Seattle Homeowner’s Insurance Explained

Many people believe that they have little or no control over their homeowner’s insurance.  Often, people think that premiums are determined by some “secret formula.”  It is true that every company has rates for their homeowner’s premiums, but there are many factors that help make up your homeowner’s premiums.

Factors that help determine your Seattle homeowner’s premiums

•          Location
•          Age of home
•          Age of roof
•          The replacement cost
•          Distance to fire station

Get the best possible homeowner’s premiums

•         Install deadbolt locks.
•          Increase your deductible.
•          Some insurers offer occupational discounts for teachers, police, firefighters, government employees, etc.
•          Install a central station security system.
•          Your agent can help you evaluate the different policies and companies so you can make the choice this is right for you.
•          Ask for other discounts offered by your insurer.
•          Make sure your replacement cost is up to date.
•          Do you have replacement cost (RC) or actual cash value (ACV) coverage?  We recommend replacement cost.
•          Do you need loss of use coverage? Most homeowners and renters do.

Contact an insurance specialist at DeFranco Insurance today to answer any questions about Homeowner’s Insurance or for a free review and insurance quote for Homeowner’s Insurance.

Some products and services may not be available in your area.
Please contact us for more information.

March Madness - DeFranco Insurance Style

A Seattle Insurance Review

March is over and we spent the whole month watching 64 college basketball teams play to the final four, then on to the championship game.  Congratulations to North Carolina! The entire thing reminded us of some insurance madness.  There are some issues that can affect your Seattle business insurance and personal insurance programs, so we want to share with you our “Insurance Madness Final Four.”

Insurance Madness Final Four

1.       Always use an independent agent. Independent agents will search the market for the best possible insurance designed for your family or business.  Independent agents do not work for an insurance company; they represent you and look out after your interests first.

2.       Never buy insurance online. When you buy insurance online you never know if you are getting the best combination of coverage, price, and service.  However, you do find out when you have an uninsured claim.

3.       Always consider deductible options.  A simple way to save money is to consider increasing your deductible on your auto insurance, home insurance, or even your business insurance.

4.       Many people do not consider these coverage’s but they should.

a.       Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in the United States.  Every homeowner should consider identity theft coverage.

b.       A personal umbrella can offer additional protection for those who own a home or have personal assets worth protecting.

c.       Your business might be at risk if you do not have cyber liability or employment practices liability.

All these coverage’s are easy to add to your business insurance program.

Founded in 1953 by Louis F DeFranco in the Seward Park area of Seattle, we are licensed to write insurance in WA, ID, OR, CA, UT and AZ. As an Independent Agent and part of The Advantage Group, LLC. We have access to multiple preferred companies.

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5 Cyber Safety Tips for Kids

Everyone in Washington agrees that cyber safety is important, but what, exactly, does it mean to be "safe" online? And what do parents really need to know? Here are the top five things you can do to teach your kids how to become responsible digital citizens:

1. Teach them about privacy settings: If you have young children, it's best to use parental controls yourself to limit and monitor your kids' online activity. Older children can be taught how to use privacy settings so their photos and messages cannot be seen by just anyone on the web. Whether they're using Facebook, Instagram, or another web-based application, show your kids how to navigate privacy features or help them set up their accounts using appropriate limits. Show them how to disable location on any device or app they are using, so that they cannot be easily found by others. Regardless of your child's age, help them to understand that keeping their information secure is a priority, and to assume what they put on the web is accessible to anyone unless they take steps to protect it.
2. Teach them to post responsibly: Kids should understand that once they put something on an app or website, it cannot be taken back (even if it seems like it can); so they should think carefully before posting comments, photos, or anything else online. Teach your kids not to post anything that they would not say in person, or that they wouldn't want their parents or a college admissions counselor to find later on. Finally, teach kids to respect others' privacy by not posting information or photos of somebody else without permission.
3. Teach them how to interact with others: Just as in real life, children should be taught to recognize inappropriate behavior online and to respond by telling a trusted adult.
Kids should learn to look for these red flags: strangers who ask to meet in person; messages that contain offensive or lewd material or that simply make them uncomfortable; or anyone who asks them for pictures or personal information. Teach them to never give out their address or phone number, and to always ask before purchasing anything online.
4. Teach them that online activity is not anonymous: Kids should learn that just because they are physically alone doesn't mean that their online activity is anonymous, even if they are not using personal information. Most web browsers, email services, social media, and ecommerce sites track online activity and collect data on users constantly. Same as with posting, teach kids to avoid online activities that they wouldn't want their parents or teachers to know about.
5. Teach them to communicate: Cyber safety advocates agree that an ongoing dialogue with young people about their online activity is the best way to promote responsible use and prevent potentially dangerous situations from happening. As a parent, you should know what your kids are doing online, including who they're talking to, sites they visit, and what types of material they are putting out there. In addition to these tips, keep the discussion going to ensure that your children acquire the skills necessary to navigate the always changing cyber-universe.

For any insurance questions, call or contact DeFranco Insurance today.

Wishing You A Happy Holidays and A Fantastic New Year !!!!

DeFranco Insurance Wishes You A Happy Thanksgiving !!

Storm Warnings: Did a storm trash your roof or damage your house?

After your home is damaged by wind, hail, or other natural elements, the storm isn't necessarily over; in fact, it might be just the beginning. Here's what you need to know about the storm-induced insurance process from diagnosing the damage to filing a claim and making repairs so that weathering your home's recovery is as painless as possible.

Know what's covered before the storm hits

Most homeowner's policies cover damage due to tornadoes, wind, hailstorms, severe temperatures, ice, lightning, and fire. In general, homeowner's insurance does not cover flooding; and your policy may have other restrictions based on what exactly caused the damage to your home, even if it happened during a storm. Talk to your insurance agent about additional coverage if you live in a high-risk area.

Exercise caution immediately following a storm

Just because you can't see it doesn't mean your home has not been damaged. If you're unsure, it might even be a good idea to stay somewhere else for a few days. If you decide to temporarily relocate, your insurance policy may help you cover some of those expenses. Finally, consider hiring a professional storm inspector to assess your home if you are not sure if you can do the job safely.

Document potential damage

Common types of damage after a storm include roof, window, and structural damage as well as exterior damage to paint or siding. After the storm passes, treat your home like it's a crime scene: before moving anything, take plenty of photos and/or video, inside and out. Carefully document all damages.

Call your insurance company

Make contact with a claims agent as soon as possible. They will help you to properly assess the damage to your home and understand what's covered by your policy, as well as walk you through the claims process.

Click here to view a list of insurance company claim phone numbers.

Make temporary repairs

After a severe storm, be sure to cover broken windows and exposed areas, and remove glass, tree limbs, and debris where it is safe to do so. Quickly address downed power lines or other electrical hazards by calling 911.

Hire a credible contractor

Did you know that some contractors travel to areas hit by storms to take advantage of unsuspecting homeowners? To avoid hiring one of these "storm chasers," do your research. Ask around, make sure they are licensed, and check online reviews before signing on the dotted line. Verify your contractor is local, certified, and has insurance coverage to practice in your state.

Work with your insurance agent to negotiate the claim

Ideally, the contractor you hire will have extensive experience working with an insurance company and will be able to help you navigate the process of getting repairs paid for and completed. Regardless, it's a good idea to get any quotes approved before proceeding with work on your roof or home. Save all receipts, including those from any temporary repairs made to your home.

For more information about storm damage and insurance, call or contact DeFranco Insurance today.

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DeFranco Insurance Wins Safeco Award 11 Years Running

Safeco Insurance^® Award of Excellence 2015

John DeFranco of DeFranco Insurance Agency earns Safeco Insurance^® Award of Excellence for superior underwriting skill

Seattle, WA— Safeco Insurance has selected John DeFranco of DeFranco Insurance Agency in Seattle, WA for an Award of Excellence. Fewer than 5% of insurance agents across the country who sell Safeco Insurance personal lines policies receive this prestigious honor.

“John DeFranco is dedicated to providing our clients with the insurance protection they need at the right price,”

“Safeco shares that same value, and we are thrilled that John DeFranco has been recognized with one of the company’s top honors.”

To receive a Safeco Award of Excellence, an insurance agent must have a strong relationship with Safeco and superior underwriting skills John DeFranco has earned Safeco’s Award of Excellence 11 times in the last 11 years.

“Outstanding underwriting and strong partnerships benefit DeFranco Insurance Agency’s customers,” said John. “Because Safeco Insurance supports independent insurance agents as trusted advisors, I am honored to have been selected for the Award of Excellence.”

About Safeco Insurance

In business since 1923 and based in Boston, Massachusetts, Safeco Insurance sells personal automobile, homeowners and specialty products through a network of more than 10,000 independent insurance agencies throughout the United States. Safeco is a Liberty Mutual Insurance company.

Boston-based Liberty Mutual Insurance is a diversified insurer and the third largest property and casualty insurer in the U.S. based on 2013 direct premiums written as reported by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Liberty Mutual Insurance also ranks 76th on the Fortune 100 list of largest U.S. corporations, based on 2013 revenue.

For more information about Safeco Insurance, go to www.Safeco.com.

Reasons To Consider Higher Auto Insurance Limits

1. Buying higher limits can save you significant claim dollars.

Buying higher auto liability limits is seldom important…until it is. Consider this…the minimum limits that are required in WA for auto insurance are $25,000 per person for bodily injury/$50,000 per accident for bodily injury and $10,000 per accident for property damage. If you cause injuries or damage above these amounts, the money to settle the claim is going to come out of your hip pocket.

2. Buying higher limits can save you premium dollars.

This concept is strange but some insurance companies give discounts to new customers that have higher limits on their prior policy. I guess they have found that customers that purchase higher liability limits have fewer claims.

3. It’s the right thing to do.

So you’re broke and the saying “you can’t squeeze blood out of a turnip” applies to your finances. If you have an accident causing big damages, wouldn’t you want to pay for the mess you’ve caused with the proper auto insurance? It’s a risk you take when you don’t go above the minimum limits of insurance. You don’t have the aforementioned “Hip Pocket National” to pay the bills, but you can have the insurance coverage to do so.

4. Keep the insurance company defending you.

If you cause a big claim, your policy covers the legal expenses if you are sued. There’s no limit on the amount of attorney fees that can be covered under the policy so at least the $50,000 of legal fees will be paid. But there is a BIG catch. The policy says that when the insurance company exhausts the liability limits, they don’t have to defend you any longer. So if it looks like the legal fees are going to be huge, the insurance company cuts their losses by paying out the liability limits. To keep the insurance company paying for those large legal fees, buy high liability limits.

For More questions Click Here To Get A Quick Answer  I have a questions

Identity To Artwork, Insurance Is Now Needed In More Ways Then You Might Think

Have you heard of supermodels insuring their legs or singers taking out a policy on their priceless vocal chords? That's probably not necessary for most people, but many of us probably do have a few valuables that can and should be insured separately.

A standard homeowner's or renter's policy will cover many of these items, but only to a limited extent and under certain circumstances, such as loss due to fire or theft. If your homeowner's policy doesn't provide adequate protection, it's possible to amend your policy to increase the cap on a reimbursement or extend your coverage to include additional causes of loss. If you can't negotiate the coverage you need within the confines of your homeowner's insurance, consider purchasing a separate, specialized or scheduled policy for the following items:

Jewelry: It's pretty likely that the standard cap on your homeowner's insurance will not accommodate the value of most expensive jewelry. An easy option is to increase the liability limit for these items by paying a slightly higher premium but this still may exclude many accidental causes of loss. A good standalone or supplemental policy offer protection from the "mysterious disappearance" of precious jewelry, as well as stones that fall out of their settings, among other things.

Artwork: If you own one or two high-quality pieces of art, it's a good idea to have them appraised regularly and covered under a fine art "floater" on your homeowner's insurance. But if you are a collector or if your art is frequently moved around to different venues, a standalone policy is highly recommended. Art insurance specialists can help you accurately value your collection, and a specialized policy will guarantee coverage in a wider variety of circumstances.

Bikes: If you own a state-of-the-art bicycle, it's definitely a good idea to check into specialized coverage that will garner you the highest reimbursement in the event your bike is lost, damaged, or stolen. Policies for serious cyclists may offer coverage for rental bikes, theft away from home, and even event fee reimbursement.

Identity: Identity theft insurance (sometimes called identity fraud insurance) is now commonly available as an endorsement to a standard homeowner's policy or a standalone product. According to the Insurance Information Institute, "Identity theft insurance provides reimbursement to crime victims for the cost of restoring their identity and repairing credit reports." This means it may help pay for everything from stamps to legal fees should your information be stolen. An identity theft policy does not reimburse you for money stolen via identity theft; however, it just helps you to pick up the pieces.

Instruments: If you're a casual player who uses your instrument at home, your homeowner's insurance may be enough to cover you if your instrument is stolen or damaged in a fire. But if you regularly travel with your instrument or own an especially expensive antique, chances are a homeowner's policy will not protect your instrument against the most likely causes of loss or damage. Musical instrument and gear policies are relatively inexpensive and will give you much more peace of mind.

Computers: Knocking a cup of coffee onto your laptop might ruin your day, but it doesn't have to become a nightmare. At the very least, be sure your homeowner's policy covers the replacement value (not the actual cash value) of your desktop or laptop. If you choose to go with a standalone policy, you can get coverage for all kinds of accidents, plus hard drive crashes, LCD issues and even WIFI failure.

The sky's the limit: No insurance company starts out with a standard vocal chord coverage policy so if there's something that is especially valuable to you, talk to your agent to see if it's possible to get more comprehensive coverage. Remember, if you choose to schedule valuable items under your homeowner's insurance rather than purchase specialized coverage, it's up to you to keep track of their value and regularly update your policy.

Questions? Call or contact DeFranco Insurance today.

Back to School with Allergies in Tow

Gathering school supplies, updating vaccines, and returning to a regular sleep schedule are part of a long list of things that need to be done before sending kids back to school. If your child also has a food allergy, preparing to go back to school takes extra effort and due diligence. Here are some things you can do to make sure your child's medical needs are met throughout the school year.

For Kids & Parents

Communicate early and often: As a parent, it is your responsibility to notify your child's school of his or her allergy. Provide the school with medical documentation as well as clearly labeled medications and instructions on how to use them. Keep the school updated on any episodes or changes to your child's condition.

Have a plan: Provide detailed written instructions outlining what to do in case of an emergency. Be sure this information is not only communicated to teachers, but also to those leading extra-curricular programs or driving school buses. Plan to meet with the school nurse and counselor to review your child's food allergy plan and make necessary accommodations. The Food Allergy Research & Education Center offers a downloadable Emergency Care Plan.

Know your rights: Some states have laws requiring schools and childcare facilities to adhere to certain guidelines to protect children with food allergies. Whether or not your state has these guidelines, it is against the law for your student to be excluded from classroom or school-sponsored activities because of his or her condition.

Teach self-management: Be sure your child is educated about their allergy and knows how to communicate it to adults (to the degree that can be expected, depending on their age). Older children and adolescents can take more responsibility for their condition; teach teens to read labels carefully, and check to see whether your child may be allowed to carry their own epipen in case of emergency. For children of all ages, a medical alert bracelet is always good idea.

For Schools & Teachers

Avoid allergens in class: Ideally, classrooms should be kept food-free. If that isn't possible, encourage teachers to avoid using foods that contain common allergens like nuts, milk, and soy as prizes or part of classroom instruction.

Coordinate care: Have a system for communicating students' allergy information to teachers and other staff that need to know about it. Making sure the process is the same for all students will ensure that nobody gets overlooked.

Provide training: Teach all staff to recognize symptoms of an allergic reaction, and train them to administer epinephrine auto-injectors. Consider specialized training for staff who work directly or more often with students who have allergies.

Adopt safe practices: Encourage staff and students to wash their hands after handling food and to keep potential allergens separate from other foods. Cafeteria kitchens should have designated "allergen-free" areas; food service staff should read labels carefully so that students know exactly what they are eating.

Address emotional needs: The key terms in creating a supportive environment for students with allergies are "safe" and "inclusive." Try to make accommodations for these students in a way that won't make them feel singled out. Teach other students about food allergies and adopt a zero-tolerance policy for bullying.

For answers to any of your insurance questions, call or contact DeFranco Insurance today.