B.W. Baker Insurance Service, Inc.

B W Baker Insurance Services, Inc. Selected as One of The Most Dependable™ Insurance Professionals of The Western United States.

Malibu, CA, 6/4/08: B W Baker Insurance Services, Inc. has been selected by Goldline Research as one of The Most Dependable™ Insurance Professionals of The Western United States for 2008. The list of The Most Dependable™ Insurance Professionals of The Western United States is scheduled to be published in the June 30th issue of Forbes Magazine. B W Baker Insurance Services, Inc. was chosen in this region to receive this prestigious award.

"Our whole team was extremely pleased when the winners were announced. This is a prestigious award and it’s great to be honored for our hard work"

"B W Baker Insurance Services, Inc. truly distinguished itself during our evaluation of the industry,” said Allen Scott, Research Director, Goldline Research. “The firm met or exceeded every expectation we have for holistic, client-centric firms."

B.W. Baker Insurance Services was founded 25 years ago in Malibu Ca, by Bart and Wendy Baker. The agencies focus has been asset protection for our clients with great emphasis on customer service. Helping protect homes in areas that are in high risk of fire, flood, and earthquake, has given us the opportunity to ensure our clients of complete lifestyle protection. The mission of B.W. Baker Insurance Services is to help protect the assets of the customers of which we are privileged to serve.

Goldline Research is a third-party, independent research firm specializing in evaluating professional services firms. Goldline Research undertakes an extensive, in-depth research process to review all qualified companies in a respective area. Its proprietary research process includes individual company interviews and quantitative analysis of key company data, as well as customer reference checks to confirm high levels of customer service. Those companies that ultimately earn Goldline Research’s Most Dependable™ designation demonstrate a commitment to service unparalleled in their industry.

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BusinessWire.com article   November 25, 2007 10:36 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Malibu Farmers Insurance Agent Bart Baker, Retired Firefighter, Helps Save Customer’s Home

Meanwhile, Farmers Insurance Mobile Catastrophe Claims Bus Arrives to Help Farmers Customers in the Malibu Area

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Farmers Insurance Group of Companies Malibu agent Bart Baker, a retired California firefighter, donned his firefighters gear Saturday morning November 24th, and at the height of the Santa Ana wind-driven flames engulfing homes in Malibu, he helped one of his customers save his home.

“We couldn’t be more proud of Bart,” noted Farmers CEO Paul N. Hopkins. “His actions typify the caring spirit of all Farmers agents, claims personnel and employees who are in the Malibu area helping all of our customers at their greatest time of need.”

MEDIA NOTE: Farmers’ agent Bart Baker is available for interviews and can be reached through Jerry Davies at 213-400-4459 beginning at 6 a.m. Monday, November 26th.
In addition, the Farmers Mobile Catastrophe Claims Bus has arrived and will be available to help customers tomorrow, Monday, November 26th beginning at 7:00 a.m. The claims bus will be located at: 29138 Heathercliff, Malibu, CA 90265—in front of the Pritchet-Rapf Real Estate Office (corner of Heathercliff and Pacific Coast Highway)

The Farmers Mobile Catastrophe Claims Center Bus is a rolling customer support center equipped with top-of-the-line technology for immediate claims handling and outfitted with comforts of home such as a grill for on-the-spot meals. Farmers customers can stop by the Mobile Catastrophe Claims Bus anytime. Reporters are welcome to tour the bus as well.
“We advise all of our Farmers customers in Malibu and anywhere else these fires have spread who have been evacuated or have suffered damage to their property, to immediately contact the Farmers’ hotline,” explained Bill Matlock, Farmers State Executive Director for Greater Los Angeles.

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Dealing with insurance claims after fire
By Melonie Magruder / Special to The Malibu Times
Published: Wednesday, December 5, 2007 1:34 PM PST

Some of the 53 victims of the Corral Canyon Fire last week who lost their homes have been shocked twice over when they learned the real limits to their homeowners insurance coverage.

"The overwhelming number of claims we've been seeing from clients fall under California FAIR Plan policies," Wendy Baker, of B.W. Baker Insurance, said. "And those policies might cover full replacement, but they won't cover for loss of use."

Unwelcome words for the dozens of families who are facing a long rebuilding process and wondering how they will pay for alternative living quarters. Brad and Anita Stanley lost their newly remodeled home in Corral Canyon that had been insured under the FAIR Plan.

"But we still have to pay our mortgage and for somewhere to live," Anita said. "We're renting a place in Calabasas."

The California FAIR Plan was designed in the late '60s as a statutory insurance industry association that issues property insurance as a last resort for homes in areas of high fire incidence. "California FAIR Plan is good in that it will take care of your dwelling and personal property," Baker said. "But it won't pay for you to live somewhere while you're rebuilding. It's sad for our clients. A lot of people up in Latigo and Corral are on tight budgets and they're undercovered."

"Premiums for homes in these types of areas are going to cost five to 10 times that of regular policies," Bart Baker, Wendy's husband, said. "But if you have good brush clearance around your home and proper underwriting, you can get full coverage through companies like Lexington or Lloyd's of London."

So how can homeowners make sure they get full and fair reimbursement for all their losses when filing claims?

Glenn T. Rosen of the law firm Loewenthal, Hillshafer & Rosen cautions, "Insurance companies put homeowners between the crosshairs at all times. The most important thing is to make sure you comply with all duties under your policy to mitigate damage and present proper proof of loss."

This means covering holes in a roof so rain doesn't further damage property post-fire or protecting open drywall that might still be salvageable. "Don't give your insurance company any reason to deny your claim," Rosen said.

"Make sure your adjuster sets out all your coverage and lists any reasons for denial," Rosen continued. "When rebuilding, be sure to hire a contractor who will work with your insurance claims adjuster. He'll have a better pulse of the real costs. Just make sure your contractor is licensed and bonded."

Some homeowners choose to work with a public adjuster. "This is someone who works with the policyholder to help make sure they fully get what they deserve from the insurance companies," Rosen said. "Typically, public adjusters take 3 percent to 10 percent of the full replacements costs for this service."

Finally, don't hesitate to apply to FEMA. "If you qualify, they'll give grants for up to $5,000 to help you get back on your feet," Rosen said.

FEMA has set up an office at Malibu Bluffs Park to help people with the application process, Mark Ball of Farmers Insurance said. "So folks covered under FAIR Plan should check with them to see if they qualify." (The assistance center will be at the park through Friday only, then next to city hall next week.)

One of the more important steps a homeowner can take now is to check in with the Los Angeles County Tax Assessor's office, also at Bluffs Park. "You can apply for tax relief for next year while you are rebuilding," Ball said.

Ball also emphasized the importance of properly cataloguing the contents of your home. "With digital cameras these days, it is so easy to take photos of the interior of your home and store them on a CD to keep at your office. This will be invaluable when filing your claims," he said.

Meanwhile, burned-out homeowners have salvaged what they can. "I was able to save my photos, videos and computer equipment," Brad Stanley said. "Ninety percent of everything we lost is replaceable, I guess. But it's hard."