A disability lasting more than a year could deplete savings and make other long-term goals unreachable.
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To Protect your Income, call us for a detailed plan to meet your needs.
A full service agency for personal, business and commercial insurance in Worcester, MA
508-755-5200 | info@atchue.com
190 Park Ave | Worcester, MA 01609
by Atchue Insurance
A disability lasting more than a year could deplete savings and make other long-term goals unreachable.
Go to Web Page:
To Protect your Income, call us for a detailed plan to meet your needs.
by Atchue Insurance
Imagine a world where you could actually park inside your garage. What if we told you that dream could be a reality with just a weekend’s worth of work?
We rounded up expert garage cleaning tips and turned them into a five-step plan you can use to get your garage organized quickly and painlessly.
1. Take Everything Out
The first step to decluttering your garage is to find out what’s in it. Pick a section of your garage to start with and pull everything out onto the driveway to sort through. Besides making it easier to work, this garage cleaning tip will also allow you to see what space you have to work with and what types of storage might work best when it’s time to organize the items you’re keeping.
2. Decide on Your ‘Keep’ Criteria
Once you’ve pulled everything out, it’s time to set some ground rules for deciding what to keep. This garage cleaning tip will speed up the process by preventing you from agonizing over each individual item. When deciding what to keep and what to throw away, ask yourself: “Is this item in the garage for a reason, or because I didn’t know what to do with it?” If it’s the latter, either find a use for it or get rid of it.
3. Decide What to Do with the Garage Clutter
Whatever doesn’t make your “keep” list is, by default, clutter. Don’t let it hang around your garage any longer.
With your “keep” items set aside, start going through the rest of the stuff you pulled out of the garage. Identify items you’d like to sell or donate first. Have plastic bins, cardboard boxes or bags on hand so that you can pack up donation items as you work and stash them somewhere out of the way.
Bag up or box up junk that doesn’t make the “keep,” “sell” or “donate” piles. If you’ve rented a dumpster for your weekend cleanout, toss the garbage bags into the container as you go.
4. Deep Clean the Space
While you’ve got your garage entirely cleaned out, it might be a good idea to scrub it down before putting things back. In general, the best way to clean up a garage is from top to bottom. Start by dusting off and wiping down the tops of your cabinets, shelves and refrigerator if you have one. Then, wipe down your garage walls and the doors of your fridge and cabinets with a warm, damp cloth and a mild household detergent. Next, sweep the floor to get rid of the dust you’ve shaken loose. Finish up by mopping and hosing off the floor. Allow the floors two to four hours to dry before putting things away. As your insurance agent, we want you to stay safe. A clean garage is a safe garage!
5. Get Organized
Now that you’ve whittled your inventory down and finished your garage cleanup, seize the opportunity to keep clutter from building back up. So, what’s the best way to organize a garage? It depends on what exactly you need to store.
Cleaning out your garage not only provides the benefit of a clean space but it also works in your favor when it comes to your insurance! Here are reasons why to clean out your garage space:
1. Safe from the elements- rain, snow, wind
This is probably one of the most obvious, but rain, snow, wind and other weather elements are enemies of a car’s exterior. They can leave dirt and acid on a vehicle that can cause significant damages to the exterior, like rust and a weakened top clear coat. UV rays from the sun can damage a vehicle in ways most car owners don’t consider. Extreme hot and extreme cold can both lead to deterioration of the inside and outside.
2. Protects from dings and scratches from elements or other vehicles
Hail and falling tree branches are just a couple examples of ways a car can get damaged from simply being outside. Dents, scratches, and broken windows are all possible exterior problems that can occur when a vehicle is left outdoors.
3. Less likely to have theft or vandalism
Cars are a huge investment, and for most they are one of the most valuable things they own. Parking outside leaves a vehicle exposed to vandalism and theft. A garage helps eliminate the temptation for those that want to harm a vehicle in any way.
4. Keeps vehicles exterior looking great
Believe it or not, mechanics can tell if a car is stored in a garage or outside. Vehicle exteriors are kept in much better condition when stored in a garage which can lead to greater resale values.
5. Engine stays lubricated / Coolant stays warmer, heat/AC comes on faster
Because a garage keeps a vehicle warm, the fluid and oil are kept in a stable condition which leads to an engine that runs better than one that is kept outside. Also, with a warmer car comes faster AC and heat. On cold days, the heat will warm up faster than being out in the elements. Same is true for extremely hot days.
7. Visibility is ready to go
Forget the ice scraper or dewy windshield. Parking in a garage helps keep windows clear of weather and condensation so there is no need to ride with one head out the window.
Parking a car in the garage seems to be a thing of the past. Garages are used for a lot of other things like storing junk or home workshops, but parking in the garage is one of the best things for a vehicle.
Atchue Insurance Agency is an independent insurance agent located in Worcester, MA. We can provide coverage from many insurance carriers so you receive the home insurance for your budget and needs! You can reach us at (508) 755-5200 or online at https://atchue.com/
Source: https://www.budgetdumpster.com/blog/how-to-clean-out-your-garage-and-conquer-the-clutter-for-good/and https://www.mrcleancarwash.com/blog/10-benefits-of-parking-a-car-in-a-garage/
by Atchue Insurance
As the weather starts warming up for riders who live in the north, there’s good news! It’s time to take your bike out of storage and get it ready for the open road. If you’re someone who’s been riding all winter long, you can take this opportunity for a small tune up on your bike, since regular maintenance on your bike is always recommended!
If you live in a colder climate, it’s likely your bike was in storage the last four to six months (depending on how long your winter is), and it’s not ideal to simply take your bike out and start riding it. There is a set of steps you should take to prepare it for riding, and we’re here to guide you through it.
Foremost put together five maintenance tasks you don’t want to forget to do before you fire up that engine.*
1. Charge or replace the battery.
When a bike is in storage for a long period of time without being on a trickle charge, the battery may die. Simply charge it back up and you should be back in business. However, if your battery is more than two years old, it may be time to replace the battery.
2. Examine the tires.
Make sure your tires are in the best condition possible. Look closely for any signs of wear or damage such as cracking along the sidewall, cupping, tears or unusual indentations. If they look good, check the tire pressure and fill them with air if necessary.
3. Drain and replace oil and filter. Check other fluids as a precaution.
Even if you did this before putting your bike in storage, it’s a good idea to start with fresh oil for the season. You can perform the oil change yourself, or get it serviced by a professional if you don’t feel comfortable. Remember to also check your transmission fluid, antifreeze and brake fluid (or you can have a professional do this part as well).
4. Check the air filter.
The air filter is a popular spot for pests to hide. Inspect it thoroughly. if you see signs that a creature made its way in there, replace the filter. If it looks clean, it’s good to go.
5. Inspect the brakes, plugs and chain.
Be sure to check your brakes before you hit the road after storing your bike for any period of time. You’ll want to clean and lube your chain, and tighten any nuts and bolts as needed.
Once you have completed these tasks, it’s a good idea to take a test ride around your neighborhood to ensure everything is working properly and to contact Atchue Insurance Agency at (508) 755-5200 or visit our website at https://atchue.com to review your motorcycle insurance policy. Stay safe, and Ride On!
Source: Foremost Insurance Group
*Please note: You should also follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for any other maintenance requirements not mentioned in this article.
by Atchue Insurance
Make Sure to Get Your Annual Inspection Sticker
Beginning the week of February 15th, the RMV will begin an informational campaign to remind customers with an expired inspection sticker that it’s time to get their annual safety and emissions inspection.
This campaign will email all customers with active registrations, an expired sticker, and an email address on file in ATLAS. These emails will remind customers that their stickers are expired and encourage them to get their vehicles inspected as soon as possible.
At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, some extensions were granted to annual inspection stickers expiring between March and May of 2020. Those extensions have since expired and no further extensions are planned. There are 1,800 local inspection stations across Massachusetts that are open for business and conducting inspections safely in accordance with state public health guidelines and safety protocols.
Beware of REAL ID Text Scams
The MA RMV wants to remind customers that they never request personal information via text message. There has been a REAL ID text scam going around in several states, where customers receive unsolicited text messages about REAL IDs and updating their licenses. The messages come from numbers claiming to be state government agencies. These messages are fake, and customers should NOT click on the links. They should delete the messages.
The American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) shared reports about this serious cybersecurity threat in other states. Although Massachusetts is NOT among the states impacted by the REAL ID scam (at this time), it is important for MA customers to be aware of it, and to know that the MA RMV will never request personal information via text message.
Starting on Oct. 1, 2021, you must have either a REAL ID or another federally compliant document to fly domestically.
by Atchue Insurance
Life is the most precious gift and we love insuring yours! Atchue Insurance Agency values every single one of our loyal clients and this month, we are sending you love and gratitude for welcoming us into your families and homes. It is our pleasure and honor to provide you protection and assurance in these times of uncertainty. Some of the most impactful services we proudly provide are:
If you have questions, we would love to answer them! If you have concerns, we would love to address them! We love insuring you – and all the things that come along with it! Get to know us better at Atchue Insurance Agency, and let us give you the support and protection you so very much deserve!https://atchue.com/(508) 755-5200190 Park Avenue, Worcester, MA 01609 |
by Atchue Insurance
2021 is here! A new year means a fresh start and another chance to make some changes. Most of us make New Year’s resolutions, but not all of us can stick to them! There are several things you can do to increase your chances of sticking to your New Year’s resolution.
4. Don’t Beat Yourself Up: Perfection is unattainable. It’s normal and OK to have minor missteps when working towards your goals. Don’t give up completely if you ate that brownie or skipped the gym for a week. Everyone will have their ups and downs – recover from your mistakes and get back on track!
5. Ask For Support: Accept help from those who care about you. If you feel overwhelmed or unable to meet your goals, consider seeking professional help – a trainer or a nutritional counselor perhaps.
Studies show that about 60% of us make a resolution every year. Only about 8% of us actually achieve our resolution! If you want to be a part of the 8% follow these tips, work hard, and don’t quit. Atchue Insurance Agency’s resolution is to provide excellent customer service and help our community members receive the insurance coverage they need! Give us a call at (508) 755-5200 or visit us online at https://atchue.com/ for your free insurance quote!
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