Haskell Insurance Agency Blog

In Memoriam: Patrick Haskell

Sun, 29 Mar 2026 04:00:00 GMT

The Haskell Insurance Agency team is deeply saddened by the passing of our dear colleague and friend, Patrick "PJ" Haskell, and his wife, Margaret.

Patrick and his late father, George, ran the agency in Needham for decades. Their dedication and care for clients and the community was unwavering. Patrick’s kindness and selfless nature impacted all who knew him. He extended respect and compassion to everyone he encountered. He was committed to helping clients, always in a thoughtful and positive way. Our team enjoyed and appreciated working with Patrick each day. He and Margaret will be profoundly missed.

Anticipating his retirement, Patrick partnered with Steve and Kit Palenscar and their local, family-owned agency, Foley Palenscar Schortmann in 2025. The Haskell Agency and all team members moved to the newly renovated Foley Palenscar Schortmann office in Dedham Square in late 2025. Patrick recently retired and along with Margaret, deserved many more years together. The Haskell and Foley Palenscar Schortmann teams are grateful to continue the legacy built by George and Patrick.

New Office Location

Wed, 31 Dec 2025 05:00:00 GMT

Haskell Insurance Agency moved to a newly renovated office in Dedham Square. Our new address:

601 High St, Dedham MA 02026

The office building is located across the street from the Dedham Town Green. If you turn onto Maple Place (adjacent to the post office), the parking lot is on your right behind the building. The office is located on the first floor across the hall from our new partner agency, Foley Palenscar Schortmann.

Please call us at 781-449-2200 for any assistance. We look forward to seeing you!

Haskell Agency Partners with Foley Palenscar Schortmann

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 05:00:00 GMT

We are pleased to share Haskell Insurance Agency has partnered with Foley Palenscar Schortmann Insurance Agency.

"Having known Steve and Kit Palenscar for over twenty years, partnering together is a
natural fit given our shared commitment to providing superior client service in a
reliable, professional and friendly manner. In addition to their strong roots in
Needham, they have decades of experience with our insurance carriers and a talented and experienced team." - Patrick Haskell

"We are very excited to team with Patrick and the Haskell Agency. Our
family-owned agencies are very similar. Our primary focus is to provide an exceptional client experience. The transition has been seamless and
we look forward to meeting and assisting Haskell clients." - Steve & Kit Palenscar

Haskell Insurance Agency was founded in 1960 by George Haskell and Patrick joined his father in the business in 1991. Established in 1936, Foley Palenscar Schortmann has offices in Dedham Square and Norwood Center.

Renting a car? Read this.

Mon, 08 Sep 2025 04:00:00 GMT

We receive calls frequently about renting a car. The first thing you must know is if you have a MA auto policy, it will not cover you outside of the US and Canada. So you if you travel outside of these two countries, either (a) avoid renting a car; or (b) buy as much insurance as possible (liability and physical damage). Keep in mind that laws are much different in other countries.

If you are renting a car (short term, personal use) in the US or Canada, your policy’s liability (umbrella recommended) and physical damage (collision and comprehensive, if you have it) will “follow” you. However, your auto insurance company may NOT pay for (a) the rental car company’s loss of use of the rental vehicle if it is damaged (the rental car company’s ability to rent the car to others while it is being fixed); and/or (b) the full replacement cost of the rental vehicle if it is damaged (your policy pays for actual cash value – which includes depreciation – while the rental car company will need full replacement cost to buy a replacement rental car).

Due to the two limitations, (a) loss of use and (b) replacement cost, you should purchase the physical damage coverages (often referred to as “LDW” and/or “CDW” offered by the rental car company). These costs can add up but if you are ever in an accident they are well worth it.

Lastly, you must inform the rental car company of all operators ahead of time and make sure you stay on public roads.

7 Flood Facts You Need to Know

Mon, 08 Sep 2025 04:00:00 GMT

We receive many calls and emails regarding flood coverage. Here are 7 basic flood facts every property owner should know:

What is flood? Simply stated, a flood is water from the 'ground up' covering more than two acres of normally dry land resulting from a) overflow of inland or tidal waters; b) unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of surface waters from any course; or c) mudflow.
Flood insurance is excluded from standard home and business policies. Flood coverage may be obtained by purchasing a separate policy.
Roof leaks, burst pipes and water damage from appliances or plumbing is not considered flood.
We often hear clients say, "our home is not in a flood zone." What they mean is their property is not in a higher risk zone. However, every property is in a flood zone with certain zones more prone to flooding than others. Mortgage lenders require flood insurance if a property is in a higher risk zone. However, as we have seen in recent years, flooding can and does occur in lower risk zones.
Unless required by their lender, most property owners do not purchase flood coverage. As a result, when catastrophic flooding occurs a vast majority of owners are left with no coverage.
Flood insurance is typically capped at 250k for homes and 500k for business properties. These limits can be too low so to properly insure many properties for flood, an excess flood policy is necessary.
The federal flood program operates at a massive deficit so in recent years rates have risen in order to lower the deficit. If the federal flood program did not set rates, a truly competitive flood market would result in significantly higher flood rates for coastal or higher risk properties with many properties considered uninsurable.

Accidents, Surcharges, Appeals and Your Auto Policy

Mon, 08 Sep 2025 04:00:00 GMT

In general, if you are in an auto accident in MA where damages paid by the company exceed $1,000 and you are deemed 50% or more at fault you will be surcharged. Companies are required by law to surcharge drivers. A surcharge is a notification sent by the company to the state’s Merit Rating Board. Surcharges can also be applied for speeding tickets and other violations.

Your Safe Driving Insurance Plan, commonly referred to as your SDIP or “step” or “points”, is a number assigned to each driver that includes a driver’s surcharges over the last six years. 99 is the best SDIP (no incidents in last six years), then 98 (no incidents in last five years), then 00, 01, 02 and up. A minor accident (damage exceeds $1,000) is 3 points while a major accident (damage exceeds $5,000) is 4 points.

When your auto policy renews, the company retrieves your latest SDIP from the RMV and applies any new surcharges that have occurred in the last year to your renewal premium. Minor and major accidents can cost an insured thousands of dollars over a six year period (since that is how long an accident will affect your SDIP).

In some cases, you may decide to appeal a surcharge to avoid the associated cost on your insurance policy. In order to appeal you must do so within 30 days of the mailing date of the surcharge notice, with few to no exceptions. If you plan on appealing a surcharge, you must be diligent about making sure you obtain your surcharge notice in the mail. You may even want to contact the company to ask when the surcharge will be mailed. Appealing a surcharge involves completing the back side of your surcharge notice explaining why you believe you are less than 50% at fault and mailing to the Division of Insurance along with a non-refundable check for $50. You will then receive a post card notifying you of your appeal date. Appeals are now conducted online via a Zoom or Teams meeting.

Note the above may not apply to all claims or in all circumstances.

How to Choose Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Fri, 28 Mar 2025 15:29:14 GMT

Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are essential for any home, so you should ensure that your house is equipped with them. You should have detectors in the main living areas on each floor, including in every bedroom and the kitchen. This way, you'll be able to identify problems in the most important areas as quickly as possible. However, not all detectors are the same. Here's what you need to know to pick appropriate ones for your home.

Types of Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

First, you'll need to choose between individual and combination devices. With individual devices, you'll have separate detectors for smoke and carbon monoxide. As you might have guessed, combination devices can detect both smoke and carbon monoxide from a single device. While combo options can be a bit more costly, they'll take up less space on your ceiling, keeping the overall look clean and uncluttered.

You'll also have to choose between wired and battery-powered options. In general, battery-powered detectors are cheaper and easier to install, though you'll need to replace the batteries periodically. It is also a smart idea to test them frequently to ensure they are working properly. If you opt for wired detectors, consider choosing the kind with backup batteries to ensure they continue working in the event of a power failure.

Finally, modern smoke and carbon monoxide detectors also come in smart versions. These devices connect to your home's internet connection, enabling you to monitor them from your smartphone or other mobile device. This way, you can check on your home while you are at work or out of town to ensure everything is safe. These devices tend to be the most expensive, but they'll also give you the greatest peace of mind, especially if you travel frequently.

Adding Sprinkler Systems

If you live in an area that is prone to fires, you may wish to add overhead sprinklers to your home as well. In fact, some jurisdictions actually require them, so be sure to check the laws in your area. Modern sprinkler systems can sync with your smoke detectors, activating the sprinklers in case of fire.

Upgrade Your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Even if your home already has detectors in place, you may wish to upgrade them to more modern versions. This will give you the greatest amount of protection for both your home and your loved ones. You may even be able to save a bit of money on your home insurance. Get in touch with us to learn more.

The Smart Way to Secure Your Home

Fri, 14 Mar 2025 15:29:14 GMT

Smart technology has brought us many benefits, including new ways of securing our homes. Regardless of the type of home where you live, be it an apartment or a house or anything in between, you’re sure to find helpful options below that you can manage from anywhere with just your smartphone.

Smart Locks

Smart locks are a boon to both apartment dwellers and other homeowners. Many apartment management companies allow these or install them themselves because it saves their staff from dealing with lockouts and having to screen visitors.

Smart locks come in different varieties and can be configured in multiple ways, depending on your needs. For example, you can give a door passcode to your nanny or housekeeper to come and go without a key. If you change home workers, you simply have to change the code, with no worries about a stray key still in someone’s pocket.

You can also control some smart locks remotely with your smartphone. This is good for when a worker or delivery person is at the door and you want them to set a package inside, but you don’t want to give them the passcode to your home.

Door Cameras

Smart locks often go hand in hand with door cameras, also known as doorbell cameras. These record the comings and goings at your front entrance, and you can view it all on your mobile device.

Door cameras are ideal for:

Seeing who’s outside when an unexpected visitor rings the bell
Knowing when your kids come home from school when you’re not home
Monitoring your front door while you’re on vacation
Checking for a package delivery
Seeing if someone is stealing your packages or mail
Deterring would-be intruders on the front porch

Automatic Garage Door Features

Garage door technology has come a long way lately. Basic up/down features let you open and close the door from the comfort of your home’s interior or inside your vehicle.

Even better, new security elements let you control the door from afar with your smartphone or tablet. If you realize you left it open, you don’t have to wait until you go home again to close it.

Some garage door security options go one step further. You can get an alert if someone tries to raise or tilt the door, so you can stop an intruder by calling the police.

Lighting to Deter Intruders

Lighting has always been one of the best defenses against intruders. In addition to motion sensor lights and dawn/dusk features, you can now find lighting controlled by your cell phone.

Say you’re at work and your teen calls to say they're coming home early from sports practice. You can turn on the lights for them to make their entry safer. Likewise, you can turn lights on and off when you’re traveling to make it look like someone is home.

Alarms and Security Cameras

Alarms and security cameras are growing in both technology and popularity. There are DIY models and those that you must integrate with a security monitoring company for a fee. In the latter case, they usually provide the equipment and maintain it for you.

These systems let you watch who is in or on your property from a distance via your phone, whether you’re upstairs or halfway around the globe. Alarms will sound and you’ll get a mobile alert if someone opens a door, raises a window, or breaks glass. If you have a DIY system, you can call the police. If your system is part of a professional service, they will respond or alert local law enforcement.

Smoke Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

No home would be complete without smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Previously, these security elements were only helpful if you were present in the home. Now, however, you can get alarms on your mobile device with more sophisticated models that work with Wi-Fi to alert you to danger at home.

One more important thing to note about smart home security: be sure to let your insurance agent know about any features you add to your house or apartment. You may be entitled to savings on your homeowner's insurance or renter’s insurance, which is a nice bonus to the peace of mind you get with these security elements.

Which Home Security Option Is Right for You?

Fri, 28 Feb 2025 16:29:14 GMT

Whether you live in an apartment building or a single-family home, there are security options available to help protect you, your family, and your property. Not sure which one is best for you? Take a look at these choices to help narrow down your search.

Solutions for Apartment Dwellers

While there may be fewer security options for those living in apartments than those who own a freestanding house, there are definitely ways you can take advantage of today’s technology to protect your home. When considering home security solutions, be sure to think about the following:

Cost and your budget
Contract requirements
User-friendliness
Ease of installation
Self-monitoring options
Internet requirements
Integration with smartphones and home hubs
À-la-carte elements to add on later
Adherence to apartment or condo rules
Portability if you move
Buyer reviews

Doorbell cameras and smart locks that can be controlled and viewed via your mobile device are by far the most popular with apartment residents. You can let in nannies and dog walkers without being home and keep an eye on your packages.

Other apartment options include door and window sensors. These sound an alarm when doors or windows are opened, giving you added reassurance if you live alone or worry about intruders in the night.

Consider these other common apartment security features:

Panic buttons
Loud sirens
Extreme temperature and water leak sensors
Carbon monoxide detectors
Outdoor cameras for balconies and patios
Motion sensor lighting

Single-Family DIY Home Security

Security for single-family homes isn’t that different from apartment security nowadays. This type of home security takes apartment-level features up a notch for larger properties and yards.

The biggest sellers for single-family homes are whole-house alarm systems, doorbell cameras, and smart locks. These function similarly to those used by apartment residents, as described above, and can be controlled remotely via smartphone. Cameras allow owners to view what’s happening on their property from afar, which is ideal if they’re away on vacation or if parents have left the kids in the care of a babysitter.

With more outdoor space to protect, security for single-family homes often includes more lighting options, such as motion sensors and photocell lighting that comes on automatically when it gets dark outside. These frequently deter would-be home intruders before they ever try a door or window. Another feature not often needed in apartments is a garage door monitor that can alert homeowners if the door has been left open or if someone tries to raise it.

Using Professional Security Companies

For both apartment and single-family security, working with a professional security company is often an option. Pricing is usually offered at different tiers, depending on the amenities provided.

If an alarm is triggered, the security company is immediately notified. They may investigate on their own, or they may work with local law enforcement to respond. Typically, they will call the home right away and stay on the phone if someone needs medical help or is in danger.

The pros of hiring a security monitoring company include:

Equipment is often included with a contract.
You get signage for your yard to deter intruders casing the property.
The company does the installation and any maintenance for you.
If you’re not home, there’s someone to respond to an alarm.

There aren’t many disadvantages to using security professionals. Outside of the additional cost, users cite paying for false alarms that bring the police as their only other chief complaint.

Finally, whatever method you choose, there is one more advantage to using some sort of home security. You may save on your home insurance or renter’s insurance. The amount you save may be enough to make the entire system worthwhile, in addition to the peace of mind it brings. Contact us today to review your home insurance needs.

Landscape Maintenance Tips for Your Yard

Fri, 14 Feb 2025 16:29:14 GMT

You've worked hard to create a beautiful garden for your yard, but there is more to yard maintenance than simply mowing the lawn and watering the plants. There are plenty of other tasks you'll need to complete in order to keep your yard looking its best over the years. Here are a few yard-care jobs you may have overlooked.

Trimming Large Trees
Pruning tall trees can be a daunting task, but it is an essential one. Whether you choose to do it yourself or hire someone to do it for you, it needs to be done each year. For most trees, fall is the best time to prune, as the trees will come back even stronger when the weather warms up again in the spring. In addition to keeping the trees as healthy as possible, this will also prevent wayward branches from scratching against the side of your house or top of your roof, potentially causing damage. Be sure to keep them away from power lines as well.
Cleaning Your Gutters
If your home is equipped with gutters, they'll need to be cleaned out periodically. This is especially true if you have large trees on your property, as their leaves can clog up your gutters. When your gutters are full of debris, they can't do their job of directing water away from your house properly. This can lead to water pooling in the gutters, which can cause damage to your eaves and roof over time. You should expect to clean your gutters at least once a year, though you may need to do so more often in heavily wooded areas. Check them a few times a year, and clear them out as needed.
Keeping Plants Away from Your House
When you first planted your bushes or shrubs, they were likely much smaller than they are now. Over time, they can grow and spread, bringing them closer and closer to your house. This can provide homes for rodents and other pests, and eventually, they may try to come inside. Keeping the plants at a safe distance will enable you to see any damage to the structure of your home so you can repair it as quickly as possible.
Keeping Your Yard Clutter-Free
Finally, piles of yard waste, old garden equipment, and other debris can also create homes for pests, so do your best to keep your yard as clean and tidy as possible. After all, you've done a lot of work to keep your plants looking great, and you don't want a bunch of clutter distracting from their beauty!