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.

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.

School is just around the corner and if you’re like most of the students at the University of Rhode Island, the next few weeks will be an exciting time. Finally, moving back out of your parent’s house and into the one you and your friends are renting “down the line.” While you make your checklist of things to do/ buy before you move in, you might want to consider renters insurance.

Your landlord’s insurance only covers their personal belongings and property. In the unfortunate case of a fire, flood or robbery, renters insurance will have you covered and replace your personal items. Renter’s Insurance takes care of your furniture, clothing and most other items; your favorite diamond ring on the other hand, needs to be insured on its own.  Watch this short video from III for more details!

Here is your Renter’s Insurance checklist:

• Estimate the value of your property
• Do an inventory of all of your belongings
• Take pictures (permanent records in case you have to file a claim)
• Smoke detector
• Good dead-bolt lock

The last two items may qualify you for a discount!

For more information regarding this topic, feel free to contact Bucci Insurance Group! They would love to help you.

Here are a few things the Insurance Information Institute wants you to know about your basic auto policy and what is covered.

Bodily Injury Liability

Coverage applies to you, the designated driver/ policy holder and any damages you cause to someone else. You and any other family member listed on the policy are also covered when driving someone else’s car…with their permission!

Liability insurance is extremely important. If you are a part of a serious accident, you may be sued for a large sum of money. Although we hope this would never happen, it may be a good idea to purchase more than the state requirement to protect your most valuable assets.

Medical Payment or Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

This covers any type of injury or loss experienced by the driver or passenger of the vehicle. Anywhere from medical bills, lost wages, and in the worst case scenario, funeral costs, can be covered.

Property Damage Liability

Fairly self explanatory: any damage you cause to someone’s property whether it be their car, a front lawn, or a telephone pole is covered

Collision

This is geared towards you and pays damages done to your car. Even if you are at fault, it covers collision with another car or object, potholes, and flipping over.  This is typically sold with a deductible of $250- $1,000 (you know, the higher the deductible the lower your premium). If you are not at fault, the insurance company will try to recover the amount they paid from the other driver’s insurance company. If they are successful, which hopefully they are, you’ll be reimbursed for the deductible.

Comprehensive

This covers the damages done to your car that is not covered by collision. It reimburses loss due to theft, fire, falling objects, contact with animals, etc. This is usually sold with a $100-$300 deductible. Once again, the higher the deductible to the lower the premium- in which case you may want to opt for an even higher deductible. This will also cover cracked or shattered windshields.

Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage

To really put your mind at ease and avoid the situations that make a bad situation worse, this is the coverage for you. This will reimburse you, a member of your family, or a designated driver if one of you is hit by an uninsured or hit-and-run driver.

Underinsured motorist coverage comes into play when an at-fault driver has insufficient insurance to pay for your total loss. This coverage will also protect you if you are hit as a pedestrian.

For any questions regarding this topic, feel free to contact Bucci Insurance Group, we are happy to help!

For many, life insurance may be an odd concept to talk about it so, I am going to try and make this quick and painless. Here are six reasons why it’s beneficial to have it according to the I.I.I.:
1. Replace income for dependents

Are there people that rely on you for your income (i.e. child, spouse, or siblings)? If so, in the case that you pass away your income will be replaced and your loved ones will continue to be supported financially.

2. Pay final expenses

Life insurance can pay for funeral, burial costs, probate and other estate administration costs, debts and medical expenses not covered by health insurance.

3. Create an inheritance for your heirs

Buying life insurance and naming your heirs as beneficiaries creates an inheritance for them- even if you have no other assets to pass down.

4. Pay federal “death” taxes and state “death” taxes

Life insurance benefits can pay estate taxes so that your heirs will not have to liquidate other assets or take a smaller inheritance.

5. Make significant charitable

By making a charity the beneficiary of your life insurance, you can make a much larger contribution than if you donated the cash equivalent of the policy’s premiums.

6. Create a source of savings

Some types of life insurance create a cash value that, if not paid out as a death benefit, can be borrowed or withdrawn on the owner’s request. The interest credited is tax deferred (and tax exempt if the money is paid as a death claim).

If you have any questions regarding this topic, feel free to visit the Bucci Insurance website or call, 877.210.7159

Tropical storm Colin may be one of our first reminders that hurricane season is on the way. With that in mind, it is important that business owners have a disaster recovery plan. When a storm hits and property, inventory, and supplies are damaged it is necessary to have the right type and amount of coverage. When all bases are covered recovery from a disaster isn’t as painful.

According to I.I.I. small to mid-sized business purchase a package typically known as the BOP (Business Owner’s Policy) that is created for businesses that generally face the same kind and degree of risk. Here are some of the things the policy includes:

Property insurance for buildings and contents owned by the company: Types of coverages available include: undamaged stock protection, which covers undamaged items that can no longer be marketed because of damage to related goods; data or records protection, which covers loss of data or company records that were destroyed and will take time and cost money to reproduce; computer virus protection, off-premises property protection, which extends your property coverage to include protection at other locations such as trade shows, fairs, installations, exhibits, or any place where your company is doing business with company-owned equipment; and intangible coverage, which includes patents, copyrights and trademarks.

Business interruption insurance (Business income insurance (BI)): covers the loss of income resulting from a hurricane or other disaster that disrupts business operations during a period of restoration. BI pays continuing business expenses as well as profits. While the standard BI policy limits the period of restoration to 30 days, this period can be extended to 360 days with an endorsement.

BI coverage can include extra expense insurance, which covers all necessary expenses incurred during the restoration period. Usually, there is a deductible either in a flat dollar amount or as a waiting time. Waiting time deductibles are at least 24 hours, meaning that payments do not begin until the business has been disrupted for one day.

Liability protection covers your company’s legal responsibility for the harm it may cause to others as a result of things that you and your employees do or fail to do in your business operations that may cause bodily injury or property damage due to defective products, faulty installations and errors in services provided.

I.I.I. wants to remind you that BOPs do NOT cover professional liability, auto insurance, workers compensation or health and disability insurance. You will need separate insurance policies to cover professional services, vehicles and your employees.
For more information about business owners insurance please visit the Bucci Insurance website or give us a call- we would love to help you!

Whether it is a man’s best friend, or a pet that takes the bite out of being alone, make sure you take them into consideration when you’re thinking about insurance!

Pet health and accident insurance cover a wide spectrum of pet medical problems ranging from minor ear infections, cuts and scrapes, to chemo therapy, broken bones and heart disease. Depending on the quality of life of your pet and whether or not you would be able to afford treatment for them in a given situation, pet insurance could be a great thing to have. According to the III, there are 6,400 potential diseases and problems that your animal could face. Having pet insurance can improve the quality of your pet’s life and ultimately provide them with longer, healthier lives.

Like to live on the wild side? Exotic pets can be covered too! Chinchillas, goats, opossums, snake, and geckos are vulnerable to illness as well. Before you decide on whether or not to purchase insurance and if so, what kind, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• How long will you have your pet? Is it a goldfish or an iguana with a life-expectancy of 20 years?
• How much did you pay for your pet?
• How old is your pet? The older it is the more medical attention it will need.
• How accessible is the health care for your exotic pet? Check with local veterinarians if exotic pet care is necessary.

By staying informed and using common sense, insuring your exotic animal (or cat and dog!) can be affordable and well worth it. Be sure to put the time in to review everything the insurance companies have to offer, and you and your pet will be thankful!

For any insurance questions or concerns, contact Bucci Insurance, we are more than happy to help!

This summer has already met record breaking temperatures so it’s safe to say, this year is going to be a hot one. If you don’t already have a pool, I’m sure many of you will be convinced by your children, if not the heat, to purchase one this year. When that time comes, it is important to consider insurance and safety implications.

The I.I.I. suggests taking the following steps if you own or are considering purchasing a pool or spa:

• Contact your town or municipality

Each town will have its own definition of what constitutes a “pool”, often based on its size and the depth of the water. If the pool you are planning to buy meets the definition, then you must comply with local safety standards and building codes. This may include installing a fence of a certain size, locks, decks and pool safety equipment.

• Call your insurance agent or company representative

Let your insurance company know that you have a pool, since it will increase your liability risk. Pools are considered an “attractive nuisance” and it may be advisable to purchase additional liability insurance. Most homeowners policies include a minimum of $100,000 worth of liability protection. Pool owners, however, may want to consider increasing the amount to at least $300,000 or $500,000. You may also want to talk to your agent or company representative about purchasing an umbrella liability policy. For an additional premium of about $200 to $300 a year, you can get $1 million of liability protection over and above what you have on your home. If the pool itself is expensive, you should also have enough insurance protection to replace it in the event it is destroyed by a storm or other disaster. And, don’t forget to include the chairs, tables or other furniture around the pool deck.

The I.I.I. also recommends taking the following safety precautions:

1. Install a four-sided barrier such as a fence with self closing gates to completely surround the pool. If the house forms the fourth side of the barrier, install alarms on doors leading to the pool area to prevent children from wandering into the pool or spa unsupervised. In addition to the fences or other barriers required by many towns, consider creating several “layers of protection” around the pool, in other words setting up as many barriers (door alarms, locks and safety covers) as possible to the pool area when not in use.
2. Never leave small children unsupervised—even for a few seconds. And never leave toys or floats in the pool when not in use as they may prove to be a deadly temptation for toddlers trying to reach them who might then fall into the pool.
3. Keep children away from pool filters and other mechanical devices as the suction force may injure them or prevent them from surfacing. In case of an emergency, know how to shut off these devices and clearly post this information so others can do so too.
4. Ask if pool users know how to swim. Learners should be accompanied by a good swimmer. If you have children, have them take swimming lessons as early as possible. And, do not allow anyone to swim alone.
5. Check the pool area regularly for glass bottles, toys or other potential accident hazards. Also, keep CD players, radios and other electrical devices away from pools or nearby wet surfaces.
6. Limit alcohol use around the pool, as drinking alcoholic beverages negatively impacts balance, coordination and judgment—and its effects are further heightened by sun exposure and heat. The CDC reports that alcohol use is involved in up to half of adolescent and adult deaths associated with water recreation.
7. Clearly post emergency numbers on the phone, in the event of an accident. Keep a first aid kit, ring buoys and reaching poles near the pool. You may also want to consider learning basic water rescue skills, including first aid and CPR training. For additional information, contact the American Red Cross.

Follow these guidelines laid out by the III for the most risk-free pool area! Bucci Insurance hopes that you stay cool this summer…safely!

Burglary rates jump up in the months of July and August so if you plan to get away be sure you’ve done all you can to protect yourself and your home.

Identity theft is one of the fastest growing white collar crimes in our country and drags along severe short and long term consequences. So this year, not only will you have to think about protecting your valuables, but your identity as well.

The I.I.I. recommends following these preventive measures to keep your home safe:

• Keep your home well lit. Mount exterior lights in your yard or on your house so that they are out of reach of would-be burglars. Put indoor lights on a timer.
• Make it time-consuming to break into your home. Dead-bolt window and door locks can slow a burglar down. You may qualify for a discount of 2 to 5 percent on your insurance policy for installing these devices.
• Make it noisy to break into your home. Invest in a burglar alarm. The most effective systems ring at an outside service, which alerts the police, fire or other emergency service. A sophisticated alarm system could result in insurance discounts of 15 to 20 percent.
• Make sure you have strong doors. Outside doors and frames should be made of metal or solid hardwood and be at least 1¾-inches thick and each door must fit its frame securely. Even the best lock will not deter a burglar if it is installed in a weak door. Garage doors also need strong locks. If you have a tool shed, keep it locked since burglars can use the tools to break into your home.
• Turn off your computer and disconnect it from the Internet. If you save personal information in your computer, make sure it is difficult to access. You do not want a hacker at work while you are on vacation.
• Keep valuables in a secure location. When possible, do not leave personal documents in your home office or desk—burglars know to look for them there. Keep important documents, expensive jewelry and other items in a safety deposit box in a bank or other secure location.

As you prepare to leave on vacation follow these additional steps:

• Have mail and packages picked up, forwarded or held by the post office. Also, stop newspaper deliveries and ask a neighbor to pick-up circulars for you.
• Leave blinds or curtains open in their usual position. This will make it appear that you are at home.
• Ask a neighbor for help. Ask a neighbor you trust to keep an eye on your home while you are away. Make arrangements for your lawn to be mowed. Only tell people you know and trust that you are going away.

Insurance is available to identity theft and may even be included in your homeowners insurance. Feel free to contact Bucci Insurance for any questions or concerns you may have about this topic and they will be happy to find the right insurance policy for you.