Everyone knows that homeowners insurance will cover any structural damage done to your home inside and out. Your roof gets hit by lighting and has damage? Homeowners insurance will cover it. A nasty storm knocked a tree into your kitchen and destroyed it? Homeowners insurance will cover it. But that’s not all homeowners insurance will cover. There are some surprising little known coverages in your homeowners policy. Such as:
- Any mandated upgrades. If an ordinance passed stating that all homes needed to have solar paneling, and you needed to get your roof fixed, homeowners insurance would cover the addition of the solar paneling. Check with your policy, because there generally is limits.
- Food replacement. Yup, that’s right, your homeowners insurance will replace any food that is no longer edible. Most policies will have a $500 limit.
- Are you getting sued for slander? Your homeowners insurance will defend and cover you.
- Did Marmaduke bite the postal worker? Your homeowners insurance will all damages associated with your pooch.
- Did your neighbor hit run over you with her bicycle? Some homeowner’s policies will cover your medical expenses. Homeowners insurance will cover a number of accidents similar to this. Scurich Insurance Services can help you navigate through the specificities of your policy.
- Rough winters. Rough winters can damage your pipes, the weight of snow on your roof can cause damage and other winter damages, can cause you to have to find temporary shelter with additional living expenses. Your homeowners insurance will cover your additional expenses.
To find out everything else that your policy covers, contact Scurich Insurance Services today.
Content provided by Transformer Marketing.
Source: http://www.bankrate.com/finance/insurance/things-your-home-insurance-covers.aspx#slide=1
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Labor Day falls on Monday, September 1st this year. In observance of the holiday, Scurich Insurance Services offices will be closed on Monday. We will reopen on Tuesday, September 2nd.
Not sure how you want to make the most out of your Labor Day weekend? Here are a few suggestions:
- Go on a nice long hike with your family. Some great hikes to go on? Meadow Trail Loop at Mount Madonna, Mt. Madonna Loop, or Sprig Trail and Merry-Go-Round Loop. Don’t forget to pack a picnic!
- Spend your time giving back. Volunteer at your local charity organization.
- Indulge your taste buds. Food festivals happen all the time and man do they have some delicious tasting treats for you. Go ahead and yum it up!
- Go fly a kite. Okay, so this doesn’t happen as much as it did in the past, but flying a kite is a lot of fun. Head out to the beach and take your kite with you.
- Go camping. In your backyard. Remember the good ol’ days, when you pitched a tent in your backyard and pretended you were camping. The thrill and excitement of it all? Get in touch with that inner child and camp.
Whatever you decide to do this Labor Day weekend, we hope it’s a fantastic one! Be safe!
Content provided by Transformer Marketing.
Sources: http://www.rd.com/slideshows/10-ideas-for-labor-day-family-fun/#slideshow=slide2 and http://www.everytrail.com/best/hiking-watsonville-california
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Getting 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.
- Massachusetts rates jump up 67% when claims are filed.
- California claims will get you a 62% increase.
- New Jersey has 59% increase.
- North Carolinians will see a 47% increase.
- 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:
- Maryland with just a 20% increase.
- Alabama at 22%.
- Michigan & Wyoming both have a 23% increase.
- 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
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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
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How do you decide how much coverage to purchase for your car? Do you go by the minimum requirements of your state or do you get as much as you can in case of a catastrophe?
Here’s what your average looks like for others who choose the coverage:
- 46% of drivers have bodily injury coverage is at $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident.
- 59% of drivers have $50,000 worth of property damage liability coverage.
- 60% of the drivers have collision coverage.
- 61% of the drivers have comprehensive coverage.
- 74% of the drivers have a $500 deductible with comprehensive and collision insurance.
Are you still undecided about what’s the best coverage for you? Here are a few tips to consider:
- Did you know that doubling up on your liability insurance only costs a small fraction of what you’d pay now? A $50,000 policy doesn’t cost much more than a $25,000 one.
- Raise your deductible will get your bill lowered. The catch? You need to be able to pay the deductible before your insurance will kick in.
- Shop! Shop around for the best possible insurance for your needs.
Stop by our office today for more information on how to get the most out of your car insurance!
Content provided by Transformer Marketing.
Sources: http://www.moneytalksnews.com/2014/08/14/how-much-auto-insurance-do-you-need-dont-guess/
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Tony Scurich, Principal/Broker [email protected]
Born in Watsonville Tony has been in the insurance business since 1981 and with Scurich Insurance since 1983. Tony is married with 3 children, graduated from Watsonville High in 1977 and Santa Clara University in 1981. Current activities include running at Rio Del Mar Beach & West Cliff Drive, biking, cooking/BBQing, reading biographies and eating breakfast burritos at Pixie Deli. Past and present community activities include board member of St Francis High School, Pajaro Valley Historical Association, YMCA (board member and youth basketball coach), Boy Scouts of America and, Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce (board chair in 2004).
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
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