With such a hot housing market right now, homeowners are curious to see what their property is worth. Of course, this does not always mean they will list their home for sale but will question if the insurance coverage they’re paying for is adequate for that home.
We want to make it clear, that your property value will not match your reconstruction value which is what your insurance coverage is based on.
Reconstruction value is the cost to replace or rebuild a home to original or like standards at current material and labor costs within a certain geographical area.
Meanwhile, a home’s market value is the price a consumer is willing to pay for the home considering additional factors like property location, schools and parks and current housing trends.
We hope this explains any concerns as to why your coverage and property value are different.
Should you have any questions please contact our Customer Service team directly at 1-800-234-2114 we are ready to assist you Monday through Friday 8:00AM to 4:45PM PST.
Well, well, well…look who decided to finally show up!
As we go into the final weekend of August lets remember that however we decide to spend our time, we are responsible for our own happiness. So as the poet Oscar Wilde put it – ” Be yourself, because everyone else is already taken”.
Make the most of today and this weekend, from all of us to you.
Although more people are working remotely, for people who work onsite, commutes are getting longer. A recent survey by Bloomberg revealed that 45 percent of all commuters travel 25 minutes or more to work every day. In addition, one in 36 commuters travel an excess of 90 minutes to work, making them so-called “super commuters.”
Of course, dealing with rush hour traffic or busy trains can be highly stressful. Fortunately, there are some ways you can de-stress your commute.
Keep the following tips in mind:
Listen to your favorite music – Background noises like cars whizzing by or honking can be a huge distraction and even cause headaches. Create your own sound cocoon and listen to things that make you feel relaxed or happy.
Use aroma therapy – It may not be the first thing that comes to mind but essential oils like lavender and sage have been proven to calm nerves.
Carpool with a colleague or neighbor – carpooling can ease the stress of driving because you’ll be spending less time behind the wheel. In addition, having someone to talk to can help enhance your sense of wellbeing.
Get a head start to the start of your day – Prepping the night before will save you time especially if it is something like filling up your gas tank or packing your lunch.
We hope these simple but helpful reminders on how to de-stress your commute benefit your daily travels.
The following suggestions are from readyforwildfire.org which explain the 5 steps one can take to help protect your home and family.
Create a defensible space around your home. Try to keep brush, trees or landscaping at least 100 feet away from the sides of your home. This allows emergency crews to safely and adequately protect the structure.
Make your home as fire-resistant as possible. Concrete, brick and tile are all ember resistant building materials. As far as plants go…roses, honeysuckle shrubs and cherry trees are more resistant to fire than others.
Put together an emergency kit now. This kit must include everything from face coverings, battery operated radios/flashlights, extra batteries, non-perishable foods that will last three days, medications, change of clothes and legal documents like your birth certificate.
Write an action plan. This action plan assigns each person a responsibility they’ll have if you’re being evacuated. The easiest way to ensure a fast and safe departure is to make sure all household members have a copy of the list and know their role.
Let family, friends or neighbors know where you plan on going. Check-in frequently and secure a safe shelter outside of the evacuation zone.
Each year as summer draws to a close, teachers, parents, and students alike all begin their back to school preparations. Whether you are sending your child off to Pre-K for the first time, readying for classroom for a new set of students, or attending your freshman year of college, there’s a lot to prepare for. Check out this prep list that can help make sure you are ready to make this school year one of the best.
Know the school’s action plan in case your kids are sent home due to a sudden emergency
Make sure kids know safety guidelines and have a secured area they can wait for you
Pick up supplies, the good ol’ back to school shopping starts now
Start the school routine early, going to sleep and waking up on time is hard, use the days prior to practice
Set up a homework/study spot, this area is free of distractions such as TV or toys
Be prepared to go virtual, as we try to get our lives back to normal we must stay ready just in case
We hope that this school year is a successful one and the best one yet.
With summer in full effect and longer daylight hours allowing for more bonding time with our fur babies, we must remember that the higher temperatures also means a higher risk of them becoming overheated.
Please remember that pets do not sweat the same way humans do and can easily become dehydrated and exhausted.
Avoiding this is simple and easy if we remember the 4 S’s of pet care during these dog days of summer.
Shade and water- Probably the most important of all to make sure our furry companions can cool off properly Signs of Exhaustion- Include panting, wobbly legs and drooling, so keep an eye out for this Sunscreen or Shoes – Believe it or not, pets get sunburns and blisters too. This is more common in light colored coats and pets with bigger paws. Especially avoid walking on dark surfaces such as asphalt in extreme heat Schedule your walks- Taking them out earlier in the day or once the sun is down is ideal not only for you but for them And one last thing, don’t forget the snacks.
They say a referral is the highest honor a business can receive from a customer. If you are happy with our service, we’d love for you to share our information with your friends and family and receive $75 if they purchase a policy.
Our rated A+ company relies on word of mouth reviews to continue the growth of our business and we cannot show our appreciation enough. So, from all of us at Western Mutual, we say thank you and look forward to many years of service.
Homeowners insure their properties against a number of potential threats: theft, floods, fires, earthquakes and everything in between. Catastrophic events, of course, are generally rare but that’s when having coverage is most important. Western Mutual and Arizona Home are proud to be your preferred carrier and assist you in moments like the ones mentioned above; we have put our customers first for over 75 years.
Over those years we have successfully maintained our rates low by providing our customers vital information that enables them to avoid filing or experiencing costly claims.
Below we have shared the 5 top most costly claims and a simple solution to help you deter experiencing them.
1. WATER – Water loss claims are common in the United States. Whether there is a leaky faucet or a loose shingle, all homes are susceptible to water damage. Proper maintenance and early detection can be key in preventing this type of claim. Keeping up with yearly roof inspections to fix and replaced loose or broken shingles will keep your inner walls protected from rain damage.
2. HAIL – Even small pieces of hail can cause major damage, particularly when coupled with high winds. Each year, hail causes about $1 billion in damage to properties and crops, according to the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration. A simple trick to avoid additional damage from hailstorms is cleaning your gutters and drains so that hail cannot pile up and weigh down or clog your drainage system.
3. THEFT – Each year, more than 2 million burglaries are reported in the U.S. Data from the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program reveals that the average dollar loss per burglary was $2,361 in 2016. Overall, property losses due to burglaries cost roughly $3.6 billion. Having a monitored alarm system has been proven to discourage thieves from entering a person’s home.
4. FIRE – With an estimated 400 thousand homes catching fire each year and an estimated $44,000 in average damages, house fires are one of the most devastating and costly claims. One important step to avoid this would be to ensure that the electrical wiring in your home is up to code. Have your electrical system checked by a licensed electrician at least once a year. Discuss fire safety with family members and minimize the use of candles around the home.
5. WIND – Wind is one of the most destructive forces on earth. Between 2009 and 2015, exterior wind damage claims accounted for 25% of all losses. Statistics show that 2017 was a record year for destruction resulting from natural disasters, such as hurricanes. Overall losses reached $330 billion. Every homeowner should install storm shutters or impact-resistant glass if you live in a region prone to tornadoes or hurricanes. Check window hinges, seals and locks and ensure that seals are free of cracks and dirt and that windows can be shut and securely latched.
We hope this information saves you from experiencing a horrific event and having to file a claim
Interested in saving money and insuring your home with a preferred insurance company? Look no further! Visit us online to obtain a free 30 second quote and unlock some big savings. One of our experienced agents will contact you and help you switch and save.
We offer coverage in California, Arizona, Texas, Nevada, Utah and New Mexico. With our competitive rates, there’s no reason for waiting on getting that quote.
There is no commitment or contract and the quotes are absolutely free, call us today toll-free at 1-877-968-8825. Our agents are ready to assist you Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 5 PM PST.
With historically low interest rates, now is the time to purchase a home or refinance your loan. If this is something you’ve been thinking about doing, don’t forget to let your insurance company know. As your homeowners insurance company we need to make sure that we have all interested parties listed on your policy. Items you will need to know in order to update information include the following; your lien holder’s name, their address, loan number and a fax number. With this information you can call in or email your request asking that we bring up-to-date your policy information.
You can reach us at 1-800-234-2114 or email your request to service@westernmutual.com
Western Mutual Insurance Group 