Recent Posts

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the days preceding Thanksgiving kick off a busy – and potentially dangerous – holiday travel season. In addition to just the sheer volume of cars on the road, speeding, distracted driving and...

Dropping some of your coverage—like comprehensive or collision—to the lowest legal level can cut your premium, but it could also put you at serious risk. Determining Which Coverage You Need An automobile insurance policy is designed to provide you with a level...

Uninsured motorist and underinsured motorist are auto insurance coverages that protect you and your vehicle if you’re involved in a car accident caused by a driver with either no insurance, or too little coverage. Uninsured motorist insurance is valuable protection to...

The National Safety Council recognizes April as Distracted Driving Awareness Month. This event is intended to raise awareness about the dangers of distracted driving and encourage motorists like you to minimize potential distractions behind the wheel. Review the...

Handing a teenager their first set of car keys can carry significant risks. In fact, recent research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that drivers ages 16-19 are more likely to be involved in a motor vehicle crash than any other age group....

Living in Southern New England, we experience our fair share of extreme weather conditions. From damaging hurricanes to blizzards, it is important to be prepared for whatever Mother Nature throws our way. At Thorp & Trainer, we want to make sure you are prepared...

Did you know that you can hop online with the DMV and obtain a copy of an MVR? That’s right! With just a few clicks, your potential employee can show you proof that they have a good driving record.  Here are the links below for RI and CT, the cost is approximately...

Parent-Teen Driving Agreement Having regular conversations about safety, practicing driving together, and leading by example go a long way in ensuring your teen makes smart decisions when they get behind the wheel. But there’s another simple step you can take to get...

Operating a motorcycle takes different skills than driving a car; however, the laws of the road apply to every driver just the same.  A combination of consistent education, regard for traffic laws and basic common sense can go a long way in helping reduce the amount...

Wildlife is a pleasure to experience — but not inside your home. Animals can move into your attic, walls, chimney or other nooks and crannies. Dealing with their waste, unpleasant smells and damage is frustrating (and potentially expensive). Most homeowners insurance...

An ice dam is a thick ridge of ice that forms at the edge of a roof. It prevents melting snow from draining off, forcing the melted water to seep underneath shingles. The water can leak into your home, damaging insulation, walls and ceilings. Here are some suggestions...

The work of a plumbing contractor involves installing, maintaining and repairing water systems in residential and commercial structures. This article discusses plumbing contractors’ potential exposures and common types of insurance available to address these possible...

Just a few years ago, taking a trip involved contacting travel agencies, booking hotel rooms and making plans far in advance. Today, however, smartphones and the internet have helped create new sharing services that allow homeowners to connect with travelers and rent...

Recent findings from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) confirmed that household construction costs have surged. This rise in construction costs is directly tied to soaring building material expenses. According to the NAHB, current lumber costs are up...

An insurance valuation is an assessment of how much it would cost to rebuild a property in the event of a total loss, such as after a fire or building collapse. The correct valuation makes sure it’s insured for the correct amount. It also specifies how much money the...

If you need to get some repairs or improvements done on your home, it may be tempting to do them yourself or to use an unlicensed handyman to save money.  But with certain upgrades, like structural or property changes, electrical improvements or plumbing projects, it...

Wildlife is a pleasure to experience — but not inside your home. Animals can move into your attic, walls, chimney or other nooks and crannies. Dealing with their waste, unpleasant smells and damage is frustrating (and potentially expensive). Most homeowners insurance...

An ice dam is a thick ridge of ice that forms at the edge of a roof. It prevents melting snow from draining off, forcing the melted water to seep underneath shingles. The water can leak into your home, damaging insulation, walls and ceilings. Here are some suggestions...

Jewelry is one of the world’s oldest archaeological artifacts, having been used for centuries across cultures to mark social status, store wealth and symbolize personal meaning. In the 21st century, it's common to own designer jewelry collections, engagement and...

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the days preceding Thanksgiving kick off a busy – and potentially dangerous – holiday travel season. In addition to just the sheer volume of cars on the road, speeding, distracted driving and...

In 2021, e-bike imports neared 790K (up from 450K in 2020) and this year may set another record. E-bike riders are more than three times more likely to have a collision with a pedestrian than either scooters or traditional bikes. Injuries arising from electric bike...

Be Prepared Before a Storm Strikes The 2022 Hurricane Season is officially upon us. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is predicting an “above normal” Atlantic Hurricane Season, stating: “For the 2022 hurricane season, NOAA is forecasting a...

What is an Independent Agent?  Independent Agents’ do not work for one specific insurance company.  Thorp & Trainer acts as your partner providing the most comprehensive and affordable coverage for your lifestyle. We offer quotes with our various companies to help...

The work of a plumbing contractor involves installing, maintaining and repairing water systems in residential and commercial structures. This article discusses plumbing contractors’ potential exposures and common types of insurance available to address these possible...

Aging Buildings: Roofing Systems Roofing systems are more complex than meets the eye, and they can develop structural issues if they are not properly updated and maintained as they age. When assessing the structural integrity of a building’s roofing, the main concern...

Ingredients 1 cup sifted all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder ¼ teaspoon salt 2 ¼ teaspoons ground cinnamon 2 tablespoons white sugar ½ cup packed brown sugar ½ cup white sugar ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted 1 large egg 1 teaspoon vanilla extract ½ cup chopped...

Ingredients 1 (16 ounce) can refried beans 1 (10 ounce) can rotel tomatoes and green chilies drained 1 tablespoon taco seasoning 3 medium avocados peeled and seeded 1 lime juiced 2 cloves garlic minced ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro  ¼ teaspoon onion powder ¼ teaspoon...

Ingredients 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for pasta water 1 pound linguine pasta, uncooked 3 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 4 cloves garlic, minced 2 red bell peppers, cored,...

Ingredients 2 8 oz cans Pillsbury crescent roll dough  2 cans cream of chicken soup 8 oz pkg cream cheese softened 2 - 3 c shredded cooked chicken 1 pkg Italian dressing mix (or 3 TB) 2 - 3 green onions chopped - optional Directions Preheat oven to 375. Add cream...

Ingredients 1 ½ cups plus 1 tbsp all purpose flour 2 tsp baking powder 3 large eggs 1 cup granulated sugar 1 cup plain yogurt or sour cream ½ tsp salt ½ tsp vanilla ½ cup vegetable oil 2 tsp lemon zest 1 ½ cups fresh or frozen blueberries Lemon Glaze/Syrup 2 to 3 tbsp...

Ingredients (1) 5.1-ounce box of instant vanilla pudding (1) 5.1-ounce box of instant chocolate pudding (1) 14.3 oz package of Oreo cookies (regular, not double stuffed) 8 oz block of cream cheese, softened 16 oz container of cool whip, softened ½ a cup of melted...

Ingredients 4 tablespoons unsalted butter 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour  6 cups chicken broth 1 cup sour cream 4 ounces cream cheese 3 pounds baked potatoes, precooked 8 ounces shredded sharp white cheddar cheese 1 teaspoon kosher salt 2 teaspoon black pepper 6...

Ingredients 4 cups heavy cream ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder 4 cups whole milk 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk 12 ounces semi-sweet baking bar finely chopped 1 tablespoon vanilla extract your favorite toppings Directions Add half of the heavy cream to the slow...

Ingredients 1 large egg 1 cup flour 1 cup milk 2 tablespoons vegetable oil ½ cup canned pumpkin puree 1 tablespoon sugar 1 tablespoon baking powder ¼ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon nutmeg ¼ teaspoon cinnamon 1 apple, peeled, cored, and chopped About 2 tbsp. butter, divided...

Ingredients Refrigerated Crescent Rolls- A versatile and delicious base ingredient. Cream Cheese- Adds the perfect creamy element and helps to bind all of the other ingredients together. Cooked Chicken- A great way to use leftover chicken but store bought or even...