Insurance questions,
answered clearly.

A captive agent works for one insurance company and can only offer that carrier's products. An independent broker like Bollinsure is not tied to any single carrier — we have access to 350+ carriers and compare across the entire market. Independent brokers can often find better-fit coverage or more competitive options because they can compare multiple markets instead of one carrier.

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 goal is to recommend coverage that fits your needs, carrier appetite, pricing, and underwriting situation.

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

Bollinsure serves clients throughout all 58 California 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.

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

E&S insurance covers homes that standard admitted carriers won't insure — particularly in wildfire zones. E&S carriers 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. They are not backed by California's CIGA guarantee fund.

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 cost to rebuild or replace at today's prices, subject to the policy terms and limits. Actual cash value (ACV) deducts depreciation, which can leave you short after a claim. With California construction costs changing significantly, replacement cost coverage and updated dwelling limits are important.

California requires minimum liability of 30/60/15 — $30,000 bodily injury per person, $60,000 per accident, and $15,000 property damage. These minimums can be exceeded in serious accidents. Many drivers should consider higher liability limits such as 100/300/100 and, when appropriate, a personal umbrella for additional protection.

Personal auto policies may exclude or limit certain business uses — especially deliveries, transporting equipment, rideshare, or regular business operations. If an accident occurs during excluded business use, the claim may be denied or limited. Any vehicle regularly used for business should be reviewed for commercial auto coverage.

No. California law (Proposition 103) 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. This is a significant consumer protection that differs from most other states.

A BOP bundles general liability and commercial property at a lower combined cost. Designed for small to mid-size businesses, 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 covers 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.

Any business that stores customer data, processes payments, or relies on computer systems should review cyber insurance. California privacy laws can create breach-response and liability exposure. Standard GL and property policies often exclude or limit cyber events. Ransomware and data breaches affect businesses of all sizes.

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 versus similar businesses. 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% 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.

Employer contribution requirements can depend on the plan, carrier, group size, and market rules. Many California small-group plans require employers to contribute a meaningful share of the employee-only premium, and competitive employers often contribute more to attract and retain talent. We can review current contribution rules when comparing group health options.

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 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, often 10 to 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.

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.

Life insurance death benefits are generally income-tax-free to beneficiaries under federal and California law. For larger estates, estate tax planning may matter. High-net-worth clients should review ownership, beneficiary designations, and possible trust planning with qualified tax and estate professionals.

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 cost to repair or replace damaged property at today's prices, subject to policy terms and limits. Actual cash value (ACV) deducts depreciation, which can leave you short. Replacement cost coverage is often worth reviewing 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. If a fire closes your business 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 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. 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 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. 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 at quotes@bollinsure.com, or book a free 15-minute call. We respond same business day and are happy to answer any insurance question — no obligation, no scripts, no call centers.