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News

LoPriore Insurance – Up In Lights!

Safe Driving Law Takes Effect October 1st

International Driving Permit: A Good Idea for International Travel

Are You Properly Covered For Summer Fun?

FEMA Inspectors Now Assessing Storm Damage in Seven Massachusetts Counties

MassDOT Now Offers Online Plate/Registration Cancellation

Archived News Articles

LoPriore Insurance – Up In Lights!

LoPriore Insurance Agency launched its first billboard effort earlier this month – check out our great new digital billboard on Route 93 North in Stoneham

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Safe Driving Law Takes Effect October 1st

The state’s new “Safe Driving Law,” signed by Governor Patrick earlier this month, will take effect on October 1, 2010.
The major provisions of the law provide that any driver caught composing or reading a text message can be cited and fined $100. Operators of public transportation vehicles who violate the ban will be subject to a $500 fine. Drivers under age 18 are prohibited from using any type of cell phone or mobile device with or without a hands-free feature while driving will be subject to a $100 fine, a 60 day license suspension and will be required to complete a driver attitudinal retraining course before the license is reinstated. Drivers 75 and older will have to undergo a vision test every five years in order to renew their licenses.
Law enforcement will have the authority to stop any driver suspected of texting; however, the offense will not be considered a moving violation and will not be subject to an insurance surcharge.

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International Driving Permit: A Good Idea for International Travel

When traveling overseas, carry an International Driving Permit ... even if you're not planning to drive. Should you need to communicate with foreign authorities, this recognizable form of identification can help you get on your way more quickly.
Valid in over 150 countries, the permit contains your name, photo and driver information translated into ten languages. Please note that International Driving Permits may not be issued more than six (6) months in advance of desired effective date.
To obtain your driving permit, simply print out the application, fill in the information requested and bring it with you to the AAA office nearest you. The fee for obtaining the permit is $15. You may also obtain your International Driving Permit via mail. Simply enclose your completed application form, two original passport-type photos (each signed on the back), a $15 permit fee and a photocopy of both sides of your driver's license and mail them to the AAA office nearest you. You should allow four to six weeks for processing.

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Are You Properly Covered For Summer Fun?

Summer is here – and as the weather continues to warm, people head outside for barbeques, the beach, and family get-togethers. But before you light up the grill or open your pool for the season, take a moment to ensure your insurance coverage supports this summer’s plans for fun in the sun.

Rental Vehicles
Most auto policies cover a rental vehicle but it’s important to check your insurance policy before leaving for vacation to verify your coverage and/or determine whether any special circumstances warrant any additional coverage.

Backyard Hazards
When people think of homeowner’s insurance, they think of the policy covering a loss or damage to their house or personal property. Homeowner’s policies also provide liability coverage when someone makes a claim against you for injuries or that happen at your home or as a result of your activities. Check your insurance policy at the beginning of the summer season to see to if special safety measures – such as a fence, pool cover or locked gate – are required by your carrier to minimize the chance of someone getting hurt. Special safety equipment may also be required if you own a trampoline.

Vacation Rentals/Home Exchange
Before you rent a cottage or summer home, check with your insurance agent to ensure that your primary homeowners policy extends to the property where you’ll be staying. As a renter, you are generally not responsible for damages caused by unavoidable accidents but you could be considered partially responsible for damages due to negligence. You should also check to see if your policy covers personal belongings you take on vacation or whether you need additional or temporary personal property coverage.

Renting Your Vacation Home to Others
If you plan to rent your vacation home this summer, it’s important to review your insurance policy before any renters step foot on your property. Once you review your policy, you may choose to add additional liability, bodily injury or medical payment insurance to cover your risk. You should also determine whether your homeowner coverage extends to damage caused by renters and if the policy covers furnishings in your home.

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FEMA Inspectors Now Assessing Storm Damage in Seven Massachusetts Counties

More than 130 disaster housing inspectors under contract by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are currently performing inspections for registered homeowners, renters and business owners in seven counties whose homes or businesses were damaged by the severe flooding that began on March 12.
Recovery officials said that more than 9,000 damage inspection requests have been received to date. Nearly 50 percent of the requests, or 4,269, have been completed and returned to FEMA. Most housing inspections are completed within four days after an inspection is assigned.
Registration is the First Step
Residents of declared counties must first register with FEMA if they are seeking assistance. This can be done online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or by calling toll-free 800-621-3362 (FEMA), or (TTY) 800-462-7585 for those with a speech or hearing impairment. Representatives are available 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time, seven days a week. Multilingual assistance is available. Once registered, applicants can easily stay in touch with FEMA to track their status.
Eligible applicants may receive:

• Federal disaster-assistance grants from FEMA and/or
• Low-interest home and business disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration.
• Payments to individuals made to cover uninsured or underinsured disaster-related expenses. Examples of these are emergency home repairs, temporary housing or assistance toward the replacement of a destroyed home, and other serious unmet disaster-related expenses.
• Information about various disaster-assistance programs can be found online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.

Damage inspections are critical to the FEMA application process because they document damage. Inspectors do not determine whether an applicant is eligible or provide estimates on damages.
Understanding the Inspection Process

• Damage inspection is free.
• A FEMA inspector will contact an applicant by phone to schedule an appointment.

It is critical to update FEMA with current contact information, including a phone number and accurate directions to the damaged property. An applicant who is unable to return for the mandatory damage inspection may authorize an adult agent to be present.

• A street address is required since post office boxes do not show locations.
• An inspector will try three times to schedule a damage inspection appointment. Delays may occur if you cannot be reached.
• Owners and renters must show proof of occupancy such as a utility bill or landlord statement.
• Owners must also show proof of ownership.
• Each inspection generally takes 30 to 40 minutes.

Be Alert for Disaster Fraud
FEMA inspectors carry official photo identification with their name and the words “Under contract to FEMA”printed on it. Residents should ask for this photo identification before allowing an inspector inside their home.
Official inspectors will never ask for money or use a vehicle bearing a FEMA logo. If money is requested for an inspection or an applicant feels someone is misrepresenting themselves as a FEMA inspector, this should be reported to local police.
Massachusetts counties declared as major disaster areas March 29 are: Bristol, Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk and Worcester counties.
FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers Open in Massachusetts
On Wednesday, April 7th, FEMA opened Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) in five of the seven counties declared major disaster areas. Each DRC is staffed with FEMA and state agency disaster recovery specialists who are ready to help survivors through the process of applying for disaster assistance.

Hours of operation will vary at each center. Locations and daily hours are:

Homeowners, renters and business owners are urged to register before visiting a DRC by calling FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). Multilingual operators are available.
Those with speech or hearing impairment may call TTY 800-462-7585 to apply. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate 7:00AM to 10:00PM daily until further notice. Registration can also be done online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.

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MassDOT Now Offers Online Plate/Registration Cancellation

MassDOT now offers online plate/registration cancellation. However, please note that this transaction can only be processed online if you physically have at least one plate in your possession. If you do not have at least one plate in your possession, you must complete an Affidavit For Cancellation of Registration for Lost Plate(s) and either bring the completed form to a branch office or mail it to the address on the form.
With this no fee transaction, you may cancel your MA Plate/Registration. You will be able to print out your Plate Return Receipt once you have processed the transaction.
A plate return receipt is an important document that will enable you to cancel your vehicle insurance and also provide proof of when you took your vehicle off the road. You may need this document to request an excise tax abatement or to provide as proof of when you stopped using your vehicle. Visit https://secure.rmv.state.ma.us/platereturn/intro.aspx for more information.

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