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Whether your child is heading off to college as a freshman or a returning student, you may both be feeling the stress of higher education in many ways. As parents and students, the to do list can be a bit overwhelming. Understandably, some tasks may go on the back burner.

One task that should NOT go on the back burner is whether your insurance coverage will still make sense for this significant life change. However, it’s also a task that doesn’t have to be stressful if you consult with an insurance professional who can guide you down the right path.

College raises a gamut of insurance related issues that are best addresses before your child goes off to college rather than when it’s too late. As stated by Trusted Choice® the following are a few things to consider.

Details: Published: 20 July 2017

Branford, CT., July 07, 2017 - With summer on our doorstep and a good amount of rain so far, it’s a good time to talk about preventing water damage in your home.

One of the most disheartening experiences is to find water damage to your treasured home. At V.F. McNeil Insurance, we know you want to protect what’s important. That’s why we’re offering these tips to help you prevent many of the most common causes of water damage.

Just a little time and some effort can prevent a lot of heartache and hassle.

Make sure your water pressure is not set too high. For just $6 or so, you can purchase a gauge that will help you test your pressure for the appropriate level, which should be set between 60 and 80 PSI.
Standard hoses on new appliances are not as durable as they used to be. So check your appliances. If they’re rubber, either replace them with longer lasting stainless steel braided hoses or replace them every three years.
Keep water from leaking into the walls or floor of your bathroom by replacing cracked tiles and re-grouting when it’s needed.
Examine the shingles on your roof. Worn, curled or missing shingles allow water in, so replace them as soon as noticed.
Consider buying a water alarm, which can help you find leaks, or automatic shut-off mechanisms, which can help avoid bursts.
A lot of water damage occurs when you and your family are away from home. Make a practice to avoid running the washing machine or dishwasher while you’re out.
When you leave for vacations, turn off the water supply to appliances.
Keep up maintenance on all appliance hoses, because slow leaks from worn out hoses can cause major damage (and they are not covered under Homeowners insurance).

At V.F. McNeil, we hope these pointers will ensure your house stays nice and dry this summer and beyond.

Contact Us!

At V.F. McNeil Insurance, we can work with you to make sure you've got the coverage you need, while at the same time using all possible credits and discounts to make that coverage affordable. Just give us a call at 203-481-2684 or send us a note at phandy@vfmcneil.com. We want to help you meet your goals, and make sure what's important to you is protected

Details: Published: 07 July 2017

In a recently published article titled, What You Don't Know About Homeowner's Insurance Could Cost You, Consumer Reports discusses multiple options for purchasing homeowner's insurance but in its final opinion, Consumer Reports recommends the Trusted Choice® Independent Insurance Agent as the best choice for consumers.

This article reviews cost, coverage, claims, flood, animal damage, the impact that credit has on rating and more. Consumer Reports also recommends using a Trusted Choice Independent Insurance Agent because homeowner's insurance requires a careful assessment of the client's risk and coverage needs - something a Trusted Choice Independent Insurance Agent is best suited to do. It also points out that direct and captive agent companies can't offer what Trusted Choice agents can because they can only sell their own brand.

As your local Trusted Choice Independent Insurance Agent, V.F. McNeil prides itself on the choices we can offer to you for your insurance needs and the level of service that's kept our insurance agency successful for over 130 years. We couldn't be more proud that Consumer Reports has put our channel at the top of its list when it comes to purchasing homeowner's insurance. Our homes are one of our biggest assets and they serve as the hub of family and life. Protecting your home is a job that we will never take lightly.

Contact V.F. McNeil Insurance today (203) 481-2684 with any inquiries you may about this blog. We are always ready and happy to assist you.

Details: Published: 11 July 2017

We may not have done it ourselves, but we can certainly say that we’ve most likely seen it done by others.

Mary and her husband are going on a trip to the Caribbean and we all know about it before, during, and after their trip. How? Because it’s been posted or shared on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or maybe even Snapchat.

We all appreciate certain benefits and conveniences of social media, but users should take caution with when and what they are posting. The summer vacation season is a particularly important time to be mindful of when and what you post, as many of us are getting out of town.

Posting your plans and the dates you’ll be gone is an open door for thieves. “I can’t wait to hit the beach for a week” can translate into “stop by my house and help yourself because I won’t be home.” Nobody wants to think of it this way, but it’s reality and it does happen.