Price vs. Value
“It’s unwise to pay too much, but it’s worse to pay too little. When you pay too much, you lose a little money — that is all. When you pay too little, you sometimes lose everything, because the thing you bought was incapable of doing the thing it was bought to do. The common law of business balance prohibits paying a little and getting a lot — it can’t be done. If you deal with the lowest bidder, it is well to add something for the risk you run, and if you do that you will have enough to pay for something better.”
This is a quote from John Ruskin apparently, who was an English author, poet and artist, most famous for his work as art critic and social critic.
When I read this, the first thing I think of is insurance naturally, as it relates to price vs. coverage. However, this is basically the law of the land. From buying your clothes at the department store, to hiring a general contractor, or deciding on the right accountant, are you just looking for the best price, or do you want to save the headaches and find the best overall value for YOU?
-JK
Fire Burns Through La Bodega Market In Long Beach
A two-alarm commercial building fire burned through La Bodega Market on 7th and Magnolia in Long Beach on Monday night. Long Beach Fire Department received the first report of a fire at 9:27PM. According to the Long Beach Fire Department, the building was heavy with smoke and fire upon first arrival and a second alarm was called within a minute. For the full story, read about it HERE in the Long Beach Post.
Here’s some video from the Long Beach Post of the fire:
Have a small business in Long Beach? When’s the last time you reviewed your business insurance policies to make sure your coverage is sufficient and accurate? Make sure you’re reviewing your policies at least annually with your insurance agent or broker.
Beyond insurance, you might want to consider establishing a fire prevention plan or a business continuity and recovery plan. If you need help in any of these areas, I have some resources that I can help you with. You’re welcome to contact me anytime to discuss.
-JCK
Underground Mansion on Sale for $53 Million
This Southern California underground mansion, located in Rolling Hills/ Palos Verdes, is just over 4 miles from my office in Torrance.
“Over 50,000 square feet with 9 bedrooms, 25 bathrooms, outdoor clay tennis court to French Open Specifications, indoor tennis court to US Open Specifications, complete with neoclassical details, stunning murals & capable of conversion to a 350 attendee ballroom, orchestra & full catering facilities; Indoor & Outdoor swimming pools ; Staggering underground Moroccan-style baths; unimaginable panoramic views encompassing the beaches, West Side, the Hollywood Hills, downtown Los Angeles & the San Gabriel Mountains; 24-hr guarded/gated estate community & multiple property surveillance cameras & breach sensors; Tranquil & exceptionally aromatic manicured grounds that include jetliner views, aligned marble fountains, a bocce court, rose garden, a wide selection of herbs, wild flowers & orchards that produce 24 varieties of fruit & nut trees.”
Holy crap.
-JK
Who’s Ready For College Football 2013??
The 2013 College Football season is officially underway today! I hate it when summer slowly comes to a close being my favorite season, but football is the only saving grace to help alleviate the pain. Tonight, I’ll be heading home to watch USC take on Hawaii with my Dad and two brothers. Go SC!
If you need help getting pumped for the season, this should help some:
Who’s your team?
Also, can’t forget, Go Dodgers.
This should be a good Fall season.
-JK
Video From Cockpit of A plane Fighting the Rim Fire in Yosemite
Look at this unreal footage of the Rim Fire in Yosemite, California, taken from the cockpit of an Air National Guard plane:
Hot and dry weather conditions are well-known risk factors for forest fires. A majority of the forest fires are caused by a combination of these conditions and careless human activity.
Officials expect some regions of the country like California to be at a higher risk for forest fires than usual due to low moisture and rising temperatures.
Here are some tips to keep top of mind when choosing a site to start a fire:
- Check to see if open fires are allowed in your area.
- Choose an area with an abundance of rocks and sand and little vegetation.
- Do not start a fire underneath low hanging branches or nearby bushes.
- Have plenty of water nearby in case the fire gets out of hand.
- Keep the fire small.
- Never wander away from a fire; it should be watched and kept under control at all times.
-JK
Fall Protection and Safety
Five construction workers are killed from falls each week in the U.S., according to new data from the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI).
Watch this new video from the California State Compensation Insurance Fund with expert instructions on proper harnessing techniques to protect workers from falls and reduce risk of injuries on construction sites. Topics include: A, B, C, D of Fall Protection, inspection of Body Harness, using the correct type of connector and de-accelerating devices.:
Do you have a Fall Protection safety program established for your business? If no, you can contact me and I can help you establish one.
For a few more pointers on Fall Protection and Safety, click here: Safety Matters Fall Protection and Safety
-JK
Aerial Firefighting
This is a pretty cool video of a helicopter maneuvering in someone’s backyard to scoop up water from a pool to help fight a wildfire.
Planes and helicopters are critical tools in managing wildfires, particularly in California where we face wildfires annually. Although aircraft are often used to fight wildfires, aircraft alone cannot put them out. Firefighters rely on planes and helicopters to:
- Deliver equipment and supplies.
- Deploy smokejumpers and rappellers to a fire.
- Transport firefighters.
- Provide reconnaissance of new fires, fire locations, and fire behavior.
- Drop fire-retardant or water to slow down a fire so firefighters can contain it.
- Ignite prescribed fires
Thanks to all our fire service personnel who help protect us when we need it. We are grateful to have them.
Source: US Fire Service
Scary Tornado Sirens in Chicago
Listen to these Tornado Sirens in downtown Chicago from 2008 apparently
What do you during a tornado? Well…Getting off a tall building would be job one.
Here’s an instructional guide to learn what to do before, during and after a tornado: (Tornadoes). <— Click here and feel free to share with others.
Luckily, tornadoes aren’t something we have to worry about much here in California. Unfortunately, earthquakes are.
-JK
What’s Wrong With This Picture?
Can you spot what’s wrong with this fire exit?
-JK
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic Vacation
This post is overdue, but last week my wife and I vacationed in the Dominican Republic. We stayed in Punta Cana. It was a nice week long vacation to help recharge the batteries. One of the best parts was that we were totally disconnected from the internet for the entire week. We paid absolutely no attention to time and the weather couldn’t be more perfect. Here are a few pictures from our trip
It’s a long haul getting there from California, but it was well worth it. Anyone else out there been to Punta Cana before? Or the Dominican Republic?
-JK
About Me
I grew up in Fullerton, CA and graduated from Servite High School in Anaheim. I have my Bachelors degree from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. I currently live in Tustin, CA.
Please contact me if you need help with any of the following lines of insurance for your business:
-Cyber / Data Breach
-Commercial Property
-Commercial General Liability
-Products Liability
-Workers Compensation
-Commercial Auto
-Umbrella/Excess Liability
-Errors & Omissions/ Professional Liability
-Employment Practices Liability
-Directors & Officers
-Life & Disability Insurance
Jimmy Kinmartin, CPCU 