Insurance News

In Memory • Arthur "Bud" Dandurand

Eric Dandurand — Mon, 01 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT

It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of my father, Arthur “Bud” Dandurand, on December 21, 2023, in Campbell, California, after a lengthy battle with dementia.

Bud was born on January 1, 1943, in Indianapolis, Indiana, and raised in Santa Monica, California. A 1960 graduate of Santa Monica High School, from his earliest days Bud exhibited the charm and charisma that earned him his nickname by being everybody’s buddy.

Bud graduated from San Jose State University in 1966 with a Bachelor’s degree in Real Estate and Insurance and went to work right away in the insurance industry, for Mercury Insurance Group. Just a few years later, he formed a business partnership with Fred Baumgarten. Campus Insurance Service was first located right across the street from San Jose State University, on the corner of 4th Street and what is now called the Paseo de San Antonio Walk. Many of our first customers were college students looking for affordable car insurance.

In 1980, Bud and Fred relocated Campus Insurance from downtown San Jose to Stevens Creek Boulevard amidst the car dealerships – a move that proved very successful. I started working for my dad at 16 years old. I attended Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo and at 18 started helping our family business by selling car insurance policies, mostly to other students at Cal Poly.

In 2010 Bud and Fred sold Campus Insurance to Renee and I, and they both fully retired in 2013. In 2018, Bud’s grandson, my son, Michael, started in the business, helping me mostly with technology improvements and back office operations. In 2021, in full circle, Campus Insurance has relocated back to downtown San Jose, in the historic San Pedro Square area, just blocks away from where Campus Insurance was founded.

Following Bud’s retirement and over 40 years at the helm of Campus Insurance, he and his wife Gerri travelled extensively around the world. He was also a keen player of games of all types – not least pub trivia and poker – and was an avid fan of the 49ers, Giants, and A’s. He also was an active member of the Los Gatos Lions Club.

Read the full article at www.campusinsurance.com

Do You Need Umbrella Insurance?

Eric Dandurand — Sat, 18 Feb 2023 17:53:00 GMT

One of the most certain things in life is uncertainty. Your dog could bite the neighbor’s kid. Your teen driver could hit a cyclist. A guest could fall down your stairs. A rainy morning commute on worn-out tires could result in a multi-car accident. And you could be held liable to others for the cost of damages – injuries, property destruction, emotional distress, lost wages and more.

Good thing you have insurance. But, wait, your policy covers $300,000 of liability, and, in a lawsuit, you’re judged liable for $1 million. That leaves $700,000 left to pay. How will you cover it?

If you have umbrella insurance and your policy covers the incident, the additional $700,000 will come from your policy. If not, it will come from the assets you have now, such as your home and savings, and from future assets, such as your wages or inheritance.

The fact is, it only takes one serious accident and a resulting lawsuit to put everything you own - and will own - at risk. And it only takes one umbrella policy to help protect it all.

Here are a few things you should know about umbrella insurance:

Personal umbrella policies typically offer between one and five million dollars of liability coverage. Consider your net worth when choosing your coverage –you could be sued for everything you have.
An umbrella policy is not a stand-alone policy. Your insurance carrier will typically require you to meet certain qualifications, such as having an auto policy with a certain level of liability coverage, in order to purchase umbrella insurance.
Even when you have umbrella insurance, your car or home insurance is your first line of defense. For example, if you are liable for $2 million in a car accident and your auto insurance covers $500,000 of liability, your auto policy covers the first $500,000. Your umbrella policy covers the remaining $1.5 million, assuming your policy covers the incident and that you purchased that much coverage. If you are liable for $250,000 in an accident on your property and your homeowners insurance covers $300,000, your umbrella policy won’t be needed.
If you insure a motorcycle, ATV, golf cart, snowmobile, motorhome, or watercraft, your umbrella policy may provide additional liability coverage on top of those policies as well. Be sure to check with your agent to confirm your coverage on these types of vehicles.
A single umbrella policy typically covers all of your family members who are residents of your household.

Essentially, an umbrella policy gives you excess liability coverage on top of what your other policies provide. If you’re at fault for a serious accident, you’ll need it.

Umbrella insurance also gives you liability coverage in instances where other policies don’t. Examples include driving in a foreign country or renting a boat.

If you’re curious about how umbrella insurance might play a role in protecting the life you’ve built or plan to build, reach out to us today!

Read the full article at www.campusinsurance.com

Apply for the 2021 Campus Insurance Service Teen Driver Scholarship

Eric Dandurand — Tue, 01 Jun 2021 10:34:00 GMT

Campus Insurance Service has a long history of colleges playing a critical role in building and expanding our business through multiple generations.

The year 2020 marked our 50th Anniversary, and although we couldn’t celebrate our achievement by throwing a big party, we decided to honor our rich history connected to education by offering college scholarships. For the very first time in our company history, we are pleased to announce the 2021 Campus Insurance Service Teen Driver Scholarship!

If you have a high school student graduating this year who is moving on to college in the Fall, we’re happy to offer a $250 scholarship check. The teen driver must be on your auto policy, and we will make the scholarship check payable directly to your teen to help them get their college education off to a great start.

The application process is easy – you can complete a brief application or just e-mail us your teen driver's high school diploma or transcript and proof of Fall 2021 college enrollment. The deadline to apply is 08/31/2021.

2021 Teen Driver Scholarship Application

Read the full article at www.campusinsurance.com

Juli Siegfried retires

Eric Dandurand — Fri, 07 Jul 2017 13:00:00 GMT

After nearly 29 years with Campus Insurance and over 30 years in the insurance business, Juli Siegfried retires this month.

Not only did Juli excel in customer satisfaction because of her experience and insurance knowledge, as well as her attention to detail and care for her customers, she was also responsible for organizing our company picnics and holiday parties.

We will all miss Juli and wish the best in her retirement.

Juli thanks you for allowing her to represent you over the years and hopes that you will continue to place your trust and confidence in Campus Insurance Service.

Read the full article at www.campusinsurance.com

Doug Eilers retires

Eric Dandurand — Sun, 20 Nov 2016 23:14:45 GMT

After over 26 years with Campus Insurance and over 30 years in the insurance business, Doug Eilers retires this month.

Doug is a fourth generation insurance agent, whose great grandfather started his own insurance agency in San Francisco in 1883. He is a graduate from the University of Maryland.

We wish Doug the best in his retirement.

Doug thanks you for allowing him to represent you over the years and hopes that you will continue to place your trust and confidence in Campus Insurance Service.

Read the full article at www.campusinsurance.com

Safety Tips for Summer Thrill Seekers

Thu, 04 Aug 2016 13:00:00 GMT

The family summer vacation is a time-honored tradition, and it often includes a trip to one of our country’s incredible amusement parks.

But, while the rides and other attractions at these parks are typically safe, it pays to be vigilant, particularly if you’re visiting with children. Here are some things to keep in mind that will help make sure your family vacation is full of fun, instead of worry.

Amusement Park Ride Safety

According to the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), the majority of injuries on rides happen because guests have a pre-existing medical condition or don’t follow posted guidelines. IAAPA recommends that you:

Always obey posted restrictions, including those for age, height, weight and health issues.
Follow all instructions from park staff, as well as recorded announcements.
Make sure children understand appropriate and safe behavior.
Keep hands, arms, legs and feet inside rides at all times, and use the safety equipment that is provided. Don’t ever try to loosen or get free from restraints.
Refrain from pressuring others into going on rides that make them uncomfortable.
Report any unsafe behavior or conditions to a supervisor or manager at the park.

Water Park Guidelines

The potential for danger can increase significantly when you bring water into the equation, so the IAAPA recommends some special precautions for parks with water rides:

Those who cannot swim and weak swimmers should wear a life vest approved by the Coast Guard; children under 4 feet tall should as well.
As with all rides, obey posted restrictions and instructions from lifeguards and other park staff. Signal an employee or lifeguard if you see anyone who appears to be struggling.
Children who need diapers should wear waterproof swim diapers.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control has additional recommendations regarding hygiene:

Anyone suffering from diarrhea should not swim.
Try to avoid getting pool water in your mouth or swallowing it.
Always shower before and after swimming, and wash hands thoroughly after using the restroom or changing diapers.

General Welfare Tips

No matter what kind of park you’re visiting — or even if you’re simply attending a public event — the following tips can help ensure your safety and good time:

Set up an emergency meeting place, and use the buddy system. This can help in case someone gets separated from your group, and make sure children are never alone. Even if kids typically use the restroom by themselves, the unfamiliar area combined with the crowds and chaos may be too much for them to handle.
Memorize phone numbers. Don’t rely on your mobile phone’s contact list. Commit at least one party member’s phone number to memory in case you’re lost without your phone or after your battery’s been drained. Have children do the same.
Beat the heat. Monitor how much time children spend in the sun, bring (and use) sunscreen and drink plenty of fluids throughout the day to stay hydrated. Hats and sunglasses may help further.
Dress for comfort. It’s easy to log several miles while exploring a large amusement park by foot. Comfortable shoes are a must, as is weather-appropriate attire. Bags should be comfortable enough for day-long use and have several straps to help distribute the load.
Watch where you’re going. Amusement parks often are crowded, so always be aware of what’s around you — both for your safety and that of others. Never go into restricted areas, and keep a close eye on your belongings.

Perhaps the most important tip of all is this: Know your limits — and those of the people with you. Are there health conditions you need to consider? Even high blood pressure can impact your ability to safely enjoy a ride. Does someone in your group have a disability? They may face certain restrictions, but there also might be special seats available on specific rides. Ask park staffers for assistance and guidelines.

No matter your situation, a trip to the amusement park can become a cherished family memory, so long as you don’t try to overdo it. Because having fun is what summer is all about!

Reposted with permission from the original author, Safeco Insurance.

Read the full article at www.campusinsurance.com

Jane Kusumoto retires

Eric Dandurand — Wed, 24 Dec 2014 23:38:00 GMT

After almost 15 years with Campus Insurance and many more the insurance business, Jane Kusumoto has decided to retire at the end of this month.

We wish Jane the best in her retirement and will miss her greatly.

Read the full article at www.campusinsurance.com

Bud Dandurand and Fred Baumgarten retire

Eric Dandurand — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 02:00:00 GMT

Both after 34 years with Campus Insurance and 46 years in the insurance business, Bud Dandurand and Fred Baumgarten have retired as of the end of 2012.

Bud graduated from San Jose State University in 1966 with a degree in Real Estate and Insurance. He was Branch Underwriting Manager for Mercury Insurance Group from 1972 to 1978 and was co-owner of Campus Insurance Service from 1978 to 2010. Bud also served on the board of governors of the Alliance of Agents and Brokers from 1978 until 2009.

Fred has been a licensed insurance agent since 1966. He opened Baumgarten Insurance Agency in 1970, merged with Campus Insurance Service in 1978 and has been with our agency ever since. Fred is a past president and board member of the Independent Insurance Agents of San Jose.

We wish both Bud and Fred the best in their retirement.

If you are a current customer of Campus Insurance Service and Bud or Fred was your Account Manager, a new Account Manager has been selected to help you with your insurance needs. Bud and Fred thank you for allowing them to represent you over the years and hope that you will continue to place your trust and confidence in Campus Insurance Service.

Read the full article at www.campusinsurance.com

Get a free online auto quote from Mercury Insurance

Eric Dandurand — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 17:38:00 GMT

Read the full article at www.campusinsurance.com

Get Umbrella Coverage?

Wed, 23 Feb 2011 06:52:00 GMT

In today’s economy, everyone is pinching pennies. So why worry about umbrella coverage? Shouldn’t a home and auto policy leave you adequately covered?

Unfortunately, we live in a world of lawsuits. Large damages can be awarded, be extremely expensive and have long-term financial impact. Those lawsuits can come from unlikely sources, such as our furry friends.

Take Herschel for instance. Herschel is a much-loved, rather timid labradoodle who enjoys taking naps on the driveway while his owner mows the lawn.

Herschel watched from eight feet away as his neighbor, a 39 year old man, showed off his rollerblading skills to his kids. The man wiped out on the sidewalk in front of Herschel’s house and broke his leg. He required surgery, costing around $35,000 in medical costs and $18,000 in lost wages.

Fair or not, the man brought a lawsuit against Herschel’s owner, suing for $220,000 in damages. He alleged that Herschel had caused the accident by getting in his way, despite multiple witnesses to the contrary.

But Herschel’s owner was lucky—a jury vindicated Herschel. However, lawsuits such as these can easily exceed the limits on a homeowner’s policy, leaving the insured responsible for the remainder. An umbrella policy would prevent that, giving you an extra $1 million to $5 million in coverage.

Our furry friends can put your assets at risk in other ways as well. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs each year, with half of those occurring on the owner’s property. Dog bites, according to the Insurance Information Institute, account for about a third of all homeowner’s insurance claims, which only cover limited damages.

Protect what you love. Call us to talk about your umbrella options.

Read the full article at www.campusinsurance.com