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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By Jacob Bourne
- Districted Driving Awareness Month was enforced twice as heavily in 2013 as it was in 2012 in Santa Cruz County. Santa Cruz County CHP Officers gave no warnings during Distracted Driving Awareness Month.
From April 1-30, local CHP officers gave out 1,272 citations for either talking or texting on handheld phones behind the wheel, Officer Sarah Jackson said via email on Tuesday.
Eight people were arrested from the 1,272 stops made on top of the citations.
In the same month in 2012, Santa Cruz County CHP officers wrote 619 tickets, just 48 percent of the 2013 total.
Although the awareness month has ended, enforcement will not. Santa Cruz CHP urges drivers to continue driving safely, or for many, to start driving safely.
“When you consider the potential loss of life, injuries, property damage, or fines, the message should be clear — it’s not worth it,” Jackson said.
Protect yourself from distracted drivers! Scurich Insurance Services in Watsonville has the auto insurance coverage you need to protect your vehicle and your person. Give them a call today.
800-320-3666
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Financial responsibility is required on any vehicle operated or parked on California roadways.
You must carry evidence of financial responsibility in your vehicle at all times.
What Are the Minimum Liability Insurance Requirements for Private Passenger Vehicles?
- $15,000 for injury/death to one person.
- $30,000 for injury/death to more than one person.
- $5,000 for damage to property.
While the minimum requirements are the law, most vehicles today are worth more than $5,000 and medical costs far exceed the minimum as well. Raising your liability limits is not only wise, but the cost is very reasonable. Also, did you know that by having the other policies you need for home and life insurance can give you a discount on your
car insurance? Scurich Insurance Services can help you make the best decision for your circumstances. Contact them today! 800-320-3666
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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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The following article was taken from: Watsonville Patch
“Over the holidays until Jan. 15, locals contributed food to Second Harvest donation centers around Santa Cruz County.
Their goodwill paid off.
Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Cruz County raised 3.6 million pounds of food for its holiday food drive, Development Director Steve Bennett Thursday.
“Volunteers have been sorting the food and our 200 member agencies have begun distributing it to hungry people throughout Santa Cruz County,” said Bennett, pointing out that the food will be enough to feed people through March — a period when need is the greatest.
The money raised through the drive will be used to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables to supplement the non-perishable items, said Bennett.
The need for food aid in Santa Cruz County is up 38 percent, according to Second Harvest, which feeds 55,000 people in Santa Cruz County each month.”
Read more Here!
For information about Commercial Insurance or Personal Insurance simply contact Scurich Insurance Services today at 800-320-3666.
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A season long influenza outbreak has swept through California and across the nation, hospitalizing hundreds and leaving thousands of people infected. We at Scurich Insurance Services would like to offer tips and tricks to help you stay healthy, the remainder of the flu season. The following information is taken from Flu.gov.
“Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself from the flu. There are additional steps you can take to keep yourself and your family healthy this flu season.
- Everyone 6 months of age and older should get vaccinated against the flu.
- Take everyday precautions, like washing your hands, to protect your health.
- If you are exposed to or caring for someone with the flu, talk to your doctor about preventive antiviral medications.
Everyone 6 months of age or older should get the flu vaccine as soon as it is available in your area.
What everyday steps can I take to stop the spread of germs?
There are steps you can take in your daily life to help protect you from getting the flu.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs spread this way.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
- Practice good health habits. Get plenty of sleep and exercise, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat healthy food.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
- If you are sick with flu-like illness, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone without the use of fever-reducing medicine.
Are there medications I can take to prevent getting the flu?
If you are healthy but exposed to a person with the flu, antiviral drugs can prevent you from getting sick. The sooner you are treated with an antiviral, the more likely it will prevent the flu. Antiviral drugs are 70% to 90% effective at preventing the flu. Talk to your health care provider if you think you need antiviral drugs.”
Read more HERE!
So don’t forget to get vaccinated, if you haven’t yet taken advantage of the flu vaccine there is still time. Flu shots can be obtained through your doctor’s office, health clinics and most drugstores. If you would like more information about our current Health Insurance programs, or to obtain a new insurance policy, simply contact the health insurance professionals at Scurich Insurance Services located in Watsonville, California today at 800-320-3666!
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