Anthem California Health Insurance Rate Adjustments

Anthem Blue Cross News Flash: Anthem has reached an agreement with the California Department of Insurance (CDI) to reduce our Individual premium increase that was implemented beginning on Feb. 1, 2013 and impacted approximately 636,000 Individual members.

Anthem Blue Cross Life and Health Insurance Company (Anthem) originally filed for an average 17.9 percent increase, and after negotiations with the Department of Insurance, agreed to change the increase to an average 13.9 percent increase. As a result of the revised rates, the majority of your Individual clients will receive a lower rate than previously communicated.
Anthem will lower the premium for these Individual market products and will allow policyholders who switched to a lower cost product to switch back to their former product. The members who dropped coverage because of the rate increase can reinstate in the product they recently dropped without going through medical underwriting.

If you have any questions regarding your personal health insurance or group health policy with Anthem Blue Cross please contact us at Crosby & Crosby Insurance Services, 661-327-5531.

Missing Proof Of Insurance? New Law Makes Electronic Proof Acceptable in California and Idaho.

Are you in a bind after suddenly realizing your insurance ID card is expired minutes before a road trip? New laws passed this year in California and Idaho make it easier than ever for us to provide your proof of insurance in a hurry. A picture or file on your smart phone is now valid proof of insurance in California and Idaho.

We keep a photo copy of our ID card on our phone just in case.

There are two easy solutions to get your ID card on your phone…

- take a photo of the physical ID card when you receive your policy documents

- have us email you a PDF file of your ID card to save on your phone

We are always available to help. Give us a call 661-327-5531 in California, 208-366-8366 in Idaho or email us at agent@crosbyandcrosby.com if you need your insurance ID cards sent to your phone.

Small Business Saturday is Right Around the Corner

Small Business Saturday® is just around the corner! Make Saturday, November 24th the biggest day of the year for a small business.

Did you know that:
 Approximately 50% of all private sector employees employed by small businesses
 $68 out of every $100 spent at small businesses returns to the local economy
 2 out of every 3 new jobs are created by small businesses

By supporting small businesses you are supporting your local economy! Join Crosby & Crosby Insurance Services and Travelers in participating in Small Business Saturday to show our support for local businesses that create jobs, boost the economy and preserve neighborhoods around the country.

Please promote this important day with your co-workers, friends and family! You can visit www.ShopSmall.com to learn which small businesses in your town are participating in Small Business Saturday or visit www.crosbyandcrosby.com to learn more about our small business.

When we all shop small, it will be huge!

Tuesday Insurance Questions… Firearms Insurance, Insurance Discounts for Engineers, Insurance Company Ratings

Here is another round of our “Tuesday Insurance Questions”. If you haven’t already, make sure to jump into the conversation by ‘liking’ our Facebook Page.

Question: Are my firearms covered on my homeowners policy?

This is one of our most common questions and probably the subject with the greatest amount of confusion. Firearms are covered on your homeowners policy under “personal property” coverage and subject to special limitations.

Firearms are limited in coverage for losses caused by theft. The amount of coverage is often as low as $1500 depending on the policy.

If you have valuable firearms it is very important that you check with your agent to see the specific coverage your policy provides.

You may be best off to add either “scheduled” or “blanket” coverage to your policy. “Scheduled” list each specific firearm and a “stated value” to replace that firearm. “Blanket” coverage provides coverage for an entire collection of firearms up to a total limit without listing each firearm.

By “scheduling” and “blanketing” your firearms you coverage extends to “all risk” and is not subject to your deductible. “All risk” coverage provides coverage against all unintentional causes of loss including breakage and losing.

We have seen it before. Once a Beretta Onyx was dropped nearly 50′ off of rimrock while the insured was hunting. The second was a deer rifle was left leaning against a tree and was gone when the mistake was realized and the insured returned.

For more info you can view our previous post on this subject… 3 Questions Answered About Insuring Your Firearms or Is the NRA the Best Way to Protect My Firearm Collection 

Question: What kind of insurance discounts for engineers do you offer?

We offer both auto and now homeowners discounts for engineers. If you are employed as an engineer we offer up to a 17.5% discount.

Question: How can I tell what an insurance companies rating is?

We often talk about the “rating” of an insurance company in regards to its financial stability. Those ratings are given by companies such as A.M. Best. 

The importance of financial ratings is mainly the stability of the company. An insurance company with excellent financial ratings is more likely to have stable rates and less fluctuation than lessor rated companies.

In regards to the claims and customer service aspect of a specific company we think the best idea is to talk to a trusted agent. As an agent we deal with the claims and customer service aspect of insurance companies. That experience allows us to offer insight into what to expect from each specific company.

That completes this weeks questions. We hope it was helpful. We look forward to your comments or questions!

You can reach us @ 661-327-5531 or by email at agent@crosbyandcrosby.com

What happens to your auto insurance when you get a California DUI?

Each year, in California, over 200,000 drivers are arrested for driving under the influence according to the California Department of Motor Vehicles. The penalties and monetary fines are steep.

What about your auto insurance? What happens to your auto insurance when you are convicted for drunk driving?

The first thing you probably will think of is that you will be cast off to buying insurance from some pirate, ringing a bell each huge broker fee he charges while slashing your coverages to nothing.

The good news is that many really great companies are now looking closer at drivers with a clean driving record other than an unfortunate DUI. With the nearly zero threshold for having a drink or two and getting behind the wheel many good and safe drivers are ending up being charged with DUI.

Can I keep good coverage and keep my home and auto insurance combined with a DUI on my record?

Yes! Some of our great companies now considering drivers with a clean driving record other than a DUI conviction there is no need to split off your home and auto insurance or slash coverages.

We can offer the liability and uninsured motorist protection that you need and extend multi-policy discounts to help you get the best value even if you have a DUI.

What is a SR-22 filing?

A Sr-22 filing is a filing the insurance company is required to make with the DMV. Normally insurance is tied to a vehicle but the SR-22 ties the insurance policy to the driver for  a period of 3-years from the conviction date. To keep your license active the SR-22 filing and the insurance policy must remain in-force for that period whether or not you own a vehicle.

There should be no “brokers fee” to issue a SR-22 filing.

The insurance company may charge an extra premium to issue the SR-22 filing.

How long does a DUI stay on my record?

A DUI will charge violation points for a 3-year period after your conviction. The DUI conviction will keep you from getting a “California Good Drivers Discount” and limit your insurance options with many companies for a period of 10-years.

How can Crosby and Crosby help?

Our agency is dedicated to helping clients that value great insurance. We understand that sometimes unfortunately some careful and safe drivers can make a mistake and end up with a DUI.

 We can also offer insurance from companies that have the same great coverages and multi-policy discounts that are available to “California good drivers” in addition to helping you complete all the SR-22 requirements.

You can give us a call at 661-327-5531 in California, 208-366-8366 in Idaho, email us, or complete an online quote.

If you have questions about your insurance with a DUI or a SR-22 filing please contact us. We can help!

Packaging Your Bakersfield Home and Auto Insurance The Easy Way

A large majority of potential clients we meet say they are looking for a better deal on their insurance. Many of those potential clients aren’t taking advantage of the easiest way to save, combining their auto and home insurance.

Combining your home and auto insurance is the simplest way to get a better value for your insurance.

Crosby and Crosby Insurance has been helping Bakersfield residents combine their policies since 1963. Our great companies like- Safeco, Travelers and Kemper Preferred offer savings up to 20% for combining your home and auto policies.

Some benefits of combining your home and auto insurance are:

• Savings up to 20%
• Increased and enhanced coverages
• Our package policies with Kemper Preferred and Safeco provide a single policy for both home and auto
• A knowledgeable local agent to help you choose the correct coverage options and assist you with claims

It is now easier than ever to get a quote for combining your home and auto insurance. You can try Crosby and Crosby’s online rater now for a great comparison quote 24 hrs/day. You can talk to us at 661-327-5531 or stop by our office at 111 “H” Street.

The Best Way To Get Insurance On Your Classic or Antique Auto

Are you sure that antique beauty tucked away in the garage under a brand new coat of wax is properly insured? Classic autos have some unique coverage needs. First and foremost is the valuation of that vehicle.

Cash or Stated Value

The cash value of a vehicle is essentially the market value with standard depreciation. Companies use many different ways to figure out a fair cash value including averaging recent sell transactions for similar vehicles and Kelly Blue Book values.

You don’t want a cash value on your classic auto!!!

What you are looking for is a stated value policy! That is a policy that states in the event of a total loss of your vehicle in a collision or other than collision loss the insurance company will pay you a settlement based on the stated value on your policy. For example your vehicle had a stated value of $20,000 and the vehicle was stolen the company would pay you $20,000 minus any applicable deductible.

Determining the “stated value” of your vehicle is best done with a professional appraisal of your vehicle.

Not only is it better coverage but a stated value policy might save you money

Most classic autos are being driven on a part-time basis and aren’t regular commute vehicles. By listing a vehicle as a classic auto, with stated value, you can take advantage of company discounts for part-time vehicles.

If you have another vehicle for your regular commute you may qualify for a discount.

Our Solution… Combine You Accounts

A quick google search shows that there are quite a bit of companies offering coverage for classic autos. Most of those are policies are specifically for your classic auto and are going to be an addition to your current auto policy.

Our solution is several of our great companies like Safeco Insurance that can put your classic auto on your regular auto policy. This allows you to take advantage of discounts with your other policies like your home, umbrella, motorcycle and boat policies.

You have the great “stated value” policy that you need with a lot less paperwork and added savings.

Contact Us About Your Classic Auto Insurance

If there is anything that we can help you with or questions we can answer for you, just say the word. We are easy to reach in California at 661-327-5531, in Idaho at 208-366-8366 or by email at agent@crosbyandcrosby.com. You can also complete an online quote 24 hrs/day.

Tuesday Insurance Questions… Are insurance policies all the same, Best Bakersfield Health Insurance, ATVs in a Garage

We have another batch of our “Tuesday Insurance Questions”. If you have questions about insurance send us an email at agent@crosbyandcrosby.com.

Question: Are all insurance policies the same?

The answer is loudly a big shouting “NO”!!! On the basic level of the actual policy contract and how it is written companies use a similar form. The key word is similar. How does your policy wording cover things like- water backup, valuable items like your jewelry and firearms and your liability? Especially with so-called “tiered” policies the policy contract can vary drastically even within the same company.

It pays to speak with a knowledgeable agent like Crosby and Crosby to discuss specific contracts and policy coverages.

Some policies are the Motel 6 of the insurance world and some are the Ritz. Spending a $100 per night at a Motel 6 is probably a rip-off but probably is a great  deal at the Ritz. The same goes with insurance. Make sure you are getting a great deal at the Ritz and not paying for bargain basement coverage. And never forget to watch for bedbugs!

What is the best health insurance company in Bakersfield?

Health insurance is one that we have seen a ton of changes within the last few years and the markets can change literally overnight. Depending on your individual situation and the coverages that you are looking for the company may be different.

We offer coverage from Anthem, Blue Shield, Aetna and now Kaiser. These 4 companies can give us a great snapshot of the best company for your needs.

To get a health quote you can complete the online form, email our health agent Jennifer Crosby at jenni@crosbyandcrosby.com  or give us a call 661-327-5531.

Are my ATV’s covered under my homeowners insurance while they are in my garage?

This is a very common question and usually gets lumped in with dirt bikes, off-road vehicles,  personal watercraft, and power boats. Your homeowners policy very specifically excludes  coverage for, “Motor Vehicles or all other motorized land conveyances”.

If you vehicle is not subject to motor vehicle registration and is used for service at your residence or for the assistance of the handicapped it may be covered.

If you have a ATV or off-road vehicle such as a dirt bike or dune buggy please speak to us about coverage.

Coverage is very affordable and you do not have coverage on your homeowners policy even while in your garage.

That wraps up this “Question and Answer”. Make sure to send us your questions! 

Travelers Insurance Expands Mobile Tools with Android Application

If you haven’t had a chance to visit Travelers Mobile Tools page take a look at their new Android application in addition to their existing iPhone, BlackBerry and mobile web applications.

The new Android and iPhone applications help you take the right steps and keep you calm if you are involved in an accident. You can even begin the claims process immediately.

Of course your Crosby and Crosby personal agent is always available to quickly help you with any claim at 661-327-5531 in California or 208-366-8366 in Idaho.

What is the loss payee for Kern Schools Federal Credit Union?

Did you receive a letter in the mail or just finance a vehicle with Kern Schools Federal Credit Union? No problem it is simple… You must carry $1000 or less comprehensive and collision deductibles and list Kern Schools as loss payee:

Kern Schools Federal Credit Union                                                                                       

PO BOX 40490

Bakersfield, CA 93304

Are you a member of Kern Schools? Both Safeco and Progessive offer members of Kern Schools a discount on their auto insurance. Give us a call 661-327-5531 or complete an online quote.