Insure Your Toys….and Everthing Else!
With all the insurance advertisements you see on TV these days you may feel a little overwhelmed. What type of insurance do I need? Car insurance, home insurance, health insurance, life insurance….do I really need it all? Can I do it all through one company? Well if you live in Massachusetts you the answer is YES! As a Western Mass Insurance provider in Sunderland, MA our insurance experts can take care of all of that and more.
But where do you draw the line on what needs to be insured? Everyone has expensive toys laying around (and no I do not mean Rock Band). I am talkign about cars, boats, RV, snow mobiles, motorcycles, off road vehicles, and snow plows. All these things need to be insured or you could be looking at a huge liability one day.
Let’s start with the basic, probably the first insurance your parents made you pay for…Car Insurance. These are actual statements taken directly from car accident claims.
“As I approached an intersection a sign suddenly appeared in a place where no stop sign had ever appeared before. I was unable to stop in time to avoid the accident.”
“A truck backed through my windshield into my wife’s face.”
“I started to slow down but the traffic was more stationary than I thought.”
“The guy was all over the road. I had to swerve a number of times before I hit him.”
“In an attempt to kill a fly, I drove into a telephone pole.”
To avoid being laughed at by people like me reading about your ridiculous claims on the internet, please drive safely and be aware of your surroundings. The easiest way to reduce your car insurance premium is to not get in any accidents, DUH!
Despite the fact that it was 70 degrees in Western Mass yesterday, the winter is just around the corner. If you libe in the Western Mass area and enjoy the winter you may have a snow mobile or plow and what you need is snowmobile insurance or business insurance if you own a snow plow! I don’t know much about snow mobile but I know they can be lots of fun and very dangerous. What would happen if you were driving along and lost control? Wheather you have a snow mobile or plow it is important to get them insured because icy road and snowy conditions make for alot of accidents.
On a warmer note, another type of insurance that is near and dear to my heart is watercraft insurance. I live on Cape Cod and spent three summers working in a harbor and I have seen my fair share of boating accidents.
One time in particular, I was watching boats go in and out of the channel. A smaller boat was heading out and a larger mini yacht was heading in. The smaller boat had to scoot over just a little but the inexperience captain cut the wheel all the way to the right, a gust a wind came and the next thing he knew he was sitting on a sandbar that lined the channel.
There are plenty of boaters out there who are inexperienced and think navigating a boat is just as easy as driving a car, but it is definitely not! There are a lot more factors that go into determining how your boat will move and they take years of practice to get used to. You have to think about currents, wind, the size of your craft and others around you. In order to protect your craft from other inexperience boaters or maybe even yourself, I would highly recommend boater’s insurance. Also, it is not a law in Massachusetts for boat owners to be certified in water craft safety but I would advise it. You can do it online at Boat-ed.com. And one more thing…ALWAYS WEAR A LIFEJACKET or have one readily accessible!
What ever other toys tou have from off road vehicles to RV’s to motorcylces, it is important to get them insured and anything else of great value to you!
Brought to you by the lovely interns at Dale Frank Insurance!
2oth Annual Pumpkin Festival in Keene, Guaranteed Good Time!
This past Saturday was the 20th annual Pumpkin Festival in Keene NH. Pumpkin fest is a Western New Hampshire tradition that takes place every fall in mid-November. People come from all around to see the collection of carved pumpkins and enjoy the other festivities. We drove from Amherst to see what all the talk was about. During the day there is a costume parade, a seed spitting contest and pie eating.
At night there is when the real spectacle begins. They light all the pumpkins and the streets begin to glow. This year there was almost 30,000 carved pumpkins! After the final count of pumpkins is announced they end the night with a grand finale fireworks show.
This year I went to pumpkin fest for the first time and I definitely feel like I have been missing out. There were so many pumpkins and things to for people of all ages. I was particularly interested in the local bands that were performing. We also took lots of pictures and ate some delicious food.
If you have never been to Pumpkin Fest I would recommend you check it out next year. There have been rumors kicking Keene for the last few years that they are trying to end P-Fest so make sure to check it out!
Brought to you by the Interns of your trusted Sunderland Insurance Agency: Dale Frank Insurance!
What Do You Think of When You Hear “Insurance?”
Everyone has their own personal thoughts on insurance. When I hear the word insurance, I think of accidents, money, and salesmen. The other interns at your favorite Amherst auto insurance agency and I asked some people what they thought of when they heard the word, and we got some interesting responses via Facebook, Twitter, and asking people face to face.
Many people think of money when they think of insurance, which makes sense because everyone has to pay to have it. In Massachusetts, you need to have car insurance. There is no way around that. Our state just switched to competitive rating for car insurance two years ago, making it better for people to decide who they want to insure them and can choose policies that suit their needs. Dale Frank Financial Group is an independent insurance company as opposed to Progressive or Geico who are direct writers. Independent agencies get to know their customers better and have a more personal relationship with them. This is important in keeping good thoughts about insurance.
Through Facebook, a few of my friends informed me that they think of the mascots of companies when they hear “insurance.” The Geico gecko, the piggy from the Geico commercial, and Flo from Progressive were written on our Facebooks. Insurance companies have funny commercials (some of which you can see on a previous blog entry) and many people watching will remember the commercials, but not necessarily the companies they are advertising. Mascots for many of the major companies help people have a more relaxed view of insurance, because it an ad is funny, then the company can’t be that bad!
A few people I spoke to think of insurance as a safety net and people are paying for the chance that they will get hurt or sick and need coverage. Insurance is important to have because of this reason for the “just-in-case” things, but the view that it is giving money to someone for things that may not happen is hard to shake off for many people. It is a game of “what-ifs” but as humans we need to watch our backs and that’s what insurance agents, like the ones at your favorite Western Mass Insurance Company, do. They are there to help us keep ourselves and our families well.
Since starting my internship here at Dale Frank, I am learning more about all sides of insurance and see why it important to have. As one of the employees here and I spoke about, insurance is not just covering what you do to other people, but also what other people do to you. Even if you never get in an accident or get rushed to the hospital, insurance is still important because we cannot control how other people affect us.
Brought to you by your friends at Dale Frank Financial Group.
Confused About Car Insurance?
With TiVo and DVR these days you may not watch too many commercials, but if we asked you to tell us about an auto insurance commercial, it would be likely for you to respond with a chuckle and recite the lines from one of the many funny commercials that insurance companies produce. Granted there have been plenty of funny and memorable insurance commercials, often with a company mascot, but how many of them a really informative and answer your auto insurance questions? These are two favorites of ours here at your trusted Amherst Insurance Company.
The company mascots give a personalization to a huge corporate façade. However, when you call in you are unlikely to get the same agent twice. The benefit of using an independent insurance provider is the relationship that you can develop with your personal agent. Here at Dale Frank Insurance we offer just that to Massachusetts, Vermont and New Hampshire residents. As an independent agent we know our clients personally and we know what questions to ask.
Many companies allow you to name your own price, but is that really wise? It is a great misconception that could cost you in the long run. Naming your own price to save money will not provide the best coverage. Vehicle insurance is not something you do not want to skimp on because it could be hugely expensive in the long run. It only takes one accident to ruin your financial stability and the well being of those involved. Saving money is not worth minimal protection, so act now and call us at 1.888.399.7635 or come visit us in Sunderland, MA!! We hope to hear from you soon and to create a policy fit for you.
Brought to you by the lovely interns at Dale Frank Insurance.
Cell Phones
What did we ever do before cell phones? They haven’t been around for too long, yet it is hard to remember what we did before they were in everyone’s hands. Nowadays, if you don’t have a Smart Phone you are out of the loop, when before the new millennium, it wasn’t even the norm to carry a phone everywhere. I just upgraded to a Blackberry at the end of July and already feel as though I cannot do anything without it. I always wonder if life would be better without cell phones. On one hand, they make communicating and finding out information easy, but on the other hand they cause stress when forgotten or lost. If I am with a group of my girlfriends, I can never look around without seeing someone checking their phone. We expect calls, texts, Facebook messages, or whatever else is available on phones every few seconds. The interns here at your trusted Hadley Insurance Company all have Smart Phones and use them for work as well as pleasure.
I can remember the exact moment when I realized my addiction to my cell phone. My freshman year of college my phone stopped working. Cell phones break all the time so this wasn’t a surprise to me, but unlike other times when I just waited until a convenient time to get my phone fixed, I had this eagerness that I needed it done immediately. I drove down Route 9 in Hadley to the new Verizon Wireless store that was said to be opening soon. When I got to the there it wasn’t open yet and there was a sign on the door that said their grand opening was the next day. I knew I couldn’t wait another 24 hours to get a new phone so I skipped my next class (something I rarely do) and drove 30 minutes away on 91 to the Holyoke Mall. Once I was at the mall I already started to feel relieved that my phone would be fixed soon enough. I walked into the Verizon store and showed one of the technicians my phone. He said my phone was indeed broken and they could not fix it. I had the option of either receiving a new phone in the mail in a few days or a refurbished one right there. Needless to say I walked out of that store with a refurbished phone in hand beeping out of control from all my missed texts I received while my phone was out of service.
Once in awhile, stop and think about how much simpler life would be if we went back to an age without cell phones. Today if you forget your phone at home, you automatically turn around to get it if you have the time. Years ago it did not matter because if you needed to make a phone call you had to wait until you reached your destination anyway. Phones can even get you into trouble! If they ring during an exam, important meeting, or distract you while driving, the consequences are endless.
It is crazy to think how far we have come with cell phones. Now there is a texting ban in Massachusetts because too many people have endangered themselves or others by texting and driving. We are so impatient as a society that we cannot wait the length of a drive to read a text and send an answer. We have to know when it is received what it says and make sure whoever sent it gets an immediate response. What will the next step for cell phones be?
Brought to you by your friends at Dale Frank Insurance.
UMass Amherst Homecoming Weekend: A Guaranteed Good Time!
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, Homecoming at UMass Amherst! This year the schedule is jam-packed with over 20 different events. The interns at your favorite Hadley insurance group have some exciting plans. Whether you are staying on campus, in Northampton or shacking up with a friend still in school there will be plenty to do. There are lectures and reunions taking place all over campus. Some events I found particularly interesting are….
Alumni Association Campus to Career Program: Hello City: Washington D.C.
Thursday October 14, 2010 – 5:30 PM, Memorial Hall
This is a great opportunity for seniors (maybe even eager juniors) who are looking to move to the nation’s capital after graduation. Alumni will be there to talk to students about the city, where to live, what to do and the many opportunities it has to offer. You definitively don’t want to miss this if you see D.C. in your future plans!
Do you see yourself living here one day?
“U Rock! Battle for the Best” Competition
Thursday October 14, 2010
6:00 PM, Berkshire Dining Commons
Come to Berk to eat some awesome sushi and watch three of the top student bands on campus perform. The winner of the competition will go on to the national competition and the top three at nationals will travel to Los Angeles for the finals. Let’s get UMass’s name out there by cheering on our final three and see which talented group is going to be representing the zoo at nationals!
Pioneer Valley Alumni Club Homecoming Weekend Golf Outing
Friday October 15, 2010
3:00-7:00 PM, Cherry Hill Golf Course
There is no better way to reunite than hitting the links for some friendly completion. There will be a longest-drive and closest to the pin competition, along with a traditional 9-hole scramble. Afterward there will be a reception in the clubhouse with appetizers and a beer tasting compliments of Horizon Beverages. Best of luck to everyone and even if you don’t win, almost every UMass grad loves free beer!
Saturday October 16, 2010
8:00 -11:00 AM, McGuirk Alumni Stadium
What better way to start off your day than run a 5K! Burn off some extra calories so you can tailgate even harder later on in the day. The money raised this year will go to the UMass Mounted Police. There will even be a “food challenge” part of the race where you can stop and eat 3 cider donuts before continuing on, woof!
Want to eat 3 of these in the middle of a 5k? I sure don't!
UMass Minutemen Football vs. Richmond
Saturday October 16, 2010
3:30 PM, McGuirk Stadium
Homecoming would not be the same without some action on the gridiron. The Minutemen are 4-1 this year with their only loss being to Michigan (so close guys!). Last year Richmond walked away with a win but UMass has stepped up their game this year and I am confident they have the potential to come out on top. So go tailgate, eat some burgers, drink some beer, play corn hole and enjoy the game!
Look at those Minutemen ready to beat some Richmond booty!
So put on one of those old UMass sweatshirts and party like you never graduated!
Brought to you by the interns at Dale Frank Insurance!
We Need A Plan B
Top and bottom right: Wind turbine at Jiminey Peak in Hancock, MA
Plan B is profound. It is a book that all people should add to their reading list. Written by Lester Brown, President of the Earth Policy Institute, Plan B analyzes the future path of society and the limited options that we have to sustain the same wealth of life. The New Jersey native has been extremely influential in changing perspectives on environmental and population issues.
This is certainly relevant to those in the State of Massachusetts, like us at Dale Frank Insurance, which, in a few years will be able to sustain itself with renewable energy sources. Enough so, that it will have an excess that it could turn for profit in surrounding areas. And it is most definietly relevant to the residents of Western Massachusetts in that the region has a great potential for wind turbines.
It is not to say that Plan B gives the best solutions, but it does address the future catastrophe that this planet will face in a few short decades if we as a populous continue to live in a state of denial. It does, however, give good suggestions and at the very least gets the mind-gears turning. It would be wise if it was a globally supported effort to fix the issue in the present than deal with the consequences at a later time. Now I’d like to hear what you think:
What are your thoughts to an approach for sustainable energy, especially to those in Western Massachusetts. Do you support or oppose the installment of wind turbines?
Brought to you by the interns at your favorite Sunderland Insurance Group!
No Wonder Amherst, MA was Named “Best College Town”
I feel privileged to attend the University of Massachusetts at Amherst for two main reasons: a great education at the Isenberg School of Management at a great price as the previous post details and the fact that this is a great area to keep everyone entertained.
There are so many local businesses that make this area of Western Mass unique. For example, the fine people at Dale Frank Financial Group (who granted me the opportunity to intern for the semester) have a tight knit group of workers who know their clients personally, giving the company an edge. Having an independent insurance company in a community like this is an excellent chance for people living here to get to know an insurance agent who can provide them with attention everyone deserves.
There are many restaurants that have unbelievable food for reasonable prices for everyone (especially us college kids). Bueno Y Sano serves high quality burritos that I will personally vouch for. With locations in Amherst and Northampton, you can’t go wrong. Antonio’s Pizza in Amherst Center is the place to get pizza any day. Their menu has combinations of toppings you can only dream about! The service is funny, but they are always efficient. The original Wings sits on University Drive at The Hangar. It has a great atmosphere to watch games, spend time with friends, and be served incredible wings and French fries. They deliver late into the night which is a plus when the weather starts to get chilly. Another great restaurant is the Goten of Japan, not far down Route 116 from Dale Frank’s office. It serves Japanese cuisine and sushi and has a beautiful building visible from the road.
Shopping is another activity that isn’t lacking in the Pioneer Valley. Downtown Amherst has a few shops that you can spend time in. The Hampshire Mall is not far down Route 9 off of Route 116 and the Holyoke Mall is about twenty minutes down Route 91 South, coming from Amherst.
As a college student, I find that there is so much to do and am glad for the activities to keep me entertained when the studying becomes too much!
Brought to you by your friends at Dale Frank Insurance!
Cost of College is rising, Public schools are a good choice (UMass Amherst)
Disclaimer: The ideas and opinions in the blog are not reflective of Dale Frank Insurance, just one of their passionate interns.
With the average cost of college on the rise, it is no wonder that a lot more students are looking towards public universities, opposed to private. According to collegeboard.com (every high school senior’s go to for SAT info, statistics about schools and possibilities for their future) cost of private school can easily be $35,000 a year or more. On the other hand, public school can as low as $9,000 per year. There are advantages and disadvantages of both.
Obviously, as a student at UMass Amherst I am biased towards public school. Despite what the Boston Globe has been saying the top rung at UMass is in reach. As a student in the Isenberg School of Management I see success everyday. Recruiters are flooding in trying to get UMass students to work for them because they know that the students here are well-rounded and can strive in a large university setting. Moreover, student life on campus is improving by the day. We have a new recreation center which is always full of health conscious students working out and classes are becoming more challenging and engaging.
Some more great things UMass has to offer…
88 undergraduate programs
#1 college town in the nation
Just welcomed the largest freshman class ever
Voted #56 university in the WORLD by timeshighereducation.co.uk
Back to my point earlier about the cost of seeking higher education, whether you go public or private, is expensive (but in my opinion you get more bang for your buck at a well respected public school). To help cut the costs it is important to fill out a financial aid form through FASFA and apply to scholarships. You can find scholarships available to you through your guidance counselor, businesses in your area and just searching for them on the internet.
Dale Frank Insurance is offering a scholarship to all students in 11th and 12th grade or college in Massachusetts. This is a great opportunity to apply for a scholarship that does not have limiting requirements, such as a minimum GPA or a specific field of study. All you have to do is make a video about Dale Frank Insurance. Be creative, unique and HAVE FUN!
Check out our website for more details and we look forward to seeing everyone’s submissions!
Brought to you by the interns of Franklin County’s Dale Frank Financial Group.
Welcome Lacey to Dale Frank Insurance!
Hey Everyone!
It is Lacey, one of the new interns here at Dale Frank Insurance! Since you are going to be hearing a lot from me I decided to tell you about myself. I am in my junior year at UMass in Amherst. I am a marketing and hospitality management major. I like to spend my free time shopping in Northampton or hiking Mt. Sugarloaf which is right up 116 in South Deerfield.
Junior year has started off with mixed emotions. It is crazy to think that I am half way done with college and in less than two years I will be entering the “real world”. I can already tell that my internship at Dale Frank Insurance is going to be a great experience. In the few short days being here, we have learned so much about what they offer, like the different types of insurance (auto, homeowners, and business) and their financial services. For our first project we are working on a sample video for their scholarship contest. It is also fun because we can keep everyone updated on what we are doing on our Twitter, Facebook page, and here on WordPress. So get used to hearing from me and the other interns( Sam and Bettina) and look for our scholarship video coming really soon!
Brought to you by your new friend here at Dale Frank Insurance!
New England Weather
Living in Central Massachusetts my entire life, I should be used to New England weather, but even after twenty years I cannot believe it sometimes. It reaches 70 degrees in December, there’s frost in July… it is all rather confusing. This year is no different. On September 21 it was freezing and I could not walk around without a sweatshirt. Today, September 23, it’s shorts and t-shirt weather! Unbelievable! What makes it very odd is the fact that the leaves are turning already and I can see red and orange out of my bedroom window on route nine in Amherst. Even though I love the warm summer weather, I am excited for it to finally cool down so we can all enjoy a Western Massachusetts fall with beautiful foliage in Northampton, Hadley, Amherst, and Sunderland at Dale Frank where I spend most of my time. Last year I went to Atkins Farm in Amherst for the first time and the atmosphere over there was beautiful because we could sit outside at a picnic table and eat while viewing the beautiful leaves. This part of the region is beautiful in the Pioneer Valley because everywhere you look there are gorgeous viewing points and many local businesses like Atkins allow you to relax and enjoy New England.
Brought to you by your friends at Dale Frank Insurance!
