Blogs

Is it just me, or are Pit Bulls in the news now more than ever before? Pit Bull shows are popping up right and left over the past few months and we couldn’t be happier (Pit Bulls and Paroles, Pit Boss, and the Michael Vick Project). Cesar Milan often showcases his Pit Bulls (they are his personal pets) on his show “The Dog Whisperer.” Other shows (It’s the Dog or Me, Dog Town, Dogs 101, etc.) often feature Pit Bulls in their episodes.

We are excited to be part of this recent article published in the San Diego Reader...and to be part of the education process when it comes to these misunderstood breeds, discrimination, landlords, insurance, etc.

http://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2010/feb/03/feature-who-put-dogs-out/

You are walking your dog on the sidewalk, something startles your 4 legged pal and WHAM…out of nowhere, his jaws are gripping a random pedestrian’s calf. You feel terrible, guilty and scared because you don’t know what’s going to happen to you or your dog. Not many people really believe their precious best friend will bite anyone. It’s one of those things you deny will every happen; sticking your head in the sand with this possibility can be an absolute nightmare (physically hurting someone or another animal, incurring medical and legal expenses).

Winter is finally here. As I lay in bed (all toasty in my electric blanket), there isn’t a night that goes by where I don’t think about all the dogs that sleep outside in the cold. I know those non-Californians will roll their eyes when they read this, but hey, to us in CA, IT’S COLD!

Buying a home is one of the biggest purchases in a lifetime. After making this HUGE decision to pull the trigger on a home, you can take pride in the security, comfort and equity it provides you and your family.

Unfortunately, most people don’t consider how to protect this asset in the event you or your spouse/partner dies. Today, it is very common for both adults in a household to pay for a mortgage; imagine the difficulty to maintain payments with only one income.

Most people believe this is TRUE because they think the HOA insures the interior (including contents) and exterior of the unit. In some cases, the HOA policy will cover both the interior and exterior, but it never covers your contents or personal property.

Most of the time, the property owner is responsible for the “walls-in.” This is also known as an HO-6 policy where the homeowner is responsible for the paint, flooring, baseboards, fixtures, cabinetry, sinks/toilets, fixed/attached appliances, etc. and their personal property.

I truly believe that renters insurance is the best bang for your buck. On average renters insurance usually runs between $20-$25/mo and covers two main things:
1. your personal property
2. the unintentional actions of you, your family members and your pets.

COVERAGE #1: PERSONAL PROPERTY
Personal property is all of your “stuff.” This is anything you would take with you if you moved.

Walk down any street in any neighborhood with a pit bull and you will most likely experience a feeling similar to Moses when he parted the Red Sea. Almost everyone will cross the street or get out of the way. However, walk down the same street with a 100 pound golden retriever and people would smile and ask to pet the dog.

We used to refer to “Fire Season” as the summer months. Fires would usually start in July and keep us on our toes until October. Unfortunately, this is no longer the case and thanks to global warming and arson, fire season is now year round.
Summer doesn’t end in September. We now have the hot and dry “Summer” weather from June to November causing plants to dry out and brush to become more hazardous.

Several decades ago, a large fire was about 15,000 acres, today it is common for a fire to be 100,000 acres.

So, what can you do to be prepared?