Personal Insurance Blog

22-Sep-2023
Climate change is bringing more to the United States than turbulent storms and record-breaking temperatures. The striking shifts i...
15-Aug-2023
If you’ve ever signed into a Yahoo! or Microsoft account, there’s no doubt that your personal data has been targeted in "The Cloud...
28-Nov-2022
Warm sweaters and fireplaces keep you warm during the cold winter months. Just like you need proper preparation to brace for winte...
16-Nov-2022 teenagers
Getting a driver’s license is an exciting time for teens but can be a nerve-wracking time for parents and guardians. Inexperience ...
19-May-2022
Nearly 43,000 people were killed on U.S. roads last year, the highest number in 16 years as Americans returned to the roads after ...
21-Apr-2022 personal insurance
Many homes are heated with oil but just a small amount of those homes have insurance policies that would cover the cost of an oil ...
17-Dec-2021
At Gordon Atlantic, we want to wish you a happy, healthy and safe holiday season. With the winter snow approaching, properly maint...
17-Dec-2021
If you have MAPFRE Insurance, you may have been switched to paperless billing inadvertently during a system update. If you are exp...
17-Dec-2021
For the holiday season this year, the Gordon Atlantic office hours are as follows:
17-Dec-2021
Winter can be a beautiful time of year, but winter weather can wreak havoc on your home. Colder temperatures, ice and snow can cau...
16-Dec-2020 home
'Tis the season... for accidents.
19-Nov-2020
We have already seen a little bit of snow, after last year we are all hoping for a milder winter.
18-Nov-2020 home insurance
With the colder weather approaching us, now is an excellent time to learn more about how to avoid frozen pipes, and the subsequent...
22-Oct-2020 inspection
Covid-19 Update: Expect longer wait times at the RMV due to Coronavirus restrictions. Many of RMV services are now available on th...
22-Oct-2020 home
Preparing the inside of your home for the impending cold weather is an important annual task in the northeast. An often overlooked...
22-Oct-2020 home
The fall season hasn’t officially started yet, but the cold weather sure has. Temperatures have dipped into the 30’s at night, mak...
20-May-2020 home
Do you have a swimming pool, or are you thinking about getting one? Summer is coming!
17-Dec-2019 auto
I recently received a friendly reminder from my car dealer not to forget to winterize my car. With winter weather fast approaching...
17-Dec-2019 home safety
The holiday season is a busy time, and that busy-ness can make us unaware of dangers that lurk in plain sight. Here's a partial li...
1-Oct-2019
There is some great news for Massachusetts drivers; the roads are going to be a little safer for everyone. But this news comes aft...
19-Sep-2019 personal
In the aftermath of Dorian, the question remains: what makes a storm a hurricane?
15-Aug-2019 insurance
You call the insurance company after a big nor'easter or hurricane, with a tree sitting on your house, and they tell you that you ...
2-May-2019 car accidents
Short answer is yes, most insurance companies do add a charge for accidents even when you are less than 50% at-fault.
20-Nov-2018 California fires
The devastation in California has already taught us a few hard lessons. First, some statistics as of Tuesday, November 20th, 2018:
Senate has approved an extension of the National Flood Insurance Program, ensuring it will be operational through November 20, 201...
3-May-2018 inspection
Do you own a motorcycle? If you can answer "yes," there are two dates you need to remember:
26-Mar-2018 auto claims
What’s the difference between OEM and After Market Parts? OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) parts are “name brand” new parts m...
Effective March 26, 2018 the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles will now require documentation showing you have a US citizen...
4-Mar-2018 Water damage
The homeowners policy is limited when you get water in your basement. Flood insurance, if you have it, will provide some help but ...
4-Mar-2018 tree damage to home
Tree damage to your home from big windstorms is absolutely covered under most homeowners policies. The most common HO-3 policy cov...
2-Mar-2018
Gordon Atlantic is always interested in promoting safer driving. I beta tested a new telematics program ('telematics' is a fancy w...
Homeowners that are required to have a flood policy with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) may be affected by the curren...
20-Sep-2017 Premium Fraud
Premium fraud refers to misstatements on an insurance application to reduce the cost of insurance. When premium fraud is discovere...
16-Mar-2017 IRS Fraud
Tax-Related Fraud is on the Rise
27-Feb-2017 auto
One of the most underrated topics in Auto safety is child safety, especially in regard to car seats. Before you even begin to read...
25-Feb-2017 home
For many young adults, college is an incredibly liberating experience and a time of emotional and intellectual growth as fledgling...
21-Feb-2017 bbq
Summer for most Americans means “busting out the grill” and hosting some barbecues in the warm weather, whether it be with friends...
19-Feb-2017 commercial
Lightning Safety Popular culture has largely portrayed a lightning strike as an event akin to winning the lottery or another extre...
17-Feb-2017 rates
Yes, that’s right. Haikus. Like the ones you wrote for the much hated poetry projects in English class. These are the result of an...
15-Feb-2017 auto
One of the more unpredictable and dangerous things drivers tend to forget about is the possibility of hitting a deer. If you live ...
15-Feb-2017 insurance
A short story, from real life:
13-Feb-2017 theft
When you’re driving your car, how many times do you leave the key in the ignition or the engine running if you’re not there? Never...
11-Feb-2017 psychology
People often fail to appreciate what amazing machines our brains are. How many times have you wished you could do math like a calc...
10-Feb-2017 home
You just pulled into your driveway, and you notice that the door has been kicked in. What do you do?
In most offices today, securing customer personal information is a top priority because identity theft is a business run by profes...
9-Feb-2017 cutlery
The first rule of knife safety in the kitchen is that you ALWAYS should be cutting with a sharp knife. Cutting with a dull knife i...
7-Feb-2017 damage
Have you considered damage to the frame of your car after a collision? It may surprise you to know that most cars today don’t actu...
5-Feb-2017 auto
Most people understand that a major moving violation (DUI, reckless driving etc) will lead to a surcharge by giving you ‘points’. ...
1-Feb-2017 theft
College provides a whole new world to students along with independence and a perspective into the “real world”. However, in order ...
20-Jan-2017 auto
What is reckless driving, what are the penalties, and how will it affect your insurance?
20-Jan-2017 auto
Have you ever wondered how your car insurance rates are calculated? What affects that number on the bottom of the page? Here’s the...
20-Jan-2017 insurance
Today, I was figuratively slapped in the face by the realization that I’ve never blogged about the mathematics behind insurance. T...
The society we live in is very litigious, and the likelihood of getting involved in a lawsuit is higher than ever. Therefore, it i...
Winter is a good time to review your home inventory & to contact us to update your insurance. If you received an expensive Christm...
23-Dec-2016 insurance
I just stopped for a red light. I was sitting there waiting for the light to turn green, when all of a sudden I was rear ended. Wh...
21-Dec-2016 homeowners insurance
The “Other Structures” portion of your homeowner policy covers a variety of items.
14-Dec-2016 carbon monoxide tips
Know the risks of carbon monoxide. Anything that burns a fuel — such as a furnace, fireplace, generator, gas appliance or car prod...
Most consumers are familiar with the fact that a less than perfect payment history will affect the interest rate on a loan, whethe...
13-Oct-2016 Solar Panels
Should I Go Solar? In order to determine if your home is a good fit for a solar panel installation, some key issues should be cons...
15-Sep-2016 auto policy
Did you know that every licensed driver in your household needs to be listed on your auto policy. Even your neighbor that you let ...
19-Aug-2016 AAA
Has anything like this ever happened to you???
17-Aug-2016 Emergency
Recently a client’s 2016 vehicle engine started smoking. He got out of the truck to check the engine and couldn’t get back in the ...
12-Aug-2016 identity theft
In a few weeks, I will pack up and head for my sophomore year of college. My experiences last year at school and this summer worki...
11-Aug-2016 home
A private flood insurance market is beginning to emerge for homes and businesses in existing flood zones. The effect of this devel...
1-Aug-2016 risks
The soaring cost of daycare is leading to a rise in the number of families hiring an in-home nanny amongst our customer base. Most...
19-Jul-2016 collections
Did you know you can schedule Jewelry, Furs, Fine Arts, Firearms, Musical Instruments (not used professionally), Cameras, and Stam...
13-Jul-2016 trends
By now you have probably heard of the rising cultural phenomenon known as Pokémon Go that has consumed kids, teens, and adults ove...
13-Jul-2016 insurance
In today’s society, smaller insurers have been extremely successful. According the analysts at J.D. Power, the reason for this is ...
13-Jul-2016 auto
The Boston Globe recently ran an article about automobile insurance rates in Massachusetts increasing between 6% and 9% on average...
23-Jun-2016 cost
Many companies offer some form of Accident Forgiveness. Accident Forgiveness typically will prevent a surcharge from being applied...
20-Jun-2016 summer
Summer is here and it’s boating season, here are some boat safety tips:
17-Jun-2016 summer
Summer is finally upon us! One of the America's favorite summer holidays is the Fourth of July.
16-Jun-2016 AAA
AAA was founded in 1902, and is a non-profit member service organization that has been helping drivers ever since. They have initi...
14-Jun-2016 moped
The warmer weather is here and it is time to bring out the old motorized bicycle or moped.
14-Jun-2016 replacement cost
The term replacement cost or replacement value refers to the amount that an entity would have to pay to replace an asset at the pr...
1-Jun-2016 limits
Under Compulsory insurance you are required to purchase 4 parts.
1-Jun-2016 safety
Thinking of setting up a fire pit in your back yard and enjoying s’mores with the kids on a fine fall night? Here are a few facts ...
31-May-2016 rental car
Although many vehicles seem to be affected by the Takata airbag recall, we have only had a handful of clients call us about their ...
31-May-2016 local insurance
We see them everywhere, on billboards, on TV. People are talking about how they got their insurance at a great bargain. However, i...
4-May-2016 teen drivers
Most parents are excited and terrified that their young adult will be driving a car. However, there are ways of easing the pain.
We have been getting calls from clients who are under the impression that they can use the Substitute Transportation portion of th...
26-Apr-2016 Tire Pressure
Inflating the tires on your vehicle to the proper air pressure can make a big difference in the mileage you receive out of your ti...
21-Apr-2016 boat insurance
The weather is getting warmer, the flowers are starting to bloom, and before you know it we will be into summertime! With the summ...
20-Apr-2016 drivers ed
All too often we hear news reports of young drivers getting in serious accidents. They lack the experience, maybe they’re over con...
15-Mar-2016 Prevent a dryer fire
You should try to clean your dryer vent every year. It helps it to run more efficiently and to prevent a fire.
15-Mar-2016 lyme disease
Spring is on our doorstep and everyone is excited to get outside! Unfortunately, given where we live, we all must be aware of tick...
11-Mar-2016 Daylight Savings time
Daylight Savings Time We change our clocks ahead on March 13, 2016 at 2:00AM.
18-Feb-2016 Traffic Satefy
Wondering why auto insurance rates continue to rise? Surely increased numbers of accidents have a bearing on the rates. What might...
18-Feb-2016 Account Reviews
We all have to pay for insurance; something that we hope we never have to use. So, how can we get it for less?
Should I file an insurance claim or not?
17-Feb-2016 Out of State Purchase
If you are shopping around for a new car and happen to find an on-line deal from an out-of-state dealer that you just cannot pass ...
17-Feb-2016 Insuring a new car
How Insurance Plays a Role in Buying a New Vehicle
15-Feb-2016 Home Generator Safety
Winter has arrived and that means heavy snow falls, downed utility lines and power outages.
Your auto insurance policy must list all licensed drivers living in your household, whether related to you or not.
Your TV goes out on the day before the big game.
21-Jan-2016 Renters Policy
When a disaster strikes, it doesn’t matter if you own your home or rent. Renters face the same risk as homeowners.
4-Jan-2016
It’s a subject most people don’t want to talk about, but if you were to die, would the people you support be able to maintain thei...
29-Sep-2015
Although we all know that we need to be alert and paying attention to our driving, these days we have many forms of distracted dri...
28-Sep-2015
In March 2015, the state of Massachusetts decided to come up with a law which stated that drivers need to have their headlights an...
24-Aug-2015
Lightning is caused when warm and cool fronts meet, and as they cross each other, just like rubbing a balloon on a wool sweater, p...
23-Jul-2015
They say that a man’s best friend is a dog…That may be true, but a dog is not necessarily an insurance company’s best friend.
22-Jul-2015
It’s that time again when you can submit your application to the Registry for the low number plate lottery. The forms must be post...
21-Jul-2015
Most states have their own minimum requirements for auto insurance. In Massachusetts, the state says you must carry compulsory ins...
26-Jun-2015
Earned Premium Earned premium on an insurance policy is the premium for coverage provided, and this may be for less than the full ...
25-Jun-2015
Automobile property damage liability is the coverage that protects you from the financial consequences of negligent operation of a...
22-Jun-2015
If you were injured in a car accident, how would the injuries get paid?
18-May-2015
Weddings. They seem to be the event of a lifetime for people these days, with the day itself being much more than the lifelong com...
11-May-2015
Spring is a time of celebration for high school seniors! Along with prom, general fun and graduation, there's a lot to be excited ...
6-Apr-2015
After the snowiest winter I've experienced in my 17 year lifetime, I can finally see patches of grass! I truly had forgotten that ...
30-Mar-2015
As a high school student, I am currently enrolled in a course called "Energy and the Environment," where we learn about things lik...
25-Mar-2015
The Waiver of Deductible is an endorsement that you can purchase along with Collision coverage for your vehicle. There is a small ...
24-Mar-2015
Cell phones are pretty ubiquitous nowadays, but they aren't meant to be used in a car. Texting while driving makes you 27 times mo...
19-Mar-2015
It seems that we had fewer auto accidents this winter just because people weren’t driving as much. (Or maybe it’s just that we had...
11-Mar-2015
Here is a list of our most popular insurance blogs from over the years to catch you up on some good ones you might have missed!
3-Mar-2015
What are ice dams?
27-Feb-2015
Getting proper insurance coverage is no laughing matter, but sometimes it's nice to lighten things up a little. I've scoured the I...
25-Feb-2015
The following is a true story about one of our insureds. It asks the question of, “Why do use an Independent Insurance Agent inste...
23-Feb-2015
Were you the lucky recipient of a sparkling piece of jewelry this Valentine’s Day? Perhaps a pendant, a bracelet or a RING? I’m su...
3-Feb-2015
The truth is, sometimes vehicles break down and sometimes bad weather interrupts our travel plans. This is never a pleasant experi...
27-Jan-2015
As I write this post, I can hear the winds of blizzard Juno outside and see the snow piling up in my yard. Like many New Englander...
22-Jan-2015
Many insureds confuse compulsory insurance with comprehensive insurance.
15-Jan-2015
Knock on wood, we haven’t had much snow…yet. Unfortunately, we’ve had extremely cold weather and our office has already had severa...
7-Jan-2015
This is my, and many other teen drivers' first winter as a driver in New England. I've now driven in the snow once, and it was ver...
5-Jan-2015
In Massachusetts, home insurance is not compulsory as is auto insurance. Since carriers are not required to write homeowner covera...
29-Dec-2014
If you'd like to share your experience with our insurance agency, here are some great places to do so!
22-Dec-2014
‘Tis the Season for the snow to fall!! It is the time of year when we love to see the snow, perhaps more in New Hampshire than in ...
19-Dec-2014
Christmas time can be as stressful on your pets as it is you.
4-Dec-2014
So it's winter, but this can happen if it's cold and rainy any time of the year; your car windshield fogs up. So what do you do? I...
19-Nov-2014
If you are thinking of selling or trading your old car, why not donate it to charity instead?
17-Nov-2014
How is your Eyesight? 20/20?
13-Nov-2014
I recently had dinner with a friend that I have not seen for some time. He had been living in his large, family home while cleanin...
12-Nov-2014 homeowners insurance
Purchasing a new home can be a complicated process with many moving parts. It may have taken months to find that dream home, to ne...
6-Nov-2014
There are many reasons that you should make sure that you don’t let your insurance policy cancel for non-payment. The obvious reas...
4-Nov-2014
Resulting damage from dryer fires are a major type of homeowner claim. They can also pose a safety hazard since they are a type of...
30-Oct-2014
How many times have you heard of banks buying out other banks and/or changing their name? Plenty. How many times do you think they...
28-Oct-2014
The seat belt saved my life! Had I not been wearing my seat belt, I would have been ejected. I fell asleep driving, hit the guardr...
27-Oct-2014
I recently attended a seminar sponsored by Liberty Mutual on risk control. I found some very useful tips on how to prepare for the...
24-Oct-2014
Being involved in a car accident can be a nerve-wracking experience. Here are some do's and don'ts to follow:
23-Oct-2014
If you lease a vehicle, remember that you are not the registered owner. This can be problematic sometimes when you need to renew y...
22-Oct-2014
As soon as a child obtains their driver’s permit, the agency receives calls to add these new drivers to their parents’ auto polici...
21-Oct-2014
The following are some of the discounts and credits available to you on your homeowner, auto and boat policies. Bear in mind that ...
20-Oct-2014
Having your vehicle broken into can be an unsettling experience and certainly a frustrating one, especially if you don’t know what...
17-Oct-2014
One of the primary factors in rating a homeowner policy is the completion of a replacement cost estimator.
16-Oct-2014
Property Damage liability pays for damages you cause to someone else’s property, including their car, building, fence, or other pr...
14-Aug-2014 environment
Save on more than just your insurance with these energy tips.
11-Aug-2014 auto
Despite being a small, rural town, Norwell has some pretty dangerous roads. In no particular order, here are some places where I d...
6-Aug-2014 easy
If you haven't already checked out the first blog in this series, read it here.
4-Aug-2014 massachusetts
The big day has come! You've finally completed all your driver's ed, driving hours, and driving with your anxious parents. You've ...
30-Jul-2014 easy
Surf the web and our website more efficiently with these tips and tricks from an experienced internet user. As my time as Gordon's...
29-Jul-2014 auto
What to do if your car is totaled
24-Jul-2014 auto
In Massachusetts, you can get your driving permit the day you turn 16. To get one's permit, a parent/guardian must take the soon-t...
21-Jul-2014 drivers
If you're turning 16 or have a child who is, it's almost time to start driving. There are more steps to getting a junior operator'...
14-Jul-2014 damage
Everyone has seen a squirrel, bird, deer, or some sort of creature while driving. Here in Massachusetts, those are some of the mos...
7-Jul-2014 summer
Summer is here and the Streets are Loud….
2-Jul-2014 health
Those of us who have office positions that keep us seated at our desks and hunched over our computers for the majority of the day ...
30-Jun-2014 auto
Gap protection is an automobile coverage that helps protect you in the event of a financed total loss vehicle. Gap protection is o...
26-Jun-2014 safety
Last month’s blog centered on getting your boat ready for the upcoming summer season. Hopefully, it will be a happy time with no s...
17-Jun-2014 recipe
This is my follow-up to last month’s blog on homemade cleaners. As promised, here are a few more formulas and tips.
3-Jun-2014 home
Harvester ants, aka red ants, are reddish to dark brown in color. They form large mounds at the entrance of their nests. Their nes...
20-May-2014 poison ivy
Happy Spring – finally!!!
17-May-2014 home
Homeowner policies are “personal lines” policies and by their very nature are not intended to cover “commercial” exposures. Howeve...
15-May-2014 exercise
You have heard for many years the wonderful benefits you and your body get from walking for exercise. Whether it’s to get some fre...
2-May-2014 license plate
We occasionally have clients that purchase vehicles from out of state dealers. Sometimes the dealers will suggest that the client ...
2-May-2014 immigration
Very often we are asked to write auto policies for insureds who have recently immigrated to Massachusetts. Since auto insurance is...
What is Subrogation? Simply stated, it's when an insurance company goes after a responsible party for payments made on a claim. A ...
29-Apr-2014 motorcycle
Spring has sprung?? Well, not quite yet. Soon enough, the weather will be warmer, the sand will be cleaned from the roads, and it ...
15-Apr-2014 registration
Many of our clients call us to let us know that they are getting a new car. At some point we’ll ask if they are trading in a car &...
12-Apr-2014 health
Do you like to exercise and have fun but have issues with your knees or shoulders or…? I had 4 knee surgeries and then a total kne...
10-Apr-2014 insurance
Here is an overview and timeline of what you can expect for changes with flood insurance as a result of the passage of the Grimm-W...
8-Apr-2014 lyme disease
Although it is still only March and the weather is cold and snowy, an occasional warmer day will bring out the little critters in ...
1-Apr-2014 construction
Are you considering remodeling your home or adding an addition to your home? If you are, you will want to speak with your insuranc...
13-Mar-2014 animal shelter
If you have a Loving, Forever Home for a cat or dog, please check out The Scituate Animal Shelter on Rte 3A in Scituate. Previousl...
9-Mar-2014 St. Patrick's Day
I love a parade! They’re enjoyable, fun and FREE.
5-Mar-2014 plymouth county
Proposed FEMA flood map changes for Plymouth County were recently delayed for a year so FEMA may review the methodology of the flo...
27-Feb-2014 collision
Potholes in our roads are a frustrating fact of life. But you can limit the damage to your car by...
27-Jan-2014 auto policy
When your car is laid up in the shop after a fender bender or when it’s been stolen, the thing you miss most, is your personal fre...
16-Jan-2014 cruise control
Cruise control on our cars is a fantastic innovation. It’s good for fuel economy. It may save you from speeding tickets and it mak...
13-Jan-2014 cars
“Time it was, and what a time it was, it was” (Bookend lyrics, Simon & Garfunkel).
24-Dec-2013 winter
Snowplowing can be a lucrative business, especially in the New England area. However, the chances of injuring someone or damaging ...
21-Dec-2013 skiing
Winter's here! There are a lot of great things that come with this enchanting season, especially in the New England area. Here's a...
17-Dec-2013 home
5-Dec-2013 driving safety
Windows need defogging and defrosting? Don't worry; we've got you covered.
14-Nov-2013 Biggert-Waters
In July 2012, Congress passed the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 to address problems with the existing national...
12-Nov-2013 claims history
When writing insurance policies and homeowner policies in particular, agents are now required to obtain much more detailed informa...

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