Southern Oregon Wildfires

In southern Oregon, most of us are used to wildfires hitting our forested slopes during the summers. However, 2020 was a firestorm to remember. Without warning, massive winds swept and fueled fires into neighborhoods leaving destroyed homes, businesses, mobile homes, and apartment buildings. The last count I can recall totaled around 2300 destroyed homes.

Let’s talk about what helped fuel the fire. Yard debris, overgrown vegetation, untrimmed and over hanging trees, and stacks of firewood next to a house are a wildfire’s best friend. You can help keep the danger at a lower level by examining where you live in regards to lowering the level of fuel around your premises.

If you should become homeless because of a fire, most home, renters, condo, and mobile home policies cover loss of the use of your residence. Loss of use coverage protects you in three different ways: it covers any increased living expense while your home is being rebuilt or restored up to 12 months. If you have a landlord policy you can receive reimbursement for the loss of your rental income, and it may also reimburse you for lost rental income or additional living expenses if a local authority prohibits you or your tenants from returning to your property. Many people in southern Oregon are thanking their lucky stars for having insurance policies. Since we’re likely to have fires again, I highly recommend picking up one of the above policies for yourself. They cost as little as a dollar a day, but they will make you feel peace of mind knowing you made a wise and prudent decision.

Let’s ban together as a community and create ways to keep those wicked fires from visiting us again. I firmly believe we can rebuild a safer, stronger southern Oregon if we put our minds and hearts together.

Jan Norby

Agent/Owner

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Essential Tips to Tackle Rising Home Insurance Premiums

By Jan Norby • October 6, 2025

As you may have noticed, home insurance premiums are on the rise, and it’s crucial to take proactive steps to manage these costs effectively. In Southern Oregon, we are faced with wildfire dangers which are leading many insurance companies to raise their rates. Here are some tips that can help you navigate the situation: 1. **Review Your Coverage**: Take a close look at your current policy. Are you certain about the amount of coverage you're maintaining? Consider whether you're willing to give up essential coverage just to save a few dollars. Using an insurance agent can help guide you in the right direction. 2. **Adjust Deductibles and Other Structures**: Increasing your deductible can lower your premium, but make sure this is a feasible option for you in case of a claim. A $5,000 deductible can save substantial premium, but make sure you can pay the deductible if a claim arises. We also need to make sure you have adequate coverage for other structures such as barns, garages, carports, shops, and cottages, or perhaps you have too much coverage that can be adjusted down. 3. **Re-shop Your Policy**: We can assist you in exploring options with other insurance carriers we represent that might offer better rates without compromising on coverage. Keep in mind re-shopping can raise your rates if done too often. We recommend every two to three years. 4. **Seek Professional Guidance**: Getting expert advice can provide valuable insights into how to optimize your policy and reduce costs. Insurance Services is here to make ensure financial hardship is not in your future due to a sudden loss. We can make recommendations based on your needs to form fit a policy to you. 5. **Look for Discounts**: Don't forget to ask about any available discounts; many companies offer savings for bundling policies or having security features in place. The purchase of inexpensive water alarms can also offer discounts and save you from making an expensive claim. 6. **Invest in Home Improvements**: Upgrades like installing a new roof or upgrading your electrical or plumbing can significantly lower your premiums over time. 7. **Improve Your Credit Score**: A better credit score often translates into lower insurance rates, so focus on strategies that can enhance your creditworthiness. 8. **Location Matters**: Lastly, remember that rates tend to be lower within city limits compared to rural areas, so consider this when evaluating your options. This is partly because of the proximity to a fire station and the fact city limits have fire hydrants versus outside city limits. Many more companies can compete for your home insurance because the risk of heavy fire damage is lower inside city limits. Outside of city limits can even mean some properties have fire scores so high none of our insurance companies will return a quote. Taking these steps not only helps manage rising costs but also ensures you're adequately protected without breaking the bank. If you'd like assistance with any of these strategies or want to discuss further options, please don't hesitate to reach out to anyone on our staff.

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By Jan Norby • August 25, 2023

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By Jan Norby • August 25, 2023

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What is Business/Commercial insurance?

By Jan Norby • April 12, 2023

Over the many years of my career, business owners have asked me, “What’s the right way to protect my business?” I understand their air of concern because they’ve invested their hard earned money into a going concern. They want to be sure they’re protected in the event of an accident or catastrophe. Business/Commercial insurance protects businesses, including business owners and their employees. Because a wide array of businesses exist, these policies are designed specifically for small business owners according to the type of risk/exposure they have. For instance, a Contractor would need a different type of insurance than a Log Truck Driver or a Hot Shot Driver. That’s why many small businesses choose a business owner’s policy (BOP), which combines commercial property insurance, general liability insurance, crime insurance, and other optional coverage into one convenient package. Business owners also have the option to choose coverage based on their specific industry such as: *Commercial Auto Insurance *Business Interruption Insurance *Business Interruption Insurance *Business Interruption Insurance *Business Interruption Insurance When it comes to choosing insurance, most business owners want to know how their business can be protected by the right coverage mixed with a fair price. In addition to what we’ve already discussed, one of the biggest factors in determining how much insurance coverage is needed depends on the business type. Other important considerations include: *Location of business *How many employees are present *Years in business *Gross annual revenue *Whether the business owns or rents vehicles *Whether the business owns, leases or rents the building(s) they operate from If you’re considering business/commercial insurance, please give my office a call and ask for Toni. She’s our senior commercial agent, and she will be able to answer your questions and advise you on the best direction to protect your assets.