You have insurance so you are protected from financial hardship if you have an accident or something happens to your home.  So what do you do if you suffer a loss?  There are a few simple steps you need to take to file a claim.

Auto Claim

• After an accident gather the other driver’s personal information including: name, address, phone number and insurance company.  If there was not another vehicle involved in the accident just skip this step and go to the next.
• Take pictures if safe to do so.
• Then call your insurance agent and report the loss with the description, location and all the information from the other party involved in the accident.
• The insurance company will then contact you to have an appraisal done.
• You will then need to get your vehicle fixed at a reputable body shop.
• The work order from the body shop will then be sent to the insurance company.
• After the claim is settled be prepared for a surcharge notice in the mail if you were found at fault. You can file an appeal during a small window of time if  you want to dispute it.

 

Homeowners Claim

• Before you have a claim it is in your best interest to do a video of your home to document belongings and their condition, so it is easier to file a claim.  Make sure this video is saved in multiple locations.
• After a loss it is important to take pictures of the damage.  Try to mitigate further loss, but document everything and keep receipts!
• Call your insurance agent and report the loss with complete details and pictures.  Fill out all required forms.
• The insurance company will then contact you to have an appraisal done.
• Be present for all insurance inspections and appraisals.
• Contact a reputable contractor to fix the damage.  If there is extensive damage a restoration company may be needed.
• If your home in inhabitable, there is coverage for temporary relocation under your policy, subject to limits.
• Save all your receipts.

We hope that you never have to go through the claims process, but if you do hopefully the above steps help it to go smoothly.  Please call us if you have an questions about filing a claim www.mancuso-nowak.com.

There are so many fun, and not so scary, ways to celebrate Halloween with the whole family.

Starting tomorrow the Ecotarium is hosting its annual Great Pumpkin Nights http://www.ecotarium.org/events-activities/great-pumpkin-nights.  This event displays more than 3,000 carved pumpkins all around the premises.  In addition to the amazing display there will be trick or treating, food trucks, shows and Wormtown Brewery.  Go dressed in your costume for even more Halloween spirit!  The event runs Thursday-Sunday nights 6-9pm for the next two weekends.

This Saturday October 21st at Hebert Candy Mansion there will be a Halloween party held from 12-4pm.  Dress the kids in their Halloween costumes for lots of spooky photo ops!  Make some yummy treats at the chocolate boo bar, go treat or treating, participate in fun contests and enjoy a visit from the Shrewsbury Fire Department and Trax from the Worcester Railers:  https://goo.gl/PbKs6A

And there are two local shopping plazas that are hosting Halloween events for the whole family.  At Northborough Crossing there will be Truck or Treat on Saturday October 21st from 11am-2pm.  It will be a Touch a Truck event with lots of Halloween flair.  Bring the kids in their costumes for trick or treating and Halloween music. https://goo.gl/ErF5ZE   The Shoppes at Blackstone Valley are having their Haunting Halloween Party on Saturday October 28th from 2-4pm: https://goo.gl/bghR3v . There will be a dance contest, face painting, pumpkin painting and more!

Halloween Adventure! presented by SkyRise Theater will be on Friday October 27th from 5-7pm.  Kids can participate in an obstacle course, relays, crafts and problem solving.  Dress to spook all because there will be a Halloween costume contest! https://goo.gl/RLDbj5

Ski Ward will be hosting a Fall Festival October 28th-29th.  Some of the Halloween themed activities will be Pumpkin Painting, Witch Hat Ring Toss and a Costume Contest.  This is the second year Ski Ward has held their Fall Festival.  It never disappoints with exciting sack races, a bounce house, cookie decorating and food and drinks! https://goo.gl/DwAVnP

Halloween will be in full swing starting tomorrow night at the Ecotarium and will continue for the next week and a half!  Lots of family entertainment!  Have a blast this Halloween season.