By myWomanWize January 22, 2011
Welcome to the community. Look forward to doing business with your company! ...read more
By Anonymous February 01, 2008
The agents at CIA are the best! If your looking for a good quote thats cheap and convienent for you, call them!! They shop you around till you're happy with a price they can find for you! Even the receptionist there is very friendly and know's how to help customers! I will NEVER go back to AllState or Geico! ...read more
If you have homeowners insurance, you already know that it covers property damage and liability risks. But exactly what types of damages are covered? Apart from theft and vandalism, many natural disasters are covered under most standard homeowners insurance policies, such as: Fire Severe storm Hail Tornado Hurricane Being that these are some of the most common natural disasters across much of the country, many people are comfortable with standard home insurance. However, these policies typically exclude flood and earthquake coverage, which will need to be purchased separately if desired. Now that you know what types of natural disasters are included, what exactly can be repaired or replaced in the event that one of these disasters damages your home? Property damage:Covers the structure of your home, including detached structures on your property such as a shed or fence. Personal belongings:Covers the contents within your home, generally up to half the total value of your home's structure. If you need extra contents coverage or coverage for antique/high value items, you can often purchase a policy rider. Relocation costs:Covers living expenses associated with temporary relocation if a covered disaster renders your home uninhabitable for a period of time. This all sounds great, right? But most American homeowners are underinsured without even knowing it. Having the correct amount of homeowners insurance is vital when it comes time to file a claim. Think of it this way: fires cause over $7 billion of damage and tornadoes cause over $28 billion of damage across the country each year. With a good insurance policy at your side, your only expense after suffering through a natural disaster is likely the deductible you select (unless damages exceed policy limits). Talk to your independent agent today to ensure that your policy fully protects the needs of you and your family for years to come. Get the coverage you need. Call Salzberg Insurance Agency at (757) 583-1828 for more information on Norfolk home insurance. ...read more
By Salzberg Insurance Agency November 14, 2014
This is an issue that many people do not understand about the dwelling replacement cost on homeowners insurance increasing every year. This happens even as the real estate market is going down. Here are some reason why construction costs for homes are growing. The United States Department of Labor Statistics reports that the cost of materials used to build standard homes has risen almost 2% in the past year. Since the materials used in high value custom built homes are often transported from outside the United States and/or design centers such as New York, Chicago and San Francisco, increased cost of those components is even higher. The residential real estate market is improving and showing a positive impact for home builders and renovators. The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development reports building permits for privately owned homes increased by almost 30% in 2012. Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies expects that double-digit growth in home improvement spending will continue well into 2014 as homeowners see the real estate market continuing to improve. After hurricanes: Ike; Wilma; Rita and Katrina – material and labor costs rose an average of 5.8%. Considering the extent of damage done by Super-Storm Sandy we can expect increases in excess of that average. The homes with the most severe damage from Super-Storm Sandy have not even been granted building permits yet because changes to the building code will most likely be made. Although compliance with code is not part of Coverage A, the additional coverage for rebuilding to code will still have an impact on Insurance To Value. Therefore, we need to plan for what we anticipate will happen when rebuilding commences. The price of lumber rose 16.3% in 2012 (primarily in the 3rd and 4th quarter) while sheetrock prices went up 23.7%. Economic forecasters, including the Association of General Contractors, predict other building materials will also increase once rebuilding begins. Due to the depressed residential construction environment, contractors went out of business and laborers left to seek other employment. All our sources tell us this will be a problem once the rebuilding of homes damaged by Super-Storm Sandy begins. There will not only be a shortage of laborers, but also a huge demand for quality craftsmen because so many multi-million dollar homes were damaged. After four years of minimal increases in labor rates, a large jump in the second half of 2013 can almost be guaranteed. (Source: AIG) Contact us to learn more about the dwelling replacement costs on Virginia home insurance. ...read more
By Salzberg Insurance Agency November 27, 2013
Hurricane season, which lasts from June 1 to November 30, can wreak havoc on small businesses. According to the Insurance Information Institute, 60% of the top 10 costliest natural disasters were hurricanes. There are several different ways that a hurricane can damage the business you have worked so hard to build. To begin with, gale-force winds can destroy roofing, siding, and even outdoor equipment. The torrential rains associated with hurricanes can produce massive flooding, and as little as six inches can destroy the critical infrastructure of a business. If the business is near the coastline, enormous waves can even wipe out the entire physical location.Staying Safe: Hurricane Preparedness TipsFollowing a few hurricane preparedness tips can drastically reduce the chances that a business will be destroyed in the event of a hurricane. Staying aware is one major step towards preventing financial disaster.Secure Windows:Use storm shutters over all exposed windows at the business. All other glass surfaces should also be protected. In the event that time is short, plywood covering can also be effective at protecting the windows in the event of a hurricane.Store Vital Data:In addition to storing data securely online, keep hard copies of any valuable information at a separate location. Ensure that important information is backed up on a weekly basis.Create a Survival Kit: A survival kit should include extra batteries, a flashlight, a battery-operated or crank radio, canned food, water, a first aid kit, waterproof ponchos and plastic bags, and reliable shoes. Being prepared beforehand can go a long way in helping to navigate an emergency hurricane situation. FEMA recommends acomplete list of items for your kit. Develop An Emergency Response Plan:Include vital employees in the process of crafting an emergency plan. The emergency plan should lay out the protocol for what happen in the immediate aftermath of an incident, in addition to including emergency contact information and plans for how communication will be managed between employees and customers.Inspect Regularly:Since siding and roofing materials are especially susceptible to hurricane damage, conduct a biannual review to assess their strength and complete any necessary repairs.Purchase Virginia Business Insurance:Insurance is designed to give confidence and peace of mind that the business' assets are protected in the event of an emergency.Flood insurancecan close a significant gap between a general business owner's policy and the damages caused from a hurricane. In addition to a basic policy, business owners should consider business interruption insurance, which covers the down time while the business is completing repairs to return to full operational status.For a quote on the best insurance coverage for a business in a hurricane zone, call us at 757-583-1828. ...read more
By Salzberg Insurance Agency July 30, 2013
Having motor insurance gives you peace of mind, and looking for motor insurance involves carefully comparing motor insurance. Comparing motor insurance will ensure that you receive a good insurance rate and a provider that will provide quality service when you need it most. ...read more
When you have booked a cruise, the last thing on your mind are the things that can go wrong. You probably are more concerned with the fun times ahead. Unfortunately, cruise travel insurance should come to mind, as not having coverage can create problems such as lost items or trip cancellation problems... ...read more
