For much of the year, the northeast is known for its frigid weather. Now that summer is here, it is time for us in the northeast to enjoy the warm weather! Wouldn't it be great to get to the beach or a picnic while enjoying the sunshine in a new convertible? Cruising in a convertible allows you to enjoy the sun for as long as possible, and lets you ride in style. Although convertibles are great- they can be very expensive to insurance. If you are considering purchasing a convertible, keep your costs down by opting for one of the 10 affordable options below:

1. Mazda MX5 Miata: $21,285
2. Mini Cooper Convertible: $22,600
3. Volkswagon EOS: $28,990
4. Chrysler PT Cruise: $19,100
5. Pontiac Solstice: $22,785
6. Volkswagon New Beetle Convertible: $23,240
7. Mitsubishi Eclipse: $25,699
8. Ford Mustang: $24,475
9. Saturn Sky: $26,145
10. Chrysler Sebring Convertible: $26,530

Try to keep in mind that despite the low price tag of the above models, once you factor in insurance, maintenance, and fuel costs, the rates can definitely rise. Regardless of the model you choose, your insurance rates will go up. Don’t let that stop you from purchasing your dream convertible. Do research and make sure you get the best purchase cost and insurance rate available. Paul Murphy Insurance can help you find the best auto insurance policy at the most affordable rate. Visit our Virtual Insurance Office right now to learn more and to get a free online auto insurance quote.

A new program has been instituted in Massachusetts in order to help those on welfare find jobs. In order to help the struggling in their job search, the State has decided to give certain residents free cars. In addition to the free cars, people on welfare have their insurance, taxes, registration and even a AAA membership provided for them for a full year. As soon as these individuals are employed, their welfare money stops. Those who get the cars do have to pay for their own gas, and after 12 months, they have to pay for all the costs. They get to keep the car whether they have a job or not.

Everyone seems to have an opinion about the "Welfare Cars" program. Some Massachusetts residents feel that the program will do much to help struggling individuals get back on their feet. Those in favor of it also believe that it will end up saving the State money by cutting its welfare payouts. Other people are outraged. They feel that the program is wasteful and does not provide the intended return. Although the program may not survive the budget cuts of the coming weeks, it was an interesting idea that created quite a bit of controversy.

No matter the situation, whether your car has been purchase, leased, or donated, you should always protect yourself with a good auto insurance program. To learn more about your options, or to get a free Massachusetts auto insurance quote, visit Paul Murphy Insurance's Virtual Insurance Office right now.

If your spouse doesn’t have the best driving record, chances are, you will end up paying more for auto insurance. Avoiding the extra expense may be impossible, but there may be things you can do if you would like to keep your costs down.

Before you think about taking out two separate auto policies- stop. It is usually better for both spouses to be on the same auto insurance. Typically, even if one of you has a poor driving record, you will pay less if you are both on the same car insurance plan. And if one of you has a good driving record, you will still pay less for your auto insurance- even if your spouse is on your policy.

There is no doubt that a poor driving record will impact your auto insurance premium, but you could help keep down your insurance costs by having your insurance company list your spouse as an additional driver on your policy. But, if your spouse is someone your insurer would be reluctant to cover because of their driving record, you and your spouse could be (asked) to sign a legal document that states there would be no coverage for any incident arising out of your spouse's operation of your vehicle.

Regardless of costs, it would probably be beneficial for you to sit down with your spouse and speak to them about their poor driving habits. They may not be fully aware that their actions not only result in higher insurance premiums- but could also lead to a tragic accident.

If your possible auto insurance costs concern you, visit Paul Murphy Insurance’s Virtual Insurance Office. There, you can contact our friendly agents, learn more about your auto insurance options, or get a free online car insurance quote.

The majority of car accidents can be avoided. Using a bit of common sense, and the tips listed below, you can do much to avoid automobile collisions.

• Be Careful in Intersections. Intersection-related crashes make up a significant segment of fatal accidents, and accidents that involve an injury. If you are coming up on an intersection, proceed with caution- even if you have the right of way.
• Pay Attention! Paying attention when driving seems like its common sense- but with the distractions people encounter as they travel (i.e. cell phones, in-car TVs, passengers), their focus may not be 100% on the road. Paying close attention on your own driving, other drivers, pedestrians, and driving conditions will do much to avoid potential accidents.
• Stay Back! Many accidents are caused by drivers who follow too closely behind the car in front of them. Maintaining a safe, car length+ distance from the car in front of you will help you avoid an accident if the preceding driver stops short, of harsh weather conditions effect your reaction time.
• Keep Your Vehicle Healthy. Getting your ride regular check-ups, especially of wiper fluid, brakes, and tires, will do much to keep you safe behind the wheel.
• Drive Slowly.Dangerous roads combined with unsafe speeds increase the chances of accidents exponentially. Excessive speed reduces reaction time and greatly increases impact and injuries- especially when it is combined with snow, fog, and rain conditions.

Even if you follow the tips listed above, you may still be involved in a car accident. The only real way to protect yourself if an auto accident occurs, is to invest in a comprehensive auto insurance policy. To learn more about your auto insurance options visit www.paulmurphyinsurance.com. Once there, you can learn more about the coverage we offer, or you can get a free online auto insurance quote.

Shopping for auto insurance can be intimidating. When looking for a new auto policy, it can seem like you have a million different options. Many of us try to avoid insurance shopping, and choose to go with our first option. Although the ease of going with your first option may be attractive, it may not get you the best rate.

Nowadays, it is easier than ever to get a car insurance quote. Why? The Internet. Insurance companies have taken to the internet rapidly, setting up websites that display their products and your options. Many insurance websites also allow you to get a quote, online, instantly. With the click of a button, you can get quotes from as many agencies as you wish- allowing you to have true comparisons of your rates and protection options.

So, before settling on a car insurance policy, take an hour to search the web. Online, you can find both large, national insurance providers, and smaller, independent agencies that are actually located close to your home. Although these agencies may offer similar protections, their prices may vary widely.

We hope your insurance search takes you to Paul Murphy Insurance. We offer auto insurance policies at highly competitive rates. To learn more about your options, visit our Virtual Insurance Office at www.paulmurphyinsurance.com. While you’re there- take a look around- you can learn more about your auto policy options and get a free, online quote on auto insurance.

Receiving a driver’s license is a momentous occasion for a teenager. It allows them to gain some independence, realize their new freedom…and be saddled with a new car insurance bill.

Has your teenager recently received their license? Although you may be eager to give them all the responsibilities that come with being a new driver, it is generally cheaper to add your child to your existing auto insurance policy, rather than having them purchase their own. If your teenager is going to be driving their own car, insuring it through your insurance company will lower their cost, and could give you a multi-policy discount.

Saving money on your auto insurance doesn’t just stop at multi-policy discounts. Your teenager can also do much to affect insurance prices by choosing their car carefully- as the type of car a teenager chooses can play a big role in their insurance costs. You and your teenager should choose a car that is easy to drive and would offer protection in the event of a crash. In addition to a sound car choice, you can decrease auto insurance costs if your child brings in good grades. Many companies will give discounts for getting at least a “B” average in school and for taking drivers education classes and driving lessons. You can also save if your teenager leaves their car behind when they leave for college. A discount can be given to reflect the time that your child is not home to drive their car.

Shopping for auto insurance can be confusing- especially when doing it for the first time. Help both you and your teenager save money. Visit www.paulmurphyinsurance.com to learn more- or to get a free quote- right now.

Starting up a business is never easy. It takes a good amount of work, time, determination, motivation, and knowledge. You will also need all the good advice you can get. Here are a few tips on what to do in the beginning.

• Avoid starting your business by using only loans or credit. Instead, try to save and then use the savings either entirely or combined with a loan. No matter how quickly you think you will be able to start paying off loans and/or credit, it always takes a little more time. It's smarter to save up enough to start your business (including the cost of production, employees, and advertising) AS WELL AS saving enough to provide for your living expenses until you begin making a profit (at least one year).
  
  
• Instead of hiring one employee for each small job, hire employees who are comfortable doing a few jobs in one. Example: instead of hiring someone to proofread, someone to answer emails, and someone to make advertising flyers for your business, hire ONE person who is able to do all of those things in a day's work. Also be sure to do background checks on your employees and be certain of their references.
  
  
• Consider very carefully how you plan to make income. This should be something that you already know. You should have a quick and precise way of saying to yourself how you'll bring in a profit. First, figure out how much you'll be spending on inventory, paying any staff, advertising, etc. Once you know that amount, you will be able to see how much product you'll need to sell each month in order to see money come in.
  
  
• Budget, budget, budget: think things over very carefully when it comes to spending money. Only spend on things that will definitely help your business grow. If you're the only one working in your business, work from home instead of renting a space. Examine every possibility before you take the plunge on a large expense. Get advice from successful people that you trust.
  
  
• Check out any competition you may have and learn from it. If you and one other business are the only companies in town that make custom gourmet cakes, evaluate that other company. Are they doing better than you?  If so, why? Where do you see their advertisements? And if the competition is doing worse than you, learn from their mistakes.
  
  
• Protect yourself with business insurance. Every business needs some type of protection. Depending on what you're selling, you may need errors & omissions coverage, liability coverage, or business interruption coverage. Business insurance is vital to a startup company because it only takes one single claim to wipe out ALL of your efforts.
  
  
• Make sure you're getting contracts signed where you need to be. This could save you lots of money if any kind of disagreement or even a claim comes up.  It's also a good idea to get and give receipts for products and services.

We hope these tips help you out. Remember, every business takes a little while to get on its feet. Starbucks took roughly 25 years to become the phenomenon it is today.

For more information on business insurance and growth, contact us today! We're Paul Murphy Insurance, and independent agency based in Malden, Massachusetts.

Around New Year’s, many Americans decide to make resolutions. Losing weight, budgeting better, and making more time for the family are among the highest priorities. Another goal many people make is to make a fresh start and move. If that’s you, then you might want to take look at a few tips we have on renting an apartment or condo.

Here’s what NOT to do:

Don’t underestimate the cost of an apartment/condo. It’s easy to go a little nuts when apartment hunting. We think, “Oh, it’s just an extra $200 – I can swing that!” But beware! Your apartment of choice should not expand more than three times what you earn. You still have to pay your utilities, Internet, and washer/dryer expenses.

Don’t get your priorities mixed up. Again, don’t go nuts: the apartment or condo features that you need and the ones you want are two different things. For instance – don’t go shopping for apartment furniture until you’ve gotten your water turned on.

Never, ever move into an apartment before you go inside and look. Yes, an apartment may look gorgeous online or in an apartment catalogue. Those complexes pay photographers a lot of money to make them look good. But never jump into a place before you’ve seen it. Things like closet space, community staff, city area, noise from the street, cell phone reception, and washer/dryer hookups may be important to you. It’s going to be your home, after all.

Read the lease very, very carefully. Like any legal contract, a lease must be taken seriously. Take your time and ask any questions that you need to. Make sure you’re clear on issues like pets, late fees, painting and décor, noise restrictions, etc. Make sure to record when your lease will be up.

Ask about your utilities. Be sure to ask the landlord or complex authorities about which companies they prefer to turn on your water, cable, Internet, lights, stove, phone, etc. Sometimes preferred companies mean “discount.”

Never go without renters insurance. Absolutely vital. Don’t be confused – your landlord’s insurance won’t cover your personal possessions. If your apartment is broken into, damaged by fire or weather, or anything else, you will want renters insurance.

Make sure you have the basic everyday items to make your place a home. It doesn’t matter if it’s a toaster or a loveseat; make sure you have what you need to make your apartment or condo really YOURS. It’s your home, and you must be comfortable there.

We hope you find a place you love to call your own. For more information on renters insurance, contact us today. We’re Paul Murphy Insurance, an independent agency based in Malden, Massachusetts.

 

Selecting the right type of life insurance for yourself can be difficult and requires research. That’s why we’re happy to take that job for you! However, if you prefer to look into it a bit yourself first, here are the basics.

First of all, you must be employed with a steady income to apply for life insurance. You also must be a certain age. There are three main kinds of life insurance: term life, whole life, and universal life.

It’s important that you purchase enough life insurance to fill your specific needs. People who lie or attempt to skimp on their life insurance often face problems later on.

Try to purchase life insurance when you’re in good health – don’t wait until you’re sick or very old. Older people and those not in the best of health pay much more for life insurance. Therefore, you should purchase life insurance earlier rather than later, but you won’t need to buy until you have dependents.

You’ll have to decide for yourself how much life insurance is enough for your needs. Remember that the original idea behind life insurance is to replace your income in the event of your death so your dependents will be taken care of.

Your health weighs a great deal on the cost of your life insurance. The least costly policies go to those in good health, or with healthy family histories. You may be paying much more if you have a dangerous job, are overweight, have heart problems, smoke, or play “risky” sports.

Life insurance is a good thing. It’s a safety net that can help you pay off taxes and pay for the future of your loved ones. Although finding the right type for you can be time-consuming, it is well worth it.

Want to know more about life insurance? Contact us today! We’re the Paul T. Murphy Insurance Agency, based in Malden, Massachusetts.

What if you came home from the grocery store one day to discover your home in flames? Or imagine a beautiful day taking a nasty turn and suddenly there’s a tornado at your door. Or how about something much more common, like lightning or burglars?

These things happen all the time to people who never thought it would happen to them. If you were to lose your home or possessions, or they were damaged, would you have enough homeowners insurance coverage to recover? And do you have a place to live while repairing? That alone can add up to an alarming amount of money, depending on how long it takes to repair your home.

That’s why it’s so important to protect your home against these situations. After all, your home is one of your biggest investments; it’s common sense to keep its safety insured. Whether it’s your home itself that has been damaged, or your personal items such as your computer, television, or furniture, there are steps you should take to protect what you have.

Here are some things you may not have thought about regarding home coverage:

• Let’s say you don’t have home insurance. Did you know that every home insurance policy is different? Each home insurance company offers different deals, and most policies can be tailored to your exact requirements. At companies like Paul Murphy, we work with you to figure out what policy will best meet your needs.

• Remember: anything that isn’t mentioned in your policy will not be covered, so make sure you read everything carefully, and ask all the right questions. Your agent will be happy to answer questions.

• Let’s say you do have home insurance. Be sure to review your policy at least once a year to make sure all your belongings are covered. Many homeowners spend loads of money each year to renovate or add on to their houses, but then don't update their homeowners insurance coverage.

• Every year, go through your house with a video camera or regular camera and take video/photos of ALL your possessions – not just the expensive things! You need to record anything that you’ll want to be reimbursed for, including clothing, CDs, toys, etc. You also need to write a yearly physical list with an estimated dollar value for each item. Having this recorded and physical documentation will help you settle your claim much faster, and it will also ensure that you don’t forget anything. Keeping your home inventory up-to-date will prove very helpful.

Think about how much the protection of your home and possessions means to you. At the end of the day, it comes down to how secure you personally want to feel. Call us today to set up a home insurance meeting or to review your current policy.

 

 

We’re an independent, full-service insurance agency. Contact us for any questions about Malden, MA home insurance. We have been voted by The Reader’s Choice as “Malden's Best Insurance Agency” for five consecutive years, an award we intend to honor and uphold through hard work and customer support for both current and future customers. www.paulmurphyinsurance.com