Archive for the ‘News Releases’ Category

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This is a Must Read!  Life Before Text App Now Available

 

By: Pauline Handy

 

If you’re like me and you have a teenager who is about to get his/her drivers license or perhaps your teen just got their license, what was one of your biggest concerns?

I’ll bet you’re thinking – how much is it going to cost for auto insurance?  Alright, that’s definitely a legitimate concern and one that we can certainly help with.  In fact, I can say that my quoting results were very good for my daughter.  But more importantly,  for their safety, consider this question….

 At any given time when you glance over at your teen, what are they doing?

That’s right.  They’re texting.  Their eyes are glued to their phones! 

Therefore, in spite of every horrifying movie they’ve seen at drivers education about what can happen as a result of distracted driving, what do we know?  Yes, that’s right. Teens are still going to do it.  Teen interviews and unfortunately accident results prove it’s true.

Here’s a solution.  The Life Before Text App which was developed by a father of triplets can be purchased for $3.98 and installed on your child’s phone to automatically disable incoming and outgoing calls and texting to prevent distracted driving.  You control the settings and much more.

Currently this app is only available for Android based phones.  However, we submit an inquiry to the company about Apple phones and they have announced that this capability is coming soon.

Learn more at the LifeBeforeText Website.

Watch the interview with the dad who created the app and see how it’s been tested.

 

For Assistance With Getting a Connecticut Auto Insurance Policy – Request an Auto Quote Online Today

What you need to know to keep your teen driver safe and your auto insurance costs low.

We are pleased to be able to report that our Branford, Connecticut office is back up and running.  Our power, phone and internet service has been restored thanks to the diligence of Connecticut Light & Power.

We would like to thank everyone for their patience in dealing with all calls being routed through employee cell phones.  We also thank you for your patience regarding the extra time it took us to handle faxes, etc. while we traveled to the homes of family members with power to use their internet service to complete these tasks.

We would also like to express our empathy for those who have suffered severe damage and destruction to homes and businesses and to those of you who are still with out power.  Our thoughts are with everyone.

If you know of a friend or family member who is still with out power, use the links below to find out the latest from their power company and keep them informed.

CL & P Outage Map

United Illuminating – Most recent Press Release

 

Helpful tips for filing a claim: Getting back on track more quickly

Having the appropriate and necessary information available before you report your claim will help your claims professional with the filing process, in turn helping you to get your claim taken care of more quickly.

If you have experienced damage to your business, home, or automobile as a result of Hurricane Irene, please use the following tips.

• Have your policy number available
• Document your damage: Make a thorough list of items that have suffered damage to be able to provide at least a generalized description.  If possible, photos, video, bills, and/or receipts are very helpful.  In the meantime, don’t throw out damaged items, especially high value items.
• If you need to relocate: If your home is severely damaged and you were required to find other accommodations, keep all records of these expenses.  Most homeowner’s insurance policies provide coverage for “loss of use.”  You can verify this with your agent.
• Get claim forms: Once your insurance company has been notified of your claim, the company is required to send you the necessary claim forms to you by the end of a specified time period. (The time period varies from state to state.) Return the properly filled out forms as soon as possible in order to avoid delays.

To Contact Us Today either Call (203) 481-2684 or Visit the V.F. McNeil Insurance website.

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Local insurance agency celebrates 125th anniversary.

Branford, CT – January 10, 2011 – V.F. McNeil Insurance, a local insurance agency recently announced the celebration of 125 years in business.   

In honor of this very significant year, V.F. McNeil has constructed a calendar of activities and events aimed at giving back to the community for their years of continuous support.

Since 1886, when Virgil F. McNeil (a native of Branford) started his insurance company, V.F. McNeil has transformed from a small agency located in New Haven, Connecticut where policies were hand written, into a full-service independent insurance agency that has grown in size, technological capabilities, and reputation. 

While still operating under the ownership of the McNeil-Sturgess family (also residents of Branford), V.F. McNeil serves the property and casualty insurance needs of businesses, families, and individuals primarily in Connecticut, but also throughout the country.  Although the agency continuously strives to position itself for the future by engaging in activities such as ongoing technological advancements, continuing education, and social networking, one thing has remained the same and that’s their commitment to personalized service and support to their community.  As defined by the present agency owner Paul Sturgess, “Community to V.F. McNeil consists of all who are a part of our lives in different ways such as our friends, families, co-workers, clients, fellow business owners, public servants, our schools, associations, organizations and more.”  “Without our community, V.F. McNeil wouldn’t be what it is today.”  “So for that, we thank our community.”

To celebrate this significant milestone, the agency has established a theme to guide their 125^th anniversary plans.  The theme, Community will be the focus of their plans and will include community centered activities such as the development of an annual scholarship award which will be made available to qualifying Branford High School seniors starting this year as well as, support efforts to fellow business owners and non-profit organizations.  In addition, the agency will be hosting an open house in the month of March.  Details and specifics of their calendar of events will be posted on an ongoing basis and will be available at www.vfmcneil.com on their events calendar.  V.F. McNeil will also be posting information about these activities on their Facebook page.

What else happened in 1886?

January 1886 

• Karl Benz patents the first successful gasoline-driven automobile.

February 1886

• First Groundhog Day celebrated in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania

May 1886

• First Coca-Cola is sold
• Grover Cleavland Marries Frances Folsom in a White House ceremony.

August 1886

• Charleston Earthquake was one of the most damaging earthquake to occur in the Southeast United States and one of the largest historic shocks in Eastern North America.

October 1886

• First Train Robbery: Reno gang robs Ohio & Mississippi Passenger Train.
• The Statue of Liberty Opens for the first time, given to the United States by the people of France as recognition of the friendship established during the American Revolution.

December 1886

• Theodore Roosevelt marries his high school sweetheart, Edith Kermit Carow in London following the election.

Mr. Sturgess was awarded a certificate marking more than fifteen years of participation as a designated CIC, which requires annual completion of advanced education and training.

“Paul’s ongoing allegiance and support of the CIC Program is a testament to the value he places on ‘real world’ education and customer satisfaction. His clients, associates, and the insurance profession as a whole will benefit from such dedication,” cited Dr. William T. Hold, CIC, CPCU, CLU, and President of the Society of CIC.

The Society of CIC is a not-for-profit organization of The National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research, which is respected throughout the insurance industry for the high standards maintained in the hundreds of institutes conducted annually in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Other members of The National Alliance include the Society of Certified Insurance Service Representatives (CISR), the Certified Risk Manager (CRM) Courses, James K. Ruble Seminars, and The National Research Academy.

 

 

For More Information:;R-39

Margarita Tapia, (703) 706-5473 www.TrustedChoice.com

 

V.F. McNeil Insurance of Branford, Conn. Recognized by National Association

 

(ALEXANDRIA, VA – Dec. 4, 2008) – V.F. McNeil Insurance has been named the Trusted Choice^® Agency of the Month by Trusted Choice^®, the branding program of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America, Inc. (the Big “I”).

 

“The outstanding team at V.F. McNeil Insurance has demonstrated their commitment to serving the needs of their clients and treating them like people, not just a policy or number,” says Robert Rusbuldt, president and CEO of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America. “They exemplify the Trusted Choice^® Pledge of Performance.”

 

The V.F. McNeil Insurance agency, headquartered in Branford, Conn., was established in 1886 by Virgil F. McNeil. The 122 year old firm has grown to serve individuals, families and businesses primarily in the state, but also throughout the world.

 

“We are extremely honored to receive this recognition from Trusted Choice^®,” says Paul Sturgess, the agency president. “It is very satisfying that this highly respected, national organization has touted V.F. McNeil Insurance as a top performer in bringing consumers the value that only an independent agent can.”

 

The Trusted Choice^® Agency of the Month program recognizes those Trusted Choice^® agencies that are going above and beyond in living the tenets of the Trusted Choice^® Pledge of Performance and in communicating the benefits of their services to consumers. Trusted Choice^® agencies agree to adhere to a written pledge that states they will work with their customers to identify the insurance and financial services that are right for them, their families or their business and use their access to multiple companies to deliver those products. It also states that they will guide consumers through the claims process and help them solve problems related to their coverage or account, among other things.

 

Trusted Choice^® educates consumers about the benefits of using independent agents and brokers for their insurance needs: choice of companies, customized policies and advocacy support. Trusted Choice^® is the consumer marketing identity for over 10,400 independent insurance agencies and brokerage firms and 54 leading insurance companies. Go to www.TrustedChoice.com and click on “Find a Trusted Choice^® Agent” on the homepage to locate the right agency for your needs.