Don’t Forget Arizona Elk and Antelope Tags Due 2/09/10

Remember to put in for your Elk and Antelope tags in Arizona. They are due in their office by 02/09/10.

AZ Hunting Regulations

AZ Application Sheet

AZ Fish and Game Website

Talk to us about your gun collection and ATV coverage. Go and shoot a trophy!

Bakersfield Wind Storm: Fence Damage and your Insurance

We are currently having a lot of claims for damaged fences from the high winds in Kern County. Here is a quick tutorial on the coverage your homeowners policy affords you and how we can help.

Coverage: Damage to your fence is covered under “Coverage B (Other Structures) subject to your deductible.

There are 2 types of fences and they apply differently to your insurance:

Shared Fences: Shared fences are fences that are shared with your neighbors. Your responsibility is for 50% of the cost of the damage to the fence. In the case of a shared fence your insurance company will pay 1/2 of the amount of the damage and split your deductible in 1/2. For example if there is $3000 in total damage and you have a $1000 deductible the insurance company will pay $1500 minus 1/2 of your deductible ($500) for a total of $1000.

Things to remember:

• You are responsible for 1/2 of the damage to a shared fence
• Your insurance company will split your deductible and you will be responsible for paying 1/2 of the deductible

Non-Shared Fences: Non-shared fences are fences that you don’t share with a neighbor such as front or side fence. You are responsible for 100% of the expense. If you have $3000 in damage the insurance company will pay $3000 minus your deductible.

Things to remember:

• You are responsible for 100% of the damage to a non-shared fence.
• The damage to your fence is covered under your homeowners policy minus your deductible

If you have a claim or want to discuss a possible claim give us a call 661-327-5531.  You can email us at ryanatcrosbyandcrosbydotcom (regular email format).

To turn in a claim directly to the company visit our claims page at http://www.crosbyandcrosby.com/claims/

Rest assured our emphasis is helping you handle a claim. It is never fun and can be confusing. We can help and make the process easy. We won’t say “fun” but we will handle your claim: quickly, efficiently and fairly. Aren’t you glad you chose a local agent?

Dealing with Rain, Wind and Weather Related Insurace Claims

January and February are our biggest months for weather related losses in Bakersfield. So what is the best way to handle these claims?

1. Secure your property against further loss. For a covered weather related loss- the insurance company will reimburse the out of pocket expenses to secure your property against further damage.

2.  Turn in your claim directly with the carrier.

Travelers: 1-800-252-4633 – Safeco 1-800-332-3226

Kemper Auto and Home: 1–888–252–2799

For other companies and to turn in claims online: http://www.crosbyandcrosby.com/claims/

3. A claims adjuster will contact you within 1 business day. Crosby and Crosby will be notified of your claim and we will follow-up to assist you and answer any questions that you may have. We can be reached at 661-327-5531.

4. Rest assured that with any of the companies we represent you are dealing with a great company that will quickly, effciently and fairly handle your claim. Plus Crosby and Crosby as your local agent will be there to assist you through your claim.

If you are unsure if you have a covered claim or need assistance don’t hesitate to contact us 661-327-5531 or email us at agentatcrosbyandcrosbydot com.

Weather related claims information

Rain: Covered losses include the damage caused by leaking or damaged roofs.  Secure your home against further damage and contact your company directly.

Wind: Wind related losses are the most common type of losses in Bakersfield. Damage to roofs and/or fences are the most common.

Other Weather Related Claims: Auto accidents increase during wet weather. Make sure to exchange information with the other people involved in the accident and get contact information from any witnesses.

Featured Business of the Month at saveathomemommy.com

Check out our giveaway and special offer as the saveathomemommy.com featured business of the week.

Some great ideas on saving money and balancing your budget!

What Kind of Insurance Coverage Should I Have for a Concealed Carry Permit or CCW?

If you have made the decision to carry a firearm for your protection you should do two things immediately…

1. Make contact with a criminal defense attorney who is experienced with and friendly to 2nd Amendment Issues.
2. Find an insurance agent/company who is also experienced and friendly to 2nd Amendment Issues.

Criminal

Your first contact with an experienced defense attorney will help you prepare for the situation that you are forced to use your firearm in defense of yourself or another person. Should you happen to be charged or threatened with charges, your first contact will be your criminal defense attorney and having already made a contact will make an already stressful situation easier to deal with.

Civil

This is where having an experienced insurance agent and a 2nd amendment friendly company is going to come into play. You maybe civilly liable for damages to person or property caused by your acts. A civil suit may be filed not only from the person/family whom you injured/killed in your defense but also from other parties whom had bodily injury or property damage. I.E. You defend yourself while in fear for your life while be robbed at a gas station, you fire 2 shots with one shot passing through the assailant and injuring an innocent bystander standing behind them. You are likely going to be sued by the bystander for the injuries that they sustained.

What you need to consider

There are 2 parts of a possible civil case that you need to consider. First is personal liability, that is damages that your actions caused and you are responsible for. Secondly is your legal defense to the civil suit, that is your legal representation to defend you against the suit.

To property protect your civil liability you need to consider a homeowners policy with maximum available liability limits and an umbrella policy with suitable limits for your needs and specific wording that includes protection for:

“Bodily injury” resulting from the use of reasonable force by an “insured” to protect persons or property

If you would like to discuss your options in more details we can be reached at 661-327-5531 or email us. You can also get an online quote at www.crosbyandcrosby.com we are supporters or the 2nd amendment and experienced in firearms issues and personal insurance.

Bakersfield Wedding Insurance Now Online

You can now quote wedding insurance coverage online starting at $160 with Travelers no-deductible Wedding Insurance.

Why insure my wedding?

• 40% of the claims filed with Travelers involved unforseen problems with vendors such as caterers, photographers and wedding planners. Problems such as going out of business or failing to show up on the event day were leading causes.
• With the average wedding costing over $20,000 insurance makes financial sense for bride and groom as well as their parents.
• 22% of claims involved key family members being unable to attend or postponement due to military leave.
• 19% of claims resulted from lost or damaged items such as dresses or rings.
• 15% of claims were weather related.

You can now quote online

or for more information check with us 661-327-5531

The power of a local Bakersfield Insurance Agent

The convenience of being able to shop for insurance, pay your bill, and access your account, online- is a wonderful thing. Just last week before leaving for a trip I noticed my ID card had just expired. I walked inside and logged into my account and just like that my printer was printing out my latest ID card.

Our website  www.crosbyandcrosby.com brings together all of the companies we represent. You can access billing, account information and even turn in a claim 24 hours a day.

But what if you need that face to face service that a purely online or out of town agent cannot help you with?

Here are a few of the most common situations that we are able to provide a superior level of service to our clients…

Claims: We represent some great companies and demand that the companies we represent treat our customers fairly and efficiently in a claim. Sometimes things don’t go as planned and honestly the claims process can be confusing to a customer who is not use to dealing with claims.

By being able to meet face-to-face or even to speak with someone who is very familiar with your account can make the claims process a little easier.

Consult: Sometimes a claims adjuster can have 50 or more open claims in-front of them. Dealing with so many claims can leave the adjuster seeming a little brash and the customer wondering exactly what is going on. We as independent agents can sit back and take the time to explain the claim process and details in a more human way. We know each of our customers as an individual and can help you with your claim.

Advocate: If you write a policy with a direct writer without an agent; what happens if you have a serious issue or are being treated unfairly? You are left with speaking to someone who works for the insurance company or someone else who works for the insurance company!

In 1963 we decided the best way to serve our clients was as an independent insurance agent. We do not work for the companies we represent. If you are being treated unfairly or have a major issue with a company, we are always available to advocate for our customers; YOU!

Policy Rate Changes

Insurance companies rates vary from year to year. One year one company may be very competitive and the next year another company. Several years ago there was a major insurance crisis in California. Homeowners policies were being cancelled or the rates were doubling. Auto insurance was rising by 20% per year and billing options were being shrunk.

We added several companies to better assist our customers.

If our customer has a significant rate change we can look for another company that better fits their needs. They already have a relationship with our agency and they don’t have to go looking for another agent to help them and start all over.

We are all for technological innovation that make things easier on your our customer. But when technology offers a barrier to what you need, service, we will be there for you too. Face-to-face!

We are proud to represent great companies like: Kemper Auto and Home, Travelers and Safeco Insurance. Please follow the links to view their customer access pages. We think you will like them.

Thank You from Crosby and Crosby

While we are all being thankful for a beautiful roast turkey, all the fixings and great times with friends and family, Crosby and Crosby would like to say “thank you”. We have great customers and we are thankful that you chose us for your insurance needs.

We have built great  friendships and are always excited to visit with our customers. We wish you and your family a happy Thanksgiving in 2009.

Travelers Insurance Featured as one of America’s 40 Greatest Brands

In the 7th Installment of “America’s Greatest Brands”, Travelers Insurance was featured as one of America’s Greatest 40 brands. Article Here

Companies were selected based on building brand loyalty during tough economic times and exhibiting innovation and persistence.

We are proud to offer Travelers in our line of great companies. Travelers offers great value to central valley insured’s. They offer coverages to fit individual needs including:

• Up to $1,000,000 in auto liability coverage
• Multi-policy discounts extend to umbrella, dwelling fire and valuable items policies
• Homeowners coverage tiers to best meet your needs

Some great Travelers Commercials….

“Rabbit Foot”

“Prized Possession”

Mandatory Health Insurance vs Auto Insurance

Obama’s Interview

When asked if possible jail time was appropriate for failing to purchase mandatory Health Insurance President Obama said, ” What I think is appropriate is that in the same way that everybody has to get auto insurance and if you don’t, you’re subject to some penalty…”

What is so fundamentally wrong with this statement is that auto insurance is not mandatory. You have two options besides traditional auto insurance…

1. In California you may post a $35,000 cash deposit with the DMV, a DMV Self-insurance certificate or a $35,000 surety bond. CA DMV
2. Don’t drive.

What options will there be to opt out of a plan either from the government or endoresed by the government?