Farmers Insurance - James Oliver

05/06/2022

INSURANCE FOR HOME REPAIRS

When it comes to having repairs done around the house these days, there can be both a shortage of materials as well as tradesmen that know how to make the repairs. With this circumstance, I have seen many cases where tradesmen with experience have taken on jobs referred to them by friends. This is fine, but often these become side jobs and the tradesman might not have a contractor’s license nor insurance to cover his work or helpers they employ.

If you choose to take this route, you should be aware of 2 potential problems.

1. If they job is not done correctly you might have little recourse against the tradesman to make things right.

2. If someone working on this job gets hurt, they might come after you for their medical bills or lost wages.

To protect yourself, it is best to hire State licensed contractors. Once you agree on the scope of work and a price, you should request a Certificate of Insurance which will show they have coverage.

Occasionally you might have someone come and clean your house once or do some landscaping work, and you don’t think to ask them about insurance. For these type of circumstances, you should have Personal Injury Endorsed onto your Homeowner’s policy. It is an inexpensive coverage but someday might save you from a big headache.
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For more answers to your questions, call me at (805) 985-5488 or email me at [email protected]

JIM OLIVER’S AGENCY PROVIDES PERSONALIZED INSURANCE SERVICE

06/07/2021

WHAT INSURANCE COVERS FULL-TIME RV LIVING?

A recent trend is people selling their home and moving into an RV of some kind, then taking their lives on the road. This is an exciting adventure, but there are several coverages on an RV policy that require your attention if you abandon your home or apartment as your place of abode. The first is covering your stuff, like computers, other electronic devices, and clothing. The standard RV policy might have minimal coverage for these items so if you want it all to be covered in the event it is stolen, damaged in an accident, or other mishap, you will need to make certain you have enough Personal Property coverage.

You also need to make clear to your agent that you plan to live in the RV rather than using it occasionally for a vacation. This is a little different exposure and you don’t want a claim denied based on a misrepresentation of the RV’s use. By rating the RV as a live in, this opens up the availability of Personal Liability and Medical Payments coverage which are common coverage on a Homeowners or Renters policy. There are events which can happen when the RV is stationary that you could be liable for, so these coverages would protect you financially.
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So, if you’re taking your life on the road and have questions about protecting yourself, call me, (805)985-5488 or shoot me an email, [email protected]

05/17/2021

DOES HOME INSURANCE COVER WORKING FROM HOME?

This past year has opened the door for more people to work from their homes. And while there may be some benefits, ie, less miles driven on your car, less money on a professional wardrobe, this has created some potential GAPS in your insurance coverage.

One is regarding your Homeowner’s or Renter’s insurance. In the event of a liability or property damage loss from your home office, you won’t necessarily have coverage. You need to have this activity endorsed onto your policy, and the good news is, in some cases it won’t cost you more than you are currently paying.

If you have found yourself working from your home these days and have questions about your individual circumstances, give me a call at (805)985-5488 or shoot me an email at [email protected]
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Jim

03/30/2021

INSURING YOUR RV

Spring is here so it is time to get the RV ready for Summer. This means not just making certain the batteries are good so the engine and generator will start, but also reviewing your insurance to make certain you have the coverage you want. This should take but a few minutes, so pull out that policy and look it over.
For those of you who are like me where your RV consists of a tent and an awning, you are all set unless you intend to camp along the California coast. In that case, you had better work on reserving a camp site.

And remember that RVs also include off road motorcycles, quads, and boats. If you need more information, give me a call at (805) 985-5488.

02/22/2021

HOME INSURANCE FOR RENOVATIONS

Over this past year many of my clients have undertaken remodeling or upgrades to their homes. Some are do it yourselfers and others have hired contractors to do the work. Either way, there may be some changes you will want to look at making on your homeowner’s policy.

If you were freshening up your place with paint, perhaps new carpeting or other flooring, roof, etc, unless your policy pays for any damages on an Actual Cash Value (ACV) basis, you are ok with your current coverage. If you do have an ACV policy, you should notify your carrier that you have replaced these items and of course keep the receipts. If your policy has Replacement Cost coverage you are fine, although I would still save copies of the receipts.

If you did upgrades to your home such as a new kitchen or bath with upgraded cabinets and counters, you should talk with your agent to make certain you have your home’s Replacement Cost estimated correctly to cover the value of rebuilding in the event of a catastrophic loss.
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For more information, call me at (805)985-5488

09/30/2020

FAQ - 1: How Can I Save Money On My Auto Insurance?

In these crazy times most everyone is looking to save some money, and generally most of us are doing less driving. Since the State of California determined some years ago that auto insurance rates could not be based on your zip code, annual miles driven is one of the major factors in determining auto rates.

​If you think you are currently driving less these days give me a call, 805-985-5488, or send me an email, [email protected], so we can look at the numbers.

Maybe you will save some money!

05/05/2020

For more information, call me at (805) 985-5488

03/27/2020

Loss control helps you understand potential areas of loss or hazard for your business— and helps you establish best practices to try and avoid them in the future. Call me to learn how these services can help you keep your employees safer and save your business money.

03/19/2020

Some business challenges are exciting, like landing a new client or growing your team. Other challenges—like theft and property damage—are more of a bummer. Fortunately, Farmers® has coverage options to help with both. Call me to learn more.

03/15/2020

One of the often-forgotten benefits of a homeowners policy: medical cost coverage. With it, if a houseguest takes an unexpected tumble over some stairs, at least their wallet may not be the worse for wear. Interested? Call me.

03/14/2020

Make sure you're covered in the event of an icy encounter with a guardrail this winter. Slippery roads can lead to unexpected damage but collision coverage can help repair your car or compensate you in a total loss. Let's discuss your coverage.

03/13/2020

As we approach the boating season, don't forget to inspect your boat's hull for cracks. And if you're thinking about inspecting your policy for cracks, let's talk.