What do I need??

General Liability Insurance (GL) is the most common type of policy that is needed. It covers legal costs and damages if you are sued or someone is hurt on your property. Or if someone is hurt from using your product. Of course this does not cover Profesional Liability which is coverage for bad advice or slander.

Business Owners Policy (BOP) is a policy with multi levels of coverage. It combines liability with property and interruption coverage.  Which will certainly help in a loss. Since the homeowners coverage will not cover property that is specifically purchases for the business. This coverage would be included as the Business Personal Property. Interruption coverage is the loss of profits while the building is being rebuilt, such as after a fire.

No matter the business there is certainly a need for there to be coverage. Here at AnCap we can help you find the right amount of coverage for your business. Give us a call and we can get you a quote.

This morning on azcentral.com there was an article about a teen who took the parents car without consent. The boy was told by his parents that he was not allowed to take the car unless going to specific places. He decided that he could get around the disciplinary action, and went out with his friends.

There was an accident with serious injuries.

Who is liable the parents or the kid?

The parents were found liable for the teens actions. The argument before the court was that he was violating their direction. Unfortunately the court did not see that as enough evidence for the parents to not be liable for the accident.

The family purpose doctrine states that the owner of a car is  liable for damages incurred by a family member while using the car. Since the teen was given permission to use the car when it was needed, he was in fact allowed to use the car. Hence makes the parents liable for any accident that was caused to the teens driving. It would be the same if he hadn’t been in trouble with his parents.

If the accident causes more damage that the insurance company will pay out, the parent’s are personally responsible for the excess due. This reason is why we always suggest a higher limit and umbrella for parents of teen drivers.

Do you know what the law says about pool safety??

Arizona law states:

1. Pool enclosures need to be at least five feet tall.
2. Openings in the fence cannot be larger than four inches. A self closing gate must open outward.
3. The fence must start at least twenty inches from the edge of the pool.

  It is also recommended that all children living in Arizona take swimming lessons by age three. Basic rules to follow are never swim alone and never leave a child alone near water. When you are out by the pool this summer it is a good idea to make sure you have your phone with you.

  Of course the swimming pool is not the only place that a drowning can occur. Make sure that you are always careful when in your home cleaning, bathing or if you have an open pond. It only takes two inches of water for a child to drown.

When Arizonans felt the effects of the magnitude 7.2 earthquake that hit Baja California, Mexico on Easter Sunday, there were reports of swaying buildings, rattled walls, and sloshing pool waters. but no major damage.

“Historically, the Valley of the Sun has not had any measurable earthquakes since 1875,” explains Frank Capparelle, Sr., Founder, President, and CEO of AnCap Insurance.  “Flagstaff is built along some fault lines but there has not been any significant activity in the area that caused damage since 1912.”

Basic homeowners’ insurance policies do NOT cover damage from earthquakes.  Thirty-nine states have experienced earthquakes since 1900, and about 90% of Americans live in areas considered seismically active. Yet only a small percentage of people purchase earthquake insurance, which is an addendum to a homeowner’s insurance policy.

Even in California, where earthquake fears are a part of daily life, only about ten percent of homeowners have earthquake insurance.

When buying insurance, think replacement costs

If you decide to buy earthquake insurance, you need to purchase enough to cover the costs of rebuilding your house and replacing broken possessions,” continues Frank.  “The amount of insurance should be based on replacement and reconstruction costs, NOT the market value of your property and possessions.”

“Additionally, you should find out your rights for filing claims.  It’s important to know how much time you have to file a claim as in some cases, damage from earthquakes is not immediately apparent.”

Contact us for more information about earthquake insurance.

Family Traditions

We Capparelle’s have long carried our family traditions throughout the generations and this Easter will be no different.  We’ll eat no meat today nor have we partaken of any during the Fridays in Lent.

My wife Ann is busy planning for the buffet feast she will prepare for Sunday after services.  There will be the traditional egg dish.  Egg symbolizes Easter as a new beginning and when Grandma used to bake the fresh bread, she would always have an egg nesting in the center of the loaf.

All seven members of our immediate family will be at our home along with cousins, grandchildren’s boyfriends, and longtime friends.

Instilling Family Values

While many of our relatives back in chilly Connecticut will be celebrating around inside dining room tables, we’ll be enjoying our beautiful weather on the patio in typical Arizona fashion.  Despite the 2,000 mile distance, we’ll still share the warmth and connection that traditional family values instill.

That’s why I enjoy what I do every day.  I learned early on in life to protect the things that matter most to me in life.  There’s no question that family means everything to me, as I’m sure it does to you.

I’ve protected my family.  And, I want to offer the same protection to you and yours.

Have a wonderful Easter

May you and yours have a blessed, peaceful, Happy Easter.

Even before St. Patrick’s Day has arrived, we’re hearing sad news about people who drank too much, turning festive celebrations into tragedies.

Sunday’s horrific accident during Montreal’s St. Patrick’s Day parade reminds us that fatalities can occur whether or not the intoxicated person is behind the wheel of a car.

In this case, a 20-year-old man jumped on a float during the parade and when he jumped off, he was pinned underneath.

Police confirmed that alcohol was a factor is his death.

Did you know you could be liable?

Many people often don’t know their limits when drinking, and often people don’t think about liability. Did you know that:

• If you’re pulled over for driving under the influence (DUI), not only could you face fines or jail time, your insurance will go up.

• If you lend your car to a family member or friend, you are liable. If a serious accident occurs, you could be financially liable if the claims exceed the amount of coverage you have on your car.

Tips for happy and safe celebrating      

As for St. Patrick’s Day and any future celebrations, we recommend following these tips issued by Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety:

• Plan a safe way home before your celebrations begin.
• If you plan to get a ride home with someone else, designate a sober driver before any drinking begins.
• If you’re impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation so you are sure to get home safely.
• Ask if the cab or bar offers a “Free Ride Back” or other free or discounted transportation program.

Share your safety tips

What other tips do you recommend for a safe St. Patrick’s Day?