Your Annual Review

Reviewing your homeowners policy should be a part of your annual checklist, just like filing your taxes is. There are many reasons why your homeowners insurance policy may need to be updated. Things such as changes in home or personal property valuations, new additions to the cosmetics or home features can affect your rates significantly.

Things to consider informing your insurance company when reviewing your policy are;

Home Improvements – If you decide to renovate your kitchen, finish the basement or add an extra bedroom, this will increase the replacement cost of your home. It’s important to adjust this coverage in your homeowners policy accordingly.

Property Value Increase – If the last time you reviewed your insurance was when you first bought your home, it would be wise to check that your coverage has adequate reconstruction cost value reflective of today’s market value.

Home Protection Systems – Whether that be a central alarm system for burglary and/or fire. Or a smart water leak detector that monitors your water usage. Any upgrades to your home should be noted with your insurance carrier as well.

Checking Discounts – Insurance companies continually change the discounts they offer, so ask your agent for a full list of current discounts to see if there are some you can take advantage of to reduce your premiums.

So as stated above, a home insurance review could lead to additional savings on premiums.

May The Course Be With You

We are happy to announce that Western Mutual will be a sponsor at the 2022 Paws and Patriots Golf Tournament taking place at the beautiful Tustin Ranch Golf Club on Tuesday, May 3rd. It has been our privilege to support this organization in helping Veterans as they transition back into civilian life and Active Duty members as they return home from deployment. Patriots and Paws specializes in connecting these brave men and women to an emotional support companion. This new chapter allows these animals to have and serve a purpose and funds help furnish the new homes for the veteran and their pet.

So, come golf with us for a great cause! Or if you would you like to donate a round to a veteran…you can do that by writing “VETERAN” in one of the player’s spots on the registration form! See you on the green.

Register now at https://www.patriotsandpawsgolf.com/

Pumping The Brakes

Getting the most out of every dollar seems to be a cruel expression these days as the price for daily goods continue to rise. The most noticeable of all increases of course has been on gas, which we all rely on for daily work and life. And let’s face it, most of us don’t have an alternative but to pay the piper and move on with our day. But what if there were some things you could do that may prolong the tank of gas you just purchased? That right, below we compiled a checklist that you could do today that may help you get the most of every dollar and actually save some money.

  1. Empty the trunk – The heavier the car, the harder the engine must work to move it around. The harder the engine works, the more fuel it burns.
  2. Check tire pressure – Underinflated tires cause the engine to work harder than necessary; overinflation causes tires to wear prematurely.
  3. Air Filter – One of the main causes of low gas mileage is a dirty air filter. If yours cannot be cleaned, replace it and repeat often.
  4. Bundle you errands – Once your car is warmed up, it operates more efficiently, which means with better gas mileage. Plan out your stops to be done from furthest to so that you ensure all your errands get done in the same trip.

We hope these tips help you squeeze another few miles out of your gas tank and put dollars back in your wallet.

Beat The Heat

As temperatures rise so will the urge to turn on your homes air cooling system. But it’s probably been a year since you last used it. Therefore, we encourage all our insureds to get an HVAC inspection each year in preparation for the warmer months.

HVAC, or heating, ventilation and cooling, is a system that cleans your air and provides cool air or warm air depending on your climate needs. HVAC also improves air quality in the building, helping make it appropriate for human breathing and comfort.

The goal of HVAC inspections is not only to ensure home safety, but also to determine whether your furnace and air conditioner are meeting your current home comfort needs. Your HVAC system’s efficiency relies heavily on the condition, installation quality, and size of the appliances currently in your home.

For the health, safety and efficiency of your home make sure you have the HVAC inspected before the heat of summer.

Hey Batter Batter!

Opening Day is the day on which professional baseball leagues begin their regular season. For Major League Baseball and most of the American minor leagues, this day typically falls during the first week of April. This year opening day was scheduled for Thursday April 7th, but the MLB made some last-minute adjustments.

The New York Yankees today announced that Thursday’s Opening Day game between the Yankees and Red Sox has been rescheduled due to the forecast of inclement weather.

The game will now be played on Friday at 1:05 p.m. ET at Yankee Stadium

No need to agonize over the one-day delay as this MLB season has a total of 162 games scheduled so there will be plenty of games to cover.

The real concern is…will last years champions, the Atlanta Braves, be able to hold onto their coveted title? Lets find out, tune in Friday for opening day.

Switch With Confidence

What if we told you that you could switch your homeowners insurance to us prior to your current renewal and still save some money?

 That’s right! Switching mid-term is penalty free and could potentially put some money back in your wallet. Give us a call to receive a free no-obligation quote at 877-WMUTUAL (877-968-8825) or if you prefer to go online, click and save with your new homeowners insurance policy at www.westernmutual.com        

Even if you have an existing policy that is in the middle of its term, we will advise you on how to cancel and get a pro-rated refund from your current carrier when you switch to us.

Licensed agents are ready to help you Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM PST/PDT

Great R.O.I Opportunity

According to a recent article by Forbes author Jason Mets, the average water claim has increased in cost to an average of $11,089.00. He also states, “Every year, about one in 50 homeowners files a water damage or freezing claim, accounting for 29% of all homeowners insurance claims”. The most common claims occurring from rooftop leaks, only second to old pipes. Knowing that, do yourself a favor and install a wifi water detection system such as the device Flo by MOEN. By doing this not only would you participate in helping prevent the #1 reason for water claims but you’re policy premium will go down.

Western Mutual and Arizona Home Insurance are excited to announce that we are offering all our insured’s who install a wifi water detection system by a licensed plumber, a $100 rebate plus a policy discount. The rebate applies for all states we write in and the 10% discount to all as well with the exception of CA.

Installing a system like the one created by MOEN, helps track and alert the homeowner of any unusual water flow by turning the water line off as a precaution. This device is controlled via an app making it easy to control.

Should you have any questions please contact our customer service department directly at 1-800-234-2114.

Spring Into Action

Spring is a great time to review your home for any minor repairs needed after the storms and cold of winter.  While some may require the assistance of professionals, these tasks can help you get your home ready to safely enjoy Summer and outdoor fun!

  1. Clean gutters and downspouts – remove any dried leaves or debris, make any needed minor repairs, and ensure water is easily running through and away from the home and foundation.
  2. Repair damaged walkways and outside areas – Look for cracks, holes and other hazards and schedule repairs before BBQ season is in full swing.
  3. Check sprinkler and irrigation systems for leaks or damaged sprinkler heads.  Make sure none are spraying the home or windows as this can cause moisture problems. 
  4. Trim back broken or dead tree branches, especially any hanging close or over the home.
  5. Test all CO2 and smoke alarms and change batteries where needed.
  6. Schedule HVAC system service if needed and change any filters. 
  7. Check screen doors and windows for any tears or holes to help keep those summer bugs out. 

We’re Here To Help

It’s no secret that the price for things like gas have gone up exponentially, but there’s one thing we can suggest that’ll help you save some money. We ask, when was the last time you check your homeowner’s insurance policy? You may be over-paying. Getting a free no-obligation quote can only benefit you and ultimately put some money back in your wallet.  

With our A+ rating by AM Best and over 80 years of experience protecting our valued homeowners, we can confidently say that you don’t have to cut quality for a lower price. Western Mutual has always set the standard for service and our agents are living proof of that with customer testimonials that you can read on our site.

Visit us today at www.WesternMutual.com and see how much you were over-paying.