The Murphy Insurance BlogNews, updates and useful tips about insurance products and the insurance industry. We also provide insights on community events, local news and information that affect your everyday life. Enjoy!https://www.dfmurphy.com/blog.aspxCar care tipshttps://www.dfmurphy.com/blog/PostId/708/Car-care-tips.aspxGuest BloggersThu, 11 May 2023 14:20:00 GMT<p><img alt="Tom Ricci" src="http://www.dfmurphy.com/Portals/0/Tom_Ricci.jpg" style="height: 133px; width: 100px;" title="Tom Ricci" />Guest blog post by Tom Ricci, Body and Paint Center <a href="http://www.bodyandpaintcenter.com/" target="_blank">bodyandpaintcenter.com</a></p> <p>Murphy Insurance provides protection to cover you in case of an accident; however, the goal is accident prevention. Proper vehicle maintenance is important not only to make your car last and maintain its value, but also reduce accidents. We’re pleased to have Tom Ricci from <a href="http://www.bodyandpaintcenter.com/" target="_blank">Body and Paint Center in Hudson </a>provide our readers with tips on car care.</p> <p>According to recent studies, 5 percent of all motor vehicle fatalities are clearly caused by automobile maintenance neglect. The following simple and inexpensive preventive checks will greatly extend the life of the vehicle, ensure safer operation and even benefit the environment.</p> <ul> <li><strong>Have the oil filter changed regularly.</strong> Always consult your owner’s manual, but a good rule of thumb is to change it every 3,000 to 4,000 miles.</li> <li><strong>Have all fluids checked, including brake, power steering, transmission/transaxle, windshield washer solvent and antifreeze</strong>. These fluids play a large role in the safety and performance of the vehicle.</li> <li><strong>Check tire inflation.</strong> Under-inflated tires can result in a loss of fuel efficiency. This is the least expensive form of preventive and safety maintenance. Tires should be checked once a month.</li> <li><strong>Keep your engine tuned. </strong>A fouled spark plug or plugged or restricted fuel injector can reduce fuel efficiency as much as 30 percent.</li> <li><strong>Have the chassis lubricated frequently</strong>. This step extends the life of the moving components of the vehicle’s suspension system. (This mostly applies to trucks)</li> <li><strong>Check battery cables and posts for corrosion and clean them as needed. </strong>The battery fluid should also be checked and filled if it is low, except in the case of maintenance-free batteries.</li> <li><strong>Have the lighting system checked frequently,</strong> including headlights, turn signals, and brake and tail lights.</li> <li><strong>Check windshield washer blades for cracks, tears and windshield contact. </strong>Replace them approximately once a year or sooner if streaking begins.</li> <li><strong>Inspect engine belts regularly.</strong> Worn belts will affect the engine performance. Look for cracks and missing sections or segments.</li> <li><strong>Have the air filtration system checked frequently. </strong>The air filter should be checked approximately every other oil change for clogging or damage. This system ensures that the vehicle is performing at its peak condition.</li> </ul> <p><img alt="Car Maintenance" src="/Portals/0/car%20maintenance.jpg?ver=uHOCOdVwRHA3YcPQA92_bA%3d%3d" style="width: 300px; height: 200px;" />Always consult the vehicle owner’s manual for individual service schedules as manufacturer maintenance requirements vary greatly.<br />  </p> 708Consigning antiques for auction, part 4https://www.dfmurphy.com/blog/PostId/730/Consigning-antiques-for-auction-part-4.aspxGuest BloggersThu, 03 May 2012 00:47:00 GMT<p><img alt="Karen Keane" src="http://www.dfmurphy.com/Portals/0/Karen%20Keane.jpg" title="Karen Keane" />Guest blog post by <strong>Karen Keane </strong> CEO  <strong>Skinner, Inc</strong> <a href="http://www.skinnerinc.com/" target="_blank">www.skinnerinc.com</a></p> <p>Murphy Insurance is pleased to join Skinner Inc. as co-presenting sponsor of The Wayside Inn Antiques Show. In the lead up to the show May 11-13, we’re please to have had Karen Keane provide our readers with insights on the process of consigning property for auction.</p> <h2>auction fees</h2> <p>This blog post completes my series on Consigning at Auction. We’ve covered the <a href="http://www.dfmurphy.com/Blog/EntryId/27/Consigning-Property-for-Auction-Part-1">appraisal process</a>, what to expect in an <a href="http://www.dfmurphy.com/Blog/EntryId/28/Consigning-Property-for-Auction-Part-2">antiques appraisal</a>, and <a href="http://www.dfmurphy.com/Blog/EntryId/29/Consigning-Property-for-Auction-Part-3">auction schedules</a>.</p> <p>Now, we’ll discuss auction fees, as this is often an area where many people have questions. Auction buyer fees and seller fees are the industry standard. The fees pay for the work the auction house puts in to make sure your property reaches the best possible buying audience.</p> <h3>buyer’s premium is consistent</h3> <p>The buyer’s fee, or buyer’s premium as it is called, is a percentage that is added onto the hammer price of an object. (The hammer price is the final value called out at the auction.) The buyer’s premium is always paid by the buyer, and it is never waived or reduced because doing so would be considered giving unfair advantage to one buyer over another. Buyer’s premiums will differ house to house and generally range anywhere from 10%-25%. See Skinner’s <a href="http://www.skinnerinc.com/conditions.php" target="_blank">Conditions of Sale</a> for our buyer’s premium.<br />  </p> <h3><img alt="" src="http://www.dfmurphy.com/Portals/0/antiques%204.jpg" />seller’s commission is negotiable</h3> <p>The seller’s fee is called a commission, and this can differ seller to seller, anywhere from 0% to 25% of the hammer price of an object. Why such a broad range in fees? Unlike buyers, sellers are not competing against each other, and simply put, great stuff drives the auction business. Bidders want to buy great objects, so auction houses want to sell great objects. And as a seller, if you possess the rare and beautiful, you’re in the driver’s seat. You can negotiate a lower commission than a seller with average goods, and even no commission at all if your item is exceedingly rare. If you are selling an entire collection, this can also warrant a lower commission. A seller’s commission rate is confidential between an auction house and the consignor. Again, all of this is standard practice within the industry.</p> <p>Other seller’s fees might include nominal charges for photography of your item, insurance, transportation, or for special services such as restoration, cleaning, or repair of an object prior to sale. Your chosen auction house can walk you through their standard consignment fees and work with you on an appropriate rate for your property.</p> <h3>auction fees: you get what you pay for</h3> <p>When negotiating fees, remember that you get what you pay for. This is critically important in a service-oriented business where specific expertise is required, such as fine art & antiques auctions. Be wary of an auction house that promises to sell your objects for no fees at all. This could indicate a lower level of service, or be a tip-off that items of a similar caliber to yours don’t find their way to that house often. If they don’t often sell the material, they won’t know who the key buyers are and how to reach them, creating a potentially adverse effect on the hammer price at auction.</p> <h3>why choose auction?</h3> <p>The auction process is thousands of years old. It’s a tried and true method to find the highest price for an object by creating competition in an open market space. You the consignor and the auction house are on the same side, both working toward ensuring that a valuable object realizes its potential. Now, what could be smarter than that?<br />  </p> 730Consigning property for auction, part 3https://www.dfmurphy.com/blog/PostId/729/Consigning-property-for-auction-part-3.aspxGuest BloggersWed, 25 Apr 2012 18:18:00 GMT<p><img alt="Karen Keane" src="http://www.dfmurphy.com/Portals/0/Karen%20Keane.jpg" title="Karen Keane" />Guest blog post by <strong>Karen Keane </strong> CEO  <strong>Skinner, Inc</strong> <a href="http://www.skinnerinc.com/" target="_blank">www.skinnerinc.com</a></p> <h2>the auction schedule</h2> <p>When should you contact an auction house to arrange to sell your property? You don’t have to wait until an upcoming auction is announced. Auction schedules for most major houses are planned six months to nearly a year in advance, so scheduling your property to sell in an upcoming auction is rarely a problem.</p> <h3>find auction schedules online</h3> <p>Specialty houses dedicate sales to specific collecting categories such as Fine Jewelry, American Paintings, Asian Art, Rare Books, or Fine Musical Instruments, and these specialty sales are held consistently year in and year out. Most houses will list an <a href="http://www.skinnerinc.com/asp/schedule.asp" target="_blank">upcoming auction schedule </a>on their websites along with consignment deadlines for each auction.</p> <h3>specialty auctions drive the business</h3> <p>The wait for a specialty auction dedicated to your particular kind of property might be a few months, but it is worth it since these category-specific auctions typically draw more serious collectors and net higher prices than auctions where a potpourri of offerings are on the block. This fact can’t be overstated, because even in this day of 24/7 online auctions, the auction world remains a specialty event driven industry. Major collectors know that live auction events, where bidders gather en masse on an auction room floor, still drive the bulk of this business.</p> <h3><img alt="Antiquie vases" src="http://www.dfmurphy.com/Portals/0/Antique%20Pots.jpg" style="width: 250px; height: 147px;" title="Antiquie vases" />consign early: reap the rewards</h3> <p>Whatever the schedule on the buying side, smart sellers know that it is always a great time to consign, even if you’ve just missed a consignment deadline for an important auction, because there is always another auction scheduled soon after. In fact, one secret to auction success is consigning your property early.</p> <p>Consigning well in advance of an auction date gives the auction house the necessary time it takes to research, catalog, photograph, advertise, market, and promote your pieces to buyers, often resulting in higher prices for your property. Be wary of a house that offers to turn around your property immediately, as that may not be to your benefit come sale day.</p> <p><em>Be sure to watch for part 4 of Karen Keane's blog on...<strong>Auction Fees</strong>.</em></p> 729Consigning property for auction, part 2https://www.dfmurphy.com/blog/PostId/728/Consigning-property-for-auction-part-2.aspxGuest BloggersTue, 17 Apr 2012 18:00:00 GMT<p><img alt="" src="http://www.dfmurphy.com/Portals/0/Karen%20Keane.jpg" />Guest blog post by <strong>Karen Keane </strong> CEO  <strong>Skinner, Inc</strong>  <a href="http://www.skinnerinc.com/" target="_blank">www.skinnerinc.com</a></p> <h2>how to get the most out of your antiques appraisal</h2> <p>After you choose an auction house to work with, you need to get your property evaluated by an expert appraiser. This can be done online, in person, or at your home.</p> <h3>how to submit photos for an antiques appraisal online</h3> <p>If you’re submitting photos via email or online via a company’s website, make sure the objects are photographed in focus and well lit.</p> <p>Skinner recommends sending (at most) three different pictures of each item for an <a target="_blank">antiques appraisal online</a>:</p> <p>1. The whole object, well lit and in focus.<br /> 2. A detail shot showing a signature, stamp, or label; or a close-up of any damage or condition issues.<br /> 3. A photo of any supporting documentation such as bills of sale, notes, letters, or prior written appraisals.</p> <h3>what to bring to an antiques appraisal appointment</h3> <p>If you’d prefer to bring your antiques and fine art items to the auction house’s gallery, don’t just drop by. Call first to make an appointment, to be sure the right specialist will be on hand to view your property. Bring all supporting documentation with you and tell the appraiser all you know about an object—how long it has been in your family, where it came from, when it was purchased, who owned it, and how it came into your possession.  On occasion, we find that these stories are little more than family lore, but most times they can provide clues to an item’s provenance and authenticity.</p> <h3><img alt="" src="http://www.dfmurphy.com/Portals/0/Antique%20Chairs.jpg" />how to prepare for a house call</h3> <p>If an appraiser is making a house call, have all objects in question readily available and easily accessible. As with an appraisal appointment, gather all supporting paperwork in advance.  There’s no need to prepare or clean objects first, and in fact, experts discourage it.  Seeing objects in “as is” condition helps an appraiser understand an object’s history and well-meaning but overzealous cleaning can sometimes damage a delicate object, or remove patination and original surface.</p> <h3>receive auction estimates; then consign</h3> <p>The appraiser should provide a verbal appraisal or “auction estimate” for each item he or she views. This will be a range in price that they expect the item to sell for at auction.  Upon receiving those estimates, you can then decide which pieces you would like to consign. For furniture or large consignments, a truck will be scheduled to gather the material at a later date.  If an appraiser tells you your item is not auctionable, trust their advice. New items and items below a certain price point typically don’t sell well at auction. Both the auction house and the consignor want objects to achieve maximum value at auction.</p> <p><em>Be sure to watch for part 3 of Karen Keane's blog...<strong>The Auction Schedule</strong>.</em></em></em></p> 728Consigning Property for Auction, Part 1https://www.dfmurphy.com/blog/PostId/727/Consigning-Property-for-Auction-Part-1.aspxGuest BloggersWed, 11 Apr 2012 18:00:00 GMT<p><img alt="" src="http://www.dfmurphy.com/Portals/0/Karen%20Keane.jpg" />Guest blog post by <strong>Karen Keane </strong> CEO  <strong>Skinner, Inc</strong>  <a href="http://www.skinnerinc.com/" target="_blank">www.skinnerinc.com</a> </p> <p><em>Murphy Insurance is pleased to join Skinner Inc. as co-presenting sponsor of </em><em>The Wayside Inn Antiques Show</em><em>. In the lead up to the show May 11-13, we’re please to have had Karen Keane provide our readers with insights on the process of consigning property for auction.</em></em></em></em></p> <h2><em><em><em>are you ready for an antiques appraisal?</em></em></em></h2> <p><em><em><em>If you’re a collector of art and antiques or the heir to a family estate, no doubt you’ve thought about consigning some of that property to auction. So what might be stopping you? </em></em></em></p> <p><em><em><em>I’ve been an appraiser for over thirty years, and I’ve helped thousands of clients successfully auction their fine tangibles. In my experience, not knowing how to get the process started is the biggest obstacle to consigning. </em></em></em></p> <p><em><em><em>Here are 5 steps for navigating the consignment process, and my best advice for sailing through it with ease. </em></em></em></p> <h3><em><em><em>#1: know what you own</em></em></em></h3> <p><em><em><em>Before you consign antiques or fine art, you have to know exactly what you have, what it is worth, and whether it is salable at auction. A full service auction house is your one-stop shop for answering these questions, and bringing your property to auction. </em></em></em></p> <h3><em><em><em>#2: look for an auction house with specialty expertise </em></em></em></h3> <p><em><em><em>You’ll want to find an auction house that specializes in the type of objects you have and has a solid track record for selling them. Whether you have paintings, furniture, jewelry, musical instruments, rare Asian arts, or fine wine, a specialty auction house will have appraisers with expertise in specific collecting categories. Search online databases to check auction prices, visit auction house websites, or ask friends, family or colleagues to share their auction experiences—the auction world is very word-of-mouth. </em></em></em></p> <h3><em><em><em><img alt="" src="http://www.dfmurphy.com/Portals/0/Antique%20Bookcase.jpg" style="border-color: #000000;" />#3: get free, no-obligation verbal appraisals </em></em></em></h3> <p><em><em><em>Be sure to choose a firm that provides verbal appraisals or auction estimates free-of-charge, and with no obligation to consign. Be wary of any appraiser who offers to buy the property outright versus taking it on consignment. </em></em></em></p> <h3><em><em><em>#4: get your property assessed without leaving home </em></em></em></h3> <p><em><em><em>Once you’ve selected your auction partner, have their appraisers assess your property. There are many ways to get in touch without leaving home. You can send digital or hard copy photographs via mail, email, or through the company’s website. Skinner provides an <a href="http://www.skinnerinc.com/appraisals/form.asp" target="_blank">online auction evaluation form</a>. </em></em></em></p> <h3><em><em><em>#5: meet with an appraiser in person </em></em></em></h3> <p><em><em><em>You can also make an appointment to bring your items to the auction gallery for inspection. At Skinner we call this a “lobby appointment.” If you have a whole house full of material, an appraiser can make a “house call” to view the items in situ. Call the Skinner Appraisal Services department at 508-970-3299 to set up an appointment or house call. We may ask you to send photos of your antiques first. </em></em></em></p> <p><em><em><em><em>Be sure to watch for part 2 of Karen Keane's blog on...<strong>How to get the most out of an antiques appraisal</strong>. You’ll learn what to include in any information you send to an appraiser, and what to expect at an appointment.</em></em></em></em></em></p> 727