Cancel for Any Reason coverage will soon be available in New York State. If you are considering traveling and would like to have this coverage, it will be available once the carriers have updated their filings and policy forms. Please see attached article link from one of our new sources as well as a link to the Travel Insurance Website that we recommend. They are so friendly, knowledgeable and provide excellent guidance. I use them myself for all my travels. -Mike Wittkowski

Travel Policies Offered in New York as Coronavirus Spreads
https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/east/2020/03/09/560599.htm

The travel insurance I use:
https://www.quotewright.com/affiliate/2500_5598

Did you know that if you die without a will,  the state’s statutory laws will apply and all your assets will be divided amongst your family members without any say from you?  In addition, guardians will be appointed for your dependents and they probably will not be the same that you would have chosen.  There could be many additional costs in terms of legal fees and, if you had even a modest estate, most likely higher taxes.   The state will not make any attempt to limit your exposure to taxes and will not make charitable contributions on your behalf.

By making and properly executing a will, you get to appoint your own executor,  name the guardians for your dependents, make specific bequests and charitable contributions and be as creative as you would like.  Since this could be the last interaction with others where it affects your loved ones, why not have your will properly represent your thoughts, wishes and values?

Another great estate planning tool is the use of a Trust.  Whether it be a Family or a Life Insurance or Charitable Trust, a trust can allow you to ensure the financial well-being of your family by removing assets from an estate which helps to reduce probate expenses and possible estate taxes.  A trust can potentially provide an income to you and/or your designated survivor(s) for life (or a set number of years).  Lastly, a trust can enable assets to move swiftly, smoothly, and confidently into the hands of the desired recipient(s) because the assets escape probate. A trust is a very efficient estate planning tool in so many ways.

Feel free to call our agency for advice and direction on any and all estate planning questions.  We believe in the importance of estate planning and would love to share our knowledge with you.

As an insurance professional for over 30 years, I have had countless conversations with clients.  When it comes to insurance,  you are either covered or not.  You either decide to secure insurance or not.  An insurance policy is a contract between you and the insurance company.  Insurance companies want to include terms that benefit them and you need to make sure that the terms benefit you.  At the time of a loss,  the terms and conditions of your coverage will dictate how the claim is settled and what the outcome will be.

With this in mind, every individual and business’s needs are different.  Each one of us is different and our needs differ in so many ways.  Therefore, one should consider insurance that is customized to best suit his or her individual lifestyles.  In my opinion, what is most important to insure are those things that you cannot afford to replace and losses that would have a devastating effect on your family.  If you can replace something without it affecting you or causing you any type of anxiety,  that you can self-insure.  Here in the Berkshires, having the proper insurance on your home or property and everything in it makes great sense.  Having the proper liability insurance when you have grown up toys, a business or building is critical.  Umbrella coverage can provide an extra layer on top of everything else.  Insuring for physical damage on your older vehicles,  ATV or snowmobile, might not be as critical, depending upon the values of those items.  Knowing and having great medical insurance is also key and having the proper life and disability insurance to protect yourself and your family’s financial future is also very important.

When speaking to clients, I try to put things into perspective in such a way that they can relate to it.  Like the Berkshires,  I love my profession and how I help clients better understand coverages.  If you have an insurance challenge, an insurance professional can perhaps help you.  There is never a problem until the problem occurs.  My suggestion is to be prepared for anything as best as possible and insurance can play a huge role, if properly obtained.  You should choose your insurance professional like you choose any other professional.  Take the time and you will be rewarded with knowledge and the ability to make great decisions.  To insure or self-insure, that is the question?

-As seen in the April 2019 issue of the Otis Gazette, Massachusetts

We had the exciting opportunity to visit Florida this past weekend and celebrate UPC’s 20 Year Anniversary with them. We are grateful to be working with such a good company and look forward to work more with UPC in the future!