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Flood insurance: Will it be a Wet Year for California?

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“Several climate experts,” according to a news report, “are saying they are unsure what this winter will bring” for the state.

While some areas of California were harder hit than others by last year’s storms it doesn’t take a catastrophic amount of water to do significant damage.

Flood is one of the exclusions on a home insurance policy. Because there is a 30 day wait period on flood insurance, you can’t wait until there’s an impending storm to up your policy.  Last year California had record rains and some people were left high and dry (no pun intended).

Flood Insurance Facts

✅ Flood insurance is a separate, additional policy.

✅ Homes in a high risk flood zone can be as inexpensive as a few hundred dollars. (Those in “high risk” areas likely already have flood insurance as the mortgage lender requires it).

✅ Flood insurance includes building (it will repair the damage) and losses.

✅ Although home insurance will cover some types of flooding, it will not cover water that comes from the outside in, which is bad news for owners with sloping yards, clogged drains, or areas that can pool water.

✅ Flood insurance also covers water back up through drains. (This is important because although some home insurance policies do cover “back ups,” up to $5000, you will not have to file a claim through your home insurance).

Contact Cappuccino Insurance for more information on Flood Insurance and other policies for your home, business, and automobiles.

Going On Vacation? You Need To Know These Tips

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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?

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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.

Questions for Your Annual Insurance Review

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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.

7 Water Conservation Tips

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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.

Protecting Your Vacation Home This Summer

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Dwelling Fire Insurance

Packing up your suitcase to head out to your vacation home is one of the best ways to enjoy the summer season. With all of the comforts of home, vacation homes offer special amenities that you cannot find at a hotel. Just like your primary residence, it is important to make sure that your vacation house is protected with the right insurance coverage.

Your existing home insurance policy may provide a limited amount of coverage for any of your personal belongings that you keep at your vacation home. However, this coverage is typically not enough to protect all of your assets. Investing in a dwelling fire policy can help to provide the additional coverage you need to keep your vacation home safe.

Dwelling fire insurance policies are meant to protect a second home by providing coverage for the structure of the house, as well as the personal property that you keep inside. There are three types of dwelling fire policies to consider for your vacation house, including:

  • Standard form – which will provide coverage for the structure of your house and the contents inside from lightning and peril. It will also cover the cost to remove any property from the dangers of lighting and fire.
  • Broad form – which will provide the same protection as a standard form policy, as well as hail, windstorm, explosion, civil common and riots, smoke, and damage that is caused by a vehicle or aircraft.
  • All risk form – which will provide coverage from any peril except what is specifically excluded on the policy.

When looking to protect your Conejo Valley vacation home, contact the insurance professionals at Cappuccino Insurance Agency in Westlake Village, California. We will work with you to make sure that you have the protection you deserve, no matter how many properties you own.

Protect Your Home When The Earth Starts Quaking

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Earthquake Insurance Basics

California is one of the most sought after places to make a home. However, those who already live in California know that the beautiful coastline and warm weather also come with the danger of experiencing an earthquake. Investing in a specific earthquake insurance policy is the best way to ensure that you and your family stay safe in case of an earthquake.

While your homeowner’s insurance policy will provide coverage for many perils, it will not provide any coverage for damage that is done during an earthquake, only an earthquake insurance policy will. Typical earthquake insurance policies will provide coverage for any type of earth movement, which can include sinkholes, mudslides, and mudflows. It is important to keep in mind that an earthquake insurance policy will not provide any coverage for a fire that is started due to an earthquake. However, your home insurance will kick in and cover any damages caused by the fire.

Earthquake insurance can be bought as a stand-alone policy, or can be added onto your home insurance as an endorsement. No matter which way you choose to protect your home, there are two parts to the policy. The first part will provide coverage for the structure of your home and the second part will provide coverage for your personal property. When looking for the right amount of coverage, make sure to take into consideration the value of your belongings. Using your home inventory can be a great way to ensure that you invest in the right amount of protection in case of an earthquake.

Contact the insurance professionals at Cappuccino Insurance Agency in Westlake Village, California for all of your Conejo Valley earthquake insurance needs. We will work with you to ensure that you have the protection that you deserve when the ground starts to quake.

Different Types of Homeowners Insurance

Choosing The Right Policy To Protect Your Investment

When looking for the right homeowners insurance policy, you may be surprised to find that there are many different types of policies available, especially if you are looking for a policy for your first home. Knowing the differences between the various policies can help to ensure that you invest in the right policy that will provide enough protection for your new home. Keep these home insurance basics in mind to ensure that you choose the right policy.

  • HO-1 and HO-2 home insurance policies will only provide coverage for damages that are specifically listed on the policy. They will not provide any coverage for damage that is done to personal property within the home.
  • HO-3 home insurance policies are the most common type of home insurance and will provide coverage for all types of disasters except what is specifically excluded on the policy. It will also provide protection for personal property that is damaged, but only for specific types of damages that are listed.
  • HO-5 home insurance policies will provide the same amount of coverage as HO-3 policies but with expanded personal property coverage. Some insurance companies will not write HO-5 policies, but will offer a rider that can be added to an HO-3 policy to provide additional personal property coverage.
  • HO-4 and HO-6 home insurance policies will only provide coverage for personal property, and only for the specific damages that are listed on the policy. HO-4 and HO-6 policies are not traditional policies and are typically used to cover renter’s and condo owners.

For all your homeowners insurance needs throughout the Conejo Valley, contact the insurance experts at Cappuccino Insurance Agency in Westlake Village, California.

Happy New Year From Cappuccino Insurance Agency!

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The Team At Cappuccino Insurance Agency Wishes You Happy Holidays & A Happy New Year!

Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to serve you for your insurance needs in 2014. We have been grateful for a wonderful year with our valued clients like you in Westlake Village, Conejo Valley, and all of California, and are looking forward to continuing to partner with you in 2015.

For comprehensive coverage and competitive rates for all of your insurance needs in the New Year, contact our team today. We want to offer you the best coverage for your home insurance, auto insurance, renters/condo insurance, life insurance, and commercial insurance. Whether you are due for your annual review or want to rework your policies from the ground up, we can meet your insurance needs in 2015.

We Send Warm Wishes To You and Yours For 2015 And Beyond!

 

Prevent a Break-In With These Tips

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The holiday season is fast approaching, which means you may be leaving your house vacant while you are visiting family. Before you pack your bags, it is important to make sure you know how to keep your house safe for the season. Keep these tips in mind to help prevent a break-in at your home.

  • Keep it bright – install a timer on a couple of lights in your home so that they will come on at different times in the evening to keep your home bright.
  • Lock up – before you leave, check to make sure all the doors and windows, even the ones on the second story, throughout your home are locked.
  • Keep your gardener – if you are leaving for an extended period of time, make sure that your gardener keeps up with your landscaping. Nothing says vacant house like overgrown grass and bushes.
  • Stop your mail – ask the post office to hold your mail until you get back, or ask a trusted neighbor to pick it up each day so that it does not pile up.
  • Close the blinds – keep your blinds closed so that burglars cannot see all the valuables in your home. Also, make sure to lock any small valuables, such as jewelry, away in a safe.

Installing a security system in your home is one of the best ways to protect it! Not only will it deter burglars from breaking into your home, but it can also help to lower the cost of your homeowners insurance.

For all of your home insurance needs throughout the Conejo Valley and to ensure that you are protected in case of any unfortunate situation, contact Cappuccino Insurance Agency in Westlake Village, California. We will work with you to ensure that you have the right amount of coverage for your specific situation.