June 2021

Why a Home Inventory Is Essential and How to Do It

Whether you rent or own, keeping a current home inventory is critical to getting on the road to recovery faster in the unfortunate event that disaster strikes. Documenting items in your home may feel like an overwhelming task. Here’s what you need to know to guide you through the process.

Document. Take detailed pictures and video of every room in your home as well as a record of each individual item. Items such as antiques should be discussed with your insurance agent to itemize them on your policy. If you already have a home inventory list, make sure to keep your list updated with any new significant purchases along the way.

Proof of value. Keep receipts, contracts and appraisals to understand what level of coverage you’d need. Things to take note of: item description, make/model/serial number and estimated replacement costs.

Don’t forget the storage unit. Personal items that are kept in a self-storage facility are covered under homeowners insurance.

Keep it safe. Store your documentation in a fireproof box or safe deposit box or keep a file on hand with your insurance agent. You can also back up the files on an external hard drive or to the cloud (such as Google Drive or Apple’s iCloud) as an additional measure.

Kick-start. To kick-start your inventory task, check out these home inventory apps to help you with the process.

After taking your home inventory, give us a call to check your current policy to ensure that you’ll be covered or set you up with a new policy today!

Quick Quiz

Each month I'll give you a new question.

Just email us and submit your answer.

Which of these ice cream flavors was invented first: vanilla or chocolate?

First 10 responders will be entered into drawing for 3 Starbuck's gift cards.Last month's winners were:
Brenda MendozaNicole SwansonEmalee Mann

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Supporting Local Mom-and-Pop Businesses

If you are searching for the perfect gift, handmade jewelry, or a bouquet of flowers, small businesses will most likely have your back! Small businesses are a huge driver of local economies. They also create jobs, build communities, increase tourism and increase access to diverse products. Here are a few ways to show mom-and-pop shops your support.

Give them a shout out on social. Share positive experiences of your local small business, as well as their website, on your social media. You can also use their business hashtag to boost engagement on platforms like Instagram and Twitter.

Shop small. Warehouse stores and online retailers like Amazon may offer a wide selection of products and fast shipping, but small businesses offer unique items that are generally higher quality. Your money will also be going directly towards better working conditions for employees.

Tip generously. Giving a little extra when it comes to tipping can directly help small businesses’ staff and encourage them to work hard. This works especially well at local eateries.

Buy their merch. Buying clothing with a small business’s logo not only generates income but gives them some free advertising to boot!

Become a member and stick it out. Keeping your membership active can help, especially during slow months or times of upheaval, like a pandemic or financial crash, for instance.

Stock up. Buying items that you may not need right now but will definitely use later can help small businesses get through tough times. Gift cards help in a similar way and give you the opportunity to turn friends and family into customers too!

Lemon Blueberry Bread

Yields 1 loaf

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup butter, melted
• 2 eggs, room temperature
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 cup plain sour cream or Greek yogurt
• 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
• 2 tablespoons lemon zest

Preheat oven to 375° F.

In medium mixing bowl, whisk butter, eggs, lemon juice and sugar. In separate bowl, mix together flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda.

Add flour mixture to butter mixture alternately with sour cream, stirring gently. Fold in blueberries and lemon zest.

Pour into greased 8 x 4 inch loaf pan. Bake at 375° F for 20 minutes. Turn oven down to 350° F and bake for additional 30-40 minutes.

Cool for 10 minutes. Transfer to wire rack.

Glaze if desired while warm.

Changing the Ecosystem, the Economy and the Way We Eat

Documentaries like Seaspiracy, Cowspiracy and Blackfish have recently highlighted the way humans mistreat and mismanage the land and seas. But thanks to the bold experimentations of three-Michelin-Star chef Ángel León, hope floats! The Spanish seafood expert is changing the way we eat fish and the ecosystem that supports it, one glorious gourmet dish at a time.

Hailed as one of the most influential chefs in the world, León made a name for himself by creating avant-garde seafood recipes. He is a true visionary, and every dish he creates honors the ocean and his commitment to sustainability. And his vision includes a complete ecosystem and new saltwater economy for Cadiz, his hometown.

At his restaurant, he serves "trash fish" such as pandora, krill, sea bream and moray eel, less in-demand species often thrown back by fisherman, as they have a low value. But León thinks they're the most noble and delicious fish found in the sea.

Alongside this, the chef extraordinaire has plans to harvest seagrass off different stretches of the Spanish coast and transplant it near Aponiente, his restaurant. This way, he can create an "underwater garden" for humans, much like the produce gardens of his peers' restaurants on land.

Unbeknownst to the masses, seagrass is actually one of the most vital ecosystems in the fight against climate change. Astoundingly, it also contains edible grains, a potential that Léon is exploring in his dishes. While his culinary breakthroughs may seem insignificant to some, each delicious morsel is a step forward towards kinder food practices, a healthier ocean and a sustainable economy.

The Ins and Outs of Boat Insurance

Welcome aboard! The summer season is here; it’s time to take a fresh look at your boat insurance policy. While your standard homeowners policy may cover some things related to your boat, it isn’t sufficient to keep you covered during your summer adventures. Without watercraft insurance, you could be on the hook for costly repairs and damages to your boat and passengers.

It’s important to protect yourself both in and out of the water. Here are the basics of boat insurance.

Property coverage. Once your boat is out of the water, insurance coverage can change should something happen. Property coverage manages any physical damage that happens to your boat and equipment, radar systems and sporting equipment like water skis. This also involves transport of your vehicle. One example is if an automobile collides with your trailer on the way to your festivities.

Personal liability. This coverage is useful in the case that there's any bodily injury or damage to another's property. Additionally, medical payments coverage takes care of medical expenses incurred from any accident involving your covered boat.

Uninsured boaters. This insurance is also important, as it helps to cover expenses should you be involved in an accident with an under- or uninsured boater in the busy summer season.

Exemptions. Losses and damages involving racing or stunts, failure to properly maintain your boat or damage that occurs from improper storage or animals like birds and rodents are typically not covered under a standard policy.

Questions to ask. It’s important to discuss all the aspects of your policy with us, including how your boat will be valued should a claim occur, how repairs and claims are managed, how your policy deals with salvage coverage and towing reimbursement, and much more.

We can guide you through these questions and determine what’s best for you. From land to open water, we can also help you save on your premiums by bundling your boat policy with your homeowners insurance.

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