Happy December from Moynihan Insurance Agency, Inc.!!!

Here are some Useful Tips from the Division of Insurance for a Winter Road Trip…
#TipsTuesday #December #HappyHolidays #Roadtrip #Staywarm

Preparing for a Winter Road Trip:
Tips and Reminders

Top 5 Auto Insurance Tips
• Confirm your car insurance is active and premiums are up-to-date.

• Select liability limits that are appropriate to your financial circumstances. People with more assets generally need to select higher limits of liability than those with fewer assets. If you are found to be at-fault in an accident and purchased insufficient limits, your personal assets are at risk for the remaining financial obligation.

• If renting a car for the trip, check your policy to see if it includes coverage. Verify potential coverage limitations with your agent or company, and make sure you are not duplicating benefits from your existing auto, health or home insurance policy.

• Verify your home or renters insurance covers the theft of personal items from a car, especially if you are planning to carry expensive items in your car.

• Check to see if your policy includes roadside assistance. You can be covered for towing, fuel delivery, lockout service, jump-starts and more.

If you are unclear about your car insurance coverage or would like to learn how to lower car insurance costs, please contact the Massachusetts Division of Insurance at
(877)-563-4467 or visit the Division of Insurance’s website at
mass.gov/doi

Winterize Your Car
To avoid car troubles, schedule a tune-up a few weeks prior to your trip and be sure to get regular oil changes. If you want to do some basic maintenance yourself, here’s what Consumer Reports recommends you do:

• Maintain Visibility. If your car’s wipers leave streaks of water behind, or if the rubber on the wiper blade shows signs of stiffness or cracking, get a new set of wipers. Don’t use the wipers to remove ice from the windshield – keep an ice scraper on hand. If it’s going to snow the next day and your vehicle is parked outside, put the wipers into the raised position to keep them from freezing to the windshield.

• Use the Right Oil. Engine oil will thicken when it’s cold, making it harder on the engine. Always check the owner’s manual for the manufacturer’s recommendation, but generally speaking, you should use a multi-viscosity oil that has a W as part of the viscosity index. This means it’s formulated for winter use.

• Check Other Vital Fluids. This includes fluids for the engine, coolant, transmission, brakes, power steering and windshield washers.

• Maintain Hoses and Belts. You can check hoses on a cool engine by pinching them. There should be no soft spots or bulging areas. Feel for lengthwise cracks in the inner liner of the hoses. Check all belts for worn spots, cracks or shredding fabric reinforcement.

• Prep the Battery. For maintenance-free batteries, check the window on top to see if it’s fully charged. If it’s not, have it professionally tested. For conventional batteries, remove the plastic caps on top of the battery and check the fluid level. If it’s low, add distilled water. Make sure battery cables are securely attached to the terminals. If your battery is more than five years old, consider replacing it.

• Check the Brakes. If your car pulls to one side when you brake, or if you hear any grinding noises or feel unusual vibrations when you apply the brakes, take the vehicle to a mechanic.

• Make Sure You Have Appropriate Tires. Partially worn tires reduce your ability to stop or get going in snowy driving conditions. Winter tires have tread patterns and compounds that are specifically designed to grip snow and ice for good traction on slippery roads.

• Pack an Emergency Kit. It should include a flashlight, flares or reflective triangle, a distress sign, first aid supplies, basic tools, blankets, water, and a fully charged cell phone. If you have roadside assistance, store the number in a handy location.

Rental Insurance? Do You Have it? Do You Need It?

Car rental companies typically offer the following products at the counter. Check to see if they duplicate existing coverage before purchasing.

• Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) is also referred to as a Loss Damage Waiver (LDW). If you have comprehensive and collision coverage on your own car, you will likely not need this additional protection. Collision insurance covers the cost of repairs or the actual cash value of the vehicle, if damaged in a crash or rollover.

• Liability Insurance covers medical expenses and damages to another person’s property as a result of a car accident caused by the insured’s negligence. If you are adequately insured on your own car, you may consider forgoing this.

• Personal Accident Insurance offers coverage to the renter and passengers for medical bills resulting from a car crash. If you have adequate health insurance and disability income insurance, or are covered by personal injury protection under your own car insurance, you will likely not need this additional insurance.

• Personal Effects Coverage provides for the theft of personal items inside the rental car. If you have a homeowners or renters insurance policy, it generally covers this already. If you frequently travel with expensive jewelry or sports equipment, it may be more cost-effective to purchase a floater under your home or renters insurance policies so the items are fully protected when you travel.

We will be Closed on Thursday, November 26, 2015 to Celebrate the Holiday with our Friends & Families…

Wishing You and Your Families a Wonderful Thanksgiving!!!!

Wishing You and Your Family a Safe and Happy Thanksgiving from Everyone Here at Moynihan Insurance Agency, Inc.

If you are thinking about Buying a New Car, or Just want to Learn more about Automobile Insurance…

Check out our Facebook page and this Short Video detailing Auto Insurance.

https://www.facebook.com/moynihanins/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel

Happy Tuesday!!

Many and Sincere thanks to all of the Men and Women who have served for our Country and Protect our freedoms!
Happy Veteran’s Day!!

As Colder Weather and Winter Months Approach, Consider Being Pro-Active to Prevent or Minimize Ice Dams and Protect Your Home with These Useful Tips!!!…

Do you know what an ice dam can do to your home?
An ice dam can do serious damage to both your roof and the inside of your house. It can also destroy your gutters and downspouts. If the ice dam breaks free, it can pull shingles and gutters off with it, and can damage anything it falls on like shrubs, windowsills, cars, pets, and people! And, if the roof sheathing stays wet, mildew can form and rot the sheathing. Not good.

HOW DOES AN ICE DAM HAPPEN?
Ice dams happen when water from melting snow runs
down the surface of your roof and refreezes. As the cycle
of freezing and melting continues, ice builds up and begins
to “dam.” Sometimes the pooled water finds its way under
shingles and refreezes, lifting the shingles from the roof
deck and creating a spot for water to enter your house.

HOW TO PREVENT OR MINIMIZE ICE DAMS:

The time to prevent ice dams is before the weather
gets bad.

A qualified contractor can help by:
Sealing all points where warm air leaks from the living space
into the attic.
Insulating the attic space well enough to prevent conduction
and convection of heat through the ceilings in the living space.
Installation of proper ventilation in the attic to include soffit
ventilation and ridge ventilation to ensure heat that does
sneak into the attic is carried away.
Cleaning out your gutters, being prepared, sealing air
leaks, insulating your attic, and properly venting your attic
space can save you money and headaches when the cold
air descends. Your contractor can recommend the best
options to insulate and seal your attic space—and present
the best way to get rid of any warm air that sneaks into
your attic.

HOW TO FIGHT ICE DAMS:

Before the first flake:
After the leaves have fallen, have your gutters cleaned so
that when it snows, it will melt and go down the gutter like
it’s supposed to.
Buy a roof rake before they sell out (and avoid paying
top dollar!).

After a lot of flakes:
Keep gutters clear of snow, including the bottom of the
downspouts so that when snow melts the water flows freely.
Use your roof rake to remove snow from the roof and gutter
line. Danger: Be aware of electrical wiring!
Some people remove the bottom section of downspouts so
that they don’t get clogged and back up if they are buried
in the snow!

IF YOU GET AN ICE DAM:
Use a melting agent like calcium chloride—available at your
local hardware store. Do not use rock salt! Rock salt can
damage paint, “drain” pipes, and plants beneath the eaves—
wherever the salty water drains. As always, when dealing
with any chemicals, be mindful of children and pets!

Helpful hint: To make a pathway for the water to drain,
take a leg from an old pair of panty hose, fill with calcium
chloride, tie it off, and lay it vertically across the ice dam.
This will slowly melt its way through the ice dam, clearing
a path for the melted water underneath.
If you have to chip the ice away, never use an axe, blowtorch,
or hammer (or anything that may damage the shingles)
and again, always be mindful of the location of all electric
wiring. Use a ladder to access the area and have a partner
hold the ladder steady—watch for falling icicles!

As always, if you think the situation is unsafe or dangerous,
consider hiring a licensed and insured contractor to complete
the work.

Wishing Everyone a Safe & Happy Halloween!!

Booooo!!! ~Happy Halloween 2015~

As you and your family prepare to go Trick-or-Treating this weekend, …consider following these “lucky 13” safety tips, put out by the American Red Cross to prevent injuries.

Have a Safe & Happy Halloween from everyone at Moynihan Insurance Agency, Inc.

Here, at Moynihan Insurance Agency, Incorporated Tel: 508-853-8080, we are dedicated to giving You & Your family Individualized Attention with Excellent Customer Service.

Thank you for Your Business and for considering Referring Us to other Friends & Family.

A Helpful Freezing Weather Maintenance Checklist…