Boat Trailering

With so many lakes and ponds within a short drive here in Central Mass., taking your boat to explore local waters and to enjoy time relaxing in the sun sounds like an excellent summer day. But before you can cruise along and spend the day on the water, you need to practice towing your boat so you can bring it on your next adventure confidently.

If you're new to hauling a boat, these tips will help you get comfortable with towing a boat from point A to point B. If you're already an experienced boat-trailering captain, this will serve as a helpful refresher course before your next outing.

Here are eight tips for a trouble-free trip to the boat ramp!

  1. Experience leads to confidence.

    Practice so you can get comfortable with trailering. Find a large, open space—like an empty parking lot—and put down some orange cones or other markers. Then spend time learning to back up, make turns and avoid obstacles. Practice makes perfect!

  2. Backing up takes extra practice.

    Most people find driving in reverse while towing a boat to be the toughest, so work on honing this skill. Remember that backing up in a straight line is almost impossible. Instead, focus on moving in the right direction with slow, slight turns.

  3. Level-up your mirrors.

    Big, extended side-view mirrors are definitely a great idea for trailering, especially when you tow on busy roads. Attachable side-view mirrors are available for purchase when you need to increase visibility.

  4. Swing wide when tackling turns.

    To ensure you don’t hit curbs or other vehicles with your boat, take turns extra-wide. If you can, try to prepare for turns by staying in the outside lane to give yourself more room.

  5. Keep it roomy with stopping distance.

    Extra distance between your vehicle and those ahead of you is crucial. You don't want to slam on the breaks with a boat in tow—that could cause jackknifing. So slow down and be alert.

  6. Be conscience of large vehicles.

    If semi-trucks and other big vehicles pass you, briefly lift your foot off the accelerator. This little trick will help reduce buffeting by the truck's wind and keep your rig from swaying. If you notice swaying, take your foot off the gas to minimize it.

  7. If swaying—stop, inspect and adjust.

    Taking your foot off the gas will minimize swaying, but if it seems to be a constant problem, get out and examine your rig. Try adjusting the trailer's tongue weight—it should be between 10 and 15 percent of the rig's overall weight.

  8. Conduct a post-arrival check-up.

    When you reach your destination, feel your trailer's wheel hubs. They should be cool or slightly warm. If they're hot, there may be problems with your bearings; get them serviced as soon as possible.

Recently get a new boat to enjoy this summer? Make sure that it is protected! Give our office a call or stop by and we can set you up with a quote for a boat policy.

Portable Generator Safety Tips

Many of you may have first hand experience with the wrath of summer thunderstorms in our area. We’ve entered that time of year where you can expect to see a few come rolling through. Sometimes these storms can be accompanied by strong winds and even hail. Severe summer storms and micro-bursts can often lead to downed trees and power outages.

To keep important systems running and get life back to normal as soon as possible in the event of a power outage, a portable generator is a great tool to have in the shed or garage. But, where it’s a machine that (hopefully) doesn’t get regular use, you’ll want to keep the following tips and advice in mind when you head out to fire yours up.

  • First - make sure to get the right generator for your home and for your anticipated power usage. If you’re not sure how many watts you need, ask an electrician for assistance.

  • Make sure that you operate your generator in a well-ventilated area, at least 20 feet from your home. The machine gives off carbon monoxide, so you should never run it inside.

  • Avoid running a portable generator in the rain as it can pose an electrical risk. It should be sitting on a dry surface. If needed, you can buy a generator tent to keep the unit dry for use during a storm.

  • Never plug the generator directly into a wall outlet with an extension cord. This is called “backfeeding” and is very dangerous! Having a professional electrician install a power transfer switch will allow you to power your home and appliances without posing a safety risk.

  • Don’t overload the generator. Once it’s up and running, turn on your lights and appliances one at a time. Prioritize your needs and only use what’s important. Remember, it’s only temporary!

  • Before refueling, make sure it’s turned off and had time to cool down.

  • Keep children and pets away from the generator. It gets hot while it’s running, and poses a burn risk.

If you own an older portable generator and want to reduce your risk of carbon monoxide even more, it might be time to invest in a new one to ensure a safe space for you and your family. Stay safe as the clouds roll in!

Personal Auto Customers - Credits are Coming to You!

In these unprecedented and uncertain times, we all may face challenges and hardships. Through this time, our agency remains here to support you. Even though our door may be closed, we are working diligently on your behalf, and we look forward to the day when we can meet face to face once again. We have updates below for all personal auto policy customers with Arbella and Norfolk & Dedham which we hope will help to provide much needed relief to our community in the form of a credit on your billing statement or a refund check.

ARBELLA - HERE. FOR GOOD.® GIVE BACK PROGRAM

Arbella’s Here. For Good. Give Back Program will provide Arbella private passenger auto customers with a credit equal to 20% of their auto premium for three months, April, May, and June, 2020. The savings will result in an estimated average of $60 per vehicle, and customers with multiple vehicles on their policy could see significant savings.

Arbella customers can expect a credit to be applied to their bill within the next 60 days, pending regulatory approval. Any active auto policyholder at the time the refund is made will receive the full three-month 20% credit. If the policyholder has paid in full, they will be mailed a check. A policyholder must be an active customer at the time the refund is issued. The Arbella Here. For Good. Give Back Program also applies to customers new to Arbella who purchase a private passenger auto policy prior to June 30, 2020.

Customer do not need to take any action to receive this benefit.

If you have any questions regarding the credit or how this may impact your bill please contact us!

ARBELLA BILLING AND PAYMENTS

In addition to the Here. For Good. Give Back Program, Arbella will suspend all cancellations for non-payment from April 1 until June 1, 2020. Customers will continue to receive a monthly bill, but Arbella will not cancel policies for non-payment during this period. They will also waive all fees for late payments or insufficient funds.

If customers are facing difficulties paying their bill, we ask that they contact Arbella’s Customer Service department at 1-800-Arbella. Representatives are ready and waiting to help. For personal lines policies, skipped installments will be spread over the remaining billing installments. If a skipped installment is the last installment on the term, the premium due will go into the renewal and that bill will include both the missed installment and the first renewal installment.

NORFOLK & DEDHAM

Subject to regulatory approval, Norfolk & Dedham personal auto policy holders will receive a check for 20% of your April and May premium. Eligible customers will receive their refund in the coming weeks accompanied by a letter. These checks will be sent automatically; customers do not need to take any action to receive this benefit.

NORFOLK & DEDHAM BILLING AND PAYMENTS

During this time, N&D will suspend non-payment cancellations, and will remain flexible. This includes the suspension of late fees, EDP fees for insufficient funds, and the suspension of the zero-balance renewal requirement.

If you are having financial concerns in regards to paying your Norfolk & Dedham bill, please contact the carrier directly.

Our agency will continue to monitor any developments, changes, and announcements that come from any of our carriers. If you have any questions on the pending refunds or credits, billing questions, or any other concerns, please contact a Benjamin Agency representative today, we’d be happy to assist and answer any questions that you may have.

RMV to Re-Open Select Locations

The Mass. RMV announced that it will re-open 7 of its locations today, March 18, 2020.

Open locations include Boston/Haymarket, Brockton, Fall River, Lawrence, Pittsfield, Plymouth, and Worcester. Hearings will be conducted at Boston/Haymarket, Brockton, Fall River, Lawrence, and Worcester. Hearings at the Pittsfield RMV occur weekly on Wednesdays and are scheduled to resume on March 25th . No hearings will be conducted in Plymouth.

The registry closed all 30 of its locations this past Monday and again on Tuesday out of an abundance of caution amid the coronavirus emergency.

In an effort to abide by state and federal calls for social distancing, customers are asked to come visit the RMV office alone. They are also asking those who do not immediately require in-person service to delay their visit. Road tests are suspended indefinitely.

Benjamin Agency asks that any of our customers requiring registry services this week please call our office. Many transactions can be completed online and we encourage our clients and the community to stay home if you are able and to delay any transactions if possible. We do, however, understand that some circumstances may require registry services. We are happy to answer any questions that you may have and address each situation on a case by case basis.

Vehicle transfers and new plate transactions may be able to be performed online by your Mass auto dealership, should they choose to remain open and you have purchased your vehicle through them. Our agency will remain open in order to certify registrations with dealerships. There may be situations where you can transfer a plate, or perform actions without having to go to an RMV branch. Please call us with any questions and we can assist you.

Benjamin Agency remains committed to supporting our clients and our community. Our staff remains in office and we open our doors as long as we are able to do so. We have encouraged our employees to take any necessary precautions to remain healthy and safe during this time. All employees will practice social distancing according to government ordinances and will be taking extra cleaning precautions as needed at our office. And even though we enjoy seeing your smiling faces in our office - we urge you to stay home as much as possible and transact as much business as you are able with us my phone, fax, email, or online. Please call us with any questions or concerns. We’re here to help.

Coronavirus 2020 Update

To our valued clients and community:

We are in unprecedented times during the current virus outbreak. We value your health and friendship within our community. We also value your business and will continue to strive to keep your confidence in our agency. Life will go on even as we hunker down for a bit. Accordingly, you may still have insurance and claims situations that require our assistance. Therefore, as of today, our agency will remain open during our regular hours. We will update our clients as the situation continues to develop.

With a small staff and family focused dynamic here at our office, we have encouraged our employees to take any necessary precautions to remain healthy and safe during this time. All employees will practice social distancing according to government ordinances and will be taking extra cleaning precautions as needed at our office.

However, even though we enjoy seeing your smiling faces in our office - we urge you to stay home as much as possible and transact as much business as you are able with us my phone, fax, email, or online. Please read on for more information.

Claims

Claims services remain in force and emergency teams are still on hand to meet with you should you have a serious situation. Please continue to report all claims to our agency by phone, fax, or email. For more information on filing a claim over the phone with your insurance carrier, please click here.

The Registry of Motor Vehicles will be closed today, Monday March 16 and Tuesday March 17. We will continue to provide updates as closure information may change in the coming days. We urge you to do whatever transactions you are able online with the RMV here.

Vehicle transfers and new plate transactions may be able to be performed online by your Mass auto dealership, should they choose to remain open and you have purchased your vehicle through them. Our agency will remain open in order to certify registrations with dealerships. Private sales are another matter, however, as they require you or us going to an RMV branch to record the transaction - which we are unable to do at this time. There may be situations where you can transfer a plate, or perform actions without having to go to an RMV branch. Please call us with any questions and we can assist you.

Paying your Bills

Although we love to see our clients face to face, we urge you to pay your bills online or over the phone. You can find carrier specific information on our site here or please call our office for bill pay assistance.

Home Inspections

Our carriers have suspended home inspections for the purposes of new business and renewal valuations.

We urge our valued clients, friends, and neighbors to act sensibly and listen to local authorities. Things may get worse, and things eventually will get better - but we are all in this together and encourage your patience and cooperation as we all navigate uncharted waters.

Thank you!