Month: January 2016

Do You Have Children? Looking For a Fun Activity in Wellesley?

Posted on by Cochrane & Porter

Mini-golf buffs, take heart! You don’t have to wait until the spring to share your favorite fun family sport, you can indulge right in the heart of Wellesley, MA in the dead of winter, no less. And you might win a prize, to boot – local merchants are contributing to the event raffle!

On Saturday, January 30th and Sunday, January 31, the Wellesley Free Library will host A Hole of Fun, their 2nd annual Mini Golf event. The library will turn into an 18-hole mini golf course and will also have a 19th hole with food, a raffle, and other family activities. The 19th hole activities are sponsored by Wellesley Square Merchants Association. In fact, many businesses come together to sponsor the “hole” event, so many thanks to our neighbors for coming together to make this fun event possible.

If you have children and are looking for something fun and different to do with your children, check this out! Wellesley Free Library is located at 530 Washington Street, Wellesley, MA 02482.

Additional details:

  • Saturday, January 30, 5pm-9pm
  • Sunday, January 31, 9am-1pm
  • Individual Round of Golf, $7.00
  • Group of 5, $30.00
  • Children under age 10 must play with an adult

 

Supporting Local Treasures
Support your local library – there are many reasons why you should. In addition to being a seat of learning for people of all ages, there are fun, year-round events for family and community, ranging from book clubs and chess meets to Lego clubs and tech workshops. Our local Wellesley Free Library is a particular treasure, with a long history of being an important part of our community.
 

Additional Groups at WFL
Clubs for Teens: https://wellesleyfreelibrary.org/teens/teen-clubs/

Fun & Games: https://wellesleyfreelibrary.org/children/fun-games/

Book Groups & More: https://wellesleyfreelibrary.org/children/bookgroups-clubs/

 

The Value of Working with an Independent Agent

Posted on by Thomas Gennetti

The Value of Working with an Independent Agent

Nowadays, there are many ways to find insurance coverage. The person searching for the lowest rate possible may call several insurance companies for quotes. Afterwards, they will go through each one to find the best bargain. So, what makes an independent agent different?

Independent agents like Cochrane & Porter provide professional guidance as you search for the right insurance for your specific needs. This can save you time and money. When you contact individual insurance companies, you’ll receive multiple quotes but it will end up being more time consuming. You’ll have to weigh out the pros and cons of all your options and the benefits in coverage. Additionally, individual insurance companies tend to be bias as they want to promote their product.

Here are a few reasons why I believe working with an independent insurance agency benefits you:

They are licensed professionals. Licensed agents can explain complex insurance jargon in a single way. Their job is to asses their customers’ needs and match them with the best insurance carrier who meets those specific needs, at a price the customer can afford.

They give a number of choices. Independent agents are able to quote your insurance with many different insurance companies who offer a wide range of coverage options.  Cochrane & Porter can quote with up to 12 different insurance carriers! With that being said, it seems somewhat time consuming to connect with several different insurance carriers, then sit down and go through each one individually.

They are local. Independent agents are close to where you live.  They share your interest in the community and understand any challenges or benefits you may experience while living in your town. They are real people, close by, who are ready to help you!

They are personal advisers. Independent agents not only give you an option of competitive prices, but they ensure you are adequately covered. They give you their honest opinion and advice and customize insurance for your individual needs. Independent agents understand it’s not just about finding the best price. They want to make  sure you don’t become insurance poor if you suffer a loss.

I hope this helps you better understand some of the advantages of working with an independent agent. Call Vinny or Dan at Cochrane & Porter today at 781-943-1555 to discuss which coverage best fits your specific insurance needs!

 

Understanding the Risks of Identity Theft

Posted on by Cochrane & Porter

Are you at risk for identity theft?

identity theft

According to the Federal Trade Commission, there are about 9.9 million identity theft incidents per year, or 19 people every minute! Chances are it happens much more than you may think. Some people assume identity theft is covered by homeowner’s insurance.

Identity theft is a serious crime that occurs when someone uses your personal information without your permission. Personal information frequently compromised includes your name and address, credit card account numbers, medical insurance account numbers, and your Social Security number.

One common way a thief can obtain your personal information is by looking through your trash. It’s always important to shred or destroy any personal documents before putting them in the trash. If your wallet is lost or stolen, immediately notify the police and cancel any credit card that were in at the time it went missing.

Other common ways for thieves to obtain your identity include:

Student Theft – College students are at a high-risk. This may be because of the frequent unsolicited offers for new credit cards that create an opportunity for thieves to gain access to their personal information. Also, because they tend to change addresses frequently, mail often does not get forwarded, which also increases the risk of identity fraud.

Medical Theft – More and more frequently, thieves are getting medical treatment and healthcare benefits while using someone else’s name and other information.

Child Theft – Thieves often seek access to a child’s personal information to create accounts in that child’s name. This can go unnoticed for years because no one thinks to check a child’s credit reports!

SeniorTheft – Senior citizens are frequent targets for ID thieves because many have life savings. They can also be less tech-savvy, which makes them easier targets for scams and less likely to monitor their accounts.

Don’t be a part of the statistics. Whether it is the holiday season, tax season, or any given time of year, you may be at risk. Take a look at our Identity Theft Insurance today and make sure you’re properly protected! Learn the other common types so that you can prevent it in the future!