When most people think about earthquakes in the United States, California and Alaska are the two states that come to mind. However, earthquakes can happen in any part of the country. Many people move out of areas that are prone to earthquakes after experiencing one to escape the possibility of a repeat experience. The truth is that there is no place that is completely safe from earthquakes. They are a very real threat that everyone must consider and plan for. One of the most vital aspects of proper preparedness is having ample insurance coverage.
Earthquake damage isn’t covered in the majority of Homeowners policies. This is also true for business policies. Both types of policies specify that damage from earth movement is not covered. Although actual damage from a quake might not be covered, property insurance might provide coverage for fires and other incidents that occur as a result of it. Policyholders should scour their policies to understand the specific exclusions. If the policy seems difficult to read, it’s important to contact an agent with any questions.
Many people think they won’t experience a major earthquake during their lifetime. This is especially true for those who live in areas where earthquakes happen every 100 years or less. Although many people might not experience a strong earthquake like the recent Virginia incident, there are over 5,000 incidents recorded each year by the USGS. Damage from earthquakes has been recorded in all 50 states in history. There have been reports of damage in 39 states alone since 1900. This proves that although some people might not live in areas that commonly experience earthquakes; they’re still not immune to the threat.
Earthquake insurance is available as a rider, which is added to a business or personal property policy. People who have one of these types of coverage should contact their insurer to find out what coverage options are available. Since they’re unpredictable and happen suddenly, it’s best to be prepared for all types of disasters. Earthquake insurance is so important that it can’t be stressed enough. Although the majority of people assume all California homeowners have this type of coverage, research indicates that about 12% actually have this type of insurance. The nation’s average is less than 12%.
Earthquake insurance costs vary by location, building type and the age of the building. It’s much more expensive to insure older buildings. In addition to this, brick structures are more expensive to insure. Buildings with wood frames withstand the force of earthquakes better, so it’s cheaper to insure them.
To offer an example, a home with a wood frame in Washington might cost between $1 and $3 per $1,000 of coverage. The same home might be less than $.50 per $1,000 insured on the East Coast. However, a brick home might cost between $3 and $15 per $1,000 in the Pacific Northwest. In most East Coast locations, the same home might only be between $.60 and $.90 per $1,000.
Every earthquake policy also has a deductible. This means that homeowners must pay upfront for a portion of the damages before the insurer pays the remaining amount. The deductible might be up to 20% of the structure’s replacement value. The percentage depends on the insurer and the location of the structure.
There are also options for renters. There are coverage policies that protect personal property. In addition to this, they usually cover living expenses if the building becomes uninhabitable after an earthquake. It’s important for renters to keep a list of belongings and their values. Major appliances, furniture, electronics and other expensive items must all be documented properly. A new way of creating a record of belongings is making a narrated video tour of the home and focusing on belongings. Contact one of our insurance agents to secure the earthquake coverage that is right for your individual needs.
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Scurich Insurance
320 East Lake Avenue, PO Box 1170
Watsonville, CA 95077-1170
Office: 1-831-722-3541
Toll Free: 1-800-320-3666
Email:[email protected]
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Worker stress levels have increased within the past few years as the economic downturn has led to layoffs, heavier workloads, a higher percentage of workers taking second jobs to make ends meet, and declining household incomes, due to family members’ lost wages.
In a recent “Stress in the Workplace” survey by Buck Consultants (www.buckconsultants.com), more than four in five participants (82%) reported that employee stress has a significant or moderate impact on their company’s healthcare costs. A large majority of respondents also said that stress has had a significant or moderate impact on absenteeism (79%) and on workplace safety (77%).
In response to rising employee stress levels, many employers are taking steps to help their workers manage stress. According to the Buck Consultants survey, 66% of participants have implemented four or more programs to reduce on-the-job stress, while 22% have at least eight programs in place.
The survey listed these Top 10 stress-reduction strategies:
- Employee assistance programs (78%)
- Flexible work schedules (63%)
- Work/life balance support programs (46%)
- Leadership training on worker stress (45%)
- Online healthy lifestyle programs (45%)
- On-site fitness centers (43%)
- Physical activity programs (38%)
- Stress awareness campaigns (35%)
- Financial management classes (32%)
- Personal health/lifestyle management coaching (29%)
- The more effective these programs, the lower the stress on your workers – which adds up to higher productivity and a healthier return on investment.
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Most people who have life insurance tend to believe that they have enough because what they have can take care of final bills and expenses. Too many people only possess work related life insurance and even fewer have any insurance at all. The truth is you should have a policy that can pay out close to ten times what you earn annually.
Not thinking long term
Oftentimes people think only in the short term when buying life insurance. They do not consider say, how much longer after they have passed should their family be supported by the insurance payout.
Thinking that it costs too much
One of the main complaints and reason people have for not getting life insurance is that it costs too much. But if you shop around you are likely to find a policy that suits your budget and needs.
Failure to update a policy
When certain life altering event occurs such as marriage, child birth, or divorce, then it could be time that your insurance policy is updated. Many people tend to forget to do this when these event occur.
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Scurich Insurance
320 East Lake Avenue, PO Box 1170
Watsonville, CA 95077-1170
Office: 1-831-722-3541
Toll Free: 1-800-320-3666
eMail:[email protected]
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Term life insurance in general can be purchased for large amounts with a low premium to start out. This can be a good option for those with short term needs such as coverage for a home mortgage, outstanding debt, educational costs, or a car loan. The appropriate policy will be affordable and cover any or all of these expenses to give you the peace of mind that large bills will be handled.
Permanent life insurance offers a level payment for a coverage amount that you choose and an account value that suits your lifelong needs based on factors such as children, marital status, income, and monthly expenses. This is a very convenient option for those looking to fulfill a loved one’s needs, finalize expenses, complete estate planning, make contributions to charity, implement a business legacy, or have access to accumulated cash value.
Contact Us now or connect with us on these popular social sites such as Facebook and LinkedIn.
Scurich Insurance
320 East Lake Avenue, PO Box 1170
Watsonville, CA 95077-1170
Office: 1-831-722-3541
Toll Free: 1-800-320-3666
eMail:[email protected]
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It’s necessary to file a claim with the insurance company if a home is destroyed by a storm or a visitor is injured. It’s important to keep in mind that a Homeowners policy is a contract held between an insurer and an individual. This means that there are specific procedures and rules to follow.
Immediately report all crimes to the police. It’s important to notify the police of any vandalism, burglary or other crime. Homeowners should also obtain the names of any police officers involved in the report or investigation.
Make all necessary temporary repairs. Don’t shell out thousands of dollars for full repairs to a damaged property. It’s best to pay only for supplies to repair or sustain something temporarily.
Call an agent immediately. After calling the police for any crime-related issues, it’s important to call an insurance agent. If the nature of the claim doesn’t involve a crime, phone an agent immediately after discovering the issue that will become a claim.
List all damaged items. Don’t discard any items that are damaged before the insurance adjuster is able to survey them. Photographs and videotapes are also acceptable forms of proof in most cases.
Obtain the necessary claim forms. After receiving notification of a claim, an insurance company must send the proper forms to an individual within a specific time period. The best way to avoid delays is to ensure that the paperwork is filled out correctly.
Homeowners should follow each of these steps carefully. After filing a claim, it’s best to have an insurance adjuster come out as quickly as possible to survey the damage. Most insurance companies arrange for adjusters to visit a residence. To learn more about this process or to obtain answers to other questions, contact us.
Scurich Insurance
320 East Lake Avenue, PO Box 1170
Watsonville, CA 95077-1170
Office: 1-831-722-3541
Toll Free: 1-800-320-3666
eMail:[email protected]
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Road conditions certainly play a role in many accidents, but it is up to you as the driver to adapt to those conditions and safely operate your car. The snow may contribute to your accident, but it was caused by you over-driving the conditions and losing control of your vehicle.
Driving in winter poses many special challenges. Storms can down trees and power lines, making your normal route impassable and forcing detours. Even a little snow can cause big headaches, from traffic snarls to major accidents. As a result, you need to take precautions
when the weather changes.
Before winter hits, make sure you have properly inflated tires with good tread. If you live where it snows often, make the investment in dedicated winter tires. On snow, the difference in traction between a good all-season tire and a snow tire is huge. If you have tire chains, practice putting them on when in the comfort of your driveway or garage so you won’t have to learn how in the dark… on the side of the road… in a blizzard.
Winter tips for save driving
A few winter weather tricks that can help you drive safely include:
- Fill your windshield washer tank with fluid that will resist freezing, and changing your wiper blades.
- Put a bag of kitty litter in your trunk so you can “sand” the road around your tires if you get stuck.
No matter how well you prepare, or how carefully you drive, auto accidents still happen. You can trust Scurich Insurance to be there for you during these unexpected times. Most importantly, Scurich Insurance will provide you with coverage to protect you and your family.
Simply fill out this form and get free Auto Insurance quote.
Scurich Insurance
320 East Lake Avenue, PO Box 1170
Watsonville, CA 95077-1170
Office: 1-831-722-3541
Toll Free: 1-800-320-3666
eMail:[email protected]
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