Born in Natick, MA the son of the late William L. and Violet A. (Thompson) Wells, Dick was raised in Natick. He attended the Natick Public Schools and was a graduate of Natick High School – Class of 1959. The consummate Natick “Redmen”, Dick was the co-captain of the Natick High School Basketball Team. He was also an outstanding athlete on the football and baseball teams. Along with his father and brother, Dick owned for a number of years the Wells Shoe Stores in Natick, Needham and Framingham. He then went on to excel as an insurance salesman at Connell and Curley Insurance in Natick until his retirement in 2003. In retirement, Dick and Patty moved to Naples, FL, where Dick enjoyed some of the happiest years of his life, making fantastic memories with deeply cherished new friends. And, Dick never lost his love and devotion to the Town of Natick. Well known as the “Life-of-the-Party”, Dick was a true friend to all, bringing laughter and enjoyment to every person who enjoyed his company. He was an avid golfer and loved fishing and boating. Dick greatly enjoyed his memberships in the Natick Elks, the Marlborough Country Club, the Glades Country Club in Naples, FL, and his social membership at Columbus Hall in Framingham, MA. Above all else, Dick was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend to all. The joy and laughter he brought into everyone’s life will be his legacy.

In addition to his wife, Dick is survived by 2 devoted daughters, Suzanne Chiaffone and her husband David of Natick and Kristen Martell and her husband Barri of Millis; 6 cherished grandchildren, Caed, Spencer, Claire, Griffin, Jake and Lily; his dear brother Robert Wells and his wife Anna of Ashland; his wonderful sister-and-law Judy and her husband Rob, his sister-in-law Joanne and her husband Gary, and many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend Dick’s funeral service on Friday, March 2, 2012 at 11:00 AM in the First Congregational Church of Natick, 2 East Central St. (Rt. 135) Natick. Visiting hours will be held in the John Everett & Sons Funeral Home, 4 Park St. (at Natick Common) Natick on Thursday, March 1, 2012 from 3-7 PM.

In lieu of flowers, the Wells family requests that donations in Dick’s memory be made to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284-9168 – www.dana-farber.org or to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, 383 Main Ave. – 5th Floor, Norwalk, CT 06851 – www.themmrf.org

February fifteenth starts what the legal industry calls “divorce season”. More divorces are filed between mid-February to June than any other time in the year. The majority are filed right after St. Valentine’s Day. The reasons are easy to deduce; get through the holidays and the most romantic day of the year before the most un-romantic business of divorce. You may be thinking what kind of a jerk would write a post about divorce on St. Valentine’s Day? Well, this post isn’t about Divorce and for those interested the writer of it has (let’s just say) firsthand knowledge of divorce. Despite that, you may be surprised or even shocked to learn how dear I hold the virtues of love, marriage, and St. Valentine’s Day. This post is about the later. Until now you may be unaware of the important role proper insurance and legal work has in a marriage. In general the business part of matrimony is wildly underestimated and overlooked.

Most people just get married and don’t think about legal or business issues until there is a problem. I want our clients to avoid problems. I want you to call Connell & Curley today to assess your risks and work on protecting your assets and family. So, if you or someone you know is about to get married or engaged, perhaps today, congratulations! Marriage is a journey and it can be a beautiful one.

Part of Marriage is a business, don’t neglect the basics, like insurance
Marriage does, however, require work. The business end of a union must be understood by both parties otherwise there may be problems. I always tell clients to fail-safe their insurance and legal work and then work at needing neither. Marriage is a legal contract. In the eyes of the law, two become one entity with separate moving parts. To illustrate that in a broad overview consider this scenario: You and your spouse own two vehicles used to commute independently on the Mass Pike in opposite directions each day. What is the exposure in terms of liability, one car and driver or two? The answer is three
(possibly more): each car and driver and the couple as a whole. If one of you caused an accident there are several variables to consider. Who was driving? Who owns the car? Does the driver or owner of the car own a home? Does the driver or owner of the car expect their career to flourish or inherit a beach house from a long lost relative? Is the driver or owner of the car part of a trust? If these threats sound farfetched I would encourage you to sit in a courtroom any random day.

I also like to remind people that the division between what is legal and moral is vast and wide. Over the years I’ve seen many divorcing couples stop paying automobile insurance they had paid for years prior without telling their spouse. If you don’t own the car, it’s in your spouse’s name, then why would you want to pay for it during a divorce? The spouse driving around (perhaps with children) ends up driving illegally. With any luck no accident occurs but he/she may end up in jail with the car towed and the children inside the police station because the other spouse didn’t feel they had a responsibility. This is just one of the many reasons I like to see both spouses’ names on a title. Over the years I’ve come to recognize that many couples split tasks. One might make decisions about retirement and the other might handle household investments. However, shared information is the key and access to it crucial.
The old adage, “knowledge is power” and another one comes to mind, “all’s fair in love and war”. I’ve seen many couples where one party was kept in the dark about finances/insurance and then devastated to find out how the other one managed when it was too late.

So, why would I want to think about such un-pleasantries on St. Valentine’s Day? Love. The answer is love. It’s all you need, right? Show your Valentine how much you love him/her by placing a call to your independent insurance broker, Connell Curley 508-655-1112. Take the time to learn about the importance of shared liability, Life Insurance, and the power of that knowledge. The importance of these issues will last much longer than roses however, I recommend you do both. Call us AND buy a Valentine (chocolate and jewelry)!

Enter Thanksgiving. In the next week everyone I know will be scurrying around in one fashion or another. One of the beauties of this holiday is its inclusiveness. Most American’s celebrate Thanksgiving and most of the earth celebrates the virtues of gratitude. So, when we sit down at our Thanksgiving tables we will be celebrating goodness in general. However, until we all get there (the sitting down and celebrating part) many of us will add to our already frantic pressed lives an additional layer of stress.

It begins with the particulars; who, what, where, and how to get there from here. In the pre-smartphone days, were plans made more in advance and better adhered to? All those good plans can be changed, often. Then there is the acquiring of the feast. Personally, I’ve taken a few different angles with meal preparation. I’ve tried catering, some pre-made and some made-by-self, and all made by self. I conclude: each method has its pros and cons but all require work. Amazingly, I did not find a significant difference in the amount of time or stress involved with the pre-made meal. Someone still has to think it, plan it, collect it, plate it, and then clean it. Approximately fifteen minutes after we sit down to eat we are full and thus we begin a reverse sequence of tasks. Busy people get things done well.

I work with a team of busy people. We are hardworking Americans. Many of my coworkers have been with the agency for years. We have celebrated good times and worked through hard times. I am proud of the people I work with at Connell & Curley. Like many, we could put in a full day before we even get to work! We are mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, coaches, mentors, caregivers: but when we get to work we are here to work for our clients. We are busy and our work gets done well. Of the many blessings I will be reflecting on this Thanksgiving I include my coworkers. Thank you for serving the community and working hard for our clients. Most importantly, I am thankful for our clients. Entrusting in Connell & Curley Insurance Agency with your most important business is our privilege and we take it seriously. To our many clients, thank you.

This is a busy time of year and there is a lot of good being done, Happy Thanksgiving!

Some acronyms usage is so prevalent the acronym becomes a word in its own right. The term SNAFU is socially acceptable as a word but you wouldn’t readily speak the words that comprise the acronym. The United States Army is responsible for creating many common use acronyms like AWOL, ASAP, SWAT. Now acronym usage is ever changing and expanding because of texting habits. Had I seen the license plate ending in WTF ten years ago it wouldn’t have caught my slightest interest. Acronym usage is a growing part of our culture. Communication evolves and morphs to changes in society. In June 2007 Apple’s then CEO Steve Jobs unveiled the iPhone. Last week the news of his passing came to many of us through a device he created. “iSad” instantly became a recognized statement that much of the world understood.

There are some acronyms used in the insurance and legal professions we want you to understand. They include: BI (bodily injury), PIP (personal injury protection), OBI (optional bodily injury), PD (property damage), UM (uninsured motorist), UIM (underinsured motorist), RR (rental reimbursement), T&L (towing and labor), and TL (total loss). Connell & Curley Insurance Agency, Inc. wants its clients to not only know these terms but differentiate between, say for example, BI and OBI. Whether you are a client or not please feel free to contact us to discuss these terms and what they represent. We recommend you spend at least fifteen minutes on such important subjects! I wonder if the use of acronyms in relation to serious subjects trivializes them. Time will tell.

Communication as a whole has transformed significantly in a very short period of time. The Insurance industry has adapted to work with current trends. Perhaps this post will get you thinking about acronyms and insurance. Or perhaps you will get the attention of a young driver in your household if you text them “I wish to talk to you about avoiding PD & BI, ILY -Mom”.

Some issues docketed for this session (2011-2012) include cases concerning health care, immigration, and marriage. These topics are epic. These decisions will influence the world, future generations, and lifestyle. We hold, and fiercely protect, the inalienable right to opinion; this is after all the essence of being “American”. However, the decisions made by our justices are not merely opinion, they are law. I do not envy our nine justices and what lay ahead of them. I may not agree with all or some of the decisions made, however, I will accept them. I believe our system is pure. As pure a form of government that humans may possess. Given the enormous power bestowed to nine individuals another tradition is held the day before first Monday, “Red Mass”. Red Mass is a liturgical service, celebrated a short walk from the White House. The intent is to bless law makers with the virtues they require. Clear strong minds, strength, courage and conviction. I had the unique honor of attending Red Mass yesterday with my six year old daughter.

My daughter is too young to understand the significance of the service but I can’t help wonder how her presence had importance. To congregate in unison with our decision makers then to leave as individuals back to our own lives and pursuits. My daughter’s generation will be affected by the decision making theses justices are about to embark on. The implications of this train of thought can be overwhelming. I find comfort and hope in reflecting upon histories milestones of greatness. Important dates like October 2, 1967 judicial oath administered to Thurgood Marshall. September 25, 1981 Sandra Day O’Connor, August 8, 2009 Sonia Sotomayor. As I think of these points in time I feel a great sense of pride and extreme gratitude. I look to the future with optimism.

First Monday will be on my mind all day. I share the sentiment proclaimed by the Marshall of the Court. By protocol, the Marshall signifies a new session with the following announcement:

“Oyez! Oyez! Oyez! All persons having business before the Honorable Supreme Court of the United States are admonished to draw near and give their attention, for the Court is now sitting. God save the United States and this Honorable Court!”

Ask The Farmer

Trees seen in a group all appear the same. However hunting for the perfect picking tree requires noticing small differences. The owner of a local farm told me a secret about apple picking. Pick from a tree right in the front. So many people go wandering off into the thick but ignore the closest trees. They all end up picking in the same area. The trees you passed over may be the ones bearing the best fruit. The farmer knows when the trees blossomed and can therefore calculate when the fruit is ripe. Be sure and ask the farmer which trees are ripe for picking. A good farmer will advise you of characteristics to look for in particular varieties of apples, and there are many. You really need to choose the type of apple that is best suited for your purpose. Apples can be consumed fresh, cooked, baked, sauced, etc. The more you know the better your chances of picking the right apple.

Ask Your Insurance Agent

Imagine you are looking at a field of trees bearing apples and the apples represent an auto policy. In a grove of so many trees how do you choose? Remembering the farmer knows when the trees blossomed and therefore the best time to pick certain trees. Important information when you consider that a post ripe apple is just compost. The farmer is very much like an independent insurance agent. You could charge out into the field to pick your own without consulting but you might end up in the thick where others have already picked the best. Believe it or not this somewhat occurs in the insurance industry. Insurance companies can only write a set amount of certain risks. Also many companies favor “bundled” accounts and great emphasis is made on writing not just one auto policy but auto and another product like home. These companies want to sell you a bushel not just a single fruit. If you didn’t consult the farmer (independent insurance agent) you might buy an apple that is priced to sell as a bushel. Many people don’t know the difference between an independent insurance agent and a direct writer.

A direct writer is an agent who distributes policies for only one insurance company. Some examples of these companies include Liberty Mutual, State Farm and Allstate. Simply put, you only have one company to choose from when you deal with direct writers. Personally, I view many insurance companies these days as having taken on a theme park type persona. I love theme parks, for entertainment. For serious important decisions like insurance I prefer an independent agent and I’m not alone. According to a recent survey by JD Powers and Associates consumers contacted after a claim were more likely to respond favorably if they worked with an independent insurance agent. Consumers who worked with direct writers had less favorable claims experiences. So, if you are looking for advice on an auto policy or any other kind of financial product I suggest you think about apple picking. What kind do you need, what is the purpose, who can best assist you with the process and where do you find the best variety? Call or contact an independent insurance agency, like Connell & Curley.

How’d you like them apples?

The concept, script, and planning were all worked out in a meeting. The meeting place was a conference room within an office containing cubicles, fluorescent lights, and glowing monitors. In this controlled environment we plotted a video which required the cooperation of weather, driving conditions, college students, and a goat named Izzy. I chose to lead with the attitude “there are times in life (business especially) when you just have to wing it.” So we set a date and hoped for the best.

The morning of the shoot came. I waited for two college students and I started to think back on my own youth. Woody Allen’s applicable quote “80 percent of success is just showing up” was on my mind as I noticed the students entering my driveway. I may even have said out loud “80 percent there.” Present and accounted for, the three of us headed to Upton where we would meet up with the film crew and star actress, Izzy. Short for Isabel, Izzy, is a Nubian mix breed goat born in September (a Virgo?) 2003 and named for one of the costliest Hurricanes in history. But I didn’t let this fact deter my optimism.

You know the day will be a steamer when it’s hot at 7:00am. Video shoot day was about 84 degrees and the sun strong. Good conditions for growing vegetables; shooting video, not so much. People wilt in heat and camera equipment gets temperamental. There was also a problem with burgeoning clouds that blocked the sun. So we all had a lesson about making videos. It involves a lot of standing around and waiting. Then, enter a goat to the mix! How were we going to execute the great ideas we had in the meeting? “Wing it”. We did our best and worked with each obstacle as it was presented. There were re-do’s, takeovers, try-again’s and this went on seemingly forever. There were moments we felt like stars when a crowd formed. And, there was a moment of trepidation when the Police asked “who was in charge of this operation”. I really wanted to point to Izzy but after questions got answered we earned a new fan with benefits: crowd control. So the day unfolded. College students tirelessly performed monotonous tasks, a camera crew laboriously filmed, and a goat won all our hearts. There was one point in the day when we discovered Izzy has a sweet tooth. She would do anything for a peppermint or cherry Twizzler. Voila! This revelation helped us get our shot. “Winging it” gave us ample footage to hand over to the editing staff. The real magic comes together in editing but the first step is having good material.

Now a completed video, “It Happens”, can be seen in several streams including our web site. I am proud to be part of the team that made “It Happens” and very impressed by the young people who worked on it with professionalism and vigor. On behalf of all of the team, especially Miss. Izzy, we’d be honored if you watched the fruits of our labor:

Thank you.

In ‘Mending Wall’ the iconic line “good fences make good neighbors” was a predominant thought of mine Sunday. The poem and that line in particular, are often debated. Some people think the poems sentiment is unfriendly but I’m one of those people who think it’s very friendly. The poem is about two farmers on abutting property and a stone wall that divides them. Each spring the neighbors meet to build back up the wall and right stones that had fallen. It’s a poem rich with symbolism. The act of mending the wall becomes a ritual each spring. Each farmer walking along his side of the wall mending and talking as they work their way along the barrier. The work is a collaborative effort. The wall becomes a symbol of their good relationship.

So, in this way of interpreting ‘Mending Wall’ a sturdy wall is a sign of good teamwork. This same kind of friendship and collaboration has been present in the wake of Irene. I’ve witnessed neighbors helping each other move branches out of the street. A generous neighbor worked tirelessly with a chainsaw to prevent a tree limb from hitting his neighbor’s roof. I saw people working together and then passing time around fire pits when the daylight passed and electricity was not yet restored. There were many images of people working together like the farmers in the poem. For most, the first actions were to help and to that I say thank you, I am proud of my community.

After immediate needs are met many people have or will be calling their insurance companies. Some of the most frequent inquires after major storms are related to tree damage. Most questions arise from who pays for the removal of a tree. The general rule for fallen trees is there is coverage only if the tree hits a house or related structure. For example, you lose a tree in a storm, the tree falls in your yard without hitting any wires or structures. The cost of removing the tree and repairing the grass is your expense. Typical homeowners insurance will not reimburse for this kind of loss. If your tree falls and hits your neighbors shed your homeowners insurance will not pay for this damage either. The neighbors insurance covers that loss. You are covered for the damage a tree (downed by a storm) causes if it hits your home or related structure (wall, fence, shed) less the deductible. In these scenarios most policies will pay for the damage as well as some of the removal costs. For those of you who made attempts to contact a tree service this week you may have encountered frustration. Many services are so inundated with calls they don’t answer or return calls. I was put on a list of properties they will tend to “sometime in the future”. Tree service can be expensive too, further illustrating how generous my neighbor was to help remove the tree limb.

Inconveniences can be good reminders to keep the things of greatest importance in mind. I was inconvenienced by loss of electricity but when the lights turned back on I was more grateful for having it! A few days have passed since the storm and most of my community is restored from its damage. We will all go on with busy September schedules. I for one, however, will remember the storm of Irene with a little bit of fondness. It was a time to remember “good fences make good neighbors”.

Hurricane is a term for a low pressure system, typically formed by a tropical cyclone, accompanied by thunderstorms. In our region, hurricanes have counterclockwise winds. If a tropical storm is upgraded to hurricane status by the National Hurricane Center it is given a name. The practice of naming hurricanes began in 1953. The premise of naming Hurricanes in the Atlantic was to differentiate between storms, simplifying public broadcast notices. Naming hurricanes makes for a more efficient way of making announcements when more than one tropical storm occurs at the same time. Once named, great effort is made to predict a hurricanes strength and path.

Flow chart predictions are made and insurance companies, or more specifically RE-Insurance companies, pay great attention to that information. Insurance companies may place a temporary moratorium on selling insurance in a specific area if hurricane is an imminent threat. So, if you waited to buy insurance, watched the news and then chose to buy homeowners coverage when you needed it most; you would be out of luck. Of course, who would do such a thing?

Most hurricane related damage to a home is a covered insurance claim, however some insurance companies mandate a specific deductible (higher than the standard homeowners deductible) based on exposure to risk. This is known as a wind deductible. Wind deductible is based on a percentage of dwelling coverage. The average wind deductible in Massachusetts is 1-5%. For example, a home with dwelling coverage of $350,000 may have a wind deductible of $3,500 – $17,500 applied at the time of loss. The closer your home is to the coast the greater the likelihood of your homeowner’s policy having this kind of deductible.

Some examples of common aftermath claims include wind driven rain, downed tree limbs on structures, and electrical wires pulled from homes, but one of the greatest risks to a home from a hurricane is NOT covered; flood damage. All surface water, water that can enter your home at ground level, is excluded on the typical homeowner’s policy. Flood insurance is a separate coverage/policy and it’s important to know about this exposure. Think about this; if you owned your home for thirty years the probability of having a fire is only 4% but the probability of flooding is 26%.

With the uncertainty of Irene’s path and magnitude and the uncertainty of Mother Nature in general, remember a simple New England rule; be prepared and be informed. If you have any questions concerning insurance and hurricane coverage you should contact an independent insurance agent. Independent insurance agents live right in your area and are experiencing the same weather pattern as you. Give one a call!

We know that earthquakes are synonymous with the West Coast but the East Coast? East Coast earthquakes are less frequent but they are classified entirely different than West Coast quakes. In the east, earthquakes are typically felt over a much broader region. East of the Rockies, an earthquake can be felt over an area as much as ten times larger than a similar magnitude earthquake on the west coast. This vast span may present a different set of circumstances for our region. Compounding our potential vulnerability to earthquake damage is our age. Our infrastructure and buildings are much older. In 1674 when the Boston Customs House was built I’m fairly certain earthquake proofing was not a dominate consideration, if at all. Even structures built as early as last year may not fare better than the Customs House. Building codes in the North East do not include stringent earthquake proofing rules like in other regions. Our homes, dwellings, and roads, public and private, are more likely to sustain earthquake related damage at a lesser Richter. Building designs hold up differently in an earthquake. Solid rock usually shakes less than sand, so a building built on top of solid rock shouldn’t be as damaged as it might if it was sitting on a sandy lot. Materials are the greatest factor in how a structure will hold up in an earthquake. Glass and brick crumble. One can’t help but think of all those lovely brownstones we are known for in Boston. The Back Bay is an area that was once a swamp. Luckily, preventative measures can be taken. House bolting, foundation bolting, wall bracing, and floor leveling to name a few. These are all tasks that should be handled by a licensed builder. Homeowners can contribute to their protection too. Have your home inspected by s seismic safety evaluator, yes they do exist in Massachusetts! Bolt your water heater to the ground, look around your home and think about anything that can be better secured. There are a many ways to better protect your home from earthquake damage, but the most important is to talk to an Independent Insurance Agent.

Homeowners Insurance does not include Earthquake Insurance unless specially stated on the policy.

Even in California, 88 percent of homes do not have earthquake insurance. Earthquake insurance rates are determined differently by company and can vary. Older homes may cost more than newer, wooden less costly than brick, and proximity to recognized fault lines are all premium factors. Lucky for us New Englanders, likelihood of a peril is reflected in earthquake insurance rates. Earthquake insurance is a type of catastrophic coverage, so most policies carry a special deductible: based on a percentage of dwelling coverage instead of a set dollar deductible as in other insurance products (auto). The range is anywhere from 2 to 20 percent of dwelling coverage. A great way to buy this coverage but make it affordable is to choose a high deductible. There are many options to consider when thinking about insurance. This week’s events make this a perfect time to talk to an independent insurance agent about your home, call Connell & Curley today!