November 2021 Newsletter | Central Sequoia Insurance

Protect Your Home with These 6 Wildfire Prevention Tips

A spark is all it takes for your home to go up in flames and all your belongings with it. A wooden deck or porch can make it even more likely, especially during those summer months. How can you make your home less likely to catch fire? Here are some wildfire protection tips.
Check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
Do this often, and make sure they work. It can be the difference between life and death.
Get fire extinguishers
And make sure you check them regularly.
Clear the yard of debris
Fallen leaves, dead wood, or parts from a broken jungle gym are all kindling to a fire already raging. If a fire threat is imminent, move the outside furniture somewhere where it can’t ignite, and make sure you remember to move the welcome mat, too.
Remove tree branches lower than six feet
Don’t plant bushes directly beneath trees. This is literally adding fuel for the fire to reach higher.
Use non-flammable fencing
It’s worth investing in a fire-retardant fence if you live in a fire threat area.
Make sure your insurance policy is up to date
Even if you take all the necessary precautions, a fire can still do a lot of damage to your home. Make sure your insurance policies are up to date and include damage from fire.
If you live in a fire hazard area and are wondering if your insurance acknowledges this, get in touch. We will be happy to talk to you about your policy.

Quick Quiz

Each month I'll give you a new question.

Just click the button below and submit your answer.

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

The first commercially produced ballpoint pen was introduced to America by who?

Last month's winners were:
Brenda Mendoza
Michael Cardoza
Emalee Mann

Click Here to Submit!

Good Words for Our Staff

"Everyone at the company has been great and have taken care of every problem or question I have had promptly and courteously Keep doing what you’ve been doing Thanks you to everyone I have dealt with."

Mike S.

"Central Sequoia Insurance has always served me well by providing needed information and even in handling a fire claim. They are always there for me!"

Larry P.

Is Landlord Insurance Needed if You Rent Out Your Home?

So you’ve decided to rent out your home. Perhaps you’re moving to a bigger place or taking an extended trip. Whatever the reason for your decision, should you get landlord insurance?

What is landlord insurance?
Sure, homeowners insurance will cover you if your house burns down or if there’s a break-in, but it might not cover you for damage incurred while renting your home to someone else. Landlord insurance covers exactly that, including the house itself, sheds or other structures and the owner's possessions, but not the tenant's possessions. It also covers lost rental income if the house is damaged and uninhabitable, and, in the case of a lawsuit or injury, there is some liability protection for the owner. There are also specific policies, such as a dwelling fire policy or special perils policy, that cover you in the event of fire, storms or ice damage.

What’s the risk in renting out your home?
Homeowners insurance covers an owner-occupied single-family residence. If this doesn’t sound like your current situation, you’re probably not covered. The reason is it's a much higher risk for the insurance company. Insurance companies experience more claims on tenant-occupied property as opposed to owner occupied. Your risk also rises as you are now responsible for any damage done to the property by a third party.

If you’re about to start renting out your home and still not sure if you need landlord insurance, call or email us. We can walk you through the process and find the best policy for you and your specific circumstances.

Banana Muffins

Swap out the all-purpose flour for gluten-free flour for an easy gluten-free muffin mix!

Yields 12

Ingredients

3-4 very ripe bananas

1/2 cup butter, softened

2 eggs

2 tablespoons milk

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional)

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 12 standard-size muffin cups with paper liners. In large bowl, mash bananas. Add butter, eggs, milk, sugar and vanilla extract. Whisk together to combine. Stir in flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda and chocolate chips until evenly mixed. Evenly divide batter into prepared muffin cups and bake for 20-22 minutes or until cooked through.

Serve

Instead of chocolate chips, you could try walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts, dried cranberries, raisins or apricots.

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

Google Play Store

Thank You for your Referrals!

We succeed when people like you refer us to your friends, neighbors and loved ones. It’s the best kind of feedback we can receive. So thanks for continuing to pass this newsletter on to people you care about.

Learn More About The D.R.I.P. Referral Program Here

May 2022