As a renter, you may feel like you don’t need insurance. After all, your landlord’s insurance should cover the building. However, a renters insurance policy is vital to protecting your belongings and your financial wellbeing. Here are four situations when you need to update your policy.

1. When You Move

If you’re moving to a new apartment, you’ll need to update your renters’ insurance policy. Your policy should list your current address so that the insurer knows where your belongings are located. If you have any high-value items, such as jewelry or art, you may need to purchase additional coverage for them.

2. When You Get Married

If you get married, you’ll need to update your policy to reflect your new marital status. Your spouse will be covered under your policy, and you may need to add them as an additional insured. You may also need to adjust your coverage limits if you have more assets as a married couple.

3. When You Acquire New Belongings

If you acquire new belongings, such as a new television or piece of furniture, you’ll need to update your policy to reflect the added value. Your coverage limits may not be high enough to cover the replacement cost of your new belongings. Remember, ignoring this step could leave you underinsured and at risk of paying out of pocket for replacements.

4. When Your Policy Expires

Your renters’ insurance policy will have an expiration date, and you’ll need to renew it before that date to maintain coverage. If you let your policy lapse, you may be unable to file a claim for any damages that occur during the lapse period.

Get Renters Insurance in Napa, CA

If any of these situations apply to you, it’s important to update your renters’ insurance policy as soon as possible. Wine Valley Insurance Services can help you find the right policy for your needs. Give us a call today to get started.

Wine Valley Insurance Services is proud to be the insurance partner of businesses in the Napa, CA area. If you want to make sure that you have the right insurance in place to protect your company, reach out to us as soon as possible.

Is it time to add an umbrella policy to your commercial insurance toolbox?

Having a complete insurance toolbox to protect your business entity is more important than ever. With profit margins closing in and production costs rising, a small loss can be more challenging to recover from than in the past. We are all too familiar with catastrophic losses due to wildfires and other natural disasters. But, even smaller events can wreak havoc on your business’s cash flow and operations.

You will have additional insurance above and beyond your primary policy when you have an umbrella policy in place. This is especially important if your main commercial policy is depleted due to a covered event. No one likes to think in "worst-case" terms, but it can be helpful when you are planning out how to protect your future success. 

Learning more about how an umbrella policy can complement the insurance that you already have is an integral part of protecting your business. Creating and maintaining a prosperous business is difficult in the best of times. Be sure that you have the commercial insurance protection that you need. 

Give us a call or stop by today!

If you are a business owner or operator located in the greater Napa, CA area, you can turn to Wine Valley Insurance Services for all of your insurance needs. We are proud to serve our community and look forward to working with you! Please stop by our office or give us a call today.

Wine Valley Insurance Services provides business owners in the Napa, CA area with commercial insurance to protect their businesses. If you would like to learn more about umbrella insurance and how it can help protect your interests, give us a call today. 

Adding an umbrella policy to your commercial insurance

It can be challenging to determine what you need and when you need it to protect your business. For owners of small businesses, it can be even more confusing. Often, budget considerations also weigh on these decisions. But, we all know that the future can hold some unexpected scenarios that we need to prepare for!

It may be time for you to seriously consider adding an umbrella policy to your current commercial insurance holdings. If you want to make sure that you have the insurance you need, come what may, your primary policy alone may not be sufficient. When you have an umbrella policy in place, it can step into play if your primary policy is ever exhausted.

We all know just how much hard work and dedication it takes to operate and maintain a successful business in our area. That’s all the more reason why it’s important to have the right insurance in place. Owning a long-running business requires an intelligent insurance plan that will provide protection now and well into the future. Come and find out more today.

Find out more today!

Napa, CA area business operators and owners can rely on Wine Valley Insurance Services for their commercial insurance needs. If you want to make sure that you have the coverage you need, call us today and schedule a consultation.

Umbrella insurance is designed to help protect you when your liability coverage runs out for your company. But what exactly does it cover? At Wine Valley Insurance Services, let us show you how umbrella policies protect Napa, CA businesses like yours from serious liability issues.

What is Covered With your Policy 

Typically, umbrella insurance covers a broad range of liability issues that may occur on your business property. These include things like bodily injury expenses that go beyond your traditional coverage, harm caused by any animals on your property, and accidents by your delivery drivers. 

Importantly, these policies can protect against data loss, hacking, product failure, and other types of lawsuit situations. However, there are a few situations in which your policy may not cover you. Let’s break down a few of these possible scenarios to enhance your understanding.

What is Not Covered 

While your umbrella insurance will cover a vast majority of liability situations, a handful may not. These typically center around deliberate actions that you’ve taken that may counteract your claims. Even your traditional liability insurance won’t cover:

• Personal injuries you may suffer on your business site 
• Criminal action done deliberately by you or other workers 
• Any assumed liability created via your contract 

This last element can be of benefit to you. For example, if your customers create a contract with you in which they assume liability, you may not need insurance protection at all. That said, some people may attempt to take you to court anyway, causing frustration and legal annoyance.

Take Control of Your Business Needs 

As you can see, there are many unique situations in which you might need high-quality umbrella insurance. We at Wine Valley Insurance Services can hook Napa, CA businesses with the most appropriate options for their needs. So please work with us to get the help you need to stay safe.

An umbrella doesn’t protect you from rain only. Umbrella insurance from Wine Valley Insurance Services in Napa, CA, gives you extra liability protection when facing significant claims. You may have a boat, home, or car insurance, but these coverages may fall short when significant lawsuits come calling.

What is umbrella insurance?

Like we mentioned, umbrella insurance kicks in when your conventional liability coverages are depleted. For instance, if you are involved in an auto accident, your car insurance first kicks in, and then umbrella insurance takes over when the car insurance coverage limit is exhausted.

It’s worth noting that umbrella insurance doesn’t exist on its own. It rides on prevailing coverages like auto, home and boat insurance. Besides, umbrella insurance is liability coverage, meaning that it doesn’t cover you or your property.

What does umbrella insurance cover?

Umbrella insurance covers you when other people accuse you of causing bodily injury and property damage. Besides, umbrella insurance covers you when you are accused of the below:

• Slander
• Malicious prosecution
• Libel
• False arrest
• Wrongful eviction

Besides, umbrella insurance covers legal costs, including lawyers fees and settlement claims. If you are a landlord, you also need umbrella insurance to protect you from tenants’ actions.

Why do I need umbrella insurance?

Every day we participate in activities that put us at the risk of being sued. For instance, if you drive, go boating, or skiing, you can be sued for causing bodily injury or property damage to others. Given the ubiquitous nature of lawsuits, you need to safeguard your assets with umbrella insurance.

Buy umbrella insurance today!

Would you like to boost your boat, home, or auto insurance policy in Napa, CA? Please get in touch with Wine Valley Insurance Services for an affordable umbrella insurance policy.

Who likes to spend money unnecessarily? No one. So, given this reality, it’s natural for someone to ask: do I really need renters insurance? Is it worth it? The fact is that you don’t need it unless something terrible happens! And like you know, bad things are part of life, and that’s why we need insurance anyway.

Have you rented a home or an apartment in Napa, CA? Do you doubt whether you need renters insurance? Here is who needs renters insurance, according to Wine Valley Insurance Services.

If your landlord requires it

While renters insurance isn’t a mandatory requirement in California, some landlords may require it. Why? Renters insurance cushions your landlord against liabilities that may arise from the tenant’s actions. For instance, one tenant causing bodily injury to another. 

If you own a dog

It might surprise you that even the most well-natured dogs can become aggressive at times. Unfortunately, dog bites can be expensive. According to Insurance Information Institute, it costs about $45,000 to settle an average dog bite claim! Thankfully, if you have renters insurance, it can take up much of this liability. 

However, keep in mind that renter’s insurance excludes certain breeds of pets.

If you have numerous personal properties

Don’t get me wrong — you still need renters insurance if you own modest properties. After all, it cost you money to accumulate the assets you have. However, if you feel like loss or damage to your properties would take up much of your savings to replace, that’s a good motivator for you to invest in renter’s insurance.

If you value peace of mind

When you have invested in a renter’s insurance policy, you don’t have to spend sleepless nights worrying about damage or loss of your property. Similarly, you can sleep soundly even when a covered peril destroys your rented dwelling. In all these cases, renters insurance got you covered.

Are you looking for renter’s insurance coverage in Napa, CA? Your search has ended. Would you please partner with Wine Valley Insurance Services for all your renter’s insurance needs?

Insurance is your protection for your financial security. Auto insurance covers automobile accidents. Flood insurance covers your home for flood damage should you experience a flood. Wine Valley Insurance Services, serving Napa, CA, and the surrounding areas can point you to the right umbrella insurance based on your situation.

What is umbrella insurance? 

As its name implies, umbrella insurance is there when you have unexpected "rainy days." Some examples of that rainy day are:

• Negligence cases against you in your business or home
• Gaps in your current auto or other types of insurance
• Fire insurance that may not cover all of your possessions in your home
• Extra coverage for business insurance 
• Auto accidents where injuries or damage to others is more than the limits of your auto insurance policy

How Much Does it Cover?

Policies always vary in the amount they cover, so make sure you read the fine print. But most umbrella policies tend to cover around $1 million initially for one case and up to $2 million total coverage. This is an amount that most insurers believe would cover the average negligence or liability case where the insurance you have in place will not cover the totals. 

Why Have it?

Umbrella insurance is the last type of insurance people usually think about. But it is needed if you have a risk to your business, property, or physical assets that cannot be replaced with the normal limits of insurance. Say someone falls on your property coming out of your business and you had no warning sign up that there was a slick place on the sidewalk. This might be considered negligence if it meets the legal standards of negligence.

Umbrellas insurance can kick in where your other business insurance leaves off, saving you thousands or hundreds of thousands of dollars in settlements and court costs. 

More Information 

If you are confused about whether to get umbrella insurance, turn to the professionals at Wine Valley Insurance Services in Napa, CA. They can show you how it could help you get added peace of mind to protect your property and assets while being secure in the fact that they are there when your other insurance is just not enough. 

Getting renters’ insurance helps cover the renter’s personal property and offers liability coverage should something in the unit become accidentally damaged. However, does renters’ insurance cover those who have pets? For example, does the insurance policy cover damage caused by pets, or does it protect the owner should the animal bite someone? Renters’ who are also pet owners need to know the answers to these questions and will find them by speaking to an agent at Wine Valley Insurance Services in Napa, CA. 

The short answer to “Are pets covered under renters’ insurance?” is “Yes.” Renters’ insurance will cover some types of pet damage and other liability incidents associated with the pet. However, it is not blanket coverage, and you must refer to your policy for specifics as to what is covered and what is not. 

Property Damage

Your insurance company will cover the costs associated with property damage that is not yours. For example, if your dog gets into a neighbor’s yard and starts tearing it up, the insurance company would cover the costs of the repairs. If you were found liable for the damage, it would be covered. 

Liabilities

Your renter’s insurance policy should your pet injure someone by biting or scratching them. The insurance coverage would include settling any claims against your insurance and court costs and related fees should you be sued. 

Coverage Limits

Renters’ insurance policies have recovery and coverage limits. Know these limits to understand how much will be covered should your pet cause damage or bite someone. If costs are more than the policy limits, you would be responsible for the excess. 

In addition to coverage limits, verify with your insurance company about available coverage for your type of pet. Some dog breeds or dogs with a history of aggressive behavior are not covered under renters’ insurance. Additionally, exotic pets are generally not covered either. 

Pet owners in Napa, CA, with questions about pet coverage under their renters’ insurance policy, should call an insurance agent. Do you still have questions or need renters’ insurance coverage? Call Wine Valley Insurance Services or visit their website today for assistance understanding pet-related coverage under a renters’ insurance policy. 

Facts every new policyholder should know about umbrella insurance

Every day, we are looking for ways to safeguard our homes, family, and everything that matters to us.  We end up buying insurance policies for everything we own and forget about ourselves. Luckily, umbrella insurance is designed to protect you—the policyholder. It is a personal policy that protects you financially wherever you go.  If this policy is new to you, our insurance experts at Wine valley insurance Services can help you with the information you need to get your own policy. Here are a few facts every Napa, CA resident should know about umbrella insurance.

Umbrella insurance is not self-sufficient

Did you know that you cannot rely on umbrella insurance alone? One of the qualifications when applying for umbrella insurance is having a home and auto insurance policy. If you don’t have, you would need to buy them first before purchasing umbrella insurance which is only used as an extension to your current coverage.

Umbrella insurance is for everyone

Many people tend to assume that umbrella insurance is an expensive policy that can only be purchased by wealthy individuals. An umbrella policy is relatively affordable for anyone who wants extra coverage. We live in a litigious society where you can be sued for minor things. No one is above the law, and lawsuits can be quite expensive and messy.

It protects you and your family

Umbrella insurance is an all-around policy that protects you, your spouse, children, relatives, and anyone named on your policy. If you run a business, you can buy commercial umbrella insurance to protect you, your clients, and your employees.

Extends to your recreational vehicles

Umbrella insurance doesn’t stop at providing an extra layer of protection to your home and auto policies—it extends even to recreational vehicles and other toys. For instance, the umbrella policy extends liability over motorcycles, boats, and snowmobiles.

Looking to buy or need more information about umbrella insurance in Napa, CA?  Contact Wine Valley Insurance Services to learn more on how you can get a customized policy.

When you live in the Napa, CA area, you are going to have access to many great local amenities. While Napa is a great place for anyone to live, those that are in this area do need to make sure they have the proper insurance to protect against a variety of risks. One type of insurance people here should get is umbrella insurance, which provides several forms of coverage. 

Umbrella Insurance Covers Significant Claims

A reason that people in the Napa area should get umbrella insurance is that it will cover significant claims. If you are ever found at fault for an accident that occurs in your home or while you are driving, you will have some coverage through your home or auto policies. However, if you are ever involved in an accident with significant damages, it is possible that the claims could exceed your policy limit. When you have an umbrella insurance policy, it will give coverage on top of your base insurance. 

Umbrella Insurance is Broad

While there are some risks that you can mitigate with insurance, there are other liability claim risks that are a lot harder to predict. When you get an umbrella insurance policy, it will include a much broader set of risks. This can include many risks that are not easily predictable or expected. Due to this, you should get an umbrella insurance policy as it will provide comfort that you are prepared for the unexpected. 

Those that are in the Napa, CA area should make sure they get proper insurance coverage. One type of insurance that you should get is umbrella insurance. When looking for insurance here, you should speak with Wine Valley Insurance Services. The insurance professionals with Wine Valley Insurance Services can help you get into a policy that provides ample protection and peace of mind.