What’s In A Condo “Master Doc” And How Does It Pertain To My Condo?

The master doc contains pertinent information regarding the arrangements of the condo property. This means the document lists common areas such as landings, the foyer, grounds, pool, etc. It also lists what each separate condo is, such as "all-in" or "walls-in." This means the owner of the condo actually owns the walls, floor, ceiling, and contents of the condo. Smoller Insurance Agency in Boston, MA is here to assist with condo insurance and everything related. 

Condo Insurance & Master Doc: What You Need To Know

Your Walls, Floor, And Ceiling

When you close on your new condo, you’ll have drafted for you a unit deed. This can also be found in the master doc and details transfer of ownership. This means the condo can be mortgaged, taxed, and sold. Smoller Insurance Agency of Boston MA knows what’s in the master doc, so we’ll walk you through the liability, loss assessment, and personal injury coverage you’ll need. You should also know these things about master docs.

Who Does Admin?

The Declaration of Trust, also included in the master doc, tells prospective condo owners to whom to pay their condo fees. We’ve seen sketchy “admin” people take the money and run. It’s good for prospective condo owners to know a sanctioned person is taking care of business.

Insurance

Looking online will tell prospective condo owners that a condo company’s insurance stops at your walls. Should a visitor to your home become injured in condos’ common areas such as pools or picnic areas, then your home insurance covers the liability. The condo association won’t. These documents are also in the master doc.

Lien

Prospective condo owners should pay strict attention to this one. The master doc will include a Notice of Lien. This means that if a guest in your home raises a ruckus that annoys the neighbors or causes trouble in the condo’s common areas, then the fines and the cost to sic the sheriff on them will constitute a lien. You’re responsible for its payment.

Reach Out To Us

There’s more to buying a condo than just finding the perfect one for you. Allow us at Smoller Insurance Agency in Boston, MA to fill you in.

Three important rules to follow when you buy auto insurance

Consumers need to realize that choosing the right auto insurance options is important. If you are a vehicle owner in Boston, MA, you can buy an insurance policy from us at Smoller Insurance Agency.

The following are three important rules to follow when you buy auto insurance:

Invest in added liability coverage

You only have to meet the liability coverage requirements set forth by the state of Massachusetts to drive legally. However, these minimum coverage amounts might not really be adequate to completely protect you against potential liability expenses.

If you want more financial security as a motorist, you should be sure to invest in added liability coverage when you buy an auto insurance policy. 

Compare quotes from a few different auto insurance companies

You should never buy the first auto insurance policy that you come across. Comparing quotes is probably the most important thing to do before buying any type of insurance.

Contact a few insurance companies and request policy quotes. You then know what your options are and can choose a policy with quality coverage at a good price. 

Read over the details of your policy

It’s important to fully understand your policy. Read over the fine print of your policy. Doing so will ensure that you understand exactly what’s covered by your policy.

Reading through your policy will also help ensure that you know what to do and expect if you need to file a claim down the road. 

Reach Out To Us

Buying auto insurance from Smoller Insurance Agency allows you to meet insurance requirements and protect yourself financially. Get a quote on an auto insurance policy in Boston, MA by calling us today. 

Prepare For the Unexpected With Commercial Insurance

As business owners, we understand how crucial it is to prepare for the unexpected and mitigate risk through commercial insurance coverage. Our team at Smoller Insurance Agency, serving the Boston, MA area, wants to provide you with information on the different commercial insurance to help you protect your business.

Commercial Insurance Options

General Liability Insurance

General liability insurance covers legal fees, medical expenses, and property damage claims resulting from accidents on your business premises. It also covers advertising liability claims, such as slander and libel.

Property Insurance

Commercial property insurance protects your business property and assets against losses or damage caused by fires, theft, or natural disasters. This type of coverage is essential for any business with physical assets.

Business Interruption Insurance

Unforeseen events, such as a fire or natural disaster, can force your business to close and severely impact your revenue. Business interruption insurance provides coverage for lost income and additional expenses incurred while your business is closed or undergoing repairs. With this coverage, you can replace lost revenue and pay for employee salaries even if your company has to close.

Workers’ Compensation Insurance

The business provides workers’ compensation insurance to cover medical expenses and lost wages for injured employees. This type of coverage is essential for companies with employees, as it protects the employee and the employer from any legal action that may arise from a work-related injury.

Contact Us Today

Contact us today to learn more about our commercial insurance coverage and receive a free quote. Our team of experienced agents is ready to help you prepare for the unexpected and protect your business from financial losses. Smoller Insurance Agency, serving Boston, MA, is here to help you.

How Does Umbrella Insurance Work?

Umbrella insurance is an important type of coverage that boosts the coverage that you get from other insurance policies. If you have both an auto policy and a home policy, you should think about getting an umbrella policy to boost them.

This is a less-expensive option than adding coverage directly to the home and auto policies. It can save you a lot of money and leave you much better protected by insurance. When you want an umbrella insurance policy, call us at Smoller Insurance Agency in Boston, MA.

Getting Umbrella Insurance

When you get this type of insurance, it adds to the amount of coverage that you already have through your auto and home policies. The policy adds to the liability coverage that each of those policies has, raising it to a very high maximum payout. Umbrella insurance is known for being highly affordable and for having high payouts. 

Paying the Overages

When you have home and auto insurance without umbrella insurance, there are usually maximums on them that are so low that they don’t cover all of the expenses after an accident. A serious accident could have extremely high expenses for bodily injury liability and for property damage liability. If your home or auto insurance doesn’t have a lot of coverage, it will pay up to its maximum and then leave any overage for you to pay.

That’s why having umbrella insurance is so important. Once the first policy comes in and pays what it can toward the damages, the umbrella insurance policy comes in and pays for the rest. It’s a great way to be well-covered by insurance. 

Get Umbrella Insurance

When you want to be better covered for your liability at home and in your vehicle, you need umbrella insurance. Call us at Smoller Insurance Agency in Boston, MA.

Why Might You Need Classic Car Insurance?

If you own a classic car, you must insure it with the best insurance policy available. Classic cars are often significant investments, and your classic car insurance must reflect this. For a classic car, it isn’t enough to have a regular auto policy. You specifically need a classic car policy. If you don’t have the insurance policy that you need, give us a call at Smoller Insurance Agency in Boston, MA.

Classic Car Policies

If you have a standard auto insurance policy on your classic car, it is unlikely that it will pay out what the car is actually worth if something goes wrong. When you purchase a standard auto policy, the coverage is determined by the car’s age, condition, and mileage. If you use these criteria, it may not reflect what the car is actually worth as a sought-after classic.

You’ll need a policy that considers the car’s popularity as well as how much people are willing to pay for it. Aspects of the car like its mileage may factor into its value, but many other factors are important when the car is a classic. This can mean its place in popular culture or the scarcity of that model of car. All of these factors are taken into account when purchasing a classic car insurance policy, and the policy is written for the specific car rather than a generic value.

Stay Insured

The coverage amount is so important because you may be in an accident that damages or destroys the car. This would be extremely costly for you if you didn’t have the right coverage for your needs. You need to stay covered with a classic car policy so that your investment in your car is protected.

Get Classic Car Insurance

Here at Smoller Insurance Agency, we understand classic cars and the investment they truly are. To get your coverage, visit us at our office in Boston, MA or give us a call today.

Everything You Need to Know About Recreational Insurance

Are you looking for an insurance policy to protect your recreational vehicle in Boston, MA?  With recreational insurance, you’ll get liability and physical damage coverage, plus specialized coverage for toys and vehicles not usually provided by a standard home or auto policy. 

What is Covered Under Recreational Insurance? 

Recreational insurance provides special coverage for vehicles like boats, yachts, jet skis, motorcycles, ATVs, snowmobiles, motorhomes, and travel trailers. This type of policy covers physical damage (like accidents and theft), liability (if someone gets injured in your vehicle), and medical payments if there are any injuries. It also covers any custom features you may have added to your vehicle, like stereos or satellite dishes. 

Why Do You Need Recreational Insurance? 

The most important reason why you need recreational insurance is so that you can protect your investment in the event of an accident or theft. Without it, you could face costly out-of-pocket expenses that could be avoided with the right coverage. Also, if someone gets injured while in your vehicle (or because of it), they may be able to sue you if they don’t have the right insurance coverage. That’s why it’s important to ensure that you have the right kind of protection in place. 

Contact Smoller Insurance Agency for Your Recreational Insurance Needs! 

At Smoller Insurance Agency in Boston, MA, we understand the importance of having the right recreational insurance coverage for your needs. One of our knowledgeable agents will work with you to find the best possible solution for your unique situation. Contact us today to learn more about our recreational policies and get started on protecting your investment today! 

Why You Need a Renters Insurance Policy

Renters insurance is the coverage that helps to protect you from the risks that may come with potential damage or theft of your property as you rent a home. It is also known as tenant insurance.

While it is not mandatory to have this insurance according to the law, it is a requirement by most landlords in Boston, MA that you have renters insurance. Smoller Insurance Agency is here to assist. 

Benefits of Renters Insurance

This coverage serves to protect you against distress in the event of:

Sustained injuries.

When you have renters insurance, you need not worry about any extra finances that you may need to cover the cost of treatment in case of any injury that has been sustained by you or any other person who was on your property at the time of damage.

Damage to your or another person’s property.

In the unfortunate event that your property has been damaged, or your property has caused damage to another person’s property, the insurance cover will see to it that the person has been compensated. It will also be of assistance where you may need to repair your property or the landlord’s property.

Apart from the potential damage and injury that may occur during a burglary, you are also very likely to lose your property. Even if you were not in your house at the time of loss, the insurance could compensate you for the present-day cost of your property.

Additional expenses associated with moving to a temporary residence.

Some situations such as natural disasters or renovations may need you to move to a temporary residence. The insurance will cover the expense that you need to part with to stay at the temporary residence.

Contact Us Today

It is worth noting that you are not covered by your landlord’s property insurance. It is therefore important that you put in your priorities a cover for all the property that you have in your rental in Boston, MA. Smoller Agency Insurance is here to help with renters’ coverage. Give us a call today. 

Insuring My New Motorcycle

Congratulations! You’ve bought your first motorcycle and joined the family of two motorized wheels. You have joined a nationwide community of people who, at least in warm-weather months, ride astride heavy metal thunder. You might have serious questions about your motorcycle, its insurance, and how it’s different from a car. Your Boston, MA insurance partners at Smoller Insurance Agency are here to help with your questions.

Motorcycle insurance is more expensive than car insurance

You’ve undoubtedly already noticed that your motorcycle premiums are more expensive than the equivalent auto premiums and probably also wondered why that is. A motorcycle, of course, is less expensive than a car. Unfortunately, motorcycle insurance is a much bigger risk than auto insurance, so motorcycle coverage is more expensive even though the vehicle it’s covering is less expensive. Fortunately, your coverage will get less expensive as you prove you’re a good driver on your motorcycle.

Personal Injury Policies

Car interiors are designed around keeping drivers and passengers safe from harm. Motorcycles are not. If you’re in a motorcycle accident at any real speed, there is a real chance that you’re going over your handlebars. Because of this, personal injury protection coverage, very seldom purchased as a rider on auto insurance, is almost obligatory for motorcyclists.

Laid Up Insurance

It’s no secret that Northeastern winters are harsh. Because of this, many Northeast motorcyclists put their bikes in storage over the long winter, leaving them in storage until the spring comes and they can get out again. Laid-up coverage reduces your insurance costs, but you won’t be covered if you take it out during this time.

Contact Us Today

There are additional coverage add-ons to consider with your new bike Consult your professionals at Smoller Insurance Agency serving Boston, MA for answers to these questions on your motorcycle insurance.

Three signs that it’s time to update your boat insurance policy

Boat owners shouldn’t assume that they should keep the same boat insurance policy indefinitely. In certain situations, boat owners may need to update their policies. Smoller Insurance Agency is an insurance company that boat owners in Boston, MA can turn to when they are interested in purchasing boat insurance or changing their boat insurance coverage.

The following are three signs that it’s time to update your boat insurance policy:

You want to be able to navigate in an area that’s not covered under your existing policy

Boat owners always need to be aware of the navigational limits of their policy. If they want to expand on these navigational limits, they will have to discuss this with their insurance provider. Expanding the navigational limits of your policy is likely to result in an increase in your premium costs. 

You’ve bought a new boat

Your boat insurance policy is specifically underwritten for the particular boat you own. If you replace your boat or want to add a second boat to your policy, you’ll need to let your insurance provider know so that your policy can be updated. 

You’ve relocated to another state

It’s important to discuss a move out of state with your boat insurance provider.

Your boat insurance provider might not provide insurance in the state to which you’re moving. In this case, you’ll have to purchase boat insurance from a different company. 

Get The Right Coverage Today

We’re here to help boat owners in Boston, MA in need of coverage. You can call us at Smoller Insurance Agency to get a quote on boat insurance. You can also get a quote on a boat insurance policy from our company by getting in touch with us online. 

5 Facts about boat insurance

Don’t rock the boat by going without boat insurance.

Smoller Insurance Agency knows that boat insurance isn’t splashy. But it is a necessity. Serving the greater Boston, MA community, our experienced team offers safety and security while you cruise the waterways.

Here are five facts about boat insurance:

Boat insurance covers any type of watercraft

Boat insurance is unique. It applies specifically to motorized watercraft. Although every policy will vary, nearly all boat insurance policies shield against loss, damage, and damage through comprehensive and collision coverage.

But the benefits extend much further

Boat insurance isn’t just for your boat. It grants personal protection for you, your guests, and other motorists. Liability provides these safeguards. If you are found to be at fault, costs associated with bodily injury or property damage would be covered.

Boat insurance isn’t mandated in The Bay State

Like most states, boat insurance isn’t required in Massachusetts. But that doesn’t mean it’s not a good idea. Owning a boat without it is risky. There is little downside to maintaining full coverage.

Boats aren’t covered by other plans

Some homeowners mistakenly believe they are already protected. Your homeowners’ policy may overlap with boat insurance but just barely. At best, this coverage is limited. Avoid falling into this trap. Only a specific, designated boat insurance plan will be sufficient.

Boat insurance is needed all year long

Boat insurance isn’t seasonal. This is another common misconception. Even in storage, accidents, damage, and natural disasters can occur. Canceling or letting your policy lapse can be costly in the long run.

Contact Us Today

Inadequate coverage can leave you stranded. Let Smoller Insurance Agency in Boston, MA throw you a line. Our agents can craft a designated boat insurance policy that’s perfect for you. Set up an appointment today.