A 2021 consumer complaint report was released for the top 50 Homeowners Insurance Companies whom conduct business in California. Of those 50, only four companies had zero justified complaints. We are so proud and excited to say, we were one of those four.
We want to thank not only our amazing staff for continuing to provide exceptional service each and every day but also to our customers for allowing us to protect your home for the past 75 years.
Western Mutual and Arizona Home Insurance are very proud of our team and their excellent service to our policyholders.
Its spooky season and there is nothing scarier this time of year than knowing the holidays have arrived and you haven’t saved any money.
We’re happy to tell you that we are here to help you save!
With our A+ rating by AM Best and over 75 years of experience protecting homeowners like you, you don’t have to cut quality for a lower price. Our agents are ready to assist you with all your coverage questions and with making the switch hassle- free.
Visit us online for a free, 30 second quote and watch how easy it is to switch and save. Or call toll-free Monday through Friday 8AM to 5PM PST at 1-(877)-968-8825.
Mental Health Awareness Day is celebrated every October 10th with the purpose of raising awareness and spreading education about mental health issues. Mental health has come to focus in pandemic times like never before as people of all age groups and occupations bear the brunt of the ‘new normal’.
What was once a taboo subject was now at the forefront of tabloids, news headlines and an open discussion of those who finally sought out help with others that had similar stories.
Mental health affects 1 in every 5 adults with the most symptoms like depression, fatigue, headaches and isolation. Untreated, these symptoms can lead to more severe conditions like kidney failure, diabetes, heart problems and even cancer.
So let’s not be silent about it anymore!
For more information, you can visit www.mentalhealth.gov for resources such as centers in your area that offer assistance and group meetings. You can also call 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
It seems that since March of 2020 we adjusted into becoming avid online users and expert shoppers. This meant having everything delivered such as our groceries, gym equipment and even office supplies right to our front door.
Although it was convenient not having to leave the house and having everything brought to you, this in return created a steep increase in package thefts. And with the holiday season approaching, more packages means more opportunity.
Here are 3 simple ways we can avoid being victims of theft:
Installing cameras and recording devices. Most smart home systems connect directly to your phone and enable 24-hour surveillance from wherever you’re located.
Ask the delivery drivers to place your packages behind porch plants, under mats or in other hidden locations.
Opt to have your items delivered to a locker where only you have access to retrieve the item.
Take the time to plan your orders and track them so that you don’t become the target of unwanted porch pirates. Happy shopping!
In order to prepare you and your families for cooler weather, we have created a cold weather checklist!
Now that the sun sets a little sooner, take the opportunity to follow our guide below and prep your home before we lose more hours of light and endure stormy days.
Close off unneeded rooms and place towels or rugs over cracks under the doors to keep the warm air in and cool air out
If you have a fireplace, make sure you have a good supply of firewood that can keep you and your family warm in the event of power outages
Have flashlights and batteries available for blackouts and avoid using candles as they can become a fire hazard
Provide shelter for pets and the elderly
Bring plants inside to protect them from the elements
Use blackout curtains as they prevent heat loss
Reverse your ceiling fans to make them spin clockwise and create an updraft that pushes warm air around the room without creating a wind chill
Clean the gutters off of your roof as when clogged, rain and melted snow can cause leaks and damage to your home’s infrastructure
Maintain tree limbs and brush because wind, rain, snow and ice can cause them to break and fall
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.
When it comes to enjoying a variety of flavors and foods, there’s no better season to do that than fall. It’s the time of year when fall desserts are the star of the show, and pumpkin flavored everything comes out. And much like the leaves that change color, our palettes evolve in the fall, allowing us to explore new foods, new ingredients and new experiences when it comes to eating.
We at Western Mutual would love to share a holiday favorite recipe that’s perfect for this season; Pumpkin Sugar Cookies.
What you’ll need:
2 1/4 c. all-purpose flour 1/2 tsp. salt
2 sticks softened butter 1 1/4 c. granulated sugar
1/2 c. pumpkin puree 1 large egg
2 tsp. pure vanilla extract 1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
How to:
Preheat oven to 350° and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice, and salt.
In a large bowl using a hand mixer, beat butter, sugar, pumpkin, egg, and vanilla until combined. Add dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
Scoop a tablespoon of cookie dough then roll in sugar. Transfer to prepared baking sheet and repeat with remaining dough, spacing cookies 2 inches apart.
Bake until cookies are lightly golden, about 10 minutes. Let cool completely.
For the frosting mix 1 block of softened cream cheese, 2 cups powder sugar, 1tsp. vanilla extract and ¼ tsp. cinnamon. Mix thoroughly and spread atop each cookie to your desire.
Just like your car, your home requires routine preventative maintenance to keep its systems running safely and smoothly. Know the tasks that you should complete as we start this new season and prepare your property to endure colder weather. Below you will find our checklist of items that you want to inspect which will hopefully help you prevent a homeowner’s insurance claim.
· Have heating inspected – Having a licensed heating professional check your system before use, would certify that your device presents no hazards or potential flammability. · Winterize A/C and prepare heating – Our beloved AC unit has worked hard all summer, protect it against rain and snow by covering with a poly-tarp. · Turn off/flush outdoor water faucets – Emptying out water lines and pipes will prevent them from being frozen and breaking during the cold season. · Flush-unused faucets/toilets occasionally – Flushing unused water lines or toilets should be done weekly as odors and gases can travel through the draining and bring severe odors into the home. · Check fireplace for damage or hazards – Aside from having it professionally swept, check the foundation and outside for damage, debris that may have fallen on top of vent and that surrounding area is free of dried leaves/plants.
We hope your family enjoys a wonderful fall and winter season, safe and warm from your home.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, nearly 358,500 house fires occur each year in the United States. These fires cause an annual average of 560 civilian deaths and $1.4 billion in direct property damage.
Any fire at home is a scary thought, but luckily there are things you can do yourself at home to prevent the risk of a fire from ever starting. While accidents can happen, learning how to avoid a fire from starting or knowing what to do to prevent it from spreading throughout your home is vital.
Below we have shared a few areas of your home that you may need to check or cleanout to ensure that you have completed your task of at-home prevention.
Smoke detector/CO-2: Replace the batteries in your smoke/CO alarms periodically. House fires can spread from room to room in a matter of seconds. A disconnected smoke/CO alarm or one with dead batteries increases the possibility of a total loss of your home and a potentially life-threatening situation.
Electrical System: Make sure all of your outlets and lighting switches are secure with no loose wires hanging. Check your circuit outlets as well in your kitchen, bathroom, garage, etc. You can test them by pressing the “test” button followed by pushing the “reset” button. These are usually found behind large appliances and other areas of the home where there are chances of an electrical surge.
Chimney Sweep: The build-up of soot and debris can accumulate in a chimney, causing a fire hazard if not cleared out. Always make sure flammable items like blankets and curtains are pushed away from an open flame.
Clean Vents & Fans: A clogged dryer vent is one of the most common causes of home fires. With a dryer vent brush, sweep both sides of the surface of the dryer screen and inside the tube. A clean fan screen above your kitchen stove can help prevent the potential for grease fires, a necessity for your home and family’s safety.
Exposed Lightbulbs: Lights without a protective cover are a fire safety concern since some bulbs (depending on the wattage) can burn upwards of 200-500 degrees Fahrenheit. A loose piece of clothing or curtain blowing in the wind can land on a lit bulb and cause a house fire.
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