Why You Need Renter’s Insurance 

In the next month, hundreds of thousands of university graduates will leave behind their books and dorm rooms, moving on to the brand new world of jobs and apartments. If you are one of these new grads who is renting an apartment for the first time, then it’s time to think about renter’s insurance.

While you may have thought that only homeowner’s need insurance, think again. There is no protection for the latest Macbook or that beautiful 30-inch flat screen if you were to be robbed or there was an accidental fire in your house. You could be out thousands of dollars for new furniture, new appliances, or any other valuables that you’d have to replace.

Your landlord’s insurance does not cover your personal property, it only includes the building.

What Does Renter’s Insurance Cover?

A standard renter’s insurance policy will include three main types of coverage:

1. Personal property: this includes any of your possessions such as electronics, furniture, clothing,, bedding, and kitchen items. To make sure that you get reimbursed for everything, take inventory of each item in your home and document with receipts or pictures.
2. Liability protection: this type of insurance will be helpful if anyone is ever injured at your home and sues you for medical bills and other expenses related to the injury. Liability protection will cover legal defense and any settlement or award that the injured party wins.
3. Additional living expenses: this will cover hotel bills and eating costs if your home becomes uninhabitable from a fire or water damage. Be sure to check your policy to see your daily limit and how long coverage will last.

Still Think It’s Not Worth It?

Renter’s insurance is typically only $10-20 per month! You may even be able to get it lower if you bundle with other types of insurance. If you can’t afford to replace your property or pay for alternate housing should something happen, then you need to seriously consider getting a renter’s insurance policy.

Our Glendale insurance agents can help you out if you want to discuss your situation and find out how to get the best deal on renter’s insurance! Call us at (888)-840-4020 or fill out an online form to contact us via email.

Summer is just around the corner, which means that many of us will be packing our bags and heading out to various parts of the world. In the middle of booking flights, making hotel accommodations, and planning itineraries, the last thing that you are probably thinking about is travel insurance.

Perhaps you are thinking – insurance is just an unnecessary add-on to an already expensive trip, a ploy to get me to shell out more money! Why bother?

Before you make a decision; however, let’s look at why travel insurance can be beneficial and save money in the long run.

What You Didn’t Know About Travel Insurance

1. Travel Insurance Covers More Than Just Medical Fees

Many people think that travel insurance is just for people who get sick frequently, or who are engaging in extreme sports. This couldn’t be further from the truth! A good travel insurance plan will not only cover medical bills, but will also include:

• Damaged or stolen goods
• Flight cancellations
• Lost luggage
• Financial protection
• Personal accidents

This can save you hundreds, if not thousands of dollars, if you should have to change flights, or your personal property is stolen (which happens quite frequently in large cities and foreign countries). Airlines are also quite notorious for losing luggage, which may include valuable items like jewelry or electronics, not to mention your favorite pair of jeans!

2. Travel Insurance Provides 24/7 Emergency Assistance  

If you’re having an emergency in a foreign country, it can be extremely difficult to contact the right people in a timely fashion. Travel insurance provides 24 hour assistance for whatever you need, whether it is changing a flight or finding the nearest pharmacy! You can also get help with recovering a lost passport, replacing a credit card, or even translation services!

3. Travel Insurance Only Costs A Few Dollars A Day

Most travel insurance plans only cost a few dollars a day! In the event that something happens, especially abroad, getting coverage can save you thousands of dollars in the long run. Travel insurance isn’t impossible to collect, despite what you may have heard. With proper documentation, most companies will compensate you without a lot of hassle. 

Contact Cornerstone Preferred Insurance For Insurance Advice

Have more questions about travel insurance or any other type of insurance? Our expert insurance agents in Glendale can provide you with the information you need. Call Cornerstone Preferred Insurance at (888)-840-4020 or fill out an online quote to get in touch.

The Cornerstone family is proud to announce that we are merging with another local insurance company, Brown Insurance! Brown Insurance has been a pillar of the Burbank insurance community for nearly 90 years and we are extremely excited to have them on-board.

A Brief History of Brown Insurance 

Paul P. Brown established Brown Insurance in Burbank in 1927. He and his wife initially grew the company by selling 25-cent insurance policies, going door-to-door in the neighborhoods of Burbank! Over the next decades, Paul’s sons and grandsons joined the business and expanded the product to include both personal and commercial insurance lines.

Brown Insurance has continued to enjoy consistent profitability and volume growth, allowing them to service numerous Burbank residents!

A New Chapter for Brown Insurance

The former owner of Brown Insurance, Brad Brown, has expressed great excitement over the sale of Brown Insurance to longtime friend and colleague, Jim Stone. Not only does Cornerstone share the same values for fast, personal service, but Cornerstone is also a local, well-established family insurance agency in a neighboring city. Furthermore, Jim Stone is a fellow Burbank High grad with established roots in the Burbank community.

Virginia Brummett, who has been the office manager of Brown Insurance for over 30 years, will stay on as an employee of Cornerstone to ensure the continuity of service for all Brown clients.

Both Cornerstone Preferred & Brown Insurance are excited about the enhanced service opportunities and vast potential that this merger will bring to their clients.

Life insurance can be one of the expenses that is tempting to drop when you retire. While it may not seem applicable to your situation, here are a few things to think about before getting rid of your life insurance plan:

1. Do you still support any of your kids or grandkids?
   According to statistics, more than half of retirees are still helping to support their kids or grandkids. If you are no longer around to provide that financial assistance, life insurance can be a great asset to them.
2. What happens to your pension after you die?
   In many cases, your pension will “die” with you, leaving your spouse with few options. Life insurance can help offset the lack of income for your spouse or beneficiaries.
3. Do you have any children with special needs?
   Children and adults with special needs will most likely need continued care after you are gone. You may want to consider funding a special-needs trust with your life insurance, so that your child can have the necessary resources.
4. Do you still have debt?
   Whether you have house debt, vehicle debt, or education debt, life insurance can help to pay for these debts after you are gone.

If you’d like to discuss your needs with an experienced agent, then please contact Cornerstone Preferred Insurance. We can provide expert advice on whether or not you should continue with your current insurance plan, switch to a different plan, or end your plan altogether.

Since we are an independent agency, our concern is solely for you! We aren’t tied to any one provider or plan, so your needs are always our first priority. Call (888) 840-4020 or fill out an online form to get in touch with us.

Fred Arnold: Good morning, Southern California. Host, Fred Arnold, on the Valley Industry Association Business Spotlight; I’m here with Chris Vandermeulen, who is with Cornerstone Preferred Insurance. Today, I want to talk about Commercial Insurance for your business. So tell us more about commercial insurance and the different types of commercial insurances there are.

Chris Vandermeulen: Sure. We’re a full service agency. I have 13 years experience; I’m a local Santa Clarita resident, I have been here for over 18 years.

Fred Arnold: Did you go to school here?

Chris Vandermeulen: Yah, I did, in Burbank. I grew up in Burbank. I came for the golf industry before insurance, ironically. I lived up here, married, four kids. They all go to school here. I have 13 years experience selling business insurance and I’m currently with Cornerstone Preferred Insurance and extremely happy to be there. It’s an amazing place, the staff is phenomenal. We’re actually an independent agency, part of a 50 agency conglomerate that makes up United Agencies. It’s just really fantastic. We have a small agency feel but we carry the power of a big agency with regards to our carriers.

Fred Arnold: So the different kind of coverage you’d typically need, I think of liability?

Chris Vandermeulen: Yes, we do generally liability for business, property insurance.

Fred Arnold: So what is general liability?

Chris Vandermeulen: General liability covers numerous things but it protects the business in case they get sued for certain types of losses. It can be anything from a slip and fall at your business to product to mistakes or someone gets injured, so it covers a wide variety of things.

Fred Arnold: In business, one thing people don’t think about is if you have sales people and/or employees driving their car to take care of business, dropping something off in sales. Where do you run into concerns with that and how do you get coverage to make sure as a business owner your employee is covered if there’s an accident while running an errand or taking care of business?

Chris Vandermeulen: That definitely brings a lot of claims and is a huge area of concern. If the business owns its own vehicles then that would fall under a commercial auto policy. If they don’t then there is a type of insurance they can purchase that is called hired and non-owned auto liability. That is if they were to rent a vehicle or if employees use their own vehicles, if they run out and go to the bank and come back and they get in car accident, then that type of coverage would protect the business.

Fred Arnold: Ok, so you offer coverage for that?

Chris Vandermeulen: We do, and we don’t write a policy without it.

Fred Arnold: Smart. Workers’ comp – it was reformed a few years back and a lot of people loved the changes that were in the reform, but I know there is a lot of fraud involved in it so it can be expensive. Let’s talk about workers comp and where it’s at.

Chris Vandermeulen: Workers’ comp -the last couple years not a whole lot has changed; rates fluctuate, they go up and down. We’re currently seeing roughly, depending on the carrier, about a 10% rate increase over the board but they’re trying to get better with fraudulent claims. They still happen. Workers’ comp is no-fault insurance so sometimes it’s difficult to prove that, but they’re still a lot of fraudulent claims. It is required by law though.

Fred Arnold: That change they made a few years back helped quite a bit.

Chris Vandermeulen: Yes, there were a lot of types of claims that were fraudulent and the insurance company would pay and ultimately it would affect the employers’ rates and their experience modification. They are trying, at least, to get a better handle on that.

Fred Arnold: We talked about liability, we talked about different things with auto and workers’ comp. Is there anything else that a business owner should concern themselves with when it comes to insurance?

Chris Vandermeulen: Actually, employee benefits. About half of my business is health insurance and there are lots of changes there with the Affordable Care Act, but a lot of changes coming up. Businesses that have over 50 employees, in January, unless it changes again, they will have to provide health insurance for their employees. I do a lot of that. We have access to all the carriers and I think I personally feel a service issue with that. That one doesn’t get serviced very well. It is kind of a write and forget policy, unfortunately, but I provide some services personally where I work really closely with HR people and really do a lot of great things to help them get a handle on their insurance. Number 1, their employees, I’ve worked various jobs and a lot of them they give you the packet, fill it out, and turn it into HR. You don’t know what you’re buying. So the service that I provide is I actually do that for the business. I meet with the employees and make sure they understand the coverage that is being provided to them.

Fred Arnold: Very important. Those that want to reach out to you and get more information?

Chris Vandermeulen: If they want to get ahold of me, our main office is in Glendale. My office number is (818) 643-2305. Www.cornerstonepref.com is our website and I’m on there, you can find me. My direct email is cvandermeulen@unitedagencies.com

Fred Arnold: Thanks for coming in and supporting our Valley Industry Association.

It’s summertime and vacation season is well underway! One thing that you may not have thought about is how to keep your home safe while you are gone.

Whether you are leaving for a couple weeks or a few days, it is vitally important to make sure that you have taken the proper steps to secure your home. You may think that it is very unlikely that your home will be broken into; however, according to the FBI, there is at least one home burglary per minute in the United States!

Home Safety Checklist

Burglars hate a challenge – so the harder you make it to break in to your home, the less likely it is that a burglar will target you. Take a look at this safety checklist to get started:

• Lock your doors and windows: you may be thinking this is a no-brainer, but at least 30% of break-ins are made through a door or window that was accidentally left unlocked.
• Arrange for mail pick-up: piling up mail is a huge flag for burglars that your house is uninhabited. Ask a neighbor to get your mail or place a hold on your mail through the post office.
• Don’t leave a spare key outside: while it may be tempting to leave your key in a planter or under the door mat, instead give it to a trusted friend or neighbor.
• Hide your valuables: leaving out money, jewelry, or small electronics make it easy for burglars to grab and go. Be sure to put them in a small safe or another well-hidden location.
• Put your lights on a timer: having your lights or television on a timer can create the impression that someone is home. If your house is being watched by a burglar, this can deter them from deciding to break in.
• Maintain your yard: if you are going to be gone for a few weeks, try to have someone come over to mow your lawn and water your plants. Overgrown landscape is a signal to burglars that someone is gone.

Another important thing to do is keep an inventory of the possessions in your home. We understand that it can seem tedious and daunting, but in the unfortunate event that your home is burglarized, this will make the claims process much easier.

How to Get In Touch with Our Glendale Insurance Agency

If your home was burglarized while you were away, please contact our home insurance agents for immediate assistance. We can help you make a claim through your home insurance or renter’s insurance policy.

At Cornerstone Preferred Insurance in Glendale, our main goal is to help you give you the best customer service and the best coverage possible. As a small insurance firm, we are able to give you the personalized attention that you need in a difficult situation. Call us now or fill out an online form to get in touch.

If you’ve ever filed a claim with the insurance company, then you were probably told that a claims adjuster would be overseeing your case. They can also go by other names like appraisers, examiners, claims specialist, claims representative, or claims analyst.

But what role does a claims adjuster actually play in your insurance claim?

A Claim Adjuster’s Duties

The job of a claims adjuster is basically to investigate your insurance claim to see how much the insurance company should pay you. In other words, the adjuster is assessing the liability of the insurance company. Usually, they will use some of the following methods to investigate your claim:

• Talking to you and to any others involved in the case. This could include other drivers who were involved your accident, witnesses to your workplace injury, etc…
• Consulting official records from the police or hospital
• Visits the loss site and inspects the property damage or loss

After investigating your claim, the adjuster will then verify your policy and evaluate how much money you should be paid.

Who do claims adjusters work for?

Typically, claims adjusters are employed by the insurance company. In some cases, they can be independent and then the insurance company will contract with them to provide service. Whether or not an insurance company employs a claims adjuster is completely up to them. They will often contract out if the accident or issue occurred in an area where they do not have an office. Otherwise, their internal claims adjuster will handle the case.

How Our Insurance Agents Can Help With Claims Adjusters

If you are having trouble getting in touch with your claims adjuster or feel that they have given you an unfair settlement, then we can help. We will follow up with the insurance company for you to make sure that the claims adjuster is properly handling your case.

All you need to do is get in touch with our Glendale insurance agents and we will take care of the rest! Our job is to make sure that each of our clients is given the best possible service at all times. Call us at (888)-840-4020 to get in touch with the support team at Cornerstone Preferred Insurance.

Do you have life insurance? Now is the time to double check the beneficiary on your policy.

If you never named a specific person to inherit and just assumed it would be the person named in your will (i.e. your spouse or children), then all of your life insurance benefits will have to go through a long and expensive court process, called probate.

What is probate?

Probate is a method in which the court will legally determine the validity of your will, if any, and who gets your assets. If you did not identify a beneficiary on your life insurance policy, then probate court is there to legally distribute your benefits to your desired recipients. Unfortunately, this process can take up to a year and cost a lot of money in fees.

Here are the typical steps in the probate process:

1. Your personal representative has to prove to the court that your will was valid. This will depend on the laws in your state, but usually it means that you had a witness and you weren’t under undue influence from another person at the time you signed your will.
2. Your personal representative then has to notify all creditors who may want to make a claim for money that you owe them at the time of your death.
3. Next, your personal representative must inventory and appraise all of your assets, including your life insurance benefits.
4. Once this is done, he or she must pay debts and taxes.
5. Lastly, the remainder of the assets in the estate will be distributed to the specified heirs. If you didn’t have a will or didn’t specify an heir, then your assets will go to the next of kin.

Contact One of Our Glendale Insurance Agents for Expert Advice

As you can tell, this is a long process that includes many court fees and government hoops to jump through before any money is distributed. If a beneficiary is named on your life insurance benefits, however, you can avoid this process.

Call one of our insurance agents in Glendale today to make sure that your life insurance policy is properly handled. We specialize in multiple types of insurance and can assist you in all your insurance needs!

Many people think that switching insurance is a hassle that’s simply not worth it. But did you know that most companies will allow you to switch policies at any time without any penalties? They’ll also write you a check for time that you’ve already paid for. 

Getting a new home insurance plan is easier than you think, especially with the help of our insurance agents at Cornerstone Preferred Insurance. All you have to do is call us and we’ll search the different providers to try and find a policy that is better than your current plan. What’s more? There’s no cost to you. Your price will be the same or better than if you went directly to a provider.

Here are some reasons that we suggest switching:

1. Lower Your Premium: obviously, this is one of the main reasons that people want to switch home insurance providers. Their premiums increased and they want to find a better deal.
   We’ll first look at why you are paying more. Sometimes, it’s because you’ve filed quite a few claims, or maybe it’s because of the type of coverage you have. There could be a number of different reasons. Then, we’ll look at some potentially better options that you may have with other insurance providers.

2. Bundle Your Services: combining your different policies under one provider can save you as much as 20%. If you have different types of insurance plans for your home, car, business, boat, or more, then chances are you can take out insurance for all of these and get discounts with one provider.
3. Home Renovations: if you’ve renovated your home, then your premiums may go up or down depending on the renovations. For example, if you’ve added security features or gotten a new roof, then your house is considered safer and therefore you would qualify for a cheaper premium. However, if you’ve added a new living space or remodeled your kitchen, your home may be considered more valuable and therefore more expensive to replace, so your insurance could go up.

If you’re interested in finding the best homeowner’s insurance policy available for your needs, then contact our Glendale insurance agents as soon as possible! We can help you navigate through confusing policies to make sure that you are getting the best possible plan for the best price.

For people with healthy teeth and good hygiene habits, paying for extra dental insurance may seem like an unnecessary expense. Well, they may be right! For many people, it may not be worth it to take out a policy because most dental plans are actually not a good deal.   Here’s why:

1. Dental plans are underutilized. The average person only has 1-2 cleanings a year, which averages $80. Dental policy premiums are anywhere from $300-600 a year, so you’d actually be saving money by paying out-of-pocket. “Well, isn’t this the same as what I do with health insurance?” you might ask? Actually, it isn’t. It is similar but there is a slight nuance which is the second reason that dental plans are not a good deal.
2. Dental plans have low maximum benefits. For almost every other type of insurance (health, home, auto), customers pay a premium every month and then they have a deductible to pay when there is a health issue or accident. After that, the insurance company will take care of the large majority of the costs. With current health insurance regulations, there is even a maximum to the amount insurance companies can make you pay, no matter what!
   With dental insurance, however, customers have a yearly premium, a deductible, and then a maximum benefit. A maximum benefit is a cap to the amount that an insurance will pay out in a given time period. This means that once you have used your maximum benefit (average is $1500), then you will have to pay the rest out-of-pocket! So if you have complex dental problems for which you would want insurance, you would likely reach the maximum benefit very quickly and have to pay out-of-pocket anyways.
3. Not all dental practices accept insurance or will accept your insurance.  Once you get dental insurance, you may be limiting yourself in terms of which dentist you can choose and where they are located. Not all dental practices accept all insurances, some accept none. Paying out-of-pocket can allow you access to the dentist you want, rather than getting stuck with a dentist you don’t like.

Decide whether dental insurance would be a good idea for you by doing some simple calculations. Don’t just assume that because it is insurance, that it is financially responsible for your family!

At Cornerstone, our Glendale insurance agents can provide expert advice on the types of insurance that are right for you and your family. Our main goal is to provide you with the best policies for the best price. We won’t advise you to take out policies that don’t make sense! Fill out an online form to get a quote or give us a call at (888)-840-4020.

Did you know that car safety features can save you money on auto insurance? Many insurance companies will offer a discount for proven safety mechanisms that reduce chances of an accident. Here are the top safety features that can help you cut costs:

1. Air bags
   Although air bags have been a requirement since 1999, the amount of airbags in various models still has a huge range from 1-10. Many newer models have air bags for the backseat as well as the front. Some insurance companies offer more discounts the more airbags that your vehicle contains.
2. Anti-lock brakes
   When a car is skidding, a locked wheel makes the car much harder to control. The anti-lock feature allows the wheel to rotate slowly, and thus makes the car safer to drive. In 2012, all autos are now required to have an anti-lock feature.
3. Lights that run during the day
   Daytime running lights help to prevent head-on collisions. Since they have been a safety standard since 1995, however, most insurers only offer a small discount.
4. Electronic stability control
   This technology helps to prevent your car from losing control when you have to turn on a slippery road or make a hard turn. Electronic stability control will automatically apply the brakes as it monitors how your vehicle is responding to the situation. This system has only been required since 2012.
5. Rearview cameras
   These allow you to see behind you when you are backing up, helping you avoid damaging your car or hitting objects and persons.

In addition to these features, there are some companies that will offer discounts for newer technology, such as cruise control that helps keep your car a safe distance from other vehicles, warning system when your vehicle drifts out of its lane, and collision avoidance warnings.

Discounts differ from provider to provider and state to state, so make sure that you talk to an experienced agent about which discounts you qualify for! The Glendale insurance agents at Cornerstone Preferred Insurance will be more than happy to discuss your insurance plan and even provide a free quote. Give us a call or fill out your info online.

December is coming to a close, which also means that the open enrollment period for marketplace and private healthcare plans is soon ending! So in order to make open enrollment a little bit easier everything you need to know:

Do I need to have health insurance?

Yes! Health insurance is now required by the government, so you must be enrolled in a state or private plan if the following applies to you:

• You are over 26 and are no longer on your parent’s plan.
• You are not receiving health insurance through your employer or your spouse’s employer.
• You do not have coverage through a government plan like Medicaid or Medicare

The penalty for not having health insurance is 2.5% of your income or $695 per adult and up to $347.50 per child. These numbers may go up in the future to adjust for inflation.

When are deadlines for 2017 health insurance?

• Sign up by January 15^th for your coverage to start February 1^st
• Sign up by January 31^st for your coverage to start March 1^st

Please note that these deadlines only apply for private health insurance plans and state health insurance plans. If you purchased health insurance through your employer, then the enrollment periods may be different.

What if I’m already enrolled in another plan?

Whether you just enrolled in a new plan or your plan automatically renewed, you are able to change your plan during open enrollment with no penalties. If you wait until after open enrollment is closed, then you may have to pay a penalty or you may not be able to sign up for coverage until next year.

Is open enrollment the only time that I can sign up for health insurance?

Open enrollment is the only time that you can sign up for health insurance without having to pay a penalty, unless there are special circumstances:

• Marriage
• Birth or adoption of a child
• Loss of your job or getting your hours cut to make you ineligible for your current employee health care plan
• Divorce or death of a spouse

Does open enrollment apply to other types of insurance?

No! Open enrollment only applies to health insurance; however, it is not a bad idea to talk to our agents about your other insurance plans so we can make sure that you have a comprehensive plan that works best for your family and your budget.

Have questions about your health insurance? Talk to our Glendale insurance experts!

Having health care insurance is incredibly important, but it also can be incredibly expensive. This is why you need to make sure that you are getting the best coverage for the best price.

Our agents can talk to you about the different plan options and what is right for you and your family. We have access to a wide range of providers and plans so we can be sure to find the best health insurance plan for you. Make sure to talk to us before open enrollment has expired!

Call (888)-840-4020 or get a free quote by filling out our brief online form.

Insuring a seasonal vacation property can be much different than getting coverage for your primary residence and unfortunately, it also can tend to be more expensive. While it may be possible to extend your coverage on your current homeowner’s policy, it is more likely that you will need a new policy altogether.

Luckily, the insurance team at Cornerstone Preferred knows that all you want to do in your vacation house is sit back and relax, which is why we’re here to help! Let us take care of all the coverage for you so you don’t have to worry about anything.

What You Need to Know About Vacation Home Insurance

Increased Risk

Most vacation homes are more expensive to insure because they are deemed riskier. This may be due to several factors:

• the location is on a beach/lake that is prone to flood and water damage or in a remote mountain area that gets frequent wildfires
• nobody is living there for much of the year so the house is more prone to break-ins and theft
• issues with the house such as water leaks, or pipe damage may go unnoticed and cause excessive damage when not taken care of quickly
• amenities such as pools or hot tubs have additional insurance

Coverage

Coverage is usually limited to “named perils”, which means that it’s only covered against things that you specifically name in your policy, like smoke damage, explosions, theft, etc… If there is something on your policy that isn’t listed, then it probably won’t be covered. To get additional insurance coverage, you can add personal property coverage and a personal umbrella policy. Depending on the area, you may also wanted to purchase flood and/or earthquake insurance.

Rentals

Many people choose to rent out their vacation homes when they are not using it, which can result in additional coverage. This will depend mostly on how often and how long you choose to rent out the property. For example, a one time rental for a short period of time could qualify for an extension, while regular rentals may need a commercial business policy.

Talk to Our Insurance Agents about Vacation Home Insurance

The best thing you can do is talk to one of our agents about your situation and your goals for your vacation home. We will shop hundreds of different policies to select the right one for you and we do it at NO extra charge. Our agents get their commissions from insurance providers – there is no extra charge to you. In fact, we often can find you better deals than you can find online as we have access to special policies.

Get a quote with one of our insurance agents in Glendale and Santa Clarita today. You can do it online or by calling (888) 840-4020.

The post How to Properly Insure Your Vacation Home appeared first on Cornerstone Preferred Insurance Services | Insurance in Glendale & Santa Clarita CA.

You have the perfect rental property and it’s all ready for your first tenants! Now, it’s time to find the perfect insurance policy to protect YOU from potential losses. Here’s what you need to know:

1. Not all policies are created equal
   Policies can range from restricted to extensive. If you take out a policy with “open perils” coverage, then it will tell you what is excluded; however if you’re only covered for “named perils”, then it will only tell you what is included. This is a huge distinction, so make sure you know what is on your policy.
2. Liability insurance is a must
   Broad liability coverage is a necessity for landlords. Unfortunately, it is all too common for tenants to sue for wrongful eviction or wrongful entry. Liability coverage will protect against unexpected legal costs. In addition, if someone is injured on the property, you may be responsible for their medical costs and liability insurance will help cover that as well.
3. Protect your personal property
   If you have any personal items on your rental property or if you provide a fully furnished apartment, then personal property protection is essential in order to recover your losses if those items are damaged.
4. Make sure to protect yourself against rent loss
   If your building is damaged in a disaster like a fire or flood and your tenants are forced to move out, then you will be unable to collect income. Insurance will provide coverage for extended periods of non-occupancy due to covered damages.
5. An independent agent can tailor a landlord insure policy to your needs
   Having an independent insurance agent is a great choice for landlords who need a custom policy, but don’t have time to look at all the options. An independent insurance agent can price compare all the different policies to make the best recommendation. Often, they will have access to special options that aren’t necessarily available to an average customer.

Get A Quote Now

If you need a custom landlord insurance policy, then please get a quote now from one of our agents. Cornerstone Preferred Insurance is an independent insurance agency with experts waiting to talk to you about your needs. We are and endorsed local provider by financial advisor Dave Ramsey for our excellent customer service and care for their financial decisions.

Get a quote online or give us a call at (888) 840-4020 to get in touch with one of our experts.

The post 5 Things for Landlords to Know About Insurance appeared first on Cornerstone Preferred Insurance Services | Insurance in Glendale & Santa Clarita CA.

Car insurance premiums are calculated based on A LOT of different factors. We all know the big ones: your zip code, age, the type of car you drive, and your driving record. But what about all the other elements that make up your premium?

Here, we address some little issues which will help cut down on your car insurance if you make some adjustments:

1. You aren’t bundling your policies. You may be able to bundle home/renters’ insurance, car insurance, and/or life insurance for a great discount. Consider transferring some of your policies under one company or taking out other policies for more coverage at a cheaper rate.
2. You don’t respond to your insurance company. If you tend to forget about your bills or ignore requests for updated information, your insurance company may fine for non-payment or failure to answer. You could also see your premiums go up! Make sure to open your mail and pay your bills on time.
3. You don’t track your miles. Infrequent drivers don’t have to pay as much as people who commute long distances or spend a lot of time driving. Update your insurance company annually with your mileage so you aren’t paying more than you need to!
4. You have a youthful operator on your policy. Your teen just got their license and now it’s time to insure them. Make sure that they aren’t the principal driver on your cars, but an “occasional operator”. Also, be sure to look for discounts for good grades and additional driver training courses.

Get Expert Help from Our Insurance Agents at No Extra Cost

To make sure that you are getting the best price for your auto insurance policy, please call our independent insurance agents for help. We can search across hundreds of providers to make sure that all your insurance policies are getting you the most coverage and an affordable premium for your budget.

We don’t work for any one company, so you can get all your policies under one roof and reduce the hassle! There is no charge for our services and we aren’t more expensive than going directly to a carrier. Take a few minutes to give us a call at (888) 840-4020 or get a quote online!

The post Help! I’m Paying Too Much for Car Insurance appeared first on Cornerstone Preferred Insurance Services | Insurance in Glendale & Santa Clarita CA.

As you’re dusting off that pool cover and prepping your pool for summer, it’s also important to check off those safety precautions and revisit your insurance policy. Pools are considered an “attractive nuisance” to insurers as you are held liable for any accidents that happen in your pool, whether you gave permission for the swimmer to use it or not.

Since the pool is part of your property, you may have thought that your home insurance policy will automatically cover it. Unfortunately, this is not always the case.

Your Pool Insurance Checklist

• Make sure that your pool is declared and listed on your policy, whether it’s an in-ground or above-ground pool
• Consider increasing your personal liability coverage. More than 1,000 drowning incidents occur each year, and thousands more injuries. Your current liability protection may not be enough to cover a lawsuit for death or permanent injuries.
• Think twice about putting in a diving board or pool slide. Your insurer may not cover your pool at all if you have a diving board or pool slide as these greatly increase the potential hazards.
• Drain and/or maintain your pool in the winter. Insurance coverage will rely upon proper procedures even during the months that the pool is not in use.
• Check to see that your pool is up to code because your insurance carrier won’t cover you if you fail to have proper safety standards.

Your Pool Safety Checklist

Speaking of pool safety, here are some things that you can do to make sure that your pool is as safe as can be:

• Enclose your pool with a fence that is at least 4 feet high and make sure the gate is securely locked
• Have accessible floatation devices available in case of emergency
• Do not allow unsupervised children
• Utilize a good pool safety cover
• Keep a first aid kit nearby
• Consider using a pool alarm for when the gate opens without your knowledge
• Store the pool’s chemicals in a secure area

Have More Questions About Your Pool Insurance? Get In Touch with Our Insurance Experts.

If you want to make sure that your pool and home are fully protected, then please get in touch with our insurance professionals. We can go over your policy to make sure that you have the best possible coverage.

The post Diving into Pool Insurance appeared first on Cornerstone Preferred Insurance Services | Insurance in Glendale & Santa Clarita CA.

Did you know that as you travel, your home insurance follows? Any standard homeowner’s insurance policy covers events that are “off-premises”, protecting you and your family from loss, theft, and personal liability. To take advantage of your home insurance, however, you have to know what’s actually covered:

1.     Lost Luggage 

If your luggage is one of the 500,000 pieces of luggage that gets lost or stolen each year, then you may be able to make a claim under your home insurance! While the airline will probably also offer you some sort of compensation, all you have to do is submit a list of contents to your insurance company. As a reminder, your claim will be subject to your deductible, so you may want to call one of our agents to ask if it’s worth it to file a claim.

2.     Wedding Theft

Weddings are often a target for thieves, as there are lots of high-priced valuables around such as furs, jewelry, and heirlooms. If your valuables get stolen at a wedding or other event, then those items are covered. However, you may want to consider adding-on coverage for expensive items to get adequate protection, as your standard policy may not be enough to fully compensate you for losses.

3.     Personal Liability

Did you accidentally injure someone else on the fairway? Perhaps you unintentionally damaged someone else’s property. Most standard policies will absolutely cover damages, claims and lawsuits related to personal liability. Most liability insurance policies start at $100,000, but you may be more comfortable with upwards of $300,000.

4.     Shopping Theft

You’re spending the day shopping and you leave your newly-purchased items in the car. If those items gets stolen, then they’re actually not covered under your car insurance policy, but your home insurance. Some insurers do offer personal property insurance on their auto policies, but generally it would be covered under your homeowner’s policy.

Speak to Our Insurance Agents

Have questions about your homeowner’s policy? Talk to one of our insurance agents in Glendale or Santa Clarita. We have experience with hundreds of policies and can help you out with understanding yours.

If you are not happy with your current policy, you can also get a quote from our experts to find the best rate for the best coverage.

The post Traveling with Your Home Insurance appeared first on Cornerstone Preferred Insurance Services | Insurance in Glendale & Santa Clarita CA.

Having to worry about making a home insurance claim is the last thing you want to think about after having major damage or being the victim of theft. We’re here to help make your life a little easier by exploring the complications of home insurance claims.

All experts agree – make sure you save your home insurance claims for the major incidents. Making claims will probably result in increased premiums. Check with us to make sure it’s worth it before filing a claim.

DO: Take photos and video of the damage

Documentation is key! Take photos or a video of the damage before you clean up or repair anything. This will help monumentally when you are trying to get your claim approved.

DO: Call your insurance company ASAP

Secure your home, then call your insurance company as soon as possible. Some policies have a time limit on when you can make a claim. The last thing you want is to have your claim denied simply because you waited too long! Don’t replace the items or start repairs before you get in touch with your insurer. If there is severe damage to your home, you may want to get estimates from a few reputable contactors and present those to your insurance company when you call.

DO: Keep Home Inventory

Update your home inventory with proof by receipts, pictures, and video so you can prove your items were lost, destroyed, or stolen. This is especially essential for bigger ticket items!

DO: Keep Receipts

Speaking of receipts, also make sure that you keep receipts related to your claim – hotel, food, incidentals.

DO: Check Your House for Damage After Extreme Weather

After earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, or other extreme weather, make sure you thoroughly check your house for damage. Don’t just assume everything is fine! Check for cracks, roof damage, and damage to any external structures like water heaters or AC.

DO NOT: File Small Claims

Save your insurance for major claims or else you will incur penalties of higher premiums! As a general rule of thumb, don’t file a home insurance claim that is less than your deductible. Just pay out of pocket for small claims and then use your policy on big disasters.

DO NOT: Assign Your Benefits to a Contractor 

Be sure and maintain control of your claim at all times. Some contractors might as you to sign an AOB (Assignment of Benefits), but we do not recommend doing this! This hands all claims process control over to them, including payment. You do not want to end up paying someone for work they never did!

DO NOT: Accept a Claim that You Aren’t Happy With

If you are not happy with the amount that your insurer offers, you don’t have to accept it! Write to the insurer and ask them to reconsider.

Get in Touch with Our Insurance Agents for Assistance

If you have any questions about your home insurance claim or your home insurance policy, then talk to our insurance agents! We are located in Glendale and Santa Clarita.

The post Home Insurance Claims – What to DO and What NOT to do appeared first on Cornerstone Preferred Insurance Services | Insurance in Glendale & Santa Clarita CA.

Your child has been begging you to get a trampoline, but you are hesitant because somewhere in the back of mind, you remember a friend’s home insurance policy being cancelled because of a trampoline. Before you jump to any conclusions and decide against it, let’s look at the actual impact that getting a trampoline will have on your home insurance.

1. Some Insurance Companies Allow Trampolines, Some Don’t

Before you get a trampoline, you should absolutely call your insurance company to see if they allow trampolines. Some companies allow it, and some do not, not even for a higher premium. It’s a bad idea not to let them know about it at all. If you do not apprise them of the new liability, then you won’t get coverage if someone gets injured on it.

2. Some Insurance Companies Will Charge You Extra, Some Won’t

If your insurance company allows trampolines, then they may or may not charge you extra for the additional liability. Some allow it for no extra cost, and some will allow it with a higher premium. If your insurance company does not allow trampolines, then you could switch to one that does; however, your policy premium may increase.

3. Follow the Safety Precautions

If your insurance company does allow trampolines, then they will also probably give you a list of safety precautions to follow. In case of an injury, if they find out that the safety precautions were not followed, then they could deny coverage. Precautions may include:

• Netting around the trampoline
• The trampoline is properly secured to the ground
• Fenced-in yard

Talk to Our Insurance Agents About Your Trampoline Insurance Needs

Thinking about getting a trampoline? Make sure that you discuss your plans with our agents. We can help you find out if your current home insurance policy will cover a trampoline, or help you find one that does! Since we are independent agents, we are not limited to any one company, but can look for a policy with the company that best fits your needs.  We may also be able to get coverage through an umbrella policy.

Our insurance agents are known for their home insurance expertise, especially for the Southern California area. We have offices centrally located in both Glendale and Santa Clarita. Give us a call today!

The post How a Trampoline Impacts Your Home Insurance appeared first on Cornerstone Preferred Insurance | Best Insurance in Glendale & Santa Clarita CA.

If you’ve been in an auto accident, then you may be hesitating to notify your insurance for fear your rates will automatically increase. Before you try to handle this out of pocket, let’s look at how an accident may affect your car insurance.

The consequences of your car accident will depend on a few different factors:

• Your car insurance company
• The circumstances of the accident
• Your insurance policy’s accident forgiveness
• Your age and gender
• The type of car you own
• Your driving history

First, let’s define a car accident. Most insurance companies say an accident is a collision that has damaged a minimum of $500-$750 worth of property. Many also say that you must have been more than 50% at fault to count it as an accident on your record. If your accident doesn’t meet that criteria, then chances are that your rates won’t go up. This isn’t true for all companies, however, so make sure to check with our insurance agents about your policy!

The Specific of an Insurance Rate Increase

1. Who is at-fault

This is the single greatest factor in determining whether or not your car insurance will increase. If you are not at fault for your accident, then most insurance companies will not increase your rate. If you are at-fault, then you will be held liable and your insurance rates will likely increase. Determining fault can be quite complicated and is rarely cut and dry. California is a fault state and holds each party liable for the amount that they contributed to the accident.

2. The accident itself

Accidents can range from a paint scratch to a totaled car with injured persons. The greater the amount of damage that was caused, the more likely your insurance rates will increase by a higher percentage.

3. Your driving history

Safe drivers are more valuable to an insurance company. If you’ve had a long history of driving safely, then you probably won’t get as large of a premium increase as someone who does not have a good record. Also, some companies have accident forgiveness for safe drivers so a first accident won’t result in premium increase at all!

Questions about your car accident? Give our insurance agents a call.

Just been in a car accident? Give our insurance agents a call to find out more about your next steps. We can take a look at your policy and make recommendations for the best course of action.

When you work with our independent insurance agency in Glendale and Santa Clarita, you work with a company who cares about your needs. We are known for our fast customer service and helping clients get their accidents taken care of quickly and effectively. When you have trouble getting a pay out from the insurance company, we are here to help!

The post How Getting Into a Car Accident Will Affect Your Insurance appeared first on Cornerstone Preferred Insurance | Best Insurance in Glendale & Santa Clarita CA.