College is expensive enough without the added cost of unexpected accidents or theft, not covered by your insurance policy. If you have a student heading away to school, below are a few tips to help you get the most out of your coverage.

HOMEOWNERS  

• Personal Property:  Most homeowners policies will cover personal property for up to 10% of your total policy while your child is residing at school (a $100,000 policy equals $10,000 in coverage). Not all types of damage are covered, so read your policy carefully.Some items such as jewelry or expensive electronics, require special coverage. Renters insurance is strongly recommended.
• Liability Coverage:  General damage to a dorm room or apartment is not usually covered. 
• Documentation:  Creating an inventory of the items your child is taking to school is a good idea. Use photographs and keep receipts.

 AUTO  

• Car Stays Home:  Keep your child listed on your auto policy if they will still drive your car while at home on school breaks.
• Car at School:  Make sure to notify us if your child will be taking a car away to school. In most cases, if the car is registered to you and listed on your policy, it will be covered. 
• Driving a Friend's Car:  Students are generally covered if they are listed on their parent's policy and are not regularly using the vehicle. The coverage would be secondary.  The insurance for the friend's vehicle would be the primary coverage.
• Discounts:  A full-time student meeting certain academic requirements may qualify for a good student discount through some companies. Distant student discounts may also be available. Drivers under 21 who have completed driver's education may also get a discount.

 Before your child leaves for school, call us at (530) 673-8862 or visit our website at www.roseinsuranceca.com. We can walk you through the steps to ensure you have the right coverage. We're here to help!

You've completed college, what an accomplishment! Now what?.... Insurance most likely does not cross the mind of college graduates. Here are some frequently asked questions from graduates:

Q: Am I still covered by my parent's policy?

It depends on the policy, and the terms of the policy. Contact our office and we would be happy to go over the terms of the policy, or quote an individual policy. (530) 673-8862

Q: How do I decide which kinds of insurance I should buy?

Upon graduation, individuals should probably consider both auto insurance and homeowners/rental insurance if they apply to your situation. 

Q: Does it matter that I'll be moving around a lot in the next few years?

Yes. Your policies usually can follow you, though some adjustments may be neccessary. To keep your coverage intact, it is best to keep our agency informed of the address changes. Call us should there be any further questions. (530) 673-8862

And as we head into wildfire season this fall, here are a few tips to help your family stay safe and keep your home protected.

A surprising fact: wildfire can happen in almost every state.

While wildfire strikes more frequently in the West, nearly every state has been devastated by fires in the last century. And each year hundreds of homes are destroyed as more people choose to live closer to nature.

Know what your insurance covers and how much you need

Your insurance policy covers repair or rebuilding costs. If you can't live in your home, most companies will pay additional living expenses as provided in your policy-typically for up to 12 months. Review your policy for detailed coverage explanations. Business owners should also consider business income insurance, which is designed to cover the costs of replacing lost profits, payroll and operating expenses if you are shut down while repairs are being made.

It is important that you review your insurance policy once a year to make sure you have enough coverage to rebuild based on current construction costs. We recommend you work with an independent appraiser to get a precise estimate, and make sure you talk to your agent about your building's unique features.

You can reduce the chance of losing to wildfire

No building is fireproof, but there are steps you can take to better the chances when wildfire strikes.

· Define your defensible space-a 30-foot, non-combustible zone around your home.

· Choose fire-resistant plants and trees.

· Remove or prune low hanging tree branches.

· Cut grass and weeds regularly and keep your roof and yard clean, especially from dry yard debris.

· Stack wood piles or other burnable materials at least 30 feet from your home or other buildings on your property.

· Keep signs and addresses visible so firefighters can easily locate your property.

· Rate your roof- is it fire resistant?

· Recycle yard debris and branches instead of burning.

When a wildfire strikes, protect yourself and your family

If a wildfire starts in your area, monitor local news reports for evacuation procedures. Prepare for evacuation by turning off gas valves and pilot lights, closing all windows and doors and packing your car for quick departure, if there is time and it is safe to do so. Return to a burned area only when local authorities have instructed you to do so.

Stay in Touch!

As your insurance partner, we want to make sure we can contact you and your family in the event of an emergency. In addition to your home address and landline, we'd like to have your e-mail addresses and cell phone numbers on file. You can update your records by calling 530-673-8862.
 

• Practice family fire drills so no one is confused about what to do.
• Assign someone to help young and elderly people.
• Instruct children they must get outside. Teach them the worst thing they can do is hide in closets or under beds. 

Keep fire extinguishers handy

• Store a multi-purpose fire extinguisher in the kitchen and another one near your furnace to be used to quickly douse a fire before it gets out of control.
• Make sure they're dry-chemical extinguishers, suitable for class A, B and C fires.
• Always keep extinguishers recharged and ready to use.  

Prepare your windows for fast escape

• To exit from a window, slide it up or sideways and remove the screen. Kick the screen out if you need to.
•  Remove any installation clips from the outside of your windows. Your home should have two exterior doors and a quick-exit window in each bedroom.
•  If your home has crank-out style jalousie or awning quick-exit windows, remove the interior storm sash by turning the pivot clips. Trip the exit latches at the window sill and slide the window open. Or, open it at the hinges and make your exit. If there's no trip latch on the window or no time to open it, break it with a chair, lamp or shoe and get out. Watch out for sharp glass.
• If you can douse a fire quickly using your extinguisher, go ahead. Otherwise, don't try to fight your own fire.
• Crawl to the nearest safe exit because the clearest air is 12 to 24 inches above the floor.