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Open Enrollment Has Opened

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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.

Is Your House Vulnerable to Ruin?

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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.

What You Need to Know About California Car Insurance

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Before you go with the first quote online, be sure to know about California car insurance.

Most California motorists purchase their auto insurance directly from carriers or through agents. If you purchase liability insurance, your coverage must meet the following requirements:

  • $15,000 for injury/death to one person.
  • $30,000 for injury/death to more than one person.
  • $5,000 for damage to property.

It is advised that you purchase additional coverage. For example, you can buy comprehensive coverage which protects you if your car is damaged from incidents such as storms, thefts, and falling objects.

Luckily, there are multiple ways to save money on car insurance!

Good Driver Discount
A good driver in California is eligible for a 20 percent discount of their insurance premium. The California DMV website notes what qualifies as a good driver.

Insurance Program for Low-Income Drivers
To qualify for a discount, you must be single with an income below $28,725, or a family of four living on less than $58,875. Which county you reside in will determine the discount of your premium.

Good Student Discount
If you, or your child, attend school or college and are averaging good grades, then you can be eligible for a discount on your premium!

Car Features
More often than not, if you park your car in a garage over night, drive less than the average amount of miles per year, or have updated safety features such as day-time running headlights and automatic seatbelts, you can receive a discount on your auto insurance policy!

Personalized Car Insurance in California
Specializing in auto insurance, Cappuccino Insurance Agency, finds our clients the best coverage policies at competitive rates. We are conveniently located in Westlake Village, California, so stop by our office or give us a call today for a personalized quote!

Protecting Your Boat and RV This Summer

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RV and Boat Insurance

Even though the official start of summer is still a couple of weeks away, the temperatures are already rising, which means it is the perfect time to start planning for your next vacation. While taking your RV and boat out of storage, it is important to make sure that you are protected from any peril on the road or water with the right insurance policies.

No matter if you have a motorhome or a trailer, your RV needs to be protected with the right insurance policy. Investing in a separate RV insurance policy that will provide the most coverage while you are away from home. If you have a smaller trailer, you may think that you can rely on your auto insurance coverage to protect your trailer while you are away. While you are towing your trailer, your auto insurance will provide coverage for your trailer while it is being towed. However, once the trailer is unhitched, you will not have any coverage. Choosing a separate policy can help to ensure that you have the coverage that you deserve.

If you are headed out on the water with your boat, your boat will need to be covered by a specific boat insurance policy. There are many coverage options to consider with your boat insurance policy, such as personal property coverage that will replace any lost or damaged items in your boat during an accident. Talking with your insurance agent can help to ensure that you invest in the right amount of coverage for your boat this summer.

For all of your Southern California boat and RV insurance needs, contact the insurance professionals at Cappuccino Insurance Agency in Westlake Village, California. We will work with you to make sure that you have the coverage that you deserve, all at the right price.

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.

Properly Protecting Your Business From a Disaster

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Business Insurance For Disasters

When you own a business, you do all you can to protect it from a disaster, including investing in the right insurance policies. However, if you are relying on just your business owner’s policy to provide coverage, you may not have enough protection. Make sure to consider these business insurance policies to ensure that you are not left paying for repairs out of your own pocket.

  • Insurance for your structure – your commercial property insurance policy will provide protection if the structure of your building is damaged during a disaster. As an added bonus, your commercial property insurance policy will also provide coverage for your equipment that is damaged. If you have any specialty equipment that is valuable, you may want to invest in extra coverage. Talking with your insurance agent will give you a better idea of how much coverage you need.
  • Insurance for your commercial vehicles – your existing commercial vehicle insurance policy will provide coverage for any damage that is done to your company cars during a disaster, as long as you have comprehensive coverage. Comprehensive coverage will provide protection for any damage that is done by a disaster other than a car crash.
  • Insurance for flooding – the only way to protect your business from damage that is done by a flood is to invest in a specific flood insurance policy. If you are relying on your property insurance policy, you will be left paying for all the damages that are done during the flood.

For all of your business insurance needs, contact the insurance experts at Cappuccino Insurance Agency in Westlake Village, California. We will work with you to ensure that you have the right amount of protection for any disaster, all at the right price to fit your budget.

Protecting Your Classic Car

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Antique Car Insurance

Owning a classic car is much more than just owing another vehicle, it is owning a piece of history, which is why it is so important to make sure that you find the right amount of insurance protection for your collectible car. Knowing what to look for in a classic car insurance policy will help to ensure that you are able to properly cover your classic car from any peril.

One of the biggest differences when it comes to insuring your classic car is the agreed value. While it is easy to determine the value of your daily driver, it is much harder to determine the value of your classic car. While newer cars lose value each year, many classic cars can actually increase in value. When looking for the right amount of insurance for your classic car, you will work with your insurance agent to decide on an agreed value of your classic. If your car is a total loss after theft or an accident, you will receive a payout for the total agreed value, minus what you pay for the deductible.

In most cases, a classic car insurance policy will be much cheaper than a typical auto insurance policy. Since most people do not drive their classic cars every day, they are at less of a risk of being involved in an accident. In order to keep the costs low, many insurance companies will also put restrictions on your classic car, including how many miles you can drive each year, and where the car must be kept to help avoid damage. Talking with your insurance agent will help to ensure that you find the exact policy that will work for your needs.

For all of your antique car insurance needs when looking to insure your collectible car, contact the insurance professionals at Cappuccino Insurance Agency in Westlake Village, California.

Benefits of Working With an Independent Agent

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Independent Agent Advantages

Trying to find the right insurance policy to invest in, whether it is to provide protection for your home or your car, can be confusing and stressful. With all the different insurance policies that are available, it can be difficult to make sure that you invest in the right policy that will provide enough protection for your needs. Luckily, working with an independent insurance agent can help to make the process much easier and smoother. There are many benefits of working with an independent agent, including:

  • More choices – independent insurance agents will be able to show you many more choices of insurance policies since they do not just work for one insurance company. Independent agents work with many different affiliates, which allows them to offer you policies from many different companies.
  • Save money – since independent agents are able to offer you more choices, they can offer different policies at various different price points. Offering plenty of policy choices with different prices will help to ensure that you choose the right policy that will fit your budget.
  • Claims help – your relationship with your independent agent does not stop when you buy a policy. They create a long lasting relationship in order to help you with any insurance needs that you may have, including making a claim. If you ever have to make an insurance claim, they will be able to help you through the entire process to ensure that you are not taken advantage of.

For all of your insurance coverage needs throughout the Conejo Valley, contact the insurance experts at Cappuccino Insurance Agency in Westlake Village, California. As an independent insurance agency, we will work with you to ensure that you have the right amount of protection, all at the right price to fit your budget.

Why You Need a Renter’s Insurance Policy

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The Importance of Holding Renter’s Insurance

Renting a home is a great way to have a space of your own, even if you cannot afford to buy a house. However, just like owning a house, renting a home comes with a lot of responsibility, including making sure that you are protected with the right insurance policy. Investing in a renter’s insurance policy is the best way to ensure that you and your assets are covered in case of an unfortunate situation.

Even though your landlord will have an insurance policy for your home, it will not provide you with enough protection. Landlord’s insurance policies only provide coverage for the structure of your home, not for your assets that you keep inside the property. The only way to protect your assets is to invest in a specific renter’s insurance policy.

A renter’s insurance policy will provide coverage for your assets if they are damaged in a variety of disasters, including fire and theft. Renter’s insurance will also provide you with liability coverage. Liability coverage will offer financial protection in case someone is injured while visiting your home. If someone slips on the stairs in your home and sues you for their injuries, the liability portion of your renter’s insurance policy will cover the cost of the lawsuit to ensure that you are not left financially devastated.

While you may not think that you have anything valuable enough to cover, consider your game console or flat screen TV. If your TV or game console was damaged in a fire and you do not have a renter’s insurance policy, you would be responsible for replacing those precious items. A renter’s insurance policy would cover the cost of replacing many of your assets that were damaged.

For all of your Conejo Valley renter’s insurance needs, contact Cappuccino Insurance Agency in Westlake Village, California.

Open Enrollment Deadline Is Almost Here

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Don’t Miss The Open Enrollment Deadline

Have you already signed up for health insurance for 2015? If you have not, there is no better time than now since the open enrollment period deadline is on February 15th. If you do not sign up for health insurance through open enrollment, you will be left without coverage for the entire year and will have to pay much heavier fines than in the past.

If you had enrolled in health insurance for 2014 through open enrollment, you have the opportunity to simply renew your policy for 2015. However, you should take the time to look at all the policies that are available since your policy may have changed, leaving you with less coverage and higher premiums. If you were automatically enrolled in a plan that has already began its coverage, you still have the opportunity to switch your plan any time before February 15th.

If you do not sign up for health insurance before February 15th, you will have to face very high penalties. The penalty for not having health insurance in 2015 is either $325 per adult in your household and $162.50 per child, or 2 percent of your total household income for the year (whichever amount is higher). The penalty will be paid through your 2015 federal income tax. Since federal income taxes are not typically filed until the following year, you will most likely pay the fine in early 2016.

The only way you can sign up for health insurance outside of the open enrollment period is if you have a qualifying life event. Some of the most common qualifying life events include getting married or divorced, moving your permanent residence to a different state, or leaving incarceration.

For all of your Conejo Valley health insurance policy needs for 2015 and to ensure that you have the right amount of coverage, contact the insurance professionals at Cappuccino Insurance Agency in Westlake Village, California.