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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If you rent all or part of your property to others, it makes sense to buy this special type of Homeowners insurance. A Landlord policy will cover damage to the building and your belongings, and protect you against potentially catastrophic legal and medical cost suits from lawsuits by people injured on your property.
If the property is mortgaged, the lender will usually require that you buy enough coverage to pay off the outstanding loan balance.
Above this level, you can tailor your Landlord coverage to your needs and budget in a number of ways:
Changing the deductible (which usually ranges from $100 to 5% of the building coverage).
Selecting the type of losses covered, by buying either “comprehensive” coverage – which pays for losses from all causes, unless specifically excluded – or on a “named perils” basis, which covers only losses from a listed number of causes.
Choosing the type of reimbursement – either “actual cash value” (the value of your property, less depreciation) or the more expensive “replacement value.”
Adding coverage to provide reimbursement for loss of rental income during a period when the property is uninhabitable.
Covering increased liability risks from dealing with tenants, such as legal fees, libel, slander, and discrimination claims.
In making your decision, assess the benefits of potential premium savings against the risk of paying for hefty classes.
Our Homeowners’ Insurance specialists will be happy to evaluate your situation and recommend a comprehensive, cost effective solution. Just get in touch with us at any time.
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Driver Fatigue Causes 20% of Auto Crashes: Study
By Susan Trulove | April 15, 2013
A 100-car “naturalistic” driving study conducted by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute says that fatigue is a cause of 20 percent of car crashes, rather than the two or three percent previously estimated based on surveys, simulator studies and test tracks.
Also, the study found, 18- to 20-year-olds account for significantly more fatigue-related crashes than any other age group. Adolescents’ sleep patterns shift to later hours; however, the school day still tends to start early, resulting in daytime sleepiness. A driver at any age can also be fatigued.
“The study allowed us, for the first time, to observe driver behavior just prior to a crash. In 20 percent of all crashes and 16 percent of all near crashes, the driver was showing fatigue. We saw eye-lid closure, head bobbing, severe loss of facial musculature, micro-sleep – which is when your eyes drift shut and then pop up,” said Klauer. “This was not just yawning. The drivers were asleep.”
Applying the findings to the population at-large, these results suggest that drivers are at a four times greater risk of a crash or near-crash if they choose to drive while fatigued,” said Tom Dingus, director of the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute. “That suggests that about 12 percent of all crashes and near-crashes in the population are attributable to fatigue.”
Protect yourself from other drivers that are impaired! Scurich Insurance Services can help you get the car insurance you need. Contact them today for more information. 800-320-3666
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Here are the Top 3 Blog Posts for March 2013. Thank you for making our blog a success. We post articles that are educational, relevant and fun. Please tell us how we can improve! Enjoy, Your Scurich Insurance Services Team!
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We Want to Hear From You!
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Countless advertisements depict "Flo", or a gecko, as possible advocates in the insurance arena. Hopefully our competitors will take the bait and settle on a fictitious character or a reptile to save a few bucks. Our firm sees the value in the genuine article, the seasoned professional.
The Scurich Family has provided both insurance products and valued advice to my family for three generations.[…]
Click here to read the full article.
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Concealed Weapons Complications
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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.[…]
Click here to read the full article.
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Your Job Can Save You Money on Auto Insurance!
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Engineers, firefighters, lawyers, teachers, and police officers all have one thing in common: they qualify for Auto insurance discounts with some insurers who have found that people in certain fields tend to be less risky drivers than those in other occupations.
A number of insurance companies offer discounts to those in a variety of professions everything from architects, CPAs, and college professors through librarians, military personnel, and pilots, to physicians, registered nurses, and scientists.[…]
Click here to read the full article.
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| Scurich Insurance Services | 320 East Lake Avenue, PO Box 1170 | Watsonville, CA 95077 | Office: 1-831-722-3541 | Email Us! |
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Umbrella Insurance is a supplement to your existing policies that offers up to $1 million or more in additional coverage beyond what is available from your auto, homeowner’s, and other property or vehicle policies.
So why should you make it a part of your insurance portfolio? Here are three situations where umbrella insurance can help.
Do you have a rental property or rent out your home?
Umbrella insurance covers liability on rental units. If you own a rental property or vacation rental, umbrella coverage can be invaluable for you as a property owner. Many things can a do go wrong when you rent out your property. Be sure you are protected with an umbrella policy.
If you are responsible for a serious accident.
Auto insurance is designed to protect you in case of an accident for which you are held responsible, but this does not mean that the amount of insurance coverage you currently have will be enough to cover all damage caused in some situations. If you cause an accident with a high-value vehicle or there are serious personal injuries that need to be paid for, you may quickly exhaust your automobile insurance coverage. With umbrella coverage, you’ll have an extra policy so you do not end up paying for these expenses out of pocket.
What about other vehicles?
Boats, motorcycles, and other personal pleasure vehicles can present you with unexpected liability issues for which your existing insurance policies may not cover. Asking your insurance agent about umbrella insurance and if it may help supplement your current coverage could prevent financial disaster.
Scurich Insurance Servicescan help you see how umbrella coverage could benefit you. Call them today! 800-320-3666
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