Insurance questions,
answered clearly.

Bollinsure is the trade name of WJB Services Inc. dba Bollinger Insurance Services — a California-licensed independent insurance broker. We represent you, the client, not any insurance company. We compare coverage and pricing across 350+ carriers to find the right fit for your situation. Learn more about our team →

A captive agent works for one insurance company and can only offer that carrier's products. An independent broker like Bollinsure is not contractually tied to any single carrier — we have access to 350+ carriers and compare across the entire market to find your best option. Most of the time, independent brokers produce better coverage at more competitive pricing simply because we can shop the whole market.

Bollinsure earns commissions from insurance carriers when we place coverage. These commissions are built into the premium — you pay the same price whether you go direct to the carrier or through us. Our commissions don't vary significantly by carrier, which means we have no financial incentive to recommend one carrier over another. Our advice is driven entirely by what's right for you.

We offer personal insurance (home, auto, umbrella, high net worth, life, renters, landlord), business insurance (general liability, workers' comp, commercial property, commercial auto, cyber, group health, professional liability, commercial umbrella), and specialty coverage. We handle both admitted and surplus lines (E&S) markets for harder-to-place risks. See all coverage types →

Bollinsure serves clients throughout California — all 58 counties. We are California specialists and primarily serve California clients, though we have access to carriers in all 50 states for clients with multi-state needs. CA DOI License: 4345268 / 0D94699 / CADOI 6013787.

Standard homeowners insurance does cover wildfires — but many California carriers have added wildfire exclusions or exited the market after major fire events. Policies vary significantly. Some homeowners in wildfire-prone WUI zones may only be able to obtain coverage through E&S (surplus lines) markets or the California FAIR Plan. We review your policy to verify what's actually covered and find alternatives if needed. Learn about wildfire coverage →

The California FAIR Plan is the state-mandated insurer of last resort for homeowners who can't find coverage in the standard market. It provides basic fire coverage but is much narrower than a standard homeowners policy. We typically recommend pairing FAIR Plan with a Difference in Conditions (DIC) policy to fill the significant coverage gaps it leaves.

HO3 covers your dwelling on an open-perils basis but personal property on named perils only. HO5 covers both dwelling and personal property on an open-perils basis — fewer exclusions, broader protection. For high-value homes or significant personal property, HO5 is generally the better choice. Explore home insurance options →

E&S insurance covers homes that standard admitted carriers won't insure — particularly in wildfire zones. E&S carriers are not backed by California's Insurance Guarantee Association (CIGA) but are regulated and placed through licensed surplus lines brokers. In today's California market, E&S is often the best or only option for homes in high-risk wildfire areas.

No. Standard homeowners policies do not cover earthquake damage. Separate earthquake insurance is available through the California Earthquake Authority (CEA) or private carriers. Given California's seismic activity, earthquake coverage is strongly recommended for most California homeowners.

Replacement cost pays the full cost to rebuild or replace at today's prices — no depreciation deduction. Actual cash value (ACV) deducts depreciation, leaving you significantly short after a major loss. With California construction costs up 40%+ since 2020, replacement cost coverage is essential. Many homeowners are dramatically underinsured because their limits were set years ago and never updated.

California requires minimum liability of 30/60/15 — $30,000 bodily injury per person, $60,000 per accident, $15,000 property damage. These minimums are very low and easily exceeded in serious accidents. We recommend at least 100/300/100 for most California drivers, with a personal umbrella for additional protection.

Approximately 1 in 6 California drivers (about 17%) carry no auto insurance — one of the highest rates in the country. This is the primary reason we strongly recommend uninsured motorist (UM) coverage for every California driver. Without it, you have limited protection if you're hit by an uninsured driver.

No. Personal auto policies explicitly exclude business use — including driving to client meetings, making deliveries, or transporting equipment for work. If an accident occurs during business use, the claim may be denied. Any vehicle regularly used for business needs a commercial auto policy.

No. California law prohibits auto insurance companies from using credit scores as a rating factor. California auto insurance rates are based on driving record, years of experience, annual mileage, vehicle type, location, and coverage selections.

At minimum: general liability (required by most leases and clients), workers' compensation (required by law for any employer), and commercial property if you have a location. Depending on your business: commercial auto, cyber insurance, professional liability, and commercial umbrella may also be needed. Use our coverage finder →

A BOP bundles general liability and commercial property at a lower combined cost. Designed for small to mid-size businesses with physical locations, a BOP typically includes GL, property, and business interruption coverage. Not all businesses qualify — high-risk industries or large businesses typically need standalone policies.

No. General liability covers claims from third parties — customers, visitors, members of the public. Employee injuries are covered by workers' compensation, which is a completely separate policy. Most California businesses need both: GL for third-party claims and workers' comp for employee injuries.

Completed operations coverage protects against claims arising after a job is finished and you've left the site — critical for contractors since defects often surface months or years after work is completed. Many contractors don't realize their completed operations coverage can expire at policy renewal. We ensure proper tail coverage is in place. Learn more about GL →

Any business that stores customer data, processes payments, or relies on computer systems should have cyber insurance. California's CCPA creates specific breach notification and liability requirements. Standard GL and property policies explicitly exclude cyber events. Ransomware and data breaches affect businesses of all sizes — cyber has become essential for most California operations. Learn about cyber insurance →

Yes. California Labor Code § 3700 requires all employers with one or more employees to carry workers' comp — including part-time and seasonal workers. Operating without it is a criminal offense: fines up to $10,000, stop-work orders, and personal liability for all injury costs. Learn about workers' comp →

California WC covers five benefits: medical treatment for work injuries (no dollar limit), temporary disability (60-70% of wages while unable to work), permanent disability for lasting impairment, supplemental job displacement voucher (up to $6,000 for retraining), and death benefits for dependents.

The e-mod is a multiplier that adjusts your workers' comp premium based on your actual claims history compared to similar businesses. A 1.0 is average. Below 1.0 (e.g., 0.85) means fewer claims than average — a 15% premium discount. Above 1.0 (e.g., 1.25) means more claims — a 25% premium surcharge. California e-mods are calculated by the WCIRB.

Often yes. Under California's AB5, misclassified workers may be deemed employees — making you responsible for their coverage. Even properly classified independent contractors who lack their own workers' comp can create liability if injured on your job. Always require certificates of insurance from all subcontractors before work begins.

Under the ACA, employers with 50+ full-time equivalent employees must offer affordable, minimum value health coverage to full-time employees — or pay the Employer Shared Responsibility Payment. Employers with fewer than 50 FTEs are not federally required but may choose to offer coverage competitively. Learn about group health →

California law (SB 1137) requires employers offering group health to contribute at least 50% of the employee-only monthly premium. This is the legal minimum — most competitive California employers contribute 75-100% of the employee premium.

HMO: Requires a primary care physician and referrals. Lower premiums, network-limited. PPO: Direct specialist access, out-of-network coverage available. Higher premiums, most flexible. HDHP: Lower premiums, higher deductibles — paired with an HSA for pre-tax medical savings. Each fits different employee needs and employer budgets.

CCSB (formerly SHOP) is California's health insurance marketplace for employers with 1-100 employees. It allows employers to offer multiple health plans from different carriers, with employees choosing the plan that fits them best. CCSB also provides access to the federal Small Business Health Care Tax Credit for qualifying small employers.

Term life provides a death benefit for a fixed period (10-30 years). Most affordable option. If you outlive the term, coverage ends with no payout. Whole life is permanent — covers you for life, accumulates cash value, and is significantly more expensive. For most families, term life is the right starting point for income replacement. Explore life insurance options →

A common guideline is 10-12 times your annual income, but consider your full picture: mortgage payoff, children's education, and outstanding debts. With California's high cost of living, residents often need more than the national average. Use our needs calculator for a personalized estimate.

Life insurance death benefits are generally income-tax-free to beneficiaries under federal and California law. For large estates (currently $13.6M+ federal threshold), estate taxes may apply. For high-net-worth clients, an Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust (ILIT) can keep proceeds outside the taxable estate.

California requires a minimum 10-day free look period for most life insurance policies — and 30 days for policyholders age 60+. During this period you can cancel for any reason and receive a full premium refund, no questions asked.

Replacement cost pays the full cost to repair or replace damaged property at today's prices — no depreciation deduction. Actual cash value (ACV) deducts depreciation, which can leave you significantly short. With California construction and material costs rising significantly, replacement cost coverage is strongly recommended for both home and business property.

Business interruption (BI) insurance covers lost net income and ongoing fixed expenses when a covered property loss forces a temporary business closure. For example, if a fire closes your restaurant for 3 months, BI covers the income you would have earned plus ongoing costs like rent, utilities, and payroll during the restoration period.

Review annually at renewal and after major life or business events: buying or selling a home, getting married or divorced, having children, starting a business, hiring employees, buying a vehicle, making major home improvements, significant income change, or receiving a non-renewal notice. Bollinsure conducts a full coverage review for all clients at each renewal.

Common strategies: bundle multiple policies with the same carrier, increase deductibles, maintain a clean claims history, improve home or business safety, compare rates across multiple carriers through an independent broker, and review coverage annually to remove unnecessary coverages. As an independent broker, Bollinsure automatically compares 350+ carriers to find the most competitive pricing for your situation.

A deductible is the amount you pay out-of-pocket before your insurance pays. If you have a $1,000 deductible and a $5,000 claim, you pay $1,000 and the insurer pays $4,000. Higher deductibles lower your premium; lower deductibles increase it. The right deductible level depends on your cash reserves and risk tolerance.

A personal umbrella policy provides $1M to $5M+ of additional liability coverage above your home and auto policy limits. If you cause a serious accident or are sued for more than your underlying limits, umbrella pays the excess up to its limit. For homeowners and anyone with significant assets, a personal umbrella is one of the most cost-effective protections available — often $200-$400/year for $1M.

Call Brian Bollinger directly at 310-804-5017, email us at info@bollinsure.com, or book a free 30-minute call. We respond same business day and are happy to answer any insurance question — no obligation.