Getting more coverage…

There are 3 options on getting more coverage for your firearms:

1. Scheduling each specific firearm: you can schedule each specific firearm for an agreed value to be paid in the case of a loss. I.E. you schedule your Browning Citori Featherlight for $2500 in value. Your Citori is now covered against “all risk” for $2500. Losses are not subject to a deductible.
2. Blanket coverage: in our opinion the best way to cover a firearms collection is a blanket limit. If your total collection is worth $5000 you can blanket the coverage to cover each individual firearm and the entire collection up to $5000. Losses are not subject to a deductible.
3. Write your home policy in an enhanced program. By taking an enhanced home policy you can have higher coverage limits in the policy. Kemper “Elite” covers firearms up to $5000 on an “All Risk” basis. Travelers “Platinum” covers firearms up to $3500 and Travelers “Platinum High Value” covers firearms up to $6000. Losses are subject to your homeowners deductible.

How much?

To schedule or blanket firearms the cost varies by county but prices start at $18 per $1000 in coverage. A $5000 policy would cost as low as $90.

What if I don’t want to list my firearms and serial numbers?

By using a blanket limit you can cover your whole collection without listing each firearm. You collection and each item will be covered for a single limit. It is always good to use a inventory sheet like this available at California Rifle and Pistol Association.

What about scopes, binoculars and other shooting gear?

We can blanket cover your optics and other shooting gear with both Kemper and Travelers Insurance. DO NOT be like our insured who turned a canyon corner and his Swarovski binoculars flew off the dash and out the window.

We are always able to help you answer any questions on your coverage. Remember each company is different so our blog should be considered general insurance information.

We can always be reached at agent@crosbyandcrosby.com, 661-327-5531 or an office visit at 111 “H” Street.

They are available for iPhone, Blackberry and mobile web for any cell phone.

Try out the new applications here.

Video: Setting up automatic deductions

Personal Umbrella policies are written for amounts between $1 million and $10 million.

What does it cost?

Umbrella rates depend on how many vehicles, homes, recreational vehicles and other specific risks that you need to cover. A policy that covers a home and 2 vehicles will cost around $150.

New Discounts Make Umbrellas a “No-Brainer”

Both Travelers and Safeco now offer extended multi-policy discounts for writing an umbrella policy. You can save 5% with Travelers on your home and auto and Safeco now offers a 10% discount on your auto.

With the savings including an umbrella now would cost you less than $5/month in most cases and on some accounts may actually save your money!!!

What limits?

You need to consider among other things:

• Net worth – including real estate equity- assets such as vehicles, boats and toys- savings and retirement accounts etc.
• Future Earnings- Your future earnings need to be considered. If you were to have a judgement for liability over your policy limits your wages could be garnished.

Speaking with an insurance professional is advised. We have a 5-minute insurance review that can help you to decide the proper liability limits you should be carrying.

Underlying Limit Requirement

With an umbrella you are required to carry a minimum underlying liability limit on your home, auto, motorcycles and recreational vehicles. For the best rates you need to carry $500,000 of underlying liability.

If you would like to complete a free 5-minute insurance review give us a call 661-327-5531, email us at agent@crosbyandcrosby.com or if you are in Bakersfield stop by for an old-fashioned office visit at 111 “H” Street.

Profile America — Friday, February 5th. Car insurance is both required and a major item in the budget of most households. The idea of insuring cars against accidents began this month in 1898 when the Traveler’s Insurance Company issued a policy to Dr. Truman Martin of Buffalo.  His policy cost $12.25 and gave him $5,000 in coverage.  Martin was chiefly concerned about accidents between his automobile — one of fewer than 4,000 in the entire country at the time — and horses, which numbered about 18 million.  Now, cars and trucks outnumber horses more than 247 million to just over 9 million. The average car costs its owner $817 a year to insure. You can find these and more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau, conducting the 2010 Census beginning April 1st.

Sources: www.history.com

              Historical Statistics of the United States: Colonial Times to 1970, p. 520, 716, 1208  

              Statistical Abstract of the United States 2010, t. 1186, 1060

Profile America is produced by the Public Information Office of the U.S. Census  Bureau. These daily features are available as produced segments, ready to air, on a monthly CD or on the Internet at http://www.census.gov (look for “Multimedia Gallery” by the “Newsroom” button).

If you are purchasing a new car you will likely be offered GAP coverage. GAP provides coverage for the difference between the loan amount and the actual cash value of the vehicle. For example if you purchase a new vehicle for $20,000 and 2 weeks later are involved in an accident, your insurance company will cover the “cash value” of the vehicle. Provided of course that you are carrying physical damage coverage. The “cash value” will be depreciated since the car is no longer “new” and will likely not cover the loan amount especially if you put down a small down-payment. If the cash value is $18,000 the GAP coverage will provide $2000 in coverage.

So it is worth it?  The dealer will likely offer a GAP policy for anywhere between $500 and $1000.

You are much better off to skip the dealers offer and cover it on your auto insurance.

Our 3 preferred companies- Travelers, Safeco and Kemper all offer GAP coverage. It is usually referred to as Loan/Lease Coverage.

It is available for around 5% of the comprehensive and collision premium. That usually works out to less than $25/year. In addition once your loan value drops under the “cash value” you can drop this coverage from your policy.

What about a lease?

A leased vehicle should always have GAP or Loan/Lease coverage. If your vehicle is totaled or stolen you will almost always owe more than the cash value of your vehicle in depreciation

Better than GAP or Loan/Lease…

We also offer Repair/Replace coverage for new vehicles. Repair/Replace goes beyond traditional GAP coverage in that it will provide replacement of your vehicle with “like kind and quality” if you vehicle is totaled and can not be safely repaired in a collision accident.

Safeco released a lot or great new coverages and discounts to help protect you and offer a better value. We will have a future blog about the different coverage options and discounts available. Here is a starter…

1. New multi-policy discounts that will apply to auto, home, umbrella, motorcycle, renters and dwelling fire policies up to 25%.
2. Repair/Replace coverage for auto will provide replacement coverage if your vehicle is involved in a collision accident.*
3. Factory Parts Endorsement guarantees your vehicle will be repaired with factory parts.*
4. Death Idemnity and Total Disability coverage for named insured or spouse while driving a covered auto.

*Available by endorsement only. Please let us know if you are interested in including or learning more about these coverages.

Crosby and Crosby Insurance Services has a long relationship with Safeco Insurance Company. We can answer any questions that you have about Safeco or the new coverages and discounts that they are offering.

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!

Our long time insured, Maria, game into our office shortly after being involved in a minor accident. We helped to turn the claim in with Travelers and were helping Maria to get an appointment with the body shop.

5 minutes after turning the claim in, James the local Travelers claims adjuster, contacted Maria’s mobile phone. He agreed to meet Maria in our office to look at the vehicle and help to get her vehicle to the shop to repair her damage.

15 minutes later he was at the office with Maria looking at the damage to her vehicle. When he left Maria already had an appointment at the shop to begin her repairs and had a rental car waiting for her.

This is the kind of claims service we strive to provide our customers! As your local agents we can along with the great companies we represent, make claims an easy and quick experience.

That is a mouthful to say but a lot easier to get. Just let your agent or company know and they will issue your card. There should not be an additional cost.

You do need to have the origional card with you make sure to allow time for mailing to get your card in time.