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Your Fall Home Maintenance Checklist
Fall is here and you should use the time to enjoy the cool weather outdoors and take care of housekeeping chores before winter arrives. You should tackle any needed maintenance before the weather gets too cold and, you could use the...
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Essential Tips for Back-to-School Safety
Back to school safety isn’t just for kids and their parents; it affects everyone in the community. Children wait at bus stops near busy roads during rush hour, and buses share the road with us all. Now that school is back in...
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Six Ways to Manage Your Money in Retirement
In retirement, your income stream has usually dried up and keeping an eye on your expenses is vital to making your retirement funds last to the very end.To help you better manage your finances during this time of decreased earnings, we...
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U.S. Portions Far Larger Than Those in Europe
If you are trying to lose weight, you may want to start eating European-sized portions instead of American ones.Why, you may wonder, do the French manage to stay so svelte, while downing all of those cheeses, carb-loaded croissants and...
Read More10 Wake-Up Calls People Receive Too Late in Life
Before you know it, you’ll be asking, “How did it get so late so soon?” So, take time to figure yourself out. Take time to realize what you want and need. Take time to take calculated risks. Take time to love, laugh,...
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Is Replacement Cost the Right Coverage Option Amid Spiraling Costs?
Most homeowner's insurance policies have what's known as "replacement coverage," which will cover the costs of repairs or reconstruction to rebuild your home to its original state after a covered event.But thanks to rising costs of...
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Seniors — Protect Yourself against Scams and Financial Abuse
Scamming seniors is disgusting- and it is big business. Scammers took an estimated $1 billion from elder Americans last year, according to the Federal Trade Commission.Further, the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards found...
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Celebrating July 4th
On July 4, 1776, the 13 colonies claimed their independence from England, an event which eventually led to the formation of the United States. Each year on the fourth of July, also known as Independence Day, Americans...
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Do Roundabouts Make You Nervous? Follow These Tips
More cities and towns throughout the United States are replacing four-way intersections with roundabouts to help with traffic flow and reduce the chances of accidents.While navigating a roundabout can be daunting and confusing for many...
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Flood Insurance Important as Storms Grow More Intense, Frequent
As weather systems and storms grow more frequent, more severe — and wetter — more areas that were once considered safe from flooding are now exposed.That puts many homeowners in a quandary. They may live in an area that's...
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Don't Let Taxes Cut into Your Heir's Life Insurance Benefits
Having a life insurance policy is necessary for anyone with a family reliant upon their income. If you were to die without a life policy to protect your family, they could very easily find themselves in an insurmountable monetary...
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The High Cost of Not Having Life Insurance
Too many families and small business owners overlook the foundational financial planning step of getting sufficient life insurance protection in place.According to the Life Insurance Marketing and Research Association (LIMRA), about...
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Moves That Can Reduce Your Taxes in Retirement
One of the daunting issues that hangs over many people's picture of their ideal retirement is the tax implications when they start withdrawing funds from their 401(k) plan or IRA.If you've been diligent about socking money away in your...
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Watch Out for Insurance Gaps If Getting into the Airbnb Game
Many Americans hoping to cash in on Airbnb will supplement their income by renting out a room in their home or an entire house, apartment, or condo via the vacation rental company.If you are considering turning a property or part of...
Read MoreTips on Avoiding SUV Rollovers
Despite gas prices, SUVs are still king of America's roads. But while they do offer more protection in a crash, they also come with significant risks that are not associated with sedans and smaller passenger vehicles.It's common...
Read MoreWho Is Liable When a Tree Falls Onto a Neighbor's Property?
Lots of us have trees on our property. They provide shade and complement landscaping nicely, but they can also cause major disputes when they fall over.A tree may topple over if it is not properly maintained, is diseased, or a storm...
Read MoreRodent Damage Costs Thousands, Can Spark Home Fires
One often overlooked homeowner's risk is rodents chewing on the wiring in your attic or crawlspaces, a problem that can lead to extensive damage and even home fires.Mice, rats and squirrels can damage more than just your wiring. They...
Read MoreLooking for Love Online? Beware of the 'Sweetheart Scam'
Now, I know it is Valentine's Day; however, unless you're spending it with your significant other, you need to be careful with people that you meet, particularly online, until you get to know them.Most of us want to have a significant...
Read MoreA Deep Freeze is on the Way- Protect Yourself and Your Property
Temperatures are expected to plummet across New England this weekend with wind chills approaching -45 degrees! Conditions like this can cause frozen pipes, basement floods, and rapid frostbite. Check out the article below for some...
Read MoreSix Ways Morning Walks Provide Whole-Body Health
Do you feel stiff and tired often, maybe at the end of the day after sitting for hours working?The solution to what ails you could be as simple as taking a daily morning walk.According to the Mayo Clinic, starting your day with a brisk...
Read MoreHow You Benefit by Using an Independent Insurance Agent
Purchasing insurance can be overwhelming when factoring in all the information needed and understanding policy coverages, limits and exclusions. While you can buy your insurance directly from an insurance company or use a captive agent...
Read MoreHappy New Year! Here Are Some New Year's Resolution Ideas for 2023
These goals for the New Year are fun and attainable!Lose weight. Quit social media. Cut out alcohol completely. Blah blah blah… snooze fest. These are all good goals, don't get me wrong. But we set the same New Year's...
Read MoreProposed Rule Could Turn Independent Contractors into Employees
The Biden administration has proposed a new federal rule that will make it more difficult for employers to classify workers as independent contractors.If the new rule takes effect, companies that use independent contractors will have...
Read MorePlaying It Safe During the Holidays
As the holiday season nears, your business will have new "seasonal" safety considerations to confront.From holiday parties and risk of electrical shock from decorations, to fires and trips-and-falls, companies have a set of safety and...
Read MoreREAL ID and Mass. driver’s licenses: What you need to know
This is just a reminder that if you haven't done so already, Massachusetts residents have until May 3, 2023 to upgrade their driver's licenses and IDs for them to be accepted for air travel.The deadline for the REAL ID full enforcement...
Read MorePreventing Chimney, Flue and Fireplace Fires
As temperatures fall and you spend more time indoors in front of the fireplace, the last thing most of us think about is the condition of our chimney. But, dirty chimneys can cause serious fires, which can damage or destroy homes and...
Read MoreHome Inventory Apps, Websites Help Document Your Stuff
If you have to file a homeowner's insurance claim after a fire or other event, having a home inventory will make it much easier to document your losses for the insurance carrier and get your settlement much faster.Home inventories are...
Read MoreTips to Keep Your Family Safe This Halloween
Autumn is a wonderful time of year and comes with colorful fall and harvest festivals and, of course, Halloween celebrations. During all the festivities and fun, it's a good idea to take precautions to make sure that all family...
Read More10 Ways to Save Money on Your Car Insurance Bill
Want to save money on your car insurance? Try these tips.Full-coverage car insurance for a new car now can cost well over $1500 per year, and in some cases, costs can run much higher.Even if you've had a recent accident, however, there...
Read MoreWhat Is Completed Operations Liability Insurance?
We understand that a blog like this may not seem important to anyone who is not a contractor or subcontractor, however, if you are a homeowner or business owner who periodically employs one, it might be important for you to know that...
Read MoreInflation, Jury Awards Continue Driving Insurance Premiums
Inflation is not just affecting the cost of food and fuel. It's also spilled over to the price of almost every industrial item, including building materials and services.Anybody running a business, particularly one that carries...
Read MoreRizzo Insurance Group Hurricane Preparedness Tips
An incoming report of a possible hurricane is always stressful. Here are ways to prepare and help ease anxiety before a storm hits. Sign up for free emergency alerts from your local government.Monitor your local news and weather...
Read MoreTop Financial Scams Aimed at Vulnerable Seniors
Financial scams targeting seniors are prevalent and costly. The FBI estimates that seniors lose more than $3 billion each year to fraudsters. Scammers go after the elderly because they believe older adults have a significant amount of...
Read MoreWhat Everyone Should Know About Umbrella Insurance
Umbrella policies provide extra protection beyond standard coverage, and they are available in increments of one million dollars.Sometimes known as excess liability or personal liability insurance, umbrella insurance doesn't stand...
Read MorePlan Now for Your Child's Insurance at College
If your child is gearing up to attend college, they will leave the comforts of home to likely be on their own for the very first time.And while they and their belongings have been under the protective custody of you and your insurance,...
Read MoreCan Caffeine Aggravate My High Blood Pressure?
Many of us love having a cup of coffee first thing in the morning. It's delicious, part of the culture, and can give us that energy boost that we need to kick-start our day.But are there downfalls to starting the day off with a morning...
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Do You Have Enough Insurance to Keep Up with Rising Home Repair Costs?
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Dog Bites and Your Homeowner's Insurance
There are some 63 million dogs in the U.S. and while they make for great companions and help keep our homes safe from intruders, they can also be a significant liability. About 4.5 million people suffer dog bites every year, according...
Read More10 Social Security Myths That Refuse to Die10 Social Security Myths That Refuse to Die
Social Security is enormous and complex, paying out nearly $93 billion a month to some 65 million retirees, people with disabilities and their family members. It's wildly popular, supported by more than 90 percent of U.S. adults across...
Read MoreRoad Fatalities Surge; Driving While Texting to Blame
For decades road fatalities were on a steady decline thanks in large part to new technologies that have made our cars safer; things like anti-lock brakes, airbags, early warning systems and better construction. Then the smartphone...
Read MorePreparing Your Home for Fall and Winter Storms
As autumn approaches with its heavy rains and storms that are becoming increasingly unpredictable, you should start now to make sure your home is properly protected against them. If a particularly heavy storm hits, you can lose outdoor...
Read MoreHow to Reduce Your Risk for Developing Dementia, Alzheimer's
Being predisposed to developing Dementia or Alzheimer's disease is something many adults worry about. However, experts say that it could be possible to delay the progression or the onset of these diseases by taking steps to improve our...
Read MoreSeven Ways to Reduce the Cost of Insuring Your Teen Driver
While teenagers react with glee when they get their driver's license, for parents it is a time of angst and the specter of higher insurance premiums. Sticker shock is not uncommon when parents receive that first quote for coverage, but...
Read MoreIt's That Time of Year Again- Be Extra Careful When Driving in School Zones!
Soon, children will be starting a new school year and with most institutions now open for in-person classes, drivers need to be aware of school zone safety. Traffic is often congested outside of schools early in the day as parents drop...
Read MoreHow to Have a Safe 4th of July Celebration
The 4th of July is one of America's truly favorite holidays, however, for many, enjoying the holiday includes an unwanted trip to the hospital. Every year more than 11,000 people are sent to the emergency room for fireworks related...
Read MoreRemembering Safety When Barbecuing This Summer
Every year, millions of Americans safely enjoy outdoor barbecues, but accidents do happen. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, fire departments respond to an estimated average of 10,600 home structure and outdoor fires involving...
Read MoreHow an Umbrella Policy Can Save You from Ruin
An umbrella policy is designed to protect you from almost everything that your homeowner's and auto insurance policies do not, as well as fill in gaps in coverage when the limits of these policies are exhausted. Lawsuits are filed...
Read MoreKeeping Your Home Safe From Break-Ins
As one of the most common crimes, burglary is not to be taken lightly. And unlike common belief, most of these burglaries happen in the middle of the day. According to the National Council for Home Safety and Security, break-ins are...
Read MoreWhy Flood Insurance Rates May Rise Dramatically
As we experience more extreme weather, and floods increase across the country, the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is poised to make a shift in how it prices its policies that is expected to have a drastic effect on premiums...
Read MoreFulfilling Hobbies To Do In Retirement
Are you looking forward to retirement, but wondering what in the world you’re going to do with all that free time? Finding a hobby you love is one way to feel fulfilled after your working years. Hobbies can help you stay...
Read MoreFeeling Down? Here Are Eight Natural Ways to Brighten Your Mood
It's normal for our mood and energy levels to fluctuate every now and then. However, it can affect our daily routine, including how we normally function in our everyday lives. This is especially true now, as the COVID-19 pandemic will...
Read MoreCoronavirus Pandemic Changes Driving Habits for the Worse
The novel coronavirus pandemic has made many of us work from home, wear masks in public and keep physically distant from others. A recent government study also indicates that it has made us worse drivers. While Americans drove less...
Read MoreSigns Your Child May Need More Support During Pandemic
While the COVID-19 pandemic has been stressful for most of us, children and teens often have an especially difficult time dealing with the lack of activities and social interaction if they are distance learning. Depression has...
Read MoreHow to Prevent Frozen Pipes During the Winter
Every winter, about 250,000 households find themselves with messes from pipes that freeze and burst. In addition to erupting and filling a room with water, a burst pipe can cause thousands of dollars in damage. Our agency has seen...
Read MoreEight Insurance-cost Saving Tips for New Year
As 2021 gets underway, now is a good time to review your home safety and insurance plans for the year. Make sure this year that you make your home safety a priority, and also ensure that you get the most bang for the buck with your...
Read MoreWhy an Independent Agent?
Many people wonder why they should deal with an independent insurance agency (think Rizzo Insurance Group, Inc.) as opposed to calling an 800 number or purchasing from a direct writer who only represents one company? Well, this is a...
Read MoreHow Insurance Deductibles Work
An insurance deductible is the amount you, the insured, must pay before any claim will be paid by your insurance carrier. Depending upon the type of insurance you have, your policy may set the amount of deductible, or you may have the...
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