vehicles, including pickups, vans or utility vehicles, exceed a gross weight of 15,000 pounds?
● Do any of your vehicles have catering equipment?
● Is your vehicle outfitted for snow plowing and not used for personal use snow plowing?
● Are any of your vehicles equipped with altered suspensions, hydraulic lifts?

Coverage included with commercial auto insurance
Like any insurance policy, coverage will vary based on your business’ specific needs. We recommend you review your policy thoroughly with your insurer, however, the following are common when it comes to a commercial auto insurance:
● Liability Coverage — Covers damage to you or another individual’s vehicle and any legal
costs related to an accident.
● Medical Payments Coverage — Covers the cost of treating injuries, rehabilitation, and, if applicable, lost wages and funeral expenses for you and your passengers as a result of an accident, no matter who is at fault.
● Uninsured/Underinsured Motorists Coverage (UI/UIM) — Coverage in the event that another driver involved in an accident does not have insurance or doesn’t have sufficient coverage to pay your medical bills. Nearly 14% of all drivers in the US are uninsured, so you’re taking your chances if you don’t add UM/UIM coverage to your commercial auto policy.
● Comprehensive Coverage — Payment to repair or replace your car if it’s damaged from an incident out of your control, such as fire, vandalism, theft, natural disasters, or animal collisions.

We hope this helps you better understand commercial auto insurance and whether it’s right for
you. Visit our website to find an agent near you who can help explain your coverage options.

Posted on

Wellness Tips for Hybrid Employees

Today, 51% of companies are in favor of a hybrid-remote work schedule for their employees. As more and more employers begin to adopt this type of working environment, it’s important to prioritize the well-being of individuals regardless of location to help avoid burnout, especially when the lines between work and home are blurred.

Here are some wellness tips to maintain productivity and boost overall success.

Set Boundaries
When you work and live in the same place, it can be challenging to maintain a separation between your personal and professional life. Your home becomes your office and vice versa. Unplugging has become more challenging than ever. Research shows remote workers log an average of four more hours per week than their on-site counterparts, ultimately leading to burnout and poor mental health.

To set healthy boundaries, get ready for the day as if you’re going to an office. Set up a space in your home designated for work tasks and work tasks only. When you sign off for the day, try to avoid checking email or answering calls following that time.

Schedule Breaks
In an office setting, you probably take breaks throughout the day to take a walk, eat lunch, get a coffee, or chat with colleagues. When you’re at home, you may just remain glued to your computer or work the entire day. Set an alarm to take breaks throughout the day at home and in the office so you get into a similar routine.

Avoid Tech Fatigue
In the era of Zoom meetings, everyone is spending more time on computers or technology in general than ever before. Aside from normal time spent on devices like phones, computers, and tablets, this added screen time can be detrimental to your vision. Here are a few ways to combat this:
● Shift out of full screen views to reduce the size of the window relative to your monitor. Also, keep your screens on a lower brightness setting.
● On Zoom calls, hide your self-view or opt for camera off options entirely.
● Use an external keyboard or mouse so you can set your screen up farther away from your face.
● Opt for phone calls when possible.

Promote Wellness in Company Culture
Step challenges, walking groups, and fitness contests are popular among offices and can be translated to remote work environments too. Promoting healthy activities and offering incentives like an extra vacation day to the winner can have a ripple effect on overall wellness and productivity in your employees.

Here are a few ideas to consider:
● Create an office intramural sports team.
● Offer group fitness classes for days employees are in office.
● Encourage walking breaks throughout the day.
● Offer reimbursement for gym memberships and fitness classes or equipment.

Plan Meetings with Purpose
With remote work, “meeting overload” has become a common culprit of burnout. Before you hit send on an invite, be sure you’re only inviting those who truly need to be present and make the meeting as efficient as possible.

No matter where you work from, employee wellness should always be a priority. We hope these tips help you implement some positive practices within your company.

Posted on

How To Prepare Your Home For Vacation

Planning a getaway this summer? We don’t blame you — it’s about time! Just don’t forget to make sure your home is prepared for your absence. There are a few things that homeowners often overlook as they get ready for a vacation; which is why we’ve put together the following list of tips and insights to help you enjoy your sunny retreat without hesitation.

1. Alert your alarm company

If you have an alarm system at home, make sure to arm it before you hit the road. Also be sure to let your alarm company know that you’ll be away. By knowing the dates that you will be away, they will know to alert authorities immediately if your alarm is set off.

2. Talk to your neighbors

Consider letting a trusted neighbor know that you’ll be away as well. If your neighbors are aware that you are away, they will know not to expect any cars in your driveway or people about your property. Keeping your neighbors in the loop will help them better recognize any potentially suspicious behavior occurring around your property, allowing them to alert the proper authorities if necessary.

3. Turn off all appliances

Be sure to turn off and unplug appliances! This can help minimize the risk of a fire starting while you’re away, while also saving you money on your electricity bill. Go through your home room by room before leaving and make sure any appliances that don’t need to be on are either off or unplugged. Think about items like televisions, kitchen appliances other than your fridge, window air conditioners, or cell phone or computer chargers.

Adjusting your thermostat/air conditioning depending on the season will also help you save on your energy bill.

4. Don’t forget to lock up!

It may sound obvious, but don’t forget to lock up! The simplest step you can take to safeguard your house before leaving is ensuring everything is locked up. Check all doors and windows to make sure everything is closed and locked — if you have a window air conditioning unit installed, consider taking this out and locking all windows before you leave as well. Avoid leaving a key out on your property. Instead, consider leaving a key with a trusted neighbor or relative, in case something comes up and your home needs to be tended to while you’re away.

5. Avoid Having Your Home Look Vacant

Consider installing timers on a few lights or lamps to make it appear as though someone is home while you are away. This way, you can set the lights to turn on in the evening instead of having your home remain dark for days. Installing motion sensor activated lights in outdoor areas, like outside of your front and back door, is also a great idea.

A full mailbox can also be an indicator that you are away. Be sure to stop or redirect your mail if you’re going to be away for a long time. You can contact your local post office about holding your mail while you’re away or about having it redirected to a relative/friend.

Lastly, you should consider how long you’ll be away. For example, scheduling a lawn service to cut your grass or landscape your property while you’re gone. This will make it look like you’re home and you’ll return to a neatly manicured lawn!

6. Insurance

Consider your insurance needs before you go. Will your auto policy cover you where you’re headed? Do you need additional coverage for a rental vehicle? Is your renters or homeowners insurance enough to cover the contents of your luggage or valuables you are traveling with in the event that they are lost or damaged? Keep all these considerations in mind while you’re away.

We hope these tips help give you peace of mind while you enjoy your trip. To learn more about how you can protect your home and your valuables, visit our website. www.quincymutual.com.

 

 

Posted on

Tips To Avoid Distracted Driving

On average, 170 people will die in a distracted driving related accident in Massachusetts every year, according to the NHTSA. From tending to a child in the backseat to sending a text, eating a sandwich, or checking your lipstick, there are countless ways to be distracted — even for 1 second — when you’re behind the wheel.

The Insurance Information Institute claims driving while interacting with a mobile device can increase the odds of a crash by as much as 3.5 times, compared to the risks that a sober, alert and attentive driver faces. Teens in particular are more susceptible to collisions, even when speaking hands-free on a mobile phone. Let’s explore the many ways you can help prevent distracted driving accidents.

Even implementing one of the following tips can help reduce your risk, but we recommended practicing them all to keep you, your passengers, and others safe on the road.

  1. Turn it off. Turn your phone off or switch to silent mode before you get in the car. If you’ll be tempted, put the phone somewhere out of reach while you’re in motion. If you’ll be on the road for an extended period of time, let friends, family and colleagues know so they don’t contact you during that time.
  2. Spread the word. Set up a special message to tell callers that you are driving and you’ll get back to them as soon as possible. Most phones have this capability now.
  3. Pull over. If you need to make a call or adjust your GPS, pull over to a safe area first.
  4. Use your passengers. Ask a passenger to communicate for you.
  5. Don’t read. You should NEVER text and drive, surf the web or read your email while driving. It is dangerous and against the law in most states.
  6. Prepare. Start your GPS or review maps and directions before you start to drive. If you need help when you are on the road, ask a passenger to help or pull over to a safe location to review the map and/or directions.
  7. Secure your pets. Pets can be a big distraction in the car. Always secure your pets properly before you start to drive.
  8. Keep the kids safe. Pull over to a safe location to address situations with your children in the car.
  9. Focus on the task at hand. Refrain from smoking, eating, drinking, reading and any other activity that takes your mind and eyes off the road.
  10. If you need to eat on the road, pull over into a parking lot until you’re done.
Posted on

Tips To Protect Your Vehicle During Pothole Season

Every year as spring rolls around and winter is in the rearview, New England drivers are faced with the havoc it wreaked on the roadways — potholes. After months of ice, freezing rain, fluctuating temperatures, and snowstorms, cracks start to develop and eventually turn into potholes under the weight of passing cars. As harmless as they may seem, driving over a single pothole can result in thousands of dollars in damages to your vehicle or leave you stranded on the side of the road. From popped tires to dented rims, dislodged wheels and even body damage to your car, it’s important to be extra mindful this time of year and take every precaution to avoid direct contact. 

Here are 5 tips to protect your vehicle this pothole season:

 

  • Inspect your tires

 

Tires provide the most important level of protection between your vehicle and a pothole. Before you leave, do a quick check of your tires for nails, worn-down tread, and deflation. Staying on top of these three indicators can help you avoid an unexpected flat tire. If you experience low tire pressure, your maintenance guide will tell you what the appropriate PSI (pounds per square inch) is for your vehicle.

 

  • Keep an eye on the road ahead of you

 

If you spot a pothole in advance, you may have time to safely avoid it. Remain alert and avoid distractions to best be prepared. If you do spot a pothole, check your mirrors and surrounding traffic before you swerve to avoid causing a collision or endangering a pedestrian or cyclist.

 

  • Drive slow

 

If you can’t avoid contact, slow down as much as possible. Hitting one of these at 20 miles per hour will inflict far less damage than if you hit one at 60 miles per hour, avoiding serious issues with your wheel and suspension systems.

 

  • Avoid puddles.

 

Where there’s a puddle, there’s likely a pothole underneath it and the water can make it difficult to know how big and deep the pothole is. Try to avoid them entirely if you can safely do so.

 

  • Conduct regular maintenance.

 

As always, the best way to prevent a problem is to take preventative measures. Performing regular maintenance on your vehicle can help identify potential issues and is your best bet for avoiding a costly claim. Stay up to date on routine procedures and be mindful of anything out of the ordinary, for example, hearing noises, noticing a slight veer to the left or right, or feeling a new vibration as you drive. These can all indicate vulnerabilities that can lead to costly problems if you hit a pothole.

We hope these tips help keep you and your vehicle safe this pothole season and beyond. If you have any related questions, please visit our website to find a local agent near you: https://www.quincymutual.com/find-agent.htm.