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California’s New Daylighting Law: What Drivers Need to Know

As of January 1, 2025, a new law will take effect in California aimed at improving road safety and reducing accidents. Known as Assembly Bill 413 (AB 413), or the “Daylighting Law,” this legislation will change how drivers park near intersections and how they approach crosswalks and driveways. Here’s what you need to ...

Ensuring Guest Safety During Holiday Gatherings

The holidays bring out a togetherness of spirit that is not always found at other times of the year. People are willing to travel long distances and go to great inconvenience to be with the ones that they love during this special time of year. With this in mind, if ...

Tsunami Warning in Sonoma County: What You Need to Know and Do

Today, a tsunami warning was issued for coastal areas of California, including parts of Sonoma County, following a 7.0 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Northern California. This serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of being prepared for such emergencies, even in areas not traditionally associated with tsunami risks. <...

Home Improvements That Can Save You on Insurance

It is more challenging than ever to be a homeowner. Not only are soaring real estate prices making starter homes unaffordable for many first-time buyers, but home insurance is becoming increasingly difficult--if not impossible--to obtain in some areas. This is especially true in California, where ongoing threats of wildfire and ...

A Great Opportunity for Mobile Homeowners: ERBS Grant Program Through Pacific Bracing

If you’re a mobile homeowner in California, the Earthquake Resistant Bracing System (ERBS) program is an incredible opportunity you don’t want to miss. With the state’s high earthquake risk, protecting your home is essential—and thanks to a grant program available through Pacific Bracing, eligible homeowners can ...

​Red Flag Warning and Power Shutoffs in Sonoma County: Be Ready and Stay Safe

As Sonoma County braces for high fire danger, the National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning from Thursday evening to Saturday afternoon due to anticipated dry, gusty winds reaching up to 65 mph at higher elevations and around 25-30 mph in valleys. PG&E has expanded its planned ...

What is Gap Insurance?

When you buy or lease a new car or truck, it starts to lose value the moment you drive off the lot, with most cars depreciating around 20 percent within the first year. Standard auto insurance policies cover only the current market value of your car at the time of a ...

Why Flood Insurance Matters—Even in Sonoma County

At Barber Insurance, we know that many properties are vulnerable to flooding, even if they aren’t located near rivers or lakes. Flooding isn't just a risk for homes near water. In fact, from 2013 to 2023, one-third of National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims came from areas outside of designated high-risk ...

7 Tips for Insuring Older and Historic Commercial Buildings

Insurance is crucial for protecting valuable assets, but it can get complicated when it comes to historic buildings. Older structures often come with higher risks, making it challenging to find affordable coverage—or even any coverage at all. If you're facing these hurdles, don’t worry. We’ve put together 7 ...

Should I Buy a Home? Key Considerations from Barber Insurance

At Barber Insurance Agency, we understand that buying a home is a huge decision that comes with both opportunities and responsibilities. As your home grown, Sonoma County insurance agency, we want to help you think through the key factors to consider when deciding if homeownership is right for you.

1. ...

Debunking Myths About Wind Insurance Claims

Windstorms can cause significant damage, but many homeowners and business owners misunderstand how insurance works for wind-related incidents. Let’s debunk some common myths to help clarify how your policy covers wind damage and what you should know when filing a claim.

Myth #1: Wind Damage Is Automatically Covered

Sonoma County - Your Vote Matters!

At Barber Insurance Agency, we know that every election is important, but this year’s election on November 5th, 2024, carries special significance for both local and national politics. From choosing our next president to voting on critical local measures, your voice has the power to shape the future. Now is ...