The Federal Emergency Management Agency regularly updates its flood maps and the flood zones in which a home resides. If, in remapping, your Pismo Beach, CA home moves from a zone that doesn’t require flood insurance to one that does, you will need to purchase a policy.

At Neff & Associates Insurance Services Inc., we understand how complex flood mapping and flood insurance can seem. If you resided in a home in a flood zone A or V and took out a federally backed mortgage, you must purchase flood insurance.

Your bank typically requires proof of this purchase, just like your home insurance policy. Of course, when remapping occurs, your home that previously did not sit in either zone A or V can move into one.

That’s because flood risk changes over time. An area’s topographical features change, which can alter water flows from creeks, rivers, lakes, etc.

If you rent, your landlord may include a rider in the lease that requires you to obtain renter’s insurance but won’t require flood insurance. That’s because the landlord’s flood policy covers the structure. It won’t cover the contents that belong to you, so you should still obtain a flood policy for contents only if the flood zone for the home changes.

FEMA continually conducts flood map updates, so your flood zone could change at any time. The agency sends the homeowner a notice that the zone has changed.

If you reside in a home that now belongs in zone A or V, you’ll need flood insurance. Contact Neff & Associates Insurance Services Inc., serving Pismo Beach, CA, for more information.

Once you obtain your motorcycle license in Pismo Beach, CA, you probably want to hit the road. Neff & Associates Insurance Services Inc. wants you to do so safely. In addition to carrying your motorcycle insurance, we put together this short blog to help you ride more safely.

1. Consider completing a safety course.

Completing a Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) course boosts your riding skills, road knowledge, bike know-how, and can help you with your insurance qualifications. Some areas offer these courses for free, so enjoy one.

2. Always ride wearing an appropriate helmet.

Sure, your granddad’s war helmet looks cool, but it wasn’t designed to protect you while you ride a motorbike. Only ride while wearing an appropriate motorcycle helmet. These weigh about three pounds and feature a thick polystyrene-foam inner liner. Always use the chin strap to affix the helmet to your head.

3. Conduct a quick bike check before riding.

Know your bike well. Before you hit the road, check your tire inflation, brakes, and look for fluid leaks. If you’re giving a person a ride on the bike, adjust the suspension and tires first to accommodate the added weight on the bike.

4. Sit down fully on the bike seat and hold on to the handlebars with both hands.

The only time you should take your hands off of the handlebars should occur when you signal. Explain safety to any passenger before riding.

5. Obey all traffic laws.

Remain aware of the road and other vehicles. Obey all traffic laws. Ride with at least one car length between you and the vehicle in front of you.

You can stay safer on the road with the proper precautions and motorbike insurance from Neff & Associates Insurance Services Inc. Contact us for insurance if you reside in the Pismo Beach, CA area.

Condo insurance, like homeowners insurance, provides protection and coverage for many things. However, it can be confusing when understanding what’s covered and what’s not. Neff & Associates Insurance Services Inc can take the confusion out of understanding condo insurance for Pismo Beach, CA residents. 

What is Condo Insurance?

Condo insurance is also referred to as H06 insurance. This insurance covers legal liability and much more. A condo insurance policy can cover damage to the interior of your condo unit, your personal items, and even living expenses. However, condo insurance is only designed to cover the interior of your condo unit. The condo association covers the exterior of your condo unit. As a result, who covers what can be confusing when determining how to get something fixed.

Will Condo Insurance Pay for the Repair of my Front Door?

As a condo owner, your condo association may be responsible for repairing your door, depending on how it was damaged. If the damage fits the condo association’s coverage guidelines, your condo association will repair it. However, your condo insurance may cover the repair of your front door if the damage is within the covered policy guidelines. You’ll likely need to speak with the condo association and your condo insurance company to determine who’s responsible. Conversely, if your front door is damaged due to negligence, you may have to pay for the repair of your door out of pocket. Likely, the damage may not be covered under the condo association’s policy nor your condo policy. If you have questions about condo insurance, call us. We’d be happy to help you explore the benefits. 

The basic insurance liabilities for motorcycle owners are the same as for automobiles. It breaks down to 15/30/5. In other words, riders must have a minimum or above of

• $15,000 for bodily injury per person
• $30,000 for bodily injury per accident
• $5,000 in damage liability for each accident

Optional Coverages

According to Neff & Associates Insurance Services Inc. representatives, motorcycle owners don’t need to purchase uninsured/underinsured programs for their insurance policy. Additionally, they don’t need a personal injury protection (PIP) rider. Bodily injury and damage liability are the only coverages needed to qualify for a motorcycle insurance policy. 

Is Motorcycle Insurance Required?

In California, motorcycle insurance is required to drive the vehicle in Pismo Beach, CA, and across the state. It has to be specific to the vehicle. To put it another way, you cannot apply an auto insurance policy to the motorcycle. 

Are There Penalties if You Don’t Have Motorcycle Insurance?

In California, driving a motorcycle without the proper insurance is illegal. If you can’t provide proof of a policy when pulled over by law enforcement authorities, it might lead to fines, license suspension, or impounding your motorcycle. Penalty payments increase for each offense.

On top of this, even if you have motorcycle insurance, you may be penalized if you can’t provide physical proof. Fortunately, there are ways to appeal the fees related to this issue. The fees may be revoked if you produce the evidence within the ticket’s deadline. 

How to Obtain Motorcycle Insurance

You can purchase a motorcycle insurance policy through national or local outlets like Neff & Associates Insurance Services Inc. Be prepared to ask several questions to get the right policy for your needs.

When renting an apartment or house, one of the most important things to consider is getting renters insurance. This type of insurance protects your belongings in case of theft, damage, or other problems. But with so many different policies available, it can be hard to know what to look for in a good renters insurance policy. Here are a few key things to remember when shopping around for coverage.

1. Coverage Limits

Most renters insurance policies have coverage limits, which is the maximum amount the policy will pay out in case of a claim. Make sure to choose a policy with coverage limits that are high enough to cover the value of your belongings. Otherwise, you might have to pay out of pocket to replace damaged or stolen items.

2. Exclusions

All renters insurance policies have exclusions, which are events or circumstances not covered by the policy. For example, most renters’ insurance policies exclude damage caused by earthquakes or floods. Be sure to read the fine print of your policy, so you know what is and isn’t covered. The fewer exclusions there are, the better.

3. Deductibles

Many people don’t realize that most policies have a sum you must pay before the insurance company covers any damages. This is called a deductible, and choosing a policy with a deductible that you can afford to pay is essential. Otherwise, you might be in a difficult financial situation if you need to make a claim.

4. Easy Claims Process

If you need to make a claim, you’ll want to be sure that the process is as easy and smooth as possible. Some insurance companies make it difficult to file a claim, which can cause a lot of frustration. Do some research on different insurance companies and read reviews to see which ones have a reputation for being easy to work with regarding claims.

Get Renters Insurance in Pismo Beach, CA

Keep these things in mind if you’re looking for a good renters insurance policy. Neff & Associates Insurance Services Inc can help you find the right policy for your needs. Contact us today to get started.

Many living in the Pismo Beach, CA area need flood insurance. If you are someone looking to shop for flood insurance, you need to get a sense of what factors will have an impact on the premium. The premium is the price you will pay for the flood insurance policy. The Neff & Associates Insurance Services Inc. team is in a position to help educate and get you set up for success in your search for flood insurance.

Factors Impacting Flood Insurance in California

There are a variety of factors that have an impact on the flood insurance premium you will pay. The flood insurance premium will be impacted by the type of coverage you purchase and the deductible on the policy.  

Other factors that will impact flood insurance include the flood risk of your property, e.g., whether you are in a flood zone and the location of your structure. The design and age of your structure could also impact flood insurance overall.  

Conclusion

The cost of flood insurance will vary quite a bit when you take into account the coverage you purchase, the property’s location, flood risk, design, as well as the age of the structure. When you factor in all these things, you can understand why one property will be more expensive for flood insurance than others. The Neff & Associates Insurance Services Inc team is in a position to help you be as educated as possible as you shop for flood insurance.

Condo insurance is similar to homeowner’s insurance in that it covers your condo’s structure(interior), walls, floors, appliances, and personal items. This insurance can pay for repairing and replacing items or structures within your condo unit. Our team at Neff & Associates Insurance Services Inc can help Pismo Beach, CA condo owners get the coverage they need.

What Does Condo Insurance Cover?

Condo insurance will compensate for theft, vandalization, the repair or replacement of walls and floors, appliances, and more. Condo insurance also provides coverage for fire and water damage. If your home is damaged by water, condo insurance will repair the damage if possible. If not, condo insurance will pay for the replacement of the damage. 

Will Condo Insurance Cover my Burst Pipes?

If your pipes burst from an unexpected freeze, your condo insurance will cover the repair or replacement of your pipes. Typically, your condo insurance will pay for the cleaning, repair, and replacement of your pipes and the cleaning and repair of anything damaged due to your pipes bursting. This includes your floors and flooring, drywall, furniture, and anything else that was affected or incurred water damage from your burst pipes. 

Other Considerations…

Although condo insurance will cover the repair or replacement of burst pipes, there are situations where a burst pipe or pipes won’t be covered. If your pipes burst due to neglect or some other circumstance caused by you, your condo insurance won’t pay for the repairs. However, if you have questions regarding what’s covered by condo insurance, give us a call. We’d be happy to answer your questions.