The nationwide debate over gun control in the aftermath of the Newtown massacre has raised a number of issues — including potential insurance liability for businesses in states that permit citizens to carry concealed weapons. Here’s why:
A company that allows customers or visitors on its premises has a legal obligation to exercise “reasonable care” in keeping them safe, a responsibility that includes warning them about any hidden dangerous conditions. For example, in states with “concealed carry” laws, a store owner might need to post warnings that sales clerks are armed.
Let’s say that an employee carrying a concealed weapon negligently or deliberately shoots a customer who is legitimately on the premises of the business — and the customer then sues the employer for bodily injury. On the other hand, suppose that an employer forbids workers from carrying weapons on the job. If an employee is attacked and beaten at work, he or she might sue for damages from bodily injury, claiming that the employer’s ban on firearms in the workplace impaired the employee’s ability for self-defense.
Although your Commercial General Liability (CGL) policy should provide coverage against such claims, it makes sense to minimize this risk by taking pre-emptive action. One effective approach: To seek an exemption from the scope of the concealed-weapon law (if one doesn’t already exist), giving you the authority to forbid weapons in the workplace. Make it clear to all employees and potential employees that company policy forbids bringing weapons onto the premises. You might also conduct comprehensive pre-employment screening to help hire stable, sensible people who are unlikely to settle disagreements with lethal force.
To learn more about protecting your business against the potential problems created by concealed carry laws, feel free to get in touch with us at Scurich nsurance Agency!
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City Council, at it’s February 26th Meeting, approved for Public Works’ staff to coordinate with utility companies and prepare documents to create an Underground Utility District on Lake Avenue between Rodriguez Street and Union Street.
In 1968, the City of Watsonville amended its Municipal Code to call for all new developments to install electric, telephone and cable facilities in underground conduit and boxes. The benefits of underground utilities include better reliability, reduced storm outage potential, greater traffic safety, improved neighborhood appearance and enhanced property values.
The California Public Utility Commission created a program to allow utility companies and cities to remove existing overhead utility lines and install them underground. Within areas serviced by PG&E, the program is administered by PG&E and referred to as the Rule 20-A Program. PG&E assistance includes funding, design of construction plans and documents and project oversight.
What are Rule 20-A Funds and how do they work?
Rule 20-A funds are provided by the utility companies. A portion of the rates collected by the utility companies are set aside to be used specifically for undergrounding projects. Rates collected from Watsonville residents are set aside for projects within the City.
To implement the program, the City Council passes a resolution establishing an underground utility district and orders all utilities within district boundaries to be installed underground within a specified period of time. Any utilities installed within the district and after its formation must also be placed underground.
Has the City used 20-A Funds before?
The City has utilized this program in the past. Examples include most of the downtown area. The most recent project that has been constructed was done in the late 1990s, on Freedom Boulevard between Main Street and West High Street.
When will work begin?
There is a seven year waiting list for Rule 20-A projects that have been approved. This is because PG&E allocates a specific amount of Rule 20-A funds to be spent each year and the number of Rule 20-A projects requested by agencies far exceeds the annual funding allocation. The utility companies would begin work in 2020.
What is the estimated cost of the project?
The cost of the proposed project is $1,200,000 and would be paid for with Rule 20-A funds that the City accrues. Some of these funds will be spent on the Freedom Boulevard project when construction begins in 2015. However, the City will have accrued sufficient funds by 2020 to meet the proposed cost.
If you have any questions, you can call Murray Fontes, Principal Engineer at 768-3117.
This story was taken form www.watsonville.patch.com posted by Public Works & Utilities Department. Scurich Insurance did not create this content–we just wanted to share it with you!
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Mike began his insurance career in 1984 as a personal lines underwriter for Continental Insurance Company in Sacramento.
In 1986 he joined USF&G as a commercial lines underwriter in San Jose, CA. The training and experience he gained in both positions are keys to his success as an owner/broker for Scurich Insurance. Mike joined Scurich Insurance in 1989 and has been with the agency ever since.
He focuses on commercial accounts and enjoys working closely with and getting to know his clients on a personal level.
Mike graduated from Santa Clara University in 1984 with a degree in English.
He and his wife Jennifer, live in Watsonville and have one daughter age 23 and two sons ages 21 and 19.
Contact Mike Scurich or any of the helpful and agents at Scurich Insurance Services today with any questions regarding your insurance policy.
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Homeowners insurance in California, is a necessity when it comes to buying a house. In fact, most mortgage companies will not finance a real estate transaction unless you provide proof that you have the proper coverage for most if not all of the property you intend to purchase.
Over the next few weeks, Scurich Insurance Services would like to give you a few tips when it comes to purchasing homeowners insurance as well as some cost saving ideas that can actually help reduce your insurance costs.
This week we will be taking a look into the world of security systems and how they can affect your homeowner’s insurance policy.
FBI REPORTS
According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), there were approximately 2,159,878 burglaries across the United States in 2010. 60.5 percent of these burglaries involved forcible entry, 33.2 percent were unlawful entries, and the last 6.3 percent were forcible entry attempts. (1) SEE BELOW.
One of the most effective ways to detour intruders is to obtain and install a home security system. Typically the alarms systems are monitored 24/7 by either the alarm company itself or by a local police station, it admits a loud noise that will typically detour a home intruder.
In fact, a burglar alarm that is monitored by a central station, or that is tied directly to a local police station, will help lower the homeowner’s annual premiums, perhaps by 5% or more. In order to obtain the discount, the homeowner must typically provide proof of central monitoring in the form of a bill or a contract with the insurance company. (2) SEE BELOW.
Protect yourself and loved ones by installing an in-home security system, and don’t forget to make sure that your homeowner insurance policy is up-to-date. If you would like to see what type of insurance discounts you are eligible for simply contact the professionals at Scurich Insurance Services located in Watsonville, California today at 800-320-3666, or fill out the form below and we would be happy to assist you.
(1) http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/crime-in-the-u.s/2010/crime-in-the-u.s.-2010/property-crime/burglarymain
(2) http://www.forbes.com/2009/10/29/homeowner-insurance-tips-personal-finance-homeowners-insurance.htm
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The following article was taken from: Watsonville Patch
(February 14, 2013) Watsonville’s City Council meeting Tuesday brought up a hot question: should the city annex farmland to be converted into a shopping center?
The Council decided on a 5-2 vote to hold a special election on the matter on June 4,reported the Santa Cruz Sentinel.
Many in the agricultural community are urging the Council to postpone the vote until 2014. The 80-acre plot is prime farmland, they say, yielding $25,000 in profit for every acre of strawberries.
Advocates for the shopping center, however, say that the economic impact on the community would be greater with a shopping center.
Watsonville City Council member Daniel Dodge has said annexing what’s known as the Sakata Kett parcel into the city’s reserves could create a hub of economic activity, Patch reported in October 2012. He envisions a commercial center with anchor stores such as Costco that could provide jobs and tax revenue.
The citizen-driven proposal to annex the land south of West Beach Street and east of Highway 1began earlier in 2012, but still did not gather the 1,500 required signatures to place it on the 2012 November ballet. But in late October, it received enough signatures to go on the ballet in 2013.
Read the rest of this news article HERE!
To avoid unpleasant surprises, it is important to work with a professional in this area. Additional questions? Ask us, we’re here to help! For additional information about our insurance products, no-cost advice or for your free, no-obligation insurance quote, please contact the professionals at Scurich Insurance Services today at 800-320-3666 and we will be more than happy to assist you.
Scurich Insurance Services did not originally write the content above.
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I don’t know about you but we at Scurich Insurance Services will always love chicken fingers, and nothing is better than homemade chicken fingers. That is why this week we would like to give you a quick and easy way to make your own homemade chicken fingers. The following recipe was taken from KraftRecipes.com
Time:
Prep: 10 min Total: 1 hr
What you need:
6 Tbsp. KRAFT Light Mayo Reduced Fat Mayonnaise, divided
2 Tbsp. milk
¼ tsp. ground red pepper (cayenne)
4 small boneless skinless chicken breast halves (1 lb.), each cut lengthwise into 3 strips
1 pkt. SHAKE ‘N BAKE Extra Crispy Seasoned Coating Mix
2 Tbsp. KRAFT Classic Ranch Dressing
2 tsp. chopped green onions
Make it:
HEAT oven to 400ºF.
MIX 1/4 cup mayo, milk and pepper. Add to chicken in medium bowl; stir until chicken is evenly coated. Refrigerate 30 min. to marinate.
POUR coating mix onto plate. Dip chicken, 1 strip at a time, in coating mix, turning to evenly coat each strip; place in single layer on baking sheet. Discard marinade.
BAKE chicken 20 min. or until done. Meanwhile, mix remaining mayo, dressing and onions.
SERVE chicken with sauce.
Sauces:
Barbecue Dipping Sauce:
Omit 2 Tbsp. mayo, ranch dressing and onions. Mix 1/4 cup KRAFT Original Barbecue Sauce and 1/4 tsp. orange zest. Serve with the baked chicken strips.
Creamy Salsa Dipping Sauce:
Omit ranch dressing and onions. Mix remaining 2 Tbsp. KRAFT Light Mayo Reduced Fat Mayonnaise, 2 Tbsp. TACO BELL® HOME ORIGINALS® Thick ‘N Chunky Salsa and 2 tsp. chopped fresh cilantro. Serve with the baked chicken strips.
Click HERE for more about this recipe!
To avoid unpleasant surprises, it is important to work with a professional in this area. Additional questions? Ask us, we’re here to help! For additional information about our insurance products, no-cost advice or for your free, no-obligation insurance quote, please contact the professionals at Scurich Insurance Services today at 800-320-3666 and we will be more than happy to assist you.
Scurich Insurance Services did not originally write the content above.
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