Category: Home Insurance

The majority of people do not even consider flood insurance for their home, especially if the home is in an area that is not considered to be prone to flooding. However, it is not something that should be overlooked so easily. There are a few reasons that you may want to consider getting flood insurance for your home. Continue reading to see some of them.

• Areas of new construction are more prone to flooding. The reason behind this is because there is less soil that can absorb the rain. There are roads and sidewalks where there used to be soil. Because of this, flooding can occur in these areas. If you have a home in a new construction area, flood insurance is something that you should consider getting. 
• Twenty percent of flooding happens in low to moderate flooding areas. You may think that flooding cannot happen to you but that is a large percentage of flooding in areas that are outside of high flood prone areas.
• Flooding does not just happen because of rain. It can happen with a pipe burst or even if a neighbors above ground pool gives way. There are many things that can cause a flood in your home that do not involve rain so it is best to be covered.
• Your homeowners insurance policy likely does not include flood insurance. You would be surprised by how many people think that flood insurance is included in their current policy but more often than not, it has to be purchased separately. 

For more information about flood insurance, please contact us at Oliver Insurance today. We can take a look at your current policy or explore options for a new flood insurance policy that will meet your needs. 

Maintenance

Assuming that your boat gets a maintenance check every six months, double check the parts of your boat like the sails and the motor for any tears or debris that may have been carried by the wind before heading out. Check the gas tank and ensure that it’s full and that all other parts of the fuel system are clean from rust and debris even if they seem to be working. Concentrate on preventative measures.

Current Documents 

The state of Oregon requires sail boats measuring more than 12 feet to have visible identifying numbers on both sides of the boat, a valid certificate to verify these numbers, and current registration if the sailboat will be moored in water within the state. Make sure you have these documents on hand before you head out. Personal identification papers and proof of insurance are also must-have documents in case of an accident. Also, be familiar with the process of filling out an accident report, the proper reporting agency and the deadlines to do so. All boat operators need to be familiar with this process.  

Safety

You are legally required to have a certain number and type of fire extinguishers on your boat. You can request safety information specific to your boat at the DMV. You need to have a complete first-aid kit and enough life jackets for all passengers onboard. If children will be traveling on the boat with you, familiarize yourself with the life jacket requirements for kids -these vary by state.

Most importantly, stop by Oliver Insurance to inquire about a new policy or to review an existing one. Agents will work with you to give you the appropriate insurance coverage for Oregon state -insurance laws and coverage requirements vary by state. 

When it comes time to get ready for work in the morning, it can feel like you’re really crunched for time. This makes it all the more frustrating when you walk into your closet and are met with an absolute disarray of clothes, shoes and accessories. After all, who wants to waste their precious time wading through their closet in the morning? 

To help save you time (and stress!), we’re here with some easy organizing tips that will help you get your closet in order. 

Install Shelves or an Extra Rod

You can never go wrong with adding a few shelves in your closet, as long as you have the vertical space for them. These shelves are perfect for baskets to store those odds and ends that don’t really have a place elsewhere. You also could use them for keeping your shoes organized. Likewise, take advantage of any vertical space by installing an extra rod. This will literally (and very easily) double the amount of clothes you can hang in your closet. 

Use Pegboard to Hang Miscellaneous Items

You’d be amazed at how much better your closet will look once you get all those purses, scarves and belts in line. These items tend to be thrown around loosely, which makes them hard to find and leaves your closet looking messy. You can mount a pegboard to the back of your closet door or on a wall to create easy storage for hanging items. Just add hooks and rods and you’ll have a convenient place to hang all of your stuff.

Fill Your Closet With Ready-to-Wear Clothes Only

There’s no need to have all of your sweaters on-hand in your closet in the middle of July. The clothes you store in your closet should be ones that are ready to be worn now. Any out of season items can be hidden away in under the bed storage or in the basement. This creates more room in your closet and keeps it from looking like it’s bursting at the seams. 

Replace the Closet Door With a Curtain 

Having a closet door that swings open can make an already small room feel even tighter. If you’re lacking space in the bedroom, consider swapping the closet door for a curtain. It will add a few extra inches of space to your closet and it creates a unique look. 

Is it time to review your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy? Call Oliver Insurance and make an appointment with one of our agents. We’ll go over your policy with you to make sure you have the right coverage for your home. Contact us today to get started!

With spring comes new life. It also brings about the perfect time to clean your home and transform it into something fresh. Spring cleaning in your Canby, Oregon home doesn’t need to be one long, drawn out chore after another though. At Oliver Insurance, we understand your time is valuable, which is exactly why we want to give you these spring cleaning tips that take no time to finish at all. 

Wash the Fabrics

This is beyond your clothing. This includes the bedspread, the mattress pad, the curtains and the bath mats. Wash the heavier items first, then toss in the fabric curtains and bath mats on a gentle cycle. It’s amazing how much dust and dirt these objects collect throughout the year. If your shower mat isn’t fabric, look towards swapping it out for a new one. 

Easy Dusting

Dusting doesn’t need to be a chore. Wiping every corner down with a paper towel just takes way too long. Pick up a duster with an extended handle. This way, you can clean off the TV, bookshelves, ceiling fan and everywhere else without reaching for the paper roll. It is a green way of cleaning and it is done on the fly. 

Start Fresh with the Fridge

Most of the odd smells in your home come from opening the fridge and exposing older items. If you don’t use the items, toss it. You can keep most of your condiments, but everything else, it is time to start fresh. A clean fridge is much more satisfying to open, and it makes it easier when returning from the grocery store. 

Wash the Cans

Your trash can needs washing too. After holding garbage for the entire year, the plastic does absorb some of the aroma. Take it outside, hose it down, then let it dry. It will be like a new can. 

Boats are vehicles, so they must adhere to specific regulations just like any other vehicle. Boating regulations vary by state, and there are also local regulations put in place to help protect people on the water as well as the water itself. Before you go out boating, make sure you know your local boating regulations. Here are a few tips to make your boating experience safe, legal, and fun.

What kind of boat can you own?

While you can own most boats, there are regulations about what kinds of boats you can own or store in certain areas. After all, it is not safe or practical for a family to own a military-grade submarine in the suburbs. Be sure to check these regulations before you purchase your boat.

Where can you go boating?

There are also regulations for where you can boat based on the size of the body of water as well as the size and power of your boat. Knowing these regulations will ensure that your boating is safe for others in the water. Be sure you know where you can go before you take your boat out on the water.

What boating insurance do you need?

Since a boat is a vehicle, it requires insurance to protect the boat as well as you and your passengers. Like where you can go boating, the level of insurance you need is dependent on the type of boat you have and where you take it boating. An insurance agent can help make sure you have the insurance you need.

For more information about boating insurance in Oregon, contact your local Oliver Insurance agent today.

Preparing a home disaster plan is a vital step in ensuring your family’s safety and well-being during an unplanned or unexpected event or disaster. Disasters can wreak havoc on a family who is unprepared, but having a plan in place can 1) ensure your family is able to reconnect after becoming separated, 2) create plans for your family to meet if you are in different places when disaster occurs, 3) ensure your family has enough food and water to sustain themselves until services are restored, 4) establish alternative sources of heat, light, and other essentials, 5) improve the chances of survival for your pets, and 6) create a plan for administering first aide.

Disasters may included but are not limited to fire, flood, tornado, hurricane, blizzard, mass casualty event, or toxic spill. Important questions to address in your plan include:

• Where will we meet if able to meet near our home? Where will we meet if community evacuation is necessary?
• Who can we designate as a contact person outside of our local area?
• What will we take with us during an evacuation and who is responsible for grabbing the kit?
• Where can we take our pets if we are unable to care for them?
• How will we get cash, food, and other necessities if ATMs are down?
• What are the contact numbers of important parties (household members, emergency services)?

Ensuring your home is adequately ensured is vital in minimizing the impact of a natural disaster and ensuring your family will be cared for during the months and years following. To find out whether you have adequate coverage for natural disaster that pose a risk to you and your family, contact the qualified professionals at Oliver Insurance in Canby, OR.

 

Rental properties aren’t always top notch when it comes to kitchen space and decor, but you don’t have to accept it as-is! Here are three simple tips to improve your kitchen. 

Add a Backsplash (Or Replace the Old One)

Add a colorful tile or modern stainless steel backsplash to create visual interest and protect your walls. Even if you’re not allowed to attach anything to the wall in any serious way (say, a tile backsplash with grout or caulk), you can still create a dynamite look with self-adhesive backsplash tiles. These just stick on to the wall and can be peeled right off come moving time. 

Set up a Pot Rack

Organize your kitchen and free up cabinet space by getting your pots and pans up on the wall or ceiling with a pot rack. You can use a metal hanging rack, build a peg board, or even add shelves to move them into the vertical space of your kitchen. Just make sure it’s high enough that no one runs into them!

Invest in Quality Cooking Essentials

Pitch in some cash for a good knife set, decent cutting boards, a nice cast iron skillet, quality cookware, etc. This is the heart of renewing your kitchen, and it doesn’t require any management approval or elbow grease.

It’s always a good idea to consult your property manager about what you want to do. Many rentals do not allow any painting or wallpapering, even if you agree to repaint or remove wallpaper when you leave. You’ll also want to ask whether you can replace any flooring, paint cabinet doors, or anything else that requires significant alteration. If you’re not sure, ask. 

If you’re renting, make sure you’re insured! Contact Oliver Insurance to get covered. 
 

One of the ways to get insurance for your car, home, life, and more is to work with an independent agent. Instead of needing to go from company to company, getting information from each one of them about the policies they can offer you, you can get everything you need to know in one place. Your independent insurance agent can check the companies for you, and give you information on their policies and prices all in one place. By doing that, you get a much faster result, and an easier comparison between companies.

Another reason to work with an independent agent is that you will have one person you can go to when you need to make a change to a policy, get more coverage, or add or subtract a policy from your coverage options. If you buy a house, for example, you may want to remove your renters insurance and add a homeowner’s policy. When you can make one phone call or send one email to do that, and you don’t need to shop around with multiple companies, it’s easier and faster for you to make any changes and ensure that your coverage and policies are up to date.

You can get your Canby, OR insurance needs met when you work with Oliver Insurance. As an independent insurance company, they can help you find the best rates and policies for your needs. That way you can have peace of mind, in knowing that you got the insurance coverage that will be right for you. With good insurance, you have less to worry about and you can focus on other parts of your life that might be more fun and enjoyable. Shopping all over the place for insurance is no longer necessary, when you can go to one place, see one agent, and get everything you need.
 

When you live Canby, Oregon, you may have a business that is based inside your home. Homeowners insurance is not necessarily going to extend coverage to your business, even though they share the same roof. This means you need to choose coverage that makes sense for your business.

It is important understand that every small business is a little different. You may have things that are completely unique in comparison to the small business operating out of their home down the street. Things you want to consider include:

• Whether you have a car for your business
• If you have clients visit your home
• If you have a lot of inventory in your home
• If you have employees

Each of these can play a role in terms of what kind of coverage you need. Business property coverage can protect against loss for computers, merchandise, and various other types of business related property.

If you have computers, you may want to compromise coverage, which can protect you against the data breach and any other damage that a hacker can do. You may also want to consider business interruption coverage, which could provide you with business income in the event that your home-based business operations cease for a certain amount of time as a result of Carlisle, such as a tornado or fire.

You can choose general liability coverage to protect you against lawsuits, employment practices liability coverage to protect against wrongful termination, and various other types of insurance as well.

At Oliver Insurance, we are committed to helping you find the insurance that makes the most sense for your business, even if it is based in your home. Call today and asked questions and begin working with one of our independent insurance agents.