Sean Smith Insurance Agency

Do you have defensible space on your property? There are methods for homeowners to prepare their homes to withstand ember attacks and minimize the likelihood of flames or surface fire touching the home or any attachments. Experiments, models and post-fire studies have shown homes ignite due to the condition of the home and everything around it, up to 200’ from the foundation. This is called the Home Ignition Zone (HIZ).

Ask Sean; " My employer provides life insurance for me. Why should I buy more?" The group policy your employer provides may be affordable and easy to enroll in without a medical exam. However, group policies may only pay an amount equal to one or two years’ salary, or a similarly limited amount. That may not be enough to cover your family’s needs (mortgage payments, education costs, living expenses) if you pass away. Also, you may not be able to take it with you if you change... jobs. Having a personal policy to supplement your employer-provided policy makes sense to ensure coverage during all the ups and downs in your life. Talk to Sean to learn more about your life policy options

The Point Fire in the Eldorado National Forest has burned 93 acres and was 20% contained as of Thursday morning, according to U.S. Forest Service officials...

As your business grows, your insurance should keep pace. Commercial property coverage can help with anything from damaged equipment to office repairs. Call me, so you can make sure your business has the coverage you want for your growing needs.

As part of an ambitious collaborative project called Destined to Burn, the news services Gannett, McClatchy, Media News, and the Associated Press found that 2.7 million Californians live in what Cal Fire designates Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. (That means that nearly 7% of the state’s population lives at the highest category of risk from wildfire.) The news organizations combined Cal Fire’s mapping with data from the 2010 U.S. Census. Putting the two together made ...it possible to figure out how much of the population, and how many communities, were at severe risk from wildfire. The analysis found 75 California towns and cities (with populations above 1,000) that were almost fully contained within Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. The 10 counties with the most homes in high or very high-risk areas include Tuolumne, Trinity, Nevada, Mariposa, Plumas, Alpine, Calaveras, Sierra, Amador, and El Dorado. The Sean Smith Agency continues to provide access to fire insurance through the agency carriers coupled with the Ca. Fair Plan policy...Talk to Sean....

Sean learned responsibility and service to others as an Eagle Scout which led him to the insurance business. To have the ability; to make a difference for clients who otherwise would have lost everything is as important to me as my family's security and financial well-being.... For me, there is no better job than serving my clients... Talk to Sean with your home, life, auto, RV, Boat or family business coverage questions....

Ask Sean; "A thief broke in to my car but didn't steal anything so, I guess the idiot just wanted to break my car window. Do I have to pay a deductible if my car is vandalized?" If your car is vandalized, any necessary repairs would be covered so long as you have comprehensive insurance. Comprehensive insurance covers all costs associated with vandalism, though you usually have to pay a deductible. Talk to Sean about your auto coverage..

Business owners have told me they like the customization policy options available because of the potential gaps and costs. These are the major components in a robust menu of business insurance options at the Sean Smith Insurance Agency..... Property - Coverage for risks related to your business’s building, property, inventory or income. Liability - Coverage for risks ranging from customer injuries to wrongful termination. Crime - Coverage against money and securities theft co...mmitted by employees or third parties. Auto - Coverage for vehicles you own, lease or rent for business use. Workers’ Compensation - Assistance for employees if an injury or illness occurs on the job. Loss Control - Services that help you increase on-the-job safety and efficiency. Talk to Sean for more information about your small business customized coverage options...

Ask Sean: "What is a Residual Market Plan?".. RMP is a method devised for coverage of greater than average risk individuals who cannot obtain insurance through normal market channels like we are experiencing now. Many states have property insurance residual markets. These state-sponsored mechanisms provide consumers with another way to obtain insurance coverage for insurable property, when that coverage is not available through traditional private sector insurance companies.... The idea behind the alternative/residual market concept or FAIR Plan is that the government facilitates coverage of a pooled group of relatively high-risk policyholders by: 1) creating a mechanism whereby insurers share in the deficits and surpluses of the residual market; 2) in some states, strictly limiting the scope of coverage provided; and, 3) ideally, charging higher risk-based rates. Regardless of the specific structure, insurers doing business in a given state generally must participate in these programs, typically by assuming their fair share of the residual market’s operating results. Talk to Sean if you have any questions about your coverage or you are having difficulty getting homeowners coverage in a designated high risk zone...

Ask Sean; "I'm a small business owner which requires I visit my clients' offices oftenI pretty much live on the road. Here's my challenge: I really want my clients to know my business is insured. (Other competitors in my area may undercut my price, and my gut tells me it's because they may not be insured.) Is there an easy way to let my customers and clients know I'm insured?" Yes, there's an easy way and it starts with something called a Certificate of Insurance, or a COI... for short. It really depends on the needs of your business and customers. I realize that sounds broad and vague, but pretty much any business that provides a service or performs work with a potential for high liability losses could be asked to show a COI. Talk to Sean to learn more about your small business coverage options...

RECALL | Toyota is adding 1.5 million U.S. vehicles to recalls from early this year to fix fuel pumps that can fail and cause engines to stall.

RECALL | Volkswagen is recalling more than 218,000 Jetta sedans in the U.S. to fix a fuel leak problem that can cause fires. The recall covers certain cars from the 2016 through 2018 model years.

From my family to yours, have a safe and spooky Halloween. Visit my website below to learn more about how I'm helping others in your area with their insurance needs.