Blog

Property Insurance Market Uneasy After LA Wildfires

Just when the CA property insurance market was showing signs of recovery, the LA wildfires have thrown the market into total chaos. As the claim dollars are being tallied, the property insurance companies are in a state of shock. Many...

2024 Referral Contest Winners

Thank you for the 161 referrals in 2024. Below is a list of our prize drawing winners. Click here to refer a friend: Referral Form We only do business by referral, so we appreciate every referral we receive! We'd love to thank you with...

Tsunamis and Earthquakes! What's Covered?

Consider "winterizing" your home, even if you live in California! With winter comes storms, high winds, and flooding. There are steps you can take to prevent damage to your home. Also keep in mind, having a claim on your homeowners...

5 Tips For Property Owners in 2025

Have the homeowner non-renewals in the news made you nervous? Many companies are nonrenewing to reduce their risk, even in areas that have no fire danger. Some of this is out of your control, but is there anything you can control? Yes,...

Alive Insurance - Number One Travelers Agency

We are honored to be chosen by Travelers as their number one personal lines agency in Northern California!

Alive Customer Service – Ready To Help You

As our valued client, we are here to help you with your questions and concerns. Here are the best ways to contact us.

2024 Referral Contest Rules and Winners

We only do business by referral, so we appreciate every referral we receive! We'd love to thank you with a $25 Amazon gift card for every new client you refer AND we'll enter you for a chance to win an additional $50.

More Instability Ahead - Property Insurance Chaos

The big question on homeowner's minds: When will the property insurance market stabilize? Many are on edge because they are concerned about facing a non-renewal, or, they've already been down that road and wonder if there will ever be...

Winterizing Your Home and Flood Insurance Coverage

Consider "winterizing" your home, even if you live in California! With winter comes storms, high winds, and flooding. There are steps you can take to prevent damage to your home, and claims. Read on for our tips, and remember, flooding...

Steps You Can and Cannot Take to Prevent Losing your Homeowners Policy

Have the non-renewals in the news made you nervous? We understand. Some of this is out of your control. Many companies are nonrenewing to reduce their risk, even in areas that have no fire danger. Now, many homeowners are nervous about...

Homeowners Insurance Nonrenewals Due To Overconcentration In East Bay

The property and casualty insurance industry in California continues to be problematic. More than 85% of the admitted homeowners market is closed to new business, and a record number of nonrenewals have been making national news. Many...

Alive Insurance Provides Alternative to FAIR Plan in Orinda

State Farm is non-renewing 72,000 policies, with the biggest concentration in the city of Orinda. The FAIR plan may not be your only option. Alive Insurance offers surplus lines, or non-admitted carriers as an alternative.

Auto Rates Soar in 2024

As we predicted in December 2022, Auto rates have soaring, and will continue well into 2024 and beyond.  The Department of Insurance, starting at the beginning of the COVID 19 pandemic, did not allow rate increases for three years...

Flooding Not Covered on Homeowners Policies

We are fielding calls from concerned clients after floods hit their neighborhood, wondering if they are covered for flood damage to their homes.  Flood losses are NOT covered on any homeowners policy.  

2023 Referral Contest Winners

We only do business by referral, so we appreciate every referral we receive! We'd love to thank you with a $25 gift card for every new client you refer AND we'll enter you in that month's $50 drawing. 

Drones and Other Insurance Myth Busters

No, insurance companies are not spying on you and more common insurance myth busters.

2024 Property Insurance Forecast - More Chaos

Commissioner announces Sustainable Insurance Strategy, predicting CA property insurance market will be stabilized by early 2025. We are not confident of that timeline, meanwhile, consumers will continue to see skyrocketing costs.

Protect Your Home From Fire Danger!

It is frightening to see how quickly a home can burn.  Following these recommendations could save your home, and your life.

Governor's Executive Order Ray Of Hope?

Governor Gavin Newsom signed an Executive Order aimed at strengthening the property insurance market.  Will this make a difference, and what does it mean for California homeowners?

Lender Pay Is No Guarantee Of Payment

We've been shouting from the rooftops that there are no more grace periods in insurance because we don't want you to go without coverage.  Unfortunately, this has happened already to many of our clients, simply because they...

Miss A Payment, Get Labeled As Uninsurable

This article encapsulates the chaos and dysfunction in the CA insurance market. "Drivers who miss a payment are now labeled uninsurable."

Do You Need a Business Policy?

Whether you are starting a business, or run a business from home, you might wonder if you need a business policy.  If you already have business coverage, do you know if it's correct?  Does your agent call you every year to go...

Capacity Issues Affect All Property Owners

The California Insurance Property/Casualty market continues to deteriorate.  Just a few weeks ago, we outlined present conditions, as State Farm left the CA property market, and the effect that is already having on a difficult...

California Insurance in Disarray

We do not exaggerate when we tell you that the California property/casualty insurance market is in disarray. You might have heard the recent news that State Farm pulled out of the California property market. With 8% market share, a...

2022 Referral Contest Winners

We only do business by referral, so we appreciate every referral we receive! We'd love to thank you with a $20 gift card for every new client you refer AND we'll enter you in that month's $50 drawing.  If you give two or more...

Bay Area Flooding - Are You Covered?

We are fielding dozens of calls this week from concerned clients after the New Year's weekend super storm, wondering if they are covered for flood damage to their homes.  Unfortunately, flood losses are NOT covered on any...

Should You File That Water Claim?

If you have water damage in your home, should you file a claim?  We recommend caution before you do. According to a recent article, "In a study by the California Insurance Department, 25% of the companies refused to renew the...

Don't Pay = No Coverage!

We are very concerned to see several of our clients recently go for significant periods of time without any insurance coverage.  What happened?  They simply didn't pay their bill, and their policy expired.  When a policy...

Why Auto Insurance Rates Will Rise Sharply In 2023

Auto insurance rates are on the rise.  Why is this happening, and what can you do?

2022 Referral Contest

We only do business by referral, so we appreciate every referral we receive! Make sure we know about your referrals, so when they become a client, we can send a gift card to say thanks.

Why We Call You For Policy Reviews

Did you know that we call every one of our clients about a month before each policy renews? When it's your turn, you'll receive a quick call from Rick, Sherrie, or Leslie, who lead the effort of reviewing thousands of policies each...

When Will The Next Big Earthquake Hit?

Local Santa Rosa resident's Nest Cam records the 4.4 temblor. What should you do to prepare for an earthquake? Click below to make your safety plan today.On September 14, two earthquakes struck within one minute of each other near...

Hurricane Ian Insurance Claims Shocker

It was shocking to discover that many flood losses due to Hurricane Ian are not going to be covered, simply because the property owner did not have any flood insurance. 

Should You DIY Insurance?

Should you DIY your insurance?  When you get a policy online, you are just a number. Consider working with a local, independent agent. They will have expertise in local matters and also know who has the best rates in your area.

Anthony on KGO - Former Insurance Commissioner Cannot Insure His Home

Our President and Founder, Anthony Graziani, was on KGO radio 810. Check it the episode, "Former Insurance Commissioner Cannot Insure His Home" on Apple Podcasts, the KGO app, or on your web browser. 

Representation of Women in Insurance

Fire Safety

Do You Need An Umbrella Policy?

Neda Wins Prestigious S.T.A.R. Award

We are proud to announce that our hard working agent Neda Gilani-Byrd is the recipient of Travelers Personal Insurance S.T.A.R. - Superior Travelers Agent Recognition Award for the Northern California territory. Neda has been selected...

Winterize and Protect - Home and Auto

Hot tips to be safer in your home and on the road, and also prevent you from having to file claims! HOME Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, replace batteries Clean your gutters Have your roof inspected, repair any leaks,...

Why Have California Homeowners Premiums Increased?

When you got your homeowners insurance premium, did your eyes pop out of your head? You're not alone. Many homeowners in California hvae seen higher premium changes than usual. Let's talk about why that's happening, and what you can do...

Tips to Protect Your Catalytic Converter

Catalytic converter thefts are on the rise. To prevent theft, get a "Cat Lock" to protect it, sold at many repair shops. Make sure you have "Comprehensive" coverage on your vehicle. If the repair is more than your deductible, it will...

Should You Risk Not Having Earthquake Insurance?

The Bay Area hasn't had a catastrophic earthquake since 1989. Are you willing to gamble that you will not need earthquake insurance for the next big one? Reasons to consider earthquake insurance that you might not have considered: Loss...

2021 Referral Contest Winners

Congratulations to thewinners so far for our 2021 Referral Contest! 2021 Monthly WinnersPrize: $50 Amazon Gift Card January Heidi AbramsonFebruaryRosario FernandezMarchPatricia De Fonte April Meg Sedlak May Ed Diaz June John...

Register for an Online Account with your Carrier

Online Services Available Through Your Carrier Did you know that you can pay your bill, print ID cards, see and print declaration (coverage) pages and in some cases sign up for paperless document delivery through your carrier's...

2017 Referral Contest Winners

We are pleased to announce our 2017 annual Referral Contest Winners Grand Prize Winner - $500 Gift Card Teresa McGurn Runner's Up - $50 Gift Card Flora Bai Darrell Hoh Leland Armitage Victor Damian