GREEN BULIDING QUESTIONS ANSWERED AT ECO BUILD SAN DIEGO
Printer-friendly versionBy Rachel Hutman (California Center for Sustainable Energy) April 9, 2009 (San Diego) – The Center for Sustainable Energy (CCSE) hosted the EcoBuild San Diego on Saturday, April 4. Over 350 people attended the free expo to get straight answers about green building. Lauri Walker, Program Manager of the event, observed, “People will visit exhibitors and get a better understanding of green building, and that it is not as expensive as they may think.” A lot of questions were answered throughout the four workshops: Green Building 101, How to Plan and Budget Your New Green Home, Solar for Homeowners, and Fire Survior Panel Discussion: The Decision to Rebuild Green. All can be seen online at www.rebuildcentral.org and will be posted for the next month. (California Center for Sustainable Energy) The event was sponsored by SDGE and over 40 vendors were on hand at the expo to explain their products and the benefits of building green. Vendors ranged from solar to cabinetry to roofs to architecture. A listing of vendors is available on the site under “exhibitors.” The vendors were excited to educate the public about the financial incentives available for green building, and improving the public’s awareness. There are many new products available, such as low VOC paint, bio drop clothes, and paint trays that decompose. Many of these products are comparable to the products already on the market, but few consumers know about them. Many people came to the event for a variety of reasons. Diane Fiy, a real estate agent, came to the expo to “obtain more information about green building and how it could help my clients.” Ernesto Fresquez has “a second house in New Mexico and wanted to learn about Solar and rain Harvesting.” Another San Diego resident, Carol Haynes, wanted to know about “green options and the costs.” (Rachel Hutman) Wendy Emerson, a former teacher, was excited to see so many people becoming green. She believes that you have to get people on the moral issue or the monetary issue to get them to buy into protecting the environment. Once we started teaching our children, that’s when we tapped into that moral vein, she divulged. (California Center for Sustainable Energy) Learning was the theme of the day at Eco Build San Diego. Many questions were answered and green myths were busted. The intent of the expo was to replace some of the green building myths with sustainable facts. The next expo, Street Smart San Diego, will be in June and in August there will be a similar expo covering both commercial and residential green building. Any green is better than none, and there are more affordable green options available to homeowners than ever before. Please visit The Center for Sustainable Energy’s website for more information, www.rebuildcentral.org Rachel Hutman is a contributing writer for GoodTasteInternational.com and has served as a staff writer for the Grapevine in Washington D.C.. She holds a bachelor’s degree in history with a minor in creative writing from the University of Maryland and is currently an intern with East County Magazine. Printer-friendly version
GET THE JUMP ON GOING GREEN: FEDERAL INCENTIVES FOR RENEWABLES AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Printer-friendly versionApril 10, 2009 (Washington D.C.) – Looking for your own version of a bail-out? How about a federal incentive to make your home, business or community more energy efficient and/or powered by renewable energy such as wind, solar or biomass? Here are some handy links to tax credits and grants available for homeowners, businesses and local governments to apply for funds under the Obama administration’s economic stimulus program. So what are you waiting for? Hop on these opportunities while they last! For Homeowners: http://www.dsireusa.org/library/includes/incentive2.cfm?Incentive_Code=US05F&State=federal¤tpageid=1&ee=1&re=1 http://www.dsireusa.org/library/includes/incentive2.cfm?Incentive_Code=US37F&State=federal¤tpageid=1&ee=1&re=1 http://www.dsireusa.org/library/includes/incentive2.cfm?Incentive_Code=CA30F&state=CA&CurrentPageID=1&RE=1&EE=1 For business: http://www.dsireusa.org/library/includes/incentive2.cfm?Incentive_Code=US53F&State=federal¤tpageid=1&ee=1&re=1 http://www.dsireusa.org/library/includes/incentive2.cfm?Incentive_Code=US05F&State=federal¤tpageid=1&ee=1&re=1 http://www.dsireusa.org/library/includes/incentive2.cfm?Incentive_Code=CA23F&state=CA&CurrentPageID=1&RE=1&EE= For Communities: http://www.dsireusa.org/library/includes/incentive2.cfm?Incentive_Code=US45F&State=federal¤tpageid=1&ee=1&re=1 http://www.dsireusa.org/library/includes/incentive2.cfm?Incentive_Code=US46F&State=federal¤tpageid=1&ee=1&re=1 http://www.dsireusa.org/library/includes/incentive2.cfm?Incentive_Code=CA180F&state=CA&CurrentPageID=1&RE=1&EE=1 http://www.dsireusa.org/library/includes/incentive2.cfm?Incentive_Code=CA54F&state=CA&CurrentPageID=1&RE=1&EE=1 Printer-friendly version
CAREER DAY AT GROSSMONT COLLEGE TEAMS UP KIDS AND LOCAL BUSINESSES
Printer-friendly versionStory by Miriam Raftery, Photos by Andy Phemister SPAWAR Engineer meets with students April 8, 2009 (El Cajon) – Over 1,500 eighth grade students from Cajon Valley Union School District learned about careers first-hand from dozens of local companies during Career Day at Grossmont College last week. Sponsored by the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce, the event also featured a disc jockey who provided music and an emcee kept busy by selecting student winners of a “passport contest”. Any student who had proof that they had visited at least five business booths were eligible for giveaways. “There was enthusiastic participation, and there was a constant buzz from all the students,” said Doug Deane, business education chair for the Chamber. “I could tell that the booth presenters were very happy to be there as well.” East County Magazine was among the participants on hand to work a booth, fielding questions from kids interested in learning more about what it takes to become a reporter. “What should I major in if I want to be a journalist? How hard is it to find story ideas? What if I want to write a novel instead-what classes should I take?” were among the questions we fielded. Other students simply wanted help with questions on a quiz provided as part of the assignment. Participants had to name careers requiring two year and four year degrees, jobs requiring technical skills, and so forth. Chamber’s Education Chair Doug Deane with his DSD Business Systems team Deane praised event organizers Diana Barajas, Robin Hagemann, and Jennifer Newmann, as well as Chamber staffer Judy Dreis, who recruited companies to participate, and Mike Cully, who spearheaded fundraising and Andy Phemister who served as photographer. But Deane added, “The Chamber’s MVP award for this event is no contest, and goes to Marcel Becker, CEO of JCI Metal Products. Not only did Marcel single-handedly raise well over $3,000 in sponsorship money for the event, he recruited many of San Diego’s largest employers to staff booths.” Deane also offered thanks to Grossmont College and Cajon Valley Union School District participants. “It was Doug Deane’s vision and “can do” attitude that brought this idea to fruition,” Chamber president and CEO Mike Cully said. He praised Dean for “incredible visionary and talent not only here at the Chamber, but also in the region.” Participating companies and civic organization sponsors included JCI Metal Products, Grossmont College, San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce, Paige Floor Covering Specialists, Barona Valley Ranch Resort and Casino, Chapman University, Northrop Grumman, Bank of the West, St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center, Grossmont Schools Federal Credit Union, Westflex, Inc., San Diego Beauty Academy, L3 Communications, Propulsion Controls Engineering. Business, governmental and community participants manning booths included SPAWAR, San Diego Union Tribune, San Diego Sheriff’s Department, El Cajon Police Department, San Diego District Attorney’s Office, San Diego Beauty Academy, Cummins Cal Pacific, San Diego Humane Society, Biotech Consultant, Home of the Guiding Hands, DSD Business Systems, Grossmont College French/Arabic Coordinator, Grossmont College Nursing, Grossmont College AOJ, Grossmont College Counseling, Grossmont College DSP&S, California Highway Patrol, Chapman University College, The Honorable Charles Ervin, Wells Fargo Bank, Grossmont College Career Technical Programs, Chase Avenue Family Health Center, California Bank & Trust, East County Career Center, Cuyamaca College, La Mesa Driving School, Animal Medical Center of East County, Ad Mail Direct LLC, East County Magazine, C & S Companies, Channel Twelve-25, San Diego National Bank, Northrop Grumman/Continental Maritime, Applebee’s,Barona Valley Ranch Resort and Casino, General Dynamics Steel and Ship Building, Excell Security, Inc.,XL Staffing, Inc., Nassco, Sam’s Club,National University, Marechiaro’s Restaurant, Project YANO, Olinger Dentistry, SDSU EOPS, SDSU Counseling, Legacy Corps, Bank of the West, San Diego Sheriff’s Dispatch, KGFN, FIDM, CH2M, Solar Turbines, East County ROP, and Communities Against Substance Abuse. Printer-friendly version
READY, SET, GO! CANCER SOCIETY HOLDS RELAY FOR LIFE IN LA MESA APRIL 25
Printer-friendly versionApril 7, 2009 (La Mesa)–Remember when you wanted to stay up all night just for the fun of it? Well, now you can, and for a good cause too. The American Cancer Society invites you to form a team and join its Relay For Life, an all-night, action-packed event to fight cancer on April 25th. More people than ever before are surviving cancer. If you are a survivor, this is your chance to inspire others. You can also participate to honor the memory of friends and loved ones. Lace up your athletic shoes to join the relay on Saturday, April 25 at Parkway Middle School, 9009 Park Plaza Drive in La Mesa. Teams of 10 to 15 participants will take turns walking the track during the event. Recruit a team from your company, organization or neighborhood to raise money to fight cancer and save lives. Entertainment, games, great prizes and team building experiences are all a part of the fun. To sign up or get more information, contact the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345 to register your team, or visit www.relayforlife.org/lamesaca Printer-friendly version
TRADITION AND CONCEPT BRIDGED: ART EXHIBITION APRIL 13-30; ARTISTS RECEPTION APRIL 14 AT HYDE ART GALLERY
Printer-friendly versionApril 13, 2009 (El Cajon)–The Grossmont College Art Council presents “Traditon and Concept Bridged”, a ceramic exhibition by two very accomplished artists, Joanne Hayakawa and Kouta Shimazaki. “To term this exhibition a ceramics exhibition is to pare this collection of artwork down to it’s most minimal definition,” the gallery’s announcement states. “Even to use the title “Tradition and Concept Bridged” constitutes a very broad brush painting a very complex selection of work. The body of work by these two artists transcends the archaic thinking and production of art (especially in the ceramics world) which divided tradition from concept. The art in this exhibition inherently creates a meditative response. Whether we view one of Joanne’s ghostly birds wrapped in some elegant state of bondage or we study the grace and beauty of one of Kouta’s vessels, there is a sense that the work is truly complete and something well worth an extended look. Both of these artists have created forms which inspire and go beyond just being objects.” The exhibition will run from April 13 – April 30, 2009. The opening event to recognize the artists is scheduled for April 14th from 7-9 p.m. The Gallery hours are: Monday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Tuesday and Wednesday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Gallery is CLOSED Friday to Sunday and legal Holidays. Admission is free. Parking is available during the exhibition with the purchase of a permit from the vending machine in lot #1F. Complimentary parking is available ONLY on the evening of the opening in lot #1. Vehicles must be parked in designated parking stalls. The Gallery is located in the 200 Building Main Quad at Grossmont College, 8800 Grossmont College Drive in El Cajon. Printer-friendly version
MARKETING MATTERS: TIPS AND TRICKS FOR BUSINESS SUCCESS AND GROWTH
Printer-friendly versionYour #1 Marketing Tool By Rama Beerfas April 1, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – Clients often ask me, “What is the number one most effective marketing tool?” My answer is, “Delivering consistent customer service at or above the level that is consistent with your image.” The truth is that no matter how good your product or service is, your customer service will play a huge part in whether your business will generate repeat sales and word-of-mouth referrals (unless you’ve got a monopoly and you are the only one selling a must-have item.). Without repeat sales and customer referrals, you will be spending all your time, money, and effort replenishing your customer base rather than growing it. Jeff Toister, President of Toister Performance Solutions, Inc. says that the strongest form of marketing is having “enthusiastic, highly engaged customers who refer you to friends and colleagues.” He adds, “People are more likely to trust recommendations from their friends, and a word of mouth referral doesn’t cost you a dime.” How do you get these highly engaged customers? By providing customer service that goes a step above average for your type of business. For example, you can purchase a pair of jeans anywhere, from Wal-Mart to Neiman Marcus, so why would people choose to pay tens or even hundreds of dollars more for a pair of jeans at a high-end department store? There are several possible reasons, designer brand names being one, but customer service levels certainly play a part. Look at Nordstrom. The high-end department store’s customer service staffers are not only available to answer your questions about products on the sales floor, they will also set up a dressing room for you, bring items into the dressing room that will work with what you have already chosen, switch out sizes if an item doesn’t fit properly, and even walk with you through other departments to help you match accessories to clothes you’ve decided to purchase. Few other chain stores offer that level of service. Devoted Nordstrom clients choose Nordstrom specifically for that reason and are willing to pay the higher price for a pair of jeans (name brand or not). If Nordstrom ever started offering Wal-Mart, or even Macy’s level of customer service, would the department store be able to command higher prices for its clothing? Possibly for a while, but many devoted clients would ultimately seek a better price for that same designer brand. Without a doubt, customer service delivery–or lack thereof– has the power to make or break a company. What are you doing to ensure that service your customers are receiving meet or exceed their expectations, so that they will return and refer their friends and colleagues to your company? Over the next several articles, we’ll explore the important roles of both internal and external customer service in your marketing efforts and business growth. Not sure what internal or external customers are? Stay tuned! Rama Beerfas is the Chief Solutions Specialist of San Diego-based Lev Promotions, offering marketing consulting and promotional product programs. Rama also offers seminars and training in topics related to marketing and customer service. She can be reached at (619) 697-2045 or at rama@levpromotions.com. Please submit requests for column topics to the above e-mail address. Printer-friendly version
SDG&E PARTNERS WITH NISSAN TO GET SAN DIEGO ‘PLUG-IN’ READY
Printer-friendly versionNew, Zero-Emission Electric Vehicles to Reach San Diego Next Year April 1, 2009 (San Diego) – San Diego County will become one of the nation’s first “plug-in” ready green regions and start the transformation into a clean transportation community with San Diego Gas & Electric’s landmark partnership announced today with Nissan Motor Co. and the Renault-Nissan Alliance. As President Obama pushes energy independence by creating opportunities for renewable energy vehicles, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) and Nissan will accelerate the transition to all-electric vehicle fleets by studying ways to invest in the necessary charging infrastructure these cars utilize. Local community leaders and fleet operators joined SDG&E today at the Port of San Diego for a test drive as Nissan unveiled a prototype that features its newest generation zero-emission vehicle technology at the first of several planned California stops. Nissan’s all-electric vehicle will be introduced to fleet operators in late 2010 and reach showroom floors by 2012. Under the partnership, SDG&E will serve as the local San Diego coordinator to help assemble a critical mass of regional electric vehicle fleets that municipalities, universities, the military, the port, private fleets and others use daily. The public-private collaborative will work to further develop and fine-tune the charging infrastructure, which is the critical link in making the vehicles commercially viable. “SDG&E’s partnership is another step toward making San Diego a national center for clean technology and green practices,” said San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders. “The public and private sectors in this region are working hand-in-hand to promote innovation and adoption of environmentally friendly technologies.” As part of its commitment to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions from its vehicle fleet by 15 percent by 2012, SDG&E has a goal of replacing its passenger vehicles with compressed natural gas and electric vehicles. With today’s announcement, SDG&E will be adding 15 to 20 of Nissan’s new zero-emission electric vehicles to the utility’s current fleet of 200 alternative-fuel vehicles. “The increased use of zero-emission electric vehicles in San Diego will help achieve our nation’s goals of energy independence and reduced greenhouse-gas emissions, and foster new jobs and opportunities in the region as we become a pioneer launch for these advanced vehicles,” said Debra L. Reed, president and chief executive officer of SDG&E. “The support and involvement of local government and private fleet operators will be crucial to our success in demonstrating San Diego’s continued leadership role in clean technology.” In 2010, Nissan will introduce a five-passenger, compact all-electric passenger vehicle for fleet sales that is capable of achieving 100 miles on a single charge. Charging of the advanced lithium-ion battery is expected to take four to eight hours with a 220-volt line and also will be capable of charging through a standard 120-volt outlet. The vehicle will be eligible for a $7,500 federal tax credit. “Nissan through the Renault-Nissan Alliance has committed to being a global leader in zero-emission vehicles,” said Dominique Thormann, senior vice president, administration and finance, Nissan North America. “Nissan and SDG&E have a shared belief that the introduction and expansion of electric vehicles is one of the best solutions to reducing CO2 emissions. This partnership is an important step in making zero-emission a reality in San Diego.” SDG&E plans to collaborate with the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) and other local organizations to provide the critical mass needed to not only assess electric vehicle viability and charging infrastructure needs, but customer needs and education. With this investment, SDG&E expects to gain valuable insight into the impact of electric vehicles on the local electric distribution system, including customer charging habits, and to evaluate technologies that track a vehicle’s electric consumption so further investment can be warranted in the future. “Increasing the supply of electric vehicles and creating infrastructure to better utilize renewable resources fits with SANDAG’s overall energy strategy for the region,” said Escondido Mayor Lori Holt Pfeiler, chair of the SANDAG Board. “The strategy calls for reducing overall consumption as well as cutting our dependence on foreign oil – electric cars will help us accomplish those goals.” Last year, SDG&E announced the results of a year-long study of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. The plug-in hybrids showed a 60-percent increase in gas mileage and a 37-percent decrease in carbon-dioxide tailpipe emissions when compared with the original version of the hybrid vehicles. The early version of the hybrid vehicles already showed great reductions in these areas when compared with a conventional, gasoline-operated car. SDG&E is a subsidiary of Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE), a Fortune 500 energy services holding company based in San Diego. In North America, Nissan’s operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan has committed to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program 2010, whose key priorities are reducing CO2 emissions, cutting other emissions and increasing recycling. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.NissanUSA.com and www.infinitiUSA.com. The Renault-Nissan Alliance, founded in 1999, sold 6,160,046 vehicles in 2007. The objective of the Alliance is to rank among the world’s top three vehicle manufacturers in terms of quality, technology and profitability. Printer-friendly version
PHOTOS OF THE MONTH: ST. PATRICK’S DAY CELEBRATION AT HOOLEYS
Printer-friendly versionHundreds turned out for a wearin’ of the green, Irish fare and festivities at Hooleys Irish Pub & Grille in Rancho San Diego and La Mesa. From kilts to kitch, East County party-goers got into the holiday spirit! Nothing green to wear? Blarney and bling, all in green, was on sale for Hooleys’ patrons. If you missed the fun, not to worry! The Countdown Clock to next year’s festivities has already begun to run—and a little leprechaun tells us that Hooley Fest, which was cancelled this year due to the grand opening of Hooleys La Mesa, will return by popular demand next year! Printer-friendly version
Good Money – How to Survive a Bear Market, “Armchair Quarterback” Analysis
Printer-friendly versionYour guide to profitable and socially responsible investing By Judith L. Seid, CFP ® April 1, 2009 (La Mesa)–I thought you would all appreciate this “armchair quarterback" analysis, done by a colleague in Cincinnati, OH, charting the mood swings during the 4th quarter of 2008 and its remarkably awful, three-month market run, which has continued into the first quarter of 2009. See table below: Start Date End Date # of Business Days % Gain or Loss Play by Play Narrative 09/15 09/19 5 4.51% 09/22 10/10 15 -27.36% “What is happening? Should we get out? Will it bounce back tomorrow?” 10/13 10/13 1 10.28% “Okay, there is hope after all!” 10/14 10/15 2 -10.03% “Maybe not…” 10/16 10/20 3 8.77% “Is it okay today?” 10/21 10/27 5 -14.15% “Here we go again. Should we sell?” 10/28 11/4 6 18.72% “Never mind. It will be okay” 11/5 11/20 12 -24.50% “Wait a minute. I can’t take this anymore.” 11/21 11/28 6 18.59% “I’m glad I didn’t sell last week.” 12/1 12/1 1 -8.74% “What will tomorrow bring?” 12/2 12/31 22 9.81% “Looks like we’re back on track now. Or are we?” 78 Think of this as taking a chart of the stock market’s volatility over the last 4 months of the year, and holding a piece of paper over all but the previous periodic movement. Then based on that day’s shift, make a call on what to do with your money, moving the piece of paper from left to right, making day-by-day calls with each tick. Would this approach, making daily decisions based on short-term price movements, have been helpful to the long-term health of your portfolio? Do you feel this is the way to create long term wealth? Many people think there are “experts” who got people out of stocks before the real meltdown. It is the unfortunate reality however that these same advisors who get you out of the market during bad times, usually remain too fearful to get you back into the market in time to benefit from the recovery. As I have said before, the time to get back into investments is at the point of maximum fear, when there is blood in the streets, and that time is coming, if not here. Waiting out a bear market in cash sounds like a great idea but, without a crystal ball, it is among the worst possible investment strategies. Investment gains are made in just a few days out of the year. Keeping in mind that past performance is not indicative of future returns, another study (this one by consulting firm SEI in 2002) highlighting the 12 bear markets since World War II, shows that investors who cashed out during a bear market and waited until the market “recovered” before getting back in, jumped in too late and lost out on double digit gains. Investors who held on through the downturn, gained an average of 32.5% in the first year following the market’s recovery. Investors who jumped back into the market just 3 months late, gave up over 17% of the market’s gains and it took them an additional 1 1⁄2 years to recoup their losses. Investors Who: Gains After 1 Year Broke Even After Rode the market down & back up 32.50% 1.5 Years Jumped back in 1 week too late 24.30% 2.5 Years Jumped back in 3 months too late 14.80% 3.0 Years This bear market will end, and it will do so when we least expect it. Remember, recoveries are only labeled thus in hindsight. By the time the headlines scream ‘recovery,’ it’s too late — investors who do not reinvest will have missed out. Worse yet, they will have made the classic investing mistake of “sell low and buy high.” What has become very apparent to me throughout this mess is the absolutely essential value of a "financial plan". This is our roadmap that we have developed with you, our client. This is supposed to reflect your values, take into account goals and lifestyle needs, and consider the case of emergencies or disasters along the way; whether it is a worldwide financial meltdown, a sudden illness, a catastrophic weather related incident, a job loss, the collapse of a company or industry, etc. So far our financial plans are working. It is vital to know that you have your base protected so that the markets will not force you into a lifestyle change. Towards this end, for some of our clients, we have been supplementing or exchanging stock portfolios into lifetime and/or fixed annuities in order to lock in income needs we have determined you have. For others we have adjusted your allocations and for some of you, you are buying into stocks now at these lower prices. This way you will be well-positioned for the eventual market upturn, which oftentimes can come fast and furiously and catch us by surprise. In addition and as part of the financial planning process, it’s vital to assess your spending patterns. Ever since the first credit card in 1950, the Diner’s Club card, our society has become accustomed to buying things they can’t really afford. And so our culture of over-spending and over-consuming that has fueled our economy is part of what has created this economic downturn and is the current fact that millions of people are now reforming their spending habits. Our economy has been heavily dependent on consumer spending, and every economic stimulus package is passed in hopes that taxpayers will spend every dime of it rather than pay down their debt. This is short-sighted and, in my opinion, does not address the more fundamental issue at hand. It seems to me that our economy has to find a solution to this dilemma: The behavior that is good for the consumer is bad for the corporate world. The behavior that is good for the corporate world is bad for the consumer. This conflict of interest, which is currently built into
RENT YOUR HOME? DRIVE A CAR? OWN A CREDIT CARD? RENTER’S INSURANCE CAN COVER THEFT LOSSES ON MORE THAN JUST YOUR APARTMENT
Printer-friendly versionBy Dennis Volz Editor’s note: My daughter found out the hard way why having renter’s insurance would have been a good idea. When thieves stole her car, car insurance only covered damage to the vehicle—not replacing the IPOD, leather jacket, text books and other items that were taken,too. So we’ve asked insurance agent Dennis Volz to provide some tips on what renters should know about insurance. April 1, 2009 (Spring Valley)–If you rent, it’s a wise idea to have renter’s insurance. Four out of ten renters don’t think they can afford renter’s insurance. Two out of ten don’t even know renters insurance is available. The simple truth is that if you rent, you need and can likely afford renter’s insurance. Usually for $20-$25 per month you can protect your personal property in your home, in your car, and anywhere in the world. Eighteen percent of renters mistakenly believe that they don’t have enough personal property to warrant renter’s insurance. The average renter would need over $20,000 to replace the contents of their apartment or house. Remember that’s your entire wardrobe, computer, dishes, blender, microwave, camera, cell phone, iPod, sports gear, TV, CD’s, books, furniture, and the list goes on. You see, here’s the problem with all that STUFF. You bought it just a little at a time — A CD here, a blender there, a couple of jackets somewhere else. Then, before you know it, you have a house full of stuff. And consider that you purchased many of those items on sale, or on CraigsList, or they were given to you by friends or family. When you have a devastating loss like a fire, you have to go out and just replace everything NOW! You don’t have the luxury of just acquiring it over time. Renter’s insurance protects your stuff ANYWHERE IN THE KNOWN UNIVERSE. Doesn’t matter if you’re in the good old US of A, Mexico, China or Australia… If your stuff is stolen from your car, IT’S COVERED!!! There might be damage to your car though. That’s covered under your auto insurance. Only get policies with REPLACEMENT COST coverage. If you suffer loss to your stuff, and you replace it, replacement cost policies will pay you what it costs to get a brand new one rather than what your old one was worth. It looks like this: Someone steals your 8 year old TV set that’s worth $75 and a new one (just like it) is $350, a replacement cost policy will pay you based on the $350 rather than the $75! Also included in your Renters insurance is liability coverage that protects you in case of a liability loss: Your dog bites someone or a friend slips and breaks their arm in your bathroom. You also get what’s called LOSS OF USE or ADDITIONAL LIVING EXPENSES coverage. Whenever your place is rendered UNINHABITABLE because of a covered loss, we’ll pay the cost to put you up someplace else while your place is being repaired. I’ve actually written checks to people sitting outside their burned residence to pay for a hotel. It even pays if you’re required to evacuate but there’s no subsequent damage. There are dozens of other coverages included in renter’s insurance, but not enough space here to mention all of them. Just one more… If someone steals your checks or credit cards and you suffer loss because they’re out there spending YOUR MONEY, you’ll have coverage for that up to $1000. This is so simple and easy to do. Over the phone; less than 15 minutes, you’re DONE! So, here’s a little review… • Coverage for your stuff: TV, stereo, blender, dishes, clothes, etc. • Coverage at REPLACEMENT COST (as I explained above) • Liability Protection. (assets AND your future earnings) • A place to live while we put your place back together Yep, you guessed it… All for about the price of a DVD a month. No insurance product offers you more BANG FOR YOUR BUCK than RENTER’S INSURANCE. Dennis Volz is an insurance agent for a large national insurance company and the author of The San Diego Insurance Blog. He has served the East County area since 1978. Contact Dennis and his team at 619-670-1000 (24 hours a day), email at Dennis@DennisVolzInsurance.com or on the web at www.DennisVolzInsurance.com. Printer-friendly version