Four airline fares to Hawaii in June could cost over $2,500 dollars. Could you spend that much in gas, even driving from Tustin to Yellowstone National Park? Not quite. And no, Yellowstone is not Waikiki Beach, but who knows? What with iPads and other mobile devices, you can probably keep the kids pretty occupied on the trip, unlike those days back in the 50s when they had to rely on (gasp!) their imagination. Or, even worse, READ A BOOK.

In fact, approximately 30.7 million Americans plan to drive to their destination this Memorial Day weekend—an increase of more than 500,000 travelers on the road compared to 2011, according to the American Automobile Association. So our recommendations are 1) travel safe and head out early to avoid traffic and 2) make sure your car is in tip-top shape before you head out. Here’s our list of nine things you should do before hitting the road this Memorial Day:

1. Check it out: Schedule your car for a checkup to make sure all your fluid levels are where they need to be, parts tightened, hoses free from cracks or leaks, and the radiator in good condition. Are you near to needing an oil change or tune up? Get that done too.
2. Charge it: We may not think of the battery very often, but it can be a real pain if your car doesn’t start. Especially if you’re camping and there’s not a service station for miles! A little baking soda and water will help you get your terminals spic and span.
3. Burn rubber: Well, check to make sure you’ve got sufficient tread and that your tires are free from tears or bulges in the side wall. Not only are blown tires a scary, dangerous occurrence at any time, you could cause an accident that injures your family or others. Again, four new tires cost less than one ticket to Hawaii!
4. Brake out: When you take your car in for that service, make sure to have them check the brakes carefully, especially if you’re doing any mountain driving. And driving anywhere from Orange County guarantees a hilly drive, whether you’re going out through Palm Springs or up the Grapevine to northern destinations.
5. Prepare for emergencies: Yes, if all the prep you’ve done for your car doesn’t work, or another car causes an accident, you’ll be happy you packed a flashlight, blanket, first-aid kit, extra water and healthy snacks to keep you and your family comfortable until help arrives.
6. Pack it up: Did you know that your gas mileage is affected by how many pounds you pack in your car? Also, did you know that most new cars provide a placard that tells you how much weight you can carry in total? It’s usually on the jam of the driver’s door. And, if you’re not using that roof rack, take it off to reduce drag.
7. Map it: GPS devices are inexpensive these days, and if your car hasn’t come with one pre-installed, then it’s best to invest in one before a long trip. Yes, there are apps you can use on your smartphones, so don’t forget to investigate those options before springing for the top-of-the-line GPS system!
8. In-Flight Entertainment: Kids are used to constant stimulation these days, so make sure they’ve got everything they need to keep occupied during the trip. Invest in a tablet and load it up with their favorite apps and movies. Get the hand-held video game device to play the games they love from their Playstation or home gaming system. Older children might love a Kindle or other e-book reader. For more ideas on how to keep kids entertained, visit the Consumer Report’s top ten tips page.
9. And last, but not least: Check your automobile insurance to make sure you’re fully covered for collision and breakdowns. We will happily give you a free insurance review before you embark on your Memorial Day or other summer road trip. Call us or stop by!

At BMR Insurance, we always put our customers first. We want everyone to be safe and covered if an accident happens. Why not find out why we’ve been Tustin’s most popular insurance agency for over 30 years? Call (714) 838-1911 for an appointment for that free insurance review.

Is your graduate off to college, or to real life? Help them with car insurance coverage.

It’s hard to see them leave the nest, even if part of you is happy at the thought of the smaller laundry loads, a cheaper grocery bill and the peace and quiet. But today’s high school grads moving into college have a lot to worry about. And it’s something you’ve worried about for years: Affording college.

You may have saved every last penny to help them afford tuition, but there’s so many other costs involved—books, food (let’s face it, “food” should be substituted for “beer”), Led Zeppelin t-shirts, industrial-sized bags of coffee beans from Costco, gas….and the all-important car.

Even for a student living on campus, a car can be a lifesaver, and we don’t just mean coming home to do their laundry. Many college students will take on a job or an internship in order to help those college costs that keep adding up, and a car will be their ticket to getting there and back to class on time.

But some students nowadays are attending more than one college in order to graduate within a reasonable amount of time—with all the cuts to education, many colleges are cutting back on classes or teachers, and even making tuition prohibitively expensive for some students. Without a car, these students wouldn’t be able to get from college to college, from class to class.

Having car insurance is not optional in California, and that’s one thing that a busy college student can forget. They can also forget to pay their insurance bill! So why not help out your proud graduate in a few ways:

1. Help them get a good deal on a car: Many young people aren’t aware of the many places you can buy a car. It’s not just a dealership or, at the other end of the spectrum, Craig’s List. For instance, let them know that many car companies offer college graduate rebates (click here for a list), and that they can use local car resellers like Harrison Auto, who can do a lot of the legwork and give them reliable advice. (They’re having a special Graduates’ Deal right now!)
2. Help them find the best deal on car insurance: They’ll probably start off calling the big names they see on TV, not knowing that there are smaller companies that could get them a better deal. And if they are still a dependent of yours, you can probably keep them on your policy, saving everyone a lot of cash. Use an independent agency, like us, to find an honestly unbiased deal on car insurance.
3. Pay for their car insurance for at least a year: Why not? It’s one less thing for them to think about, and one more thing for you to sleep easy about. You’re going to be worried enough about them driving around, so why not make sure if they get in an accident, the money saved for college tuition is safe!?

Call us now for a great deal on car insurance—not just for your graduate, but for your whole family. At BMR Insurance, you’ll always talk to a real live person, sitting in our real live office in the same spot on Newport Avenue for the last 30 years. We’re not going anywhere—we’re going to be here to serve Tustin and Orange County for years to come! (714) 838-1911

Image: t0zz / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Don't let a freeway mishap destroy your business!

One thing that America has always been, no matter the state of the economy, a land of opportunity. And now is a great time for entrepreneurs to get out and finally live their dream of being a business owner! And although California is a great place to live, yet again Chief Executive magazine has ranked the state dead last in their list of states with good business climates. That is why we, at BMR Insurance, make it our mission to help out business owners by giving them great deals on their commercial auto insurance.

How bad is it in California? “CEOs tell us that California seems to be doing everything possible to drive business from the state. Texas, by contrast, has been welcoming companies and entrepreneurs, particularly in the high-tech arena,” said J.P. Donlon, editor of Chief Executive, in a San Jose Business Journal article.

But don’t think that you can save money by not having commercial auto insurance. It doesn’t matter which of the 50 United States you’re in, they all require all businesses that own vehicles to carry commercial auto insurance by law. And this is not a bad thing, when you think about it. One small mistake could ruin not just your business, but also your entire life savings.

For instance: You’re a landscape architect, and you load all your tools in the back of your truck for a new job up the road in Tustin. You jump on the 5 freeway, and one of those tools comes loose from the bungee cord, flies out and hits another car’s windshield. That car then swerves and causes a 10-car pileup. Wait—YOU caused a 10-car pileup! How valuable is that commercial auto insurance policy now?

Our insurance policies cover contractors, plumbers, florists, caterers, private drivers and any other small business owner or privately owned corporations. As a matter of fact, if you fit any of the below scenarios, you should consider commercial auto insurance:

• You use company vehicles to transport goods or people, conduct services, call on clients or haul tools and equipment
• You or your employees use personal vehicles to conduct company business or entertain clients
• You or your employees use rental cars or vans while traveling or conducting company business

Still confused? It’s easy to be regarding business matters in our fair state of California. But don’t worry—the staff at BMR Insurance Agency will be happy to explain what coverage is right for your business. We hope to have the perfect insurance policy waiting for you. Just give us a call and see if our free competitive quotes help you lower the cost of doing business in California: (714) 838-1911, or just stop by! We’re still in the Newport Avenue building we’ve been in for over 30 years.

Image: EA / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Jet skis are extremely fun, but insurance is required! Photo by Tony Dowson.

With constant images of the beach, surfing and hot sunny days posted on television programs and the Internet, California is well known for its natural water sources and the plethora of available recreational sports. Water skis, jet skis, yachts, canoes, kayaks—all provide hours of fun and excitement. But did you know that just like a car, you are expected to have insurance coverage for your boats and personal watercraft?

Even though you are on the water, there are still many dangers that could cause harm to you as an owner, or your passengers. You can still encounter drunk drivers on the water and on the road, especially during the Memorial Day, Labor Day and Fourth of July weekends, as well as animals such as sharks, natural disasters, theft, boat or property damage, or bodily damage. We’ve had a high number of whale sightings this year, so don’t discount that as a possibility for damage! A harbor fire, like the one that occurred recently in Squalicum Harbor in Washington State less than a month ago, is a very real danger to boat owners who keep their vessels moored.

Some insurance policies cover boats and watercraft through your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance, but that is only worth 10% of the home property value or up to $1,000. Specialty boats and watercraft, such as yachts and wave runners, require a separate policy to cover the larger expenses and higher risks. These polices differ depending on the size, type, and value of the craft in addition to the type of water source it is used in.

The two preferred policies are called Actual Cash Value and Agreed Amount Value. The Actual Cash Value policy replaces the total loss of a vessel by determining its approximate market value from used-boat pricing guides and similar resources at the time of the loss. The other option is to follow through with an Agreed Amount Value policy, or a valued amount determined by you and your insurer. A full loss will result in the amount agreed upon, while a partial loss will result in the replacement of the old items without any sort of deduction for depreciation.

Talk to your insurance provider before you take to the waves, you may find out your watercraft is not covered for as much as you think, or you may find out you are paying too much. We at BMR Insurance are dedicated to finding the right policy for you and your passengers. Call us today and inquire about our discounts in insurance policies for boaters who have been trained in safety education courses, own diesel powered craft, or have other means of lowering their water hazard risk. Our agents are here to provide you the best possible customer service so that you are ready to enjoy the coming heat in style—and safety.

Take weddings for instance. It is that one day of your life that you are supposed to remember forever, but for all the right reasons. Then the worst-case scenario happens. Due to embezzlement and tax fraud, you find out on the day of the wedding that the banquet hall you booked for your reception has suddenly closed down due to bankruptcy. You now have no place to entertain 200 guests for the next four or five hours after the wedding, and the bakery, DJ, and limo drivers have no idea where to go after the ceremony. Sound like a haunting nightmare? Well for many future brides and grooms, it was a full-blown reality. The abrupt and sudden closing of Simon’s Banquet Hall in San Pedro Harbor last winter crushed the dreams—and wallets—of many soon-to-be-wedded couples. Some of these unfortunate lovers did not know that the establishment was closed until they stopped by to drop off their final deposit before their wedding that Friday!

This was just one of many events last year that contributed to Travelers Insurance’s 2011 case study on wedding coverage. Thirty-one percent of the claims involved the venues or vendors being double booked, going bankrupt, or simply not showing up. The claims then proceeded with 19% being contributed to injuries, 17% to military duty, unforeseen cancellations, and attire mishaps (such as the groom’s tuxedo being lost in the baggage claim), 13% involved theft or vandalism, and the last 10% accounted for catastrophic weather.

Now, we have only talked about weddings, but our insurance is applicable to all special events. Brides and grooms are not the only ones who need to be protected! Any event that you have coming up in your life should be protected from unforeseen events, no matter how simplistic or complex the situation appears to be. Feel free to contact one of our agents and receive an accurate estimate for the coverage you are looking for including bodily injury, theft, and third-party damage. Make sure that your next event doesn’t end up like the movies! BMR Insurance can help with coverage—just don’t ask us to arrange flowers or decorate the cake. Call now for a free quote: (714) 838-1911.

With the lack of rain we've had, the wildfires are predicted to be very bad this year.

When the flames begin to burn through the Californian terrain, don’t expect the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, to provide you and your family with the necessary funds to rebuild your home. Even if the wildfires become a natural disaster and create tens of millions of dollars in damage, the federal agency is not obligated to assist the state or the families with property damage, lost possessions or loss of life.

You might think this couldn’t happen, but it just did.

Through February and early March of this year, Illinois was hit by several tornadoes and severe storms that killed seven people and damaged hundreds of homes. Governor Pat Quinn requested federal action from FEMA to aid with their recovery, but was denied.

“Based on our review of all of the information available, it has been determined that the damage was not of such severity and magnitude as to be beyond the capabilities of the State, affected local governments, and voluntary agencies. Accordingly, we have determined that supplemental Federal assistance is not necessary,” according to the letter, of which msnbc.com obtained a copy. “Therefore, I must inform you that your request for a major disaster declaration is denied.”

The letter of denial resulted in much surprise and disappointment, especially from Mayor Eric Gregg of Harrisburg, Illinois. He told the Chicago Tribune that the damage was estimated in the “tens of millions” and that the refusal of federal aid was unacceptable. Luckily, the lawmakers of Illinois wrote out a joint statement describing their dire situation to President Obama, and he declared Illinois to be in a state of disaster and provided them with relief.

However, not every state can be so lucky as to get an appeal from the President himself. That is why it is so important for every family to be protected by their own insurance. Make sure that your home is covered in the case of a wildfire or other natural disaster, and that it will provide you with enough funds to rebuild or repair as needed.

In addition, check with your current insurance agent to see if your high-ticket items are covered as well. Most homeowner’s insurance policies only cover up $1,000 in losses and renter’s insurance provides only $500. In most cases, these amounts are extremely insufficient to cover the loss of jewelry, art, antiques and even sporting equipment like skis, golf clubs or racing cycles. With BMR Insurance, we always ask about your valuable items to make sure you are covered for any theft, loss or damage.

If you are insured through BMR Insurance Agency and would like to receive a free insurance review, please do not hesitate to call us. We want to make sure you feel safe and at ease, knowing that even the toughest natural disaster cannot beat our coverage! Call us now on (714) 838-1911 before the fire season starts—insurance can only help you if you are properly covered.

Zero Motorcycle's S ZF9

Even though we didn’t have a bad winter this year here in Southern California—what was that, like 6 days of rain altogether?—it’s nice to see the days getting longer and the sun shining. And it’s not just that the weather’s warming up that’s getting drivers on motorcycles—it’s the rising cost of gasoline too.

That’s right, don’t tell us you haven’t felt like crying at the pumps recently. It was nearly at $5 per gallon a couple of weeks ago! And prices aren’t going to get any better any time soon—even though the Orange County average price fell today for the 17th time in 18 days, decreasing eight-tenths of a cent to $4.284, which is 4.7 cents less than a week ago and 7.7 cents lower than one month ago, it’s still 18.9 cents more than one year ago.

And although 18.9 cents doesn’t sound like a lot when you’re reading it, multiply that by how many gallons your tank holds. Even if you tank only holds 15 gallons, each fill up is going to cost you that little bit more—about as much as your daily Starbucks latte.

So have the sales of motorcycles really gone up? Yes they have, but people aren’t going out and buying a Harley-Davidson or a Ducati. Not at all, according to a Los Angeles Times article last month. Sales of electric motorcycles have gone through the roof.

What? you may be asking, especially if you are a die-hard motorcycle lover and rider. That sounds like a scooter! Not anymore—the Zero Motorcycle’s S ZF9 can reach a top speed of 88 miles per hour and travel up to 112 miles per charge. It’s only $14,000, too—a lot cheaper than any car. And a leading seller of electric motorcycles in Los Angeles, Hollywood Electrics, says that it sold more electric motorcycles in the first two months of 2012 than it did in the two previous years combined. It might be because these new motorcycles run on about 2 cents’ worth of electricity per mile. That’s a lot less than the 18.9 cent increase per gallon we just mentioned!

But whether or not you are an experienced rider or someone who just scored their first electric motorcycle, you need insurance. Even if you are a defensive, careful motorcyclist (not like the guy doing a wheelie at 80mph on the 405 we saw about a year ago—absolute truth!), accidents will happen, and let’s face it, on a motorcycle you’ve got the worst odds of coming out unscathed. Call BMR Insurance now: We can help you get the best coverage for your situation that fits your budget. Why not come on by with your new motorcycle? We’d love to check it out! (714) 838-1911

And, don’t forget: We also insure ATVs, motorhomes, dirtbikes, segways, golf carts and all sorts of other motor vehicles! Just ask!

Does your garage look like this? It's time for spring cleaning, because that's a fire hazard!

Here we are, nearly in April, and there has been far too little rainfall in the past three months. The fire season will burn brighter and longer than previous years, and there is only so much your insurance will cover. Remember: If accidents occur because the owner did not keep up reasonable maintenance or neglected basic safety issues, then the insurance provider may hold them liable for any damage that is caused. That is why we have provided you with 10 different ways you can fireproof your home while doing this year’s spring cleaning.

Outside:

1. You should check your grass and vegetation for dead spots due to the lack of rainfall. The dry brush can instantly catch fire and pull the flames towards your house. Make sure to either remove the dead flora or properly water the dead spots so that it is more likely to resist the heat.

2. If your yard is on, or next to, government-owned property such as a hillside, forest, or overgrown area, be sure to remove pine needles, leaves and other debris from your yard. Where possible, it would also be a good idea to keep the plants and trees at least 30 feet from your house.

3. Along the same lines, keep your gutters and roof clear of build-up and debris. The absence of this “fuel” lowers the chances of a potential fire.

4. When planting trees close to any power line, contact your local utility company to confirm the maximum tree height allowable for your area. As an extra precaution, keep the trees and shrubs spaced 10 feet apart from one another.

Inside:

5. Clear out your basements and attics and get rid of old construction materials, papers, linens, mattresses and other combustible items that you no longer use. The garage should also be cleared of any oil or chemical residues on the floor, on rags or in storage.

6. Similarly, cleaning materials filled with chemicals should not be stored under the sink. They should be placed in a secure and fire resistant storage unit.

7. Donating or giving away non-combustible items no longer in use is also a good idea. Even though they cannot catch flame as easily, removing unwanted clutter creates a safer environment and allows you to have an unblocked escape route in case of an emergency. Why not have a garage sale and make some money off of those items you haven’t used in ages?

8. In terms of regular home maintenance, be sure to have the proper professionals inspect your electrical, natural gas and water supply lines on a regular basis. Please call us for referrals to licensed, bonded and insured companies.

9. Make sure your address number on the house or curbside is visible and legible for emergency personnel in case of a fire.

10. Most importantly, install and inspect smoke detectors throughout your household to make sure they are working properly. A fire extinguisher readily available in the kitchen or throughout the home is also highly advisable.

If you have any questions about your insurance coverage or seek further knowledge on how to protect your home from this upcoming fire season, please contact one of our agents. We would be delighted to assist you in any way possible. Either call us on (714) 838-1911, use our online form or why not just stop by? We’re always happy to help our customers in the best way possible—face-to-face. Customer service is our number one priority!

Lapsing on mortgage payments usually means a lapse in paying homeowners insurance, and that can spell trouble.

Times can be tough, even in a state of slow economic recovery, especially for homeowners across America. Right now, homeowners throughout California are complaining about the outrageous rates required by the forced homeowners’ insurance policies purchased by their mortgage lenders.

According to Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones of California, these policies are “at a price higher than insurance they could obtain themselves”. In response to this insurance crisis, Jones instructed the ten largest “lender coverage” providers in California to lower their rates for clients who have lapsed on their previous residential policies.

Subsequently, news of this demand caused insurance provider company, Assurant, Inc., to take a major free fall in the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index. This was the company’s biggest drop since January: Down $1.31, or 3.1 percent per share, to $40.85 at 4:15 p.m. on March 14th in New York. Their spokesman, Robert Byrd, commented on the subject of lowering rates with a statement saying, “As a regulated insurance provider in 50 states, we routinely work with regulatory authorities, and we look forward to continued discussions.”

So what does the future currently hold for homeowners? Well, Commissioner Jones gave the insurance companies until April 1^st to come up with an official response to his firm request. Until then, the state took it upon itself to formulate a review of the insurance policies and found that, “loss ratios are low, which typically points to excessive premiums and is evidence to support complaints”. Meaning that there might be some hope for those unfortunate enough to be locked down under mortgage insurance policies.

The bright side is that if you are interested in finding homeowner’s insurance, then BMR Insurance Agency is here to help find you the perfect match. It is not just our duty to inform you of all upcoming deadlines, we pride ourselves on maintaining proper communication so that your insurance will never lapse.

Call us now on (714) 838-1911 for a free insurance makeover, or even stop on by. We’ve been at the same place on Newport Avenue for over 30 years and we love hosting our clients!

OCFA Fire Marshal Laura Blaul took responsibility for the lack of communication to the general public and reassured that the purpose of the new maps was to provide updated and scientific data to be used as a tool to educate authorities and residents about fire prevention in high risk areas.  The Orange County Fire Authority also took it upon themselves to research the homeowners’ specific inquiries about insurance policies. Their discovery was that the availability of the new fire hazard maps did not affect the data for underwriting services providing for insurance companies, nor was the information to be considered in these underwriting services. In fact, unincorporated areas in Orange County, such as Ladera Ranch and Coto de Caza, have been using the updated maps since 2008 and have not recorded any change in property value or insurance policies.

Still, the OFCA’s research and investigations with the state Department of Insurance, the California FAIR Plan Association and the Insurance Services Office, have not swayed the opinion of local residents. The demarcation lines and accuracy of the indicated zones on the fire hazard maps are still being questioned due to their lack of logic. In some areas, the high fire severity zones cut through neighborhoods indicating that some houses are at risk, but the ones standing next to them are completely safe.  In addition, locals also point out that reservoirs, lakes, and stricter building standards are not taken into account when these maps are formulated.

So even though it is the responsibility of local, state, or federal authorities to map out their jurisdiction for fire prevention, their methods could still provide insurance companies with information that could lead to a potential increase in homeowner’s insurance. Be sure to contact your insurance company for more information on how they process your local fire hazard maps.

If you have any questions or inquiries about the subject, please feel free to contact one of our agents at BMR Insurance Agency. We will provide you with the professionalism and information that you need and deserve from an insurance broker in the greater Orange County Area. Call us now on (714) 838-1911, use our online chat service or even stop by—we’re always available for a face-to-face chat. We welcome the time with our customers!