Blizzard of 2015

If you are reporting a claim during off hours you can do so directly, 24 hours per day/ 7 days per week. Have your policy number ready and call …

Blizzard 2015

Here in Massachusetts, the Blizzard of 2015 is bearing down us.The National Weather Service has advised:

A crippling and potentially historic Blizzard will impact the area mainly from late today (January 26th) into Tuesday, lingering into early Wednesday (January 28th).

Blizzard Warning remains in effect from 7 pm this evening to 1 am EST Wednesday.

  • Locations: eastern and southeastern Massachusetts as well as all of Rhode Island.
  • Hazard types: Heavy snow, strong winds and blizzard conditions. Considerable blowing and drifting snow. Strong to damaging winds.
  • Accumulations: snow accumulations of around 20 to 30 inches. With locally higher amounts. Snowfall rates of 2 to 4 inches an hour at times.
  • Timing: while the storm is expected to begin late today and linger into early Wednesday, the worst of the storm will be tonight through Tuesday afternoon.
  • Impacts: Heavy snow and strong winds will result in White-out / blizzard conditions with near zero visibility. Travel will be impossible and life threatening across the entire region. Also snow may be wet enough to result in downed tree limbs and power outages in addition to the winds.
  • Winds: North-northeast 15 to 25 mph with gusts around 65 to 75 mph. The height of the winds will be late tonight into Tuesday.
  • Visibilities: one quarter mile or less at times.

A Blizzard Warning is issued when sustained winds or frequent gusts over 35 mph are expected with considerable falling and/or blowing and drifting snow. Visibilities will become poor with Whiteout conditions at times. Those venturing outdoors may become lost or disoriented, so persons in the warning area are advised to stay indoors.

All unnecessary travel is discouraged beginning Monday afternoon. To allow people already on the road to safely reach their destination before the heavy snow begins, and to allow snow removal equipment to begin to clear roads.

Storm Safety Tips:

  • Check your supplies.
  • Make sure you have a snow shovel and ice melt to keep walkways clear and safe.
  • Check that you have sufficient heating fuel for your home and fuel for your generator, if you have one.
  • If you will be using a fireplace or wood-burning stove, you should have a good supply of dry, seasoned wood.
  • Have warm clothing and blankets on hand and stock non-perishable food items and necessary medications to last you and your family several days.
  • Get ready for a power outage. Turn your heat up now and close off any rooms that are not in use.
  • Check pipe insulation and allow water to run at a trickle to prevent pipes from freezing.
  • Charge your battery-powered electronic and communications devices.
  • Get out your flashlights, batteries, first aid kit and other emergency supplies.
  • Don’t drive or go out unless absolutely necessary.
  • Test all of your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to ensure they work properly.
  • Do not let candles burn unattended, and keep them away from combustibles.
  • Check on your elderly or disabled neighbors, friends and families.
  • Enjoy your family! Sometimes storms render the best family time memories.

Johnson & Rohan Insurance hopes everyone has a warm and safe Blizzard of ‘1

Available 24 hours per day/ 7 days per week!

If you are reporting a claim during off hours you can do so directly, have your policy number ready and call:

Premier/Travelers: 1-800-252-4633
Safety Insurance: 1-800-951-2100
Vermont Mutual: 1-800-435-0397
MPIUA: 1-800-392-6108

Otherwise if you would like to report a claim to our Agency, what kind of claim are you reporting?

Auto Claim Commercial Claim
Home Claim Other Claim

Location and Car Insurance Rates

Where you live has a significant effect on how much you pay for car insurance. The insurance companies have information that shows residents living in one area are more likely to file claims that those living elsewhere …

MA Auto Insurance Rates

Where you live has a significant effect on how much you pay for car insurance. The insurance companies have information that shows residents living in one area are more likely to file claims that those living elsewhere.

The types of claims made fall into two categories: claims arising from an accident and claims stemming from theft or vandalism of your car. Generally speaking, the insurance companies calculate the likelihood that you’ll have an accident based on the state or county you live in.

They’ll predict the likelihood of your car being stolen or vandalized based on the city or neighborhood you live in.

It’s easy to see why. You get in accidents when your car is moving, and it likely covers several miles a day and encounters other cars that themselves have traveled miles. So the probability of an accident depends on what’s happening on all those roads you’re traveling.

But your car is stolen or vandalized while it’s parked. So the spot you park it regularly – near your home or workplace — is what’s most important.

Sometimes you’ll hear people say that you’ll pay higher auto insurance rates if you live in a city than if you live in a rural area, but it’s not that simple.

It’s true that the states with the lowest average auto insurance rates* – Vermont, South Carolina and Maine – are predominantly rural with few large urban areas. But two of the states with the highest rate – Oklahoma and Montana – are mainly rural. (Michigan residents pay the highest in the country.)

What causes high insurance rates in rural areas?

Wide-open spaces, a small population – Montana seems an unlikely state to have high insurance premiums. What gives?

It’s not the famous no-speed-limit highways that the state once had. Rather, it’s because residents in Montana, like those in many rural states, travel long distances as part of their daily routine. More time behind the wheel means more likelihood of an accident.

Rates are pushed up in many states by high percentages of uninsured motorists. Mississippi, for example, is the nation’s poorest state and has the highest percentage of uninsured motorists. That means fewer people proportionately have insurance. To cover the expenses associated with an accident, insurance companies have to charge higher premiums.

In addition, some rural areas have treacherous roadways or a relatively high percentage of drunk drivers, leading to more wrecks. And in Oklahoma’s case, blame it on the weather. Frequent hail storms leave cars full of dents, and their owners turn to insurance companies to cover the damage.

The city life: Should you move?

You likely won’t move to another state to save on auto insurance, but within your city you actually have some ability to affect your rates. If your neighborhood gets regular visits from guys carrying tools to pry open locked car doors, you’re probably paying more than you would if you lived in a quiet, suburban neighborhood.

If you don’t want to leave your theft-prone neighborhood but are parking on the street, you could drop your rates slightly by parking in a locked garage. And finally, if your car has theft-deterrent equipment, you may save a small percentage on your premiums.

Of course, location is only part of what determines car insurance costs, and insurance companies differ in how they weigh all the factors.

To ensure you’re getting the best possible deal on your rates, no matter where you live in Massachusetts, contact Johnson & Rohan Insurance.