The Homestead Act

The Homestead Act is designed to allow homeowners in Massachusetts to protect their primary residence against subsequent attachment, levy or sale to satisfy debts up to $500,000 …

The Homestead Act is designed to allow homeowners in Massachusetts to protect their primary residence against subsequent attachment, levy or sale to satisfy debts up to $500,000.

The Homestead Law does not protect against: taxes or mortgages used to purchase the residence.

Homeowners must file for the Homestead Act with The Registry of Deeds office in the county where your is located.

Massachusetts charges a one time Filing Fee of $35 for a Declaration of Homestead.

Please call us for more information or to find out where you should file. 

Link: Declaration of Homestead Form

Link: Declaration of Homestead Form (trusts)

Link: Locate my MA Registry of Deeds Office

Johnson & Rohan Advantage

Johnson & Rohan Insurance Advantage:
– We assist you at claim time
– We rate with 7 auto insurance companies. This allows us to find the lowest premiums and best insurance programs …

Johnson & Rohan Insurance Advantage:

We hope you value your relationship with us.

Some of our advantages:

  • We assist you at claim time
  • We rate with 7 auto insurance companies. This allows us to find the lowest premiums and best insurance programs.
  • We’re not beholden to any one company; thus, you don’t need to change agents as your insurance and service needs change.
  • We are your personal insurance consultant, working with you as you determine your needs.
  • We offer one-stop shopping for a full range of products including: home, renters, condo, auto, business, life and health insurance.
  • We periodically help you review your coverage to keep up with your changing insurance needs.
  • When billing questions or issues arise, we are here to assist you.
  • We treat you like a person, not just another number.
  • We assist with the Registry of Motor Vehicles.
  • Serving you is important to us, both as a business and as a family.

Happy 4th of July!

From our family to your family: have a great, happy, and safe 4th of July!

This week our office will be closed on Independence Day, July 4th, and open for business on Friday, July 5th.

The 4th of July is one of our favorite holidays.

Parades, family, fireworks, cook-outs, ice cream, pool parties and kids on summer vacation.

It doesn’t get much better than this.

From our family to your family: have a great, happy, and safe 4th of July!

This week our office will be closed on Independence Day, July 4th, and open for business on Friday, July 5th.

For 10 months out of the year Johnson & Rohan Insurance is open 6 days per week. Monday – Saturday.

During the months of July and August, we are only open 5 days per week. Monday – Friday.

Agency Spotlight: Safety’s Shield Plus Endorsement

This week’s Johnson & Rohan Insurance’s web log edition feature’s our Agency Spotlight on Safety Insurance’s: Safety Shield Plus endorsement.

 

There are two terrific endorsements that some insurance companies in Massachusetts offer, namely: Disappearing Deductible and Accident Forgiveness.

This week’s Johnson & Rohan Insurance’s web log edition feature’s our Agency Spotlight on Safety Insurance’s: Shield Plus Endorsement.

The endorsement is only available to “99” and “98” drivers (violation and accident free for at least 5 years) and costs $35 per vehicle.

The endorsement includes:

  • -$500 Disappearing Collision Deductible Credit
  • Accident Forgiveness (If in an accident during the policy term, Safety Insurance will not apply additional accident surcharge points to your driving record!)
  • Air Bag Coverage
  • Personal Effects Coverage
  • Rental vehicle Loss of Income
  • Emergency Road Travel Expenses
  • Supplemental Towing & Labor
  • Extended Substitute Transportation
  • Seat Belt Coverage
  • Pet Coverage
  • Extended Substitute Transportation

Often we recommend this endorsement. If you presently carry a $500 Collision deductible, you can typically save between $100 – $200 annually by carrying a $1,000 Collision deductible. The Safety Shield Plus endorsement, with it’s -$500 disappearing deductible feature, lowers the $1,000 deductible to $500.

By adding the endorsement and increasing your deductible, you can save money and have better coverage (accident forgiveness).

Please call or click if you would like to discuss your insurance.

Don’t Let Your Inspection Sticker Lapse!

Perhaps the cruelest and most frustrating of all surcharge points on the MA personal auto policy is the one for an expired inspection sticker …

Perhaps the cruelest and most frustrating of all surcharge points on the MA personal auto policy is the one for an ”expired inspection sticker.”

A ticket for an expired vehicle inspection sticker is the equivalent, in auto insurance surcharge points, to a moving violation.

According to the MA Department of Insurance:

Surcharge points are incurred if you:

  • cause an at-fault accident
  • are convicted of or pay a fine for a traffic law violation
  • are assigned to an alcohol education program

An expired inspection sticker is considered “pay(ing) a fine for a traffic law violation.”

A $40 ticket results in increased insurance costs for 6 years! About 20% increase the first three years, diminshing the following three .

So remember:  Check your MA Inspection Sticker & don’t let it lapse!

Home Insurance Savings Tips

Following please find some measures that can be taken to lessen the possibility of home insurance losses which will ensure greater insurability and more affordable premiums down the road …

Following please find some measures that can be taken to lessen the possibility of home insurance losses which will ensure greater insurability and more affordable premiums down the road.

Some ideas to help reduce losses and save premium dollars:

  • Replace washing machine hoses when they show signs of deterioration. Consider replaceing them with stainless steel hoses. Hoses should not rub against the wall. In addition, turn off the washing machine water faucet when the appliance is not in use to help prevent leaks.
  • If you suffer a water leak, make sure it is properly repaired and promptly remediated. This will reduce the possibility of hazardous and expensive mold losses down the road. Mold or rot is typically excluded, or extremely limited on the standard home insurance policy.
  • Consider installing an automatic water shut-off system for your home. These systems have sensors that detect water leaks. Sensors send a wireless signal that interacets with the shut-off valve to turn off the water to the home.
  • Maintain your roof. A qualifty roof inspection on a periodic basis can identify sections that need repair or replacement which help prevent water losses.  

Term Life Insurance

It makes sense to protect what you value. You insure your car, your home, and your valuables. What about you and your family? Without life insurance, you leave your family open to risk.

It makes sense to protect what you value. You insure your car, your home, and your valuables. What about you and your family? Without life insurance, you leave your family open to risk. If you have a policy in place perhaps you should think about replacing or adding another. You should review your life insurance every time a major change happens in your life – a marriage, birth of a child, purchase of a house, or starting a business. Fortunately, life insurance can be surprisingly easy and affordable. It’s cliché but “life insurance isn’t for the people who die. It’s for the people who live.” We have the most competitive markets for life insurance in the state including rates from SBLI and Banner Life along with many other companies. Please give us a call if you would like to get rates or discuss.

Rate & re-rate …

Johnson & Rohan Insurance spends an inordinate amount of time rating and re-rating our clients auto & home insurance.

We find that insurance companies, over time, increase coverage, decrease discount programs and premiums — as a result — go up and up and up.

Johnson & Rohan Insurance spends an inordinate amount of time rating and re-rating our clients auto & home insurance.

We find that insurance companies, over time, increase coverage, decrease discount programs and premiums — as a result — go up and up and up.

Prior to us sending out our clients’ renewals, we rate and re-rate auto & home insurance.

Although time consuming, we find the best way to keep our clients is by pro-actively shopping renewals, making coverage and carrier suggestions, and by offering different companies if there is a lower premium available.

If you are wondering if you are getting the lowest available premium, please stop by, call or click us today!

Thank you for insuring with us.

Advanced Driver Training

 

The number one killer of teens is automobile accidents.

Johnson & Rohan Insurance promotes safe driving and recommends In Control Advanced Driver Training.

Many companies offer an Advanced Driver Training discount, one company in particular (Safety Insurance) supplements the cost of the class. Instead of paying the standard rate of $299, Safety Insurance clients pay only $75.

In addition, clients receive a 5% discount on their auto insurance (Safe Roads Alliance).

In Control is a non-profit organization filed as a 501(c)(3) and offers the nation’s first state certified crash prevention training to drivers of all ages. This closed course, hands-on education was adapted from existing law enforcement training in the United States as well as European instruction that led to a societal shift in attitudes toward driving in many countries.  

In Control has trained nearly 25,000 students and receives endless praise from graduates, parents, schools, police departments, insurance companies, legislators and community groups all over New England.   Most graduates enjoy insurance discounts and the peace of mind knowing that they have been trained for emergency situations.  Third party research has found a 70% reduction in crashes for new driver graduates of our training and similar results for experienced drivers trained through our commercial programs.

While focused on training New England drivers of all ages, In Control has traveled the United States providing training, consulting and products to keep people safe from the most dangerous thing we do.

Call, click, or stop by to find out more about Advanced Driver Training and other Massachusetts auto insurance discount programs

Spring Newsletter …

Did you receive your Spring Newsletter from us?

Articles include: Insurance Coverage & Discount Program Review; Home Insurance Basics, Accident Forgiveness & the Accident At-fault Appeal Process.

If you did not get your newsletter in the mail from us, don’t worry … it will soon be archived in the newsletter section of our website!

In addition, here’s a sneak peak…

Did you receive your Spring Newsletter from us?

Articles include: Insurance Coverage & Discount Program Review; Home Insurance Basics, Accident Forgiveness & the Accident At-fault Appeal Process.

If you did not get your newsletter in the mail from us, don’t worry … it will soon be archived in the newsletter section of our website!

In addition, here’s a sneak peak:

Insurance Coverage …

It is important to understand your insurance coverage.

Each year at renewal time, visit, phone, or exchange e-mails with us. We are here to help.

Become an engaged insurance consumer!

Some questions to ask us:

  • Do we carry adequate liability limits? Limits should equal, at least, your net worth.
  • Should we carry Umbrella coverage?
  • What is the value of our vehicle? If the value is low, should we still carry collision coverage?
  • If our car loan is paid off, should we remove the lienholder on our policy?
  • Are we getting all available discounts?

Call us for your annual insurance review, explanation of coverage, and discount double-check.