The Right Way to Insure Your Rental Property so Your Claim is Paid

Posted on September 23, 2021July 13, 2021 by butlervetinsurance

Do You Need Rental Property Insurance if You Have Homeowners Insurance?

It depends on how long you intend to lease the property, but in most cases homeowners insurance won’t be an appropriate substitute for rental property insurance. Having tenants on your property brings on unique risks that may not be covered by your typical homeowners policy, especially if you plan to lease a property for an extended period of time. The type of insurance you need will depend on how often you rent out your home and the duration of your tenants’ stays. These distinctions can be divided into two categories: long-term renting and frequent short-term renting.

Long-Term Rental

If you have an investment property, vacation home or second home which you intend to rent to a single person, couple or family for long periods of time you will need to purchase rental property insurance. Generally long periods of time are described as six months or longer. The same is true if you decide to rent out your primary residence for a large portion of the year. Operating a rental house increases your exposure to risks, such as liability issues related to tenants and their visitors.

Looking for what to read next?

Frequent Short-Term Rental

If you intend to regularly rent a property to a variety of guests for short periods of time, your property might be considered a business, and you may not be protected by either homeowners’ insurance or long-term rental property insurance. In many cases, this exposure is now excluded from long-term rental property insurance policies. Instead, to cover the associated hazards, you would need to purchase some form of commercial property and liability insurance. For example, for individuals who rent out their home or rooms through a service provider such as Airbnb, some insurance companies can provide vacation rental insurance. These policies include unique features such as bed bug and identity theft coverage.

You should be aware that although service providers themselves may offer a limited form of protection, it usually won’t be as comprehensive as the vacation rental insurance offered by an insurance company. For instance, Airbnb has a host guarantee policy covering property damage to your home up to $1 million for every listing, but the policy includes limitations that traditional insurance won’t. One limitation is that the request for coverage must be submitted within 14 days or before the next guest checks in, giving you limited time to take action and assure reimbursement.

Questions? Want to learn more? Here’s 4 easy ways to reach us:

Phone: 877-994-6787
Email: [email protected]
Text: 951-482-8144
Web: agency.thebutlerweb.com

PS Here’s a few words from one client that trusts Stromsoe Insurance Agency:

“SIA has been our trusted partner for more years than I can remember. They take care of everything – our business, rental property and all of our personal policies. They always go the extra step to make sure I am taken care of and are always there when I need assistance. Most importantly – I trust them!”
Stefani Laszko – Mythos Technology – Temecula, CA – Client Since 2007

PPS Every policy is backed by our iron clad, 100% complete satisfaction guarantee. Ask for your copy today!

Essential Car Insurance | Rear End Damage

Posted on September 9, 2021July 22, 2021 by butlervetinsurance

Car Insurance Scenario

A squirrel crosses the road in front of you — and naturally, you stop. Unfortunately, a lead-footed, tail-gating motorist slams into you from behind. While the squirrel is unscathed, the rear end of your vehicle is heavily damaged. What should you do about rear end damage?

How Much Does it Cost to Fix Rear End Damage

It’s almost impossible to put a price range on this kind of damage. Rear bumper replacement costs can range from a few hundred dollars for a bumper up to $10,000 or more if the frame of your car is bent.

Your Insurance Coverage

Since you are not at fault in this scenario, the other driver’s insurance should cover the damage to your vehicle as well as any injury you sustain, assuming he is insured.

Damage to Your Car

In the scenario given, damage to your vehicle would be taken care of, first, by the property damage portion of the other party’s liability policy. The requirement for property damage in California at the time of posting this blog is only $5,000. If your fellow motorist is only carrying the required state minimums, you may end up responsible for the costs to repair your car.

Let’s say the other driver is completely uninsured, or is carrying low coverage levels, your own collision coverage would likely cover the cost to repair or replace your vehicle, minus your deductible. If you did not purchase collision coverage for your policy, your only other option would be under your uninsured/underinsured motorist property damage coverage. This coverage kicks in to repair or replace your vehicle if the person who hit you is uninsured or not carrying enough coverage to fix your car. The maximum limit for uninsured/underinsured motorist property damage is $3,500.

Your Injuries

Whiplash is one of the most common injuries in a rear-end accident. There are roughly three million new whiplash cases every year in the United States. In many cases, mild to moderate whiplash claims can result in anywhere from $2,500 to $10,000 in medical costs. If the driver who hit you doesn’t have proper coverage, you may be on the hook for these medical costs.

Should You File a Claim?

In the given scenarios, it’s the other person’s insurance that should cover both your vehicle and your own injuries. If the other driver is uninsured you may have to make a claim under your own uninsured policy coverage. This could also be true if their insurance is simply insufficient. In all of these scenarios, it is recommended that you report the claim to your insurance carrier to better protect yourself.

It’s important to fully understand what the various aspect of your policy mean. Your experienced, local independent insurance agent can walk you through your policy. We’re here to ensure that your policy is right for you and your needs.

First in the series: Essential Car Insurance | Bumper Damage
Previously in this series: Essential Car Insurance | Suspension Damage

Questions? Want to learn more? Here’s 4 easy ways to reach us:

Phone: 877-994-6787
Email: [email protected]
Text: 951-482-8144
Web: agency.thebutlerweb.com

PS Here’s a few words from one client that trusts Stromsoe Insurance Agency:

“I reached out to Sarah at Stromsoe Insurance and she was awesome. Sarah broke down my current coverage and explained how everything worked. I was with another insurance company before and they kept raising my rates, so I decided to switch my insurance over to Stromsoe Insurance Agency. I had a great experience working with Sarah and the Stromsoe team and they were able to save me a good amount of money on my car insurance.”
Paul Senn – Temecula, CA – Client Since 2020

PPS Every policy is backed by our iron clad, 100% complete satisfaction guarantee. Ask for your copy today!

Your Ultimate Business Insurance Guide

Posted on August 26, 2021July 13, 2021 by butlervetinsurance

Every business has a custom insurance program because every business has different needs. Business insurance can seem like another language, but there are a few questions you should ask yourself to help determine what would best protect you and your business against your unique risks.

Do You Operate a Business?

The mere fact that you are reading this means the answer to this question is likely yes. The first policy that all businesses should purchase when it comes to protecting themselves and everything they’ve worked so hard for is:

General Liability Insurance (CGL)

From a one-man show to an entire empire, all businesses should have general liability. General Liability protects and defends your business in the event of a claim against you, your employees or your products or services up to your policy limits.

Business Liability Insurance can help your business if:

You accidentally damage a customer’s property while on the job
A customer slips and falls and gets injured at your business
Your business gets sued for slanderous comments you made about a competitor in an interview

Does Your Business Have Property or Equipment to Protect?

Unless your entire business runs on your personality and know-how, like a business coach for example, you likely have property that you own or rent and some level of equipment that you use.

Commercial Property Insurance

If you own your building or have business personal property, such as office equipment, computers, inventory, or tools, you should think about including coverage on your policy that will cover you in the event of a fire, vandalism, theft, smoke damage, or other disaster. You might also want to add business interruption/loss of earnings protection in your policy to cover your loss of earnings in the event that your company is unable to function.

Business Interruption Insurance

Business interruption insurance is a form of business property insurance that provides money to pay for loss of income because of a covered loss.

Do You Have Employees?

From 1 to 1,000, a business that employs others has a different set of risks. There are certain coverages that are required, and others that are helpful additions to your insurance program.

Workers Compensation (required)

Workers compensation provides insurance to employees who are injured on the job. This type of insurance provides wage replacement and medical benefits to those who are injured while working. As a business owner, it is very important to have worker’s compensation insurance because it protects yourself and your company from legal complications. State laws will vary, but most states require you to have workers compensation if you have W2 employees. Penalties for non-compliance can be very stiff.

Employment Practices Liability Insurance (ELPI)

Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI) is an insurance policy that protects your business against employment-related lawsuits.

The number of lawsuits filed by employees against their employers has been rising. While most suits are filed against large corporations, no company is immune to such lawsuits. Recognizing that smaller companies now need this kind of protection, some insurers provide this coverage as an endorsement to their Business Owners Policy (BOP).

What Does EPLI Cover?

Retaliation: Taking a negative action toward a person in response to a protected action or a decision they’ve made. Example – if an employee is terminated for telling a government agency about illegal activity at your company.
Sexual Harassment: Workplace sexual harassment is defined as “unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature.” Example – a joking comment that is sexually descriptive in nature with an employee.
Discrimination: Making improper or illegal decisions regarding a person’s compensation, promotion or hiring. Example – if an unqualified job applicant is hired because they’re the boss’ daughter.
Wrongful Termination: Giving a person an inaccurate, unfairly low or excessively negative performance evaluation. Example – if you make up a false incident report about an employee on a review.
Wage and Hour Claims: URGENT – Coverage for wage and hour claims is not included by most policies. Please contact our business insurance team for more details.

Group Health Benefits

Group health benefits include medical insurance for employees or members of a company or organization. A group health insurance plan typically provides health insurance coverage to its members at a lower cost since the risk to health insurers is spread across the members of the group health plan.

Do You Provide a Service?

Any professional firm including lawyers, accountants, consultants, notaries, real estate agents, hair salons and technology providers, just to name a few, should consider an additional form of insurance.

Professional Liability Insurance

Professional Liability Insurance, also known as Errors and Omissions Insurance, is a policy that provides defense and damages for failure to or improperly rendering professional services. Your general liability policy does not provide this protection, so it is important to understand the difference. Depending on the profession, professional liability insurance may have different names, such as medical malpractice insurance for the medical profession, and errors & omissions insurance for real estate agents.

Do You Sell a Product?

Product Liability Insurance

Product liability insurance can help cover your legal expenses if someone claims that a product you sold, made, or distributed caused an injury or property damage. If you sell, make, or distribute products, you need this policy.

If that product allegedly hurts someone or damages their property, product liability coverage will help pay your legal fees, judgment, or settlement. Anyone can sue over damage from a product, even if they didn’t buy it or use it.

A product liability policy is also crucial for construction and contracting businesses. It offers financial protection when a client sues over a personal injury or property damage related to your completed work.

Other Essential Business Insurance Policies

Commercial Auto & Hired/Non-Owned

A commercial auto insurance policy protects a company’s vehicles. You can insure your company vehicles for liability, comp, collision and more. If you don’t have company vehicles, but employees drive their own cars on company business you should have a non-owned auto liability policy to protect the company in case the employee does not have insurance or has inadequate coverage. Many times the non-owned can be added to the BOP policy.

Cyber Insurance

Every single business is vulnerable to a cyber attack. When you look at some of the largest cyber breaches, you think of large companies. The names that come to mind are Target, Facebook, Google, Marriott…some of the largest corporations within the US have also suffered some of the largest cyber attacks. These are companies that invest millions of dollars into cyber security and the procedures implemented to mitigate those losses. With that being said, a small to midsize business owner is still vulnerable to these kinds of attacks. You might consider these questions and more:

Do you collect sensitive data?
Are you performing financial transactions?
Do you have the ability for human-error?

Directors & Officers Liability Insurance

Directors and officers liability insurance applies to anyone who serves as a director or an officer of a for-profit business or nonprofit organization. A directors and officers liability policy insures against personal losses, and it can also help reimburse a business or nonprofit for the legal fees or other costs incurred in defending such individuals against legal action.

Questions? Want to learn more? Here’s 4 easy ways to reach us:

Phone: 951-600-5751
Email: [email protected]
Text: 951-482-8144
Web: agency.thebutlerweb.com

PS Here’s a few words from one client that trusts Stromsoe Insurance Agency:

“Amazing staff! Jennifer and Vanessa were very detailed and were able to acquire the perfect insurance policy for our business! Thank you again!“
Travin Griepenstroh – Unique Ultrasound – Temecula, CA – Client Since 2015

PPS Every policy is backed by our iron clad, 100% complete satisfaction guarantee. Ask for your copy today!

How Gap Insurance Can Benefit YOU

Posted on August 19, 2021July 13, 2021 by butlervetinsurance

What is Gap Insurance?

If your vehicle is totaled or stolen, and you owe more than the car’s depreciated value, gap insurance will help you pay off your debt. Only the initial loan or leaseholder on a new vehicle is eligible for this form of coverage. Gap insurance helps pay the gap between the depreciated value of your car and what you still owe on the car.

How Does It Work?

Say you bought a brand-new car for $25,000. You still owe $20,000 on your auto loan when the car is totaled in a covered collision. Your collision coverage would pay your lender up to the totaled car’s depreciated value — say it’s worth $17,000. If you don’t have gap insurance, you would have to pay $3,000 out of your own pocket to settle your auto loan on the totaled car. If you have gap insurance, your insurer would help pay the $3,000.

Keep in mind that, in the above scenario, the car insurance reimbursement goes completely to your auto lender to pay off a car that’s no longer driveable. If you think you would need help buying a new car after yours was totaled, you might want to consider purchasing new car replacement coverage.

Is Gap Insurance Worth it?

If you’re thinking of buying, keep in mind that you may only be able to get it if you’re leasing or financing a new vehicle. Then consider how much you owe on your vehicle loan compared to its worth. (A site like Kelley Blue Book will give you an estimate of how much your car is worth.) Do you owe more on your vehicle than it is worth? Could you afford to pay the difference out of pocket if your car is totaled?

You may want to consider gap insurance in the following situations:

Made less than a 20 percent down payment
Financed for 60 months or longer
Leased the vehicle (carrying gap insurance is generally required for a lease)
Purchased a vehicle that depreciates faster than the average
Rolled over negative equity from an old car loan into the new loan

Do You Need to Buy at the Dealership?

Gap insurance isn’t just available at auto dealerships; many insurers have it as part of a car insurance package. According to the Insurance Information Institute, purchasing gap insurance from an insurance carrier is often less expensive than purchasing it from a car dealership. For more information on how gap insurance can protect your financial future, talk to your local, experienced independent insurance agent today.

Questions? Want to learn more? Here’s 4 easy ways to reach us:

Phone: 877-994-6787
Email: [email protected]
Text: 951-482-8144
Web: agency.thebutlerweb.com

PS Here’s a few words from one client that trusts Stromsoe Insurance Agency:

“Arranging for new car insurance was easy as faxing the sales receipt directly from the dealership to the office. Thanks for the personal service and prompt attention.”
Bob and Sarah Sandor – Fallbrook, CA – Client Since 2000

PPS Every policy is backed by our iron clad, 100% complete satisfaction guarantee. Ask for your copy today!

Updating Your Insurance When You Get Married

Posted on August 5, 2021July 13, 2021 by butlervetinsurance

Updating your insurance probably isn’t top-of-mind on your big day, but they are an important part of your for better or worse commitment. If you decide to change your name, there are a lot of steps that have to be taken in order to change it on every utility bill, financial account and library card. We’ve created a handy checklist to help you through this process. Regardless of if you change your name, you should update your insurance to fit your needs now that you are no longer single.

Update Your Beneficiaries

A beneficiary is the person or entity (like a business or trust) that receives the benefit of something like your insurance coverage when you’re gone. When you own a life insurance policy, for example, the beneficiary receives the check.

That person is probably going to be your spouse now. So, update your beneficiary. If you have coverage through your workplace, be sure to update your beneficiary designation for that policy as well.

In addition to life insurance policies, review and update your beneficiaries as needed for the following:

Retirement accounts (IRA and Roth IRA)
Workplace retirement plans (Pension, 401(k), 403(b) and others)
Flexible spending accounts (FSA, HSA, Dependent Care FSA)

These allow you to designate a beneficiary who will inherit the account if you die. It’s also a good idea to update any wills or trusts that you may have. The beneficiary designation on an account will supersede what’s in a will, but it’s still a good idea to have everything match.

Consider Combining Coverage

Start at your job. Ordinarily, you have a small window of time annually to choose your health and employer-sponsored insurance coverages for the following year. After that window passes, those choices remain fixed — unless you experience a qualified “life event.” Marriage is one of those rare events.

Keep in mind that you typically have a limited amount of time from your wedding day to choose new coverage. Be sure to take a look at each of the plans available through your jobs and assess your options.

Next, look at your personal insurance — particularly car insurance. If you’ve been carrying two separate policies, you’ll probably save money by going with a single policy for both cars. Plus, you’ll likely get additional savings, since insurance companies consider people who are married less risky than singles (score!).

Consider Increasing Your Coverage

Now that you’re married, you may need more insurance. For instance, does your existing renter’s or homeowner’s policy cover your new bling? Check your policy’s limits for jewelry and consider adding a rider if you need additional coverage. Also, make sure you have enough coverage to replace all those amazing gifts you got.

If you have a mortgage or other major expenses or are considering having children soon, you may want additional life or disability insurance. On the other hand, if your combined assets are quite high, you may want to add an umbrella policy to protect those assets in a potential lawsuit.

Re-Evaluate Your Deductibles

If you’re transitioning from a one-income household to a two-income family, it’s time to give your deductibles a fresh look. With both of you on a single insurance policy and with a two-person income, it may make sense to raise your deductibles. For instance, if your auto insurance deductible was $500 when you were flying solo, see whether $1,000 or more would be a good fit for your new family.

Raising your deductibles is one of the easiest, instantaneous ways to decrease your insurance premiums. So be sure to review all your policy deductibles — auto, home or renter’s, medical, dental and more.

Review Your New Routines

If you relocated around your marriage, you may be able to save money on your car insurance. The amount you pay is dependent on where you live, so you’ll likely see a rate change accompanying your new location.

Furthermore, let your insurer know if your commute looks different after the wedding bells. If you have a shorter drive, or have swapped out your car travel for public transit, you’ll probably see a drop in your premium as well.

Questions? Want to learn more? Here’s 4 easy ways to reach us:

Phone: 877-994-6787
Email: [email protected]
Text: 951-482-8144
Web: agency.thebutlerweb.com

PS Here’s a few words from one client that trusts Stromsoe Insurance Agency:

“I had a good experience with this umbrella insurance query. Sarah Long is our agent and she always treats us as though we are her family- that is, with the best of care and attention.”
Anita Born – Murrieta, CA – Client Since 2003

PPS Every policy is backed by our iron clad, 100% complete satisfaction guarantee. Ask for your copy today!

Non-Profit Spotlight: Rock Rose Village School

Posted on August 2, 2021July 13, 2021 by butlervetinsurance

Our community is full of incredible people and organizations out making a difference for others! In this month’s Non-Profit Spotlight we’d like to recognize The Rock Rose School for Creative Learning!

Rock Rose Village School began in 2006 as a small study group of parents and teachers committed to helping their children develop using the latest brain research. They recognized the need to reach more children, so the group became a non-profit parent-child program in Escondido and a parent co-op kindergarten in Ramona.

Wanting a more permanent location in 2009, they opened their doors with their first Kindergarten and Parent-Child classes located in Fallbrook with a room and outside play area — The Hilltop Center. They began to outgrow the Hilltop Center in Fallbrook and during the summer of 2013, moved to The Creekside Plaza. This new location gave the children more outdoor space and a charming place to call their school. During the summer of 2019, they moved to a temporary building while they worked on building a new and permanent home in which they will be moving to in the summer of 2021!

We asked Board President and Founder, Bethany Chaffin, how COVID has affected their non-profit, and here is what she had to say:

COVID has been very hard on our program. We remained opened throughout the entire pandemic in order to support essential workers and families who needed to report to work each day. We had to furlough a few of our employees in order to reduce the number of adults to students as was recommended by the CDC. This has been extremely hard on our teachers who rely on their aides in order to help with the children. With the reduction of students, our income has reduced substantially while our overhead and the needed PPE have increased. It has been a very hard year and we look forward to when we can return to our normal operations.

For the month of August 2021 Stromsoe Insurance will donate $21 to Rock Rose Village School, for every referral that comes to our team!

Learn More about The 2021 Vision Referral Rewards Program HERE…

The initial goals of the non-profit were to provide an early childhood program that embodied a play-based and developmentally appropriate method of educating the child through their head, heart, and hands. The Rock Rose Village School has continued with that goal over the past 15 years and hopes to continue it for many more to years to come.

They work with the YMCA and the CDA in order to help provide an affordable and quality program to families who typically would not be able to afford a Waldorf-Inspired early childhood program. They also offer annual Harvest Festivals and parenting events that are open to the wider community. Rock Rose Village School works with programs that allow a good portion of their families to attend for a very little amount. Some families end up not paying anything because of the partnership they have with support programs!

If you would like to get in contact with the Rock Rose School for Creative Learning, you can email them at [email protected] or call them at 760-451-6112.

If you would like to help support the Rock Rose Village School, please donate on their website or engage with them via Facebook.

For the month of August 2021 Stromsoe Insurance will donate $21 to Rock Rose Village School, for every referral that comes to our team!

Learn More about The 2021 Vision Referral Rewards Program HERE…

Would you like to learn more about how we can help protect your non-profit , call your Stromsoe Insurance Total Protection Team at (951) 600-5751 or email [email protected] today!

Does Your Business Insurance Travel with You?

Posted on July 29, 2021July 13, 2021 by butlervetinsurance

Does your business insurance coverage properly protect you and your business for events and other operations away from your primary business premises? As businesses continue to reopen and we are all once again able to fill our networking calendars with events, it’s important to discuss your policies with your protection coach to ensure you are properly protected.

General Liability Insurance

A general liability policy protects your business from financial loss should you be liable for injury or property damage to others caused by your services, business operations or your employees. You should talk to your business insurance coach to ensure that your policy extends to an event away from your business premises to properly protect yourself and your business when attending networking events, tradeshows, mixers and the like.

Workers Compensation

Workers comp protects the employee and the employer for payment of medical bills for covered injuries sustained on the job & loss of earnings resulting from covered injuries sustained on the job. If your business operations will cross any state lines, make sure to discuss the details with your business coach to make sure your business is protected.

Equipment Coverage

This is where coverage talks can get tricky, because equipment coverage will vary from insurance company to insurance company. Equipment coverage for property away from your primary business premises may or may not be included in your policy. It’s best to call your protection coach and have a conversation about your particular needs and situation.

Questions? Want to learn more? Here’s 4 easy ways to reach us:

Phone: 951-600-5751
Email: [email protected]
Text: 951-482-8144
Web: agency.thebutlerweb.com

PS Here’s a few words from one client that trusts Stromsoe Insurance Agency:

“Thank you, Thank you, Thank you SIA. My business has rapidly grown, but I couldn’t have managed without you. You take the worry out of my insurance needs and that makes me extremely happy. Your entire staff is very knowledgeable and friendly. I would never go anywhere else for my business insurance.“
Robert Siever – Gasket Pro – Costa Mesa, CA – Client Since 2014

PPS Every policy is backed by our iron clad, 100% complete satisfaction guarantee. Ask for your copy today!

Essential Car Insurance | Suspension Damage

Posted on July 22, 2021July 13, 2021 by butlervetinsurance

Car Insurance Scenario

You’re driving to work when your car drops into a huge pothole, damaging your car’s suspension. What should you do about suspension damage?

How Much Does it Cost to Fix Suspension Damage?

Costs can vary dramatically depending on the damage and your vehicle. The suspension system is made up of a variety of parts and repair costs can quickly add up. A full suspension replacement may run up to $5,000.

Strut / Shock Absorber replacement – between $488 and $597
Wheel Alignment – between $115 and $302
Ball Joint Replacement – between $225 and $285

Your Insurance Coverage

Damage from “colliding” with a pothole, would be paid by your collision coverage on your auto insurance policy.

Should You File a Claim?

Collision comes with a deductible. In all cases, contact your local independent insurance agent to determine if the damage is enough to make a claim worthwhile.

Filing a collision claim will normally result in a premium increase. Its often best to save your insurance for major repairs and pay smaller ones out of pocket. However, if your entire suspension needs to be replaced or you can’t afford the repairs, using your insurance may be a necessity. If you have questions, you can always talk to your experienced, local independent insurance agent to see what is right for your situation.

TIP: If you incur damage to your suspension, your vehicle may not be safe to drive. Consider having your vehicle towed instead. Also, take photos and, if needed, a video of the scene while you’re there.

First in the series: Essential Car Insurance | Bumper Damage
Previously in this series: Essential Car Insurance | Cracked Windshield
Next in this series: Essential Car Insurance | Rear End Damage

Questions? Want to learn more? Here’s 4 easy ways to reach us:

Phone: 877-994-6787
Email: [email protected]
Text: 951-482-8144
Web: agency.thebutlerweb.com

PS Here’s a few words from one client that trusts Stromsoe Insurance Agency:

“Great experience overall. I was looking for new car insurance that would cover me when I drive for UBER. My agent Sarah Long was very helpful and found me a great policy with full coverage and ride share coverage. The new policy is cheaper than what I was paying before and the customer service is great!”
Joel Wigand – Murrieta, CA – Client Since 2020

PPS Every policy is backed by our iron clad, 100% complete satisfaction guarantee. Ask for your copy today!

It’s Summertime, Are You Covered?

Posted on July 8, 2021July 13, 2021 by butlervetinsurance

It’s summer and boy are we excited! The nice weather brings out motorcycles, campers and boats (oh my!), but with these activities comes increased liability. Take a look at why you should cover your summer toys:

Boat Insurance coverage may help pay to repair your boat and other watercraft after being damaged in an accident. It may also help pay to replace your boat if it’s stolen. This coverage usually helps protect a boat whether it’s on water or land.
RV Insurance covers similar risks to auto insurance, including collision, comprehensive and liability coverage. You can also get additional protection for your personal belongings on board, equipment and attached accessories.
ATV Insurance offers protection in the event of a collision or other damages. It also includes bodily injury and damage to the property of others, if you are at fault in an incident. It can pay for legal expenses, as well as the medical costs of other people and the lost wages.
Motorcycle Insurance will help you keep your bike or scooter protected under liability coverage. Required in most states, liability coverage can help pay for another person’s medical bills or property repairs if there is an incident while riding your scooter or motorcycle.
Umbrella Insurance keeps you from having to pay out-of-pocket for costs that exceed the limits of your homeowners’ policy. This can be beneficial, for example, regarding accidental injuries on a trampoline or involving a swimming pool on your property.

Questions? Want to learn more? Here’s 4 easy ways to reach us:

Phone: 877-994-6787
Email: [email protected]
Text: 951-482-8144
Web: agency.thebutlerweb.com

PS Here’s a few words from one client that trusts Stromsoe Insurance Agency:
“I had a good experience with this umbrella insurance query. Sarah Long is our agent and she always treats us as though we are her family- that is, with the best of care and attention.” Anita Born – Murrieta, CA – Client Since 2003

PPS Every policy is backed by our iron clad, 100% complete satisfaction guarantee. Ask for your copy today!

Non-Profit Spotlight: Dive Guardians

Posted on July 1, 2021July 13, 2021 by butlervetinsurance

Our community is full of incredible people and organizations, out making a difference for others! In this month’s Non-Profit Spotlight we’d like to recognize Dive Guardians!

It all started in 2015 when Dive Guardians President and Founder, Randy Lung, began working with disabled veterans and using SCUBA diving and the therapeutic effects of water to help others with both their physical and mental injuries. In addition to being a Military Veteran, Randy is also a 25-year veteran of Law Enforcement. During his long career as a First Responder, he witnessed the negative effects that experiencing repeated traumatic events over a career has on a First Responder. Randy has seen many develop drug and alcohol problems, become both suspects and victims of domestic violence, and suffer from depression. He also knows more than one First Responder who has chosen to take their life due to depression and Post Traumatic Stress (PTS). Then, in 2016, a fellow First Responder and friend, took his life leaving behind a wife, three children, and a grandchild.

Randy thought about his friend a lot after it happened and tried to make sense of what he did and wished there was some way he could have intervened and helped him before he chose to take his life. As Randy began to search for organizations designed specifically to help First Responders, he realized there weren’t many. So, in March 2018, Dive Guardians was born.

The initial goal of Dive Guardians was to strictly use Scuba Diving to help first responders reduce the symptoms of anxiety and PTS. However, over time they have added several other programs to include counseling services, HRV Biofeedback and mild Hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Dive Guardians added these programs for a couple reasons: the first was COVID-19. Because of this pandemic, pools and other amenities needed to run their classes were closed preventing them from helping the community’s first responders. Adding services was the perfect way to continue helping amid the pandemic. The second reason for expanding their services was that Scuba Diving isn’t for everyone. The additional services provides their applicants with more tools to help them.

For the month of July 2021 Stromsoe Insurance will donate $21 to Dive Guardians for every referral that comes to our team!

Learn More about The 2021 Happiness is… Referral Rewards Program HERE…

We asked Dive Guardians President and Founder, Randy Lung about the non-profit:

Stromsoe Insurance Agency: What does your non-profit offer to the community? Who benefits from your non-profit?

Dive Guardians: Dive Guardians works out of Temecula. When we plan fundraisers or events, it is usually in the community. Additionally, many first responders live and work in the community. By us helping the first responders, it benefits, not only the first responder, but also the community as are participants are better and more well-adjusted after going through our program.

SIA: What is the Buddy Program?

DG: The buddy program is strictly for the non first responder going through with a first responder. If a First responder is going through and say they want their wife/husband/kid or whoever to be their buddy, but that buddy is NOT a first responder, then there is a cost of $277 for that non-first responder. No real profit to Dive Guardians, that really just covers the cost of the class. I hope eventually that we can afford to put the buddies through also at no cost, but, financially, we are just not big enough yet. If two people want to go through together as buddies for each other and they are both first responders, then yes it is free to both of them.

SIA: Who do you consider “first responders?”

DG: Our definition of a first responder is big. It includes, Cops, Firefighters, EMT/Paramedics, Dispatchers, Doctors, Nurses, Veterans and Active Military. The ones I listed here are the primary and most consistent people we help. Basically, if you have a job that helps people and you also see and experience traumatic stuff, you would probably fit into our definition of a first responder, however, aside from the ones listed anything new would be a case by case evaluation.

SIA: What are some of the misconceptions you find people have for what your non-profit does/doesn’t do?

DG: People ask me every day, why is your program free to First Responders, don’t they make enough money? True, for some, but First responders also suffer from what I call “The John Wayne Syndrome,” Which means: “We are the Protectors, we are the people who are not supposed to hurt, feel pain, or be affected by the things we see and experience!”

Based on this way of thinking, Many First responders are not open to traditional counseling where they have to “talk about their feelings” plus if you’re not going to get your butt off the couch to decompress or ask for help, it really doesn’t matter how much money you do or do not have. Our program is free, it’s fun, and it gets them off the couch and doing something.

Plus, don’t you think our First Responders deserve at least the same level of care as our war heroes and veterans? They selflessly are out there day after day, year after year for 20-30 years, and they develop PTS and have physical injuries just like our veterans.

Upcoming Events

While fundraisers may be paused, there are still several classes upcoming. Visit their website to apply.

If you would like to help support Dive Guardians, please engage with them via Facebook and Instagram. For additional information, check their website.

All the services provided by Dive Guardians to First Responders are free to them, however, it does costs the non-profit money. The best way to support Dive Guardians is by signing up for a recurring monthly donation. You can support Randy Lung in his efforts to heal Frist Responders through SCUBA by donating as low as $7 a month on their website.

If you would like to volunteer with Dive Guardians, you can find the volunteer form on their website.

When asked if there was anything else he would like us to share about Dive Guardians, Randy Lung had this to say:

In closing, I miss Rick a lot, I think about him every day and I don’t want to ever feel again that I missed an opportunity to help stop someone like Rick, from committing suicide.

I know our program works not only from my personal experience, but there have been studies to prove and 80% reduction in PTSD symptoms after Scuba Diving.

For the month of July 2021 Stromsoe Insurance will donate $21 to Dive Guardians for every referral that comes to our team!

Learn More about The 2021 Happiness is… Referral Rewards Program HERE…

Would you like to learn more about how we can help protect your non-profit , call your Stromsoe Insurance Total Protection Team at (951) 600-5751 or email [email protected] today!