November 2021 Newsletter | Central Sequoia Insurance

Are Electronic Door Locks Right for You?

Gone are the days of forgetting your keys. Smart locks with fingerprints, WiFi and Bluetooth systems are reimagining the way we view home safety, but are they really safe? Do they add value to your home? Are they really more secure? We're here to dispel some myths and weigh out the pros and cons.

Are you a techphobe or a tech know-it-all?

If you struggle with each new update to your cell phone, a smart lock probably isn't the right thing for you. If, however, you like to keep up to date with new gadgets and are the go-to call when friends are struggling to install their printers, go for it!

Do they add value?

The short answer: yes and no. They add marketability: potential buyers will want to ask about them and most likely consider them an attention grabber that they'll remember. However, they don't add that much more security. Burglars will most likely enter a home through forcing a door or window. In fact, camera surveillance is a much better deterrent.

What are the options?

Biometric: recognizes your fingerprints.

Key fob: similar to many offices, unlock your front door when within proximity of your pocketed fob.

Smart phone: that's right, unlock your door from your phone! Just make sure you keep it fully charged.

Surveillance lock: code operated, takes a picture of who opens the door and can be synced with the surveillance system.

If you're unsure whether your locking system affects your insurance policy, get in touch. We'll help you figure it out.

Quick Quiz

Each month I'll give you a new question.

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First 10 responders will be entered into drawing for 3 Starbuck's gift cards.

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Last month's winners were:
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Good Words for Our Staff

"I've been very comfortable with the amount of communication between Mark Jennings and myself. He responds promptly to any questions and it careful to ensure I fully understand any options available before I make decisions. I highly recommend him!"

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"Ryan is very punctual and gets things done right away which I appreciate greatly. He is also very knowledgeable and makes things easy."

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"Central Sequoia is always looking into how we can save and are very responsive to requests made by us."

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5 Ways to Prevent Water Damage to Your Home

It turns out something as small as trimming the trees around your home can be a heroic act when it comes to preventing water damage. Who knew? We've compiled these five tips to help prevent water damage, but if you want to know what happens if they don't work, our insurance agents are only a phone call away.

1. Clean your gutters

It may sound simple, but regularly cleaning out your gutters prevents buildup that may cause a blockage in the future that leads to water damage. Say you've got a bunch of dead leaves you've been meaning to clean out and then a storm comes. That spells trouble.

2. Trim your trees

Protect your roof by regularly trimming trees and watching out for stray branches that may cause a lot of damage on the way down. Also, make sure there are no easy-access branches for creatures to stumble onto the roof and cause any other types of damage.

3. Look into a French drain

Named after a man, not the cheese-loving, stripe-wearing country, it's a trench that's slightly sloped and diverts water away from your home.

4. Install impact-proof doors

Not all doors and windows are created equal. Impact-resistant ones can withstand high winds that have the power to cause structural damage during a storm. Investing now could save you a small fortune.

5. Update your insurance

The most important thing you can do is make sure you are up to date and covered in case disaster does strike. Not all policies protect from all kinds of water damage, so make sure you read the fine print.
Not sure about your policy? Call or email us to find out how you can better your policy. We are always here to help.

Zucchini Parmesan

This easy-to-prep dish will be a delicious addition to any summertime meal.

Serves 6

Ingredients

4 medium zucchini, sliced

1 green pepper, diced

1/2 onion, julienned

1 teaspoon minced garlic

1 cup fresh cherry tomatoes, halved

1 teaspoon of salt

1/4 teaspoon of pepper

1 teaspoon of oregano

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

In large skillet, saute zucchini, green pepper and onion in oil until softened.

Add garlic. Cook 1 minute longer.

Stir in tomatoes. Season with salt, pepper and oregano.

Simmer, uncovered, until excess liquid is evaporated.

Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Serve.

To turn this into a main dish: add mozzarella and bread crumbs, broil until golden brown or add linguine (6 ounces) cooked al dente then stir through.

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July 2022