Blog Archives

Does your car have an emergency kit?

6/19/2023

Are you prepared for a roadside emergency?

All it takes is bad weather, an accident or a flat tire to leave you stranded. You could be commuting to work, taking a road trip or visiting friends and family.
Be ready for the worst-case scenario with a vehicle emergency kit. Whether you can get back on the road or need to wait for help, these five items will help you stay safe (and as comfortable as possible) in the meantime.

Road Flares
Flares alert other drivers that a disabled vehicle is ahead. This can protect you from getting hit if there’s a narrow shoulder, it’s dark outside or you’re in a low-visibility spot. Choose from traditional flares that ignite like a match or battery-powered LED flares.
Jumper Cables
Use another vehicle or a portable jump starter to jump-start a dead battery with these. Read your vehicle’s manual to know where your battery is located, if any specific instructions should be followed, and whether or not jump starting is recommended.
Car Chargers
If you need to call for help or use the flashlight on your phone, you don’t want to discover your cell phone is dead. It’s also a good idea to keep a portable charger or power bank on hand if you can’t use a plug-in charger because your car battery is dead.
Blankets and Warm Clothing
Being stranded in the cold isn’t fun — and it could be dangerous. If you can’t run your car’s heater, have blankets and a spare sweatshirt, hat and gloves on hand to keep you warm until help arrives.
Snacks and Water
You could get hungry if you have to wait a while for the road to clear or for help to arrive. Keep protein bars and other shelf-stable snacks, as well as bottled water, in your vehicle.

Staying safe and being prepared are important while you’re on the road. If you have questions about your car insurance coverage, reach out to get answers.

free quote

0 Comments

How to Care for Your Home's Foundation

6/14/2023

0 Comments

When was the last time you took a look at your home’s foundation?

Maintaining a solid foundation is crucial to ensure the safety and stability of your property — and making prompt repairs will protect you from larger, more expensive problems down the road.
Regardless of the age of your house, inspecting the foundation should be part of your annual to-do list.

Here are five things you can do to avoid damage and maintain a solid foundation.

Check for signs of foundation damage.

Inspect the exterior of your house for large cracks in the foundation. Inside, look for crumbling, bowing or sagging walls. Diagonal cracks on interior walls and cracks in the floor or ceiling can also indicate foundation problems. If you spot issues, it’s best to call an experienced professional for repairs.

Keep water from pooling around the foundation.

Too much water can cause foundation upheaval. Make sure you have proper drainage in the form of gutters, downspouts, downspout extensions and soil sloping to carry excess water away from the foundation.

Keep the soil moist.

While you don’t want to drown your foundation in water, you also don’t want clay-rich soil to get too dry, potentially causing cracks in your foundation. If you live in a dry climate or have dry seasons, you want to keep the soil moist enough to prevent contraction.

Control vegetation near the foundation.

Attractive landscaping adds to your home’s curb appeal, but stick to smaller plants for gardens that border your home’s foundation. Tree roots can cause problems with your foundation, so it’s best to plant trees in other areas of your yard.

Repair any damage promptly.

When it comes to home maintenance, whether with your foundation or something else, catching and repairing problems as soon as possible can save you money and headaches in the future.

Do you have questions about maintaining your home or your insurance coverage? Reach out today.

free quote

0 Comments

Why You Should Do an Annual Check-In

6/7/2023

0 Comments

When was the last time you gave your home and auto insurance policies an annual checkup?

A lot can happen in a year, and reviewing your current coverage is worthwhile to see if anything needs to be updated or changed.

Keep reading to learn why you should check in on your policies.

Major Home Renovation

If you added on to your home, upgraded the kitchen and bathrooms, or made any other big changes to the property, make sure you have enough dwelling coverage to rebuild your newly remodeled home.
Even if you’ve only done minor renovations, rising construction labor and materials prices could mean that your coverage wouldn’t be enough to rebuild your home in its current condition. In that case, you’ll want to increase your coverage to avoid having to foot some of the bills yourself.

Addition of Valuable Objects

Have you purchased or inherited valuable artwork, antiques or jewelry in the past year? It’s time to update your home inventory and see if you have the proper policies to replace the value of the items inside your home. And if you added a home security system to protect your valuables, you may be eligible for a discount.

Change in Marital Status

Did you get married recently? You could be eligible for a discount if you bundle home and auto insurance policies with your new spouse.
If you got divorced or your spouse has passed, you can no longer be on a joint car or home insurance policy with that person. Reach out to get a quote for your own policy.

Payments on an Auto Loan

Review your auto insurance coverage to see if it still meets your needs. For example, if you’ve paid enough of your auto loan down, you may no longer need gap insurance. If you’ve changed jobs and are doing less driving, you may be able to get a discount.

Do you have questions about your coverage? Reach out so we can discuss your

quote now and save

0 Comments

Why bundle your home and auto policies?

6/5/2023

0 Comments

Are you missing out on savings? If you have insurance policies with more than one company, the answer is most likely yes.

The commercials are true: Bundling insurance policies is often cheaper and more convenient when done with a single insurer. But why?

While bundling may not be right for everyone, here is the how – and the why – on insurance bundling. Then you can make your own decision.

What does it mean to bundle my home and auto insurance?

Bundling your home (or renter’s) and auto insurance means getting both policies from the same insurer. You can ask for a quote to see your potential savings before you make a switch.

1. Save money when you bundle policies.

You probably have to have home and auto insurance anyway, so you want to get the best possible deal on your coverage. You may be eligible for a multipolicy discount when you get more than one insurance policy from the same company. This is in addition to any other discounts you receive, such as for a good driving record.

2. Simplify payments and organization.

Bundling your insurance coverage can help you simplify with one monthly payment instead of several. It’s also easier to keep up with your policies when you can view all your insurance documents in one place. Check your coverage, ask a question, and file a claim — all from the same online portal or mobile app. If your insurance needs to change in the future, you just have one phone call to make.

3. Increase your convenience as a customer.

If you file claims often, it's better to have a company that knows and values you as a customer. And even if you don’t file many claims, holding multiple policies with a single insurer gives more business to a company that has given you superior customer service in the past.

If you have any questions, reach out for help.

free quote

0 Comments

Solving a Pest Problem in Your Home

6/2/2023

0 Comments

Do you have uninvited guests in your home? Depending on where you live, pests could be a year-round or seasonal issue, but they are never welcome. Nothing shatters your sense of peace and comfort in your home like discovering mice, termites, ants or other pests looking for food and shelter.

Luckily, there are tried-and-true methods for dealing with bugs and rodents in both the short and long terms. Keep reading to discover the best pest control solutions for your home.

Short-Term Pest Control Solutions

Once you’ve spotted signs of an infestation in your home, here’s what you can do to control the problem immediately:

Use poison and traps to eliminate ants, roaches, flies, mice or whatever pests you’re dealing with.
Treat your pets with flea medicine.
Seal entry points to keep bugs and rodents out.
Keep your home clean, and don’t leave food out.
Remove standing water that could be a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

Long-Term Pest Control Solutions

Once you get things under control for now, you’ll want to address the root cause to keep pests away for the long run.

Fix moisture issues or leaks that may be attracting pests.
Patch up cracks or gaps in your home’s structure.
Insulate your attic to keep mice and other rodents from getting in.
Proactively schedule regular pest inspections and treatments.

While no one enjoys dealing with pest issues, regular maintenance and prevention can help keep your home a haven — but only for you and your human guests.

Have questions about homeownership or insurance? Reach out so we can discuss your coverage.

free quoyr

0 Comments

Testimonials & Endorsements for the Best Insurance Agent on Cape Cod, MA

PHONE: (800) 479-2601 CUSTOMER SUPPORT & SERVICE

Please note: The above is meant as general information to help you understand the different aspects of insurance. This information is not an insurance policy, does not refer to any specific insurance policy, and does not modify any provisions, limitations, or exclusions expressly stated in any insurance policy. Descriptions of all coverages and other features on this page are necessarily brief; in order to fully understand the coverages and other features of a specific insurance policy, we encourage you to read the applicable policy and/or speak to an insurance representative. Coverages and other features vary between insurers, vary by state, and are not available in all states. Whether an accident or other loss is covered is subject to the terms and conditions of the actual insurance policy or policies involved in the claim. References to average or typical premiums, amounts of losses, deductibles, costs of coverages/repair, etc., are illustrative and may not apply to your situation. We are not responsible for the content of any third-party sites linked from this page. Arthur D. Calfee Insurance Agency, Inc. respects your privacy. No mobile information will be shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes. All categories above exclude text messaging originator opt-in data and consent; this information will not be shared with any third parties. We use SMS communications solely for direct customer service and account-related purposes. We do not use SMS for unsolicited marketing communications.

Does your car have an emergency kit?

How to Care for Your Home's Foundation

Why You Should Do an Annual Check-In

Why bundle your home and auto policies?

Solving a Pest Problem in Your Home

Real Estate

Archives

Categories

Testimonials & Endorsements for the Best Insurance Agent on Cape Cod, MA

CAPE COD MASSACHUSETTS HOME INSURANCE

Arthur D. Calfee Insurance Agency, Inc.

FLOOD

PHONE: (800) 479-2601 CUSTOMER SUPPORT & SERVICE