Articles from September 2010

Bryant University, in Smithfield, Rhode Island, has really put forth a lot of effort to see their students succeed. They offer so many tools and resources to assist people in all areas of their life, whether it is personal, academic, social, or career searching needs, there are places to go and so many people to help. When it comes to your personal life, Bryant has awesome counselors, a health services center right on campus, dozens of workshops throughout the year to better yourself, and highly trained RAs that are always willing to help. The Resident Assistant position in itself is such a great opportunity and all students interested in it should apply. I have had such a great experience being an RA which has led me to building strong relationships with people I otherwise would not have, gaining valuable life skills, and learning so much about myself.

For the academic side of things, Bryant has The Academic Center for Excellence (ACE) which is a building that has a room and tutor for every subject offered. They host writing workshops, study groups, and a place for students to get away and do their work. There are so many academic clubs on campus and just about every single student is in at least one. The Bryant Marketing Association, International Business Association, CEO, and Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) are just naming a few.

As a senior I especially appreciate all the help Bryant offers when it comes to career searching. A few times a week there are workshops, mock interviews, and info sessions that are held on ways to build our resume, improve our interviewing skills and find the job you’re looking for. There are career counselors, and numerous alumni that are always willing to help out and guide you through the process.

Finally, “Bryant at Night” and The Student Programming Board are two groups that work hard to put on events that Bryant students enjoy. Just last night we had the rapper, Common, come speak to us about pursuing your dreams, and that wasn’t a once in a life time occasion for us! Bryant is constantly coming up with these great ideas that really enhance our experience there. Whether it’s a late night barbeque, or a trip to Boston, we always have the chance to make our time at school a memorable one.

Bucci Insurance is thankful for the support and dedication Bryant University has for their students which has resulted in a great internship and intern (if I do say so myself)!

Who doesn’t have a Facebook?  I honestly do not know a single person that doesn’t have a page, even my grandparents have one! Facebook has had such a huge impact on the way we communicate, keep in contact with friends and family, and even the way we do business. Wouldn’t you like to know the story behind this world- changing phenomenon? On Friday, October 1^st The Social Network comes out in theaters everywhere.

At Bucci Insurance in Warwick, Rhode Island, we are huge fans of Facebook and can’t wait to see what it’s all about!

Check out the trailer below!

Don’t get too comfortable! While bedbugs have recently been on the rise in New York they are definitely in Rhode Island too. The Providence Journal just put out an article yesterday about a traveling couple staying in a Warwick hotel that was infested with bedbugs.

These flat, oval-shaped and wingless bedbugs grow about ¼ inch in length and don’t discriminate against race, age, gender, or class. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and the EPA believe the alarming increase in population has to do with the “increased resistance to pesticides, lack of awareness of the ancient relationship between the parasite and man and more frequent human travel.”

The pesticide treatment can be very costly (anywhere from $500 to thousands of dollars) and to put the issue into perspective, the National Pest Management Association has seen revenue that has more than doubled, from $98 million to $258 million in the past three years.

While it is not advised that you try and take on the problem yourself, here are some additional tips from the ProJo to help prevent and bring awareness to the issue of bedbugs in Rhode Island:

• Encase mattresses and box springs in bedbug-resistant covers
• Keep bedding off the floor and headboards away from walls
• Don’t use dust ruffles or bed skirts
• Use white linens to better spot bedbugs
• Reduce clutter
• When traveling, don’t leave luggage on the bed, floor or upholstered chairs
• Unpack outside and take travel clothes directly to the washing machine
• Inspect and vacuum luggage- checking for bedbugs
• Research what bedbugs and their eggs look like
• Examine tufts, seams and folds of bedding
• Beware of dark or reddish spots that are excreted blood
• Look for exoskeletons shed by molting juveniles
• Inspect and clean nooks and crannies, particularly in bedrooms

If you’re putting on a yard sale your intentions are to make money, not to lose large amounts of it. Make sure you don’t leave this year’s yard sale with negative profit by making sure you’re insured. Here are some facts and pointers from the Insurance Information Institute to guide you through a worry-free yard sale.

Is this a onetime event yard sale? Then it is probably covered under a standard homeowners or renter’s policy. Just be certain you have enough coverage and contact your insurance agent.

Are you known for your yard sales? Then it is a good idea to purchase a separate policy for business liability or an in-home business policy.

Are you doing it for the good of others? If you are running a charity fundraiser, it will most likely be covered under your homeowners or renter insurance policy. However, you may want to contact the charity to see what type of insurance protection they would be willing to extend to you if necessary.

Both homeowners and renters insurance provide liability protection that covers you against lawsuits for bodily injury or property damage that you or your family members cause to other people. This coverage pays for both the cost of defending you in court and court awards—up to the limit of your policy. Most standard home and renters insurance policies will generally provide at least $100,000 of liability coverage. However, those who wish to can increase this amount to $300,000 or $500,000. Consumers looking for even more than that should consider purchasing an umbrella or excess liability policy. For more information on this, you can visit the I.I.I. website.

Lastly, III wants you to remember to plan you sale with safety in mind.

• Repair loose railings and cracked concrete which may cause injuries.
• Place sale items so that there is enough space to move about without tripping.
• Avoid placing items too close to stairs and ledges where people could fall.
• Keep sharp objects such as knives and scissors out of the reach of children.
• Do not sell items that you know are unsafe or hazardous, including recalled items.
• Keep your pets safely indoors during the sale, both for their safety and to avoid someone getting hurt. Some dog breeds can become very protective when there are several strangers on their property.
• If someone does get injured, make sure that you get them medical attention as soon as possible.

If you have any questions about a yard sale you are in the process of planning, contact Bucci Insurance Group. We can help you with all of your homeowners and renter’s insurance needs!

Hey that’s me! Although it took a lot of pep-talking from Nick Brown and Alicia Collins from Astonish Results, I was finally able to build up the courage to speak in front of the camera. This awesome duo has been interviewing insurance social media managers, like me, all over New England. I was their fourth stop and definitely not their last. With their videos they are trying to capture a different side of the insurance world and let others know that it can be fun. So far, they have portrayed different perspectives from each interview;  one being a family connection within the business, another being a marketing major who is now getting licensed in insurance, and mine being the balance of work and college and how it has helped with my work in social media.

They don’t plan on stopping anytime soon.  They have a goal of changing the perception of the insurance industry so that people can enjoy getting involved with it and build better relationships with their insurance company. I have no doubt that they will succeed!

Check out my interview below and Astonish’s Insurance Marketing blog!

It’s a big deal when you’re trying to decide on the right insurance agency for you and it can be quite a challenge! It is important that you know the facts and are happy with your decision before you move forward. The Insurance Information Institute offers some great advice on what to keep in mind when choosing an insurance agency.

Licensing, price, financial solidity, service & comfort are the key points you want to focus on.

• Not every company is licensed in your state, so to be on the safe side, be sure to stick with one that is!
• Be sure to shop around. Get three price quotes from various sources; you want to find the best deal out there.
• Select a company that is likely to be financially sound for several more years.
• Fairly, efficiently, and quickly is how your insurance company should answer your questions and handle your claims. Talk with other customers of the company and do your research at your state insurance department. You can find out how many complaints were filed versus policies sold.
• You should feel comfortable with your insurance purchase, no matter where you buy it from. They should be easy to reach if you have a question or need to file a claim.

If you are looking for a great insurance agency that meets these criteria and will assist you with all of your insurance needs, contact Bucci Insurance Group and we would be happy to talk with you.

There’s always something to do in Newport! Next weekend head down to the southern part of our state for some “beats and bites on the waterfront” at Tastes of Rhode Island. Listen to local bands while enjoying some Rhody flavors brought to you by Stop and Shop. Saturday night join the block party, “Rock the Dock” after hours featuring theWandas. This will be great family event with contests, children’s activities, and prizes so bring everyone! Also, $1.00 from each ticket will be donated to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank so it’ll be fun and for a good cause.

For more information, visit the Newport Waterfront website, Bucci Insurance hopes to see you there!

Bed bugs have been the topic of conversation lately and immediately followed by the question, “does my homeowner’s insurance cover it?” Recently Ohio and New York have been terrorized by these creatures at increasing rates and are actively in search of ways to take care of this problem.

To answer everyone’s question, no, homeowner’s insurance does not cover bed bugs because it is considered a matter of maintenance. With that being the case, we need to be proactive and try to avoid getting them all together!  According to CBSNews Correspondent, Dr.  Jennifer Ashton, she suggests while traveling you put your luggage on racks. Putting your suitcase down on the floor or bed increases the chance that it will come into contact with bugs. When you’re in your home, clear out the clutter. They like places where they can hide in the dark, so vacuum often and regularly. Also, wash your clothes and sheets in hot water and be sure to fully dry them in a clothes dryer.

Although homeowner’s insurance does not currently cover bed bugs, according to Wealth Manager Web, “New York legislators are planning on the introduction of a bill that will require companies to offer policies that will pay for all the costs associated with an infestation – including replacement of such items as mattresses and upholstered furniture.” If this bill passes in New York hopefully all other states will follow their lead. This way we can again carelessly say, “Sleep tight…don’t let the bed bugs bite!”

If you have any questions about this topic, feel free to contact Bucci Insurance Group for all of your homeowners insurance needs. We would be happy to help you!

All Rhode Islander drivers are familiar with that heart stopping scare that occurs when you’re driving at night and something jumps out in front of you.  As the deer population increases, so does the number of deer-car collisions. According to the III, the average cost per insurance claim for collision damage is $2,800, but when you factor in auto claims involving bodily injury, the average rises to $10,000.

The Insurance Information Institute offers some defensive driving tips that you can take in order to avoid hitting a deer.

• BE ATTENTIVE. Especially from sunset to midnight and during the hours shortly before and after sunrise. These are the highest risk times for deer-vehicle collisions.
• DRIVE WITH CAUTION when moving through deer-crossing zones, in areas known to have a large deer population and in areas where roads divide agricultural fields from forestland. Deer seldom run alone. If you see one deer, others may be nearby.
• USE HIGH BEAMS when driving at night and there is no oncoming traffic. The high beams will better illuminate the eyes of deer on or near the roadway.
• SLOW DOWN and blow your horn with one long blast to frighten the deer away.
• BRAKE FIRMLY when you notice a deer in or near your path, but STAY IN YOUR LANE. Many serious crashes occur when drivers swerve to avoid a deer and hit another vehicle or lose control of their cars.
• WEAR YOUR SEAT BELT, always. Most people injured in car/deer crashes were not wearing their seat belt.
• Do not rely on devices such as deer whistles, deer fences and reflectors to deter deer. These devices have not been proven to reduce deer-vehicle collisions.

If your vehicle strikes a deer, do not touch the animal. A frightened and wounded deer can hurt you or further injure itself. The best procedure is to get your car off the road, if possible, and call the police.

Collision with an animal is covered under the comprehensive portion of your auto insurance policy. For further information feel free to contact Bucci Insurance Group, we’d be happy to help.

I had the pleasure of interviewing Ed Laurenzo from Edward Laurenzo Tax Consultant. After talking with him for a few minutes I admired the hard work and dedication that it took to bring him to where he is today.

Ed started working for the state in 1980; 16 years later he decided it was time to follow his dreams of owning his own business. In his spare time he began taking classes at H&R Block in taxes. He completed the course with such success he ended up working there for three tax seasons. Shortly after, he finally opened his own business in 2002. In 2005 he became an enrolled agent and three years later he was able to retire from the state and accomplish his goal of working at his business full-time.

Today, Ed is the president of the Rhode Island Society of Enrolled Agents and thoroughly enjoys what he does. Although he first started out wanting to do taxes and bookkeeping he found a passion in helping people save money and assisting clients with tax related issues. Now that this is his primary focus he enjoys taking the time to sit down with every customer, getting to know them and really helping them understand any questions they may have no matter how long it takes.

Bucci Insurance recognizes the hard work and dedication Ed Laurenzo has put forth to become successful and wish him the best of luck in the future.