News and Announcements
Date	Description	Department	Type
02.27.12	Do I really need my own condominium unit owner's policy in addition to my master policy? You have finally moved into a condominium -- no more shoveling snow, no more raking leaves. You are under the impression that your monthly condo fee covers your "insurance," great, you think, another bill you do not have to pay.	Personal Insurance	Coverage
08.30.11	Better Business Bureau presents WTPhelan with Certificate of No Complaints As of August 2, 2011, W.T. Phelan & Co. Insurance Agency, Inc. has not received a single customer complaint within BBB’s reporting period of 36 months.	Personal Insurance	Announcements
07.07.11	Fuel Oil Remediation Chapter 453 of the MA Acts of 2008 requires insurance companies insuring one to four family residential properties to offer coverage for costs associated with the remediation or clean up of oil or liquid fuel spills. The purpose of the law is	Personal Insurance	FAQs
06.14.11	Homeowner Oil Heating System Upgrade and Insurance Law By September 30, 2011, you must upgrade your home heating system equipment to prevent leaks from tanks and pipes that connect to your furnace.	Personal Insurance	Alerts
06.14.11	All About Insurance: Ten myths about life insurance Single people or couples without kids don't need life insurance. Life insurance is too expensive. Stay-at-home parents do not need life insurance because they don't earn a paycheck. These and other misconceptions surround life insurance,	Life Insurance	Articles of Interest
06.14.11	Disaster Tips Your home is one of your most important investments. By keeping it properly maintained in every season, you can help reduce the risk of a loss and ensure the safety and well-being of your friends and family.	Personal Insurance	Alerts
05.25.11	I consider myself a younger individual. Is there a value in purchasing Life Insurance now? When to buy life insurance depends more on your individual circumstances and your personality than on any hard-and-fast rules. Life insurance premiums increase dramatically as you get older. If you buy permanent life insurance while you're younger	Life Insurance	FAQs
05.12.11	Crime, fidelity, employee dishonesty and bond are often used interchangeably. Are they the same? Theft of your business personal property can be covered under a separate policy or endorsement. Historically this coverage was only available under a Bond form under the crime category. Although coverage can still be purchased under a separate bond many	Business Insurance	FAQs
05.12.11	Do I need to carry Workers Compensation Insurance? Every Massachusetts employer is required to provide workers’ compensation insurance coverage for their employees. An employee may be an individual , partnership, joint venture, corporation, limited	Business Insurance	FAQs
05.12.11	Do I need commercial plates if I have lettering on my vehicle? Yes, in MA the states requires a vehicle to have commercial plates if there is magnetic or permanent lettering on the vehicle.	Business Insurance	FAQs
04.23.11	Do I need to keep pictures of my personal property? You are not required to keep pictures, videos, receipts, or a written inventory of your personal property. However, after a loss you will be asked to provide the claim adjuster with descriptions and replacement values of all damage or stolen property.	Personal Insurance	FAQs
04.23.11	Am I covered for Earthquake on my home insurance policy? Earthquake or earth movement is generally excluded on homeowner and dwelling fire policies. Although there have been few events in recent years, the potential for damage always exists. Most homeowner policies may be endorsed to add this coverage.	Personal Insurance	FAQs
04.23.11	I own a townhouse. Should it be insured like a condominium or a house? The term “townhouse” describes a form of architecture, not a form of real estate ownership. Your unit may be part of a condominium association and should therefore be covered on a condominium unit owner’s policy. On the other hand, the deed may be “fee	Personal Insurance	FAQs
04.23.11	How much coverage do I need for condominium unit? Insurance for condominiums can be a little confusing for the home owner. Your association instruments – the Master Deed and By-Laws – separate the insuring responsibilities of the unit-owner and the association. The Master Deed will describe in detail	Personal Insurance	FAQs
04.23.11	Am I covered if a tree from my property falls on my neighbor's fence? Your homeowner insurance policy covers you for damages for which you are legally liable, subject to the policy’s terms and conditions. So if your tree falls and causes damage to your neighbor’s property, the claim adjuster will determine whether you are	Personal Insurance	FAQs
04.23.11	Do I need to carry additional insurance if I hire a nanny or an au pair? If you have an au pair or regular household help, you may need Workers’ Compensation insurance in MA. Employees are not covered by a Homeowner’s policy. If these individuals are also driving your vehicles, they should be listed as household drivers on	Personal Insurance	FAQs
04.23.11	Am I covered if I rent or borrow a truck or van? Your policy does not provide coverage for a rented or borrowed truck, van. etc. If you are renting a truck, you should check with the rental company regarding the purchase of collision and comprehensive insurance. If you are borrowing a truck, make sure	Personal Insurance	FAQs
04.23.11	How much insurance should I carry on my house? Our goal is to provide enough coverage to repair or replace your home to the same condition it was in right before your claim. Your house, or dwelling, should be insured for its full replacement cost. That is the amount needed to rebuild the structure,	Personal Insurance	FAQs
04.23.11	How do I best protect valuable items and collections? All homeowner insurance policies place limits on the amount of coverage provided for certain classes of valuable property, specifically jewelry, silverware, furs, firearms, and coin or stamp collections. Other types of property like fine arts, antiques,	Personal Insurance	FAQs
04.21.11	I have a fear of medical exams. Are there cases in which I don't have to take a medical exam to buy "Simplified issue" policies require that you answer some medical history questions but don't require an exam.	Life Insurance	FAQs
04.21.11	If you already have a life insurance policy in place, is the death benefit adequate for your existin When determining the amount of coverage you should have, a review of your personal circumstances is necessary. A more simplified approach includes calculations based on a multiple of your income.	Life Insurance	FAQs
04.21.11	If I (or a family member) already have an existing health issue, is it too late to apply for life in Dave Ramsey can obtain an indication on your behalf and avoid negative information appearing on your MIB (Medical Information Bureau records). He will assist in maintaining your privacy, discreetly discuss your medical issue, while obtaining the best off	Life Insurance	FAQs
04.21.11	Be Prepared - Natural Disasters Present a Real Threat to Businesses The recent earthquake and tsunami in northeast Japan has reinforced the need for businesses to be prepared for any type of disaster. Already this spring, businesses in the United States have seen damage from floods, wildfires, tornadoes and severe storms.	Business Insurance	Articles of Interest
04.18.11	Five Insurance Mistakes to Avoid: Don't Risk Being Underinsured Nearly Half of U.S. Homeowners Don't Know Insurance Covers Rebuilding Costs, Not Sales Price of Their Home, Says I.I.I. Study	Personal Insurance	Coverage
04.18.11	Employer life insurance is usually not enough One benefit that employers frequently offer is life insurance. Since it's usually free, the experts say there's no reason not to take it.	Life Insurance	Articles of Interest