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.
12 years ago · by · 0 comments

California is on this list…

8-27-14Getting into an accident is an inconvenience and there are certain states that don’t make it any easier.  When you file a claim auto insurance rates have a tendency to rise.  Did you know that if you file a claim for anything $2,000 and higher can cause your insurance to jump up to 40% in some places?

If you live in one of the places listed below, you could find yourself on the short end of the stick when it comes to rate increases.

  1. Massachusetts rates jump up 67% when claims are filed.
  2. California claims will get you a 62% increase.
  3. New Jersey has 59% increase.
  4. North Carolinians will see a 47% increase.
  5. Minnesota raises their rates 45%.

If you have a claim that is $2,000 or less and you can afford the repair, it would be better for your insurance rates in the long run to pay out of pocket than it would be to file the claim.

On the flip side of things, here are the states that have the lowest rate increases:

  1. Maryland with just a 20% increase.
  2. Alabama at 22%.
  3. Michigan & Wyoming both have a 23% increase.
  4. Oklahoma has a 25% increase.

If you find yourself in this situation, Scurich insurance services can help.  Anyone of our friendly staff will be able to help guide you through this process.

Content provided by Transformer Marketing.

Sources:  http://www.ibamag.com/news/5-states-where-you-dont-want-to-file-an-auto-claim-16616.aspx

Read more

12 years ago · by · 0 comments

What not to say

No

You are thinking so many things when you are getting ready to file a claim.  ‘I wish I hadn’t done that, ’or ‘I should tell them I’m sorry or any number of responses that could be running through your mind.  But before you indulge in them, you need to know what not to say to the insurance company.

  • Sorry.  Yes it is good to have manners, and apologizing for your actions is noble, but in the case of a car accident, let the police sort out the details and assign the blame.
  • Whiplash.   Certain phrases have a punch behind them.  This would be one of those terms.  It became so widely used in fraudulent claims that anytime anyone says whiplash, adjusters generally will call the attorney.
  • Intentional.  Don’t go around saying that your spouse destroyed your car intentionally.  Insurance is there to cover accidents and bad judgment calls, but your insurance will not cover intentional damage.
  • I’m fine, really.   You may want to put your friends and family members at ease, but let a doctor make that determination.
  • Ride-Sharing.  Ride sharing has become extremely popular nowadays.  The catch?  You can’t use your personal insurance if you are a driver for a ride-sharing company and get involved in an accident.

For more information or to report a claim, contact our office today.

Content provided by Transformer Marketing.

Sources:  http://www.moneytalksnews.com/2014/07/23/12-words-never-to-say-to-your-insurance-company/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_campaign=email-2014-07-23&utm_medium=email

Read more

12 years ago · by · 0 comments

Fatal accident is suspected DUI

Official U.S. Navy photo released by Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Marianas Public Affairs Officer, LT. A. Chisholm.On Saturday, August 9th a 2014 Ford Fusion was involved in a one car crash that left one person dead.  24 year old, Gwynne Coye of Aptos, a passenger in the vehicle, was killed and the driver, Marquis Edwards was arrested.  Murder, Felony evading a police officer resulting in death, and other charges were filed against Marquis Edwards.

If Marquis is convicted on all counts, he faces life in prison.  His next court date is Aug. 22nd.

Watson Murder Law

The Watson Murder Law was enacted after the case of People v. Watson.   Defendant Watson had several prior convictions for drinking and driving.  In this case, his actions resulted in the death of another human being.  Implied malice is the term prosecutors use in order to charge a defendant with murder.  When you drink and drive, a person knows that their actions can cause the death of another human, hence implied malice.  Generally, murder charges in a drinking and driving case are only imposed against a defendant who has prior convictions for DUI.

Insurance and DUI

If you have been convicted of a DUI, you could find yourself without insurance.  If you find an insurance company who will provide coverage, they will need to provide you with an SR-22 so you can file with your local DMV.

Scurich Insurance Services can assist you with any questions you may have if you are in this situation.

Content provided by Transformer Marketing.

Sources:  http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/santacruz/ci_26332756/driver-charged-murder-santa-cruz-crash

http://www.avvo.com/legal-guides/ugc/california-dui-murder-aka-the-watson-murder-rule

Read more

12 years ago · by · 0 comments

Preparing for your workers’ compensation premium audit can save you money

Scurich Insurance Services, CA, Workers CompensationWhen your insurance company issued your Workers Compensation policy, you paid an estimated premium for the term of the policy. This rate was based on the nature of your business and your estimated payroll. However, once your policy expires, the insurance company conducts a premium audit to gather data about your actual costs for the applicable policy term. If there is any shortfall, you are responsible for the difference between the original estimate and actual premium.

Naturally, you want to keep the difference between the estimated and actual rate as low as possible. Consider the following list of tips:

  • Have all necessary records available for the auditor.
  • Break down your payroll by classification code so that the auditor doesn’t have to classify any unexplained payroll. Leaving the decision up to the auditor could result in having the payroll placed in the highest classification.
  • Separate overtime wages from regular wages. This allows the auditor to discount the overtime wages back to regular wages.
  • Exclude tips, severance pay, meal and travel advances and bonuses paid for inventions, because none of these are included in Workers Compensation premium calculations.
  • Divide uninsured subcontractor billings into material and labor costs since you are only required to pay premiums for labor. If you don’t have an actual split, figure on 50% for each. One important exception to this is for heavy equipment operators who are employed as subcontractors. In this case, use a third of their total billings as reportable labor costs.
  • Don’t include short- or long-term disability payments in the data given to the auditor because these are excluded from premium calculations.
  • Be sure to cap all covered officers’ payroll at the maximum for your state.
  • Exclude wages paid to employees who are on active military duty because their wages aren’t included in premium calculations.
  • Present the auditor with all Certificates of Insurance for covered subcontractors so you aren’t charged for them.
  • Classify all employees in the lower-rated payroll classifications if you aren’t sure about where they should be classified. However, you should never deliberately misclassify an employee.
  • Be sure you make the auditor aware of all employees who do only clerical work and are physically located away from the shop floor. These employees qualify to be classified in the lower rated clerical codes. If your clerical staff isn’t physically separate from the shop, you should consider changing their work location.

Contact our office for more information.

Content provided by Transformer Marketing.

Read more

12 years ago · by · 0 comments

Insurance claim funnies-Eventually Made The Right Decision

Scurich Insurance Services, CA, Insurance Claims(I work as a claims adjuster for a major insurance company and have made a liability decision on a minor parking lot accident in which both parties told the exact same story. Unfortunately my client was majority at fault, but we would only be paying 60% of the other party’s repairs. I call my customer and leave a message regarding the liability decision and my phone number. He calls me back a short time later.)

Customer: “I can’t believe you did this!”

Me: “I’m sorry, sir?”

Customer: “How could you do this without calling me first! You decided I was at fault!”

Me: “Sir, I took a recorded statement from you and from the other party and outlined exactly the kinds of things would factor into the decision.”

Customer: “But you didn’t call me first!”

Me: “I did call you; I took your statement.”

Customer: “But then you made a decision!”

Me: “Sir, it’s my job to make a decision, as you know, and I don’t need your permission or approval to do so.”

Customer: “I know! But I can’t believe you did that!”

Me: “Sir, are you contesting liability? You both told the exact same story and given the facts and damage to both vehicles, you’re both telling the truth. No matter how we look at it, you were backing out and didn’t pay attention to what was behind you.”

Customer: “I know! I agree that’s what happened!”

Me: “Then why are you upset? How can we resolve this?”

Customer: “You made this decision!”

Me: “Sir, I had to make a decision. Again, are you questioning the liability decision? Do you have other information to add?”

Customer: “No!”

Me: “Sir, then please tell me what you want me to say because I simply don’t understand how to resolve this for you.”

Customer: *pauses* “Well, you know what? I’m just mad about the whole thing. You haven’t done anything wrong.”

Me: “Okay…”

Customer: “I’m really sorry. I work in customer service and I hate when people call and yell at me, and that’s what I’m doing to you. You made the right decision, I accept it, and I’m sorry for yelling at you. I just… needed to yell at someone.”

Me: *trying not to laugh* “Well… thank you, then. I can definitely understand that!”

Customer: “Thank you for being so patient with me. I’m really sorry, again, to have yelled at you and hope the rest of your day goes better.”

Me: “Thank you.” *we go on to resolve claim payment and I explain repair procedures, etc.*

Manager: “I heard you talking and picked up to listen in. I didn’t know what he was angry about either!” *laughing* “I’ll put a few notes in file about how you handled the call.”

(A few minutes later, a team leader comes up to my desk.)

Team Leader: “Hey, I just wanted to let you know I just took a call from a guy who said he just yelled at you for no reason. He wanted to make sure your supervisor knows he thinks you’re excellent at your job, you’ve provided great customer service and he’s happy with the outcome of his claim. I’m passing this on to your team leader and manager.”

(I STILL laugh about that call, and think it’s one of the reasons I was promoted shortly afterward. Thank you, sir!)

Content provided by http://notalwaysright.com/tag/insurance

Read more

13 years ago · by · 0 comments

Meet Mike Scurich

Scurich Insurance Services, Mike Scurich, Watsonville, CaliforniaMike began his insurance career in 1984 as a personal lines underwriter for Continental Insurance Company in Sacramento. In 1986 he joined USF&G as a commercial lines underwriter in San Jose, CA. The training and experience he gained in both positions are key to his success as an owner/broker for Scurich Insurance. Mike joined Scurich Insurance in 1989 and has been with the agency ever since. He focuses on commercial accounts and enjoys working closely with and getting to know his clients on a personal level. Mike graduated from Santa Clara University in 1984 with a degree in English. He and his wife Jennifer, live in Watsonville and have one daughter age 23 and two sons ages 21 and 19.

 

Scurich Insurance Services, Watsonville CA

Scurich Insurance Services has proudly served the Monterey Bay area since 1924.  Scurich will take care of all of your insurance needs.  Are you a business owner, did you get a new car or maybe you are looking to protect your family in the event of a tragedy?  Give us a call, we can help!

We are located at:

Scurich Insurance Services

320 East Lake Avenue, PO Box 1170
Watsonville, CA 95077-1170
Office:
1-831-722-3541
Toll Free:
1-800-320-3666

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