Bundling your home and auto insurance can save you money.
Bundling (combining) your auto and home insurance policies
together with the same Insurance Company and Agent can be one of the best ways to save money on Insurance costs. In fact, bundling policies provides one the highest discounts available, on both policies.
The reason that insurance companies give their best discounts to their customers who have multiple policies is that it is the easiest way they have to attract and keep new business. A customer who is saving hundreds of dollars by keeping all of their policies with the same insurance company is more likely to move their business to qualify for the savings and much less likely leave(once they have the discount in place). Insurance companies are always looking for ways to acquire additional business, that doesn’t cost them a lot of time, effort, or money to keep. It is just that simple and keeping business simple means savings to the insurance company as well as you, the customer!
For the customer, there are several additional benefits besides saving a money. Customers get the convenience of having all of their policies with one Agent and that means being able to deal with the same individual on a consistent basis. This often means just one bill to pay, making monthly budgeting a lot easier. In the event of an Claim emergency or disaster, having all of your policies together with the same agent or company means peace of mind and, once again, that comes from dealing with the same individuals that you have a strong relationship with. Some companies will even assign the same adjuster to all of your policies. In the event that you have to claim on multiple policies, this can make life a lot easier since you will not have multiple insurance companies trying to get the other one to pay out on your claims.
Keeping your car and home insurance with the same agent and company is a great idea for people living in Dudley MA, Webster MA and Oxford, MA areas. It allows these customers to save money and simplify their lives.
What to do in case of an auto accident
Automobile accidents are unexpected and stressful and can leave 
even the most experienced motorists shocked, stunned and more than a little shaken. If you are in an accident, O’Connor & Co. Insurance Agency is committed to helping restore your peace of mind as soon as possible.
Accidents happen and they can be quite upsetting, especially if you don’t know what to do after it happens. Whether it was your fault, or the other driver’s, it’s important to know what steps to take following an accident to make filing your claim a little easier:
If you’re in an auto accident, obtain the following information:
- Date, time, and city of the accident
- Accident location (street names and landmarks)
- Year, make, model, color and plate number of the other vehicle
- Driver’s name, address, and telephone number of other vehicle
- Owner’s name, address, and phone number (if not the driver)
- Name, address, and phone number of occupants in all vehicle(s) involved in the accident
- Name of the insurance carrier for the other vehicle
- Policy number for the other vehicle, if possible
- Name and phone number of witnesses
- If your vehicle has to be towed, make sure to get the tow companies information
CLICK HERE to pull up an Accident Reporting Form to print and keep
in your glove compartment. This form will help you to gather the Clipboardnecessary information in the event of an accident.
Once you have collected the information from the accident; contact us at the agency and we will set up your insurance claim, go over the claim process with you, and address any questions or concerns you may have.
You do not have to get an estimate on your own. An appraiser from your insurance company will determine the dollar amount of damages to your vehicle. The appraiser may be available at a drive-in appraisal location designated from your insurance company or an appointment can be set up for the appraiser to see your vehicle at your convenience.
An insurance adjuster will be assigned to your claim and the adjuster will determine the final settlement and the liability of your accident.
A Commonwealth of Massachusetts Crash Operator Report must be completed if damage to either vehicle is over $1000 or if anyone in either vehicle is injured. We have crash reports at the agency and can help you fill it out. We can also forward the report to your insurance adjuster, police, and Registry of Motor Vehicles.
Automobile accidents take a toll on everyone involved; financially, emotionally and sometimes physically. The claim process will be easier following an accident if you know the details of your policy. If you have any people in car questions regarding what would be covered in the event of an accident we are here to help make sure you have the correct coverage for your specific needs.
Side notes:
Collision Coverage: An optional coverage that provides money to repair your vehicle no matter whose fault the accident is. Your deductible will be applied, if you are found at fault. This coverage is required by most banks, if you have a loan on your car.
Comprehensive Coverage: An optional coverage that provides protection against: fire, theft, glass breaks, vandalism, hail, flood, malicious mischief and contact with birds or animals. Although comprehensive coverage does come with a deductible, there is no deductible on glass replacements or repairs.
Substitute Transportation: An optional coverage that reimburses you up to the limits shown on your policy’s declaration page. Substitute transportation provides coverage for certain situations if your vehicle was involved in a collision and is being repaired or replaced.
O’Connor & Co. Insurance Agency is an independent agency available to make coverage recommendations, review your policy, and keep up with your changing insurance needs. Please contact us with any questions or concerns you may have.
Teenage Drivers and Automobiles, protect your assets
We recommend that parents, in order to best protect assets, consider
registering and insuring a vehicle in their child’s name. In Massachusetts parents are provided 100% insulation from lawsuits arising from bodily injury or property damage claims.
Mass. MGL Chapter 231, section 85A: “If a car is registered to the child and the child gets into an accident causing personal injury and/or property damage, there is no reponsibility on the parent. It does not make any difference who bought the car or who pays for the insurance, or how old the child is so long as we are talking about negligence.”
On this basis it might make sense for parents to consider insuring a vehicle in their child’s name.
Cancelling your Massachusetts plates online.
The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles now allows Massachusetts consumers to cancel your auto registration plates online.
The first step in canceling your registration is to either bring your plates back to any RMV branch office or to YOUR insurance agent. You can also cancel your plates online at: RMV Plate Return
If you want to cancel online, you will need to provide the RMV with an e-mail address, your plate type & number, your license number, and the last four digits of you social security number.
Once you have cancelled your Massachusetts plates, you will need to notify your Massachusetts insurance agent & provide a copy of your plate return receipt.
How to earn a discount on home and car insurance in Massachusetts.
Everyone wants to save money on insurance. But many people in Massachusetts don’t realize how easy it is to get a “second opinion”. Multi-line discounts (Home and Auto with the same company) are an excellent way to reduce both car and home insurance costs without sacrificing coverage. By securing several insurance policies through one company, customers can save 10, 15 as much as 20 percent on their total annual premiums. Customers don’t need to own a home either to get the multi-line discount. Policyholders can earn this discount with a renter’s insurance policy or condo insurance whenever both policies (renters or condo and auto) are with the same company, you qualify!
How Much Can You Save?
According to industry data from the Insurance Information Institute, policyholders can reduce premiums by 10 to 30 percent per policy. Some companies offer customers a 10 percent discount on car insurance premiums and 30 percent off Home Insurance, Renter’s or Condo Insurance policies. This can add up to discounts as high as several hundred dollars per year!
For example, homeowners who pay $500 for home insurance can lower their premiums by $100 to $150 per year. They’ll also enjoy a discount of $300 or more on their auto insurance policy with a premium of $2,000. With a multi-line discount this can save the consumer $450 or more each year, on the same exact coverage they have now!
Ways to Combine Coverage
Discount auto insurance and discount home insurance can be secured in several ways. Unlike multi-car coverage in which buyers receive insurance for multiple vehicles under one policy, multi-line incentives allow consumers to secure discounts on separate insurance policies. This means customers can mix and match their insurance coverage while earning sizable discounts.
Buyers can earn a discount quickly and easily when they purchase home insurance and auto insurance from one provider. This is also true for customers who purchase renter’s insurance or condo insurance through the same company that issues their auto insurance coverage. In some cases, insurance companies may also offer a multi-line discount on life insurance and other coverage options.
Avoid Coverage Lapses
Let us cancel your current insurance coverage thus making certain that your new policy is approved and in place prior to cancelling your old coverage. Most customers want to switch coverage immediately after they receive our quotes. So it’s imperative that the transition be coordinated perfectly so the switch avoids the risk of a lapse in coverage. That is where a licensed Independent Insurance Agent comes in, to make sure the new insurance company has approved the policy, received payment and issued a convenient start date. After everything is in order, that is when we contact your old agent, insurer and Registry to let them know about the change in company.
Comparison shopping is the best and easiest way to secure a “second opinion” competitive quote. In most cases, multi-line discounts are the best way to get the same level of coverage for a lower price.Everyone wants to save money on insurance. But many people in Massachusetts don’t realize how easy it is to get a “second opinion”. Multi-line discounts (Home and Auto with the same company) are an excellent way to reduce both car and home insurance costs without sacrificing coverage. By securing several insurance policies through one company, customers can save 10, 15 as much as 20 percent on their total annual premiums. Customers don’t need to own a home either to get the multi-line discount. Policyholders can earn this discount with a renter’s insurance policy or condo insurance whenever both policies(renters or condo and auto) are with the same company, you qualify!
Stay calm while driving. Keep your auto insurance rates low.
Driving on the road can be a challenge nowadays, I have been driving 
for over 30 years and do not remember such hostility that we face on our roads today. I try to drive the speed limit and can’t tell you how often I feel like I am in going in slow motion. I often ask myself, “Why are we going so fast?” I think I have some great reasoning for staying calm and safe on the roads. Here are just a couple of reasons.
- My safety, the safety of my family, and the safety of other families .
- Speeding tickets last a long time and will go against my insurance policy and I like to keep my money for other things.
- Fuel Efficiency vs. Speed
How Much? According to studies backed by the Department of Energy, the average car’s MPG is advertised at 55 mph. But as the speed increases:
– 3% less efficient at 60 mph
– 8% less efficient at 65 mph
– 17% less efficient at 70 mph
– 23% less efficient at 75 mph
– 28% less efficient at 80 mph
That means that there are many more fill-ups needed at the gas station, costing you an unnecessary expense. So let me ask you. Is it worth it to be fast?