Renting May Be Easier Than Owning but Don’t Let A Lack of Insurance Complicate Your Life

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Don’t Leave Acquiring Renters Insurance Off Of Your List 

Currently, you rent your home, so there are a lot of things you can leave off of your list. Most likely you do not have to cover the overall maintenance of your home which frees up a substantial amount of time and money. However, we urge you not to leave a great renter’s insurance policy off of your MUST HAVE list. Lessened property responsibility does not equal less vulnerability. You still need an adequate and appropriate insurance policy to protect your property and it may be required by your landlord in most situations.

Renters, like homeowners, face the possibility of getting property taken in a robbery. Criminal activity is not the only culprit. Severe weather conditions or environmental hazards can also have a renter seeing his or her property being damaged or completely lost. Come in to Wine Valley Insurance Services today to speak with an agent who has experience in protecting the things you work hard for.  

We can offer liability and property coverage through our renter’s insurance policies that will not be covered by your landlord. Make an inventory of your belongings to make this process even easier!

Napa, CA is Known For Its Vineyards – Lets Add Quality Comprehensive Insurance Agencies to the List

Before you move into your rented apartment or other property make it a priority to stop into  Wine Valley Insurance Services in Napa, CA. Contact us by phone at 707-226-8604. Our team members take pride in the fact that we cater to many facets of our clients insurance liabilities. In addition to assisting renter’s in protecting their lifestyle, we provide auto, home, commercial. life, health, condo, toy, and umbrella insurance coverage. Contact us today. 

How Long Does a Bad Driving Record Affect Your Auto Insurance Rates?

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When you have a spotty driving record, you are considered high-risk for auto insurance companies. The good news is that you won’t have the high-risk label forever if you avoid future traffic violations. Any concerns with how your driving history affects your insurance rates can be discussed with the agents from Wine Valley Insurance Services.

Variable Timeframes

Each insurance carrier will handle poor driving records differently. For minor violations, the insurance carrier may only consider incidents that occurred in the last two to three years. For more serious traffic violations and accidents, the report may stay on your record for at least five years. Insurance carriers who cover drivers in the Napa, CA area may offer accident forgiveness for policyholders who typically have a good driving record.

Types of Offenses

Not all traffic incidents will have a major impact on insurance premiums. For instance, non-moving violations such as an expired inspection sticker or parking ticket will not likely change insurance rates. High-speed driving tickets, DUI violations, and careless driving tickets will have the most effect on insurance coverage.

Quick Ways to Clean Up a Driving Record

Waiting for your driving record to clear up on its own can feel cumbersome. The good news is drivers can take proactive steps to fix their driving records. For one, you can choose to fight any traffic violation tickets. The ticket may be dismissed or reduced by the judge depending on the circumstances. You could also request traffic violations, and convictions are expunged from your driving record through the State of California Department of Motor Vehicles. Driver safety courses also assist with fixing a poor driving record in order to secure better auto insurance rates.

Contact one of the friendly and professional agents from Wine Valley Insurance Services about auto insurance coverage. The company serves drivers located in Napa, CA and surrounding areas.

 

Factors to Consider When Shopping for Umbrella Insurance

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We live in a litigious society, and considering no one is perfect, you can avoid financial ruin by acquiring umbrella insurance with Wine Valley Insurance Services. Umbrella insurance is meant to offer extra liability protection beyond your standard auto, home, boat or other types of coverage. It also covers claims that may be excluded by your other liability policies.

Having excess liability insurance may not be compulsory in Napa, CA, however, without it, you may have to dig into your pocket to cover the extra liability costs from severe accidents and huge lawsuits. Here are a few factors to consider when shopping for umbrella insurance:

Current coverage

Umbrella insurance only comes in after your primary policies have been exhausted. That’s why it’s important to evaluate your policies while focusing on coverage limits. Use your current coverage amounts as a baseline to build from.

The amount of extra insurance you can afford

Having umbrella insurance might mean paying higher premiums on your standard policies. This is because most insurance providers will require policyholders to raise their coverage and deductibles. So, ensure you determine how much extra insurance you can afford before committing.

Assets

The amount of umbrella coverage dramatically depends on what you’ve got to lose. When shopping for umbrella insurance, focus on the value of your assets, which includes retirement, savings, stocks, etc. Umbrella insurance is meant to safeguard your financial future, therefore, choose a policy that compares to your assets as well as your future financial projections.

Risks

The type of risks you are taking also offers an idea of how much coverage you need. An elevated accident risk, such as homes with pools, can naturally increase your chances of getting sued. Therefore, the higher the risk, the more umbrella coverage you need.

At Wine Valley Insurance Services, we ensure residents of Napa, CA don’t have to liquidate their precious assets due to unexpected lawsuits. For more information, get in touch with us today!

Is there a difference between a fire and a wildfire?

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The agents at Wine Valley Insurance Services, serving Napa, CA and the nearby areas, have plenty of experience dealing with insurance claims for wildfires in northern California. They want to caution homeowners about the differences between a regular fire and a wildfire. Most home insurance covers fires due to ordinary causes. However, there may not be coverage for wildfires. It is essential to double check home insurance policies to make sure that any damage to a home caused by wildfires is covered.

Force Majeure Considerations

“Force majeure” is a legal term used in a home insurance policy that is sometimes also referred to as an “act of God.” The use of this term in creating coverage exclusions and policy limits is something to investigate in any home insurance policies.

For example, let’s say the home insurance policy has a force majeure clause that excludes fires caused by an “act of God.” This means that if a wildfire caused by a lightning strike or due to drought is the reason why a home burns down, the insurance may not cover the damages.

Getting Home Insurance Areas with High Risk of Wildfires

California had over 9,000 wildfires during 2017 that burned up over 1.2 million acres and caused many billions of dollars in insurance claims. This was the most destructive year on record due to wildfires.

In many parts of northern California, homes that are located in areas subject to wildfires now cannot get home insurance, or if they do get home insurance, it has a specific exclusion saying that the policy does not cover wildfires.

If you are unable to get insurance coverage for a home due to the risk of wildfires, it may be available under the California FAIR plan. Contact your agent at Wine Valley Insurance Services in Napa, CA for help with home insurance coverage.

Why You Need Renters Insurance

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If you rent your current home, it is of importance for you to look into renter’s insurance. This form of insurance coverage is often overlooked but it leaves you exposed to serious financial loss. For those living in and around Napa, CA, our team at Wine Valley Insurance Services is here to help you with all of your potential renter’s insurance needs. 

At Greater Risk

When you rent you are often at a greater risk for property loss. If you live in an apartment community there are more people around. More people means there is a greater chance for a fire or for theft. This also can mean you are more likely to have your apartment broken into or items are more likely to be stolen when you live in a high-risk community. 

Protect Your Valuables

You may not own your home but you probably still have valuables inside of the property. From your entertainment system to your computer, clothing or any other item of value, you need to protect your valuables. The only real way to do this is with renter’s insurance. Attempting to replace everything you own is costly. Renter’s insurance is not. 

Wildfires

Wildfires have become more and more common. Plus, earthquakes are a very real issue in California as well. Each of these can damage your belongings. You need to protect your property and your valuables in the rental. A renters insurance policy can have extended coverage to protect you from the dangers of nature. 

No matter what kind of place you live in or how long you’ve called it home, if you rent, renter’s insurance is a must when living in and around Napa, CA. So, when you’re ready to protect yourself and your belongings, you need to give our team at Wine Valley Insurance Services a call. 

Will my auto insurance cover belongings stolen out of my car?

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Driving in and around Napa, CA is a pleasure with its hundreds of vineyards and beautiful hillside views. The last thing you need to worry about is people breaking into your car, but, unfortunately, that can happen in the most idyll setting. 

At Wine Valley Insurance Services, we handle claims when individuals have returned to their vehicles to find that items are missing. It is important to lock up valuables and make sure nothing important is visible to an outsider. However, even when you do everything the way you’re supposed to, misfortune can strike.

The Limits of Auto Insurance

Unfortunately, auto insurance is limited in the kinds of incidents it covers. If you are in a collision, you will be protected up to your policy limits for the kind of protection you have chosen. 

Auto insurance will also usually cover incidents like vandalism to your vehicle. However, it does not protect personal items you leave in your car.

Making Your Claim

You can claim personal items stolen from your vehicle under a different kind of policy if you have one. If you own your home, you can make a claim under your homeowner’s policy. Renters can make a claim under their renter’s insurance policy. 

Of course, once you figure out what policy you have in place that can protect you against these kinds of losses, there are other factors to consider. If the loss is small, it may not even reach the amount of your deductible. 

If you are a driver in Napa, CA, you don’t want to be surprised after a loss when you find out it isn’t covered. Call Wine Valley Insurance Services to make sure you have all the protection you need. 

4 Reasons to Consider Umbrella Insurance

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Umbrella insurance is designed to take over where more standard and specific insurance policies leave off. While not everyone needs that higher level of coverage, it’s generally better to have more protection. If you’re in the Napa, CA area, Wine Valley Insurance Services can help you get the right umbrella policy for your needs. Then you can enjoy protection and peace of mind knowing you’ll be covered if something exceeds your insurance limits. Umbrella insurance comes in different options and coverage amounts, so it’s important to work with an agent to get what you need. Here are four of the biggest reasons to consider getting an umbrella insurance policy.

  1. Some problems in life can’t really be planned for, but they can be protected against.
  2. The standard coverage you have may not be enough if a major problem should arise.
  3. You may have important assets you want to protect to give yourself peace of mind.
  4. Umbrella insurance can reach over other policies to add an extra layer of protection.

By reaching out to Wine Valley Insurance Services in Napa, CA, you can be sure your home, business, and life are better protected from the dangers and accidents that can occur at any moment. The level of protection provided by an umbrella insurance policy is an important factor in feeling secure for a lot of people, and we want to help you have that feeling of security in your life. Whether you’re looking for a small amount of umbrella coverage for a little extra protection or you’d rather have a much broader policy, we can help you get what you need. By providing you with quotes from multiple companies and information from agents who are in the know, we can help you choose what works for your needs and situation.

What Will Happen if My Home Insurance Lapses?

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Buying a home in California is always a big investment. When you decide to purchase a home, you will need to make sure that you have insurance in place to protect it and you. While most people will have protection in place when they buy the home, the policy could lapse if you stop paying. If your home policy does lapse, a few different things could happen to you and your insurance.

Loss of Coverage

If your home insurance policy coverage lapses, the first thing that will likely happen is that you will lose your coverage. Home insurance for people in the Napa, CA area provides a lot of very valuable coverage including property damage coverage, liability protection, and personal asset coverage. If you stop making payments on your home insurance policy or if it matures, you could be found to have no coverage when you need it the most.

Force Pay by Lender

If your home insurance policy lapses, there is a chance that your lender could force pay it for you. In most situations, your lender will require you to escrow your home insurance payments. However, if you fall behind on payments and there is no escrow, the lender will likely pay additional money out of its pocket to make sure your policy stays active as it will protect their collateral. You then will be charged a fee and your loan could be forced into default.

When you have more questions about home insurance, or would like to find a new policy, contacting the Wine Valley Insurance Services company could be beneficial. Wine Valley Insurance Services will be able to help Napa, CA area homeowners find a policy that works for them and also keeps them in full compliance with their loan. We also are happy to serve the insurance needs of those in Nevada, Oregon, Colorado, Arizona, Washington, and Idaho. Reach out to our offices for more information.

Do You Really Need Renters Insurance?

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Many renters or tenants do not purchase renters insurance because they assume their property is covered under their landlord’s policy. This can be a costly assumption on the part of the renter because the landlord’s policy only covers the building, not individual renters personal property. If a natural disaster, fire, or other events such as a water leak causes damage to the building, the landlord is covered. However, without renters insurance, any belongings damaged or destroyed by the fire, water, or other disasters are not subject to be replaced.  

It is the responsibility of the renter to have their own policy covering their personal property. These types of policies offer coverage for possessions as well as liability coverage if someone is injured inside your residence. In general, renters insurance will include personal property and liability as well as loss of use. If liability is part of the policy, it will cover medical payments to the party injured at your residence. As well as damage you may cause to another person’s property.

  Every policy is different, but in general, your property is protected if lost or damaged due to:

  • Fire

  • Smoke

  • Lightning

  • Explosion

  • Water

  • Electrical Surges

Depending on the policy, there could be other types of loss or damage covered as well. Wine Valley Insurance Services in Napa, CA can also include living expenses in a policy. This would provide you the means to live somewhere else if your unit is damaged and needs repairs.  

Your policy could also protect your property if you are away from home. Portable property like a laptop could be replaced even if it was stolen from your car, not your dwelling. It is important to catalog all your high-value electronics, furniture, jewelry, and other items by photographing them. Consider a policy that will pay for replacement items instead of actual cash value.

Discuss the need for liability coverage with your Wine Valley Insurance Services agent in Napa, CA to make sure you are protected if someone is injured in your residence or your property is damaged. It is important to let your insurance agent know exactly what you expect the policy to cover so that in the event of an accident or disaster, your possessions are properly protected.

Can I Drive Without Auto Insurance?

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In California, motorists are required to carry the state-mandated minimum auto liability coverage to operate their motor vehicles in public spaces. Therefore, driving without auto insurance in The Golden State isn’t allowed, it’s illegal.

What happens if you get behind the wheel without insurance and get caught?

There are many possible consequences of driving without car insurance. For starters, you could go to jail, which is rare for this offense but it’s well within the realm of possibility. Common penalties for driving without car insurance include suspension of your driver’s license, suspension of your car’s registration, being fined or getting a ticket for the insurance violation. Now, Wine Valley Insurance Services wants you to understand the real costs of driving without insurance.

The Real Cost of Driving Uninsured

The fear of getting caught shouldn’t be the only reason for avoiding driving uninsured. In fact, it’s not the worst that could happen. It’s all about being considerate for your own financial well-being and that of other users. Car insurance is supposed to pay for any damages or bodily injuries resulting from an accident. When auto coverage isn’t available, the uninsured driver will have to cover the expense out of pocket.

The situation could get much worse if in the event of an accident involving two — or more — cars you, the uninsured driver, are determined to be at fault. You will face the legal penalties, on top of which you will be required to pay for the damages as well as the medical expenses (if any) out of pocket. Penalties can be more severe if there are any fatalities or serious injuries.

To avoid these unpleasant situations, it’s best that you purchase car insurance. There are many coverage options; you can always choose one that falls within your budget. Wine Valley Insurance Services in Napa, CA can help you with that. We have a wide range of auto insurance coverage options all designed to meet the specific needs of our customers. Contact us via phone to talk to one of our agents for more information on available auto insurance coverage options or visit our offices in Napa, CA. We also write policies for Washington, Nevada, Oregon, Colorado, Arizona, and Idaho.