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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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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