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Check out These Fun Conejo Valley Events!

Before the summer ends, it is important to make sure to spend as much time with your loved ones before everyone goes back to a busy school schedule. Luckily, there are plenty of fun, family friendly events in the area that people of all ages can enjoy right in your local community.

If you are looking for something to do with your kids, while also being able to learn important skills, make sure to check out the Kids Panini Cooking Class at Williams and Sonoma in the Oaks Mall. All junior chefs will learn how to make a warm, melty, cheesy Panini. Children ages 9 to 13 are able to create their own delicious savory creation, or go the sweet route and choose to make a melted chocolate Panini. The event starts at 10 a.m. on august 23rd inside the store.

For a more adult event, mark your calendar for the 3rd Annual Kiwanis Club of Thousand Oaks Brew Fest on August 28th. The event will feature beer tasting from many restaurants are breweries, such as LAB Brewing Co., Firestone Walker Brewing Company, and BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse, plus many more.

For a fun weekly event, make sure to check out the Thousand Oaks Farmer’s Market at the Oaks Shopping Center. The market happens every Thursday from 1:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. The Farmer’s Market is the perfect place to find the freshest fruits and vegetables that are locally grown. There are also plenty of plants, eggs, honey, nuts, and fresh flowers to bring home from the market. The market also features many pre-made treats, from tamales to baked goods, all from local vendors.

For all of your insurance coverage needs in the local Conejo Valley community, contact the insurance professionals at Cappuccino Insurance Agency, located in Westlake Village, California.

Dangers of Texting and Driving

There are many dangerous distractions that can happen on the road, with texting one of the most dangerous distraction. With all that cell phones can do, such as browsing the web and texting your friends, most people can be easily distracted while behind the wheel.

Texting and driving is especially dangerous because it involves all three forms of distracted driving, which are visual, manual, and cognitive. This means that texting whole driving not only impacts what a driver sees, but also how they respond to the events and the amount of time that it takes them to respond. Even hands free driving devices can be big distractions on the road. Studies have shown that driving while using a cell phone, with or without a hands free device, is the same as driving with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 percent.

Almost 3,328 people were killed in 2012 by distracted drivers, and 421,000 people were injured is distracted driving accidents. Since 2010, it is estimated that at any moment during the day, 660,000 drivers are using their cell phones while behind the wheel. More than ever before, adults are using their cell phones while behind the wheel. Overall,

  • 27 percent of adults admit to texting while driving.
  • 24 percent of fatal accidents with one or more drivers between 30 to 39 years of involved cell phone use.
  • 22 percent of fatal accidents with one or more drivers under the age of 20 involved cell phone use.

Having the right auto insurance policy can help to provide the protection needed in case of an accident with a distracted driver. Contact the insurance professionals at Cappuccino Insurance Agency, located in Westlake Village, California for all of your auto insurance coverage needs in the Conejo Valley area.

August Entertainment, Right Here In The Conejo Valley!

Attention residents of the Conejo Valley! Do you want to spruce up your summer break? Looking for a few fun summer events to attend with the family this August? Well look no further! Here are a few entertaining functions to visit, right here in the Conejo Valley:

  • 12th Annual Summer Jazz Concert Series: Head out to the Gardens of the World on Sunday, August 3rd! “Janet Klein and her Parlor Boys” will be this event’s musical guests, featuring the “naughty, lovely, and obscure” music of the Prohibition era. This event starts at 5:00 P.M. and will end at 6:30 P.M.! Don’t forget your lawn chairs, picnic baskets, and anything else you may want for this awesome, evening concert.
  • Fishing Frenzy Event for Kids in Thousand Oaks: Gather up the kids and head on down to Conejo Creek North on Saturday, August 2nd! From 10:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. Conejo Parks & Recreation will be hosting this magnetic fishing experience. For just $5 you can purchase a magnetic fishing pole for your child to use as they fish for magnetic fish! Don’t miss this truly unique, child-friendly event.
  • 805 Dash 4 A Cure: Come out on Saturday, August 2nd to support a great cause! The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is hosting a 5K and 10K charity race! The run begins at 8:00 A.M., so be on time to ensure a spot at the starting line!

If you are looking for assistance with insurance, contact one of the best independent insurance agencies around. Cappuccino Insurance Agency offers an abundance of insurance options that are sure to fulfill your needs. We pride ourselves in giving every client the high-quality customer service they deserve. Contact Cappuccino Insurance Agency, located in Westlake Village. Let us help you, today!

Protect Your Home While on Vacation this Summer

Summer is the perfect time to take a vacation with the whole family. Leaving your home empty can increase the chances of your home getting broken into while you are away. Make sure to follow these safety tips to ensure you home stays safe while you are away this summer.

  • Do not let your mail pile up. Ask a trusted friend or neighbor to pick up your mail each day so it does not sit in your mailbox. You can also ask the post office to hold you mail while you are gone so that is does not pile up.
  • Make your home look lived in. Keep your car in your driveway, or ask a neighbor to park their car in your driveway. Plug some interior lights into a timer, so that your home stays light and bright at night.
  • Let the local police know. Most local police departments will drive by your home while you are away to make sure that everything is normal.
  • Keep your lawn short. If you are going away for a long period of time, make sure your gardener continues to mow your lawn and trim your hedges. An overgrown front lawn is a good sign that a home is empty, making it an easy target for burglars.
  • Lock up. While it may seem obvious to lock your front door when you leave, that is not the only place that a burglar can get in. Make sure to do a quick walk through of your house before you leave and check all your windows and doors to ensure they are locked.
  • Do not post about your vacation. Keep the news of your family vacation off of your social media. Burglars will know exactly when you are leaving and when you are coming back if you post about it.

It is also important to make sure that you have the right homeowners insurance coverage to protect your home and assets if your home is broken into. Contact Cappuccino Insurance Agency for all of your homeowners insurance needs in the Conejo Valley area of California.

Don’t Get Caught Without Insurance When Using Your Summer Toys!

The sun is out, and the water is warm! People everywhere are loading up their trailers with their boats, RVs, motorcycles, jet skis, sea doos, and WaveRunners! Your summer toys face all sorts of risks when they are in the water, and even more when being towed on the road! Don’t get caught without insurance! Many insurance policies exist to protect you from the financial burden of an accident.

A marine policy can be purchased to cover your watercraft. With this type of coverage, you will be protected from bodily injury and property damage to your, or another person’s watercraft. If an RV or motorcycle is more your style, you will need to purchase a separate insurance policy that is individualized for your special vehicle.

No matter what type of summer toy you are planning to insure, be sure they are insured to value they are worth. Keep your insurance score low to ensure a lower premium rate. In the event that you need to file an insurance claim, do so immediately. Keep a thorough record of everything that happened, and be sure to get the contact information for everyone involved. Pictures of the scene are the best form of evidence when filing a claim.

If you are interested in purchasing insurance coverage for any of your summer toys, give the agents at Cappuccino Insurance Agency a call. Located in Westlake Village, their friendly insurance agents will be able to find the policy that best suits your needs. Give Cappuccino Insurance Agency a call, today!

Final Expense Insurance 101

Nothing can take away the pain of losing a loved one, but certain things can definitely make it worse. Final expense life insurance exists in order to cover medical bill expenses, and take the financial burden off of your loved ones in the unfortunate case anything should happen to you. These matters are difficult to talk about, but this form of coverage will give your family time to grieve without having to worry about fiscal matters.

It is important to understand the difference between final expense term life insurance and final expense whole life insurance. Typically, a final expense term insurance policy will cover you until the age of 80, depending on your carrier. If you purchase a final expense whole life insurance policy, you will be covered until the end of your life, starting after you sign the contract.

If you are worried that you will be turned away due to your current health, stop! You can qualify regardless of your health status, or current health insurance rate. Additionally, you have the option to leave an annual monetary gift to specific individuals on the dates of your choice. This is just one way to show them you love them, even after you are gone. Before meeting with your insurance agent, spend some time thinking about your final resting place, and funeral preferences. This will help you to estimate your final costs.

Don’t let your family get caught paying for all of your credit card debt, and funeral costs. Do the right thing, and purchase a final expense life insurance policy as soon as possible. As an independent insurance agency, Cappuccino Insurance Agency collaborates with multiple carriers. Through these carriers they can provide you with a final expense insurance policy tailored perfectly to fit your needs and your budget.. Contact Cappuccino Insurance Agency, today!

 

Driving without Distractions

Distracted driving was the cause of over 3,000 deaths in 2012 according to the U.S. department of transportation.

What is distracted driving?

Distracted driving is considered anything that diverts the driver’s attention from driving. Distractions include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Texting
  • Eating
  • Grooming
  • Reading
  • Talking (on a phone or to other passengers)

Preventing Distracted Driving

Follow these three tips to reduce distractions while driving:

  • Out of sight, out of mind

Cell phones are known for many kinds of distractions from their GPS capabilities, to talking or texting while driving. Keep your cell phone in your purse or pocket while driving so it’s not a temptation to use.

Keep loose items stored away in the car. Anything that could fall or roll and cause you to look or reach for it, will cause a dangerous distraction. Before leaving the house, make sure that all equipment is stored. If you are transporting kids to a sports activity, this can often be challenging. Add a bin or box to your back seat or trunk and use it as a safe storage space.

  • All Systems Go

Adjusting the radio, mirrors, seats, or air conditioning can all result in distracted driving. Make sure that the car is ready–and all functions are where you need them to be for your comfort and the comfort of others in the car. Complaints from passengers will zap your attention as well.

  • Give it your Full Attention

Not only should the car be ready to go, but you should be, too. Don’t save eating and grooming for your drive. Make sure that all passengers have had something to eat ahead of time and that you are ready to go. If you must leave the house without getting yourself ready, leave extra time when you get to your destination to eat or put on makeup. ,

Secure your children and your pets. If you’re in for a long ride make sure you have something that will occupy both so that you’re not dealing with complaints or fights from the little passengers behind you.

These tips and more found at exchange.aaa.com.

At Cappuccino Insurance Agency in the Conejo Valley, we invite you to drive safe. Contact us today to discuss your auto insurance coverage needs.

Check out this distracted driving: http://sfglobe.com/?id=951&src=share_fb_new_951

Tips for Homeowners Insurance and Fire Protection in Conejo Valley, California

The most recent fires in Southern California is the latest disaster to affect homeowners in California. Yet, the fires do ignite an interest in the need for homeowners to have home coverage. Here at Cappuccino Insurance Agency we encourage clients to examine their homeowners insurance to ensure that it includes fire protection.

Fire insurance policies typically cover a wide range of property damage. For example, damages related to fire including smoke, explosions, and damaged sprinklers are normally covered with this type of policy. Lightning, earthquakes, and heavy wind damage are also typically included in home coverage. Other areas to consider when adding fire coverage to an insurance policy is whether overflowing or bursting water pipes and reservoirs are also covered.

Homeowners should note common mistakes that are made when purchasing fire coverage. The contents of a home may not be included in fire protection. Also, some policies only replace items at their actual cost, not at the replacement value. This is an issue when the replacement costs are greater than the original costs of items. A tip here is to have a recorded video and digital listing of the items of value in a home. Storing these items outside of the home, such as in a safe deposit box, can help homeowners greatly in the recovery process following fire or smoke damage to a property.

For those homes that are destroyed in a fire or due to smoke from neighboring fires, burglary or theft occurring in the damaged home may not be covered in a policy. Finally, homeowners should inquire about discounts related to fire protection. For example, some policies may include discounts for having smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in the home. To learn more about how to protect your home from fire damage and destruction in Conejo Valley, California, please contact Cappuccino Insurance Agency in Westlake Village!

Understanding Earthquake Insurance and Its Importance

You never know when mother nature is going to shake her fist and throw a natural disaster your way.  From wind to floods to earthquakes to wildfires, she has many faces.  One way that you can protect yourself, however, is by purchasing the right type of insurance.  For example, if you live in an area that is prone to flooding, flood insurance would be valuable.  For those of you who live in areas prone to earthquakes, earthquake insurance can prove to be much more valuable than you’ve ever imagined.

When an earthquake takes place, the ground shakes.  These shakes and tremors can be felt for hundreds of miles, and many times, they will cause much damage.  Even a small earthquake can crack one or more walls in your home, and repairs could cost thousands of dollars.  With earthquake insurance coverage, though, any damage endured during an earthquake would be covered.  You wouldn’t have to worry about coming up with funds to make any repairs because your insurance would pay for them.

If you have found yourself shopping for an earthquake insurance policy, one thing you need to take into consideration is your deductible.  The higher your deductible, the lower your monthly premium.  While a lower premium might seem enticing, you need to remember that if an earthquake does occur and you have to make a claim, your deductible will have to be paid first before your benefits will kick in.  Many times, even when lowering your deductible a bit, your monthly rate won’t increase all that much.  Doesn’t it make more sense to pay a monthly premium amount of $28 with a $500 deductible than $19 for a $1500 deductible?  Of course it does.

If you have questions relating to earthquake insurance in Conejo Valley, California, please don’t hesitate to contact Cappuccino Insurance Agency today.

 

Things to Do in Conejo Valley, California for Summer 2014

Schools are out for the summer months leaving parents looking for exciting events in Conejo Valley, California. Outdoor activities that take advantage of the natural beauty of the area lure kids and adults alike out in SoCal. Add to that list plenty of options for indoor entertainment that are perfect for those scorching summer days. Here at Cappuccino Insurance Agency we encourage the residents of Conejo Valley to get out and enjoy the summer months with the following events.

On Friday, June 13 at 7 pm hikers of all ages meet at Malibu Bluffs Park for a hike beneath the light of the full moon. The hike will include trails that run to the sea. Note that the trails can be steep in areas, so hikers should wear sturdy footwear. Additionally, hikers need to bring their own flashlight. If it rains, the hike will be canceled.

For Father’s Day weekend, the Live Oak Music Festival will take place overlooking Santa Barbara. This three day festival runs from Friday to Sunday, June 13 to 15. In addition to a music festival featuring folk, blues, classical and gospel tunes, camping will be offered. This family friendly festival also includes arts and crafts activities geared at younger children.

Fourth of July is one of the biggest holidays of the year in Conejo Valley. The Reagan Presidential Library will host a family focused event on Friday, July 4 from 10 am to 3 pm. There will be Presidential look-alikes, a patriotic concert, and storytelling. American foods and face painting, in addition to kid-friendly games will also be a part of the festivities. Admission to the event is free.

On Wednesday, July 9 at 6 pm “Nite Moves: Swimming, Running and Biathlon” will be held at Leadbetter Beach in Santa Barbara. In addition to entertainment and food, the event includes 5K footraces and swimming in view of Anacapa Island. Participants should keep an eye out for the racing fleet Wet Wednesday, which will be part of the scenic backdrop of this invigorating event.

For more information regarding how to enjoy your spring and summer with peace of mind and insurance coverage in Conejo Valley, California, please contact Cappuccino Insurance Agency of Westlake Village!