It has been a challenging last couple weeks with the fires around Southern California. We feel for everyone, who has been affected by these fires, and know this time is very difficult right now. If you have questions about coverage or need help in any way, please call us to discuss your concerns. You are our priority.
Interestingly enough, there has been a big social media buzz about if you have a trust and your home insurance does not list the trust and that your insurance company will not pay your claim. This is not necessarily true.
Every insurance company handles things differently. There is not a blanket right or wrong answer. However, if you do hold your home in a trust, typically, you can add your trust as an additional insured or additional interest (depending on what your insurance company will allow). Most insurance policies are written for individuals and not for an entity, which is why it will vary. From what we have learned in the last few days, insurance companies want to pay claims...to the right people. When you cannot prove you are the owner of the trust (because your paperwork was destroyed in the fire), the process slows down, as the insurance companies want to make sure they are not writing checks to the wrong people. There are people looking to commit fraud and the insurance companies are trying to help their clients avoid it. That is why it may take longer.
In regards to coverage for your home, if you are worried you may not have enough coverage, in the event your home is lost due to a fire (or other peril), please call or email to discuss it. Every home is different and unique and we want to be sure you are confident that you have the correct level of coverage to help you sleep better at night.
As we emerge from the fires and 2025 continues, we know there is a long road to rebuilding for the people who lost everything. There will be scammers out there trying to take advantage of you, so they can profit. Be mindful and thoughtful about who is trying to "help" you. And if you are not sure, talk to your claims adjuster or agent for some advice. We are in this with you.
Elizabeth's Corner
My wife, Elizabeth, is a Mom, an amazing wife and an incredible chef. She trained at the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco. She shares a helpful tip below.
With cooler air here, it is nice to have some warm home cooking to feed your soul.
Here is a recipe for Garlic Parmesan Chicken Bites courtesy of the Kitchn
Garlic Parmesan Chicken Bites
Ingredients:
3 cloves garlic
1 ounce Parmesan cheese (about 1/4 cup freshly grated or 1/3 cup store-bought), plus more for serving
3 sprigs fresh parsley
1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, thighs, or a combination
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, divided
Red pepper flakes, for serving (optional)
Directions:
Mince 3 garlic cloves. Finely grate 1 oz Parmesan cheese on the small holes of a box grater (about 1/4 cup) if needed, or measure 1/3 cup store-bought grated. Pick the leaves from 3 fresh parsley stems and finely chop until you have 1 tsp.
Cut 1 1/2 lbs boneless chicken into 1-inch pieces. Place in a large bowl, add 3/4 tsp kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and toss to coat.
Melt 2 tbsps of the unsalted butter in a large cast iron or stainless-steel skillet over medium heat. Add half of the chicken in a single layer. Cook until golden-brown and the chicken easily releases from the bottom of the pan, about 4 minutes. Toss and cook until golden-brown on the second side and cooked through, about 2 minutes more.
Transfer the chicken to a plate. Melt 1 tbsps of the unsalted butter in the skillet and repeat cooking the remaining chicken. Transfer to the same plate.
Reduce the heat to low. Add the remaining 1 tbsps unsalted butter, garlic, chicken, and any accumulated juices on the plate to the skillet. Cook until the butter melts and the garlic is fragrant, about 1 minute. Remove the skillet from the heat, add the Parmesan cheese, and toss to coat. Garnish with the parsley, more Parmesan cheese, and red pepper flakes if desired.
Enjoy!
Until next time, if you have questions, concerns, or need some advice, please call our office 949-484-7500.
