Quincy Mutual Group

If you run a company that relies on the use of vehicles for yourself or employees to complete job-related tasks, a personal auto insurance policy isn’t sufficient coverage to protect you in the event of an accident or damage.

Commercial auto policies are designed to provide coverage for
the increased risks that come from a business’s daily operations.
If you have employees who spend a lot of time on the road, or you’re an individual who uses your personal vehicle to make money, here’s everything you need to know about commercial auto insurance:

What is commercial auto insurance?
Commercial auto insurance is a business insurance policy that applies to autos owned by or used for your business that protects against liability for damages caused by accidents involving your business autos. This type of policy also provides certain compensation to occupants of your business autos who may be injured in an accident.

The difference between personal and commercial auto policies
The main difference between commercial and personal auto insurance is the coverage provided. A personal auto policy provides coverage to protect you, your personal assets, and prevent you and your family from experiencing financial hardship. Commercial auto insurance provides coverage to protect you and businesses from auto-related lawsuits and settlements.
Another key factor to this policy is vehicle ownership. If your vehicles are owned by your business, they need to be covered under a commercial auto policy. That way, commercial auto insurance will help protect your business’s finances from costs related to accidents or other covered losses. It’s events like these — when you or your employees are driving one of your
business’s vehicles — where you need this protection most.

Do I need commercial auto insurance?
When do you need business auto insurance for your vehicle? Consider the following:

How is the vehicle used?

If you own a business, have a business owner policy, or general liability policy for your business, and own or use the auto in conjunction with your owned business, you’ll most likely need a commercial auto policy to protect those vehicles and your business.

Who owns the vehicle?
Your vehicle will most likely need commercial auto insurance if it’s owned by a business, but if you’re the sole proprietor, you might only need a personal auto insurance policy. For instance, if you only use your vehicle simply for commuting to and from work, you might be covered by your personal auto insurance policy. Contact your agent to make sure.

You’ll typically need commercial auto insurance if:
● Any of your vehicles are owned by a partnership, LLC, or corporation.
● Any of your vehicles are registered or titled to a business, including corporation or partnership.
● Any of your employees or you rent or lease vehicles for business purposes.
● Any non-listed drivers use their own vehicles to conduct business on your business’s behalf.

How is the vehicle being used?
The type of your vehicle, ownership and how the vehicle is used are important factors when determining if you need commercial auto insurance. Consider the following:
● Are any of your vehicles a dump truck, semi or commercial trailer?
● Do any of your vehicles, including pickups, vans or utility vehicles, exceed a gross weight of 15,000 pounds?
● Do any of your vehicles have catering equipment?
● Is your vehicle outfitted for snow plowing and not used for personal use snow plowing?
● Are any of your vehicles equipped with altered suspensions, hydraulic lifts?

Coverage included with commercial auto insurance
Like any insurance policy, coverage will vary based on your business’ specific needs. We recommend you review your policy thoroughly with your insurer, however, the following are common when it comes to a commercial auto insurance:
● Liability Coverage — Covers damage to you or another individual’s vehicle and any legal
costs related to an accident.
● Medical Payments Coverage — Covers the cost of treating injuries, rehabilitation, and, if applicable, lost wages and funeral expenses for you and your passengers as a result of an accident, no matter who is at fault.
● Uninsured/Underinsured Motorists Coverage (UI/UIM) — Coverage in the event that another driver involved in an accident does not have insurance or doesn’t have sufficient coverage to pay your medical bills. Nearly 14% of all drivers in the US are uninsured, so you’re taking your chances if you don’t add UM/UIM coverage to your commercial auto policy.
● Comprehensive Coverage — Payment to repair or replace your car if it’s damaged from an incident out of your control, such as fire, vandalism, theft, natural disasters, or animal collisions.

We hope this helps you better understand commercial auto insurance and whether it’s right for
you. Visit our website to find an agent near you who can help explain your coverage options.

Today, 51% of companies are in favor of a hybrid-remote work schedule for their employees. As more and more employers begin to adopt this type of working environment, it’s important to prioritize the well-being of individuals regardless of location to help avoid burnout, especially when the lines between work and home are blurred.

Here are some wellness tips to maintain productivity and boost overall success.

Set Boundaries
When you work and live in the same place, it can be challenging to maintain a separation between your personal and professional life. Your home becomes your office and vice versa. Unplugging has become more challenging than ever. Research shows remote workers log an average of four more hours per week than their on-site counterparts, ultimately leading to burnout and poor mental health.

To set healthy boundaries, get ready for the day as if you’re going to an office. Set up a space in your home designated for work tasks and work tasks only. When you sign off for the day, try to avoid checking email or answering calls following that time.

Schedule Breaks
In an office setting, you probably take breaks throughout the day to take a walk, eat lunch, get a coffee, or chat with colleagues. When you’re at home, you may just remain glued to your computer or work the entire day. Set an alarm to take breaks throughout the day at home and in the office so you get into a similar routine.

Avoid Tech Fatigue
In the era of Zoom meetings, everyone is spending more time on computers or technology in general than ever before. Aside from normal time spent on devices like phones, computers, and tablets, this added screen time can be detrimental to your vision. Here are a few ways to combat this:
● Shift out of full screen views to reduce the size of the window relative to your monitor. Also, keep your screens on a lower brightness setting.
● On Zoom calls, hide your self-view or opt for camera off options entirely.
● Use an external keyboard or mouse so you can set your screen up farther away from your face.
● Opt for phone calls when possible.

Promote Wellness in Company Culture
Step challenges, walking groups, and fitness contests are popular among offices and can be translated to remote work environments too. Promoting healthy activities and offering incentives like an extra vacation day to the winner can have a ripple effect on overall wellness and productivity in your employees.

Here are a few ideas to consider:
● Create an office intramural sports team.
● Offer group fitness classes for days employees are in office.
● Encourage walking breaks throughout the day.
● Offer reimbursement for gym memberships and fitness classes or equipment.

Plan Meetings with Purpose
With remote work, “meeting overload” has become a common culprit of burnout. Before you hit send on an invite, be sure you’re only inviting those who truly need to be present and make the meeting as efficient as possible.

No matter where you work from, employee wellness should always be a priority. We hope these tips help you implement some positive practices within your company.

On average, 170 people will die in a distracted driving related accident in Massachusetts every year, according to the NHTSA. From tending to a child in the backseat to sending a text, eating a sandwich, or checking your lipstick, there are countless ways to be distracted — even for 1 second — when you’re behind the wheel.

Every year as spring rolls around and winter is in the rearview, New England drivers are faced with the havoc it wreaked on the roadways — potholes. After months of ice, freezing rain, fluctuating temperatures, and snowstorms, cracks start to develop and eventually turn into potholes under the weight of passing cars. As harmless as they may seem, driving over a single pothole can result in thousands of dollars in damages to your vehicle or leave you stranded on the side of the road. From popped tires to dented rims, dislodged wheels and even body damage to your car, it’s important to be extra mindful this time of year and take every precaution to avoid direct contact. 

Here are 5 tips to protect your vehicle this pothole season:

 

• Inspect your tires

 

Tires provide the most important level of protection between your vehicle and a pothole. Before you leave, do a quick check of your tires for nails, worn-down tread, and deflation. Staying on top of these three indicators can help you avoid an unexpected flat tire. If you experience low tire pressure, your maintenance guide will tell you what the appropriate PSI (pounds per square inch) is for your vehicle.

 

• Keep an eye on the road ahead of you

 

If you spot a pothole in advance, you may have time to safely avoid it. Remain alert and avoid distractions to best be prepared. If you do spot a pothole, check your mirrors and surrounding traffic before you swerve to avoid causing a collision or endangering a pedestrian or cyclist.

 

• Drive slow

 

If you can’t avoid contact, slow down as much as possible. Hitting one of these at 20 miles per hour will inflict far less damage than if you hit one at 60 miles per hour, avoiding serious issues with your wheel and suspension systems.

 

• Avoid puddles.

 

Where there’s a puddle, there’s likely a pothole underneath it and the water can make it difficult to know how big and deep the pothole is. Try to avoid them entirely if you can safely do so.

 

• Conduct regular maintenance.

 

As always, the best way to prevent a problem is to take preventative measures. Performing regular maintenance on your vehicle can help identify potential issues and is your best bet for avoiding a costly claim. Stay up to date on routine procedures and be mindful of anything out of the ordinary, for example, hearing noises, noticing a slight veer to the left or right, or feeling a new vibration as you drive. These can all indicate vulnerabilities that can lead to costly problems if you hit a pothole.

We hope these tips help keep you and your vehicle safe this pothole season and beyond. If you have any related questions, please visit our website to find a local agent near you: https://www.quincymutual.com/find-agent.htm. 

 

We’re officially in one of the most dreaded winter weather months — February. Historically, this month is infamous for heavy storms, frozen roadways, and the risk of dangerous conditions. On the flip side, kids also get a break from school for February vacation and families can get some time off for winter activities.

However, all the fun of skiing, snowmobiling, skating and sledding doesn’t come without some risks. Before you head out for some family fun, brush up on these safety tips.

Sledding

• Find gently sloping hills that are free of hidden hazards like rocks and other obstacles.
• Steer clear of hills next to busy roads.
• Make sure hills are covered with packed snow (not ice).
• Use sturdy and safe equipment, with no sharp or jagged edges.
• Check the weather before you go.
• Teach children it’s better to sit up while riding downhill—lying flat increases the chance of head and abdominal injuries.
• Roll off the sled if a collision with a tree or other large/hard object is imminent.
• Never ride on a sled that is being pulled by a car, truck, or snowmobile.

Snowmobiling 

• Check the weather and trail conditions before you go.
• Note that it is recommended that children younger than 6 not ride a snowmobile, and youth younger than 16 should use extreme caution if driving one.
• All snowmobile drivers and passengers should wear helmets designed for high-speed motor sports.
• Don’t drink alcohol and ride.
• Maintain speed limits — speed is a factor in many accidents particularly during low visibility.
• Ride with someone on another snowmobile so you have a ride if you encounter a problem.

Ice Skating

• Skate only in posted or approved areas.
• Learn how to stop and how to fall safely.
• Skate in the direction of the other skaters.
• Watch the skating surface for cracks, holes, and other debris.

Skiing and Snowboarding

• Wear a helmet.
• If it’s been awhile since you last skied, try an easier trail before the more advanced ones.
• Know your limits and abide by them.
• Wear sunglasses or goggles to protect your eyes.
• Be alert to the movement of others around you and stay in control.
• Stop in a safe place if you need to.
• Riding the ski lift, as well as getting on to and off of it, can be dangerous, so stay alert and avoid horseplay.

Ice Fishing

• Remember that new ice is usually stronger than old ice.
• Beware of moving water, especially around inlets and outlets.
• Before you leave, tell someone your plans — where you are going and what time you plan to return; notify them if plans change.
• Never go out on the ice alone.
• Check with local experts (tackle shops or equipment rentals) to find out the conditions.
• Carry at least one full set of dry clothing in a waterproof bag or container.
• Carry a pair of ice picks and a throw rope.
• Use a sled to carry your fishing gear rather than a backpack or duffel bag. It distributes the weight over a greater surface area of the ice.
• When in doubt, don’t go.
• Don’t wear seat belts when driving on ice because they make it difficult to exit a vehicle quickly, and keeping the door slightly ajar while traveling will help you exit the vehicle quickly in an emergency.
• Ice thickness reminders:
  • 2″ or less — Don’t go.
  • 4″— Fish on foot
  • 5″ — ATV acceptable
  • 8″ to 12″ — Safe for a car
  • 12″ to 15″ —Safe for a truck

Staying Warm and Avoiding Frostbite

• Dress warmly in several layers of clothing—wear boots, gloves, or mittens and a hat.
• Set reasonable time limits on outdoor play, and make sure children go into a warm place periodically to warm up.
• Limit time outside for infants as they lose heat quicker than others.
• Certain beverages (those that contain caffeine and alcohol) and medications can make you more sensitive to the cold.
• Use the “buddy system” to monitor your physical reaction to the cold if you are going to be outdoors for an extended period of time.

Living in Massachusetts, we’re no stranger to the dark, cold winter months. Along with ice, snow and frigid temps, this time of year can also bring higher energy bills for homeowners and renters. In addition to the cost of heating your residence, you are likely spending much more time at home than you would in the summer, so you’ll have to use more electricity during these periods of shorter daylight.

Fortunately, there are several simple things you can do to lower your electric bills and your carbon footprint.  Not only will your wallet thank you, but as an added bonus, some of these things can help  you reduce wear and tear on your home that winter weather can cause.

• Weatherstrip your doors and windows.  Sealing any drafts if the first step to keeping the inside of your home warm and the cold weather out. Doors and windows can leak heat 24/7, but weatherstripping will give you an added layer of protection.
• Install a smart thermostat. This is one of the simplest, high-tech ways to save on your electric bill. A programmable thermostat allows you to optimize heating times and set temperatures throughout the day. Even when you’re away from home, you can monitor how much energy you’re using and warm it just in time for your return.
• Have a professional inspect your heating system. An annual check-up can ensure your system is running efficiently and that you’re not wasting energy.
• Clear your air vents. If furniture is blocking your vents, your system has to work overtime to heat your home. Make sure they’re clear and the heat can easily escape to reach the entire room.
• Update your insulation. Proper insulation is the key to reducing your electric bill. Additional insulation in your attic can keep more
• Adjust your water heater temperature. Older models tend to lose heat easily and are naturally kept at a higher heat than you really need. Consider lowering the temp and adding a hot water heater blanket which will provide an extra later of insulation.
• Only wash and dry full loads of laundry. A half-full load of laundry is a waste of energy. No matter how full it is, you still use a significant amount of power and water to run the load. Also, consider washing in cold or warm temps over hot whenever possible.
• Insulate your pipes. The pipes that carry the hot water to faucets, showers, and appliances can be draining your energy, especially if the water travels far. Adding insulation will deliver hotter water and reduce the amount of time you have to run the water for it to heat up.
• Unplug unused electronics. Even when they’re not on or in use, did you know your electronics are still drawing energy? Whenever you can, unplug these devices such as printers, microwaves, and video game consoles. Bonus tip: electronics you navigate with a remote control are the biggest culprits because they essentially live in standby mode.
• Bundle up. Perhaps the most inexpensive way to save is to layer up. Instead of turning up the heat, throw on another sweater or a blanket.
• Let the sun in during the day and close the curtains at night. The sun is the natural source of heat for our homes and during the day, can add a few degrees to the inside temperature. At night, keeping the curtains drawn will help trap that heat so it doesn’t escape through your windows.