Differences Between Homeowners and Renters Insurance

Armorcrest Insurance Services in El Centro, CA specializes in homeowners and rental insurance.  The California Department of Insurance offers many services.  For instance, there is a section on Homeowners’ Studies which included an article on Underwriting Guidelines and Access to Homeowners Insurance.   

Homeowners and rental insurance serve the needs of the public to protect their residences and personal property to provide for a safe environment.  Armorcrest Insurance Services clients chose these insurances at various points in their lives. Typically, young married couples want to have their children in a new home after leaving their apartment while seniors start their new lives in retirement in a rental.

There are essential differences between homeowners and rental insurance.  It is reported that renters insurance is carried typically by less than fifty percent of all renters.  However, since most homes are financed the financial institution protects their interests and the homeowners by requiring insurance.  It is not unusual for landlords to need their tenants to cover the loss of personal property by purchasing their rental insurance.  This, of course, should reduce the cost of the building owner’s insurance premium.

HOMEOWNER’S VS RENTAL  INSURANCE

  • Homeowner’s insurance Insures the home’s structure including other buildings on the homeowner’s property, subject to any exclusions and the type of claims made.
  • The owner of the rental is responsible for insuring the building from fire or flooding that may damage the renter’s property.  If the renter causes any harm to its property, the renter’s liability insurance pays for the loss of personal property.  Typically the landlord requires its renters to purchase rental insurance.
  • Homeowner’s insurance costs more than renter’s insurance.
  • Exclusions

There are similar exclusions for both insurance policies such as earthquakes and floods.

The agents of Armorcrest Insurance Services, El Centro, CA, can advise you on all your insurance needs.  Please call!

What is Umbrella Insurance and Does Your Company Need It?

Umbrella Insurance is "extra" insurance to cover more than your basic package. An umbrella policy may increase your liability limits to a higher number that better suits your possible needs, or it may cover more specific things that are either unique to your company or recommended due to various circumstances.  At Armorcrest Insurance Services, we can sit down and discuss with your companies additional insurance needs and come up with a policy that perfectly fits your situation and the needs of your El Centro, CA business. 

The insurance needs of each business are unique, this is why an umbrella insurance policy is typically a good idea. It is also why there is not a yes or no answer as to whether you need one or not. Chances are the answer is yes, umbrella insurance can protect you in liability circumstances that are unique to your business and it can increase the amount of financial coverage for little additional cost on your end. 

In California, if a business has a commercial umbrella insurance policy, it means that loss experienced in a lawsuit, for example, that goes above the basic policy can be covered by an umbrella policy. It is literally an extra piece of financial security, an umbrella for a rainy day. This policy may allow you to focus on what matters, and not think about the what ifs. The "what ifs" are our job, and after you purchase an umbrella policy, you can leave it to us. 

Contact us at Armorcrest Insurance Services to upgrade your company’s insurance policy or to discuss your needs. We proudly serve El Centro, CA and the surrounding areas. Call today with any questions about your current policy coverage or to upgrade for more specific umbrella coverage. 

Why You Need to Purchase Condo Insurance

If you live in a condo unit in San Diego, CA, contact Armorcrest Insurance Services to get reliable quotes for your needs. It protects the structures of your unit, any improvements you make, and your personal property. Even though it is not a legal requirement to have condo insurance, it may help you prevent financial losses in case of unforeseen circumstances. Even though your condominium building may already have insurance, it is wise to have insurance for your own unit.

To Protect Your Property

Condo insurance protects the contents of your unit from insured risks such as theft, and fires. It helps you pay for their repair or replacement costs up to the limit of your policy. Your property may include furniture, clothing, jewelry, and electronic devices. If you have made any improvements to your condo unit, your improvements and betterments protection coverage ensures that you are compensated for the full value of your property in case of a loss.

To Compensate You For Additional Living Expenses

In case your condo becomes unfit for habitation after damage by insured risks, you may have to find alternative accommodation. That means you will incur additional expenses in hotel bills and transportation. If you have condo insurance, you may not have to pay for these expenses. Additional living expenses coverage may compensate you for the extra charges for the period while your condo is under repair.

To Protect You From Liability

Condo insurance covers you from liability if third parties are injured in your condo unit or if their property is damaged. It helps you pay for the costs of pair or replacement of their property, their medical charges, and legal fees if they sue you.

Contact Armorcrest Insurance Services in San Diego, CA to discuss your new quote for condo insurance. If you have a policy, contact us to review it and get advice.

Why Solid Fuel Burning Appliances are Risks

Solid fuel burning appliances, otherwise known in the insurance inspection industry as SFBAs, are considered risky by most insurance companies, especially in the commercial insurance industry. Learn why these appliances are risks for homeowners and business owners from Armorcrest Insurance Services in El Centro, CA.

What is an SFBA?

An SFBA is an appliance which burns a solid fuel. Solid fuel includes wood logs and wood pellets usually. These are the types of wood burning stoves that you usually associate with cabins or smokers. Often they are cast iron or potbelly styles. 

What to Look for

You always want to make sure there is a Utility Laboratories (UL) tag on the still. You also want to make sure that the flue is properly installed and secured safely where the metal stove pipe comes up through the ceiling and into the back of the stove. There should also not be any flammable material within at least a few feet of the appliance.

Why are SFBAs a risk?

Solid fuel burners can be considered a hazard because they have been attributed to structure fires. The slightest bit of negligence or oversight can cause a disaster which is a cost to the insurance company. Space heaters can also be risky though. This includes any electrical power device that produces heat in a living space in the home or business. If you are trying to save money and create more efficiency in your heating, then consider a central oil burning heat device. The problem with solid fuel burners is the amount of heat and the way it circulates. 

Beware of the risks associated with solid fuel burners and ask Armorcrest Insurance Services in El Centro, CA if something is questionable and may affect your insurance.

Common Myths about Renter’s Insurance

If your rent a home or apartment, it’s to your advantage to obtain renters insurance. Renters insurance from Armorcrest Insurance Services in El Centro, CA can protect your personal goods from unforeseen calamities like fire, water damage, or theft. Despite the benefits of this coverage, many people go without due to having misconceptions about coverage or costs. By separating fact from fiction, you can benefit from all that a renter’s insurance policy has to offer.

Myth: Renter’s Coverage is Costly

On average, you can obtain a renters insurance policy for a fairly reasonable price. By bundling your policy with your auto insurance, you could qualify for even lower premium costs.

Myth: Renters Insurance Is Not Worth the Price

If you think this coverage isn’t worth buying, consider all the goods you would have to replace out of pocket if you were to suffer a fire, water damage due to burst pipes, or break-in. Personal property coverage will protect your furniture, appliances, clothing, laptop, gadgets, jewelry, sports equipment, and more. If you can get help replacing one costly item, your insurance coverage would be worthwhile.

You can also obtain liability coverage under a renter’s insurance policy to help pay for medical expenses of family or friends if they have an accident while visiting your property.

Myth: Tenants are Covered under Their Landlord’s Insurance Policy

Your landlord’s property insurance protects his building, not your personal goods. If you want to protect your stuff, it’s up to you to get insurance coverage.

The bottom line is you never know when disaster will strike. Renter’s insurance puts you one step ahead of a potential catastrophe by providing you with the insurance coverage you need. To learn more about affordable renter’s insurance options and costs, talk to an Armorcrest Insurance Services agent in El Centro, CA today.

3 Ways to Protect Your Motorcycle from Theft

A motorcycle is a way to experience a type of freedom that a car just can’t bring. It’s probably one of your most prized possessions, even if you don’t use it all that often. But considering the portability and the desirability of motorcycles, they tend to be prime targets for theft. There are ways to decrease the odds of having your motorcycle stolen if you know where to start, courtesy of Armorcrest Insurance Services. 

Parking Your Motorcycle 

It might seem like a smart move to skip the valet and save the money in San Diego, CA, but parking your motorcycle where anyone can move it in the dark of night is too risky. You can lock your ignition, forks, and disc brakes but that won’t always stop a motivated criminal who knows they have the time and the darkness to be able to finish the job. 

Installing an Alarm 

Strong alarms will alert the people around your motorcycle that something is happening, but you may want to consider supplementing the alarm with a tracking device that can alert law enforcement of where your motorcycle is if the thief does happen to make off with your bike. (If you happen to sell your motorcycle, never let an unknown driver take off on their own.)

Reconsider Your Motorcycle Insurance 

An insurance company can’t stop a thief from taking your bike, but they can protect you from having to shoulder all of the costs of replacing or repairing your motorcycle if you happen to get it back. Armorcrest Insurance Services has been helping the people of San Diego, CA get the help they need to keep their motorcycles safe and sound while they own it. Give us a call today if you’re looking for motorcycle insurance that can fully shield your vehicle!

Why You Need to Insure Your Boat

Thinking about taking a cruise down the river or lake in California? If so, it’s crucial that you ensure that your boat has a valid insurance policy. Armorcrest Insurance Services in El Centro, CA is your trusted partner. They have the most reliable boat insurance policies to fit the type of boat you have.

The most incredible fact about these policies is that they are created to best suit your pocket and needs. Armorcrest will ensure that you enjoy a comfortable and worry-free cruise down the lake or the river. We have just the right policy for your type of boat, be it a houseboat, bass boat, or pontoon. The reasons for insuring your boat are:

Insurance against Storm Damage

Storms can occur unexpectedly; therefore, you may not get a chance to move your boat out of harm’s way. In such a case, boat insurance coverage could come in handy. It elevates any worries you could be having about leaving your boat at a dock.

Sink Retrieval Expense Insurance

Retrieving a sunken boat can be a pocket draining activity. Armorcrest boat insurance covers this process to the last dime thus reducing your worries.

Insurance against Accidents on Water

Unfortunately, just like on the roads, you can never vouch for the sanity of other boaters. Despite being careful and attentive, you can never be a 100% sure that an accident will not occur. Due to the fragility of boats, a presumably small accident can have disastrous effects. Our insurance coverage ensures that you never have to worry about this.

Our policies also offer protection to your cargo at a pocket-friendly price. For more information on our insurance policies, our agents are always ready and available to help you.

Armorcrest Insurance Services’ goal is to secure you financially from any unexpected occurrence. Thus, you can enjoy and have fun on the water while being safe at all times. For more information on watercraft insurance, contact our agents in El Centro, CA. We will answer your questions and help you get started on a policy.
 

When Should You Consider Umbrella Insurance?

Umbrella insurance is a type of insurance that is not very well known, but it is one of the best kinds of policies that you can get in a variety of situations. If you are not sure whether you should get this type of insurance or if you need it, be sure to use this guide from Armorcrest Insurance Services, serving San Diego, CA, today. 

When Should You Consider Umbrella Insurance?

  • When your house is worth more than your home insurance can cover – If your home is worth more than your home insurance can cover, please consider umbrella insurance to cover the remaining value of your home. You can only get so much home insurance, but you can have a whole lot of house. 
  • When you own expensive cars – Just like with home insurance, you can only purchase so much auto insurance. Umbrella insurance will take care of this gap to make sure you have full coverage on your vehicles, especially if they are expensive. 
  • If you like to throw parties – If you are someone who enjoys having people come over to your home, you could be opening yourself up to liability. Umbrella insurance can help provide this liability in the case that someone was injured at your residence during one of these parties. Your home insurance won’t provide the same type of coverage that you would need in this situation.

If you think that umbrella insurance may be the right option for you but do not know how much coverage you need, be sure to reach out to Armorcrest Insurance Services, serving San Diego, CA, today. We can help you find the right amount of coverage, the right policy, and make sure that it fits within your budget. 

The Importance of Condo Insurance in California

California residents are smart to purchase additional condo insurance that provides them with expanded coverage over that of the protection afforded them by the condominium board insurance or an HOA. While the building and common areas are likely covered by such policies, your individual unit and belongings will not be.

Armorcrest Insurance Services is here to guide you through the entire insurance process and help you secure the comprehensive coverage that you desire. Our agents are fully-trained and knowledgeable on the various types of condo insurance that is available and appropriate for their clients in the greater El Centro, CA area.

Additional Condo Coverage

Additional coverage that you obtain personally will work in tandem with the building’s Master Policy and help you to fill any gaps in necessary coverage. If you own a condo in the El Centro CA area,  Armorcrest Insurance Services is an informed choice for handling your coverage needs. Do not leave yourself or your property and personal belongings exposed to the risk of damage caused by fire, plumbing and other water issues, theft, or other unforeseen situations. Securing your own condo insurance will help you to rest easy knowing that you are covered in the event of a loss.

Proper coverage will also protect any improvements that you make to your unit or any damage that you may cause to another condo while doing so. Comprehensive coverage can also protect you from liability damages in the event that someone is injured in your condo. Sitting down with one of the agents at Armorcrest Insurance Services can help you to better understand where there may be gaps in the Master Policy provided by your Condominium Association and how to fill them.

The entire time at Armorcrest Insurance Services is dedicated to providing their clients the coverage they need!

Is Your Business at Risk for Cybercrime?

The short answer to the question of whether or not your business is at risk for cybercrime is an emphatic yes. The long answer is that you’re probably more likely to be attacked than you even realize. Armorcrest Insurance Services understands how devastating cybercrime can be for business owners of San Diego and El Centro, CA.

Hackers Are Everywhere 

In the days before computers, businesses mostly had to worry about immediate threats in their neighborhood. It makes sense that owners aren’t usually thinking about hackers who live millions of miles away trying to steal their customers’ financial information. But to cope with the reality of cybercrime, you need to understand that there is an untold amount of risk out there for everyone who has ever been online. 

Virtual Crime Is On the Rise 

It’s easy for criminals to commit cybercrime — probably far easier than you realize. Hackers don’t have to have advanced degrees or scientific genius. It can be as easy as buying a cheap skimmer device and setting it up on a credit card machine. Small businesses are exceptionally enticing for small-time crooks because they don’t have the same precautions as larger companies do. 

What You Can Do 

Commercial insurance can protect businesses from the worst of cybercrime, but you need to have the right policy to get the protection. If you live in San Diego or El Centro, CA, it’s time to give Armorcrest Insurance Services a call for more information today. We can not only help you see what your particular threats are when it comes to cybercrime; we can give you ways to help you avoid it and a chance to solve the problem if something does happen to you.