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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
HomeServe will be mailing information to Golden State Water customers detailing the service plans designed to cover unanticipated costs and minimize inconvenience associated with piping system repairs.
This program is optional, offered as a courtesy, and customers are under no obligation to make any purchases.
“Many homeowners are unaware that they are responsible for maintenance associated with the underground service line that connects their property to the water system, and they may not be prepared to cover repair costs if the service line is damaged,” said Robert Sprowls, president and CEO of Golden State Water. “As a courtesy to our valued customers, Golden State Water has selected HomeServe to offer optional coverage options that may help schedule and make repairs to their service lines. Customers are under no obligation, but HomeServe repair plans may provide peace of mind in the event that unexpected repairs are needed.”
A homeowner’s line of defense
Water (and sewer) lines from a home to the water provider’s meter are the responsibility of the property owner. Repairs to these pipes may not be covered by basic homeowners’ insurance.
As a result, property owners may have difficulty coordinating and covering the cost for emergency repairs. HomeServe’s plans serve as a line of defense, ensuring that in the event of an unexpected repair the burden on homeowners is minimized or eliminated.
The HomeServe repair process is seamless, and repairs are made by licensed and approved local contractors.
HomeServe coverage includes access to a 24/7/365 Repair Hotline as well as local, licensed, and insured contractors who provide timely repair services. Exterior water service line coverage will be available for $6.99 per month.
HomeServe will also offer a combined exterior sewer and septic line coverage for a total of $11.49 per month. An interior plumbing and drainage plan to cover in-home plumbing is available for $16.99 per month.
Golden State Water customers enrolling in the optional plans will have convenient payment options directly through HomeServe.
“Our service plans cover the cost of the repair and provide homeowners with reputable, local contractors who will do the best possible job,” said John Kitzie, CEO of HomeServe USA. “We’re thrilled to partner with Golden State Water and look forward to the opportunity to provide coverage to help homeowners should they be faced with a repair emergency.”
Golden State Water customers can visit www.homeserveusa.com or call 1-833-492-3884 for more information.
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- Written by: California Department of Insurance
COIN is a program within the Department of Insurance that sources and structures investments for insurers that are financially sound and yield positive social and/or environmental impact in California.
The report shows based on prior data call findings and COIN's tracking of insurers' investments, COIN investments are estimated to reach $29 billion by the end of 2018.
These investments support renewable energy projects, affordable housing opportunities, health centers, economic development, jobs, and numerous other social and environmental benefits in the state.
Insurance company holdings in California community development and green investments have consistently increased, and more than tripled from $6.6 billion at the end of 2010 to $22 billion at the end of 2015 according to prior data call findings.
Based on the growth trends, COIN investments are estimated to reach $29 billion by the end of 2018, quadrupling from $6.6 billion in 2010 when Commissioner Jones was first elected to lead the Department of Insurance.
Yet, estimates of COIN investments during 2016 through 2018 underscore the importance of the Community Investment Survey, or CIS, Data Call and monitoring insurer reinvestment into California.
After the sunset of the CIS Data Call and COIN Community Development Financial Institutions, or CDFI, Tax Credit in 2017, despite efforts by Commissioner Jones through sponsorship of AB 2728 (Atkins) and AB 778 (Caballero), information about the amount of capital insurers hold in California community development and green investments is no longer available to the public.
"Insurer investments into California's underserved communities and environment remain crucial to the economic development of the state," said Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones. "I encourage policymakers to authorize the Department of Insurance to obtain annual reporting from insurers on their community and green investments in California and to reinstate the COIN CDFI Tax Credit."
Established in 1996, COIN is a collaborative effort between the California Department of Insurance, insurance industry, community affordable housing and economic development organizations, and community advocates to support investments benefitting California's environment and low-to-moderate income and rural communities.
Over the past 20 years, the COIN CDFI tax credit program provided tax credits to investors and helped CDFIs raise funds for projects creating social and environmental benefits to low-to-moderate income households or areas, as well as rural communities in California.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
UPPER LAKE, Calif. – Dunkin’ will celebrate its newest restaurant in Upper Lake with a grand opening event on Thursday, Jan. 10, at 3 Brothers Travel Plaza, 775 State Hwy 20.
Festivities begin at 5 a.m. with product samples, photo opportunities with Dunkin’s iconic mascot, Cuppy, and special giveaways – including gift cards for the first three people in line.
The grand opening will also feature a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 5:30 p.m. with local dignitaries and a check presentation to Dunkin’s charity partner, Upper Lake High School.
The restaurant will be open 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week and is equipped with complimentary Wi-Fi for patrons.
The new location is a dual Dunkin’ and Baskin-Robbins location, which means that customers of all ages will be able to enjoy Dunkin’s quintessential menu of specialty coffees, espresso beverages and sweet treats at the new location (including a wide selection of donuts made without artificial dyes) in addition to a delicious lineup of Baskin-Robbins desserts like custom ice cream cakes and take-home ice cream quarts and pints.
This restaurant is the first Dunkin’ location in Upper Lake as well as the first joint Dunkin’ and Baskin-Robbins location in Northern California for franchisee group 3 Brother’s Travel Plaza.
This restaurant will employ approximately 30 staff members.
“Our goal with this new Dunkin’ restaurant is to provide access to the brand’s quality products and great deals to customers here in our own community,” said Mohammed Hussain, franchisee of the new Upper Lake location. “My wife and I have lived and worked in Upper Lake for almost 20 years, so we couldn’t be happier to celebrate the opening of the new store with all our friends and family. We hope to keep the entire area running on Dunkin’ for years to come.”
To learn more about Dunkin’, visit www.DunkinDonuts.com, follow them on Facebook and Twitter (@DunkinNorcal), or subscribe to the Dunkin’ blog to receive notifications at https://news.dunkindonuts.com/blog.
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- Written by: California Department of Insurance
The Gender Non-Discrimination in Automobile Insurance Rating Regulation became effective on Jan. 1, 2019.
"My priority as Insurance Commissioner is to protect all California consumers, and these regulations ensure that auto insurance rates are based on factors within a driver's control, rather than personal characteristics over which drivers have no control," said Jones.
This is not the first regulatory action Commissioner Jones has taken to prevent gender-based discrimination in California's insurance industry.
In 2012, the commissioner promulgated regulations that prohibit and prevent the denial of coverage or denial of claims for medical services based upon an insured or prospective insured's actual or perceived gender identity.
Prior to his election as insurance commissioner, then Assemblymember Jones authored legislation (Assembly Bill 119, in 2009) to prohibit gender-based discrimination in the pricing of health insurance.
Thanks to that law, California eliminated gender-based pricing in health insurance before that became the national standard under the Affordable Care Act.
The commissioner's Gender Non-Discrimination in Automobile Insurance Rating Regulation mandates that all automobile insurance companies operating in California file a revised class plan that eliminates the use of gender as a rating factor.