News

Study: SUVs, Pickups Hit Pedestrians More Often Than Cars Do

Reprinted from the Insurance Journal March 22, 2022 Drivers of bigger vehicles such as pickup trucks and SUVs are more likely to hit pedestrians while making turns than drivers of cars, according to a new study. The research released Thursday by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety points to the increasing popularity of larger vehicles…

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2022 Calendars available

We have a small supply of extra 2022 Calendars if you are interested!  Just let us know and we will pop one in the mail for you! While supplies last!

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Earthquake Brace + Bolt Retrofit Grant Program

FUNDS ARE LIMITED! You can strengthen your home and get up to a 25%* discount on your earthquake insurance premium. You may register and then be selected to receive a unique opportunity: a $3,000 tax-free grant to help seismically retrofit your home through the 2020 Earthquake Brace + Bolt (EBB) program. Registration is open until…

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Congratulations. You’ve Been Selected – Don’t Get Scammed!

This message was shared with me by the Simi Valley Police department and I thought it valuable information so I wanted to share it with you. Many older Americans grew up in an era when doing the right thing meant helping family members, reporting for jury duty, and paying your taxes. Unfortunately, scammers know this…

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Auto insurance rates on the rise

MORE ACCIDENTS attributed to smartphone use while driving, coupled with much higher costs of repairs, have led to double-digit increases in auto insurance rates over the past few years. Distracted driving is just one of many factors that have converged on auto insurance claims, resulting in sustained premium increases. Now there are new factors that…

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Are you taking care of tomorrow?

27% of 1,000 Millennials surveyed in July 2018 spend more money on coffee each month than what they set aside and invest monthly for their eventual retirement (source: Lendedu.com). If this describes you, give us a call and we can show you a couple of steps you can take to get started on a systematic…

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Comments about annuities from the current issue of Kiplinger newsletter –

“Sales of fixed-rate deferred annuities will jump over the next two years: A 20% increase this year and another 25% next year. Higher interest rates and increased stock market volatility are making annuities more attractive options than they have been in years. Higher rates let insurers hike the payouts they offer on deferred annuities, which…

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Prevention through education – talk with your teenage drivers

The 100 days between Memorial Day and Labor Day are recognized as the deadliest for teens, as collisions involving young drivers spikes sharply during this period. This year the Department of Insurance, the California Highway Patrol, Impact Teen Drivers, and the insurance industry are hoping to turn the tide by teaming up with the Ford…

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Actual vs Expected!

Only 36% of workers surveyed anticipate that their monthly Social Security benefit “will be a major source of income” during retirement. However, 67% of retirees surveyed have determined that their monthly Social Security benefit “is a major source of income” during retirement (source: Employee Benefit Research Institute 2018 Retirement Confidence Survey). This reflects failure or…

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Happy 90th Birthday Farmers Insurance!!!

  On March 28, 1928, 90 years ago today, Farmers Automobile Inter-Insurance Exchange was born and on April 9th, sold its first auto policy on a 1925 Cadillac Phaeton to Charles Briscoe. This was the beginning of a wonderful Corporate story that has had tremendous positive impact on many individuals; employees, agents, district managers, and…

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Great reminder from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office

In the wake of Thomas Fire, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office reminds residents that charity and home repair scams often follow disasters. The Sheriff’s Office warns people about urgent appeals for charitable donations, and cautions residents in stricken areas about fraudulent home repair offers. The scammers often play on the emotions of people especially during…

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You, disabled? What are your chances?

Higher than you probably think. You can ignore the problem, but it’s hard to ignore the facts: Just over 1 in 4 of today’s 20 year-olds will become disabled before they retire. Accidents are NOT usually the culprit. Back injuries, cancer, heart disease and other illnesses cause the majority of long-term absences. Are you prepared…

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Americans and Retirement Savings

Recent research conducted by the Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies revealed that 77% of 4,200 Americans surveyed are saving for their retirement, either through pre – tax retirement plan or through personal after – tax accounts. Which group do you fall in? If you are part of the 77%, are you putting enough away to…

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Start Saving Now!

A child born in 2016 that begins kindergarten in the fall of 2021 would attend college between the years of 2034 and 2038. If that child attended an average public in-state 4-year college and if the annual price increases for public colleges experienced over the last 30 years continued into the future, the aggregate 4-year…

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Umbrella Insurance – Is it for YOU?

I get many questions concerning Umbrella Liability Insurance coverage and wondering whether it is something that one should add to their insurance portfolio. The easiest way to answer that question is with a question; “Is protecting your assets in the event of a catastrophic loss something that is important to you?” Many think “Well something…

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Group Health Insurance for Business

Affordable Care Act (ACA) employer mandate now (as of 01/01/2016) requires businesses with at least 50 full-time equivalent employees to provide health coverage for their employees and dependents or face a tax penalty. Many clients in the service industry have asked me “what constitutes a Full Time Equivalent?” Here is the definition directly from the…

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CEA Announces coverage enhancements effective January 2016

The California Earthquake Authority (CEA) has published coverage enhancements not previously available including options of $150,000 and $200,000 for Coverage C – Personal Property; options of $50, $75 and $100,000 for Loss of Use; increased coverage amount on Building Code Upgrade of $30,000; and a new limit for Loss Assessment in the amount of $100,000…

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California Wildfires are back!

Every year it seems we kick off Wildfire season with a horrific event and this year is no different. After the Fire of last week and scenes of burned out vehicles on the 15, now strong winds and heavy rain have caused damage to properties in Ramona, Perris, Moreno Valley and surrounding areas. The current…

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Insurance commissioner approves new insurance product to fill gap for UberX, Lyft and Sidecar ride-hailing drivers. Farmers Insurance steps up to meet insurance need driven by new technology.

The following is the content of a press release issued by the California Department of Insurance this morning. SACRAMENTO, Calif.- As demand for ridesharing or ride-hailing services continues to increase for business and personal travel, closing insurance gaps to protect consumers is a priority. Insurance Commissioner Jones announced today that he has approved a new…

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Cyber Liablity

An online tech report for USA Today on December 9, 2014 had a lot to say on the impact of damage from a cyber breach. The report highlights that small business owners can protect themselves from cyberbreaches with cyber liability insurance. “In some ways, just the process of getting the insurance is protective. It makes…

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Holiday Packages and Automobile Glass don’t mix!

I was speaking to one of the vendors that Farmers Insurance uses for glass replacement and he told me that it is amazing at this time of year how many automobile windows they replace due to smash and grab thieves.  Holiday packages in plain view in your automobile are prime targets for this type of…

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Reduce Your Risk from Wildfire Embers

Thousands of residents have been evacuated due to a rare confluence of fast-moving wildfires scorching Southern California. California Fire Division Chief Dave Allen said nine fires have burned 9,095 acres and San Diego County district supervisor Bill Horn said Wednesday evening that eight fires were burning in the region, seven of which popped up that…

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