Commercial Insurance: Easy as 1, 2, 3…

With the economy in that state of disarray there are many people starting their own businesses. Contractors, bakers even our local car wash changed hands recently. When these individuals are looking for the easiest path to an appropriate insurance plan they turn to J.M. Doherty Insurance Agency. www.jmdins.com

We can do most requests for coverage right over the phone and internet. We work with all sorts of contractors from plumbers and electricians, masons and builders too. We can handle the general contractor and the handy man too.

Restaurant insurance with and without liquor, NO problem, this is what we do everyday. We even insure small farms and cranberry growers. There are very few businesses we can’t insure. Please give us a call.
What we have in common with your business is the fact that we are small business too. Everyone that works here lives here in the area. We shop at the local grocery stores. We attend the same schools and churches. We are community minded and support local charities.

One thing we don’t do is talk down to our customers. We want you to fully understand what you are paying for each month. There are always questions that need to be answered. You will have some. We will have some. This is so we get your insurance program correct and in place as quickly and painlessly as possible.
Did I mention we can offer NO down payment plans with some of our companies. With your signature, we can have he company bill you directly. There are several payment plans available. Most carriers now offer Electronic Funds Transfer or EFT. That’s an automatic withdrawal system that eliminates the need to write a check every month, EASY! *this option will eliminate the billing fee with most companies.

J.M. Doherty Insurance helps other businesses get noticed. Have you checked out our partner page? http://www.jmdins.com/service-center/partners There you will find local trade people, marine experts, even a local florist with a flair for the exotic. This is how we plan to move into the future. Think global and act local.
Technology is our friend. We know that the next generation will not even find you unless you have a solid presence on the World Wide Web. Our website is easy to navigate. There are many useful tools there. We have a resource center if you need to look up a book value. We have all our companies web addresses there for your ease of use. I would direct your attention to the testimonials page. You’ll see Real customers giving real feedback.

We would love to help your business get noticed too. Please call or click today!!
Business in Massachusetts can be challenging. Business Insurance in Massachusetts doesn’t have to be!!
Thank you!!

Cut to the Chase: What’s This Gonna Cost Me?

When you’re searching for Massachusetts Insurance quotes, you don’t want to spend all day on the phone. You want to get a price and move on, OR DO YOU? With the availability of numerous carriers and competitive rates, the time you spend could save you hundreds or oven thousands of dollars.

I was referred to a customer from an existing client. This was her mother in law. She spoke broken English so her son joined us at the meeting to help translate. I had done some quotes based on what coverage she had and also some alternate quotes. I had spoken to her on the phone so I knew a little bit about her going into the appointment.

I began by reviewing the existing coverage limits. We went through her Massachusetts auto insurance policy first. Line by Line, parts 1 through 12. We reviewed her Massachusetts homeowner insurance policy next. She asked me whether she had enough insurance. I replied to her by saying “You can never have enough insurance”. “I’m sorry for being sarcastic” I said to her. We all laughed.

She did have enough insurance on the house. I was happy about that. My bigger concern was the fact that she had no mortgage on the house. She had also recently paid for a brand new car with cash. Those are important facts. I saw the coverage limits that she had on her auto policy and they were low.
I asked her if she had ever received a review from her current agent. She turned to her son and she shook her head, no. They said no one had ever explained things to them.

I recommended that she increase her policy limits to provide her enough insurance to protect those assets. In order for her to do that we also needed to add an Umbrella Liability Policy to her insurance picture.
After we applied the companion discounts for having both home and auto together, applying low mileage and the retiree credit we increased her limits and still saved her over $600.00 That’s a grand slam home run in my play book! She is so pleased with her new plan and savings, she has referred us to her neighbors and friends too.

It’s no always a grand slam. Sometimes it’s a homerun. We’ll take it!
Sometimes the time you spend can save you lots of problems down the road as well as cash up front.
We are happy to offer a professional review or second opinion to you and your referrals.
We offer auto, home, and commercial insurance. We do antique auto, boats…Just about every type of insurance.

We are licensed in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
Please give us a call or click today! 508-992-9557 or www.jmdins.com
Thank you!

Cut to the Chase: What’s This Gonna Cost Me?

When you’re searching for Massachusetts Insurance quotes, you don’t want to spend all day on the phone. You want to get a price and move on, OR DO YOU? With the availability of numerous carriers and competitive rates, the time you spend could save you hundreds or oven thousands of dollars.

I was referred to a customer from an existing client. This was her mother in law. She spoke broken English so her son joined us at the meeting to help translate. I had done some quotes based on what coverage she had and also some alternate quotes. I had spoken to her on the phone so I knew a little bit about her going into the appointment.
I began by reviewing the existing coverage limits. We went through her Massachusetts auto insurance policy first. Line by Line, parts 1 through 12. We reviewed her Massachusetts homeowner insurance policy next. She asked me whether she had enough insurance. I replied to her by saying “You can never
have enough insurance”. “I’m sorry for being sarcastic” I said to her. We all laughed.

She did have enough insurance on the house. I was happy about that. My bigger concern was the fact that she had no mortgage on the house. She had also recently paid for a brand new car with cash. Those are important facts. I saw the coverage limits that she had on her auto policy and they were low.
I asked her if she had ever received a review from her current agent. She turned to her son and she shook her head, no. They said no one had ever explained things to them.

I recommended that she increase her policy limits to provide her enough insurance to protect those assets. In order for her to do that we also needed to add an Umbrella Liability Policy to her insurance picture.
After we applied the companion discounts for having both home and auto together, applying low mileage and the retiree credit we increased her limits and still saved her over $600.00 That’s a grand slam home run in my play book! She is so pleased with her new plan and savings, she has referred us to
her neighbours and friends too.

It’s no always a grand slam. Sometimes it’s a homerun. We’ll take it!
Sometimes the time you spend can save you lots of problems down the road as well as cash up front.

We are happy to offer a professional review or second opinion to you and your referrals.

We offer auto, home, and commercial insurance. We do antique auto, boats...Just about every type of insurance.

We are licensed in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Please give us a call or click today! 508-992-9557 or www.jmdins.com
Thank you!

Earthquake Insurance

Massachusetts Homeowners Insurance carriers will be getting numerous calls today after the 5.8 magnitude earthquake hits the east coast. It was felt as far south as Georgia and as far north as Canada.

Earthquakes a more common on the west coast because the ground is softer, and not as dense. Here along the east coast there is granite and hard pack which makes it harder for the earth to shift and move.

Your homeowners insurance policy does not automatically include earthquake coverage. There is an extra premium and usually a 5% deductible with it. That means if you have a $250,000 house the deductible would be a $12,500 deductible. That's high. However many new homes near the ocean are elevated because of flooding concern. The average cost of an elevated foundation is more than $40,000. A standard foundation can cost upwards of $20,000. At that rate, even the 5% isn't too bad.

We can answer your questions about how you can benefit from having Earthquake coverage. It's peace of mind knowing if your foundation, tile floors, plaster walls will be fixed if we have another one.

Please call or click today!
www.jmdins.com

Thank you!!

HD

Never Fail Business Insurance

Have you ever bought an item because it came with a never fail promise? Never fail chocolate cake is one thing…Never fail Insurance is another!
Murphy’s Law: If something is going to fail, it will be at the absolute worst possible time!
I had my own experience with Murphy’s Law recently, when my neighbor and I decided that we would
put his small sailboat on its mooring for the summer. We loaded everything on the trailer and set out on our mission. We rigged the mast, set the tension, and launched it. The small outboard motor had been running just fine until we left the dock. We get about 200 feet from the dock when…the engine dies!

My neighbor is frantically trying to start the thing! We are heading closer and closer to the rocks…when putt, putt, putttttt…she goes! WHEW!! The engine is running strong we are on our way. Did I mention we are taking this boat through the Hurricane Barrier out from New Bedford harbor? Well just as Murphy’s Law states that an engine will fail at the worst possible time! We are smack dab in the middle of the channel, in the middle of the Hurricane Barrier when…She dies again!!!

The engine cover was already off. My neighbor is pulling and pulling on the starter cord. There are some BIG boats coming in and going out. We are getting rocked all over. I see one of my customers on his boat. He’s asking me “are you OK”? Yes, thanks…I tell him. ALL SET!!! I no sooner tell him we are good when that little engine fires up, no sputter, no hesitation…off we go. AGAIN WHEW!!!
Murphy’s Law is why people buy Business Insurance in Massachusetts. When you have a catastrophe, it’s there to protect you.

You want to be proactive with your insurance planning. Commercial General Liability Insurance is the first place to start. You can add property to that and save on the over all premium. We can help you determine what’s necessary to get your business covered.

Commercial Auto Insurance: We offer free registry services to our customers. If you are incorporating and don’t have a vehicle in the business name yet, we will take the paperwork to the registry and get you on the road. That saves you time. Time = money!! Let’s say you’re buying a vehicle from a private party and not a dealer. The same free registry service applies.

Attention: Builders, plumbers, electricians, Excavators…Contractors Insurance is something we do everyday. Are you being asked for a certificate of insurance? We issue certificates every day! No more waiting 2-3 days for them to be sent out. Get paid sooner! We can handle your needs better. We know which questions to ask.

We invite you to click today. www.jmdins.com or please give us a call. It’s not rocket science. It’s business insurance.
Thank you!! HD

Get More Spend Less

It is possible in this economic climate to get more auto insurance coverage for less money. That may
sound hard to believe, but it’s true.

I recently had a customer who was insured with one of the national companies. They called in for some
quotes. We asked them about current their current coverage. What kind of limits do you have now? We
asked if they owned a home, and if they would like us to quote some different options. We could see,
based on the answers they provided that the “minimum” was not enough.
To our surprise when we ran the figures for the higher coverage limits, the cost was less than what they
were paying for basic insurance. This customer had always thought the cheapest coverage had to be the
lowest coverage. That is NOT true!

We always try to find the happy medium between cost and coverage. The staff at J.M. Doherty
Insurance will look to balance your budget with your insurance needs. For some individuals “basic”
insurance is OK. However, most people realize that state minimum insurance doesn’t protect them well
enough I n our, sue happy, society.

I would like to invite you to contact us today for a no obligation quote for your Massachusetts Auto
Insurance, Massachusetts Home Insurance, or even your Massachusetts Business Insurance.
We have been offering straight talk and advice for almost “40” years.

If you are looking for a professional review or second opinion for any of your insurance, we can help.
For us at J.M. Doherty Insurance it’s about getting it right the first time. We know that 95% of our clients
are not insurance people. We don’t fluff it up with fancy terms that you need a dictionary to figure them
out.
Save time, save money, get expert advice at J.M. Doherty Insurance Agency.
For almost “40” years we have been “steering you in the right direction.
Thank you!!
www.jmdins.com
H. Doherty

Back to School and Insurance; What You Should Know

It’s important to know that the premium you are charged for your Massachusetts Auto Insurance policy is partially based on garaging, that means where the vehicle “sleeps at night”.

You can understand. If you live in a small country town and the crime level is low then the cost for insurance is less than if you live in the city where crime is more prevalent.

If you have a student lives at school and they take a car with them, it’s important that the
insurance company knows it. We have seen claims delayed by incorrect garaging. Sometimes
it’s easier to pay the additional premium, than it is to find out that the company is denying
your claim for this reason.

Something else we see regularly, lack of renters insurance. If your child lives in the dorm then
your contents (your stuff) is covered by the parents home owner insurance policy. Watch out
for items like computers, golf equipment, cameras, bicycles. These things can have a high
value. Many insurance companies will have a maximum limit on how much they will pay for
such items. Get the values, notify your insurer. Then there is no question about what’s
covered and for how much.

We recommend Renters Insurance for those students that live off campus in an apartment.
Renters insurance covers the items you bring into that dwelling. Your clothing, furniture,
dishes, drapes…This insurance policy also includes liability protection. If someone gets hurt in
the apartment and says you were negligent, the insurance company will help defend the
claim. Be aware that some policies exclude things like dogs or animals completely. Other
plans don’t cover you for host liquor.

Let’s say your college student has a party at their off campus house. Someone has too much
to drink and hurts another person later that night in an automobile accident. The injured
person could bring litigation against the people who supplied the booze. No Host Liquor
means NO defense in that situation.

We handle Massachusetts Auto Insurance, Massachusetts Renters Insurance and everything
in between. Our staff is waiting for your call regarding student away at school. We invite you
to call or click today. www.jmdins.com

For almost “40” years J.M. Doherty Insurance Agency has been “steering you in the right
direction”. Thank you!! HD

Classic Antiques, Muscle Cars, Modified, Show Cars: We drive ‘em! We insure em’!!

From the Classic 1968 Chevy Camaro with cowl induction, to the Turbo Charged 1987 Buick Grand
National, We invite you to bring your quote request to us today. (I mention the 1987 GN because that’s
what I drive.) This car won’t officially be an antique until January 2012.  For now I have it on a standard
MA auto insurance policy!

Are you familiar with the terms Agreed Value or Actual Cash Value? Perhaps your policy reads Stated
Value. We can explain the difference and let you decide which policy fits your needs best.
Have you had an appraisal done lately? What’s your collectable worth? We have both www.nada.com
and www.kbb.com Kelly’s Blue Book available through our service center via the resource center. We
can recommend a couple of local appraisers if that’s helpful.

I am happy that my Grand National will finally be an antique. In Massachusetts you can’t be “collector or specialty” car insurance unless the vehicle is officially “25” years old.

We would like to review your current policy for accuracy. We want to make sure that you’re getting
what you think you’re getting! The more you know about your plan the better prepared you’ll be after a
claim.

The coverage our carriers offer is excellent!! You can buy full collision and comprehensive (fire and theft, vandalism) for very little premium dollars. The more you plan the better the outcome after a claim.When insuring these types of machines the insurance company will need a couple of good clear photos from the front and side and the read and side. They want it parked in a locked garage, and it can’t be a daily driver.

The photos of the classic car fire were taken April 30, 2011. The car had a rusted fuel line. It leaked onto the hot manifold and POOF! The local Fire and Police had not arrived on scene. I stopped to see if I could help. The owner and passenger were standing outside the car. As the police pulled up and started
waving people away I asked the owner, did you have collector car insurance? He replied, YES! For more than “37” years J.M. Doherty Insurance Agency, Inc. “steering you in the right direction”.
Thank you!!

Hans Doherty, CIC LUTCF
www.jmdins.com

See Insurance Be Insurance

When is the right time to buy Business Insurance in MA? Before the claim, that’s obvious.  But really, is it OK to go without for a while? That is not a trick question.

Let’s say you’re a contractor and you want to bid on the local community center project. You probably
already have the commercial general liability and workers compensation and maybe even a commercial
auto policy. But do you have the right coverage limits? You have the “bid” sheet that has all the specifics
on what insurance you need. Is what they are asking for attainable for a small business like yours? Let us
help you today.

There are staff members at J.M. Doherty Insurance know business insurance. Jim and Hans, Dennis and
Denise all work on Commercial Insurance.  We take time to review the current policies you have. We will

confirm that what you have is “what you think you have.” From there we can discuss the requirements
for the job and see what kind of insurance program fits your business best.

We see business owners struggle with balancing their coverage with the cost. It can be expensive to
insure yourself properly. That is where www.jmdins.com comes in. Massachusetts Commercial
Insurance is a competitive market. Business Auto Insurance is not like private passenger auto insurance.
Many carriers will offer huge credits for good driving history. I have seen customers save more than 40%
on the premiums just by shopping coverage with a different carrier.

Even workers compensation insurance can be less expensive with certain companies. Depending on the
type of work you do, we can look into other options? We represent several work comp carriers that will
“deviate” from the regular state rates if you have a clean track record. Perhaps you think you’re being
over charged for the payroll you’re reporting now? We help our clients by keeping the companies
honest too.  We are independent insurance brokers. We represent you and your business, not the
company. We won’t stand by idle while you deal with an auditor who won’t work with you.
Commercial Insurance is not that complicated when you’re speaking to someone who is thinking about
what the problems are, that can affect your business. We want to earn your trust and earn your
business.

We appreciate your time and thank you for reading.
J.M. Doherty Insurance Agency, Inc. For more than “37” years “Steering you in the right direction”.

HD

Attention Massachusetts Boat Insurance Shoppers!!

When you insure a boat there are two ways that the company will settle a claim. Actual Cash Value or Agreed Value.

Actual Cash Value: This is the same way the insurance company settles your auto insurance claims. ACV is taking into account the year, make, model, of the vessel. It also takes out depreciation. That means as the boat ages, the value decreases eventually to the point where it’s worth very little in the eyes of the insurance carrier.

Agreed Value Insurance is far superior to ACV. Agreed Value means that the insurance carrier will pay the face amount shown on the coverage selections page if the vessel is a total loss. That’s a big deal because, in most cases, each year the value does decreases.

I know a person that owned a really nice cabin cruiser. It was a bit older, 1960’s fiberglass over wood. He was given the vessel by his dad, so there was a lot of sentimental value. The boat was updated with new diesel engines. Carpets, cushions… It had two state rooms down below and was in excellent condition. At the advice of the agent www.jmdins.com , the boat owner reluctantly paid for a new survey. (another $500)
The survey came back with a new value of $165,000. We increased the coverage limit to that amount. The insured wasn’t happy because the premium went up too.
Your insurance policy is like a clock. Tick, Tock, Tick, Tock…All day long.

Not long after that coverage was increased, the phone rings at J.M. Doherty Insurance Agency, Inc…

That newly updated boat was on the bottom of the harbor. Somehow a hose, connected to a through hull fitting, had burst and flooded the boat. That customer was crying for about 1 minute when he found out that the company was going to pay him $165 grand! He was “new” boat shopping within 1 minute after that. He had an agreed value policy.
If his policy were ACV, the carrier would have depreciated that amount by as much as 50%. That’s a huge difference.

Don’t find out after the claim that your policy is not AGREED VALUE! We can review your current plan with you and find out. www.jmdins.com
For more than “37” years J.M. Doherty Insurance Agency, Inc. “steering you in the right direction”.
Thank you!!
HD

ECOMMERCE: Small Business Insurance

I have a “wicked smart” neighbor. He can re-wire a car radio. He can draw designs for a new shed, and build it too. He is great on the computer. He knows how to write “code” He can cut, crop, and paste with the best of them. He even builds websites at home in his free time. I’m envious because I am lacking in all of those areas.

What I do know is insurance! Massachusetts Ecommerce Business Insurance to be specific.
Are you working from home designing and building websites? Are the websites you’re creating designed to help increase sales or manage online sales for somebody else’s business? Maybe you are an “independent contractor” for someone else? Do you enter businesses or peoples’ homes to do repair work? What happens if you damage something someone gets hurt? What happens when what you’ve created crashes and this customer can no longer sell their product? The potential for big losses can be a problem, especially if you don’t protect yourself properly.

Advertising placement, graphic design, copyright and trademark design, photography, marketing, consulting, merchandising…There’s more, but you get the point. Many facets of Ecommerce work can leave you vulnerable to litigation. Most of these issues mentioned are all related to your professional opinion. When you “hang your shingle” out there as “webmaster” you are the expert. When your expertise leads to loss of business, whether intended or not, you could have a problem.

I recently heard of a case where a webmaster was hosting a customers’ website in house and it crashed. Sure it was backed up. The down time was costing this client $70,000 a day in revenue. It only took three days to get it up and functioning property. That’s right. Here comes a $210,000 law suit for ya!

We ask the right questions. We have several options. Maybe a simple “in home business” policy is the answer? Perhaps it’s more involved. www.jmdins.com We try harder. Please click or give us a call today.

For almost “40” years J.M. Doherty Insurance Agency Inc. “steering you in the right direction”.
Thank you!!
HD

Massachusetts: Small Business Insurance

Has your small business grown over the past 12-24 months? Are you working from an office in your home? Are you worried that if something were to happen, that you won’t be insured correctly? These are real concerns. As an independent insurance agent, we can help answer your questions and get you covered. You may need commercial general liability Insurance. You may need property Insurance. You may need workers compensation. You may need all three. We do it all here.

We get calls every week from local business people that are not happy with their current insurance program. Why do they call us again and again? We return our calls promptly. We take the time to answer your questions. We give you real practical advice. www.jmdins.com Perhaps, we can even save you money.

Are you a contractor who is looking to bid on local, state, or federal work? These entities ask for a lot of insurance. Maybe you aren’t sure where to begin? Call J.M. Doherty Insurance Agency, Inc. today.

The technology industry continues to blossom. I have seen a dozen or more local “web masters” take businesses to the next level in this economy. Our office works with the best carriers in the business for Massachusetts Technology Insurance. From hardware to software, installation to service, call us first. You will be pleasantly surprised when we ask you all the right questions.

Small business insurance doesn’t have to be a mystery for you to figure out. We will give you the answers to the riddles and then let you decide what’s important now. We take it one step at a time.

If you use us once, you will use us again and again.
For more than “37” years J.M. Doherty Insurance agency, Inc. “Steering you in the right direction”

Thank you!!
HD

Insurance for First Time Home Buyers

Home ownership, it’s the American Dream. For most people buying your first house is both exciting and daunting. There’s a mountain of forms to fill out, appraisals and inspections to be done. Now they’re telling you that you need to buy insurance too…This sounds like a bad dream, not the American dream.

The people you work with should be providing you guidance and advice so that you know what to expect next. They shouldn’t be pushy or rude. If they don’t understand that you have not done this before, then I would go elsewhere for services. You’re in control. It’s your money!
Professional Realtors like Steve Medeiros www.justleaveittosteve.com render much more than a guided house tour. You can tell a nice kitchen or bath when you see it. You don’t need a realtor to tell you that.

Steve will let you know what’s next in the process of home buying.
So your offer has been accepted, and the bank has approved your loan. “We will close on May 31st” the banker says. What exactly is a closing any way? The closing date is when the actual sale of the house is recorded at the registry of deeds. It’s officially yours (and the banks) on that day. The name(s) on the deed are recorded in book form. You own it!

You’re told by the lender that you will need to provide them with a “binder” effective the date of closing. A binder is a legal document that informs the lender who the insured is, which insurance company is insuring the house, and the coverage amounts. Many times a first time home buyer will be asked for a one year paid receipt be included with the binder. In that case, you will need to pay for one year worth of insurance up front. A lender will usually ask for this receipt because they plan to escrow your Massachusetts home owner insurance premium.
Each month you pay your mortgage the bank takes 1/12 of the annual insurance premium. They put that money into a separate ”escrow” account. At the end of the year there is enough money accumulated to pay the following annual bill from the insurance company. Nothing too complicated.

It’s my job as a local independent Insurance agent is to find you the right coverage at the right price. www.jmdins.com We take photos. We take measurements. We ask about the home AND about the customer. You’re making a big purchase. J.M. Doherty Insurance takes away the guess work. We are going to do it right. We do this every day!

The realtor, the bank, the lawyer are all looking to close the deal. No one gets paid until you close on the loan. That’s understood. You are in charge of the insurance buying process, here. There are certain things you need to be mindful of, coverage limits, deductibles (very important), liability limits.

For almost 40 years J.M. Doherty Insurance “steering you in the right direction”.
Thank you!!
Hans Doherty CIC, LUTCF

Massachusetts Business and ECommerce Insurance

Attention Web Masters: Does your business rely on the internet for revenue? Do you render computer services, remote, or on site? What about website design and implementation? Are you offering your opinion on what they should do with regards to Ecommerce? 

If you answered yes to any questions above J.M. Doherty Insurance can help cover that!  We offer one of the most comprehensive ECommerce programs in Massachusetts. 

Hardware, software, website design, so much more... www.jmdins.com   Making sure your coverage covers what you do,  is what we do.

The issue comes down to your "professional opinion". Any time you call your self or portray yourself as the "expert" you're the fall guy when it doesn't all work out according to plan. My business is on that line too.  All day long we render professional opinion. If I get it wrong...I'm required to protect myself.

Doherty's done this before. Our clients know the web, they work the web, they sell the web. Let us "get your back". In todays "not my fault" society everyone can be dragged in for ANY reason.

Call today, answer some detailed questions. Let's get it right!!  Right now!!!  Call or click today.

For almost "40"years J.M. Doherty Insurance has been "steering you in the right direction" 

Thank you!

Massachusetts Business Insurance and Internet Marketing

Have you had outstanding service somewhere and want to spread the word? Do you want to reward your local grocer, cabinet shop, accountant for doing a good job, treating you well or saving you money? What about the landscaper, chiropractor, or painter? You know the ones I’m referring to.

We all want to do business locally with people who are NICE! Is that so much to ask for!!
Here’s how you can help them get found. (unless you’re a hoarder of nice people)
Write a Google review!

It takes no time at all, 30 seconds to 5 minutes at most, and that’s getting detailed.
This kind of real world feedback is what people like to read. It’s no canned or scripted. It’s from the heart and that’s why it matters. Your opinion matters!

I guess it could go either way…if you mess up bad, someone could write a bad review too. But we are focusing the effort in a positive light.

I will take time to seek out my fiends businesses on Google and write a review for them. It’s amazing how a review can boost their search results. We help each other that way.

Help a local business!! Write a review today.

www.jmdins.com “Steering you in the right direction”

Thank you!!

Business Insurance for Dummies

It’s not rocket science! It’s business insurance.

What do you do? Who do you do it for? Describe your top 3 customers, and your last 5 jobs. That’s not all. What did you report for receipts (income) on your taxes? Do you have any employees? Seems like it’s a lot of questions…

There’s a reason for all the questions. It’s important to ask the right questions in the beginning so that in the end you get the right coverage. There’s nothing worse than paying money for something that will never protect you, right?

We insure lots of different businesses; small repair shops and auto dealers, restaurants and lawyers offices too. We want to be your one stop shop for Massachusetts business Insurance.

Our services don’t stop. We work with the best local CPA’s, business consultants, lawyers, and marketers all to get your business to the next level. Whether it’s incorporating or moving out of your home garage J.M. Doherty Insurance is helping to “steer you in the right direction”.

There are many facets to all businesses. Because of this, there is no “one size fits all” insurance policy. Let our agents answer your questions and debunk the myths about what’s covered and what’s not. Being proactive with your insurance plan is very important. Even though the catastrophes we see on television and read about seem distant and not relative, “stuff” happens every day. We see it because we get the calls.

The process doesn’t take long. There is an application to complete. There might be some clarification needed by the insurance carrier about this or that. After the questions and answers we receive the quotes and review them with you. We determine what’s important to you and your business and secure coverage.

We can usually quote and secure coverage in less than a day in some cases. If the business is more complicated, maybe a week on the quotes. We encourage you to contact us today at www.jmdins.com

Thank you!!

Coverage Declined Because of Your Website

If you’re shopping for Massachusetts business insurance please be aware that the first place most
insurance company underwriters look to determine your scope and scale is your website.
I have seen more than one business policy non-renewed or cancelled because the website lists
something that the insurer doesn’t like. It’s important to understand that your insurance companies
don’t like it when you have too much going on.

I had a friend refer me to his dad. Their primary operations include sewer work. His crew does mostly
septic tie-ins and pipe laying. He has equipment for this type of stuff. The crew takes extra training so
they will be the best in the business for this type of service.

I’m getting him some new quotes. I think we’re looking good. I’m excited because perhaps I will be
writing the insurance for him. Then the phone rings...Out of 7 possible companies, no one will quote on
it because they went to his website.

Upon further inspection, I see why they don’t want to insure him.

According to the website he is not just an excavation contractor. He’s a general contractor. That means
he’s in charge of the jobsite and all permits and all liability. The site also says he does DEMOLITION!
(Just watch the video as the wall comes crashing down) This is NOT GOOD!!
I asked him about the site. Do you do any general contracting? NO, but I could...Do you do demolition?
NO, but I could...

Keep your website focus on what you do primarily. If you are a contractor and you do only framing, or
only siding and windows, don’t list demolition on your website. If you sell cars, but don’t service them,
don’t list car repair on your site.

These companies don’t take your word for it either. According to them, it’s on there, then it must be
true.

Before your website causes problems, please give us a call today. www.jmdins.com
Thank you!!

Coastal Home Owners Insurance

We are lucky to live here in New England. The four seasons are questionable. We might have a summer
that starts in April, or a winter that ends in late June. None the less, we all take pride in our hardiness as
we should. After all* “if you don’t like the weather in New England wait a minute or drive a mile”. Don’t you feel better already?

Living in the coastal regions of New England has its challenges. Our homes take a beating because of the constantly changing conditions. Massachusetts has more than 1500 miles of coast that is subject to
Nor’easter’s and deadly hurricanes. Thankfully, the last category two hurricane was back in the late
1960’s named Donna.

Now with improved satellite imagery we have a full seven day forecast. The predictions aren’t always
totally accurate. *I’ll send you back to paragraph one for clarification. For the most part, the reports are
far more precise than in years past. We all benefit from that.

The reason many Massachusetts home insurance carriers are not so willing to insure your home near
the ocean has nothing to do with the fear of flooding. Your Massachusetts home owners insurance
policy DOESN’T cover flood. (a flood insurance policy covers that). It’s the WIND!
Wind is a covered peril and your insurance carrier would have to respond to this type of claim. Be aware
that all carriers have some form of deductible. It might just be a standard $500, $1000, $2500. Your
policy might also have a separate deductible for WIND. I have seen wind deductibles as high as 5% of th
dwelling amount.

This means if you have your home insured for $300,000 and you have a 5% WIND
deductible, that’s $15,000. That’s the cost of a whole new roof for some people.
Be proactive! Pull out your policy and look at it with your broker. If you would rather, contact us at
www.jmdins.com We are here to “steer you in the right direction”.

Before the 2011 hurricane season begins, we want to hear from you!!

Thank you!!

I'm a Believer!

True story: When I was 6 or 7 years old there wasn't much slowing me down. This particular day, things were no different when I decided it was time to jump my bicycle over a large rock on the roadside.  After all, it was only about 8 inches tall, shaped just like a ramp. I hit that thing at top speed and took off for the sky.  Well like any skyward adventure, eventually all things crash to the ground.  You know when you're that age you can only ignore gravity for so long...bang, boom, crash, smash onto the hard earth I came. 

The term yard sale was putting it lightly. Everyone in the neighborhood was there to see me laying there on the ground. "He's hurt" I hear my neighbor say..."get his mother, she's a nurse".  The neighbor was right. I had come down on my right arm with so much force, I broke my elbow, collar bone, and my upper arm in 4 places. This is NOT good!!

My mom (my hero) was on the scene in a flash. We only lived on the next street over. "get me some shingles for a splint, I need ice.  Someone call the ambulance." She had things under control. It wasn't a pretty site. My arm was all busted up and the summer had just begun!!

They took me to the hospital in the back of a cop car. I guess the ambulance was busy with another patient? I remember that ride. Every bump in the road was a nighmare. I didn't go into shock. My mom was keeping me awake and conscious.

I spent 2 months at the hospital in traction. Pins and weights and sleepless nights in pain.

Fast forward...age 10 diagnosed with Migraine headaches, age 15 cat scans and MRI's, age 20 vision issues, flashing and light sensitivity, missing work for 2-3 days with head aches.  Neurological exams, tests, medications...NO RELIEF! The medications made me feel worse than having the migraine!! Years and years, on and on...

Age 38, I hear Dr. Thomas Crabbe speaking to a group of business owners about how chiropractic care can help alleviate these symptoms and restore normal blood flow to the brain.

Tom says " when I was 7 years old a chiropractor cured me of my headaches, that's why I decided to become one too".

I was still skeptical until three or four people in the crowd tell me that Tom cured them too! I figured it was worth a $20 co-pay to see if they were right.

I made the appointment and arrived on time. Tom started by asking me several questions about the activities and sports that I like to do. He asked me to perform some basic movements.

He says "your range of motion is very limited on the right side of your body. Did you have any trauma there in the past"?   I said yes, I had an accident when I was younger, spent time in traction and then in a cast. He tells me that my body healed itself in that position. He began working that area. Rubbing some "minty" gel on that spot. He massaged and worked his fingers onto the spot that always tingled and burned. Finally, Tom asked me to stand up. He put his two hands, one on my chest in front of my shoulder, one on my back right on that burning spot. He gave a squeeze and "POP".

In that instant my migraines were cured! IN THAT INSTANT!!!!!!!!!  It was a miracle!!!!!!!! AHHHHH, RELIEF. I wanted to hug the guy, but I refrained.

I go to see Tom once every 60 days or so just to stay in line. I have not had a migraine headache since I've seen him.  No Drugs, No side effects.  I refer all my friends too. I'm a believer!! Thank you Dr. Tom.

Dr. Thomas Crabbe www.crabbechiro.com "keeping you in the game"!

For "37" years J.M. Doherty Insurance Agency, Inc. www.jmdins.com "Steering you in the right direction".

Thank you!!

Try Sea Salt!

The varieties are remarkable, Mediterranean Sea Salt, Italian Sea Salt, Hawaiian, Organic, Smoked...there's more.

Often harvested by hand these specialty salts are famous for their unique flavors and crystal formations.  Colors like, pink, grey, black are common. You will need a mill or grinder when using sea salt. Some will come in a "fine" granular form.  But, I recommend the course style milled directly into your dish.

Sea Salt is a part of our culture and history. Long before we had refrigeration the only methods of preservation were salting, smoking, or drying food.  Sea water flooded huge collection areas and was dried on the wind. The natural heat of the sun slowly evaporated the sea water and eventually crystalized. When there was enough dried crystals it was collected in barrels for storage.

Wars have been waged for Salt and Pepper, for that matter. (but that's another story)

Today we have the luxury of choosing from a huge list of salt options. I encourage you to give one a try.

Some salts may contain Iodine, some salts do not. Iodine is important in protecting your thyroid gland, and vital for overall good health.

Too much salt isn't good either. Your doctor will agree, too much of a good thing will eventually cause a problem.

In balance with other herbs and spices, Sea salt can really perk up a meal.

J.M. Doherty Insurance Agency, Inc "steering you in the right direction" www.jmdins.com

Thank you!!

Dog Insurance

Please understand that we are pet lovers here. I remember my first dog Brutis. The little scrapper was more apt to bite than some doberman pincers I've met.  He was a wire haired mix between beagle and terrier. Small dog with a big attitude. Don't mess with Brutis. LOL. I still have a scar on my wrist from a fight between him and Ace, the neighbors black lab. These two didn't see eye to eye. One day at the bus stop the two of them went at it.  Tearing and biting...I grabbed Brutis by the collar, Ace jumped for his neck. But before Ace could strike my dog twisted around and bit me so I would let go.  Great!! 

Who decides what dogs make the "Bad Dog" list? Each company has data on which breeds of canine that they will "insure".  It's up to them.  If your dog bites someone they will have to defend you and your dog and possibly pay for injury.  Even if the dog doesn't bite anyone and it's just alleged to have bitten, the defense cost alone can be $20,000. That's not short money.

Other companies just flat out EXCLUDE ALL DOGS: Look under the exclusions page for the words CANINE EXCLUSION or ANIMAL EXCLUSION.

Pit bull, American bull dog, Rotweiller, German shepherd, Akita, Chow, Doberman pincer, Husky, Wolf hi-bred. Notice I didn't include Black lab, or Poodle. Let's face it any dog can bite. So why are these breeds selected verses others? It's because some of these have been bred over years to be guard dogs. They also have something called "lock Jaw".

Have you ever seen a dog bite onto a stick of a rope and you can't get it free because they are biting down on it so hard? When a dog can bite and hold, that's lock jaw.

Most dogs bite and retreat. They don't bite and hold.

There is hope for those people who own "bad dogs". We have some options if you've been declined. www.jmdins.com

The best case is when your dog has been trained! If your pet has a Good Canine Citizen (GCC) certificate, then you might have more options.

Please give us a call today. We can answer your questions and help provide some relief.

Thank you!!

Liability Insurance

Are you a contractor in Massachusetts that needs a certificate for Commercial General Liability Insurance? Maybe you're the owner of a surveying and engineering company and you need professional liability insurance. We know the difference between these policies and why each is important to you and your business.

For more than "37" years J.M. Doherty Insurance has been providing quality advice to business owners and professionals in our area. We invite you to visit our testimonials page. There you will read our own customers telling you about their experiences at Doherty Insurance.  www.jmdins.com 

Commercial General Liability is your traditional "slip and fall" insurance.  For any business owner this is the foundation of your insurance program. If you combine some business property (tools, computer) with the "CGL" you can "package the coverage and get better coverage and save money. It's often less money to buy some property insurance along with the liability insurance and have a lower overall cost. Don't short change your coverage for a few dollars in premium. 

Professional Liability Insurance deals with a persons advice or professional opinion. You want to be sure that if you're installing a new septic tank in the ground, it's going in the right place. The last thing you want to find out is that you've put the tank in the wrong location. Who decides that? A licensed surveyor and engineer. These are the professionals.  What if they provide incorrect data?  What if they put the flags in the ground incorrectly?  These types of professions require Errors and Omitions insurance. Lawyers, accountants, your doctor. They all have Professional Liability Insurance.

If you own a home and have home owners insurance then your Massachusetts Home Owners Insurance policy automatically includes $100K for "liability".
Personal liability insurance deals with things like liable and slander, invasion of privacy, things like that. You need to add personal liability to some home owners insurance policies. (for a minimal fee) It's not automatically included. 

When can this be important? Lets say you're vacationing at some resort away from home. You open the door to the changing room at the Spa and there's an innocent person still changing behind the door. You see them NAKED...AHHH!!! Is that invasion of privacy? Can you get sued for that? I guess anything can happen.

Before it does, please contact J.M. Doherty Insurance. We don't want to see anyone get caught with their pants down!!

Thank you!!

College Planning Seminar

NEW for 2011! Fast Track Programs  Now accepting reservations for the Class of 2012. Space is limited! Congratulations to the Class of 2011! This year's College Edge students have been accepted to: Bates College Bridgewater State U Curry College Dartmouth College MA Coll. of Pharmacy Northeastern U Providence College Quinnipiac U Saint Anselm College Salve Regina U Simmons College Springfield College Stonehill College U of Connecticut U of Maryland U of MA-Amherst U of MA-Dartmouth U of Rhode Island U of Vermont ...and many more! Referrals Always Welcome! If you know anyone interested in College Edge's services, please share my information. I greatly value client referrals, and always offer discounted services to those who refer others.

Just a quick reminder about next week's FREE College Planning Seminar April 6th at Baker Books   Dear Reader, Next Wednesday evening (April 6th) I will present a college planning seminar for high school sophomores, juniors, and their parents. I am sending one more reminder because in case you are interested, or perhaps know some families beginning the college search process who will benefit from attending this informative event: Start Your Engines! Practical College Planning Tips for Sophomores & Juniors Wednesday, April 6, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. at Baker Books - 69 State Road, N. Dartmouth, MA  At this free seminar, I will provide sophomores, juniors, and their parents with practical tips to begin the college application journey. I'll tell you how to get the most out of your summer vacation, manage challenging academics, plan potential essay topics, maximize college visits, and match your strengths and interests with the best college for you. Sophomores can use what they learn to prepare for a stellar junior year, in both the classroom and the community. Juniors will learn how to finish the year strong and prioritize the tasks they'll soon need to complete as they begin their applications. Students and parents are encouraged to attend together, and to start the crucial college dialogue early! Advance registration is NOT required. However, to ensure adequate seating and materials, I would appreciate a brief reply to this email if you are planning to attend. As always, please feel free to share this information with anyone you believe may be interested in attending. If there is any way I can help your family with the college search process, call or email me anytime! I look forward to seeing you on April 6th at Baker Books! Regards, Elizabeth Murphy elizabeth@collegeedgeprogram.com (508) 496-5406 PS: Visit College Edge online for more information. It is never too early to start planning for college!