According to the projected path, Hurricane Irene is still days away from hitting Massachusetts, and will likely land in the area by early next week. While forecasts more than 4 days out have a margin of error of up to 200 miles, Cape Cod residents […]
Phil MacDonald
Is Your Home Insured for Earthquakes?
Yesterday, an earthquake, whose epicenter was in Virginia, rattled the East Coast. Reports show that people felt the earthquake as far as Illinois, Maine, Georgia, and everywhere in between. Although damage was minor in Massachusetts, some residents of Virginia suffered costly damages to their property, something that […]
Change Your Address Online
We’ve all heard our fair share of horror stories at the RMV, so make sure to save some time, and change your address online, instead of having to go into the RMV to change it. In order to complete a change of address form, you […]
RMV Reminder Service
The RMV now offers a free reminder service, which reminds you by your contact preference (phone, text, email) when your license expires. The service will not notify you if your license has been revoked or suspended because of an outstanding obligation. In order to receive […]
Cancel Your License Plate Online
This is a friendly reminder that you can cancel your license plates online. As long as you have one of your physical plates, you can complete a no-fee transaction and print out a Plate Return Receipt once the transaction is completed. The plate return receipt […]
When Lightning Strikes: Part II
Last week we posted on staying protected in an instance of a storm involving lightning, and today we are finishing our two part series by writing about keeping your home and valuables protected in such a case. While most standard home insurance policies cover damage […]
When Lightning Strikes: Part I
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), approximately 400 people are injured and about 60 people are killed each year by lightning in the United States. In comparison, in an average year, tornadoes kill the same amount of people, and hurricanes kill even […]
Avoid Impaired Driving
Summer is here and with it comes increased traffic on Cape Cod. With our booming tourist industry, the roads and restaurants on the Cape can get pretty crowded. As you’re out and about this summer, make sure to stay safe and avoid impaired driving! The Center […]
Tips for Safe Motorcycle Driving
Although driving a motorcycle may be a riskier choice for transportation than driving a car, did you know that two-thirds of all motorcycle-car related accidents are a result of someone driving a car? Motorcyclists and car drivers alike should make sure to share the road […]
Increased Cyber Risk Leads to more Cyberinsurance
Insurance Journal reported on June 15 that a recent increase in corporate security breaches is pushing some many companies to opt for cyberinsurance for increased risk mitigation. The article notes that the US Senate, the International Monetary Fund, Lockheed Martin Corp., Citigroup Inc., Google, and Sony […]
Texting While Driving Could Raise Your Auto Insurance
Back in January, we posted an article about the dangers of texting while driving. As we mentioned, not only is texting while driving dangerous, it is also currently illegal in 30 states, including Massachusetts, and many states are looking to join those that have already […]
Planning Your Vacation Away from Home
As the summer season rolls into gear and families begin making plans for vacation, make sure to take a look at some of our tips for avoiding problems while you’re gone, especially if you’re leaving for an extended period of time. Suspend mail and newspaper […]
Stay Safe While Driving in the Rain
While the bulk of the rainy spring season may be over, it’s always important to keep in mind safe driving tips, especially, with Cape Cod’s unpredictable weather. When driving in the rain, it’s safe to drive similar to how you would in snow conditions. When […]
Reporting an Auto Insurance Claim
As the summer season arrives and traffic increases on Cape Cod, the risk of a car collision naturally increases. Murray and MacDonald Insurance Services wishes you a safe and enjoyable summer season, but should you need to report an automobile claim, keep some of these […]
Preparing for a flood disaster
According to FloodSmart.gov, floods are the #1 most common natural disaster in the United States. In the past ten yeas, the National Flood Insurance Plan has paid out nearly $30 billion in claims as a result of flooding, with an average claim of about $50,000. While many […]
Winter Home Protection Tips
Massachusetts is several months into its winter season, yet the snow keeps on piling on. With some of the most snow that Massachusetts have seen in years, it’s important to keep in mind some tips to keep your home and business safe and protected from […]
Preventing dryer-related home fires
Every year, thousands of home fires across the country are the cause of thousands of deaths and injuries and billions of dollars worth of damage to homes. What many people don’t know is that dryers in residential homes are a major cause of fires, as […]
Accident Forgiveness
With the introduction of managed competition in Massachusetts, auto insurers Plymouth Rock and Arbella have been able to introduce accident forgiveness to Massachusetts drivers. The exact details of accident forgiveness vary between insurance companies, but the basic concept is universal: drivers, for an extra fee […]
Dangers of Texting While Driving
As technology becomes a more routine part of most people’s lives, it brings with it positive and negative effects, including distractions like texting, which inhibit our attention to tasks when we mix the two. While many people like to pin text-happy teens as the culprits […]
Avoiding “slip and fall” claims
The Center for Disease Control estimates that in the year 2000, slip and fall incidents resulted in injuries totaling $19 billion for adults 65 and older, and this number is expected to rise to $55 billion by 2020. In addition, the average health care cost […]
Preventing Frozen Pipe Bursts
We might not live in the coldest part of the country, but given the seasonal changes in temperature, Massachusetts residents should be aware of the hazards of frozen pipe bursts, but more importantly, ways in which homeowners can prevent them. Why do pipes burst? While […]
Tips for driving in the snow
The winter season is upon us, and weather forecasts predict snow for tonight and the coming weekend. When driving with impaired road conditions, remember to drive safely, and keep in mind the most basic safety tip is don’t drive in snowy conditions. Wait for snow […]
RMV Discontinues Driver’s License Renewal Notifications
The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles has discontinued sending driver’s license renewal notifications. To avoid a license violation, we encourage you to register for the License Renewal Notification Program at: https://secure.rmv.state.ma.us/RMVReminder/intro.aspx This is a free service which will send you renewal notifications and confirmations via […]