July 2021
Central Valley News from Central Sequoia Insurance
I Didn't File a Claim but My Home Insurance Went Up... Why?
A number of factors contribute to determining your insurance premium. It is possible for your home insurance to go up even if you didn’t file a claim. Here are some reasons.
Home changes. If you have upgraded or renovated your home, it is worth more, so in the event of a disaster, more insurance is needed to cover it. Other additions, such as a pool, can increase risk, which will increase your premium.
Area changes. If there are changes in your area when it comes to natural disasters, claims and the cost of living, this can impact your coverage costs. An increase in the rate of thefts, vandalism, natural disasters and claims related to these means there will be an increase in your premium.
Of course, the big problem in California is brush fires and it affects nearly every part of our state.
Safety changes. Your insurance is affected by changes in safety. If risk is lowered or safety is increased (say, for example, by the addition of a fire station in your area), your insurance rates are lowered. If risk is raised, your insurance rate is raised. You can lower your risk and your rate by making your home safer with burglar alarms and other safety measures.
Not making changes. Your home ages, and if you don’t keep it updated, this can mean a hike in your premium. Homes that are not updated become more and more dangerous to insure, which translates to them costing more to insure. Ignoring necessary upgrades raises your risk and raises your premiums.
We are always here to help you understand what goes into determining your home insurance rate. Call or email us today with your questions, and let’s take a look at how you may be able to lower your premium.
Marie Guzman, DRIP Winner!
Marie Guzman is the winner of our 2nd quarter Client Referral Rewards raffle. Marie directed the $100 gift to charity to The Bethlehem Center.
Thanks for your business and referrals, Marie!!
World's Largest Open-Air Gallery Has a Special Mission
A Spanish artist has turned one region's dull cement silos into stunning works of art, helped by a team of local artists with learning disabilities. The breathtaking work means the province of Ciudad Real in central Spain now boasts the largest open-air gallery in the world.
The mastermind behind the project is Okuda San Miguel, a painter who has dedicated his artistic career to bringing color into everyday spaces across the globe. His previous works have regularly involved turning drab buildings and bare walls into places of beauty with colorful murals featuring geometric patterns, nature, people and famous iconography. The colossal scale of this latest work meant it was always destined to be something unique, but as the work began to escalate, the special mission Miguel added to the project brought the entire piece to a new level.
In partnership with a local organization working to create jobs for local people with special needs, Miguel assembled a team of artists with learning disabilities to help create the magnificent artworks. His aim was to provide them with a chance to communicate through the medium of painting and visual art, contributing to what he describes as a "universal church" existing for everyone regardless of race, religion or gender.
The impressive undertaking has grown into a gallery of 10 different cement silos in collaboration with artists of many nationalities, and the next goal of the project is to transform the silos' empty interiors to match the beauty of the colorful new exteriors.
How to Feel Like You're on Vacation in Your Everyday Life
With many of us unable to get away on our normal vacations this year, it's easy to feel like we're missing out on some much-needed soul soothing. But why stop yourself from creating that vacation feeling in your everyday life?
Block out days for yourself in advance to specifically have a slow morning, spend time outside, go on an adventure, see friends and not worry about that shelf you were meaning to put up or that room you were going to paint. While it's a concept alien to many, actively banning yourself from being "productive" for a day here or there can work wonders for your mental health if planned and done at the right time.
Afford yourself the freedom to care a little less about your appearance and appreciate the liberation of loose clothing. One of the joys of a vacation is that we stop worrying about how smart we look for a few weeks, swapping out proper shoes for flip-flops, busting out the sun dress and not bothering with makeup routines.
Get to the water! Whether it's reading by the river, riding a pedal boat on a lake in the park, swimming in the sea or just setting up a paddling pool in your backyard, everything seems slightly more calming when you're near water. See if you can make a conscious effort to fit a water-based activity into some of your days off this year.
Eat some exciting food you wouldn't normally try! A huge part of our time away revolves around the exciting food we eat. Obviously, part of that comes from someone else cooking it, but trying something different that looks and tastes beautiful can be hugely rewarding.
Good Words for Our Staff
“THE SERVICE IS TIMELY AND ALWAYS COURTEOUS AND HELPFUL ON THE PHONE."
Mark O.
“PERSONAL ATTENTION AND SPEEDY RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS."
Brian M.
“I COULDN'T BE HAPPIER WITH MY EXPERIENCE WITH CENTRAL SEQUOIA INSURANCE. THE STAFF IS EXCELLENT AND ARE THERE TO ASSIST ME WITH ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS. MY AGENT SPECIFICALLY GOES ABOVE AND BEYOND TO MAKE SURE I HAVE THE BEST COVERAGE!”
Ryan J.
Check Out our New Insurance Agent App
Submit a claim, pay bills, check your policies, get an auto ID card, email/text/call your agent or customer service person, inventory your valuables... you can do it all anywhere with our new app. Click on the image above for a short video, then click on Apple or Google to get it:
Apple Store, or
How to Feel Like You're on Vacation in Your Everyday Life
With many of us unable to get away on our normal vacations this year, it's easy to feel like we're missing out on some much-needed soul soothing. But why stop yourself from creating that vacation feeling in your everyday life?
Block out days for yourself in advance to specifically have a slow morning, spend time outside, go on an adventure, see friends and not worry about that shelf you were meaning to put up or that room you were going to paint. While it's a concept alien to many, actively banning yourself from being "productive" for a day here or there can work wonders for your mental health if planned and done at the right time.
Afford yourself the freedom to care a little less about your appearance and appreciate the liberation of loose clothing. One of the joys of a vacation is that we stop worrying about how smart we look for a few weeks, swapping out proper shoes for flip-flops, busting out the sun dress and not bothering with makeup routines.
Get to the water! Whether it's reading by the river, riding a pedal boat on a lake in the park, swimming in the sea or just setting up a paddling pool in your backyard, everything seems slightly more calming when you're near water. See if you can make a conscious effort to fit a water-based activity into some of your days off this year.
Eat some exciting food you wouldn't normally try! A huge part of our time away revolves around the exciting food we eat. Obviously, part of that comes from someone else cooking it, but trying something different that looks and tastes beautiful can be hugely rewarding.
Quick Quiz
Each month I'll give you a new question.
Just click the button below and submit your answer.
In which film was Betty Boop's debut appearance in August 1930?
First 10 responders will be entered into drawing for 3 Starbuck's gift cards.
Last month's winners were:
Brenda Mendoza
Rita Perez
Richard Hernandez