Testimonials

It is always upsetting when a client has a personal loss.  We take our responsibility of directing and assisting the claims process very seriously.  In the case below, the combination of Howes and Fireman's ensured a smooth process for our valued customer.  Please read her testimonial.

 
"I am a customer of Fireman’s and unfortunately, I had to recently file a claim for water damage to my unit.  Kevin Ford was assigned to my claim and I just want you to know how pleased I was with his assistance.  He was very responsive and helpful and definitely made a miserable situation much easier to handle.  You can be sure that I will be recommending Fireman’s Insurance to my friends as a result of Kevin’s high level of customer service.
 
Best wishes,
Liz"

I just wanted to recognize one of your employees with whom I recently spoke. Nadine Vella provided me with outstanding service  today. She was helpful, professional, and understanding—the best. She stayed beyond five this evening to make sure my account was taken care of. You certainly employ fine people who go out of their way to assist clients. Nadeen was wonderful. Thank you for offering great service.  Brenda

I have been a client of The Howes Insurance Group (“HIG”) for nearly ten years. I run a Boston based private equity firm, a business that leads to no small degree of complexities with my personal and professional insurance needs. Previous to the Howes Insurance Group, my insurance provider never really took the time to understand my needs and risks as a customer. Since partnering with HIG, Greg Howes has consistently taken the time to ask, listen and advise such that I know with certainty that I am getting the best possible insurance coverage and mix of products. HIG covers all of my insurance needs and does so with unmatched service, the highest quality engagement and great prices. HIG is unbelievably proactive in thinking through my needs (and covering potential risks) well before I do. In these hectic times, it is comforting to know that Greg is covering all of these angles for me so that it is one less thing for me to worry about. I could not recommend HIG and Greg Howes any more highly; all of the service is proactive, of the highest quality, incredibly timely and always well thought out and researched. I generally do not write letters of recommendation as most service providers do not do enough to earn them, HIG is the contrary with the highest quality service that I have received.

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I began working at this Firm in 1971, am a longtime partner and first met Greg (as well as his father, Brad) during, if memory serves, the late 1980's or early 1990's through serving on Firms chief management committee (the "Executive Committee"). Since then Greg, formerly teaming with Brad, has provided Nutter with services that have been well-received. But I want here to comment specifically on experiences of my family -- my wife and I, and, as time has passed, also our three adult children who have insured with Greg. We've benefited from many of the services at the Howes Insurance Agency.

Greg and his effective staff that we deal with have forged an extremely satisfactory relationship with all of our family -- to the point where, long ago, we transferred all relevant liability insurance -- covering several houses and countless cars over the years. Through Greg's personal style of relating to clients, I'd call it open and to the point, have resulted in him addressing not only our perceived but also anticipating things we do not always think about -- he's good at tactful suggestions. We have never had a bit of trouble reaching Greg when we need to, but we also feel confident when dealing with his staff -- definitely a "can do" bunch that instills confidence and works tactfully. I attribute this sense the office gives off to a trickle down effect emanating from the top.

If asked to be more succinct I'd call this is an excellent problem-solving bunch that follows through and takes the burden off clients. Would that all service providers had such commitment and competence. I would be happy to provide further information is you wish to call.

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In addition to offering the traditional benefits that employers provide, Nutter has endeavored to offer other benefits to our employees to save them time and money and often do both without adding to the benefit costs at Nutter

Many years ago, we entered into a working relationship with Greg Howes to assist our employees with purchasing their own private homeowners, life and/or automobile insurance coverage. Our goal was to offer everyone in the Firm, who wanted to avail themselves of the benefit, the opportunity to have a resource for personal insurance information, to be able to take advantage of discounts offered, to arrange to pay for this coverage through post-tax payroll deductions and to do all of this in the Firm.

The Firm has benefited in several ways. Our benefit package is more robust by including these benefits in our offering. We can offer these benefits to our employees at no cost to the Firm. Our employees can transact for these services here at the Firm keeping the employee in work and working.

The Firm's resources are not over taxed for our offering this benefit. Greg's staff is efficient and attentive to the details of their work. They timely and accurately send us on a monthly basis any premium changes that we in turn enter into our payroll system. There have been no problems with over payments or failures to timely pay premiums. In the years that we have offered this benefit, there have been no employee complaints about sales pressure, about billing issues nor about any claims problems.

We are comfortable recommending Greg Howes and this insurance option to any employer wanting to enhance their benefit portfolio and wanting to benefit their employees.

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As the chief Executive Officer of a publicly traded company, my time is stretched by the competing interests of my employees, shareholders, board of directors and my personal life (just to name a few). To be successful, it is critically important that I focus my energy on the right things to do and to concentrate my resources on those things. To do this effectively, I must surround myself with trusted professionals. Greg Howes and The Howes Insurance Group are one of these professionals.

The Howes Insurance Group in an insurance brokerage firm that conforms their excellent service to my expectations. Their service is driven by my family's needs and requests, not the sale of insurance products.

My wife and I have a desire to have a level of understanding about our insurance purchases but money is LESS the currency than time. We want to be sure our assets are protected and our relationship with the Howes Insurance Group ensures that this is done professionally.

Our experience with the Howes Insurance Group has been valuable and is a service other busy people should consider. I have recommended their services to our Director of Human Resources who is in the process of exploring offering Howes Insurance as a voluntary employee benefit to our employees.

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I have been a client of Greg Howes and the Howes Insurance Group for over 10 years. I was first introduced to their "concierge insurance program" while a partner at the law firm, Nutter, McClennen & Fish.

The Howes Insurance Group provides me with both personal and business insurance. While we have saved money over the years, the more important benefit is that we have been able to entrust the protection of all our assets to Howes. They professionally administer all of our insurance and ensure that we have the proper insurance policy with the right insurance company at an excellent value. Their service saves me time and eliminates hassle so that I can focus on my business and family requirements.

I have referred Greg and the Howes Insurance Group to several colleagues because they are accountable, consistent and reliable. I am happy to commend them to you.

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I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for all of your help with my automobile accident Memorial Day Weekend.  I wasn’t sure who to call or what to do after the accident happened.  It has been fifteen years since my last accident, and to complicate matters this accident occurred 150 miles from my home.  As I dialed your cell phone number that day, I was just hoping that you would answer.  Thankfully you did pick-up, and told me everything that I needed to do step-by-step.  It was very helpful to understand how to start the claims process, how to handle the rental car billing, and where I should have the automobile towed to.  Without your help I would have been lost, and the whole ordeal would have been a lot more stressful.

I also want to thank you for dealing with the insurance company when I went to pick-up my automobile once the repairs were completed.  As you know, due to a data inputting error, the insurance company was requiring me to pay my deductible, even though I was not at fault in the accident and had a waiver of deductible rider on my policy.  Thankfully, you were able to speak with them and prove that they were wrong.  As a result, I did not have to write a check that day for $1,000!

These days it seems that I can’t turn on the television or open a newspaper without seeing an advertisement from a large insurance company that would like me to switch my auto insurance coverage to them directly in order to save a couple dollars on premium.  These companies fail to recognize that my time has value!  The service you provided me after the accident reduced my stress level and saved me valuable time on my vacation.  Furthermore, I did no have to write a check to my insurance company for $1,000 when I picked-up my car because you were able to act on my behalf and prove my case (something I would never have been able to do alone).  This had a tremendous value as well.  The bottom line is that when I look at the premiums I pay and the service I receive from your office, I know who’s getting the best deal – and it’s me!

Thanks again for all of your help over the past few weeks.

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Just a note to thank you for the excellent service and savings in premiums that you have provided to me.

Since you took over my account in connection with your program at Nutter, McClennen & Fish, your advice has saved me over $1,500 in premiums.  With respect to auto insurance, you gave excellent strategic advice on coverage and, in particular, with respect to minimizing the cost of insuring a teenaged driver.  The discounts that you have been able to pass through have also been excellent.  With respect to home insurance, your advice regarding umbrella coverage provided better insurance for less cost.

Finally, you have responded immediately to my requests for assistance on renewals of registration, possible claims and other matters.  I truly appreciate your excellent, professional service.  Please feel free to use this letter with your potential customers.

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We wish to thank you very much for the prompt, courteous and efficient way our claim for food spoilage and damaged property was handled.

It’s a pleasure doing business with you and we highly recommend your agency to anyone.

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Just a note to thank you for your kindness and personal assistance to my daughter, Kristen.  As you know, she was in the process of buying her first car, getting used to living in a new city (Dallas) and having difficulty finding information regarding auto insurance.  Your advice was extremely helpful to her and your willingness to help was above and beyond the call of duty.

Upon reflection, I am not surprised.  You have provided outstanding personal service to me and my family over the last several years.

Thank you, again, for your help.

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I wanted to express my appreciation for the outstanding service we have been receiving from Greg Howes and staff since the day we have trusted the handling of all our insurance needs in his hands.

As fate had it, we needed to call upon Greg’s help twice this past year.  In both cases, Greg’s response was quick, professional, supportive, and ever so patient.

When he needed to put his foot down to help manage an adjustor who caused unnecessary difficulties, he did so without hesitation, putting our interests before all, and helping to bring things to a reasonable conclusion.

When I first came into your office in search of a reliable insurance agency, Greg promised me that I would never again have to face dealing with insurance companies on my own.  I knew at once that I have found the insurance agency I was looking for.  He kept his promises to the letter, and I’m happy to be a client of yours; I will also be happy to recommend your business to friends and family.

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Well aware that Mary and myself were pleased, impressed and grateful for your services in our crisis time, you asked me, in person, to express our feelings about your services.  We have dealt with insurance agencies all our lives but never have we received the thoughtful, individualized, warm attention to our needs as we have in our present crisis when a giant 100 foot oak tree was caught up in a micro burst (the technical name for this funnel cloud) that burst out of a vicious thunder storm last July 6^th, crashed on our home here at 203 Main Street, Acton, Massachusetts.

The town police and the conservation department under the guidance of Dean Charter, swung into action within the hour after the storm and came to our immediate rescue.  Turning to you and the staff of the Howes Insurance Agency you sent out a representative to assess the problem and then told us to proceed with the evaluation and eventually repair of the considerable damage to the roof, front porch (demolished in the affair), north side of the house as well as power lines, telephone lines and the owner’s amateur radio antenna network and beams.

We are now enjoying our home as never before with a complete financial coverage of the damage, thanks to Howes Insurance Agency’s generous contribution to the costly repairs.  We would recommend the agency anytime to any client who is looking for an honest, caring, personalized service for their home insurance coverage.  Your agency certainly did save us time and money and the hassle when we needed this service most.

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I’ve been meaning to write this note of appreciation for ages.

Each time I call the Howes Insurance office I’m struck by the fact that, without exception, I am able to speak with a ‘real’ person and not be shuttled into a voicemail system.

As you must know from your own business dealings, this is a highly unusual opportunity to handle concerns immediately and directly.

I am truly grateful for this exceptional service.  Notably, it doesn’t end here.

I want to acknowledge too the incomparable service I receive from Sheila.

In the 14 years (my insurance dealings with the Howes agency began shortly after I started working with Paul Matisse and Linda Hoffman in 1992), I’ve spoken with Sheila countless times on the telephone.  She has educated, reassured, advised, and guided me with honesty, diplomacy, and oftentimes a lot of patience.

Moreover, Sheila is the most available businessperson I’ve had the pleasure of contacting throughout the years.  Most often when I call, I can speak with Sheila immediately.  On the rare occasion she’s not available, I receive a callback promptly.

It’s easy to get caught up in the busy-ness of daily living and take for granted the kind of service I’ve come to count on from you folks.  But I don’t want to miss this chance to tell you how much I appreciate these things.  Perhaps more importantly, I want to emphasize the positive difference it makes in my workday – it’s incalculable, really.

The customer service I received with the Howes agency is the reason I refer people to you.  I understand that many people are eager to research insurances themselves via the ‘net, in an attempt to get the ‘best deal’.

From my perspective, the best deal is when I receive fantastic, personal customer service, not be plugged into a voicemail vortex, and access a wealth of information about which kind(s) of insurance(s) best suit the needs of the people with whom I work.

Lastly, having moved out of state a couple of years ago, I was obliged to shift my insurances to a local Vermont agency.  Suffice it to say, the Howes Insurance Agency provides services that outshines anything I’ve experienced elsewhere.

Many, many thanks for maintaining this level of service.  It may well cost more for your staff to be available by phone and educated in their trade.  It is what makes your agency the best place to bring the business of insurance.  It’s worth the cost.

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I am writing to you to give my Thank You for the great service and advice you provided to us when we had the horrible water damage at our Concord home.  As you know we were on vacation when the pipe leak occurred and our ceiling collapsed from the weight of the water in the ceiling.  Your quick response to get AAA Drying company to our house within a couple of hours not only saved us from further losses of personal property but also saved us from further permanent damage to our home.

Also you should know, Rona Levin of Donovan Associates, who represented the Insurance Company and was the adjuster, was very responsive, knowledgeable and fair in our claims process.

This whole experience with yourselves and the insurance company was so very positive and fair that I have a new attitude and perspective on the value of my insurance coverage and the service provided.  You should know that having excellent personal service, care and responsiveness with good sound advice made a huge difference.  Your ability to mobilize the right resources to respond to my need will ensure my business with you for a long time into the future.  THANK YOU AGAIN for all your help.

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Thank you very much for helping me with Scott’s disability policy.  I appreciate your time, effort and support on getting the matter resolved.  You can’t imagine how thankful I am to have you working on my side – it has been a great relief.  Thank you!