Contact us

(831) 722-3541

Contact us

Contact details:

Message:

Your message has been sent successfully. Close this notice.

Commercial Insurance Quote

Coverage Information

Current Coverage Information

Contact details:

Your Quote Form has been sent successfully. Close this notice.

Auto Insurance Quote

Contact details:

Current Coverage Information

Your car:

Your Quote Form has been sent successfully. Close this notice.

Homeowners Insurance Quote

Your house:

Current Coverage Information

Contact details:

Your Quote Form has been sent successfully. Close this notice.

Life Insurance Quote

Life Insurance Details

Current Coverage Information

Contact details:

Your Quote Form has been sent successfully. Close this notice.

Health Insurance Quote

Coverage Information

Current Coverage Information

Contact details:

Your Quote Form has been sent successfully. Close this notice.
9 years ago · by · 0 comments

Open Enrollment for Health Insurance

Scurich Insurance Services, Watsonville, California, ObamacareOpen enrollment for health insurance for 2015 started on November 15, 2014. With all the busyness associated with the holidays and the end of the year, it can be easy for the deadline of February 15, 2014 to slip right by you. It is important, though, to not allow this to happen.

What Happens if You Miss the Deadline?

Once February 15 passes, in general, you will not be able to enroll in a healthcare plan through the Marketplace. There are some life events that trigger special enrollment periods, however. These include occasions that change the status of your family.

  • In the case of a marriage, divorce or birth of a child, for example, you have 60 days to find health insurance.
  • If you lose health coverage that you previously had, you also have 60 days to sign up for another plan.
  • For job-based plans, a 30 day special enrollment period must be offered.

What You Need to Know if You Have Coverage for 2014

If you are one of those people who enrolled in a Marketplace plan in 2014, your coverage ends on December 31, 2014. This end date is the same for everyone, regardless of when their coverage began. In order to enjoy healthcare coverage for 2015, you have two choices: you can either renew the plan you had in 2014 or you can choose a new one. Both of these options must be completed by February 15, 2015 in order for you to have coverage for the year.

What You Need to Know to Start Coverage on January 1, 2015

In order to ensure that you have healthcare coverage on January 1, 2015, you need to either change your plan or renew your current one by December 15, 2014. If you miss that deadline and enroll in a plan between December 16 and December 31, 2014, your healthcare coverage will begin on February 1, 2015. Enroll in a plan by the deadline of February 15 and your coverage will start on March 1.

Read more

10 years ago · by · 0 comments

Four Holistic Ways to Stop Smoking

SmokingWhen you smoke, your risk of developing lung, throat and mouth cancers as well as heart disease, stroke and diabetes increases. You also may experience shortness of breath and increased life insurance premiums. Up to 480,000 people die each year from the effects of smoking, but you can quit. Try four holistic methods as you seek to improve your health today.


1. Exercise

Sweat out the buildup of nicotine in your body, relieve depression and reduce boredom when you use exercise to stop smoking. Whether you run, swim, walk or try a different sport, the physical activity increases your odds of quitting.

2. Limes

In addition to flavoring entrees and beverages, limes boost your immunity and decrease your body’s acidity. Use them to quit smoking when you cut the quarters of a lime into quarters. Chew on one small piece, skin and all, whenever you feel a cigarette craving. 

3. Self-Massage

Professional massages relax your body and your mind, which helps you handle nicotine cravings. However, you don’t have time for a full-body massage every time you want to smoke. Instead, learn self-massage techniques that are easy to perform multiple times a day. 

*Use your right thumb and slight pressure to draw a circle in the palm of your left hand. Switch hands frequently.
* Massage each finger gently from bottom to top.
*Rub your ear lobes in circular motions.

4. Meditate

Reduce tension, stress and anxiety caused by nicotine withdrawal when you meditate. Start by lying down on your back and breathing deeply from your abdomen. Envision yourself cigarette-free and healthy as you exhale and inhale. Spend 15 minutes meditating, and your entire body will be calm and relaxed.

Smoking increases your risk of developing a number of deadly illnesses and diseases. It also affects your ability to afford beneficial life insurance coverage that gives your family peace of mind and financial security. Use four holistic methods to quit smoking today, and commit to healthy living.

Read more

11 years ago · by · 0 comments

10 Things Your Health Insurance Plan Will Have To Cover

If you have Health Insurance, you’re probably all too familiar with what your plan won’t cover. The list of expenses denied when you try to file a claim can seem endless. It’s easy to wonder what actually is covered.

This February, Americans got more clarity about what Health Plans must cover starting in January 2014, when the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published its list of ten “essential health benefits” under theAffordable Care Act (ACA). These categories apply to both individual and small employer insurance, as well as new plans under Medicaid.

Here are the mandatory categories of treatment and care:

  1. Outpatient medical care.
  2. Emergency care.
  3. Hospitalization.
  4. Maternity and Newborn care.
  5. Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder services.
  6. Prescription Drugs.
  7. Rehabilitation Services and Devices.
  8. Lab Tests.
  9. Preventative and Wellness services, and Chronic Disease Management.
  10. Pediatric Services, including Dental and Vision care.

In response to the release of the new standards, American Association of Health Insurance Plans spokesperson Robert Zirkelbach noted, “The minimum essential health benefits standard will still require many individuals and small businesses to purchase coverage that’s more comprehensive and more expensive than they choose to purchase today.”

This is all the more reason for people planning to buy coverage under the ACA to be well informed when the State Health Insurance exchanges open on October 1.

HHS offers an enrollment checklist for individuals, families, and small businesses that includes questions to ask about Health Plans, a primer on coverage basics, and guidelines for budgeting.

As always, our agency’s specialists stand ready to offer their advice to help you select the best value for your Health Insurance dollar. Just give us a call at Scurich Insurance Services!

Read more

11 years ago · by · 0 comments

How Will the Obamacare Penalty Work?

As most of you know, the Affordable Care Act, or what most of you know it as Obamacare, will take effect in 2014. When this bill takes effect, it will become mandatory that you purchase some sort of health insurance, and if you don’t you will end up finding yourself being penalized by the federal government. But, what are these penalties and how will the effect you.

According to MSN Money, “The actual individual mandate penalties under the Affordable Care Act are perhaps the easiest part of the program to understand:

  • In 2014, the annual penalty will be $95 per adult and $47.50 per child, up to a family maximum of $285 or 1% of family income, whichever is greater.
  • In 2015, the penalty will be $325 per adult and $162.50 per child, up to a family maximum of $975 or 2% of family income, whichever is greater.
  • In 2016, the penalty will be $695 per adult and $347.50 per child, up to a family maximum of $2,085 or 2.5% of family income, whichever is greater.

“Most people think of it as an annual penalty,” notes Larry Levitt, a senior vice president at Kaiser. “But it is in fact a monthly thing, and you would pay a penalty for any month that you are uncovered.” However, a person may be without coverage for up to three months without triggering the penalty.” (1)

So don’t be caught without insurance. Contact Scurich Insurance Services located in Watsonville, California. at 831-722-3541 and let us shop the health insurance market for you so that you can get the best health insurance plan out there.

(1) http://money.msn.com/health-and-life-insurance/how-obamacare-penalty-will-work

Read more

11 years ago · by · 0 comments

How Healthy is Santa Cruz County?

It’s not just diet and exercise—where people live matters to their health.

And in California, Santa Cruz County earns a decent rating for community health, according to the 2013 County Health Rankings released this week.

Santa Cruz comes in No. 13 in the state for health outcomes, measured by mortality and morbidity. The county ranks 10th for health factors, a broad category that includes health behaviors (like smoking), healthcare, the physical environment, and social and economic factors.

“These ratings are a snapshot of the health of the community,” said Dr. Lisa Hernandez, Santa Cruz County Health Officer.

Fifty-seven of California’s 58 counties were ranked. Rural Alpine County was too small to measure in many of the categories, officials said.

Santa Cruz County’s marks puts the county ahead of neighboring Monterey County but lagging behind Santa Clara County.

County Health Rankings 2013
County Health Outcomes Health Factors
Monterey 21 29
San Benito 10 23
Santa Clara 3 4
Santa Cruz 13 10

Santa Cruz has earned better ratings in prior years. Officials attributed the decline in rankings to other counties’ improving health, not worsening conditions in Santa Cruz County.

Some highlights from the report:

  • The county saw improvement in the number of adult residents who have graduated from high school, which up to 86 percent at last count. The low in the past four years was 77 percent.
  • Santa Cruz County ranked 16th in the state for access to recreational facilities.
  • The county’s motor vehicle crash death rate is the 9th lowest in California.

But 19 percent of children in the county live in poverty, and the ratio of physicians to patients climbed, from one doctor per 923 patients in 2012 to one per 1,047 this year.

Check out Santa Cruz County’s rankings in various categories over the past four years below. A lower rating is better.

Santa Cruz County Health Rankings
2010 2011 2012 2013
Health Outcomes (total) 8 7 10 13
Morality 6 7 10 10
Morbidity 7 7 13 20
Health Factors (total) 8 20 10 10
Health Behaviors 2 1 3 4
Clinical Care 19 24 13 12
Social & Economic Factors 13 17 23 21
Physical Environment 37 5 10 9

The County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program began in 2010 as a project of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin.

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.

This story was taken form www.watsonville.patch.com and was written by Jennifer Squires. Scurich Insurance did not create this content–we just wanted to share it with you!

Read more

11 years ago · by · 0 comments

Protect Yourself and Loved Ones From the Flu

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!

 

Read more

Company information

Scurich Insurance Services
Phone: (831) 661-5697
Fax: (831) 661-5741

Physical:
783 Rio Del Mar Blvd., Suite7,
Aptos, Ca 95003-4700

Mailing:
PO Box 1170
Watsonville, CA 95077-1170

Contact details

E-mail address:
[email protected]

(831) 661-5697

Available 8:30am - 5:00pm