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What is Earthquake Insurance in California?

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If you’re a homeowner in Pleasanton, CA, chances are you’ve thought about earthquake insurance at one point or another. After all, California is on the infamous "Ring of Fire," and earthquakes are a genuine threat in this part of the country. But what exactly is earthquake insurance, and do you need it? Let’s take a closer look.

What is Earthquake Insurance?

Earthquake insurance is a type of property insurance that helps protect your home and belongings from damage caused by an earthquake. It’s important to note that most standard home insurance policies do not cover damage caused by earthquakes, so if you live in an area prone to seismic activity, it’s worth considering this coverage. Your Miao Insurance Services representative can help you find the right policy.

What Does Earthquake Insurance Cover?

Earthquake insurance typically covers repairing or rebuilding your home if it’s damaged or destroyed by an earthquake. It may also cover other structures on your property, such as detached garages or fences, as well as the contents of your home, such as your furniture and appliances. Some policies may also provide temporary living expenses if your home is uninhabitable after an earthquake.

Why Do I Need Earthquake Insurance in Pleasanton, CA?

Pleasanton CA is in Alameda County, which falls within what’s known as the "Ring of Fire." This ring encompasses the Pacific Rim and is one of the most seismically active areas in the world. So, if you live in this area of California, there’s a good chance you could experience seismic activity at some point. And if you don’t have earthquake insurance, any damage caused by an earthquake would have to be paid for out of pocket, which could be financially devastating.

Give Us A Call

Earthquake insurance is a vital part of being a homeowner in California. If you’re looking for coverage, Miao Insurance Services can help. We offer competitive rates and outstanding customer service. Contact us today for a free quote.

Does Home Insurance Cover Home Personal Injury Lawsuits?

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In many cases, home insurance policies cover personal injuries. Check with your Miao Insurance Services agent in Pleasanton, CA to make sure the policy you choose has liability and medical coverage. Also, there are some exclusions, so be sure to read the policy carefully.

Is an Invited Guest Is Hurt, Are You Covered?

Invited guests are covered up to the liability limits of your home insurance policy. Typically, pain and suffering, medical bills and other damages are eligible. Most homeowners policies also cover legal costs if your guests or their insurance company takes you to court. Defense costs are included under your liability limit.

Medical payments coverage pays for medical bills whether you are legally responsible or not. However, the limit is much lower. For some claims, your guest has to prove your negligence caused the accident. For example, if your friend falls after you mopped your floor, you may be liable for their medical costs.

What Else Is or Is Not Covered?

Many policies include injuries due to your dog biting a friend or stranger. However, any intentional act is excluded. So, if you get into an altercation and intentionally injure someone, your homeowners policy won’t cover defense costs. Your guests are not compensated if they engage in reckless activity. Your medical payments coverage may pay their medical costs as a sign of good will but your liability insurance won’t.

Does Your Homeowners Liability Insurance Cover Family Members?

Immediate family members that live with you are not covered by your homeowners liability policy. However, your homeowners policy covers you and family members in the home. Your agent can answer more specific questions after reviewing the policy you choose.

Give Us A Call

Contact us today at  Miao Insurance Services to make an appointment to talk about the insurance you need for your home in Pleasanton, CA. Stop by the office or give us a call to get more information. 

3 Tips to Keep Your Classic Car in Top Condition

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Even though classic cars are no longer being made, that doesn’t mean they can’t still be enjoyed. Many people believe that classic cars are better than newer models. If you’re lucky enough to own a classic car, then you know how important it is to keep it in good condition. Miao Insurance Services in Pleasanton, CA can provide with insurance expertise and related advice:

Here are three tips for your classic car:

How to prevent rust on your classic car

Wash and wax it regularly to keep your classic car looking shiny and new. You should also avoid driving in salt water or on salty roads, which can cause rust. If you go in salt water or on salty roads, wash and wax your car immediately afterward.

How to store a classic car

A classic car should be stored in a cool, dry place from direct sunlight. If you don’t have a garage, you can rent space in a storage facility specializing in classic cars. The car should be covered with a soft cloth or tarp to protect it from dust and scratches. You may want to invest in a battery tender to keep the battery charged while the car is in storage.

How to insure a classic car

Classic cars are unique and require special insurance to protect them. They are often worth more than regular cars and can be difficult to replace if damaged or stolen. Classic car insurance typically includes agreed value coverage, which means that you and your insurer agree on a value for your car before your policy starts. If your vehicle is totaled, you will receive the agreed-upon value as your payout.

Get Classic Car Coverage Today

If you own a classic or antique car in the greater Pleasanton, CA area, contact Miao Insurance Services to ensure you have the right coverage today.

When Should You Review Your Renters Insurance

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Miao Insurance Services is happy to serve the greater Pleasanton, CA community with your insurance coverage needs. Renters insurance is one of those things that’s easy to forget about until you need it. And by then, it’s usually too late. So, when should you review your renters insurance policy? While there’s no definite answer, there are a few key times when it’s especially important to take a close look at your coverage.

Here are just a few examples:

When You Move

When you move to a new rental property, it’s important to review your renters insurance policy and ensure that it still meets your needs. Your old policy might not cover certain items or perils at your new place, so it’s essential to update your coverage accordingly. Additionally, your new landlords may have different requirements for insurance, so be sure to check with them before you make any changes.

When You Get Married or Have a Baby

Another time when you should review your renters insurance is when your family situation changes. If you get married, for example, you’ll need to add your spouse to your policy. And if you have a baby, you’ll need to ensure that your coverage includes any new or expensive items, like a crib or stroller.

When You Purchase New Items

As your belongings change, so should your renters insurance coverage. Any time you buy new expensive items, like a piece of furniture or electronics, you’ll need to add them to your policy. Otherwise, they may not be covered in the event of a loss.

When Your Policy Comes Up for Renewal

Finally, reviewing your renters insurance policy when it comes up for renewal is always a good idea. This allows you to see if your coverage still meets your needs and make any necessary changes. It’s also an opportunity to compare rates and switch to a new insurer if you find a better deal elsewhere.

Get Renters Insurance Today

By taking the time to review your renters insurance policy regularly, you can make sure that you’re always properly protected. If you have any questions about your coverage or need help finding the right policy for your needs, Miao Insurance Services in Pleasanton, CA can help. Contact us today to learn more.

Motorcycle Insurance : What Are Your Options?

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There are many different ways to purchase motorcycle insurance, and you’re likely to come across various types of discounts. You can shop around to find the best deal, or you can get it from a company that has a good reputation and is easy to deal with. 

Most importantly, ensure you have the right amount of money on hand when you purchase your motorcycle insurance. For expert advice in the Pleasanton, CA area, give us a call at Miao Insurance Services. 

Motorcycle Coverage: What You Need To Know

The most common discounts you’ll find on motorcycles are home and car insurance, collision, and theft insurance. Choosing the right option for you can be a lot harder than it looks like it, so make sure you’re reading up on the different things you can get for your money. 

Many of them are simply a one-time deal, while others are continuously renewable. If you have a serious health condition or are prone to concussions, you may benefit more from a discount plan that offers you other benefits. 

The best time to shop for motorcycle insurance is during the year-round season. The year-round availability allows more people to shop around and get the best deal. The most popular motorcycle insurance discounts are for one-time events such as cruise ships and vacation rentals. For more frequent passengers, there are also many discounts for monthly or annual policies. 

Popular discounts include: 

  • Multiple cycle discount
  • Multi-policy discount
  • Continuous coverage discount
  • Motorist safety discounts
  • Insurance payment discount
  • Experienced & safe motorist discount

Give Us A Call

There are multiple ways to get great motorcycle insurance, and the best way to find the right amount is to talk to a professional about your situation. For example, if you have a serious injury and need to get medical attention, you might want to consider getting medical insurance. 

If you are new to the world of motorcycles and would like to start taking them for a test drive, you might want to consider getting a discounted insurance plan. For guidance from professionals, reach out to Miao Insurance Services, serving the greater Pleasanton, CA community.

Umbrella Insurance is a Vital Option for Start Ups

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Startups are a vital part of the economy and can provide people with a unique sense of personal and financial freedom. However, liability lawsuits may affect many startups and put them out of business. At Miao Insurance Services, we can help Pleasanton, CA businesses get umbrella policies that meet their needs.

What Umbrella Insurance Protects

When creating a startup, there are many things that could go wrong that could affect you financially. Even small mistakes or lawsuits could seriously impact your chances of success. Thankfully, umbrella insurance can protect you from these problematic concerns and avoid devastating financial loss in a severe lawsuit situation.

What exactly is umbrella insurance? It is an additional liability policy that you can add to your current coverage that will protect you from various problematic concerns. Umbrella policies extend your policy to pay beyond what your current liability protection covers.

Why This Helps Startups

As a startup, you don’t always have a lot of money to throw around. Success is sometimes balanced on a knife’s edge, and one lawsuit could put you under. Umbrella policies would help you stay in business by paying for a lawsuit that may otherwise bankrupt you.

For instance, let’s say your company has $20,000 of capital, and you get sued for $100,000. Your current liability protection covers $70,000 of that. With an umbrella policy covering up to $500,000, you could easily pay that $100,000 and avoid going out of business.

Finding a Policy You Need

Do you feel like you need high-quality umbrella insurance policies for your startup’s needs? Please don’t hesitate to contact us at Miao Insurance Services to find the Pleasanton, CA umbrella insurance coverage help that you need. Our team will do what they can to help you.

What to do if your CA home is damaged by floodwater

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When it comes to protecting your Pleasanton, CA area home, rely on Miao Insurance Services. If you are concerned about possible flood damage occurring in your area, give us a call today. Now is the time to get the right insurance policy in place.

Handling flood water damage to your home 

If you have flood damage in your home, the first step is to call your local insurance agent. They can provide direction on getting the claim process started and provide a list of approved contractors and vendors. It’s important to contact your insurance provider before getting any estimates or having any work started. 

Of course, if your home is not habitable or safe due to the damage, it’s time to set up alternative housing options. Many comprehensive homeowner’s policies provide coverage for alternative housing if your home is rendered uninhabitable due to a covered event. It’s always important to get yourself and your family to safety as quickly as possible.

When it is safe to visit your home, take an inventory of the damage. This will help the adjuster file an accurate claim. If your receipts or records of your belongings were damaged or destroyed in the flood, your agent should be able to give you some tips on how to provide alternative information.

Flood water can be extremely damaging, and remediation of the damage can take a long time. This is especially true if mold develops in your home. Flood insurance can help! 

We are here to help! Call today

Miao Insurance Services is proud to serve the insurance needs of the greater Pleasanton, CA community. If you want to make sure that your home has the insurance protection it needs, call or stop by our office today.

The Risks of Not Having Life Insurance

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Millions of Americans go without life insurance every year, and many don’t realize the risks they are taking. While there are several reasons someone might choose not to have life insurance, the most common one is simply that they don’t think they need it. But the truth is, everyone needs life insurance, no matter their age or health.

Here are just a few of the risks you take by not having life insurance.

1. Risk of Financial Burden on Your Family

If something happens to you and you don’t have life insurance, your family will be left to bear the burden of your funeral costs and any other debts or expenses you leave behind. This can put a serious financial strain on them when they are already grieving.

2. Risk of Losing Your Income

If you are the primary breadwinner for your family, your death could leave them in a very difficult financial situation. Life insurance can replace your income and help ensure that your family is taken care of financially if something happens to you.

3. Risk of Not Having Enough Money for Your Children’s Education

One of the most important things you can do for your children is to make sure they have the opportunity to go to college. If you don’t have life insurance, your children may not be able to go to the school of their dreams or get the education they need to succeed in life.

4. Risk of Straining Your Family’s Relationship

Your family will already be grieving your loss if something happens to you, and the last thing you want to do is add to that stress by leaving them with financial problems. Not having life insurance can strain your family relationships, especially if they are already struggling to make ends meet.

Get Life Insurance in Pleasanton, CA

Miao Insurance Services is here to help you get the life insurance you need to protect your family. We understand that choosing a life insurance policy can be overwhelming, but we can help you find the right policy for your needs. Give Miao Insurance Services in Pleasanton, CA a call today to get a quote.

 

Is condo insurance required in California?

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Housing is very expensive in California. It is often easier to break into the housing market with a condo. This makes condos a popular housing choice in Pleasanton as well as everywhere else. At Miao Insurance Services in Pleasanton, CA, we are independent agents, which means we can provide more choices when it comes to carriers. Since we are locally owned and operated, we understand the local market and what condo insurance is required. 

When it comes to condo insurance, you are not mandated by the state to carry this coverage. However, that doesn’t mean you don’t have to have it. Your lender, if you have a mortgage, and your HOA may require that you have condo insurance. Given the fact that you share walls with neighbors, it is not surprising that the HOA would want to make sure that your home is protected. 

With a condo, the Association has insurance to cover the exterior of the condos and the shared areas. This can include the parking lot, hallways, elevators, and pool area. They carry the liability as well as property insurance. Not all condo insurance is the same, since it depends on the master policy and how far it goes into the individual units. 

Read your master policy coverage and make sure your insurance agent is also aware of the policy to make sure that you get the right coverage. Much like home insurance, condo insurance usually has four parts; property, content, liability, and loss of us. All of them need to be considered to make sure you have adequate coverage. 

In particular, make sure you have loss of use coverage to provide for you in the event that your unit becomes uninhabitable. You will need a place to stay and having insurance means you won’t have to pay for it. 

Contact Miao Insurance Services in Pleasanton, CA for condo insurance. 

Auto insurance FAQs

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Auto insurance is something you may not think about a lot. It is just there to protect you when you need it. Whether you have full coverage or basic coverage, it needs to be fitted to your lifestyle and the vehicle you drive. At Miao Insurance Services, in Pleasanton, CA, we are independent insurance agents who take their responsibility to provide their customers with reliable and affordable insurance products seriously. 

What coverage does comprehensive insurance provide?

Comprehensive coverage is called non-collision insurance. It covers damage that is not the result of a collision with another vehicle. It will cover your vehicle for theft and vandalism. It also protects against a variety of weather-related damage such as floods, wind, and ice. It is what protects your vehicle from large animals like deer who can cause massive damage. 

What is gap insurance?

Gap insurance is something anyone with a car loan and a relatively new vehicle should consider. If your vehicle is a total loss, it will make sure you don’t end up owing more than you collect from the insurance company. 

What auto insurance do I need to have in California?

In California, the required auto insurance is liability coverage of 15/30/5. This insurance provides $15,000 for the first injured person in an accident, with a total for all injured people of $30,000. The $5,000 is for property damage. As you can see, this is a really basic requirement and most people would do well to consider getting better coverage, 

How much of a deductible should I have? 

Only you can answer that. How much are you willing to pay if you need to get your car repaired? $500 is a pretty routine amount. 

Contact Miao Insurance Services in Pleasanton, CA for all your insurance needs. Let us do the work to find the personalized coverage you deserve.