Don’t Miss Out On These Holiday Events!

The whole family can enjoy these local events!

Living in the Conejo Valley gives you access to tons of fun, holiday events that you can enjoy with the whole family. Mark your calendar for these holiday events around the Conejo Valley that are sure to get you into the holiday spirit.

Let your furry friends get celebrate the season with Santa Paws at The Collection at Riverpark! Get your pets picture taken with Santa on December 16th from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. All well-behaved pets and their people are invited out to take part in the exciting event.

The 29th Annual Ventura Harbor Holiday Parade of Lights & Fireworks is taking place on December 18th and 19th. The harbor will be lit up as boats with thousands of sparkling lights float on the water. The theme of this year’s event is “Surf, Sand & Santa,” and is sure to be one of the best events of the season.  The event will also include seaside shopping and dining and a carnival until the sun goes down.

On Sunday, December 20th, get your heart pumping with the 4th Annual Holly Jolly Half Marathon, 5K, and 10K in Camarillo. The course takes participants over rolling hills and along the paved bike path through the surrounding Camarillo neighborhoods.

All of us at Cappuccino Insurance Agency in Westlake Village, California would like to invite you and your family out to all of these exciting local events!

Going On Vacation? You Need To Know These Tips

Fully enjoy your holiday vacation with these home security tips.

The holidays are one of the busiest travel times of the year. No matter if you are headed to visit friends and family, or escaping all of the holiday madness on a tropical beach, leaving your house empty while you are gone can be very dangerous. Keep these holiday home security tips in mind to keep your house protected.

While you are getting ready:

  • Load your luggage in your garage if possible so any potential burglars don’t see that you are leaving. If your garage is not an option, load your luggage into your vehicle as fast as possible.
  • Let your neighbors know that you are leaving and how long you will be gone. Ask them to keep an eye on your house and call the authorities about any suspicious activity.

Make your home look occupied:

  • Install a few timers on lights in your house to go off at different times of the night. You may also want to install a timer on a radio or TV so that your house sounds occupied.
  • Keep your blinds and curtains at their normal positions. If you keep your blinds open, make sure there are not valuables that are visible through your windows.

Don’t be a target for thieves:

  • Do not post on social media how long you will be gone or when you are leaving. Thieves regularly look on social media sites and will know just how much time they have to break into your house.
  • Bring any hidden keys inside or give them to a trusted neighbor to check on your house while you are away.

Having the right homeowners insurance policy will help to keep your home protected while you are away. Contact Cappuccino Insurance Agency in Westlake Village, California for all of your Conejo Valley home insurance needs.

Are You Ready For El Nino?

Keeping your house safe with the right flood insurance policy.

A Godzilla El Nino is expected to hit California this fall and winter, which will bring heavy rains. While this is great news in the current drought conditions, it could mean serious trouble for your house. Keeping your house and personal belongings protected with the right insurance policies can help to give you the peace of mind that you need through the storm.

While your home insurance policy will protect you from many unfortunate situations, it will not provide any coverage during a flood. You will need to invest in a specific flood insurance policy to cover your house from the damage that is done during a flood.

Typical flood insurance policies will provide coverage for the structure of your house. You also have the option to invest in coverage that will also protect your personal belongings. Keep in mind that the more coverage you invest in, the higher your premiums will be but the better protection you will have. Flood insurance policies have a 30 day waiting period before your coverage will kick in, so the sooner you invest in a policy, the sooner you can rest assured knowing that you are protected.

The cost of your flood insurance policy will depend on many factors, including how many people live in your house and the size of your home. It will also depend on where your house is located. If you live in a high-risk flood plain, you will have to pay more for your coverage than if you lived in a low to moderate risk area. Working with an independent insurance agent will make it much easier to find the right policy that will meet all of your needs at the right price.

For all of your flood insurance needs to protect your Conejo Valley house, contact Cappuccino Insurance Agency in Westlake Village, California.

Mark Your Calendar For These December Events!

Local December events that the whole family will enjoy.

With your days filling up with prep for the upcoming holidays, it can be easy to get a little stressed out. To help you relax and enjoy time with your family, head out into the community and check out these Conejo Valley local events!

On December 6th, check out the Holiday Boutique at the Oak Park Community Center. The Boutique runs from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. and is hosted by the Cancer Support Community Valley/Ventura/Santa Barbra. Part of the proceeds will help to benefit local programs of education, support, and hope that is provided by the Cancer Support Community. The free Boutique will feature tons of unique holiday gifts, hand-crafted items, and décor.

The 54th Annual Camarillo Christmas Parade and Holiday Carnival is taking place on Saturday, December 12th and is not an event that you want to miss out on. Starting at 10 a.m. at Las Posas and Temple Avenue, the parade will travel down Las Posas and turn left on Carmen Drive, ending at the Camarillo Community Center. The parade will feature bands, floats, cars, and much more! Make sure to stick around after the parade to enjoy Santa’s Village Holiday Carnival at the Camarillo Community Center from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., which will include inflatable attractions, carnival games, live entertainment, arts and crafts, food vendors, and more!

All of us at Cappuccino Insurance Agency in Westlake Village, California would like to invite you and your family out to enjoy these exciting events!

Open Enrollment Has Opened

Don’t miss the deadline to sign up for health insurance through open enrollment.

Open enrollment is here! Open enrollment opened on November 1st and the deadline to sign up for a health insurance policy is January 31st. Open enrollment is the only time that you will have the chance to sign up for a health insurance plan, unless you have a qualifying life event. Along with the start and end dates of open enrollment, there are many other dates that you should mark on your calendar, including:

  • December 15, 2015 – the last day that you can enroll in a new plan or make changes to your policy in order for your coverage to start on January 1, 2016.
  • January 1, 2016 – the day that your coverage can start if you enrolled in a new policy by December 15th.
  • January 15, 2016 – the last day to enroll in a plan or make any changes in order for your coverage to start on February 1, 2016.

Any changes that you make to your policy or if you enroll in a policy between January 16th and January 31st will take effect on March 1, 2016.

Keep in mind that you can enroll in Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) at any point throughout the year.

If you have a qualifying life event, you can enroll in a health insurance policy outside of the open enrollment period. Common qualifying life events including having a baby, getting married, or moving to a state that does not offer the health insurance that you are currently enrolled in. Talk with your insurance agent to find out if you qualify for a special enrollment period with a qualifying life event.

For all of your Conejo Valley health insurance needs to ensure that you meet the health insurance deadline, contact Cappuccino Insurance Agency in Westlake Village, California.

Questions for Your Annual Insurance Review

Determine if your current Westlake Village, CA insurance policies match your life needs.

During day to day life you may forget to update your insurance policies to match your updated lifestyle. Many think that paying your premiums and phoning your carrier when an accident happens keeps you protected, but if you change your lifestyle or value of your item, you will need to alter your insurance. A number of life changes and events should prompt you to call your insurance carrier and adjust your policy to maintain adequate coverage.

Here are five questions to ask yourself at least once a year:

1)    Have I updated my home?
If you added a room for your elderly parent, remodeled after the youngest child moved out, or added a pool in the back garden, your home value will increase. A higher home value will increase the cost of rebuilding the home, therefore your insurance should reflect the new home value and new risks.

2)    Have I bought significant purchases?
Expensive pieces such as a leather-couch, jewelry, and fine art should be covered by a homeowners policy or additional coverage. If the item is lost, damaged, or stolen, you may regret not opting for quality protection of it.

3)    What has changed with my vehicle?
Maybe you are driving a longer distance to work, or the garage finally has room to store the car overnight. Reviewing your auto insurance will ensure that you are not paying for what you are not using.

4)    What about my family?
When someone moves out or wants to be added to your auto policy, discuss it with your insurance agent for suitable coverage.

5)    Am I eligible for any discounts?
Simple steps can qualify you for discounts. This can include installing a burglar alarm for your home insurance, and parking your car in the garage for your auto insurance.

Remember that insurance policies should reflect the life you have now, not when you first signed up with your carrier. When looking for insurance policies in the Conejo Valley, California, visit Cappuccino Insurance Agency. We are located in Westlake Village and ensure that you receive complete coverage.

Is Your House Vulnerable to Ruin?

Keep stable during shaky times with earthquake insurance in Westlake Village, CA.

In an area prone to earthquakes, very few people have earthquake insurance. Only 17 percent of Californians have an insurance policy that covers earthquake damage. In this area, earthquakes are a yearly occurrence and are one of the natural disasters to destroy houses and neighborhoods within minutes. Homes can be torn apart to the point of total devastation and homeowners can face extreme losses, both physically and financially. Earthquake insurance is designed to protect your assets during an earthquake, and if the home or possessions were to be damaged, to cover the replacement and rebuilding expenses. So why is there such a lack of coverage?

Unfortunately, earthquake coverage in the 1990’s has given the insurance type a bad rep. The coverage was very bare-bones and was typically limited to $5,000 in damages. Meaning that in the 1994 Northridge earthquake, if a home’s roof had been ripped off, $5,000 was not going to help the homeowners greatly. If you have fallen victim to this circumstance, we understand how important it is that you receive proper and full insurance now.

Luckily, modern insurance is different! Coverage is more expansive, affordable, and protective. Earthquake coverage can range from protecting the basics, to covering your garage and contents, and additional living expenses if you need temporary housing while your home is being repaired.

Taking effect on January 1, 2016, there will be new options for earthquake coverage including higher policy limits, deductible options, and mitigation discounts. If you own a home in California, an earthquake is an extremely likely disaster to face. Take a step into the major safety net that is earthquake insurance by contacting Cappuccino Insurance Agency in Westlake Village, CA.

7 Water Conservation Tips

Learn how you can save water in Westlake Village, CA.

After Governor Jerry Brown’s official announcement of the California drought, it is essential to know how you can converse water and preserve the environment. Each individual can play their part in only using the necessary amount of water, which, in turn, adds up to a significant stock of conserved water. If you are a resident in California, it’s easy to adjust your lifestyle to suit the needs of the environment.

Start following these simple tips at home:

  • Get those leaks fixed. Whether it’s your showerhead or kitchen tap that is dripping, each could waste more than 20 gallons of water per day.
  • Switch out your showerhead. Conservation-friendly faucets will save water while you’re taking a shower.
  • Speaking of showers, opt for a quicker one! Even shortening your shower by two minutes can save 5 gallons of water.
  • Install a multi-flush toilet. This allows you to control how much water you are using.
  • Only wash a full load in the dishwasher.
  • Only wash a full load in the washing machine.
  • Don’t hose down your driveway. Sweep it instead!

Keep your lifestyle environmentally friendly by adapting these simple, easy, water conservation tips. By reducing your use of water, you will aid California in preserving water to battle the drought.

Visit Cappuccino Insurance Agency for the home insurance policy that you need and deserve, all at the right price.

Local Pumpkin Patches to Visit This Fall!

If you’re looking for some festive fun this fall, visit Ventura-local pumpkin patches!

Now that the season of fall is upon us, Californians are getting into full swing of enjoy the change of seasons. This includes partaking in autumn activities such as pumpkin patches, hayrides, pony rides, and enjoying the crisper air (in Westlake Village, we’re still waiting for the cooler weather). Pumpkin Patches are the perfect way to enjoy the afternoon with your family. You can allow your child to pick out their own pumpkin to decorate for Halloween or to bake some delicious meals with!

Check out these Ventura County pumpkin patches:

  • Big Wave Dave’s Christmas Trees & Pumpkin Patch: Host to plenty of pumpkins: big and small! During the winter months, Christmas trees will be available.
  • Boccali Ranch Pumpkin Patch: This includes pumpkins for sale, a child-sized hay bale maze, tractor-pulled hay rides, haunted rides, and a picnic area so you can take a break in between picking pumpkins!
  • McGrath Family Farm: Certified Organic pumpkin patch to pick in the field! The farm also has pumpkins that have been picked, and a corn maze!
  • Prancer’s Pumpkin Village: The ultimate experience for picking pumpkins already gathered from the field, with refreshment stands, picnic areas, face paintings, carnival rides, pony rides, farm animals, a petting zoo, and a bounce house! There is plenty for each child to enjoy!

Cappuccino Insurance Agency invites you and the family to enjoy some fall festive fun with these perfect pumpkin patches! Whilst in Ventura County, visit our office and find out how we can provide you with quality insurance coverage for your home, auto, business, and life needs. Contact us today!

Taste of Conejo Event This Thursday!

Kick off October this Thursday by joining the Taste of Conejo for a local food and wine event!

On October 1st join over 1,000 local food and wine enthusiasts at the 7th Annual Taste of Conejo from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m.! Enjoy an evening of extraordinary food, an amazing wine and spirit tasting, live entertainment and a silent auction at the Four Seasons Hotel in Westlake Village.

The Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce invites you to explore the aisles of unique beverage selections and delicious food samples! There are over 64 participating vendors which include Sunland Vintage winery, Pitfire, Surf Brewery, Nabu, Urbane Café, Twisted Oak Tavern, and Frost It Cakery, to name a few. Each paid admission comes with a souvenir wine glass and tasting tray. Every guest can enjoy tasting the area’s premiere food and beverage establishments in one luxurious setting! The evening will consist of extraordinary vendors and will include live entertainment from America’s favorite Mashup Group, the Company Men!

General Admission tickets are priced at $65.00 per person and this includes complimentary self-parking at the Four Seasons Hotel, a “taste” at each participating food and beverage booth, and a commemorative wine glass and tasting tray.

VIP tickets are available, and along with the features of the General Admission ticket, includes early access into the event, free valet parking, and complimentary special offers from vendors! This is a perfect chance to extend the evening by heading in early and taking advantage of the special deals just for you!

Cappuccino Insurance Agency invites you to enjoy and indulge in this exciting event!  Our office is also located in Westlake Village, California, so be sure to visit us beforehand for all of your Conejo Valley insurance needs! Contact us here.