According to the Insurance Journal, the California agency investigating a deadly pipeline explosion and the City of San Bruno are set to propose major fines they say Pacific Gas & Electric Co. should pay for its negligence leading up to the blast.
The City of San Bruno says the utility’s shareholders should pay no less than $1.25 billion for violations regulators say PG&E committed before the 2010 explosion.
City officials say that would let survivors know the California Public Utilities Commission is serious about preventing another pipeline disaster. The San Bruno blast killed eight people and destroyed 38 homes.
Commission investigators and consumer advocates will also file their own fine proposals Monday, and PG&E will file its proposal later this month.
A CPUC judge is expected to make a final decision about how much to fine PG&E later this year.
Scurich Insurance Services are very concerned about their neighbors and their safety. Contact them today to see how to protect your home and its contents with a policy that fills your needs.
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Those of us who live in California know well that we are in an earthquake zone. Earthquakes are an exclusion of most standard homeowners insurance policies.
What can we do to protect our valuables in case one happens in our area? Here are a few suggestions that will help protect our home and its contents:
- Use brackets to secure wall units, bookcases and other tall furniture to studs in the walls.
- Install shatter-safe window films in order to help prevent breaking glass.
- Store fragile expensive items in closed cabinets with strong latches, and use plastic putty to secure them to shelves.
- Repair any cracks in the ceiling or foundation as soon as you notice them, as earthquakes can cause these to rapidly worsen.
- Make sure your water heater is strapped firmly to the wall.
Buying the right home insurance policy is a powerful step in helping to protect the people and things you love. However, it’s important to know exactly which perils are and aren’t covered. Work with a licensed agent to learn more about the exclusions in your policy so you can take steps to prepare for any problem that comes your way. You have a substantial investment in your home. Scurich Insurance Services will be happy to help you to cover your assets! Contact them today.
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Although gun control remains a controversial issue, when it comes to insuring firearms, Homeowners coverage offers some clear guidelines.
If you have rifles and pistols in your home, your policy will insure them against fire damage or theft, usually up to $2,500. Although a Homeowners application might not ask specifically about firearms, the higher liability risk that guns present means that failing to inform your agent or insurance company in advance about them could result in denial of a claim for loss or damage to them.
Because of this greater liability exposure, your insurer might require you to show that you’ve taken such sensible precautions as installing trigger locks, securing firearms properly in locked gun cases, and keeping them away from children. If you have a collection of guns that’s particularly valuable (for example, antique sidearms), you might need to buy a policy rider that ensures their replacement or reimbursement — much as with other big-ticket items, such as jewelry and fine art.
If you shoot someone else or yourself accidentally while in the home, your policy might pay for some or all of the damages, (medical bills, property damage, liability claims, and so forth), depending on the amount of coverage. However, to guarantee full protection, you would need additional policy riders, such as “Sporting Firearm insurance,” “Collector’s Firearm insurance,” or “Gun Club Liability insurance.”
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.
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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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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 different types of discounts you can receive when it comes to your homeowners insurance policy.
You’re probably familiar with the basic discounts that most insurance companies offer on Homeowners coverage, such as bundling Home and Auto insurance, loyalty rewards, and installing smoke detectors and/or home security systems.
However, a growing number of companies offer significant premium discounts on Homeowners insurance to policy holders who are:
- Senior citizens. If you’re 60 or older, you could lower your premium by as much as 15%.
- Non-smokers. If you’ve given up the habit — or have never picked up a cigarette, cigar, or pipe — you might qualify for a discount.
- Married couples or widows/widowers. Could be eligible for discounts of up to 5%.
- New buyers who have closed a home purchase within 60 days.
- Willing to increase coverage to reflect a rise in inflation.
- Ready to buy coverage for the full value of a home.
- Prepared to buy from a new carrier before the policy with your current insurance company expires.
- New policy holders with the company (the “welcome” discount) and purchasing coverage for the entire value of your home.
You might also be eligible for a discount if you don’t have a Property damage claim for a specified period, such as three years.
Bear in mind that many insurance companies might not offer some (or any) of these discounts.
To see if you’re eligible for any of these policies simply check with the professionals at Scurich Insurance Services located in Watsonville, California. We might be able to save you some big dollars.
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As you may know, an insurance policy is issued for a limited time, and, at the end of that period, the insurance company renews the policy.
Renewal dates are
important times for insurance companies and policyholders. A renewal date is when a policy period expires and a new policy period begins. Renewal dates typically occur six months or one year after the policy began or the last renewal date occurred.
Policy Changes
- If the insurance company determines that the risk posed by the policyholder has changed, it may amend the policy, add restrictions or terminate coverage. General policy changes that affect all insured’s also take place at policy renewal.
Premium Changes
- A change in risk may also trigger a premium change at renewal. A policyholder who has not filed any claims may see a premium reduction, while a policyholder with several claims may see an increase.
Changing Policies
- If you find a better rate with another company or are unhappy with your company’s service, consider switching policies at renewal. You will avoid cancellation fees that may be imposed for mid-term cancellations.
Be sure to stay up to date with your current insurance policy. Not sure when you need to renew your policy? Simply contact Scurich Insurance Services located in Watsonville, California today at 800-320-3666 and we will be happy to tell you.
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