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!

New Driver Insurance: Proceed With Caution

For any parent of an inexperienced driver there are several area to be concerned about. Most importantly is their safety. We know many serious accidents are caused by young drivers. You probably already know that.

What we do differently at J.M. Doherty Insurance Agency, Inc. is provide you with good information and then let you decide what works best for you.

Lets start with advanced driver training. Through IN Control you can participate in something more than the standard "drivers ed" course. You will be set up on an open driving course.  Cones are set up, the corners are tight, and the track conditions vary in order to give a realistic sense of true driving situations.  Hard braking, skids, distractions are all part of the educational process. This will help a new driver recognize adverse conditions quickly and more apt to react correctly when things are coming at them at 65 miles per hour. For more information please call 1-888-301-SAFE,  www.InControlADT.com  There is a credit on your insurance for taking participating. Please make sure you keep the certificate.

When you call us for insurance information on a new operator we will give you straight answers.  It's about the right protection for the right price. We won't strip down a policy just to gain a customer. You will be calling us first if there is an accident. That's the last time you want to find out that your coverage limits are low and you might not be insured adequately.

Should I insure the car in their name? How much coverage does my kid need? How can I save money and still do this right? All good questions. Questions that may need some time to figure out.

We generally recommend that all the vehicles in the household carry the same amount of liability insurance.  One car or the other, if there's an accident it's the same "assets" you are trying to protect.

One solid piece of advice we can offer and will help keep your premium down is buying an older model car that doesn't need to have "full collision and comprehensive".  When a new driver buys a car that needs financing, the bank will require "full collision and comp". That's the physical damage to the car, fire, theft, vandalism... The bank is going to make you insure their interest in the vehicle. The added cost for full physical damage can add $1000 or more to the bottom line.

I see customers trying to get creative with this issue. Please keep in mind that insuring new drivers is expensive for a reason. THEY HAVE ACCIDENTS!!  Insurance companies don't mind creativity as long as they are getting the premium due to them.

New Massachusetts Auto Insurance buyers, please call us first. We are here to help you make informed insurance decisions.

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

Thank you!!

New Bedford: History, Architecture, Home

New Bedford has a past that is legendary. Throughout time our small community has celebrated being at the pinnacle of world culture and prominence twice. Once with it's rich whale trade. A time when boat owners and captains searched the vast oceans for their pray. Returning to New Bedford to build spectacular homes and amass grand wealth.   Many of these magnificent homes still survive today. Grand foyers, crown molding, multiple fire places, details that would cost a small fortune to have replaced today.  It's possible to own a peice of history here. That's cool.

The second time in history was during the textile industry. Expert seamstresses, craftsman in their trade, would produce fabric for the worlds markets. Taking the finest raw materials like silk, cashmere, wool and cotton, then weaving it into limitless patterns and designs. New Bedford still captivates the heart. www.newbedford-ma.gov

From the cobble stone streets, to the Whaling Museum the charm and character harken back to a simpler time. The shops, restaurants, gallerys, offer the best of living by the sea. Your selection of "prairie" paintings might be limited. But sea scapes, ocean views, boats we've got lots of that. Jewelry items, T-shirts of course.

New Bedford is where you can travel to Martha's Vineyard in one hour. The new "fast ferry" gets you to Oak Bluffs "fast" Look up the Steamship Authority for trip schedules.

We have the nicest beaches in the area. From the beaches off Rodney French Blvd to Horseneck Beach in Westport to Fort Phoenix in Fairhaven.

We invite you to visit us today.

Keep it local: www.jmdins.com