Agency to Continue Under 4th Generation Family Leadership

Preparing for College: Essential Insurance Considerations

Stephen Benjamin Insurance Agency, a family-owned property and casualty insurance agency serving the community for 85 years, is seeking a dedicated and personable Part-Time Customer Service Representative to join our team. As a key member of our agency, you will play a vital role in providing exceptional service to our clients and supporting the day-to-day operations of our office.

Here at SBIA, we understand the importance of safe driving practices, especially in challenging weather conditions like fog. Here are some valuable tips to help you stay safe on the roads when visibility is reduced:

With the arrival of winter, its time to remember the importance of winterizing your vehicle for the upcoming colder months. As you know, winter weather presents numerous challenges on the road, like icy conditions and reduced visibility. Properly preparing your vehicle can help ensure your safety and minimize the risk of accidents or breakdowns.Here are a few tips to help you to do just that: • Fill up your tires. As the temperature drops outside, so does the tire inflation pressure. That’s why you should check your tire pressure more regularly in the winter months and ensure each tire is filled to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendation (which you can find in your owner’s manual). • Have your battery tested. Cold weather can strain your vehicle’s battery. In fact, when temperatures go below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, car batteries lose 35% of their strength. With that in mind, it’s crucial to have your battery tested before winter weather or temps hit to ensure it’s in good condition.• Replace windshield wipers and washer fluid. Windshield wipers are essential to your safety if you happen to be caught in icy conditions. You may want to consider temporarily installing winter wipers, which can better handle ice or snow. At the minimum, however, replace any worn windshield wipers, and make sure your windshield washer fluid is at appropriate levels.• Make an emergency kit for your car. It’s always good to have all the essentials in your vehicle in case of a breakdown or emergency. Supplies you may want to stock your car with include: o Ice scrapero Jumper cableso Flashlighto Blanketo Cell phone chargerYou can visit the United States Department of Transportation website for more winter weather driving tips. And if you have questions or concerns about your auto coverage or other insurance needs, don’t hesitate to reach out to our office!

While tornados are less likely to occur in the Northeast, Massachusetts sees on average one or two touch down annually, so tornado warnings should be taken very seriously! They are crucial indicators of potential danger and demand immediate action to ensure the safety of individuals in their path. At Stephen Benjamin Insurance Agency, we understand the significance of tornado warnings and aim to provide our clients with the necessary information to protect themselves and their property. Tornadoes, with their destructive power and unpredictable nature, can cause severe damage within a matter of minutes. To minimize the potential risks associated with these natural disasters, it is essential to be well-prepared and educated about tornado warnings. Here are a few key points to consider: 1. Understanding Tornado Warnings Tornado warnings are issued when a tornado is either observed visually or detected by weather radar. These warnings are prioritized by meteorological agencies to alert individuals in the affected areas. It is important to have access to reliable sources of weather information, such as local news channels, weather apps, or NOAA Weather Radio, to stay informed about any tornado warnings in your vicinity. 2. Taking Immediate Action Upon receiving a tornado warning, it is vital to take immediate action to ensure personal safety. The first step is to seek shelter in a sturdy, interior room on the lowest level of your home, such as a basement or a windowless bathroom. If you are outside or in a mobile home, it is crucial to find a nearby sturdy building to take shelter in. Remember to stay away from windows, as flying debris are a significant hazard during tornadoes. 3. Preparing an Emergency Kit Preparing an emergency kit in advance can make a significant difference in the face of a tornado warning. Your kit should include essential supplies like non-perishable food, water, flashlights, batteries, a first aid kit, and a portable weather radio. It is also advisable to have a plan in place for your family, including a designated meeting point and a designated person to contact in case of separation. 4. Reviewing Insurance Coverage Ensuring that you have appropriate insurance coverage is crucial to protect your property in the event of a tornado. Review your homeowner's insurance policy to understand the extent of your coverage and consider additional policies, such as flood insurance or windstorm coverage, if you reside in a tornado-prone region. At Stephen Benjamin Insurance Agency, we are committed to helping our clients navigate their insurance options to provide the necessary coverage to meet our clients needs. For more tornado information and safety tips click here.

Who has time to stand in line at the RMV? And even if you do have the time… who wants to? No one! Let us do the standing in line for you. For our Massachusetts auto clients, we offer several MA Registry of Motor Vehicles services. Contact us today and we’ll take care of everything from assisting with the paperwork to the waiting! Many of our clients take advantage of “one-stop shopping” for their auto-related errands. And while we cannot handle all transactions associated with the RMV - such as driver’s license transactions, we can process most of your vehicle or license plate needs. New PlatesPlate TransfersPlate RenewalsPlate ReturnsOur registry runner service will save you plenty of time and headache. Plus, we’ll make sure you have all the necessary paperwork in order before it goes to minimize failed transactions.For more information on our Mass registry services, please contact our office!

Umbrella insurance works very much like an umbrella you would use to keep the rain away. It extends the protection your home or auto affords. A personal umbrella policy provides liability insurance over and above your primary insurance policy limits, such as homeowners and auto. It’s used when you are found liable for a claim that exceeds the limits of your underlying policies.

With the upcoming deep freeze heading towards New England we encourage you to be prepared for the extreme cold, however short lived in may be! Here are some tips to consider as we head into this weekend.Drain outside faucets and use insulated faucet coversKeep cabinet doors open to let warm air circulate around the pipes under sinks and adjacent to outside wallsTurn on all faucets at a slow drip to keep water moving and to prevent pressure from risingSet the thermostat no lower than 65 degrees. And don’t turn your heat down at night! You want to maintain your heat throughout the night when this cold weather hits. Depending on what type of heating system you have, when you turn your thermostat down at night your heat system won’t cycle for a while and during that down period the heat lines can freeze.If you have an attached garage, keep the doors shut except for during exit and entry. Garages (and the pipes in them) get colder than you might expect!If you’re leaving your property for an extended period of time, consider shutting off the main water supply line and winterizing your appliances. A licensed, fully insured plumber can perform this work for you. Additionally, keep your heat on and ask someone to check on your property regularly.Know the locations of your water mains and supply lines. Mark them so they can be easily shut down in the event of an emergency, such as a burst pipe or structural damage.Remember that if it’s too cold for you, it’s probably too cold for your pet, so keep your animals inside. If left outdoors, pets can freeze, become disoriented and wind up lost. In addition, don’t leave pets alone in a car during cold weather, as cars can act as refrigerators that hold in the cold and cause animals to freeze to death.