The price of oil is clearly on the rise and homeowners of the Northeast are in search of ways to offset their heating bills. Tempted to use supplementary heating sources? We don’t blame you! Just be aware of the increased risk of fire according to the Insurance Information Institute.

Space heaters, wood stoves and other supplemental heating sources are the leading cause of home fires during the winter months. As reported by the National Fire Protection Association, portable heating devices account for two of every three home heating related fires and two of every three related deaths.

What’s the problem here?

• Lack of regular cleaning leading to creosote buildup which is very flammable
• Failing to give space heaters enough space
• Flaws in the construction or design of wood burning equipment
• Fueling errors involving liquid or gas heating equipment
• Improper installation

Damaged caused by fire and smoke are covered under the standard homeowners and renter insurance policies you just need to make sure you have enough to rebuild your home and replace personal possessions. Be sure to check on it now before it’s too late and if you take steps to reduce your risk of fire there are discounts to be found off of your insurance as well. For further information on what you can do to prevent home heating related fires, contact your New England Insurance Agency, Bucci Insurance!

The North Kingstown High School gymnastics season is in full swing and I could not be more excited about it! At the beginning of the season with only six returning gymnasts, I was a little unsure as to where the year would take us (seeing as though six are the minimum number allowed on a team). To my pleasant surprise five bright-eyed freshmen showed up to our first meeting last month and I knew we were off to a good start. Each girl brings her own unique quality to the table, whether it’s Olivia optimism or Melissa’s motivation, to really make us a well rounded team. Our three inseparable seniors this year, Rosie Warburton, Lindsay Nunnery, and Kayla Daly are sure to lead their teammates in the right direction. The three of them are vibrant and enthusiastic which spreads throughout all of the girls. Returning junior Alysse Pazienza- the 2009 High School State Champion, also understands what it takes to be a leader. Always willing to lend a helping hand, Alysse’s encouragement and support goes a long way. To have fun, maintain a positive attitude, and give 100% effort is what this team revolves around and I’m sure it will guide us through a successful season.

Bucci Insurance wishes the North Kingstown Gymnastics team the best of luck this gymnastics season!

Are your gifts covered? And by covered, I don’t mean wrapped! Be sure to find out if your homeowners insurance protects your gifts or if you should take up the opportunity at the checkout. The NAIC provides some advice to help you decide.

• Find out what your insurance policy already covers. If you are covered, do you have a limit? Is it cash value coverage or replacement cost coverage? Talk with your agent about the conditions of your policy to make sure your new purchases do not exceed the policy threshold. Know what your situation is in order to make sure you do not spend more than you need to.

• If you are a renter and do not have renter’s insurance, now may be a good time to look into it. While you’re landlord has protection for structural damage, your personally belongings are not included. The additional $15 to $30 a year may be worth it!

• Understand the difference between insurance and warranties. A manufacturer’s warranty offers a guarantee to the quality or performance of a product for a certain period of time. While a warranty is great for repairs and convenience it will not replace your product if it’s stolen like insurance will.

• Lastly, update your home inventory. Keep a continuous list of all the valuables in your household with model numbers and receipts. Over time after items are given away or new things are added, your coverage can change. Having this inventory list will be helpful making sure you have enough coverage or save you money. It is also a great thing to have when filing a claim after a loss.

If you need more information about what your homeowners insurance policy covers, contact Bucci Insurance, we would be happy to help!

I had the pleasure of interviewing Chris Sanford from Puro Clean yesterday. His warm and friendly personality made the interview quite enjoyable while I learned about the success story of a local Rhode Islander.

Sanford graduated from Holy Cross just prior to serving active duty in the Navy for seven years. After his seventh year, when he was ready to embark on the next phase of his life, there were endless opportunities in front of him. Sanford however, knew that a desk job was not for him and had the determination to be his own boss. Through extensive research, that is exactly what he did. He found a connection with the Puro Clean franchise and made the purchase of one in 2007. Puro Clean is a leader in property emergency service. They help families and businesses overcome setbacks from property damage caused by various environmental effects. What drew him to this company were the different dynamics and the unique problems he would encounter on a day to day basis. He enjoyed the idea that no two days would ever be the same.

Three years later, Sanford knows he made the right decision. He thoroughly enjoys working with his employees who he says “are a great team, who give great feedback and are compassionate about what they do.” To Sanford, the most rewarding part of his job is that he knows he can help people and business owners when they need it most. Damages caused by events like floods, break- ins, or fires are devastating and the fact that he can provide relief and comfort to them makes his job worthwhile.

Bucci Insurance applauds our local Rhode Islander Chris Sanford for all of his hard work and success with Puro Clean and wish him the best of luck in the future!

Making $50.3 million in ticket sales over the Thanksgiving weekend, there are sure to be Harry Potter fans all throughout Rhode Island. Fly on over to the Cumberland Library if you have seen the movie Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows for some great discussion, snacks, trivia games, prizes, and more! This event is for ages 10-18 and you must bring your library card to participate.  Registration has begun and can be found on the second floor of the library.

If you haven’t seen the movie yet, Bucci Insurance suggests you do! If you are unable to make the “Deathly Hallow” Bash at the library a good time awaits you at the movie theater.

Are you looking for a great dessert recipe other than the typical pumpkin pie and apple pie for Thanksgiving? We stumbled upon this delicious recipe for Chocolate Mousse Torte from Ziploc that we think you might love! Start early because this masterpiece takes three hours to prepare.

Everyone at Bucci Insurance wishes you a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!

Also, don’t forget today is the last day to make any food donations to our office in Warwick, Rhode Island. Tell all of your friends to “like” our Facebook and we’ll donate $1 to the West Bay Community Action for every additional fan!

Not watching Football this Thanksgiving? Test your family members with some holiday trivia!

One more day left to donate non-perishable food to Bucci Insurance’s office in Warwick, Rhode Island! Don’t forget to tell your friends to “like” our Facebook page! For every additional “like” we receive, we will donate $1 to the West Bay Community Action.

Insist on taking your bike out while the weather is still bearable? The Insurance Information Institute has provided some safety facts in response to the call for a mandatory helmet law in the United States by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). If you are part of the motorcyclist rights groups, you may be against the passing of this law, however, it is still good idea to keep these facts in the back of your mind.

According to USA Today, every day in the U.S. 12 people die from a motorcycle crash with the leading cause of death being head injuries. While motorcyclists make up only 3 percent of the vehicles on the road, they are involved in 13 percent of the fatalities.

According to The World Health Organization (WHO), motorcyclists that wear a good quality helmet can reduce the risk of death by nearly 40 percent and the risk of severe injury 70 percent! Even though these numbers are so staggering, only 40 percent of countries have motorcycle helmet laws that cover both riders and passengers and mandate quality standards for helmets.

At Bucci Insurance, we believe your safety should come first! However, whether or not you agree with the law the NTSB is trying to pass, talk with us about motorcycle insurance and we will be sure to find the coverage that is best for you!

….and is now working with them! Diane Sabatini born and raised in Rhode Island and has now moved on to LA, California as a Production Supervisor at MGM Studios. Diane has contributed to some well known hits such as the movies: Clockstoppers, The Core, Anchorman, and Mr. and Mrs. Smith, and many more. See her latest work in the movie “Unstoppable” featuring Denzel Washington that was released November 12th. This 20th Century Fox drama is inspired by true events!

Bucci Insurance applauds Diane Sabatini for her hard work and success!

According to the Census Bureau, 43.6 million people lived in poverty in 2009 which was up from 39.8 million in 2008. Also in 2008, 14.6% of U.S. households (17.1 million homes) were food insecure and faced the challenges of hunger. This is an increase from 11.1% (13 million homes) in 2007.

What can you do about it?

Well did you know that for just $1, food banks can provide 7 meals to men, women and children facing hunger? Bucci Insurance will help make that happen!

Bucci Insurance is looking to support our community, but we need your help! We will donate $1 to The West Bay Community Action for every additional “like” we receive on our Facebook. But that’s not all, you can bring your non-perishable food items to our office in Warwick, Rhode Island! Right before Thanksgiving we will bring the items to a local food bank as a donation from the whole community.

There are nine days until Thanksgiving…what are you doing to give back?