Old Harbor Insurance Services

Year: 2019

Things to Consider for Fire Insurance in California’s High Fire Danger Areas

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Things to Consider for Fire Insurance in California’s High Fire Danger Areas

Last month’s fires (October 2019) throughout California marked the fourth consecutive year of catastrophic losses in the state. Annual wildfires are now the expected norm by insurance carriers, which has led to tighter, extremely conservative underwriting. It’s important to note that following all our recommendations will not guarantee acceptance of your property. Rather, these items are intended … Read more

A Review of Firescaping by Douglas Kent: Important Fire Safety Tips for Mountain Homeowners

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A Review of Firescaping by Douglas Kent: Important Fire Safety Tips for Mountain Homeowners

Earlier this month, the Second Edition of Firescaping by Douglas Kent was released. The book is a comprehensive and clearly written resource that should be read by anyone living in the mountains or rural parts of CA. Wildfires have thrown the California home insurance market into chaos, and any measures that can help to improve a home’s insurability should … Read more

How to Create Defensible Space and Reduce Wildfire Risk Around Your Home for Insurance Purposes

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How to Create Defensible Space and Reduce Wildfire Risk Around Your Home for Insurance Purposes

If you live in an area that is susceptible to wildfires, then you already know the damage these fires can do to the surrounding areas and your home. Whether you live by the shores of Lake Tahoe, or in the hills of Malibu, it is important that you take every pre-caution to make sure that … Read more

Why Your Insurance Company Should Know You Are Renting Your Home

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Why Your Insurance Company Should Know You Are Renting Your Home

Given the huge transformation the world is going through, the home sharing and property rental businesses have really taken off in the last two decades. Renting out spare rooms, a portion of, or even an entire house to earn some extra money, or a full-time income, has become increasingly common nowadays. Each year the number … Read more

Ultimate Guide to Short Term Vacation Rental Insurance Policies for Airbnb and VRBO Homeowners

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Ultimate Guide to Short Term Vacation Rental Insurance Policies for Airbnb and VRBO Homeowners

Do you own an amazing vacation house on Lake Tahoe, or a desert oasis home in Palm Springs? What about a sprawling vacation ranch in Texas, or a beautiful snow laden retreat in Utah? If you own any type of vacation home, keep reading. Now, are you renting this vacation home for less than thirty … Read more

Berkshire Hathaway Enters California Home Insurance Market

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Berkshire Hathaway Enters California Home Insurance Market

The last three years have been devastating to California home insurers. We’ve previously written about how this might impact home insurance into the future, and much of what we expected was negative: policies being non-renewed, insurers leaving the state, rates increasing, etc. Since the time of that writing, Merced Property and Casualty went insolvent and was taken … Read more