Interested in buying Car Insurance by the Mile?
November 3, 2009
This feature is not available yet, but could be coming soon. For more informtion, read the article on my blog at http://www.sanramoninsurancematters.com/2009/11/pay-by-mile-auto-insurance-advances-in.html.
Common Consumer Insurance Questions | What Company do you represent?
August 17, 2009
As an Independent Insurance Agent, we represrsent a number of national, highly rated insurance companies. By representing a wide range of insurance companies, our clients can always be assured that they are getting the very best rate and coverage for their premium dollar. It’s our responsibility to find our clients the right company to meet their personal, family and business insurance needs.
Here are just some of the fine insurance companies we represent with their A.M. Best Financial Ratings:
Mercury: Rating A+ (Superior)
Safeco: Rating A (Excellent)
Golden Eagle: Rating A (Excellent)
Travelers: Rating A+ (Superior)
Allied (a Nationwide Company): Rating A+ (Superior)
The Hartford: Rating A (Excellent)
Foremost: Rating A (Excellent)
Progressive: Rating A+ (Superior)
Explorer: Rating A- (Excellent)
GeoVera Earthquake: Rating A- (Excellent)
Unitrin Specialty: Rating A- (Excellent)
Fidelity National: Rating A- (Excellent)
First Comp (Endurance American): Rating A (Excellent)
Midwest: Rating A (Excellent)
Additional Available Companies, include:
Abram Interstate Insurance
CBIC
Commerce West
CHUBB
CIG
CSE
Colemont
Deans & Homer
Financial Pacific
Fireman’s Fund
First American Specialty
Great American
International E&S
International Facilities North
ICW
JE Brown
Kemper Auto and Home
Northwest (Everest, AIG)
Oregon Mutual
Philadelphia Insurance Company
Praetorian (KRM / Clarendon)
Republic Indemnity
Zenith
Zurich
For more rating information, visit www.ambest.com.
Common Consumer Insurance Questions | Are you an Insurance Broker?
August 10, 2009
Yes and No!
All Property and Casualty Insurance Agents are licensed as both an Agent and a Broker. Whether an insurance professional is working as an Agent or a Broker depends on their clients insurance needs and their relationship with the insurance companies. By definition, a Broker represents the client, where as the Agent represents the insurance company.
Our agents at San Ramon Insurance Agency are “Independent Agents”. As Independent Agents, we represent and are appointed with multiple insurance companies to provide our client with multiple insurance solutions. Companies like, Mercury, Travelers, Safeco, Allied, Hartford, and many others. As appointed Independent Agents, we have the authority to issue coverage, discuss billing, take payments, process claims, make changes and ultimately be everything you would expect from an insurance agent while being able to provide a broader level of coverage and premium options.
Sometimes however, we need to act as an Insurance Broker to obtain specialty insurance products that difficult to obtain from mainstream insurance companies. Some of these products might include high risk Home Insurance, General Liability, Professional Liability, Workers Compensation, Employment Practices Liability, etc. This coverage can be found from companies like Lloyd’s of London, Lexington, and AIG Companies.
There are significant differences, however between an Independent Agents and other types of agents. “Direct Writers” are companies like Geico, AAA, Esurance, and Progressive. These companies use their own employees (agents), including the internet, to sell insurance and provide customer service usually via an 800 number. While “Captive Agents”, are agents that are contractually bound with insurance companies, like Farmers, State Farm, Allstate, Liberty Mutual, and Nationwide. They are contractually obligated to sell only those insurance products offered by the company they represent and, in most cases, are unable to provide any alternatives.
Clearly, there are significant advantages to using an Independent Agent / Broker when shopping for your insurance needs. Independent Agents will provide personal service, multiple insurance options, and extensive knowledge of the insurance market place to find your family and your business the best insurance coverage.
If you would like a free insurance review, quote, or have any questions, please contact our office. One of our expert Independent Agents is ready to serve you!
Common Consumer Insurance Questions | What kind of Insurance do you provide?
August 3, 2009
FACT: Most people only buy insurance because it is required by law or by contract!
There are a few exceptions to this statement though. Life Insurance and Health Insurance are not necessarily required and remain extremely important to one’s financial security. However, if you take out a loan, a lease or create a contractual relationship with a business client, Liability and Property Insurance is required. That is when people usually call us.
The fiscally intelligent individuals – families and business who take a serious interest in their continued financial security – understand that insurance is extremely important to their continued success and continuity of assets. Insurance for these clients in not a mandatory or mundane product, but a well sought after product protect their assets. Insurance protects their tangible assets, real assets, and their financial assets (including savings and stream of income). Most importantly, they acquire a peace of mind knowing that if something happens, they have the “Promise” offered by insurance – the Promise that their life and business can continue with little financial disruption.
San Ramon Insurance Agency understands and specializes in insurance for protecting you, your family, and your business. This is accomplished with a combination of the following insurance products, and from the excellent insurance advise and options that can only be gathered by an Independent Insurance Agent. We off the following insurance products to meet your specific needs;
Personal Insurance
- Home, Rental, Condo, Vacation, and Landlord Insurance
- Auto, RV, Motorcycle, ATV, and Boat Insurance (including House Boats)
- Umbrella Insurance
Commercial Insurance
- Business Liability Insurance (aka General Liability Insurance)
- Business Property Insurance
- Business Automobile Liability
- Workers Compensation Insurance
- Umbrella & Excess Liability Insurance
- Employment Practices Liability Insurance
- Professional Liability Insurance
- Director & Officers Liability Insurance
- And, much more
Life Insurance:
- Term Life Insurance (primarily)
- Whole Life Insurance
- Universal Life Insurance
Health Insurance
- Individual Health Insurance (both Short-Term and Permanent Health Insurance)
- Small Group Health Insurance
If you would like a free insurance review, or have any questions, please contact our offices directly. One of our experienced independent agents are here to serve you!
