Are you ready? We at Herlihy Insurance Group just love back to school time! We kick that off with our Annual Backpack Drive for the Boys and Girls Club of Worcester, and are always so very grateful for all of our contributors – clients – friends and family! We delivered over 200 backpacks last week …

The recent computer crisis with CrowdStrike was a reminder on how dependent we are on our IT systems. Now is a good time to review with your IT people your system’s security measures. For most companies, that should also include some type of Cyber Liability insurance. See the attached sheet for some information on why your …

At Herlihy Insurance Group, we love the job of assisting our clients with suggesting coverages that are just right for them. Since none of our clients are the same, it is important that we know just enough about them to make the best recommendations. How can we do this? We need their help! Many times …

Whether you are going to your place of business or “remoting” when you have young children, someone does have to care for the kids! Since many of my kids’ friends are now facing the childcare challenge, I am hearing lots of stories about schedules, drop-offs, pickups and indentured relatives. It should be noted that the …

We’re Not Burger King… …But we do want you to have it your way!! We have added a couple of new features to make managing your insurance easier.   Client Portal Your policies and other valuable papers will now be set up in our new client portal. The portal allows: 24 hour access to your …

The family adventure to Ireland was voted a success! Our group of 21 made it there and back and enjoyed many laughs.  We did not lose anyone for too long and no injuries were reported. Although we did have hired bus drivers for a few days, and utilized taxis and Ubers, we also had four …

The news is out there and it looks to be an ACTIVE hurricane season. We thought it would be worth sharing this info: Before all this weather hits our area, now  is the time to check in on your home or other property insurance coverage.  At Herlihy Insurance Group, we can deliver to you a …

We were saddened to see the National Safety Council Trends for driving in the US. 2010: 35,332 deaths—1.19 per 100 million miles driven 2014: 35,398 deaths—1.17 per 100 million miles driven 2021: 46,980 deaths—1.50 per 100 million miles driven And more recent data shows that from 2018 to 2022, the number of deadly automobile accidents …

…it is crazy out there!   Here are a few quotes from notes we have received from our carrier companies during the first part of this year:   “Due to their outsized impact on reinsurance costs, all dwelling risks (HO3, HO5 and Dwelling Fire) in these counties will be non-renewed at policy expiration starting in …

The amount of personal liability insurance that you should carry depends on your individual circumstances and needs. Some factors to consider when determining how much coverage you should have include: The value of your assets Your income The level of risk you’re exposed to in your daily life. ( Swimming Pools, Trampolines, Pets, Party host) …

Car Insurance Savings Check List ✓ Build a Safe Driving Record: Discounts for drivers with clean driving records are substantial ✓ Get your bundling savings by placing all of your policies with our agency. Home/ Car/ Umbrella/ Boat/ Rental Property; The more we insure for you, the greater the discounts our companies offer. ✓ Insure …

Not all commercial auto policies are the same!!  Since not all companies are the same, the coverages you need on your commercial auto policy should be customized for your business. Below are a few specialty coverages that you may need. Attachments Coverage for toolboxes, plows, permanently attached equipment, customized bodies. Pollution Liability Provides coverage for …

There are many things that may keep a property owner up at night, from a difficult tenant to a breakdown of essential equipment. Lately, though, your main concern might center around the alarming increase in fires in residential, commercial, and mixed-use buildings that have been caused by lithium-ion batteries. These batteries are typically smaller and …

My husband is now old enough to have friends moving away to Florida.  They are trading their northeastern homes for warmer weather.  On a recent visit to their new homes (he does only visit in Jan-March), he was amazed at a few comments about their new locations. His friend shared, “I cannot get insurance.”  Now …

At Herlihy Insurance Group, we love to celebrate engagement stories!  Gathering with family and friends to celebrate the proposal is always a fun event! However, losing the ring after the proposal is not so fun! A family member recently had a “lost ring” scare.  The proposal was very fun, the ring was given to the …

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! We know it can be! As we gather with family and friends, it’s the perfect time to consider the year’s accomplishments and the things we put off until 2024!   Anyone else making a list and checking it twice? As you and your family consider your items, …

I received the following in one of my weekly email blasts and thought it was a great message for the holidays: Considering all the pressures and the time demands that we allow to impinge on our day to day activities, it’s easy to get into the habit of taking our closest relationships for granted. We …

It will be a short work week here at Herlihy Insurance Group. Everyone here is excited about a long holiday weekend. There is lots of chatter about who is cooking what, and who is driving where. As we all get ready to celebrate Thanksgiving with family and friends, we do want to take a moment …

As we get closer to retirement, many people focus on saving as much money as possible to allow them to enjoy life after working. While saving money is important, having a plan for unexpected expenses is also critical. If you are like most people, you or someone you know has had to take on the …

As the insurance market is rapidly changing, we like to share with our clients some changes that are happening. One change we are noticing is that many of our carrier partners are adding policy deductibles to some home and commercial property policies, and are increasing the savings when a property owner increases their deductibles… What …

… May have you rethink your RENTAL options! Long repair shop backlogs and lingering parts shortages have caused the average auto insurance repair cycle time to reach 23.1 days  in 2023, up 6.2 days from 2022, and more than double the average repair time in 2021; according to the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Auto Claims …

Floods, wildfires and other natural disasters continue to be in the news. However, a growing concern for many businesses is the increase in Cybercrime. We continue to see more claims, especially to small and medium sized businesses. Below are some of the more popular cyber crimes you need to protect against.   Ransomware/Cyber ExtortionHackers put a …

A pipe bursts, a sump pump overflows, or a major appliance breaks down—these are just a few of the common ways that water may leak into your home and cause serious damage. The last thing a homeowner ever wants to find in their house is water dripping, trickling, or pooling where it’s not supposed to …

The recent disaster in Leominster reminds us of how damaging mother nature can be. Increased storm severity and outdated sewer/drainage systems have resulted in devastating damage. Most people will look towards their insurance policies to pay for the damages. Depending on the coverages you bought, your policy may or may not respond.    Flood DamageFlood …

Not all commercial auto policies are the same!! Since not all companies are the same, the coverages you need on your commercial auto policy should be customized for your business. Below are a few specialty coverages that you may need.   AttachmentsCoverage for toolboxes, plows, permanently attached equipment, customized bodies.   Pollution LiabilityProvides coverage for damage …

This weekend, my usual 60 minute drive took me about two hours. There was a left lane four-car pile up, and then a breakdown lane hazard. These obstacles added quite a bit of drive time to my trip! Four lanes travelling at 15 mph and still, cars were hitting each other!! As my car crawled …

We are relieved that Hurricane Lee was a pretty much a no show in Massachusetts this past weekend, but we really do want all of our clients to check on the insurance coverage options they have selected for any properties.   The disaster in Leominster reminds us of how damaging mother nature can be. Increased …

At Herlihy Insurance Group, we just love the “ Back to School” season. We just wrapped up our successful Back Pack Drive for the Boys and Girls Club, so we know now is the time that your kids are headed back to school as well!   Here are our favorite Back to School insurance reminders! …

These significant events are affecting the cost of home insurance across the United States. I am sure you have read the news about All State and State Farm no longer providing coverage for some homeowners in California. Here in Massachusetts, our agency is thankful that our insurance companies have not deserted our clients. We know …

Growing up, my Dad used to use the phrase, “the shoe maker’s kids with no shoes.”  This saying apparently was not a Dad original, but a version of an old Spanish proverb that translates roughly to the saying, ‘the cobbler’s children have no shoes.’ Meaning that someone with a specific skill is often so busy assisting …

In the last couple of years, construction and inventory costs have risen significantly. Labor and material costs along with supply chain issues are some of the reasons for the drastic increase. If you haven’t reviewed your building and contents insurance recently, you are most likely underinsured. Below are some important areas to review.   Building Limit …

It is an early morning at our house and we are heading into our respective cars to drive to work! My husband is still sporting the loaner car from his car repair place. If you have had an accident in the past year, you can probably relate to this! Car is in for repairs. Repairs …

  At our house, we were on vacation for a week and enjoyed the sunshine and LOTS of company. During our vacation adventures, we saw many teenagers toiling away in their summer jobs! We saw nannies, lawn mowers, lifeguards, door dash delivery drivers, dog walkers, grill delivery kids, golf cart drivers, junk haulers, waiters/waitresses, sail …

Why now? The personal insurance market place is changing. You can get a head of this now. Inflation, ion, frequency of natural disasters, higher claim costs for car and home repairs are all contributing to insurance market changes. Reviewing your coverage, discounts, deductibles, and cost to rebuild your house in todays’ environment are more important than …

If you are using one of these services for a ride, enjoy! If you or anyone you know is driving for a ride sharing company or food delivery service (like Uber Eats, or DoorDash), check that you understand what your car insurance policy DOES NOT COVER when you are working for the service. Be sure to check in with us!

What do all three have in common? This time of year our clients have more claim incidents related to these hot summer topics. We know you love your pools, dogs and grills. Here’s to keeping our people, pets and homes safe!   POOL SAFETY With warmer weather comes an array of outdoor activities for the whole …

Cyber attacks have risen 238% since the start of the pandemic. As connected devices and smart home capabilities become more commonplace, users are at risk of falling victim to cyber crime. Is it time to take a look at the Personal Cyber Insurance coverage that you can add on to your home, condo or tenant …

…and these showers typically also bring lots of water everywhere! If a pipe bursts inside your home due to flawed installation, your homeowners insurance policy will respond to this water damage. But, if your home floods due to a hurricane or storm, your homeowners insurance likely will not pick up the tab for the bill. …

At Herlihy Insurance, we like to say, ‘a good umbrella  covers your Gaps and withstands the unplanned liability storms that may be out there.’ Did you also know that this is one of the lowest priced insurance policies out there that provides you with at least $1,000,000 of liability protection? If you own a home, have teen …

Over the past few years, many of our clients have been transferring ownership of their homes and rental properties to trusts, LLCs, and other types of entities. There are a number of benefits for these ownership updates. At Herlihy Group, we just want to remind all that these changes may have harmful and unintended insurance …

Expensive artwork or jewelry: Just our spring reminder! Most insurance policies have a limit as to how much they’ll pay to replace specific items that are damaged or destroyed during a covered event, like a fire. If you have expensive jewelry or artwork, you may need to get a rider on your insurance policy to …

Clients ask us all the time why their premiums increase when they haven’t had any claims. It’s a fair question, and one that has several answers. While individual companies may adjust pricing for their specific reasons, below are factors that all insurance companies deal with when setting their rates. Reinsurance All insurance companies purchase insurance …

Recently we had a new client join our agency. We are thrilled to have new clients and greatly appreciate this referral that was sent our way! I like to share this house closing insurance adventure to help homebuyers become more aware that banks are good at setting up your financing, but they may not be …

In our neighborhood, it’s not unusual to see older single-family homes leveled and shortly after, two or three-unit condos pop up. This certainly changes the look of our traditional neighborhood as more people move into the same small area! These condos are very attractive and quite pricey. As I walk by them, I can’t help …

This spring as we may be working in our yards, garages, and emptying our closets, a friend of mine recently shared a funny fact. My friend was cleaning out his “financial things” and organizing all the financial things that grownups do. “I guess it is time to take Betty off as my 401k beneficiary,”  he …

You might be thinking, why do I need cyber liability insurance? Or, is it worth the additional cost in premium? These common misconceptions will shed light on the importance of purchasing a cyber insurance policy and the potential risks of not having one in place.   1. I’m not responsible because I outsource According to …

Did you know?? Mary Elizabeth Herlihy was an artist. This artist was the spouse of  Jim Herlihy who started our agency in 1927.  We even still have a few of Mary’s original paintings decorating our agency walls! Yes, we inherited them! We are looking to hear from our clients on what you may have inherited …

It’s that time of year again! Proms, Graduations, Weddings, Birthday Celebrations, BBQs……………………. When the warmer weather gets here, we will be ready to join in the festivities! At Herlihy Insurance Group we like to remind our host and hostesses about Social Host Laws. Our point is not to get all legal on you, but rather …

The “One Bite” Rule and Dog Bite Injury Liability or “Strict Liability” for Dog Bite Injuries As the warmer weather is in our future, most of us will be spending more time outside! Chances are, we will meet a few new people once we venture outdoors. I know in our neighborhood, we will also meet …

Employment Practices Liability Finding and keeping good employees is always a challenge. We all try to provide a good work environment with good pay and benefits. However, no matter how hard we try, there are always going to be employees that do not agree with how we run our businesses. The added issues with remote …

Yikes, it happened to me!  The good news is, my bank was all over the FRAUD alert process and texted me right away. Because of my banks quick action and my response, I did not have any funds taken from my account.   This one experience got me thinking about the Cyber Protection our home …

Co-Insurance What You Don’t Know May Hurt You   Insurance policies are legal contracts that have exclusions, limitations and other stipulations that affect your claim payment.  With the increased cost of materials and labor, having the correct amount of insurance is crucial.   Most people think that they can collect up to the amount of insurance …

Watch your bank accounts closely! After watching the bank failures of last week, our business is certainly talking about the financial institutions we are using! I would venture to say that most businesses are also asking more questions about their funds and access to credit. Whatever your opinions are on the topic of these failed …

We know it seems a bit odd that we’re talking about snow in MARCH, but Mother Nature feels differently! At Herlihy Insurance Group, we are having some snow damage claims roll in today.   Here is our reminder to all regarding your roof! Roof collapse caused by snow, ice, or sleet would be covered by …

At Herlihy Insurance Group, we love new homeowners and sharing LOTS of good insurance info with them! Most of us are so excited about the home itself, we are not paying much attention to the pile of application and paperwork we need to sign. I had a great example of this when my niece recently …

Yes — we tend to be a bit repetitive about protecting your jewelry! Sorry to bother our clients again about jewelry coverage, but every time we have a client that has a jewelry question we like to share the information with all! Here are a few simple pointers to review if you own jewelry items …

This question recently came up at our dinner table! Well, it was actually a ‘virtual table’ of sorts, but a food-sharing experience in one way. Two of my family members shared that they are volunteering again this year. As usual, I congratulated them on their talent sharing, and also mentioned…………………………  you should look into that! …

As we prepare for very cold winter temperatures this weekend, we are all grateful that our heating systems will be firing up and keeping us warm. In Massachusetts, home heating oil spills and leaks are an all too common problem. The culprit in most cases is the delivery or supply line that carries home heating …

At Herlihy Insurance Group, we want to be here for our clients. Herlihy Insurance Group team members are your local insurance experts that live, work and volunteer in our local community.  As we enter our 96th year as part of this community, we know the times have changed! Over the years, we have learned that …

  At Herlihy Insurance Group we have much for which to be thankful! Our staff, our clients, our vendors, our talents, our reputation, your trust. Our Thanksgiving Wish For You May you celebrate this Thanksgiving Day with love in your heart, prosperous vision in your mind, and gratitude in your being. Happy Thanksgiving wishes to …

It is that time of year again, and as the holidays approach the buying carts are rolling! So many vendors are sending us text messages and emails about their great sale offerings. My inbox and phone are constantly thinking I need to purchase something! Be wary of your online offers. Check that your selected vendors …

Many of our clients are getting their homes updated, renovated, and repaired. We recently had a client who hired a handyman to work on a number of minor home fixes. Our client asked, “Why do I need a Certificate of Insurance?” We suggest that any property owner hiring a contractor or repair person confirm that …

Telematics and Your Car Insurance There are now a number of car insurance companies in Massachusetts with approved Telematics programs. Telematics-powered auto insurance relies on in-car tracking devices to monitor your driving habits and tendencies. These devices track the times of day you drive, sudden changes in speed — like hard braking or rapid acceleration …

… A LOT when you are working on your insurance program! Your insurance policy is your contract with the insurance company, and we need to make sure it is accurate. During the past five years many of our clients have updated their property ownership to newly created trusts or LLCs and some have transferred ownership …

This year we have witnessed mother nature’s wrath. We have seen tornadoes, wildfires, floods, and landslides devastate many homes and businesses. Although this part of the country has not been featured in news stories, we do think all home owners should know which types of damages are included in most policies, and when you need …

  The past two weeks have been extremely eventful in our family and business lives. While I will not be sharing all of the details, some of these events have brought yet another insurance topic back to our dinner table! Yes, I know. You are not interested in dining with us! Liability limits! Yes, we …

Mother Nature can be brutal!  As we watch the devastation caused by Hurricane Ian, our thoughts and prayers go out to all those that are affected by this disaster. We are so thankful that many heeded the warnings and evacuated. In our office, we are working with business partners in Florida during this week. It …

  Although it is not yet officially the first day of fall, based on all of the vehicles on the road it certainly feels like summer is over. Every road I travel is filled with cars, trucks and construction. Not sure where all these people were or where they are going now, but they are …

Stalled cars sit abandoned on the flooded Interstate 635 Service Road on Monday in Mesquite, Texas. Photograph: Juan Figueroa/AP This recent severe flooding in our country reminds us all that our changing climate is impacting different parts of our country and world in many different ways. There is no question this is a complex issue …

Thankfully no residents were injured but the fire fighters had a tough job at this recent fire in Lynn, MA. Unfortunately for the home owner it appears that this is a total loss. No one thinks it can happen to them. Accidents, fires, lightning strikes… they can happen to anyone. If you do own a …

As I enjoy summertime in our neighborhood, I recently came across these photos of these gorgeous cottages on Nantucket. The cottages range in size from 350 square feet to 2,200 square feet, and have sold for as much as $6.7 million. Several of these cottages were assessed at more than $10,000 per square foot. Needless …

  The weather is in the news! It is record breaking HOT in Massachusetts! How cool are you? At our house we had a bit of an AC issue and we also lost power for a while! So we are not that cool, but we are working on it!. As things stay warm, there are …

Recently a report from the FTC reported that over 46,000 people lost over $1 billion in cryptocurrency from scams since 2021. The losses have increased six times what was reported in 2018.   Here are a few facts from that report: $4 out of every $10 lost on social media was lost through a payment …

According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals more than 23 million Americans – about 1 in 5 – adopted a pet during the pandemic. The pictures are all adorable. The new household habits created by these pets – interesting. For those that still have their pets, do take a moment to check your …

Buying your insurance online is always an option, and at Herlihy Insurance Group we say: Buyer beware! And Check in Here! There is no question that anyone with a credit or debit card can probably purchase insurance online. Many online companies make their sites simple and easy to input your payment method. When we speak …

As I recently celebrated birthdays with an octogenarian and a nonagenarian, at both events we marveled at the activities that these birthday people were enjoying! As we were celebrating, we also shared recent events impacting the lives of a few friends. Two previously healthy friends in their 50s and 60s have encountered some significant health …

  While most home insurance clients are very focused on protecting against a loss from theft or fire, too many clients are ignoring the threat of water damage caused by the backup of sewer or drains. In Massachusetts, there are many areas in our state where sewer systems are over 85 years old, and other …

  This week we are talking a lot about flood insurance and the National Flood Insurance Program because the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)  has changed its rates in the Flood program.   Here are the highlights of the changes: FEMA’s revamped federal flood insurance rate system took effect Oct. 1, bringing historic changes to …

  As we see all the impacts of rising construction costs around us, there is one finer point about Home Insurance that all home owners ask about. There is currently a home insurance policy available that offers “NO CAP” on your home’s rebuild limit. Sound too good to be true? It is a real thing. …

  In Massachusetts we have a required car insurance coverage of property damage. Since there are 12 coverage parts to this policy, I feel like this one gets over looked frequently. These days as we watch escalating car values and increased costs of just about everything, it is time to take a quick look at …

Cyber Crime Most businesses do the majority of their banking and bill paying online. This, combined with an increase in remote working, has increased our vulnerability to several crime losses. In the past, most of these types of losses were happening to large businesses. Recently we have seen these types of claims in small and …

It’s Winter Time! Please Remember… Keep the Inside of Your Home or Business Safe with Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors To help make your winter even safer, we recommend that you take the time to test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. A smoke detector is the most effective way to detect smoke from a …

  How Does Inflation in 2022 Impact Your Home Insurance? Inflation can affect homeowners insurance in multiple ways… labor and repair expenses have risen. Not surprisingly, the more expensive it is for home repairs, the more insurance coverage you may need on your home.   As with most things, location plays an important role in determining …

  What You Need to Do if You Are in a Car Accident Being involved in a car accident can be a stressful, confusing experience. If you need to file a claim, you’ll be counting on your insurance company’s knowledge and Herlihy Insurance  to help you. We all know that accidents happen. When they do, it’s important …

  3 Easy Ways to Reduce the Risk of a Car Crash As Route 95 was just declared the most dangerous road in the country, we thought it was a good idea to share ways to reduce your risk of a car crash. You can take control of your next trip, whether it’s across the …

  Home Is Where the Heart Is! Most will agree a home is not just a pile of bricks and mortar. Rather, a true “home” comprises much more, including everything inside it. How do I protect what really makes my house a home? Protecting the important stuff inside your home begins with an understanding what …

Vacation Time and Rental Car Coverage Some of our clients are flying to warmer destinations and facing that question from the car rental representative, “would you like to add insurance?” People tend to have the vague notion that they don’t really need to buy rental car insurance – which somehow is covered already. With just …

Building Insurance Most commercial properties (and homes) don’t have enough insurance. If you haven’t updated your coverage in the last few years, you are most likely underinsured. Why the higher costs? Increased costs in  labor, materials and updated building codes  are a few reasons. Also, most contractors have plenty of work so they do not have …

Home based businesses are growing and changing! A recent study from the insurance industry indicated that there are more than 15 million home based businesses in the United States. The study also shared that most home based entrepreneurs have a few common motivators. Pursuing a passion Being your own boss Pursuing a “side hustle” Many …

…it is at our house! The last time my husband and I reviewed our “beneficiaries” we had different jobs, no grandchildren, and no in-laws! So, as we start the new year, we are going back through all of our “things” to check that we have accurate information on our Wills, Life Insurance, 401k Accounts, and …

  A few weeks ago, one of our clients uncovered a theft from their business. While their business was not broken into and it was not cyber hacked, it was discovered that a ten-year employee had been stealing funds from them for several years! Unfortunately, we have seen these claims before. Our clients are always …

Photo from 1927: James J. Herlihy (middle) at the founding of The James J. Herlihy Insurance Agency AKA The Herlihy Insurance Group   It has been quite a year filled with new challenges and new opportunities. We wanted to take a moment to remember…… ‘Tis the season to be Jolly! At Herlihy Insurance Group we are all …

Image source:  Ryan C. Hermens/Lexington Herald-Leader via AP; via ABC News There are truly no words to accurately describe the amount of loss suffered by the communities recently decimated by one of the longest continuous tornadoes in American history. The devastating outbreak, which included more than 30 tornado reports across six states stretching across the …

  Recently we have been working with a few clients that have had interesting collections, so we thought we would share our insurance thoughts on collections. Collecting vintage or antique items is a growing hobby, especially with sites like eBay making finding and purchasing as easy as a few clicks of a mouse. Collections can …

Now that the turkey is done, our house guests have departed and only the piles of dirty laundry remain at our house we chat about all the funny conversations we had this Thanksgiving holiday. Since our tables were pretty full and our ages ranged from 16 months to 1002 months, you can just imagine the …

  It is a mid-November day and 65degrees out in Worcester.  This is definitely a bonus day to enjoy. As we in insurance world enjoy the day (fewer claims when weather is clear!) we still have to deal with the following facts about weather in the US this year. As of November 1, severe weather …

  This past weekend one of our Team Herlihy members shared her weekend experience with me. Her neighbor’s home had a serous fire. Our Team Herlihy member graciously opened her home to her neighbors while the fire department did their job.  It took several hours but the fire was extinguished and there were no injuries …

Insurance reminder: We know college students have a LOT to do in September and checking on insurance is probably not a priority. If you are a college student living off campus or the parent of a college student living off, please take a moment and review our frequently asked questions regarding you and your student. …

Most of us have some bills to pay each month. We at Herlihy Insurance Group know that paying your insurance bill is probably one of your least favorites to pay. Yet we also know that all of us need to have insurance to protect our assets as most lenders do require “proof of insurance.”   …

  If you own your home or a rental property and heat with oil, we want you to check that you have included ESCAPED LIQUID FUEL coverage on your insurance policy. The advantage of adding this coverage is that it can extend to cover damage to your property caused by the escape of liquid fuel. …

At Herlihy Insurance Group we do not have flood insurance at our location. As we look at this picture of our office though, you might think we should reconsider! This unfortunate flood-like event was not actually a flood! It was just the result of a severe rain storm! We will all be hearing more about …

Given the rise in frequency and cost of cyber crimes, you may want to consider purchasing some level of personal cyber insurance from your home insurance company. In 2020, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center received almost 800,000 complaints of cyber crimes, with a total estimated cost of $4.2 billion. How does personal cyber insurance …

In our geographic area, the summer of 2021 certainly has been filled with extreme weather events!  One thing we know is that extreme weather events can cause damage to our clients properties. Since July 25th there have been three earthquakes in the Merrimack Valley region.  Although they were small in magnitude ranging from 1.2 to …

Home Cyber Protection is now offered from most of our personal insurance companies. We know that not all of our clients will be interested in this additional coverage but we believe it is important to share this info. Home Cyber Protection is insurance coverage that protects individuals and families from a range of personal cyber risks. …

Are you living in a temporary space or moving? This year more than ever we have had many clients moving around. Some have sold their homes, othershave relocated to second homes and others have moved in with family members. If you have moved recently do check on that your insurance on your belongings is all …

Tuesday June 2 marked 10 years after a deadly tornado ripped through parts of western and centralMassachusetts, but people in the area have not forgotten. At our office we were inundated with calls regarding trees down, cars damaged and homes andbusinesses destroyed by this weather event. Although we did not have any injury reports from ourclients we did have many …

They are victims of Identity Fraud. As we follow the news stories and hear from more and moreindividuals it now feels like not how but when will I be the victim of identity theft.The fastest-growing white collar crime in the US is now identity fraud. ID fraud is when a personcommits a crime or fraud …

Last week this one story definitely caught my attention. A former top executive at a 140 year old shoe company pleaded not guilty to embezzling $30 million from his employer. Since part of my role at our 94 year old company is making sure our financials are accurate, this story intrigued me. How does a …

Team Herlihy heading to Polar Park Spring is officially here! Many of us in our office are vaccinated and ready to venture out in ourcommunities once again.We are excited about the opening of Polar Park as Worcester welcomes in many WOO Sox baseball fans.It will be fabulous to see those game in the city.Team Herlihy …

Factual Statement or Slander?Since most of us have been home more often during the past year, many of our clients and their familymembers have become more engaged in some social media platforms and online neighborhoodactivities. Most of the time It is great to experience feeling connected to others when we are limitedon when and how …

This week’s crazy weather reminds us to once again urge our clients to review their property insurance limits!With so many of our homeowners taking on home renovations projects in that past year, we hope they all remember to check in with us on the limit of their insurance. Check out these remodel cost estimates that …

Accidents do happen and that is why we have insurance, but this accident was massive. The crazy car pileup in Texas reminds me of the unexpected accidents that weather can cause. For all ofthe trucks and cars involved in that tragedy, I wonder did they have the right insurance? Here are a few things to …

As I was driving to work this morning the sun was just coming up and I thought it looked a bit odd! It was not bright and sunny, yet the sun was there. I did not think much about this as I planned my day. Eventually, the news caught up with me: “You will likely …

  Massachusetts is like no other state I know when it comes to the registry and car insurance. Our work in servicing clients is extremely intertwined! The MA registry does not issue plates or transfer plates unless the car owner has all the right paperwork, no over outstanding tickets or fines, a valid license, money …

Nashville 2020 Worcester 1953 Another family dinner and another insurance topic! Last week the devastating tornado that ripped through Nashville was the topic at dinner one night. My daughter has a friend who recently bought her first house in Nashville and as I watched the damage estimates from the storm, I wanted to know how …

This past weekend, we enjoyed a few days visiting family and visiting a few sights in the Washington D.C. area. Although it was a holiday, the crowds were manageable and the weather was just perfect for touring D.C. The walkways in many parts of D.C. are wide and usually quite simple to navigate. Though, this …

The tragic passing of Kobe Bryant was a large topic of conversation at our house this past weekend. As I am only a marginal basketball fan, I have to admit I was astounded by the reaction of Kobe’s fans, teammates, a large circle of friends, coaches, and mentees. In addition to his family and friends, …

Our agency is very thankful for our co-workers, friends, families, clients and business partners.  We are grateful that each day provides us with the opportunity to do something that makes a difference to someone. Team Herlihy is also thankful for our community non-profits that provide our agency with an opportunity to be a more active …

Did you close that Home Insurance Coverage Gap? Many clients are not aware that they may be responsible for the pipes and lines under their property. During the past few years home insurance offered and additional coverage called Service Line. This additional coverage may cover losses for damage to water , sewer, communication or electrical …

There is no question that we all appreciate a stream lining of the car purchasing experience. We love to save time and money.  Carvana.com company out of Arizona is a newer company that our clients have been reviewing for car purchases.   Since this company is operating with its home base out of Arizona, the company …

At Herlihy insurance Group we do provide our clients with complimentary registry services each day.  We know that this service makes the lives of our clients just a bit simpler! We have great success at the registry obtaining your new plates, transferring your plates, and gathering information for our clients on specific  transactions. During the …

Spending the weekend at a friend’s house is always a fun event to which we look forward to. Spending the weekend at a stranger’s house, now that is what I call an adventure. Our weekend Airbnb rental was very clean, quaint and conveniently located near our event.  Our host left us many directions which we …

At Herlihy Insurance Group we  love this time of year when the kids around us all head back to school!  As you are reorganizing your kids, cars, and chauffeur duties, once you have your new routines setup it is a perfect time to update any insurance related things! Here’s are a few more  of  our …

With vacation days, missed emails and of course a few mail items read later than usual at our house we typically get an overdue notice of some sort! Of course that never happens at our office, but at our house…….. well maybe. I recently read a Vendor Fraud case that really got me thinking. In …

The summer of 2019 was going on our records as perfect weather for vacationers. The Cape Cod vacationers this week were thrown for a loop when a Tornado actually touched down. Fortunately it looks like there were no serious injuries from this event. There have been reports of property damage and major power outages which …

Over the holiday weekend the chatter on the beach was about the Southern California earthquake activity and Tsunami escape routes. Since we were sitting looking out at the Atlantic Ocean I really did not pay much attention to the proposed escape routes. Once I returned to my office I did start to think about all …

More and more of our clients are taking advantage of the relative ease of renting through online rental services, whether a vacation home or a part of their own house. I’ve heard it described as “found money.” However, there are a few insurance implications that should be reviewed before you start the renting! A few …

This time of year always seems we have many clients moving around. Whether this it’s a growing business client, students moving to a new summer location, employment relocations, or home sellers down sizing, if they are renting a new location a new lease is part of the process. Renting and leasing property comes with a …

Its that time of year again when many take out their golf carts! I remember the days when golf carts were only used on golf courses. Today we see all kinds of golf carts in many different places. If you own a golf cart, your home and car insurance policies will not provide you with …

At Herlihy Insurance Group we know there is nothing quite like a family party. All are invited and for those who love to host it is a pleasure to share your home with others for celebrations. Whether you are a parent with kids or an empty nester with friends, as you host events please be …

There is no question that these ride sharing services have become quite popular and can be very convenient. At Herlihy Insurance we just wanted to share how your Massachusetts car insurance would respond if you were a DRIVER for one of these services. There is a GAP in your coverage if you do not update …

The year was 1927 Jim Herlihy was departing from Holy Cross College and embarking on his insurance career by starting James J Herlihy Insurance Agency. Inc. This was the year Charles Lindberg crossed the Atlantic in the first solo flight and the Wall Street crash of 1929 had not yet occurred. I am sure that …

Another dinner and a brand new conversation at our dinner table. The proposal was made. The date is set and we have another “splitter “.  In our house two people getting married means there is another splitter in the group! Before we get to that , we know that insurance is one of the last …

As we celebrated Earth Day yesterday the earth in Massachusetts did its own celebration. At about 6pm April 22 the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency reported that a small earthquake registered a 1.7 magnitude. This occurred in the Gloucester and Marblehead area of the state and no damage was reported. I did hear the weather reporter …

The devastating fire that engulfed the Notre Dame cathedral seemed to capture the attention of millions this weekend. This Cathedral was built in the 12th and 13th centuries is not only a landmark for the French but also a host to over 13 million visitors a year. The good news from this event is that …

As we officially enter our spring season many homeowners start to think about home remodeling! There are no questions that remodeling a home is exciting! For many of our personal lines clients it can be the second biggest expense of their lives after the purchase of their home. So we like to review the insurance …

We always check in with our clients on their liability limits. Do you have “enough”? How much does it cost to have more? We can always figure out the how much it costs part. As for the “Do you have enough?” part… if we could only see the future! We always spend a lot of …

Last week another substantial fire occurred in Worcester. Seven individuals went to the hospital and initial reports indicate that  fourteen people were displaced. Every time we see a fire on the news our office typically then goes through the list of insurance coverage we hope that building owner purchased. This week we spent some time …

Last week a group of account managers were reviewing some coverage differences on a few policies. Yes, I know this sounds dreadfully boring, but it is our job here at Herlihy Insurance to know this stuff and our team takes great pride in knowing how policies work. We always need the basics about your property, …

The destructive tornado damage that occurred this week in Alabama reminds us all of the power of mother nature. I was not around but my parents were for the tornado in June of 1953. This tornado had stayed on the ground for ninety minutes and traveled across 48 miles . To date the Worcester tornado …

We really do review other topics at our house, but there was a tragic car accident all over the news. It was a slippery road night in upstate New York and a car was stopped in the middle of the highway. According to reports a driver went to pass the vehicle stranded on the highway and …

There is no question that since Uber arrived in Massachusetts in 2011 and Lyft in 2013, the way we get around has really changed. I am always amazed at the different drivers that transport us around. I always like to ask, how they like the work and usually get a sense of whether they are …

It was dinner time at our house again and as my daughter detailed the events of her day, we began a conversation discussing her using a company car for attending a monthly meeting. Yes, this does sound like another boring dinner discussion but we did review a few items that ANYONE who has a Massachusetts …

Snowmobiling is a risky winter sport for a number of reasons. The speed these machines can travel, the fact that trails can be multi-use, and the high likelihood of compromised visibility can make snowmobiling tricky. Snowmobile insurance is not required in every state, but it is mandatory in some states, and in some parks and …

If you are a property owner that rents out your property for any short term rentals this new law needs your attention. “An Act Regulating and Insuring Short-Term Rentals” is now on the books in Massachusetts.  This was passed in December, 2018 and takes effect on or after any bookings being made now or after …

You may think we have the most boring dinner conversations ever, but we are back to the topic of cyber security again this week! Incase you missed the news, the Marriott  experienced a major data breach recently spanning throughout the whole chain and its brands (Starwood, Sheraton, Residence Inn, Courtyard, and many more) Data-protection experts …

Now that the weather has cooled off we are back with more family dinners at our house! Last night’s dinner conversation involved my daughters first hand witnessing of cyber fraud. Short story – goes like this….. A client was purchasing a property and the closing for the sale was scheduled for Friday. The client received …

Driving Records can Impact Your Car Insurance Pricing in 2018 more then ever before! At our agency we are seeing a new twist on Massachusetts car insurance pricing thats impacted by accidents and driving records. We think this information is worth sharing with you. Prior to 2018 most Massachusetts car insurance companies did not include …

This past year the weather certainly has been stormy! We have all followed the stories of hurricanes, wild fires and other severe weather incidents in our country. I must admit I always thought, aren’t we fortunate not to have any of that type of weather here around us! Yet bizarre weather continues to occur. As …

As a Homeowner you probably maintain your home insurance policy and you may be thinking, what else could I need? But have you reviewed the option of adding Home Equipment Breakdown Coverage? Equipment Breakdown Coverage extends the basic home insurance policy to cover such things as: Expenses associated with repairs or replacement of covered equipment …

The majority of us have our personal information out in the digital world. If you do anything online these days you have been entered into a world of cyber risk! The internet has taken us into a digital world where identity theft, ransomware and computer viruses have the potential to be just as destructive as …

During the past week we have all seen the property damages caused by gas explosions in Lawrence, Andover and North Andover, MA and the damages caused by Hurricane Florence all over the news. We make sure that in our office, when these emergencies situations occur, we quickly scan our loss reports to see if any …

Last week Worcester was drenched on Friday night.  Reports indicated that more than five inches of rain fell on the city within a few hours.   Here is a view from one city street! Although we hated the storm we do LOVE that this gets people talking about Flood Insurance and Coverage for Backup of Water …

The California wild fire destruction over the past few days has been immense.  The loss of life and property caused by these fires has been heart breaking.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to all who have been impacted by these fires and all of the men and women that continue to battle the fires. …

As we roll into June the graduation party, wedding party and “BIG” birthday party invites tend to appear in our mail and email.   This is always a very fun time of year to celebrate.  Our family gets to visit with many friends and relatives that we may not have seen for a while.  Each party …

My parents always taught us that honesty was the best policy and I must admit usually this is absolutely true! For some strange reason at times individuals do not always tell their insurance agents the “truth” about their homes.  We all know that there can be grey areas about all sorts of things in life …

These days your “insurance score” may have a dramatic impact of the cost of your home insurance. The term “insurance score” is essentially a rating that is computed by insurance companies.  According to the insurance companies your score represents the likelihood of you filing and insurance claim during the time that you have coverage with …

We at Herlihy Insurance Group are committed to educating our client about insurance.  Some time that job is tougher than we would like! Life insurance is typically one of the topics that many of our clients prefer not to discuss.  We frequently hear, “ I am all set.” Or “That is too expensive.” Or “ …

Usually it is never a good thing when the weather makes the news!  Last week torrential rains wreaked havoc on already flooded parts of southeast Texas as one major river has swelled to levels not seen in more than 100 years. Flash floods were an issue in many parts of Texas as a slow-moving storm …

At this point most of my friends and family are out of summer mode and into their various activities. Most of us no longer have time to sit on the beach but are off to driving people places and attending all kinds of meetings and activities. As you may be gearing up for any “unsummer” …

Whether you are on the “back nine of life” or not you are probably related to some one who is so we at Herlihy Insurance Group want to share a story about our client. For this story we will call them the Back Niners.  The Back Niners were working with their estate attorney to organize …

Back in our school days we studied all types  weather and I rarely remember any of these weather events happening around us. Now in the past 5 years we have had two tornadoes hit our direct area!  Below is a photo from this week’s event. As I turned to get up from my desk, I …

This week I was assisting a sibling with a question on flood insurance.  Well technically I did not do the assisting.  Our Herlihy Group Flood Guru answered the question, but during these conversations we were reviewing an individual’s home info.  As we reviewed the client’s options we noticed that not only had the street number …

As we in Massachusetts completely enjoy our summer weather, some of us in the insurance world can be restless and here is why. Picture this – You are seated so comfortable in your beach chair, blue skies over head, cool beverages and friends by your side.  You should not have a care in the world! …

More and more solar panels are going up in area home and businesses. That’s great news for the environment and great news for saving money. So you can keep all the good news coming, if you added solar panels to your home, businesses or land, please give your insurance agent a call. These additional panels …

This morning the office talk turned to prom time.   The group was a bunch of guys so the usual hair, dress and nail discussions were not the topics!  The topic was the “after party”. The proms and the parties are a right of passage for both kids and parents. We know that “after parties” or …

As one of our company partners stated, “ An old con is a new threat.” Our challenge is always how to get the message out about new risks to our clients. In today’s interconnected world, there are new challenges with “fraudsters” lurking in the anonymity of cyber space. Social engineering fraud is when a “fraudster” …

So who is living with you these days? Do you have a “co occupant” We don’t mean to be personal………….but we do want your insurance to work! If you happen to be living with a non relative person and you want to include them on your insurance, there are a few steps you should consider. …

Let’s take a look at a newer insurance coverage now offered on many home insurance policies! Each insurance company has a slightly different description of this coverage so it is always best to check for the details of this coverage with your insurer. Service Line Coverage provides payment for loss or damage resulting from a …

The J.D. Power survey indicates that two thirds of most homes in the United States are underinsured.  Is yours one of them? I think one of the most confusing parts of home insurance is that most consumers believe their policy limits are based on the real estate value of their home rather than the replacement …

Several recent studies have indicated that only a third of all tenants have renters insurance. Respondents to these surveys often indicate that they believe the coverage is too expensive or that the coverage is provided by the landlord. Yet both of these assumptions are incorrect. First, the average renters premium is approximately $185 per year. …

Know the facts! We all know it costs more to have a  newly licensed driver in our house and you get a lot less sleep as you are waiting for that car to come back into the driveway. A few expenses your new driver can avoid are the Junior Operator License Violation Penalties.  These can …

In our house “My Home Office” is not your typical home office but it is my spot where I keep my important stuff. Unfortunately for anyone who enters this space it can some times be some what of an obstacle course. When I am working from home and I am finished with a “project” I …

Well my husband is off on another business trip and that means that he will eventually be headed to a car rental counter in some airport. It is always a bit confusing to come out of a new airport in a new “rental” car and listen to a GPS to tell you which way to …

It has been stated that the percentage of households with life insurance coverage is at its lowest level in fifty years.  Some 11 million households with children younger than 18, have no life insurance. Not really sure what I can single handily do about that, but I will try! Life insurance is purely a voluntary …

The Federal Bureau of Investigation reports home burglary occurs in the United States every 13 seconds.  About thirty percent of these occur through an unlocked window or door. There are numerous things a home owner can do to reduce his or her chance of being a victim of this unfortunate crime.  Many of these are …

Summer Time Jewelry Woes As we are relaxing on the deck enjoying a hot and humid late Saturday afternoon, Tim says, “I have a question about my friend.” I always love questions about friends. It seems that I always learn some thing any time that I am asked a question about a friend. In this …

As the seasons change so may our households which is why this is a great time to take a look at your household members! In Massachusetts your “household members” are referenced on both your car and home insurance, so understanding how these work is important. On your car insurance it is pretty simple.  All “household …

As I sit in my home office today I have already advise my household occupants that my office is open until 4:30 and I can not take any non business questions until after that time. Of course there is some eye rolling and a stomp or two of feet, but then they go away.  The …

Pot Hole Season is Here! Now that most of the snow and ice are finally off our Massachusetts roads, we meet up with Pot Holes.  From the reports we are getting from our clients we may want to rename these Pot Craters! I can never decide what exactly to do when confronted with a large …

Sharing the claims of our clients…………………………… This is the claim story of an age old problem……………..  The Hit and Run. Each year we have a number of these accidents reported to our agency.  If this has ever happened to you, the mention of the Hit and Run probably raises your blood pressure. These unfortunate events …

Had enough WINTER yet? It is just too cold and snowy to blog much today as we get ready for another snow event.  I have to get more ice melt and get the shovels ready. But all this cold weather this weekend reminded me that I should remind all of an important cold winter fact. …

Are your home and car insured? The devastating natural disasters in Texas and Florida have got a lot of people talking about their insurance coverage. We wanted to take a moment to go over a few flood insurance basics for car and property owners. Your car insurance and flood damage: If you have selected comprehensive …

Notice of Data Breach You may have heard reports recently about a security issue involving LinkedIn. We would like to make sure you have the facts about what happened, what information was involved, and the steps we are taking to help protect you. What Happened? On May 17, 2016, we became aware that data stolen …

Watch out for Cyber Fraud We at Herlihy Insurance Group want to remind all consumers to be careful!  At our own agency we have recently had emails appearing to come  directly from Jim Herlihy asking for our bank info.  When I checked in with him, he was not the sender. Avoid Cyber Crime: Tips for …

Collector Vehicles- Are you a lucky owner? We at Herlihy Insurance Group are working to get the message out on Collector Vehicles. Recently on our office we have had a few calls about Bentley’s, Corvettes, Antique Fire Trucks and a few Mustangs. All of these inquiries gave us the change to revisit a few important …

Almost Spring and Your Home Insurance Options! It is really almost spring time so why not take a moment to see what your home insurance may now offer? As an independent agency we represent over ten home insurance companies.   This is good news for our clients as this translates into many options for coverage and …

Back to a new car, THE GAP and $25 We are back to car buying at our house again.  Right now I am hoping that my husband is NOT following my blog post.   For now the “we” is my daughter and I.  When the car mechanic says, “You really need to get rid of that …

At Fault, Not At Fault and what an accident can cost One question we get frequently from our clients is how much will my insurance go up after my claim? Unfortunately there is no simple response for this question.  The cost of any accident surcharge will vary depending on many variables such as the car …

Are you or your family members Driving for Lyft, Uber of any other people transporting entity? If you are in Massachusetts beware the EXCLUSIONS on your car and personal umbrella policies!  They are frightening. We want all of our clients, friends and families to know the real facts about their car and umbrella insurance coverage. …

Home Sharing and Your Home Insurance In our house there are not a lot of folks lining up to “home share” with us.  Could be the kids, the bird or just me, but as of this posting, no inquiries have been made. I do realize that there are a number of people out there who …

A 401K story…………..to read At Herlihy Group we love to share our real life client experiences with our clients , friends and  families. This share is about  our employee and  what happened to her “left behind” 401k.  First,  a few facts about 401k plans in general. 401(k) Portability Chances are,  most of us will change …

So this Herlihy Group blogger had now become a robbery statistic!  My husband and I have owned different homes for the past 29 years and 2016 is the first time we have ever experienced a home burglary. There are no words to describe the “creepiness” of this event.  So as not to share all of …

Sharing was suppose to be a good thing! My parents always told us to share our things.  I must admit we were probably not the BEST sharers growing up but this concept was not foreign to our home. During the past two years in Massachusetts we have seen a number of new “car sharing” or …

Several times a year I hear about a family that is struggling with taking care of a sick relative. In many of these cases this involves an adult child assisting an elderly parent. With an elderly person the medicare coverage is typically utilized. Here is a very basic overview on how the medicare benefit pays. …