Drones and Insurance

damaged-drone-580x387

Love it or hate it, the future includes a lot more drones flying through our skies. The FAA projects that 2017 will be the turning point in the commercial adoption of drone technology. Among hobbyists and amateur drone operators, the future is now. Drones can be purchased on eBay or Amazon for under $50. So you or your child may soon be a drone owner. Here are some drone tips and suggestions for your drone and insurance:

  1. For the drone owner, the prevailing source of insurance coverage is through your Homeowner or Renters policy.
  2. The drone itself is Personal Property under your policy but subject to named perils and the deductible (often $500-$1000) is more than the value of the damaged drone.
  3. Liability coverage to damage done by the drone depends on the circumstances of the accident- especially if negligence is involved. If others are injured or the property of others is damaged by the drone, coverage may be found under the liability coverage of your Homeowner, Renters or Umbrella policy.
  4. Coverage for injury to the operator, the operator’s family or pets would have to be addressed through your medical insurance policy.   If the drone falls from the air and damages an auto, coverage could be found under the comprehensive section of the owner’s auto policy (or if identified, more likely the drone operator’s Homeowners or Renters policy).
  5. All drones over .55 pounds need to be registered through the Federal Aviation Agency. Here is the link to more FAA unmanned aircraft information FAA.gov, including registration. The cost starts at $5.00.
  6. A new company, Verifly, offers on-demand insurance for enthusiasts and commercial drone operators at a cost of about $10 per hour.

Note that we at Johnson & Rohan see insurance for the business of drones, for both commercial and consumer enthusiasts as developing rapidly and evolving.   We suggest giving us a call to review your particular coverage before your next drone launch.

Game Day Chicken Chili Recipe

chicken chili image

Ingredients

  •   4 cups chopped yellow onions (3 onions)
  • 1/8 cup extra virgin olive oil, plus extra for chicken
  • 1/8 cup minced garlic (2 cloves)
  • 2 red bell peppers, large diced (no core or seeds)
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus extra for chicken
  • 2 (28 ounce) cans diced tomatoes in puree, undrained
  • 1/4 cup minced fresh basil leaves
  • 4 split chicken breasts, bone in, skin on
  • Freshly ground black pepper

For serving:

  • Fine diced onions, corn chips, grated cheddar cheese, sour cream

Directions

  • Cook the onions in the oil over medium heat for 8-10 minutes, until translucent.  Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute.  Add the bell peppers, chili powder, cumin, red pepper flakes, cayenne and salt. Cook for 1 minute.  Add the diced tomatoes to the pot with the basil.  Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Rub the chicken breasts with olive oil and place them on a baking sheet.  Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Roast the chicken for 35-40 minutes, until just cooked. Let cool 3-5 minutes, then separate the meat from the bones and skin and cut into 1/2-3/4 inch chunks. Add the chicken to the chili and simmer, uncovered, for another 20 minutes.  Serve with toppings or refrigerate and reheat gently before serving.

10 Great Boston-Area Apple Picking Orchards

bag of apples

Belkin Family Lookout Farm

10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, 89 Pleasant St., South Natick, 508-653-0653, lookoutfarm.com

One of the oldest working farms in the country, Belkin Family Lookout is a staple in Boston, and the closest to the city. With Asian pears, apples, and pumpkins, your will find plenty to pick here. During the week, families can enjoy a hay pyramid, farm-themed play area, moon bounce, and more (all included in the admission fee). The weekends bring even more delights, with face painting, hayrides, and (for $5) pony and camel rides.

Brooksby Farm

9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily, 54 Felton St., Peabody, 978-531-7456, brooksbyfarm.org

In Brooksby’s farm-fresh store, the smell of cider fills the air, with doughnuts and fresh fudge abound. The store also takes on a heartwarming holiday theme throughout the seasons, with fresh pies and baked goods to fill gift baskets. Brooksby is perfect for a relaxing weekend, with barnyard animals and the perfect orchard for your apple-picking needs.

Dowse Orchards

9 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturdays & Sundays, 98 North Main St., Sherborn, 508-653-2639, dowseorchards.com

With 200 years of farm production and 60 years with a roadside farm stand, Dowse is definitely a safe bet for good fall fun. Fall at Dowse brings pumpkins, mums, and pick-your-own apples. In the beginning of October, many apple varieties reach their prime at Dowse, specifically Golden and Red Delicious. If your apples are going toward a sweet tooth, grab some Goldens for the perfect pie, or pick some Reds to slice for a salad.

Connors Farm

8 a.m.-6 p.m. daily, 30 Valley Road, Danvers, 978-777-1245, connorsfarm.com

Though apple picking is available all week, on weekends Connors Farm can’t be beat for activities. With a corn maze, hayrides, bouncy houses, pumpkin tetherball, and more, the weekends have countless family activities available. In October, Connors takes on Halloween, transforming into a haunted farm with a flashlight maze ($14), Haunted Corn Fields and Zombie Safari Paintball on Friday and Saturday nights (each $24.99 or $39.99 for both).

Boston Hill Farm

9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily (bags only sold until 5 p.m.), 1370 Turnpike St., North Andover, 978-681-8556, bostonhillfarm.com

If you are the eat-as-you-go type of apple picker, Boston Hill Farm is the place for you. September and October are prime time at Boston Hill for the Macintosh, Cortland, and Macoun apples, perfect for munching while picking. Along with the standard apple cider doughnuts, Boston Hill’s farm store has less traditional offerings like cinnamon doughnuts and sugar pumpkins (you can pick the real thing in their fields, too). After you’ve picked your fill, grab a scoop of Richardson’s ice cream and go hang out with the bunnies and sheep.

Highland Farm Orchard

10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily, 635 Highland St., Holliston, 508-429-8370, highlandfarmorchard.net

Though the apples are the only fruits available here for pick-your-own, Highland Farm Orchard is currently picking fresh yellow-and-white corn, Asian pears, and veggies daily to stock their store. With 11 different varieties in the orchard, Highland Farm keeps apple pickers around all season. If you can’t make it out before the end of October, Highland is the safest bet, as their Granny Smith, Pink Lady, and Braeburn apples will be ready in early November. Be careful—hayrides are reservation only, so be sure to call ahead to reserve one for your family.

Honeypot Hill

9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily, 138 Sudbury Road, Stow, 978-562-5666, honeypothill.com One of Boston’s premier orchards, Honeypot Hill is known for hayrides, delicious fresh cider and cider doughnuts, caramel apples, and apple pies. The whole family can enjoy the new Big Green Monster Hedge maze. On the weekends, Bosc pears are available for pick-your-own as well.

Shelburne Farm

9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily, 106 W. Acton Road,  Stow, 978-897-9287, shelburnefarm.comReady to start decorating for Halloween? Pick the perfect pumpkin at Shelburne for $0.60 per pound, or pick one up from the stand on your way out. On the weekends, a $5 pass gets parents and children into hay and tractor play areas for after-picking fun, or families can enjoy hayride tours of the orchard for the full experience.

Carver Hill Orchard

10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays; 12 p.m.-5 p.m. on Sundays, 101 Brookside Ave., Stow, 978-897-6117, carverhillorchard.comWith summer squash, eggplant, corn, and beans, Carver Hill Orchard offers year-round picking, but comes to the height of its pick-your-own season with the fall apple and pumpkin selection. Macintosh, Macoun, Honey Crisp, Baldwin, and more apples line the rows at this farm.

Smolak Farms

7 a.m.-6 p.m. daily, 315 South Bradford St., North Andover, 978-682-6332, smolakfarms.com

With the most varieties of any farm near Boston, Smolak Farms is the best choice for varied picking. In the Antique Apple Orchard, Smolak Farms grows 20 types of apples, preserving some varieties that are no longer grown commercially, including the Pink Pearl and Sheepnose. The farm has four other orchards, with plenty of unique options for visitors. With hayrides, activities, animals, and more, Smolak Farms is an all-around winner.

Apple picking is about more than juicy fruits. A lot of farms also offer fun activities for the whole family. Happy fall from Johnson & Rohan!

girls in wagon

 

Registry Extends Renewal Date

Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles

If you have not received your December personal or commercial automobile registrations from the Registry of Motor Vehicles: fear not.

Due to a “mailing issue,” the RMV has announced they are still renewing registrations that expire in December.

The RMV has advised that although the majority of registration renewal applications for November and December registrations have been processed, customers should expect to receive their registration and decal by January 15, 2016.

The RMV has asked law enforcement to recognize a grace period (through January 15, 2016).

If you’re waiting past this date, give us a call to check on the status of your registration!