Live Long And Prosper

Can You Live Without Disaster Insurance?

Human caused disasters and natural disasters occur in every state. California has earthquakes and wild fires, Colorado has flooding and wildfires, the Northeast has winter storms and high winds, Florida has flooding and hurricanes, and the Midwest has flooding and tornados.

Insurance And Disasters

It is safe to say that most business and homeowner’s insurance policies do not cover the risks associated with disasters. The only exception would be damage caused by wildfires. Let’s look at how insurance might apply to other disasters.

1. Floods— Only 13% of U.S. homeowners had flood-insurance policies last year according to the Insurance Information Institute, a trade group. Flood insurance must be purchased through the National Flood Insurance Program. We can help you if you need the coverage.
2. Earthquake— While earthquakes occur mainly in certain areas, there are registered earthquakes in every state, every year. Earthquake insurance also must be added or purchased under a separate policy.
3. Mudslides— A standard home insurance policy does not protect your home against damage caused by a mudslide. Mudslides are usually defined as ground movement. Heavy rains that cause a mudflow would typically be covered.
4. Heavy Snow and Winter Storms— Winter storms and snow damage is covered under a typical homeowner’s policy. If flooding occurs, then the flood damage would be covered.
5. Hail— Most homeowner’s insurance policies provide coverage for losses resulting from hail.
6. Wildfires— It can be safe to say that all homeowner’s insurance covers loss resulting from a fire. Wildfires are considered a fire and would be covered.

Coverage disclaimer–the information provided here is for general purposes only. It is not our intent to change or modify insurance coverage. Each insurance policy is different and your individual coverage will be determined by the terms of your insurance policy.

At North Bay Insurance Brokers, we know how hard you’ve worked to turn your house into a home. Since your home is one of the most important financial investments of your lifetime, you’ll need proper coverage in order to keep your investment protected and provide your family with the guarantee that they’ll always be safe and sound.

 

Wildfires Are A Hazard Worth Planning For

According to the Federal Government, almost 90 percent of the wildfires in the United States are caused by humans.  Wildfires can occur in the country and major cities. Wild fires can start in a vacant lot and spread to neighborhood very quickly. From January 1 to March 31, 2017, there were 13,458 wildfires, compared to 9,218 wildfires in the same period in 2016. Source; iii.org

Wildfires And Homeowner’s Insurance

Unlike earthquakes and floods, wildfire damage should not require a completely separate policy, and probably does not even require a high risk policy. It is a good idea, however, to know what your homeowner’s policy does cover.  In many cases wildfires are covered, but it is always good to call your agent for a homeowner’s insurance review.

If your homeowner’s policy covers wildfires it would normally protect the building and contents from a covered loss. In addition, you will need additional living expenses if you must leave your home during re-construction.

Wildfire Prevention

Become familiar with your community’s disaster preparedness plans and create a plan for your family. Identify escape routes from your home and neighborhood and designate an emergency meeting place for your family to reunite if you become separated.

• Use fire-resistant materials for roof and home construction.
• Keep wood piles at least 30 feet from your home.
• Create a 100-foot safety zone around your home.
• Prune trees within 15 feet of any chimney outlet.

• Follow local ordinances when burning yard waste. Avoid backyard burning in windy conditions, and keep a shovel, water, and fire retardant nearby to keep fires in check. Remove all flammables from your yard when burning.
• Make sure that fire vehicles can get to your home. Clearly, mark all driveway entrances and display your name and address.
• Teach children about fire safety. Keep matches out of their reach.
• Keep roofs and gutters clean and free from debris.
• Have a ladder that reaches your roof.
• Have an extra-long hose.
• Rake leaves, dead limbs, and twigs. Clear all flammable vegetation.
• Back as many vehicles as possible into the garage, then close the door. In the event that you evacuate, remember to close the garage door behind you as you leave. If you do not have a garage or if yours is full, park your vehicles heading in the direction of the evacuation route.

At North Bay Insurance Brokers, we know how hard you’ve worked to turn your house into a home. Since your home is one of the most important financial investments of your lifetime, you’ll need proper coverage in order to keep your investment protected and provide your family with the guarantee that they’ll always be safe and sound.

You Need What?

Your home will be one of the most significant investments you will ever make, both economically and emotionally. Your family will spend countless hours there, among some of your most prized possessions. In the event of any misfortune, let us give you the peace of mind knowing that you are well protected

Replacement Cost Coverage

You can insure your home and belongings for replacement cost, which pays the actual cost of replacing your home or possessions (no deduction for depreciation) up to the limit of your policy.

Suppose, for example, a fire destroys a 10-year-old TV set in your living room. If you have a replacement cost policy for the contents of your home, the insurance company will pay to replace the TV set with a new one. If you have an actual cash value policy, it will pay only a percentage of the cost of a new TV set.

Insuring expensive items with floaters/endorsements

There may be limits on how much coverage you get for expensive items such as jewelry, silverware and furs. Generally, there is a limit on jewelry for $1,000 to $2,000. You should ask your agent or look it up in your policy.

If the limits are too low, consider buying a special personal property floater or an endorsement. These allow you to insure these items individually or as a collection.

Additional living expenses after a disaster

This is a very important feature of a standard homeowner’s insurance policy. This pays the additional costs of temporarily living away from your home if you can’t live in it due to a fire, severe storm or other insured disaster. It covers hotel bills, restaurant meals and other living expenses incurred while your home is being rebuilt.

You should talk to your agent or company to make sure you know exactly how much coverage you have and how long the coverage will be in effect. In most cases, you can increase this coverage for an additional premium.

At North Bay Insurance Brokers, we know how hard you’ve worked to turn your house into a home. Since your home is one of the most important financial investments of your lifetime, you’ll need proper coverage in order to keep your investment protected and provide your family with the guarantee that they’ll always be safe and sound.

Stop The Maddens, Get off Your Phone

According to leading industry experts, distracted driving accounts for 1/3rd of all commercial auto accidents and is causing business insurance rates to rise for the 5th straight year. This is an important topic that employers need to understand and respond to.

North Bay Insurance Brokers understands the value of your commercial vehicles and the employees who drive them. From trips across the country to local deliveries and promotions, your mobile business fleet takes on the open road to keep operations running smoothly – but accidents do happen.

What Are The Types of Distracted Driving

• Visual: taking your eyes off the road;
• Manual: taking your hands off the wheel; and
• Cognitive: taking your mind off of driving

Risk Factors

• Drivers under the age of 23 have the highest proportion of distraction-related fatal crashes.
• Commercial drivers that drive long hours without breaks.

Prevention Tips

• Create a formal, written policy stating your organization’s position on mobile device use while driving.
• Educate drivers about the risks and potential consequences of driving while distracted.
• Make this part of your monthly safety meetings.
• Enforce the rules.
• Reward safe drivers.

Our professionals work diligently to understand our client’s risks, goals, culture & vision in order to develop with you a risk management program to support your mission. Every industry has specific needs when it comes to insurance. Industry-specific risks make it impossible for insurance companies to lump together one insurance plan for every business. At North Bay Insurance Brokers, we understand that being unique is what makes your business successful across the board. That’s why we provide industry-specific insurance options for businesses of all types.

 

We love It When A Plan Comes Together

A North Bay Personal Insurance Update

As we move into 2019, it is important to take stock of your personal insurance program.  Many different life events can affect your personal insurance.  Having the right kind of personal insurance can make a big difference if, and when, you ever have a claim.  Please call our office for an insurance review.

What Should Be Part of Your 2019 Personal Insurance Planning?

• Should I consider a personal umbrella policy?
• Is my home valued correctly?
• Do I need to add or remove any drivers?
• Have my life insurance needs changed?

Things That Can Affect Your Insurance

• Marital status.
• Children in college.
• Purchase of a new vehicle, ATV, motorcycle, or boat.
• Planned foreign travel.
• Purchased any items of value like art, guns, or jewelry.
• Starting a home-based business.
• Purchasing a vacation home.
• Using your home as rental income.

If you call us, one of our team members will help you find the best possible combination of coverage, price, and service.  Our agents have access to more carriers, and that means that they have more options, including multiple policy discounts and preferred premium pricing.

Remember, knowledge is power.  Therefore, the more information your agent has the better pricing and coverage they will provide for you.  North Bay Insurance Brokers. is your trusted solution for homeowner’s insurance. We offer coverage options that are both flexible and affordable, and will work with you on an individual basis to find a policy that best suits your needs. Our team is dedicated to providing the assurance that your family and your possessions are secure.

 

Do I need To Insure My Valentines Gift?

It is that time of year when many of us give that special person in our lives a gift that they will enjoy year round. Valentine’s gifts typically include watches, jewelry, art, cameras and other valuable items.

Whatever you may do this year, if you purchase an expensive item for that special person, make sure you get it insured. Most homeowners or renter’s insurance policies restrict coverage for items like jewelry to $1,000 dollars.  In addition, most policies cover named perils for fire and theft, etc.; however, they may exclude coverage for the ring that gets flushed down the toilet; that is unless the expensive item is scheduled. To cover such circumstances that the insurance industry has dubbed “mysterious disappearance”, you will need a valuable articles personal property endorsement on your homeowners or renter’s policy.

Tips to keep valuables safe

• Have your jewelry appraised by a qualified jewelry appraiser for insurance replacement purposes
• Take pictures
• Keep items in safe place
• Take off while working outside

Our homeowners and renters insurance can provide many benefits including:

• Additional Living Expense -This coverage pays for the extra, above normal costs of expenses such as food and lodging incurred while the policyholder’s home is being repaired.
• Extended Replacement Cost – Provides additional coverage up to 150% of the dwelling’s policy limits to rebuild your home in the event you suffer a covered loss.
• Personal Liability Protection- Pays for bodily injury or property damage caused to others as a result of a covered incident.
• Identity Theft Protection – Pays for expenses you incur as a result of criminal identity theft.

Remember, knowledge is power.  Therefore, the more information your agent has the better pricing and coverage they will provide for you.  North Bay Insurance Brokers. is your trusted solution for homeowner’s insurance. We offer coverage options that are both flexible and affordable, and will work with you on an individual basis to find a policy that best suits your needs. Our team is dedicated to providing the assurance that your family and your possessions are secure.

Call us today.  We can provide you will the right combination of coverage, and price, followed up with outstanding service.

 

 

 

Spend A Little Money… Save A Home

Now Is The Time To Test Your Home Fire Safety Equipment

Now that summer is over and we have set our clocks back, it is time to check your home fire safety equipment.  Having working fire safety equipment can save lives. But electronic devices are not infallible; batteries die, and other parts of the smoke detector can wear out over time. Regular testing can help ensure that your family will be safe in the event of a fire in your home.

• Smoke Alarms–Test each smoke alarm in your home to make sure it is in good working order, and replace the batteries. It is also recommended that every bedroom have a smoke detector. Hard wired detectors are the best, but you can purchase newer detectors that have a battery life of 10 years.  Make sure everyone in the home recognizes the sound of the smoke alarm and knows how to respond.

• Fire Extinguishers–Performing a monthly inspection of your fire extinguisher is easy. Check the label or user manual for the manufacturer’s maintenance suggestions, and then follow those steps for doing your own monthly check. Keep the extinguisher in an open and common area, check the pull pin to make sure it still works, and check the pressure gauge.
• Carbon Monoxide Alarms—Refer to the manufactures instructions for testing your specific model. However, to test most carbon monoxide alarms, you simply locate the test button, press and hold the button for a few seconds, and listen for the sound of the alarm to insure it is working. Finally replace the batteries.

Remember, knowledge is power.  Therefore, the more information your agent has the better pricing and coverage they will provide for you.  North Bay Insurance Brokers. is your trusted solution for homeowner’s insurance. We offer coverage options that are both flexible and affordable, and will work with you on an individual basis to find a policy that best suits your needs. Our team is dedicated to providing the assurance that your family and your possessions are secure.

 

 

Stop Thief… That’s Mine

The holiday season is filled with fun, parties, food, gift, overeating and unfortunately some risk. One of the fasted growing risks for many people is stolen packages by porch pirates. According to proopertycasualtiy360, over 26 million packages are stolen during the holiday season. Need more bad news?

Your homeowners or renter’s insurance generally may not cover this loss as it tends to be under your deductible. There could be coverage if you have personal property off premises insurance. Also for theft coverage to apply generally, you need proof of loss by a broker indoor, etc.

Call our office for a review of your homeowner’s insurance, as each policy is unique to your circumstances.

Things To Do

• Delivery confirmation is a good way to prove the package was delivered.
• Thieves will follow delivery trucks, waiting for the perfect target.
• These thieves commonly strike during working hours as many homes are empty at that time.
• You can insure your packages.
• Consider having a person there when the delivery is scheduled.
• Install a security camera.

High Tech Solutions

There are a few high tech solutions to consider.

• Landport or BoxLock provides a delivery box on your porch that has an electronic lock.
• Amazon Key, which has a fairly simple premise: When a delivery arrives at your house, and you’re not home, the courier scans a barcode that sends a request to Amazon’s cloud. If it’s approved Amazon remotely unlocks your door and starts recording video through the online retailer’s Cloud Cam.
• Install a front door camera. Many shippers will not replace the item with this kind of device.

What To Do If A Package Is Stolen

• Track your package. Check the delivery confirmation and tracking number.
• Make sure a neighbor did not pick it up for you.
• Contact the seller. Different retailers have different policies and processes for handling stolen items, but usually, you are entitled to a refund or a replacement item.
• File a claim with the shipping company.
• Check your Credit Cards for Purchase Protection.

Remember, knowledge is power.  Therefore, the more information your agent has the better pricing and coverage they will provide for you.  North Bay Insurance Brokers. is your trusted solution for homeowner’s insurance. We offer coverage options that are both flexible and affordable, and will work with you on an individual basis to find a policy that best suits your needs. Our team is dedicated to providing the assurance that your family and your possessions are secure.

 

Sharing Is Good… But At What Cost?

Handful of Paper Money

Sharing May Increase Your Personal Liability Risk

We live in a digital world that now allows us to share everything from our car, bike, boat, apartment and even our home with total strangers. Smart phones, and the applications that can be added, offer many useful tools, but some of these things create new and increased liability for you. Before you decide to jump into the sharing economy consider the following:

• Do these sharing sites have the ability to protect your confidential information? Many times you are giving your credit card information to companies that may not have the ability to protect it.
• If you use Airbnb to sublease your apartment, you might check your lease. Many lease agreements have “no sublease” clauses that do not allow for this kind of activity. Also, some big cities are now actually considering outlawing the Airbnb services as it reduces hotel/motel taxes.
• Taxi services where individuals can offer rides to those who subscribe. Are you confident that these individuals have had proper background checks? Are they experienced drivers? Do they have the correct insurance? Remember, even in states that have mandatory auto insurance laws, over 25% of drivers don’t have insurance.
• Personal auto insurance issues should be considered if using your car for hire. There is a big difference in the auto insurance world between a car pool for work and being paid to deliver people.
• If you rent your primary home to others, it may limit your personal insurance coverage. Call out office for a review.

The use of the new sharing economy will most likely continue and may be a good way to make money. However, if you have an uninsured claim, the cost may be much greater.  Be aware that using these services may increase your risk of loss.

North Bay Insurance Brokers. is your trusted solution for homeowner’s insurance. We offer coverage options that are both flexible and affordable, and will work with you on an individual basis to find a policy that best suits your needs. Our team is dedicated to providing the assurance that your family and your possessions are secure.

Recent Wild Fires Means More Flooding

We have been witness to record-setting wildfires in over the past few year and experts are now telling us that the results will mean more flooding. We have learned that a combination of record heat has created a massive growth of undergrowth that acts as fuel for wildfires, thus creating more damage to that land. This ground bloom dries out and creates more heat for wildfires.

Winter weather changes also have created more rain than snow, causing more erosion and overflowing dams. All of these conditions have created a perfect storm for flooding.

That means that the next six to eight months will be prime time for flooding.  If you live near water or in a flood zone, we recommend that you have flood insurance.  However, did you know that even if you do not live in a flood zone, you might need flood insurance?  According to Flood Smart, 20% of flood claims come from low-risk areas.

Why Get A Flood Insurance Quote?

• Homes with mortgages from federally regulated banks or insured lenders in high-risk flood areas are required to have flood insurance.
• Your standard homeowner’s insurance excludes floods.
• If you decide you want flood insurance, you will need to secure coverage as soon as possible. There is a 30-day waiting period before policies can be bound.
• There are flood policies for condominiums and apartments as well.

So, if the weather forecast announces a flood alert for your area and you go to purchase coverage, it’s already too late. You will not be insured if you buy a policy a few days before a flood. At North Bay Insurance Brokers Insurance Agency, we know you’ve invested a lot of time and money in your personal property and keepsakes. A flood insurance policy will cover the cost of replacing your valuables from any flood-related damage.

Call our professional staff today for more information. Don’t wait until you’re knee deep in water!

At North Bay Insurance Brokers, we know how hard you’ve worked to turn your house into a home. Since your home is one of the most important financial investments of your lifetime, you’ll need proper coverage in order to keep your investment protected and provide your family with the guarantee that they’ll always be safe and sound.