Recent Trends Boost Costs for Bay Area Drivers Does it seem like driving has become more expensive in the Bay Area in recent years? It likely has. Since 2014, the U.S. has seen more new cars on the road, and those cars are driving more miles than in years past. The severity of traffic-related accidents…
Making a Case for a Fire-Wise Landscape You’ve heard all about the record dry weather across the country, and you’ve probably heard about the increased threat of wildfires, too. But, have you considered the fire risk of your own landscaping here in the Bay Area? While there’s no such thing as a “fire-proof” plant, you…
We have conversations daily with our clients about the extreme rise in insurance premiums lately. We are also here to tell you give you even more bad news: This is absolutely not expected to end any time soon. Why? Historic inflation and other contributing trends have been driving up costs related to the repair and…
Home improvement: It’s a never-ending process for many people, and for those of us who aren’t necessarily handy, it can be a hassle, too. But there are plenty of simple maintenance tasks and other improvements you can handle to make your home safer – whether you’re handy or not. And you won’t have to break…
Clients often think they don’t need renters insurance — “Nothing I have is worth that much,” they’ll say, or “I don’t have a lot of stuff.” That’s how most people think of renter’s coverage: protection for stuff, and nothing more. After all, it’s inexpensive and it doesn’t even cover the structure itself. So how important…
Leaving your lights on — is it really a good way to keep burglars away from your Pleasanton home, or can it actually attract them? Or, is it just a “good” way to increase your electricity bill? As with so many questions in life, there isn’t one “right” answer. Using lights to enhance your home security…
Whether you were caught speeding (or worse), you’re looking for a discount on your car insurance, or you simply want to be a better driver, there are a wide range of defensive driving and driver improvement courses available in the East Bay Area these days. But, which is right for you? Here are five tips…
How to Check Your Property for Damage After a Storm When a big storm hits the Tri-Valley, you hunker down inside, relying on your home to protect you and your family. Once that storm passes, though, it’s time to repay the favor — identifying damage and protecting your home from further issues. The National Storm…
Many homeowners in California are unaware that there are options for earthquake insurance; you are not obligated to California Earthquake Authority only. There are many other private insurance companies that offer earthquake insurance, and often times it is less than HALF as much as CEA! You read that right. In many areas in California, the…
Earthquakes are real concerns for California homeowners. A recent USGS study puts the odds of having a magnitude 6.7 (the same magnitude as the 1994 Northridge Earthquake) or greater quake in California at more than 99% during the next 30 years. Homeowners’ insurance policies do not cover damage and loss caused by earthquakes. Many people…
