Tag: homeowners insurance

How You Can Prevent House Fires

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Do you know about preventing fires in your home? Check out these fire prevention and safety tips for you and your family.

While you may have heard of “Stop, drop, and roll,” you likely haven’t used it as often as your 8-year-old self would have imagined. If you’ve never experienced a house fire, consider yourself lucky; house fires are the most common disaster in the country, resulting in more than 2,500 deaths and 12,600 injuries each year. The good news is that most house fires are easily preventable! Here are some painlessly simple fixes you can do to significantly reduce your risk of having a house fire.

The Obvious Fire Hazards

  • Smoking is the leading cause of home fire deaths, so it’s a good idea to avoid smoking indoors and always use an ashtray.
  • If you have a fireplace, always leave the glass doors open and always use a metal mesh to keep the embers from leaving the fireplace.

Kitchen Hazards

  • Over 60 percent of all fires begin in the stove, so never leave it unattended and always pay attention to what you’re cooking.
  • Clean all kitchen surfaces regularly to avoid dangerous grease buildup.
  • Always keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen and be sure to read the instructions on how to use it.

Electrical Hazards

  • Avoid placing wires under rugs or over nails–anywhere where someone could trip.
  • If an electrical device is releasing a strange or foul odor, unplug it and throw it out immediately or have it repaired by a professional.
  • Give your space heater . . . space! Make sure that it can’t tip over and place all flammable objects away from the heater.

For all of your home insurance coverage needs to keep your home safe from fires and other dangers, contact Stromsoe Insurance Agency. We will work with you to ensure you have the coverage that you deserve, all at the right price to fit your budget.

2 Thief Deterrents That Work (and 2 to Avoid)

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Do the best you can to stop thieves from targeting and breaking into your home with these 4 helpful hints.

Approximately every 15 seconds a home burglary occurs somewhere in the U.S. That means that in the 5 minutes it will take you to read this post, there will be 40 homes that will have been victims to burglars. That’s a rather startling statistic and should be a sign to take immediate steps to fortify your home. Think of your home as an ogre, or better yet, an onion: there should be many layers, each one a different enough to make a thief cry. To keep your home safe, here are two thief deterrents you should consider, and two that you’ll want to avoid.

The ones that work.

  1. Locks

Don’t be frugal when it comes to your locks because they are the first things the burglars will try out. If they are weak, then you have basically invited the thieves in. A locksmith can recommend the strongest, best locks for your home.

  1. Alarm

A home security alarm is one of the best ways to stop burglars from targeting your home. Several different systems are available at various prices, so choose the one that’s right for you.

The ones that don’t.

  1. Posting Alarm Signs

Why would you give the burglars information about your security system? This may provide them with enough information to bypass your system if they are the tech savvy sort of burglars.

  1. Hiding Your Valuables in the Bedroom

This is the oldest cliché in the book. Thieves aren’t likely to say, “Hey wait; that’s the master bedroom, we can’t go in there!” and will most exclusively be looking in your bedroom.

For all of your home insurance coverage needs to keep your home safe this summer and beyond, contact Stromsoe Insurance Agency. We will work with you to ensure you have the coverage that you deserve, all at the right price to fit your budget.

4 Gardening Tips to Beautify Your Garden

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Love to garden, or going to do it for the first time? These tips will help you be faster, cleaner, and more efficient.

Gardening can be fun if you know the proper techniques to see your garden blossom from tiny green leaves sticking out of the ground to full flowers, herbs, fruits, and vegetables ready to impress everyone on the block. Here are four great gardening tips that are sure to help your garden be the best garden on the block.

Create a non-stick shovel

Picking dirt off shovels is something no wants to do. Spray your shovel with a silicone or Teflon lubricant to make shoveling way easier. A good coating will make any kind of soil slip right off without a hassle.

Heavy pots don’t have to be heavy

Filling half of the pot with packing peanuts will significantly reduce the weight of your big pots. Just remember to put some landscape fabric to keep the soil from sinking to the bottom.

Blemish-free roses

When you plant roses, pruning is a must to keep the roses as open and as beautiful as possible. Pruning increases the amount of light that reaches the roses which will inhibit proper growth. Careful pruning will keep the moisture out, and will prevent black spots and other blemishes from ruining the petals of the flower.

Assist root-bound plants

The problem with potted plants is that the roots will eventually run out of room to grow, so they will begin to form tight circles in the pot. This can prevent water and essential nutrients from reach all parts of the plant—especially the leaves. To fix this, gently guide roots outward using your fingers. If they are especially tough, make cautious vertical cuts in the roots with a knife.

Contact Stromsoe Insurance Agency for all of your California insurance needs. Whether you are looking to insure garden or other parts of your landscape, we will be your one stop shop for everything insurance related! Allow us to provide you with summer insurance in California that allows you to enjoy your fun in the sun without a worry in the world.

Why We Personally Recommend a Personal Umbrella Insurance Policy

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Here’s a closer look at what umbrella insurance can do for you.

You’ve worked your whole life and have done quite well for yourself. You have a home, a car, support a family, and maybe even have a boat or a vacation property. But your security is something you shouldn’t take for granted. All of these things could be at risk under the unfortunate situation that you get into a lawsuit.

Hope for the best, plan for the worst.

Car accidents are an upsetting reality. They do happen and there can be major damages. If you cause an auto accident, you need to be covered. Your auto policy could possibly not cover all of the property damage, injuries, and subsequent lawsuits. An umbrella policy will cover you for these things once you max out the limits of your auto policy.

Lawsuits happen.

Someone may have an accident on your property or sue you for the injury. It’s not at all uncommon when someone trips on a loose step or slips by the pool. When you hit the liability limits of your homeowners insurance, an umbrella policy gives you extra coverage for just this sort of event.

How does it work?

Many people don’t know how an umbrella policy actually works. Well, it’s simple. Something happens. An auto accident, you are sued, etc. Your umbrella policy is protection that kicks in after your home or car insurance when the amount you must pay exceeds what your policy covers. It can cover a wide variety of liability situations. The typical policy covers anywhere from an $1 million to $10 million. Umbrella coverage is also very affordable!

Don’t take it for granted.

Be sure and take a look at your umbrella policy from time to time to see to what extent and under what circumstances you are covered. It may surprise you. It’s better to be surprised now so you can update your policy than when it’s too late.

For all of your umbrella insurance needs throughout California, contact Stromsoe Insurance Agency.

Surprising Ways You Might Be Insured

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Did you know you could have insurance in these surprising areas?

Everyone knows the basics. We need health and car insurance. If you own a home, you need homeowners insurance too. You’ve put a lot of thought into buying coverage for your business. There are some pretty hefty consequences for not being properly insured.

But these policies are just the tip of the iceberg. There are many things you can get insured for your home and business, though they may surprise you. You may even already be insured and not know it!

Hurricane Insurance, Insurance

As you may know, hurricane insurance is already a supplemental policy. It’s not covered on regular homeowners insurance. Now, you can get Hurricane PM insurance, which covers costs that your hurricane insurance may not be big enough to cover. So it’s insurance for your insurance.

Ransom

If you are a high profile person, or just travel a lot, you may consider ransom insurance being added to your professional liability insurance. It can cover ransom money asked for by your kidnappers.

Rotten Veggies

If you own a business with perishable goods like flowers, food, tobacco, etc., you may want to get Spoilage Coverage. You can add it to your Commercial Property Insurance to replace spoiled goods if your fridge goes out due to a power outage or malfunction. Be careful, because you may have to prove that you didn’t neglect to take care of or replace the fridge.

Your homeowners insurance likely already offers about $500 of coverage for food spoiled in your fridge during an extended power outage!

Losing a Big Player

You own a business, and one of your employees is worth more than just what their job description entails. They are a key player and losing them could mean a severe loss of knowledge, expertise, and great support. You can have your business covered if that person should become ill or pass away to cover losses your business might incur because of their absence.

To learn more about the different ways your insurance policies are protecting you, contact Stromsoe Insurance Agency in California.

End Valentine’s Day With a New Ring? Then You Need To Read This

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Insuring your engagement ring can help to keep is protected.

Your engagement ring is much more than just a ring. It signifies the love between you and that special someone. While insurance may not be very romantic, it is the best way to give you the peace of mind that you deserve as you start the new chapter of your life.

You have a couple choices when it comes to insuring your engagement ring. The first option is to schedule your ring within your renter’s or homeowners insurance policy. When you schedule your ring, you will get additional coverage that goes beyond the personal property portion of your policy. You will have to prove the value of your ring with either a receipt or an appraisal to ensure it is protected for the right amount.

The second option is to invest in a specific jewelry insurance policy. Jewelry insurance is only available through certain insurance companies, so talk with your insurance agent to find out if your current insurance company offers the coverage. Just like when you schedule your ring, you will need to provide proof of the value through a receipt or appraisal.

The cost of your engagement ring will depend on many factors, including the value of your ring and how much coverage you want. In most cases, engagement ring insurance will cost $1 or $2 for every $100 in replacement coverage that you want. That means if your engagement ring is worth $9,000, you would be paying between $90 and $180 for your coverage.

Working with an independent insurance agent can help you get the right amount of coverage for your symbol of love. For all of your insurance coverage needs, contact the experts at Stromsoe Insurance Agency. We will work closely with you to make sure you have the protection that you deserve, all at the right price to fit your budget.

The Truth Behind Common Flood Insurance Myths

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Don’t believe these flood insurance myths to ensure you are able to get the right amount of coverage.

Do you know if you are covered in case of a flood? With the current El Nino conditions throughout California, it is more important than ever to ensure your home and personal property are covered from rising waters. Knowing the truth behind these flood insurance myths can help you find the right amount of protection.

You have to live in a flood plain to get coverage.

If you live in a high-risk flood plain you may be required to get flood insurance, but the coverage is available to all homeowners. If you are thinking of skipping out on coverage, if your lender doesn’t require it, think again. Even if you live in a low-risk area you are at risk of dealing with a flood, making coverage essential.

Flood insurance will cover all damages and destruction.

Just like all other insurance policies, there are limitations to the coverage that comes with flood insurance. Talk with your insurance agent to ensure that the limits of your policy meet your needs.  The more your house is worth and the more personal property you have to cover, the more coverage you will need.

My homeowners insurance will cover flood damage.

Flood insurance policies specifically exclude damage that is done during a flood. The only way to get protection in case of a flood is a specific flood insurance policy. Keep in mind that flood insurance policies have a 30-day waiting period before the coverage kicks in, the sooner you choose a policy, the sooner you will be able to get the peace of mind you deserve.

For all of your flood insurance needs, contact the insurance professionals at Stromsoe Insurance Agency. We will help you find the right amount of coverage to meet your needs, all at the right price to fit your budget.

Stop Water Damage Expense Before It Starts With This Guide & Homeowners Insurance

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Use these tips and your CA homeowners insurance to avoid water damage expense.

Water damage can be a serious hassle. Even a small leak can spike your water bill and have you reaching for the mop. More water damage is even more problematic – and expensive. Just an inch of water in your home can easily do tens of thousands of dollars of damage. Are you ready to handle the cost of replacing your flooring and personal belongings and drying out your walls? You won’t have to be with this water damage prevention guide and your CA homeowners insurance!

  • Look for hidden leaks. While you may not be able to spot them right away, you can get tipped off to them by keeping an eye on your water bill. If you see your bill start to climb or are suddenly hit with a higher-than-usual total, odds are you’ve got a leak.
  • Clean out your gutters! It’s simple, but having cleared gutters makes it possible for rain to run off your home through the right channels, instead of down your walls and into your foundation.
  • Watch where you plant certain things. Weeping willows are a great example of a tree of which you should be wary. Their invasive roots an infamous for growing straight through pipes, sprinkler systems, and even septic tanks. Do your homework before planting to make sure you avoid this kind of issue.
  • Take care of your pipes. Stay away from drain unclogging chemicals, which can damage them, and instead choose to use a drain snake. Also, avoid pouring grease down your sink at all costs!

The good news? Even if you do experience water damage, your homeowners insurance could cover it! To figure out exactly how much water damage your policy offers – and if it’s enough – contact Stromsoe Insurance Agency. As California homeowners insurance experts, we can protect you against water damage costs and other unforeseen financial burdens!

How To: Avoid Holiday Hazards at Home

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Keep your holiday merry by avoiding these home holiday hazards.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! We don’t want to dampen your holiday season in any way, but we do want to remind you that this time of year is also filled with hazards. The good news is that if you take steps to avoid holiday hazards at home, you can keep this time of year merry, bright, and safe! Here are a few tips to help you get started.

  • Theft claims increase by 7 percent during the holiday season. Make sure you’re home isn’t targeted by keeping valuables out of the way of windows and having your mail collected if you’ll be heading out of town.
  • Home fire claims also heat in the coming weeks, and by a shocking 15 percent! Choose flame-resistant decorations, avoid stringing more than the manufacturer-recommended number of light strands together and overloading outlets, and make sure all candles are blown out and lights are turned off when you go to bed. Your décor might not be the spark, though. When you’re in the kitchen, keep a close eye on all your items. If you know you’re cooking on a hectic day, set timers for yourself so you don’t forget!
  • Sewer back-up claims climb up by 19 percent during the holidays. Be careful about how you dispose of your kitchen waste. If you’re completely confident your garbage disposal can handle the job, dispose of it in the garbage. Also, keep plungers where guests can easily find them. Better a slight eyesore than a major cleanup!

We hope this guide helps you stay safe, but it’s not the only protection we want to offer.  Contact Stromsoe Insurance Agency in California to put a homeowners insurance policy to protect your home for the holidays and throughout the rest of the year.

El Niño & Your California Flood Insurance Needs

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Why El Niño makes flood insurance especially important for your home.

All of sudden, it’s fall in Southern California. While we enjoyed (or didn’t enjoy – depending on your weather preference) unseasonably warm weather into November, the weather’s taken a turn.

No, it’s not just the usual weather patterns. Actually, experts are saying El Niño could be to blame for the sudden cold. They’re also predicting this weather pattern will bring serious storms our way.

If you can remember back to 1997’s El Niño, it caused millions of dollars of damage and cost over a dozen lives. According to people in the know, today’s climate models look a whole lot like they did in ’97. In other words, we need to be prepared for a very wet winter here in Southern California.

One of the best ways to be prepared is to buy flood insurance.  Don’t assume your homeowners insurance will protect you because, quite frankly, it won’t. Standard home insurance policies don’t include coverage against flooding, so you need a separate policy to be protected against rising waters this winter.

Also, don’t assume you can just wait until a major storm is rolling in to buy coverage! Flood insurance policies require a 30-day waiting period before they can take effect, so you need to buy your coverage now to be prepared against the seasonal surprises El Niño is projected to bring to Southern California.

Would you like more information about how to pair flood insurance with your existing homeowners insurance or renter insurance policy to be fully protected this winter? To talk to an expert who will evaluate your specific insurance needs and help you get covered, contact Stromsoe Insurance Agency. We’re dedicated to helping California renters and homeowners have the insurance policies they need to matter what our seasons bring our way!