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When Is Flood Insurance Necessary for Your Property?

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Many property owners are unaware that their standard home insurance does not cover damage caused by flooding. Depending on where you live, you may need additional coverage to protect against flood risk. Knowing when you need flood insurance can be challenging, but we’re here to help.

To obtain flood insurance in Palo Alto, CA, reach out to the team at Allied Brokers Insurance Agency Inc. to learn about your options.

There Are Times When Flood Coverage Is Mandatory

If you buy a home in an area considered a flood zone, maintaining a flood insurance policy is essential. If you carry a mortgage on your property, your lender may require flood insurance. Typically, this applies to individuals living in high-risk zones. To determine if this applies to your home, view the FEMA flood maps to determine if your home is in a designated flood zone.

In addition to this, you may be required to maintain flood insurance if you have had flood damage in the past and received federal disaster assistance for it.

Other Times to Get Coverage

There are many other situations where flood insurance is an important investment. Even if you live in a low-risk area, it can still be beneficial to protect against such risks, as flooding can occur anywhere, and it often does. Flash rain can quickly saturate the ground and overwhelm storm drains, forcing water to travel into your home.

Call Us to Protect Your Property

If you’re unsure whether you need flood insurance for your home in Palo Alto, CA, let us help. Turn to Allied Brokers Insurance Agency Inc. for a quote and to discuss your options.

How Do You File a Claim Against a Driver Without Insurance?

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Getting involved in any kind of auto accident can be a troubling development, but getting involved in an accident with an uninsured motorist can bring on extra anxiety. How exactly do you handle filing a claim when the other person doesn’t have insurance? What steps do you need to take in order to navigate such a situation? Here’s what you need to know about filing a claim when the driver on the other end of the accident doesn’t have auto insurance. You can make sure you have the right auto insurance for any potential accident with the help of the team here at Allied Brokers Insurance Agency, Inc., serving Palo Alto, CA and surrounding areas. 

You’ve Been Hit by an Uninsured Driver: What’s Next?

You will still need to engage in the same practices you would if you were hit by an insured driver. Make sure that you and everyone in your car, as well as the other car, are okay (and immediately call for help if anyone is injured), call the police so that you can officially file a report and make sure the accident is recorded, and take the time to gather any evidence that may be needed in the future. Then, file a claim with your insurance. You’ll need to have uninsured motorist coverage to cover the damages that you’ve experienced. If damages exceed what your auto insurance is able to cover, then you may need to take legal action against the other driver to be reimbursed for medical expenses, lost wages, and beyond. 

Get the Right Auto Insurance Coverage With Allied Brokers Insurance Agency, Inc. 

You can always trust us here at Allied Brokers Insurance Agency, Inc., serving Palo Alto, CA, to help you find auto insurance that fits your needs. Reach out to us today!

Are Your Company’s Vehicles Properly Insured?

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If you’re a California business owner and you have company cars, one of your responsibilities is to protect those assets. If your company is in the Palo Alto, CA, area, our team at Allied Brokers Insurance Agency Inc. can help. Learn how commercial auto insurance works and meet with one of our experienced agents to understand your options. 

Are Your Company’s Vehicles Properly Insured?

Just as an individual must have auto insurance to drive safely, companies are required to insure all vehicles owned by the company and used for business purposes. California’s liability requirements have increased as of January 2025. This is in part due to an increase in increase in the cost of vehicle repairs and medical care. Talk to one of our agents to choose the coverage level that is best for your company’s needs.

Call Us for an Appointment

California businesses require several types of commercial coverage, including auto. Our team at Allied Brokers Insurance Agency Inc. will meet with you to ensure you have all the coverage you need. Call us for an appointment. We’re currently serving the Palo Alto, CA, area. 

Insurance Coverage for Residential Security Upgrades

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Have you recently installed surveillance equipment, residential locking systems, or other security devices on your property? If so, your home insurance needs may have changed. Review the upgrades you’ve made, and then revise your home insurance policy accordingly.

Residential Security Upgrades

Assess the security upgrades and the materials they are made of. Consider both the use value and monetary value of each new security device or feature.

During your assessment, think about the possibility of a security aid being damaged, stolen, or vandalized. The placement of a particular item could affect whether it is especially prone to being compromised in the future.

Coverage Against Criminal Acts

If your surveillance equipment or another type of security aid is damaged by an intruder, you’ll need to decide whether to replace the item. Without adequate insurance to protect each security aid, you’ll be responsible for covering the costs yourself.

Adding coverage to protect your security devices can be beneficial in the long run. This type of coverage allows you to repair or replace items if they are damaged due to vandalism or theft.

Coverage Against Natural Events

Security devices can also be damaged during natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods, ice storms, or other severe weather events.

Seeking insurance coverage that protects against specific natural disasters is a smart idea. If any of the items you’ve invested in are severely compromised, your policy can provide a viable way to have them repaired or replaced.

Residential Insurance Modifications

Are you ready to list your surveillance equipment in your home insurance policy? If so, reach out to one of our insurance agents at Allied Brokers Insurance Agency Inc. An agent serving the Palo Alto, CA, region can assist you in updating your policy to ensure your security devices are adequately protected.

What’s the difference between classic car insurance and conventional auto insurance?

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Many people own old cars, but not every old car qualifies as a conventional classic car. This distinction can sometimes be confusing. At Allied Brokers Insurance Agency Inc., we care about our future and existing Palo Alto, CA, clientele. We’re here to simplify the process of determining the best coverage for your car, whether it’s a conventional classic car or simply an older vehicle. Our agents are ready to take the guesswork out of this question.

What Is a Classic Car?

Every insurance agency has its own definition of what constitutes a classic car, which is an important fact to keep in mind. Generally, classic cars are identified by their age, typically being twenty or more years old. Additionally, classic cars are often iconic, limited edition, or distinguished in some other way. It’s also worth noting that classic cars are usually not driven daily or used as a primary mode of transportation.

What’s the Difference Between Classic Car Insurance and Conventional Auto Insurance?

There are significant differences between classic car insurance and conventional auto insurance. Classic car insurance is specifically designed for vehicles that are not driven daily. One key distinction is how the car’s value is determined. With classic car insurance, the value is agreed upon by both the car owner and the insurance agency. In contrast, conventional auto insurance bases the car’s value on its appraised market value, and coverage is designed for cars that are driven daily or primarily. In conventional insurance, the car owner has no input in determining the car’s value.

At Allied Brokers Insurance Agency Inc., we want our Palo Alto, CA, clientele, both existing and new, to understand the difference between classic car insurance and conventional auto insurance. Please call us today, we’re standing by to assist you.

How umbrella insurance protects from lawsuits?

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The risk of being sued is often higher than many people expect. Lawsuits can bring significant financial burdens, including the cost of hiring an attorney and paying settlements. Umbrella insurance is designed to provide additional protection in these situations, helping to safeguard your finances and assets.

At Allied Brokers Insurance Agency Inc., we specialize in helping clients in Palo Alto, CA secure robust umbrella insurance policies that offer comprehensive protection against lawsuits and other risks.

How Umbrella Insurance Can Protect You in a Lawsuit

If someone holds you responsible for their injuries or losses, your primary insurance policy may provide financial protection for their claim. However, there are instances where your insurance company may refuse to cover the costs, often due to disputes over the claim’s validity. In such cases, the injured party may pursue a lawsuit.

Umbrella insurance can protect you in several ways during a lawsuit. First, it covers the cost of legal defense, including attorney fees, ensuring you have representation throughout the case. Second, it provides coverage for settlements or judgments that exceed the limits of your primary insurance policy. This additional layer of protection is crucial in cases where significant financial losses could jeopardize your home and other assets.

Coverage You Can Count On Matters

At Allied Brokers Insurance Agency Inc., we work with clients to safeguard their future by providing tailored umbrella insurance policies. If you’re facing risks, let our team help you select coverage with sufficient policy limits to protect against unexpected accidents or lawsuits. Contact us today for a quote and personalized guidance on umbrella insurance in Palo Alto, CA.

Flood Insurance for your Bayside Property

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Bayside property sounds like a dream—walking distance to the beach, a spectacular view of the Golden Gate Bridge, full sunshine, and the chance to imagine yourself as an extra on Full House. However, the real-life risk of flood damage can quickly turn that dream into a nightmare. Protecting your home with flood insurance is essential to ensure that a natural disaster doesn’t lead to financial ruin. Before disaster strikes, it’s essential to understand your coverage options and select the proper limits.

Understanding Flood Insurance Coverage

If you live in the San Francisco Bay Area, you are in a high-risk zone for flooding. Contrary to popular belief, it does rain in Southern California, and flooding can happen anywhere. Unfortunately, flooding is typically not covered by standard homeowners’ insurance or business property insurance policies, so it must be purchased separately. Flood insurance consists of two main components: building coverage and contents coverage.

Building coverage protects structural elements, including floors, walls, plumbing, foundations, and electrical systems. Contents coverage, on the other hand, safeguards personal belongings, such as furniture and electronics. You can obtain flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or a private flood insurance provider. Private providers may offer higher coverage limits, replacement cost coverage, and additional benefits such as living expenses if you need to vacate your home. For businesses, private flood insurance may also include business interruption coverage, which provides compensation for temporary closures resulting from flooding.

Contact Allied Brokers Insurance Agency Inc. in Palo Alto, CA

If you’re in the Palo Alto, CA area and need flood insurance, contact Allied Brokers Insurance Agency Inc. We’re here to help you find the right coverage to protect your property and peace of mind.

Is Uninsured Motorist Coverage Really Needed?

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While some states mandate uninsured motorist coverage in their auto insurance policies, it isn’t required by law in California. However, that doesn’t mean that you should go without it. It’s a crucial type of auto coverage that should be included in every policy. If you don’t have your auto insurance yet, or you want to change your policy to a new one, give us a call at Allied Brokers Insurance Agency Inc. in Palo Alto, CA.

Uninsured Motorists

While it’s the law that all drivers must have auto insurance, not everyone obeys the law. There are plenty of people who skip insurance in an attempt to save money. If one of those people hits you and causes an accident, they are unlikely to have the money to pay for the damages done to you and your vehicle. This could leave you in a difficult situation if you don’t have uninsured motorist coverage. With this coverage, the policy can pay for your damages even when the accident was the other party’s fault.

The Financial Burden

Without uninsured motorist coverage, all of the bills would be yours to pay if you’re hit by an uninsured motorist who can’t afford to pay for them. In these cases, suing is of no use, as the money isn’t available. The only way to ensure these bills are paid is to add this coverage to your auto insurance policy.

Get Auto Insurance in Palo Alto

If you don’t already have auto insurance for a vehicle, are buying a new one, or want to switch your auto insurance, we can help. To get started with an auto policy, or to find out more about them or about uninsured motorist coverage, give us a call at Allied Brokers Insurance Agency Inc. in Palo Alto, CA.

Does My New Business Need Commercial Insurance?

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Just like individuals, businesses need insurance. If you’re starting a new business, it’s essential to get insurance that provides coverage for unexpected events.

At Allied Brokers Insurance Agency Inc., serving Palo Alto, CA, we can help your business get the right commercial insurance. We offer a variety of commercial insurance options and work with multiple insurance carriers, so you have choices. Here’s what you need to know.

What Is Commercial Insurance?

Commercial insurance is a category of insurance that provides coverage to businesses. There are several types of commercial insurance. Most businesses need a selection of commercial insurance types. Some of the types of commercial insurance include:

  • General liability insurance
  • Professional liability insurance
  • Business income coverage
  • Commercial property insurance
  • Workers compensation insurance
  • Commercial auto insurance
  • Data breach insurance
  • …and others

Not All Types of Insurance Are Right For Your Business

New businesses often don’t have employees, and thus may not need insurance that protects employees, like workers’ compensation insurance. In addition, a new business that doesn’t have any vehicles may not require commercial auto insurance.

In other words, your business may not need all types of commercial auto insurance. Have a conversation with your insurance agent to find out what types of insurance are right for your business.

Need Help Choosing Insurance? Call Today

If you need help choosing the right insurance for your business, the professionals at Allied Brokers Insurance Agency Inc., servicing Palo Alto, CA, can help. We provide our customers with information to help them find the right insurance for their needs.

We also work with several insurance carriers so that we can provide quotes from multiple carriers. This will help you find the right type of insurance for your needs. Want more information? Call today to learn more.

Navigating Your Insurance: Replacement Cost vs. Actual Cash Value Explained

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California led the nation in home insurance claims filed between 2015 and 2019. After the recent wildfires, Palo Alto, CA residents should review their home insurance policy. Understanding replacement cost coverage and actual cash value is crucial right now.

Replacement Cost Coverage

This compensation focuses on replacing damaged belongings with new yet similar items. The replacement is an exact or equivalent brand, design, size, color, shape, and feature. Replacement cost coverage (RCV) is the default for home structure damage and optional for belongings. You pay higher insurance premiums to get it for your belongings, but you pay nothing out of pocket for your insurance claim.

If you choose this route, one of our Allied Brokers Insurance Agency Inc. representatives will send you a check for the current cost of a similar item. You can use that to replace your damaged items. The price could be higher or lower than what you paid initially.

Guaranteed and extended are the two types of replacement cost coverage. Guaranteed coverage pays the full amount to replace damaged homes and belongings. Extended coverage is an add-on policy that covers up to 25% more than the policy limit. It will not cover the entire total, but you pay much less out of pocket.

Actual Cash Value

This compensation focuses on the depreciated value of damaged belongings. You get a check for the item’s current value, not the original cost. Actual cash value (ACV) is the default for belongings and may be an option for home structure damage. Premiums are lower, but you pay more out-of-pocket if you file an insurance claim.

If you choose this route, an appraiser will gather the initial cost, date of purchase, and condition of your damaged belongings. Next, we factor in depreciation and determine the value of your items today. An Allied Brokers Insurance Agency Inc. representative will then send you a check for the depreciated amount. Expect that price to be lower than the initial payment due to wear and tear or product discontinuation.

You must decide whether saving now or saving later is more important. One of our insurance agents will discuss that and more with you. For more information on home insurance compensation, call us or visit our Palo Alto, CA location.