Does Renter’s Insurance Cover Your Roommate?

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If you are renting or leasing your home, you need to secure reliable renter’s insurance to protect you from losses and liability. Although you may be clear on what it covers for the policyholder, you may wonder if a roommate is protected by the policy in place. 

Is Your Roommate Covered?

Unfortunately, your roommate won’t be covered by your policy unless he or she is stated on the policy. Each roommate must secure their own individual policy to make sure there is a complete level of coverage for each tenant. If you are considering getting a roommate and want to protect everyone in the home, insist that they purchase renter’s insurance. You can find a policy through Biddle-Shaw Insurance Services Inc. if you live in or near the San Francisco, CA area. 

Working With An Agent

If you are searching for good renter’s insurance, you want to work with an agency that provides experienced agents who can help you outline your needs and offer policy options that work for you and your roommates. It is the key to getting the protection you need from a variety of threats. If you have questions and want to consult with a reputable insurance professional, check out Biddle-Shaw Insurance Services Inc. and take the guesswork out of finding the right renter’s insurance policy.

Anyone who lives around the San Francisco, CA area and is in need of renter’s insurance should call or stop by the office today and get started protecting yourself and any roommates in your dwelling. You need peace of mind so you can avoid losses from a variety of potential issues. 

Tips and Tricks for Home Insurance With Pets

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At Biddle-Shaw Insurance Services Inc., we find that many of our San Francisco, CA residents, and those in the area, experience worse insurance rates due to pets. Thankfully, there are several tips and tricks that you can use to lower your rates and avoid complications. 

Train Your Pup to Limit Liability 

Insurance companies will be pleased with you if you train your pup to behave. This training will show them that you take your pup’s potential for damage very seriously and that your dog has been adjusted to avoid issues. Don’t hesitate to get multiple types of training to boost the effectiveness of your insurance policy. 

Buy Kid-Friendly Animals 

The worst problem you’ll experience with pets is if they tend to bite children. Animals who bite will cause you increased insurance rates and higher co-pays. Thankfully, you can buy dogs who are friendly with animals or cats who don’t scratch to get the best results. Talk to your agent about which animals get the best rates and then focus on these animals. 

Create an Outdoor Exercise Area

Many pets – dogs in particular – get bored when left alone for too long and will lash out by chewing home items. This problem is one that can affect your insurance rates in a variety of ways. Instead of leaving your dog indoors, create an outdoor area with toys, food, a dog house, and items that your pet  appreciates while you’re gone. In this way, you can show your insurance company that your home is protected.

Get Professional Help

So if you live in San Francisco, CA and you want to own pets, make sure that you contact us at Biddle-Shaw Insurance Services Inc. to learn more. Our professionals will work hard to find you a policy that costs you as little as possible but which still protects you from pet-related damage.

Safety Tips for Spring Road Trips

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Spring is a great season to take a road trip. By planning your trip in advance, you can get the most out of your time on the road. The following road trip safety tips from Biddle-Shaw Insurance Services Inc. in San Francisco, CA can help you have safer, more enjoyable travels.

Check Your Vehicle

Even new cars should be checked right before hitting the road to ensure everything is working properly. A routine checkup could save you from unnecessary breakdowns in the middle of your trip. Make sure your mechanic checks the brakes, tires, oil, and fluids. You should also test your lights, blinkers, and wipers to ensure they’re working as they should.

Make Safety a Priority

Make sure you’re well rested before hitting the road to reduce your risk of having an accident. Take frequent breaks when on the road to stretch, eat and rest, so you can stay alert and drive safely. Make safety a priority when on the road. Don’t take on more than you can handle. If you’re traveling with a companion, take turns driving to get the rest you need.

Plan Your Route and Have Backup Directions

Plan your route so you don’t get lost. If you’re using a GPS, have backup directions written down or on your phone as a precaution. Mapping your journey will help keep you on course during your travels. It also makes it easier to get back on course if you decide to take detours along the way to take in some off-road sights.

Update Your Car Insurance

Update your auto insurance to ensure you have the protection you need for your journey. By adding roadside assistance to your coverage, you won’t have to worry about unforeseen breakdowns on the road.

For quality auto insurance for your road trip or everyday driving needs, contact Biddle-Shaw Insurance Services Inc. in San Francisco, CA.

Do I Need to Have Renters Insurance?

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One very exciting time in anyone’s life is the day they moved into a new rental apartment. When you are looking to move into a new rental apartment, you need to make sure that you are being very diligent and properly protecting yourself. One of the best ways to do that today is through the use of renters insurance. There are many reasons why you need to have renters insurance in place before you move into your next apartment.

Protects Your Assets

If you are moving into a new San Francisco, CA apartment building, you likely will need to have a lot of new personal belongings to help you live a life that you want. When you purchase new furniture, personal items, and other assets, you will be making a big investment. When you have renters insurance in place, you will receive the protection you need for these assets. In the event of a fire, vandalism, or theft, you will have an insurance policy to back you up.

Comply With Lease

Once you sign a lease, you will have many new obligations that you need to abide by. One obligation that you likely will have will be the need to carry renters insurance at all times. When you get a renters insurance policy, you should provide a copy of it to your landlord. This will help to verify that you are in full compliance with your lease, which will keep you in good standing.

When you are looking for your next San Francisco, CA rental unit, you should speak with the professionals at Biddle-Shaw Insurance Services Inc. to discuss your insurance options and needs. The team at Biddle-Shaw Insurance Services Inc. excels at helping people get into the right insurance policy for their situation. 

Travel Outside Of Florida? Make Sure You Have Bodily Injury Liability Coverage

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When you’re getting ready to leave your San Francisco, CA home for a road trip out of state, you’re most likely busy planning your route and finishing your last-minute packing. What you probably aren’t thinking about is your automobile insurance policy or whether your policy covers you while driving across state borders. While the state of California requires that drivers carry minimum liability coverage of $15,000 for personal injury protection and $5,000 for property damage liability, other states may have higher minimum coverage requirements.  

Does My Bodily Injury Liability Policy Cover Me Out Of State? 

Generally, yes. While auto insurance coverage requirements vary from state to state, although you purchased coverage based on California’s coverage options, your insurance should provide protection even if you travel clear across the nation. Meeting the minimum bodily liability insurance coverage in another state isn‘t important as long as you meet the minimum in California. For example, in what is called a “broadening clause,” if you were involved in an accident in another state where the minimum requirements were $5,000 more than your policy minimum, your insurer will generally make up the difference and cover you at the higher limit. 

Are There Situations Where My Bodily Injury Liability Policy Won’t Cover Me Out Of State? 

For the most part, you can jump in your car and head to another state without thinking about your auto insurance policy. However, there are a couple of situations where your policy may not cover you: 

  • If you are moving from San Francisco, CA to another state. Your Biddle-Shaw Insurance Services, Inc. policy will cover you while you are traveling to your new home, but once you move you will have to buy a new policy in that state. 
  • While most insurance companies will cover you if you head north to Canada, if your travel plans go south of the border into Mexico, you will likely need to buy insurance for driving in Mexico.

If you plan to hit the road into another state, it’s a good idea to check your auto insurance policy or call Biddle-Shaw Insurance Services, Inc. to ensure your automobile insurance policy has a broadening clause or will cover you for wherever you are planning to drive.

When Should You Reduce Your Commercial Coverage?

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Having commercial insurance is necessary to protect business owners from a variety of hazards that could create financial losses or devastation. Although you may need a certain amount when you first secure a commercial insurance policy, over time, you may want to reduce your coverage amount if there are certain circumstances that warrant it.

When To Reduce Your Coverage

If you are planning to downsize your company or go from a brick and mortar location to a primary e-commerce style business run from your home, you may want to reduce the amount of coverage you have to help you focus on other important business issues. Figure out which options work for you with the assistance of an experienced insurance agent. They can outline your options and make suggestions that help you make the most out of your coverage. 

Quality Coverage

Buying a high-quality insurance policy is the key to ensuring that you will have the protection you chose without issues later on during a claim. Your agent can also help you file claims to make the process easier during a difficult time. If you live in or around the San Francisco, CA area, you can consult Biddle-Shaw Insurance Services, Inc. to discover what you can do to protect your company with a policy that makes sense. Their agents work hard to ensure the client is covered without gaps that can spell disaster after a claim. 

Protect your business with the right type of commercial coverage with the help of Biddle-Shaw Insurance Services, Inc. serving the residents in and around the San Francisco, CA area. Call or stop by today to speak with an agent and get the answers to your questions.

Why You Should Purchase Home Insurance on Properties That You Are Renting Out

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Home insurance is not only for the homes in which we live primarily. For some homeowners, they own several properties that are rented out to tenants and their families. If you own multiple properties in the San Francisco, CA area, be responsible and purchase home insurance on these properties today. Biddle-Shaw Insurance Services, Inc. has a policy that will fit your needs and protect your property.

Fire Damage

Often, there are unforeseen accidents that can happen in a home, whether you are living in it or renting it out. In the event that one of your homes has fire damage, that structure may be covered under your home insurance policy. Any building on your property, as well as home damages, will be covered. 

Vandalism

Unfortunately, damage can occur to the exterior of your home if you live in a high traffic area. Expect coverage from your home insurance policy if one of your homes falls victim to vandalism. Damages to broken windows, graffiti, and other exterior damages can be costly without an insurance policy. 

Personal Property

While the personal property of a tenant will not be covered by a landlord’s policy, any personal property that you have inside will be included in the policy when damaged by fire or theft. Any appliances, furniture, or equipment that belongs to you as the owner is covered in your policy. If a landlord provides appliances in the rental agreement with tenants, as a landlord, you will need to make sure that you can include them via insurance should tragedy strike. 

Cover Your Properties 

If you do not have home insurance on your multiple properties, let Biddle-Shaw Insurance Services, Inc. provide you with the coverage you need today. Our agents serve homeowners in the San Francisco, CA area and surrounding communities. 

 

 

What To Do When Your Car Gets Destroyed By A Hail Storm

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You get the alert on your phone that hail is impending and you know there’s no way to get your car to safety in time. At Biddle-Shaw Insurance Services, Inc., we know that hail is always a possibility in San Francisco, CA. When there’s nothing you can do to stop the damage, we’re here to help you pick up the pieces.

What to do when the hail has stopped

The first thing you should do is look over your car yourself to see if the hail actually caused any damage. Be very careful doing this, especially if you find cracked or broken windows. Sometimes hail can only cause cosmetic damage, and sometimes it can be enough to total a car. By looking it over yourself first, you might get an idea of what you’re in for.

You can’t rely on your own observations though, even if you think there is little to no damage. Be sure to contact your insurance agent and start the process of getting your car checked out. It’s possible that there is more damage than you think, or that there is damage present that you didn’t even notice.

Once you have the damage assessed, depending on the condition, you’ll have a few options on how to proceed. If the car needs to be repaired because the hail caused structural damage, then you will obviously need to repair the car. If your car is damaged but still drivable, then you can make the decision on whether you want to repair it or not. You even have the option of finding a new car if yours is totaled. 

No matter what you decide, you need to talk to your insurance agent about how to proceed after hail damage. Serving San Francisco, CA, Biddle-Shaw Insurance Services, Inc. can answer your car insurance questions and help you out in the event of hail damage.

Is Renter’s Insurance Mandatory?

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Renting a home or apartment can be a thrilling experience, but not having coverage in the event of a disaster can be truly devastating. For those in the San Francisco, CA area, the helpful agents of Biddle-Shaw Insurance Services, Inc. can assist you in finding the renters policy that works best for you.

So, when renting a home or an apartment, it is not mandatory in any state unless specifically stated in your rental agreement, that you have any sort of renter policy in place. Your landlord may require that you take out a renter policy to protect their investment and to help you to replace items if the property should be destroyed. If you are renting and your landlord requires a renter policy, you should take the time to talk with an insurance agent to find a coverage option that works for you.

Most landlords will have their own insurance policy to help protect their property if something happens to the home. Renter’s policies cover a broad range of things. For starters, they cover the replacement of contents and property should your rental property become damaged in a fire, break-in, theft, or even storm damage. A landlord has no responsibility to pay you for items that are destroyed or stolen, so having a rental policy in place is a great way to protect your interests.

It is important to remember that when your rental home is destroyed or when there is a fire, likely your items are going to need to be replaced. Since it is not the responsibility of the landlord to replace items that are damaged or stolen, it is important that you protect your own property. For those that live in the San Francisco, CA area, the resourceful agents with Biddle-Shaw Insurance Services, Inc. can assist you.

Must Have Auto Coverage for New Drivers

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As a new driver, you should have adequate car insurance coverage to protect yourself and others in an accident. Knowing your options makes it easier to get the protection you need. At Biddle-Shaw Insurance Services, Inc., we can help you understand the various types of coverage so you can make good decisions when choosing a policy. Here are some essential facts you should know about auto insurance coverage.  

Minimum Liability Coverage

Most states require that you have minimum liability coverage to help pay for injuries or property damage to others in case you cause an accident. As a new driver, you may want more than the bare minimum as your lack of driving experience puts you at greater risk of causing an accident. If you cause an accident with extensive damages, you could end up paying most of the damages out of pocket.

Liability insurance protects other drivers, not you. To protect your vehicle, you’ll need a collision and comprehensive coverage.

Collision Coverage

Collision insurance would pay for damages to your car if you were to accidentally crash into another vehicle while driving around San Francisco, CA or run into a tree. If you own a new car and drive extensively, you should consider collision coverage to protect your investment. If you own a second-hand vehicle, however, (as many new drivers do) you may want to forgo this coverage to save money on your premium.

Comprehensive Coverage

Comprehensive insurance protects you against theft, vandalism, and damage to your vehicle caused by the elements. This coverage is essential for new car owners more so than those who drive second-hand vehicles. Consider where you live, your driving habits, and the value of your vehicle when deciding if comprehensive coverage is for you.

For more information on car insurance coverage and costs, contact Biddle-Shaw Insurance Services, Inc. in San Francisco, CA.