Tag Archive for: bodily injury

Last-Minute Moving Tips

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September 1st is finally here, which means that renters will be moving in and moving out all over Boston this week and into the long Labor Day weekend! The city is about to get a whole lot busier — that’s why we have some last minute tips to help your move-in day go smoothly.

1. Read Your Lease

It might seem like a no-brainer, but it’s important to read your lease so you don’t miss any details. Often times, there is a tenant moving out the day before you move in, which means the landlord or management company may need some time to clean the property. The last thing you want is to show up at your apartment, moving truck and all, at 9 am when your lease specifies that you can’t move in until after 1 o’clock.

2. The Move

If you haven’t reserved parking for your moving truck — do so right now. You can reserve a parking spot through the city of Boston, to make your move a little easier. No one wants to lug your stuff from three streets over, so make sure you plan ahead.

If you have hired movers to haul your stuff for you, don’t forget to tip! If you have somehow convinced your friends to help, handshakes and smiles won’t do. Buying everyone lunch will make sure they’re still your friends after a long day of moving.

3. Don’t Get “Storrowed”

If you’ve rented a moving truck, do not drive on Storrow Drive! Storrow Drive passes under several low bridges and every year, without fail, at least one truck gets stuck. Not only will you block traffic, you’ll also damage your truck and possibly your stuff. You don’t want to be that person. You should also avoid Memorial Drive for the same reason. Plan your route ahead of time to make sure you’re not unknowingly following your GPS through these parts of the city.

4. Allston Christmas

Boston is home to over 35 colleges. With all of these students moving out, there tends to be a lot of stuff that gets left behind. Although this phenomenon has become known as “Allston Christmas,” you can score free stuff all over the city. When it comes to digging through furniture and other items left on the sidewalk, we advise you to be careful with what you take. If you do decide to partake, we recommend avoiding anything with upholstery, as these items can host pests like bed bugs, which you can then bring into your new apartment. And if you take wood furniture, be sure to inspect it for small holes, which could also indicate a pest infestation.

5. Renters Insurance

When moving day is all said and done, make sure your new place and everything that’s in it is covered in case of an accident with renters insurance. It’s often mistakenly understood that if your landlord has insurance, then you do too. However, this is not the case. Renters insurance provides three essential protections:

These three coverages protect your belongings, safeguard you against lawsuits, and help cover costs if you have to temporarily relocate due to a covered loss, like a fire.  

Not sure where to start? A Lighthouse Insurance agent can help you evaluate your property and belongings and find coverage that suits your needs and your budget! Give us a call at 617-464-3777 or visit or website for a new or existing policy.

 

TNC Endorsement for Personal Autos announced by Plymouth Rock Assurance

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At Lighthouse Insurance, we are experts in all kinds of insurance, but our specialty is insurance for public transportation. As everyone knows, Transportation Network Companies (TNC) such as Uber and Lyft have exploded in size in Massachusetts, with an estimated 70,000 drivers.

The type of insurance TNCs have is unique in the insurance world. It is split into three different tiers based on the status of the TNC driver. Tier 1 is when the driver is on app with no job. During this time, coverage is afforded under the TNC’s policy with a $50,000 limit for Bodily Injury coverage per person and $100,000 per accident (50/100 liability limits). Tier 2 begins once a ride has been accepted. Once the passenger is picked up, Tier 3 starts. TNCs are required to cover Tier 2 and 3 at a $1 mill limit for liability.

Tier 1 is the part of this structure that puts the driver at risk. First, there is now a standard exclusion for TNC activity on every Personal Auto Policy in Massachusetts. Your Personal Auto Policy will not cover you if you get into an accident while driving for a TNC, and insurance companies have learned to recognize these claims. Secondly, the driver could be on multiple platforms at once, so there can be confusion over which TNC would be responsible if there were an accident. Lastly, they only provide 50/100 liability limits, while a driver may want more coverage during this Tier.

Luckily, Plymouth Rock Assurance has come out with an endorsement for personal auto policies that will cover Tier 1 on an individual Personal Auto Policy for a minimal charge. Having this endorsement eliminates confusion over which TNC would be responsible if you were driving on multiple platforms while also giving you the ability to control the limits and coverages on your policy. Ultimately, having this endorsement gives you peace of mind and more control, as opposed to relying on TNCs to handle a liability claim.

As experts in insurance, especially when it comes to the transportation world in Boston, we highly recommend taking advantage of this coverage to insure your own livelihood and assets. For a no obligation quote, call us at 617-464-3777 or visit our website.

Roommates and Renters Insurance — What You Should Know

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Did you know that buying renters insurance is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to make sure the belongings in your apartment are protected? Renters insurance ensures that your stuff is covered in case of a fire, theft, or even if your crazy ex decides to get revenge with a baseball bat to your car. It even provides protection from lawsuits resulting from bodily injury or property damage you inadvertently cause. Plus, any time you are displaced from your home due to a loss, like a fire, your renters insurance policy can also help cover expenses like hotel bills, home rentals, or even restaurant bills during the period of time when your apartment is out of commission or while you find a new place, if it comes to that.

Before you run out to buy renters insurance, which we know you’re about to do, here are a few things to know, especially when it comes to getting a policy when you have roommates.

  • A single renters insurance policy can cover a maximum of 2 people. If you have more than 1 roommate, they will need to purchase their own policies.
  • Adding a roommate onto your policy will not change your premium, meaning sharing a policy with your roommate can be very cost effective.
  • Even if your roommate is not on the lease for your apartment, they can still be added onto your renters insurance policy.
  • When you make a claim, any check you receive from your insurance company will be made out to all parties on the policy. This means that even if the check is to cover damages or losses to only your belongings, your roommate will still have to co-sign the check. So choose your policy buddy carefully!
  • In the event that your roommate damages your belongings, these losses will not be covered if they are on your policy. Again, make sure you can trust your roommate before adding them onto your renters insurance policy!

Sounds good right? Call Lighthouse today at 617-464-3777 or visit our website to learn more about renters insurance along with all of the possible discounts you could qualify for.