Stephen's Blog

Still Can’t Shake Your Spring Allergies?

Stephen Ellis (Bright Insurance) — Fri, 29 May 2009 12:08:39 -0500

Summer may be nearly here, but many people are going through the battlefield of spring allergies. Experts are now adding news that the allergy season may last two weeks longer, and for many people, the bothersome feeling just sticks around all year.

Did you ever visit a friend or a relative and feel like your allergies got better, or worse? Each city has its own level of allergy threats.

Below are the Top Ten "Worst" Cities for Allergies in the U.S., according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Pollen score, amount of allergy medications used, and the number of local allergy specialists factor into the list.

1.   Louisville, Kentucky
2.   Knoxville, Tennessee
3.   Charlotte, North Carolina
4.   Madison, Wisconsin
5.   Wichita, Kansas
6.   McAllen, Texas
7.   Greensboro, North Carolina
8.   Dayton, Ohio
9. Little Rock, Arkansas
10. Augusta, Georgia

Even though we're in Massachusetts, if you're suffering from watery eyes, sneezing, sniffling, coughing, and/or headaches, and your allergies are significantly impacting your life, you may want to consider an allergy specialist. They can diagnose you and potentially prescribe you a stronger medication, in which case you would want a strong health insurance policy to help lower the cost of the medication.

If you're currently not covered for health insurance, contact us today for a free health quote! We're Bright Insurance, an independent insurance agency based in Milford, Massachusetts.

Senior Citizens Can Save Big on Auto Coverage

Stephen Ellis (Bright Insurance) — Fri, 15 May 2009 13:28:20 -0500

Senior drivers receiving discounts on their auto coverage has been known to confuse some people. Why should seniors receive discounts, after all? To many people, senior discounts are frustrating because it encourages seniors to continue driving, when they shouldn't be on the road at all.

That's not what we think. At Bright Insurance, we offer senior discounts because we know that seniors have years and years of driving experience, and practice makes perfect. While their eyesight and hearing may not be as sharp as it once was, seniors still hold many of the important principles it takes to be an exceptional driver. We favor that, and seniors benefit!

The longer you're around, the less your auto insurance will cost you every few years. This is where keeping your policy updated is important.

What else gives you discounts on your auto insurance? Taking safe driving classes, getting safety features for your car (such as a wheel lock), having low mileage, raising your deductible, and the type of car you have. With all these discounts combined with senior rates, you can receive great savings! Be sure to ask about these discounts so that you are paying the rate you deserve.

For more information on auto insurance, or to get a free auto insurance quote, contact us today! We're Bright Insurance, an independent insurance agency based in Milford, Massachusetts.

Which Health Insurance Plan is Right for Your Lifestyle?

Stephen Ellis (Bright Insurance) — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 17:00:38 -0500

Have you ever sat down and really thought about which health coverage plan is right for you? Are you sure your current one is the one that could be doing you the most good?

With all the health insurance options to choose from, deciding which one is right for your lifestyle can be an overwhelming and confusing process.

A few options are HMO, PPO, Point-Of-Service, and Indemnity, and it just comes down to finding the one that best fits your needs. Some of these deal simply with low costs and specialists; some cost more and give you extra flexibility.

To be sure you're getting the health insurance you really want, it's best to ask a professional. At Bright Insurance, we've been insuring our clients' health for years. We're an independent insurance agency based in Milford, Massachusetts, and we can find the right coverage for you! For more information on health insurance, contact us today! We also offer a free health insurance quote!

Putting the Brakes On Motorcycle Accidents

Stephen Ellis (Bright Insurance) — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 11:00:57 -0500

Good news for both cycle heads and the motorcycle safety industry: the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that motorcycles with anti-lock brakes are nearly 40% less likely to be involved in a fatal accident.

This is good news for the motorcycle safety industry, who have been trying to find a way to stop so many motorcycle accidents from happening for decades. (In 2008, there were more than 5,000 motorcycle-related deaths.)

Similar to the anti-lock systems in cars and trucks, motorcyclists can now use anti-lock brakes to stop suddenly without locking their brakes and losing control of their bikes.

Of course, these anti-lock brakes are expensive, so the motorcycle safety industry is unsure if they will eventually become a standard feature of an average motorcycle. However, motorcyclists would be wise to pay the extra amount - it is their lives and safety, after all.

If and when anti-lock brakes are made into a standard feature, motorcycle insurance rates would drop, as it adds a level of safety to the bike. For now, those who invest into the brakes receive a discount.

For more information on motorcycle insurance, or to get a free motorcycle quote, contact us today! We're Bright Insurance, an independent insurance agency based in Milford, Massachusetts.

Renters Insurance: Just as Important as Homeowners Coverage

Stephen Ellis (Bright Insurance) — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 00:29:24 -0500

Most renters, especially young ones, don't really think about renters insurance. A big chunk of the renters population are adults in their 20's and 30's who aren't yet ready to own a home or who move around frequently. Because renters insurance isn't really "pushed" by landlords, it just rarely comes up.

However, renters insurance is crucial if you care about your possessions - and doesn't everyone? Like homeowners insurance, renters coverage will reimburse you for damaged or stolen personal property and accidents that happen to others while they're on your premises. The difference is that homeowners also protects the building.

Many renters don't think about insurance until it's too late, and their valuables are gone or destroyed. Or, many are mistaken in believing that the landlord is responsible. For a landlord to take responsibility for stolen or damaged possessions in your apartment or condo is extremely rare.

The bottom line is, to protect your personal property and yourself against lawsuits, it's imperative to have a renters insurance policy. At Bright Insurance, we can find the right rate for you.

For more information on renters insurance, or to get a free renters quote, contact us today! We're Bright Insurance, based in Milford, Massachusetts.

The Ups and Downs of a Full House

Stephen Ellis (Bright Insurance) — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 22:05:30 -0500

USA Today has reported that more and more families are being "drawn together" by moving in with each other as a result of the current state of the economy. Because of the housing market and increasing job losses, many families are finding themselves under the same roof.

"It's an obvious choice," says Martin Dowry of Orlando, FL. "My sister and brother were having trouble paying their rent...so we collectively decided to share one rent in the biggest home."

While many people are being affected by this and feel like they're losing a part of their dignity, there are a few silver linings.

Many families are finding that they have grown much closer as relatives. Living together has brought many estranged families together again and, as everyone knows, when you go through rough times together, it creates a bond.

In some cases, it has even saved marriages. Divorced couple Stan and Mary Llevin had moved away from one another after their divorce, but when Stan could no longer pay his Buffalo, New York apartment rent, Mary hesitantly agreed that he could move back into their country home. The result? They fell in love once again. "It's hard to be angry at the economy when it brought us back together," Mary says.

We're Bright Insurance, an independent insurance agency based in Milford, Massachusetts. For a free quote on homeowners insurance, visit our website today!

Clean Up Your Eating Habits and Lower Your Life Insurance Costs

Stephen Ellis (Bright Insurance) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 17:41:21 -0600

Everyone knows about the obesity epidemic. Americans are at an all-time weight high, due to poor eating habits, no exercise, heredity, and lack of nutrition knowledge.

Obesity is not only unhealthy; did you know that it can also affect you life insurance? Being overweight causes complications and can cause diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart conditions. When you go in to purchase life insurance, they will ask your age, weight, BMI, gender, etc. before you sign any paperwork. They will check your BMI, or body mass index, and based on that, if you are obese your life insurance costs could rise. Being overweight can put you into a high-risk category, and illnesses like diabetes need long term care.

Insurance companies simply must assess your overall level of risk. A heavier person is more likely to become ill than a healthier one. Heavy smokers, heavy drinkers, and people who participate in dangerous sports get the same treatment.

As 2009 approaches, if you are overweight and considering getting a life insurance policy, maybe it's time to set some goals. Do you have time to exercise more often? Maybe you dread going to a gym or jogging around your neighborhood. It may be a good idea to save up and buy a treadmill for you home. You could have complete privacy and walk on your treadmill while watching your favorite DVD or calling a friend.

It's easy to continue gaining weight if your home is full of bad food. Does your neighborhood have a healthier grocery store, like Whole Foods or a fresh market? If so, try buying most of your meals there instead of eating out or shopping at a regular grocery store. Think of the healthy foods you love and stock your fridge and pantry with them. There are many healthy foods that are delicious - yogurt, carrots, salads, etc.

Remember, the point of a life insurance policy is to provide for the future of your loved ones. Maybe it's also time to set good examples for them with your eating and health habits.

For more information on life insurance, contact us today! We're Bright Insurance, based in Milford, Massachusetts.

Is Umbrella Insurance Worth It?

Stephen Ellis (Bright Insurance) — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 01:06:34 -0600

Is Umbrella Insurance Worth It? Although once upon a time, having umbrella (excess liability) coverage was for only wealthy people, these days, anyone and everyone can get sued for nearly anything – and it’s important to be prepared. Umbrella insurance acts as a cushion or safety net for you in the event that your established policies can’t come through for you. If you don’t have enough extra coverage and you get sued for enough, you could lose your home, autos, and many other assets due to the costs of defending yourself.

Do you own a waterfront property? Do you have visitors often? Maybe you have a pool or young drivers in your family. Do you travel much? Own an aircraft or boat? Do you live in a wealthy neighborhood or make a lot of money? Any of these are reason enough to protect yourself with umbrella insurance.

Saving Families Thousands: The Gregovichs threw their daughter a sweet sixteen party and invited around forty of her friends. During the party, two boys got into a fistfight and ended up falling down a staircase in the Gregovichs’ house. The boys’ parents filed a claim against the Gregovichs, and because the staircase was added and not included into their homeowners policy, their umbrella policy kicked in and saved them thousands of dollars.

This is just one example of how umbrella insurance can save the day. It can also cover many other situations, including eviction, wrongful entry, false arrest, malicious prosecution, invasion of privacy, defamation, organization liability; and of course, it adds extra coverage to your basic homeowners and auto policies.

Want to know more about umbrella insurance? Contact us today! We’re Bright Insurance, an independent agency in Milford, Massachusetts.

Inside Business Property Insurance

Stephen Ellis (Bright Insurance) — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 16:29:44 -0500

Without business property insurance, your company may not survive financially. It isn’t required by law, but it’s a wise investment to protect your business property against vandalism, fire, weather, and other unexpected situations.

Business property insurance plans can be standard, which will cover damages caused by the above mentioned events like fire and storms, as well as liability insurance. You can also get special coverage which goes the extra step to protect against all property with certain exceptions, such as terrorist acts and floods. We highly recommend that your policy cover fixtures such as lighting systems or carpeting, equipment and machinery, furniture, inventory, and computers. Make sure your policy also covers financial income that may be halted due to an unexpected event, as well as the additional costs of operating from a temporary location.

You may want additional insurance to cover losses caused by fraud, burglary, or robbery. Since a basic business owners policy and property insurance do not cover this, you’ll need to add them onto your policy. These riders may also include data protection, personal assets and computer virus protection. They will raise your premiums, but the additional coverage may be necessary for your business.

If you rent a property, be sure to look over your agreement very carefully. You may be covered by the owner’s policy, or you may be required to have property insurance. If you're in an area prone to floods, earthquakes, or hurricanes, you should seriously consider purchasing disaster insurance.

It's important to fully understand your policy. If you have any questions, please contact us.

Bright Insurance is an independent insurance agent in the Milford, Massachusetts area. To find out more about business insurance, contact them today.

Keeping Your Mind on Your Home Insurance in Milford, MA

Stephen Ellis (Bright Insurance) — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 19:41:24 -0500

For most people, there are normally three times in their lives when they think about their home insurance: when they choose their carrier, when they write the policy checks, and finally, when disaster strikes and they make a claim. However, by the time things get sticky, it’s usually too late to start really understanding your policy and what it covers. Your home is more than likely the single largest investment you’ll ever have in your lifetime – make sure of your coverage for your own peace of mind.

Generally, home insurance protects your home, anyone named on the policy, your spouse, residents of the home (other than renters), household employees, and guests.

The property insurance part of your policy protects your home, structures attached and unattached to your home (if they are on the premises), personal property, loss of use of your home, and liability if you are found responsible for personal injury or property damage to another.

There’s also a good amount of damages, conditions, and costs that are not covered by standard homeowners insurance. Here are just a few examples:

• Damage to the land underneath your home

• Flood damage

• Losses related to business activities in your home

• War or terrorist-related damage

• Damage caused by neglect

If you’re concerned about coverage against losses such as these, your home insurance policy can be tailored to meet your needs by independent insurance agencies like Milford’s Bright Insurance (BrightInsurance.com). They find out what you need, then they contact the top insurance companies in the country to help you decide on what feels best.

Bright Insurance is an independent insurance agent in the Milford, Massachusetts area. To find out more about Milford, Northbridge, Hopkinton, and Bellingham home insurance, contact them today.

Don’t Risk Being Invincible: Buying Auto Insurance in Milford, MA

Stephen Ellis (Bright Insurance) — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 16:08:00 -0500

There’s an episode of The Simpsons in which Marge loses her driver’s license due to a road rage problem. She paces around her house angrily, saying it feels like she “lost a limb.” That may be a little dramatic, but it’s how almost everyone in America feels about their vehicle. Imagine if it were so damaged that you couldn’t drive it. Imagine that scenario without auto insurance.

There are many reasons that people choose to forgo getting auto insurance, but there is one collective thought that seems to dominate: they decide to try to do without because they think they’ll never need it. However, no one is excused from auto accidents. There were almost 50,000 automobile accidents in Massachusetts last year alone. It only takes one person, in one second – whether it’s simply a distracted person talking on a cell phone, or a young driver who is still getting their bearings – to cause immense damage to your car.

Another reason that many people disregard buying auto insurance in Massachusetts is because they become overwhelmed with the different types of coverage they might need. There are plenty of auto owners who are lost when it comes to how much coverage is necessary, and they decide that the confusion isn’t worth it; they’ll just see if they can get by without it. However, again, no one gets by all of the time.

Massachusetts requires you to purchase a minimum amount of auto insurance, but that doesn’t always cover everything you require. If you’re involved in an accident, even if it’s not your fault, it’s important that you have enough insurance to cover all the expenses for you and your passengers. Having enough insurance could mean the difference between living comfortably or struggling to get by. You may have to do without a car for awhile and bum rides off of family and friends. Marge Simpson would never stand for it!

These days, it’s very easy to get auto insurance quotes, even when they have to be “tailored” to meet your requirements. Independent insurance agents such as BrightInsurance.com with virtual offices make it easy; it’s no harder than filling out a tiny online form.

Don’t risk being invincible – you’re not.

Bright Insurance is an independent insurance agent in the Milford, Massachusetts area. To find out more about Milford, Northbridge, Hopkinton, and Bellingham auto insurance, contact them today.