massdrive

MassDrive Insurance Group Launches Comparison Shopping Platform

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Agency adds to growing list of consumer-focused utilities

BOSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–MassDrive Insurance Group, one of the first companies to offer Massachusetts consumers an online destination to shop for car insurance, today announced the launch of its instant quoting and comparison shopping platform. The technology solution, combined with MassDrive’s SnapQuote™ tool, live chat and extended hours phone-access to licensed insurance professionals, furthers MassDrive’s commitment to being the most innovative and customer-centric independent agency in Massachusetts.

MassDrive’s new platform offers a unique, streamlined and consumer-friendly user interface that provides accurate real-time quotes from multiple insurance carriers offering a broad range of pricing and coverage options. Complying with Massachusetts’ unique underwriting guidelines, the tool relies on targeted questions and information like driving records and car models. To supplement the comparison shopping tool, MassDrive offers its customers counsel from licensed insurance professionals to ensure the quote is accurate, meets customers’ specific needs, and accounts for any eligible discounts. The agency began pilot testing the service in June.

“We are proud to continue to improve the auto and home insurance buying experience for consumers in Massachusetts with the launch of comparison shopping on MassDrive.com,” said Bill Suneson, co-founder and CEO of MassDrive Insurance Group. “We have always made it a priority to develop the latest technology to best meet our customers’ needs, and we are thrilled with the overwhelmingly positive feedback we have received following this launch.”

MassDrive is known for its adoption of high-tech solutions and offers utilities like web chat and texting that make it easy for customers to get in touch. Through its “Renewal Readiness” program, MassDrive agents monitor premium adjustments from customers’ current insurance company, and upon renewal, re-evaluate the policy with other insurance partners to ensure that every customer receives the best coverage and most cost-competitive policy available.

Massachusetts consumers can access MassDrive’s comparison shopping technology directly at MassDrive.com. MassDrive, through its B2B offering, also makes its technology and insurance services available to strategic partners including affinity groups, online insurance agents and financial institutions.

About MassDrive Insurance Group

MassDrive makes shopping for car and home insurance easy. One of the fastest growing independent insurance agencies in Massachusetts, MassDrive combines innovative, tech-driven services with industry expertise to deliver customized insurance policies that give the best protection and value to consumers. The only company to offer the Renewal Readiness™ policy review program and SnapQuote™ mobile quoting tool, MassDrive is committed to a consumer-centric approach to insurance. MassDrive’s expert agents, partnerships with multiple top-rated insurance carriers and extended hours consistently result in high customer satisfaction. For more information, please visit www.massdrive.com.

Contacts

Greenough Communications
Lucy Muscarella, 617-275-6527
lmuscarella@greenough.biz

How to Drive Safely With Snowbanks

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The four blizzards in three weeks have left mountains of snow all around New England. Removing the snow has been challenging for towns everywhere, and with nowhere to move it all, the streets have becoming increasingly clogged. Travel lanes have been reduced from four to two, and two-way roads are now one way. Particularly small streets are so clogged up that even sidewalks cease to exist! If they do, they’re so narrow even the smallest of people have a hard time passing the massive snow banks. With nowhere else to walk, pedestrians than take to the road, resulting in further unsafe road conditions.

Here are a few safety tips on how to drive with massive snowbanks:

1. Drive SLOWER. Although that seems like such obvious advice, it really is so important.   In the winter, tires don’t hold to asphalt as well as they do in the summer. A mistake becomes much harder to correct with snow on the ground. Braking distances become longer, and the ability to dart around quickly in traffic decreases. Even when the roads seem cleared up, it’s still important to drive slowly due to decreased visibility from the snow banks. Many the snow piles tower way above 3 ½ feet- which is eye level for most drivers. The safest way to cross is to slowly come to a stop and then inch out to see if a car is coming. Even if you know that there is a stop sign for the intersected street, they might not able to see it due to the snow banks.

2. Make sure you windows are de-iced so you can properly see cars coming. Not only is driving with iced up windows incredibility unsafe, it is also illegal. You can quickly ice proof your windows by spraying them the night before with three parts vinegar and one part water. The acetic acid in vinegar will lower the melting point of water and preventing it from freezing. If you don’t get to it at night, spray the mixture in the morning to make scrapping much easier.

3. Check the pressure and tread of your tires. Too low pressure or bald tires can be extremely dangerous, especially in snowy weather. Having low pressure can cause heat build up, which can cause the tire to pop at high speeds. Most gas station have air pumps that will let you gauge the pressure and add more air if needed. Bald tires, or low tread means less traction to the road, especially in rain or snow. You can check this by placing a penny (the edge with Lincoln’s head pointing down) in one the grooves of the tire. If you can see all of Lincoln’s head, you need new tires.

4. Drive with your lights on. With snowbanks blocking drivers view, having your lights on with help make you known to other drivers. Even if the sun is out, if it’s snowing always have your lights on. With visibility so low when it snows, having your lights on will help you see other cars coming, and help drivers see you.

Massachusetts has had a record-breaking month with snow, and it will take some time for it all to melt. Keep these tips in mind so you can safely navigate around the snow covered streets!

Driving with Snowbanks

We’re Halfway Through Our Holiday Contest!

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spooky spot

We’re halfway through October, and that means halfway through our holiday contest! Have you entered yet? Find us on Facebook and take part in our “Spooky Spots In Massachusetts” contest and you could win one of two $50 gas cards from MassDrive!  Does this haunted spot look familiar to you?  Make sure to “Like” AND comment on this Facebook post with your guess to be eligible to win!  We still have a few more mystery pictures to post for the remaining Wednesdays in October, and before you know it we’ll be announcing the two winners of the $50 gas cards!

    Post by MassDrive.
  • Entry Instructions:  Each person may enter by clicking “Like” on the MassDrive Facebook page and comment on the photo each week with their guess for the location in the photo. You may also enter the Contest by sending us the requested information by a postcard or letter addressed to “Spooky Spots In Massachusetts Contest” to our mailing address at 241 A Street, Suite 400, Boston, Massachusetts, 02110. Please include your submission and how to contact you by phone, email and mailing address.  These complete Contest Rules may also be obtained by sending us a request at our address, above.
  • All entrants must be Massachusetts residents and age 18 or older.
  • Only one entry per person per post. No purchase of any MassDrive product is necessary and will not increase the likelihood of winning.
  • Entrants may not submit content that contains any elements that violate a third party’s copyrights or trademark rights; or depictions of any individuals that have not granted permission to appear in the entry.
  • The contest will begin on Wednesday October 1, 2014  and will end at 11:59 PM on Wednesday, October, 29th.  After a photo is posted Wednesday of each week, entrants will be eligible to enter their guess until the photo location is revealed. The contest winners will be selected by MassDrive based upon the accuracy of each entrant’s guess and the amount of correct answers throughout the month.  It will be judged upon adherence to our contest rules.  The winners will be announced in a post on our Facebook page the following day.  The winners can inbox us with their address’ and we will mail the gas cards to them.
  • The contest winners will each be mailed a $50 gift card to Exxon Mobil.
  • Employees and family members of MassDrive or Next Generation Insurance Group LLC are ineligible to enter.
  • MassDrive reserves the right to cancel, modify or suspend the Contest, if in its sole discretion any problem prevents the Contest from running as planned.  All entrants must agree to release and hold harmless MassDrive from any claim by the entrant associated by entrant’s participation in the Contest.  MassDrive is not responsible and cannot be held liable for technical errors or other things that may prevent the promotion from running as planned.  MassDrive also reserves the right to substitute the contest prize with another prize of equal or greater value if the advertised contest prize is not available.
  • These Contest Rules shall be governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, excluding its conflicts of laws provisions.
  • All entrants must agree to release and hold harmless Facebook from any claim by the entrant associated by entrant’s participation in the Contest. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook.

Our Holiday Contest Continues!

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spooky spot

Have you entered our holiday contest yet?  Find us on Facebook and take part in our “Spooky Spots in Massachusetts” contest for your chance to win a $50 gas card from MassDrive!  Does this place look familiar to you? “Like” our post on Facebook and comment with your guess to be eligible to win! We’ll be posting a mystery picture every Wednesday in October, and at the end of the month we’ll be choosing two lucky winners to each win a $50 gas card!

Post by MassDrive.
  • Entry Instructions:  Each person may enter by clicking “Like” on the MassDrive Facebook page and comment on the photo each week with their guess for the location in the photo. You may also enter the Contest by sending us the requested information by a postcard or letter addressed to “Spooky Spots In Massachusetts Contest” to our mailing address at 241 A Street, Suite 400, Boston, Massachusetts, 02110. Please include your submission and how to contact you by phone, email and mailing address.  These complete Contest Rules may also be obtained by sending us a request at our address, above.
  • All entrants must be Massachusetts residents and age 18 or older.
  • Only one entry per person per post. No purchase of any MassDrive product is necessary and will not increase the likelihood of winning.
  • Entrants may not submit content that contains any elements that violate a third party’s copyrights or trademark rights; or depictions of any individuals that have not granted permission to appear in the entry.
  • The contest will begin on Wednesday October 1, 2014  and will end at 11:59 PM on Wednesday, October, 29th.  After a photo is posted Wednesday of each week, entrants will be eligible to enter their guess until the photo location is revealed. The contest winners will be selected by MassDrive based upon the accuracy of each entrant’s guess and the amount of correct answers throughout the month.  It will be judged upon adherence to our contest rules.  The winners will be announced in a post on our Facebook page the following day.  The winners can inbox us with their address’ and we will mail the gas cards to them.
  • The contest winners will each be mailed a $50 gift card to Exxon Mobil.
  • Employees and family members of MassDrive or Next Generation Insurance Group LLC are ineligible to enter.
  • MassDrive reserves the right to cancel, modify or suspend the Contest, if in its sole discretion any problem prevents the Contest from running as planned.  All entrants must agree to release and hold harmless MassDrive from any claim by the entrant associated by entrant’s participation in the Contest.  MassDrive is not responsible and cannot be held liable for technical errors or other things that may prevent the promotion from running as planned.  MassDrive also reserves the right to substitute the contest prize with another prize of equal or greater value if the advertised contest prize is not available.
  • These Contest Rules shall be governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, excluding its conflicts of laws provisions.
  • All entrants must agree to release and hold harmless Facebook from any claim by the entrant associated by entrant’s participation in the Contest. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook.

Spotlight On: Christine Rojcewicz!

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chrissy

We have some very exciting news in our office!  One of our very own employees has been nominated as a Massachusetts Association of Insurance Agents 2014 CSR Star!  Christine Rojcewicz, or Chrissy as she is known around the office and to customers, started at MassDrive in July of 2013, and came to us with no experience whatsoever.  Since then, she has quickly learned the ropes and become an invaluable part of our team!  She handles every phone call with professionalism and grace, and always remains calm no matter what situations arises.  We wanted to take a few minutes to chat with Chrissy and find out a little more about her and her job as a CSR rep.

What’s your favorite thing about your job?

My favorite thing about my job is the customers. I love to help others, and being a customer service rep is all about helping others! I really enjoy working together with our customers to find the best solution to any problem, no matter how complicated. I love a challenge!

What’s the hardest thing about your job?

The hardest part of my job, particularly my role as a retention specialist, is explaining tough rate increases to customers. I place great importance in being certain that the insured truly understands their coverages and any reasons for premium changes. Often, the cause of the rate increase is ambiguous, but I always try my best to clarify the specific reasons for the increase, or decrease, not just quote a price without an explanation. Insurance rates are not black and white, and it is important to me that the insured is comfortable with the insurance they are receiving and the reasons for the cost.

 What do you think it takes to be a good customer service rep?

To be a good customer service rep, one needs to have patience and  perseverance. This job is not easy, but it has the potential for fulfillment and forming great relationships. It takes a lot of patience and humility to remain calm and cooperate with a difficult customer, but when the experience is positive for the insured, it is positive for me as well! The feeling I get after finishing a particularly successful call is very rewarding.

 What’s the key to dealing with an angry customer?

Dealing with angry or upset customers can be very difficult, but the key is to empathize. I try my best to put myself in the customer’s shoes and see the situation from his or her point of view. Often, when I do so, the reason for the customer’s frustration and anger becomes apparent, and I can better assist them.

What do you wish all of your customers knew?

I wish all my customers knew how difficult being an insurance customer service representative can be, and I wish they knew just how far a simple “thank you” really does go. My coworkers and I love nothing more than to share with each other when insureds are grateful and provide positive feedback. Often, a little appreciation can turn my whole day around!

In addition to answering phone calls, keeping up with paperwork, and so much more, Chrissy also implements our Renewal Readiness Program™, which monitors our customer’s policies that are about to renew, and will re-quote them if there is a significant increase in price.  She always goes above and beyond to make sure our customers have the most pleasant experience possible, so we’re wishing her the best of luck in this contest, no one deserves it more than she does!

Happy Furry Friend Friday!

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whisksmoke

Today’s Furry Friend Friday interview is extra special, we have double the trouble (just kidding), double the excitement, double the fur, and double the cuteness this week!  Meet these two 3 year-old brothers, Smoke, and Whisk.  These cats are up for adoption at the Scituate Animal Shelter and have been looking for their forever home for a while now!  They can get separated but would prefer to be in a home together if possible!

So Whisk, how do you and your brother like to spend the day?

Well we are both very similar, not only in our looks but in our personalities as well.  Both of us like to be held and picked up, although if we get distracted by something we definitely have to go investigate so might jump right off your lap!  We are both very happy though and enjoy being around people and other cats, not too sure about dogs just yet.

What about you Smoke? Do you have a favorite toy to play with during the day?

I love squeaky toys, we both do actually.  There’s also a big scratching post that’s also a tower we can climb up on and stare out the window.  If I’m not playing with my squeaky toys, that’s usually where you’ll find me.

So Whisk do you enjoy the great outdoors?

No, we are both strictly indoor cats.  In fact, all of the cats that get adopted out from the Scituate Animal Shelter are required to be indoor cats.  It can be very dangerous outside for cats when you think of all the risks including cars, coyotes, foxes, diseases, you name it!  We enjoy being indoors anyways and don’t think we’re missing out on anything.

Smoke is there anything that makes you nervous?

Nothing in particular, we are both pretty brave and very friendly, we aren’t skittish at all around people!

Why do you both think pet insurance is important for all pet parents to consider?

Well, we are both only 3 years old but both have a mild dental condition that may need attention in the future.  At the moment it doesn’t bother us, in fact we probably wouldn’t have even known about it if it weren’t for the vet!  If you have pet insurance before something like that is discovered, treatment would be covered! That would be a huge help! – Smoke

Well, I would have to agree with my brother, and maybe if our old owners had pet insurance they could have afforded to fix the problem before it got worse. – Whisk

These two brothers are pretty smart 3 year olds!  Not only do they know the value of a dollar, they are thinking big picture when it comes to their own health.  Just as people age and need more frequent health care, the same goes for our pets so it’s best to be prepared.  Give us a call at MassDrive and get a free pet insurance quote for your furry friend today!

 

 

Furry Friend Friday With Lena!

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DSC04804

We’re back with another Furry Friend Friday interview!  Today I got to chat with Lena, a 5 year-old lab/shepherd mix up for adoption at the Scituate Animal Shelter!  Lena was surrendered by her previous owner and has been waiting for her forever home for a few months now.  This sweet girl is very active and would be the perfect companion for a young couple!

So Lena, what is your favorite way to spend the day?

I LOVE to be outside more than anything!  I live for adventures and walks, getting out of the shelter and being able to smell the fresh air is the best feeling, I can’t wait until I find my forever home and can go outside and explore all the time!  I also like to go for rides in the car, as long as we aren’t on our way to the vet!  I love long rides and don’t even get car sick!

It sounds like you have a lot of energy, do you have a favorite place you like to go for walks so you can burn it all off?

Well the shelter here is in Scituate so we are very close to the beach!  The staff bring me down there once in a while and I can’t get enough,  I love the way the ocean smells and the feeling of sand between my toes, it’s a lot nicer to run on than pavement!  We also have some trails in the woods here behind the shelter and that is fun too, the woods have so many things to smell and I love getting to hear the birds chirping!

Do you have a favorite toy to play with?

The only toys we have here in the shelter are tennis balls and frisbees and those are a lot of fun! We don’t get other toys because the staff doesn’t want us to get too possessive or protective of our toys around other dogs.  I think I would enjoy a nice rope to play tug of war with or a squeaky toy though, maybe when I get my own home I will have a bunch of toys that are all for me!

What about any fears?

Well, I’m not saying I’m afraid of other dogs, I just don’t like them.  We don’t really get along very well, at least not here in the shelter.  The other dogs here are always barking and it drives me crazy!  Can’t a girl get some peace and quiet?  Maybe once I settle into my own home I could deal with another pet, but it would have to be the right one and I’m still a little weary of the idea.  I like all of the attention on me!

Lena, why do you think pet insurance is important for all pet owners?

Well life can be pretty unpredictable, after living with a family of my own, I never expected to wind up in a shelter!  Who knows what else could happen when you least expect it, better to be safe than sorry!

How many of you pet owners out there have ever had an unexpected vet bill throw a wrench into your monthly budget?  It always seems to happen at the worst possible time too, but with pet insurance you don’t have to worry about getting your pet the care they need because they will be covered!  Call us at MassDrive for a pet insurance quote today!

 

 

The Importance Of Pet Insurance: Why All Pet Parents Should Invest

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pet insurance

Here at MassDrive, we love our pets, and we’re guessing you love your pets too, that’s why we think it is so important for all pet owners to invest in pet insurance for their furry friends!  Our pets are like members of our own family why not protect them like it?  Humans have health insurance, and your furry friend should get them same care if they were to become sick!

Many animal shelters that have pets up for adoption often offer complimentary pet insurance for the first month after adoption, and then after that it’s up to the owner to purchase another policy.  Policies are not as expensive as you would think, and it is definitely more affordable for most people to pay a small amount of money over a long period of time rather than having to pay a vet bill all at once.  Vet bills can add up quickly, even a simple check-up can be costly if you don’t have insurance.  If you’re going to the vet for anything more complex than a check-up it will likely be even more expensive, even costing thousands of dollars depending on the severity of the animal’s injury or sickness.  For some, spending thousands of dollars on their pet at once is not possible, and as pet owners ourselves we know that we would never want to deny potentially life-saving care to our furry friends just because of the cost.

The cost of your monthly payment depends on a few factors, what type of pet you have, their age, and breed.  The older your dog is, the more expensive your monthly payment will be.  Purchasing pet insurance for your pet as soon as you adopt it is the best advice we can give.  It will be less expensive and you may be eligible for potential discounts the longer you remain with the same carrier.  Another reason why it’s better to get pet insurance sooner rather than later is because pet insurance does not cover pre-existing conditions.  If you get pet insurance for your cat or dog as soon as it’s adopted, anything that it comes down with after you purchase a policy would be covered.

Bringing your pet to the vet is inevitable, so why not be prepared?  Older pets typically have more health problems than younger pets and younger pets are more likely to find some type of trouble to get themselves into.  Whether they escape the yard and come back with a bunch of ticks, or eat something that makes them sick, eventually they will get into something that they shouldn’t.

The bottom line we’re trying to make is that anything can happen when you least expect it, that’s why they call it an accident.  Don’t break the bank paying for the vet, give us a call for a pet insurance quote today!  Our pet insurance policies are through the ASPCA and reimburse up to 90% of usual and customary covered charges, depending on state availability and you can use ANY licensed vet in the United States and Canada!  Have more than one pet?  You can save up to 10% on your policy if you have multiple pets!  These policies only cover cats and dogs, however if you have a bird or reptile, there are other carriers that can write policies for them, ask your vet to recommend one today!

Photo By: thegoinggreenboutique

Furry Friend Friday With Maya!

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Maya

Happy Friday everyone, we’re here to kick off your weekend with another furry friend interview!  Today I got to interview an adorable dog named Maya, she is the second girl that I’ve interviewed that is lucky enough to live in Phoenix, Arizona.  Maya is a very unique dog as she is both a rescue pup and deaf!  Although she’s had some challenges so far, she has overcome them and is living in the lap of luxury!

So Maya, what is your favorite way to spend the day?

Well, the first thing I do every morning is to go for a walk with my friend Bruno, he is my neighbor’s dog and we love to walk over to the park near our condo complex.  The park right inside the complex it pretty run down, so we go to the one about a block away.  The grass is beautiful and it is so clean there, they even have a doggie water fountain for us!  After my walk, I love coming home to my new bed and taking a nap!  It’s a luxury king size dog bed, I have so much room to lounge and could stay there all day.

Do you have a favorite toy?

I guess you could say I’m pretty spoiled, because I have A LOT of toys to choose from!  My favorite in particular are the ones that I can use for tug of war, as long as I can find someone to play with me.

What about a favorite treat?

My dad says I am just like him because I love to eat so much, and as I said I am pretty spoiled so I get a lot of treats.  Out of all of them, I like milk bones a lot, they aren’t too rough on my teeth and taste delicious!

Is there anything that scares you?

My biggest fear is definitely water!  I won’t go near it at all, not the rain, shower, or any large body of water.  My dad is so good to me though, he even washes me with water-free shampoo so I don’t have to get near the water at all.  Other than that, the vacuum is my other nemesis, it is always trying to chase me!  I’m deaf so I can’t hear it coming, but I always stay a few steps ahead of it because I’m pretty quick.

It’s not every day we interview a deaf dog, how did everyone find out you were deaf?

It’s a funny story actually, when my dad adopted me from the local pound, he had no idea I was even deaf!  A few days after he rescued me, we went over to his friends house to relax and watch the movie “Inception”, you may have heard of it.  Anyways, I was a little sleepy and dozed off for a bit, I guess a huge action scene came on and my dad was shocked that I was able to sleep through it.  Eventually he brought me to the vet for a check up and that’s when they told him the news.  He loves me just the same anyways, who could ever resist my cute little face?

Do you have any health concerns for the future?  Or have you ever been in a situation where you wish you had pet insurance?

Well as I said, I’m deaf so that poses an issue, however that would not be covered by pet insurance since it is a pre-existing condition.  I still worry about going to the vets though, and a month after I was adopted I had to go because I got an ear infection.  Soon after that I was also diagnosed with severe allergies as well.  I can’t catch a break, can I?  Well, it’s really my dad who can’t catch a break, he did not get pet insurance for me so he had to pay for those costs out of pocket!  If he had just signed me up for a policy, those costs would have been covered.

Maya is a young girl who has had some tough luck in the health department.  At a young age, this is pretty unusual but pet owners should always be prepared for anything!  That’s why calling us up at MassDrive for a pet insurance quote is so important.  Pet insurance ranges in price based on the age and breed of your pet, and in most cases is less than $80 per month which may sound like a lot, but when it comes to your furry friend, their health is priceless.  Coming up with a few extra dollars per month for your pet’s benefit is much easier than paying a huge bill upfront, and we don’t want anyone to have to deny their pet the care they need because of finances.  So, call us up for a quote and get your furry friend insured!

 

 

 

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