Category: Home Insurance

Ensuring Your Water Oasis Is Protected

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As you prepare for summer’s arrival and the excitement builds as you send out invitations for pool parties at your house, it is important that you consider ways in which you can reduce your liabilities. Unfortunately your water oasis comes with unique vulnerabilities that you must account for. First, you must obtain the necessary swimming pool insurance in California, and then you must implement the following safety measures.

Pool Safety Tips:

  • Precautionary measures are extremely important in ensuring your pool does not leave you vulnerable to litigious action. By installing a four foot fence with a self-latching gate, you can help to enhance safety in and around your swimming pool. You can also take extra measures and buy a surface alarm that lets you know when a breach has occurred.
  • Did you know that you are liable for any injuries or accidents that take place in your pool? Yes, even if someone jumps your fence and suffers from an injury after enjoying an unsupervised and unwelcomed dip.
  • Most importantly, set some sound ground rules. These rules should include no running, no swimming while unsupervised, and no diving.

Pool Safety Toolkit:

  • Make sure that you have a stocked first aid kit on deck for emergency situations.
  • You should also have a portable telephone to call 911 so that you do not have to run inside to grab a phone if there is an accident that needs tending to.
  • A flotation device is a must! This will help you save someone that is in trouble.
  • You should also have a pair of strong scissors in your pool safety toolkit so that you can help someone if their hair, clothing, or the pool cover gets caught and creates a dangerous situation.

Contact Stromsoe Insurance Agency for all of your California homeowners insurance needs. Allow us to help you obtain swimming pool insurance in California so that you can feel confident in your pool’s security.

The Reality Of Renters Insurance

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Do You Need This Kind Of Coverage?

When you rent, you do not have as many worries about your property as a homeowner. If your shower clogs, or your oven breaks, or your neighbors are being too noisy, all you have to do is pick up the phone and have someone else handle the issue for you. Just because you do not have to worry about maintaining the property on which you live does not mean you should not worry about the personal property you store in it, though.

As a renter, you can rest easy knowing your rental property would be rebuilt after a fire because it is covered by your landlord’s insurance coverage. If that fire crept into your unit and touched your belongings, though, your landlord’s coverage will not extend to replace or repair your possessions.

Consequently, it is important to carry renters insurance. This kind of coverage is very affordable (usually between $15 and $30 a month, depending on how much property you have to cover) and will offer protection for your personal property. That means that a thief breaking in and swiping all of your valuables will not leave you facing a financial deficit. Have you protected your possessions with renters insurance?

There is an additional benefit of this type of coverage. Renters insurance also offers liability coverage, which means that a guest getting injured in your rental will not end up being a huge legal expense for you if they decide to sue you. Protect yourself from being held responsible after an injury with renters insurance.

Do you have an insurance expert showing you how much coverage you need to protect your rental, your personal property, and your liability? To get that kind of guidance, contact Stromsoe Insurance Agency today. We are here to meet all of your California renter’s insurance needs.

Optimizing Security For Your Most Important Investment

Posted on by butlervetinsurance

Avoid The Mistake Of Underinsuring Your Home

In order to feel secure within your home, you must feel confident in your homeowners’ insurance policy. Yet, many homeowners fail to give their homeowners’ insurance policy the attention it deserves. When was the last time you updated your homeowners’ insurance policy? We want you to be receiving the protection you deserve, which is why we have gathered a few common situations that may mean you are underinsured:

  • If you recently upgraded your home and conducted home renovations, chances are you are enjoying your new deck without sufficient coverage. There are so many planning measures associated with home renovations that many homeowners fail to update their policy. Failure to do so can result in insufficient coverage when you are in need of insurance most.
  • Before having construction performed on your home, make sure to request a total component-rebuilding estimate. Often, insufficient coverage occurs because higher construction costs of today are not properly factored into your coverage. Since you have insured your home for the cost to replace it if a devastating disaster occurred, it is important that you factor in higher construction costs.
  • If you live in an older home, it is important that you consider the unique characteristics of your home. Many older homes are constructed with higher quality materials and top quality craftsmanship when compared to the materials used in modern homes. Therefore, you must discuss these unique characteristics with your homeowners’ insurance agent to ensure that your beautiful home is receiving ultimate protection.

Please do not hesitate to give us a call to confirm coverage of your homeowners’ insurance policy. Contact Stromsoe Insurance Agency for all of your California homeowners’ insurance needs. We will go above and beyond to provide you with the protection you deserve.

How To Avoid Homeowners Insurance Claims

Posted on by butlervetinsurance

Common Perils Homeowners Are Faced With

In securing your home and family from disaster, you have obtained a homeowners insurance policy. Unfortunately, that policy comes with some unique homeowners insurance claims that you must be weary of. There are a variety of different types of claims that homeowners are faced with, but we believe the following, costly claims should be avoided whenever possible:

  • One of the most common misunderstood areas of a homeowners insurance policy is water damage coverage. Insurance carriers have clear distinguishing factors that determine whether damage caused by water is covered or not. Any water that enters from the outside is known as flood damage, which is specifically excluded from coverage of your homeowners insurance policy. In contrast, a burst pipe would constitute as water damage, which is covered. To combat this issue, you will need to obtain a separate flood insurance policy.
  • One of the costliest of homeowners insurance claims are dog bite liability claims. If you have recently welcomed a pooch into the family, it is important that you practice non-aggressive tendencies with your pup and enroll them in a behavioral class. Additionally, make sure to put your pet in a safe location away from guests when having a party to reduce your liability risks.
  • Far too many of us assume that living in California means we do not need to prepare our homes against storms. Unfortunately, this habit often leaves Californians in harm’s way when a disaster arrives, since none of the preventative measures have been taken. Look for ways to conduct winter weather protection on your home so that it can prevail through the changing seasons.

Are you receiving adequate coverage? Contact Stromsoe Insurance Agency for all of your California homeowners insurance needs. Allow us to increase the limits of your homeowners insurance policy to ensure you are receiving maximum protection.

Can I Insure My Vacant Property While I Wait To Sell?

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Selling a home is a notoriously stressful and overwhelming process. The experience becomes even more trying if the home does not move quickly. You have landed a job near your new primary residence, therefore, you have no choice but to leave the home vacant until it sells. However, there are a variety of insurance implications that change when you leave a home vacant for a period of time, factors that leave you at risk. Compiled is a list of what you must know when it comes to leaving a home vacant:

  • There are a variety of factors that classify a home as vacant. Whenever the utilities have been shut off, the home is classified as vacant. Additionally, when there is not enough furniture for a reasonable person to reside in the home, the home is categorized as vacant.
  • Depending on your specific insurance provider, you may be denied of claims for a vacant property. Some insurance companies will even drop your policy altogether.
  • Since there are more opportunities for vandalism, theft, and fire when the home is vacant, insurance companies view this vacant property as a high risk.
  • In the event that your vacant property is vandalized, your insurance company may require you to pay out of pocket for the repairs.
  • Since requirements and details vary across insurance carriers, you must contact your agent to determine your next course of action when it comes to handling your vacant home. You will want to know exactly what coverage is included and what is excluded. Some companies will provide you with coverage at an escalated premium.
  • Your best course of action may be to purchase an endorsement for your homeowners’ insurance policy, extending coverage to your vacant property.

Often, selling a home does not follow the quick timeline you were planning for. If you may be forced to leave your home vacant for a period of time, contact the insurance experts at Stromsoe Insurance Agency to find out how we can best protect you, and your property.

August Home Maintenance To-Do-List

Posted on by butlervetinsurance

With summer’s end fast approaching, we must think about what home maintenance projects we can conduct to keep our homes in tip-top shape year round. While we still have a few summer days left to enjoy, we do not want you to go overboard trying to clean and maintain everything. Add these items to your August home maintenance to-do-list:

  • As allergy sneezes seem to be the soundtrack for your summer, start cleaning to prevent and eliminate allergens. Dust mites often cause allergies to peak during the summer months. Clean all surfaces where dust lurks, including the window blinds, fan blades, etc. If you have carpet in your home, make a conscious effort to vacuum regularly.
  • If you have taken advantage of the perfect weather conditions and have hosted multiple barbecue parties this summer, you will want to give the grill a good cleaning. Heat your grill for 10-15 minutes and burn off any remaining residue. Next, scrub the grill with a wire brush. If your grill does not have a cover, you will want to purchase one to keep it protected during the colder months.
  • Make sure to plan a special weekend for Labor Day – Okay, okay, this is not home maintenance, but it is still necessary! We celebrate Labor Day to honor the American workers that strive for success on a daily basis. So maybe put off cleaning the grill until after you throw a party for Labor Day with all of your friends and family. There is no better way to send off summer than with a barbecue party.

Contact Stromsoe Insurance Agency today and allow us to formulate a unique homeowners’ insurance policy. We will look for every discount possible for you without sacrificing important coverage. Personalized insurance coverage is the best protection you can have.

Protect Your Home From A Garage Door Break In

Posted on by butlervetinsurance

How well do you lock up your house before leaving in the mornings? Do you check all the windows and doors? What about your garage door? If not, then you should because your garage door is one of the easiest points of entry into your home. Thieves are aware of this, and have already mastered how to get inside in less than 8 seconds, using only a wire coat hanger. Homeowners rarely take the steps needed to protect their home from the infamous garage door break in. The steps are relatively simple, and can protect you from losing your valuable possessions. But first, let’s examine how exactly a robber would go about breaking into your home through the garage door:

  • Step 1: Loop the wire hangar through the release mechanism cord, or the mechanism itself, and open the door.
  • Step 2: If an alarm system is installed, go inside and hide in the garage, and close the door.
  • Step 3: Wait for the authorities to come investigate the scene, while a friend plays look-out in a car up the street. Security will find nothing out of the ordinary, and will only do a quick inspection.
  • Step 4: The friend tells you when security has left, reopen the garage door, and load up the car with someone else’s belongings.

This is how easy it is for a stranger to get inside your home. Luckily there are only a few things you need to do to protect home:

  • Acquire a piece of wire cable. Hook it through the top and bottom holes of the release mechanism and disable it.
  • Or secure a zip tie around the entire mechanism, also disabling it.
  • Detach the release cord entirely.

Garage doors with windows are the most easily targeted. The robbers can see into your garage and examine how your release mechanism works, but your home is still at risk if it doesn’t have windows. Keep your home safe, and ensure that you will never become a victim of a garage door break in. If you have any insurance related questions, Stromsoe Insurance Agency! Stromsoe Insurance Agency is sure to meet all of your insurance needs!

Spring! It’s Time to Clean and Organize!

Posted on by butlervetinsurance

Spring is a time for renewal. It is also a time to clean and get organized. If your home has been closed up since before the holidays, here are ways to “freshen” things up.

  • Attack those closets and get them cleaned up and organized. Get rid of anything you haven’t worn in the past 18 months. Consider some of those closet organizers available at big box DIY stores.
  • Clean your windows inside and out and make sure you include the frames and any drapes or curtains.
  • If you have a fireplace, now’s the time to clean it out for next year.
  • Organize your personal papers. That includes your insurance policies like your life and homeowners insurance policies. Schedule a review with your insurance agent to make sure you have what you think you have.
  • Get at those gutters and make sure they run clear in case of spring rain.

Make home maintenance a part of your spring cleaning efforts. If you would like a review of your insurance policies contact us at Stromsoe Insurance Agency. 

New Valentine’s Day Gift? Make Sure it’s Covered!

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Hopefully your loved one adored that lavish gift on Valentine’s Day! Did you know that expensive items need to be scheduled separately in order to be fully covered on your insurance policy?

Although your possessions are protected by your homeowners or renter’s insurance, there is a limit on the amount of coverage that can be applied to a single item. Items like jewelry, art and expensive furs can sometimes exceed the amount of coverage provided by a standard homeowners insurance policy.

A scheduled item will be separately described on your insurance policy. Your insurance agent may need to see an appraisal or a receipt in order to prove the scheduled item’s value. Insuring jewelry is easy, and it’s worth it to have that extra protection.

Contact your agent at Stromsoe Insurance Agency for more information. Stromsoe Insurance Agency is located in Murrieta, California. We insure families in California, contact us today for more information!

Home Trampoline Use Should Be Avoided

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Trampolines are appearing in backyards all across the country.  At the same time, more children are being rushed to emergency rooms following trampoline injuries.  In response, pediatricians are recommending that parents refuse to allow their children to jump on a trampoline at home, or at a friend’s house.  Contact the Stromsoe Insurance Agency to learn how owning a trampoline will affect your homeowners insurance rates.

Most injuries occur when multiple children are jumping on the trampoline at the same time.  Smaller kids are bounced off the apparatus at dangerous angles that cause broken bones and even more serious injuries.  Homeowners must understand that liability insurance is intended to cover medical expenses for third parties if someone is injured while present on the property.  Multiple incidents that result in claims against the homeowner’s coverage can cause the insurer to drop the policyholder’s homeowners insurance.

Pediatricians believe the best approach is to enroll children in sports programs where trampoline usage includes safety training and harnesses designed to prevent injuries.  Parents will want to take this advice to heart since preventative safety measures have not been effective in home trampoline use.

Contact Stromsoe Insurance Agency, today, to learn more about the financial risks of owning a trampoline.