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2585 Pio Pico Dr, Suite 100
Carlsbad, CA 92008

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Alta Vista Insurance Spreads Holiday Cheer with Boys & Girls Club of Vista’s “Adopt a Family” Event

At Alta Vista Insurance, we believe in the power of community and the joy that comes from giving back. This holiday season, we are excited to share our participation in the Boys & Girls Club of Vista’s “Adopt a Family” event – an initiative that brings warmth and happiness to families in need during this festive time.

The Boys & Girls Club of Vista’s “Adopt a Family” project has become our annual tradition, and Alta Vista Insurance is thrilled to be part of this heartwarming initiative. Our commitment involves purchasing gifts for each child – clothing, toys, and gift cards. Additionally, we pledge to provide gifts and a gift card for each adult in the adopted family. For families that may need extra support, we contribute additional gifts to ensure a brighter holiday for everyone involved.

Seth Arruda, a proud member of the Alta Vista Insurance family, emphasized the significance of contributing to the local community during the holidays. “The holiday season is a time for gratitude, reflection, and above all, generosity. At Alta Vista Insurance, we understand the importance of giving back to the community that has supported us throughout the year. The ‘Adopt a Family’ event with the Boys & Girls Club of Vista is a wonderful opportunity for us to make a meaningful impact on the lives of those in need.”

To add a touch of warmth to the holiday festivities, we will also be providing a holiday meal gift card for each adopted family. This gesture aims to make their celebrations a bit brighter and more enjoyable during this special time of the year.

As we embark on this holiday community project, we invite our clients and community members to join us in spreading joy and goodwill. Together, we can make a positive impact on the lives of families in need and create lasting memories during this festive season.

In the spirit of giving, let’s come together and make this holiday season truly special for everyone. At Alta Vista Insurance, we believe that by supporting one another, we can create a community that thrives on compassion, kindness, and the joy of giving.

If you would like to contribute or learn more about our participation in the Boys & Girls Club of Vista’s “Adopt a Family” event, please feel free to reach out to us. Your support is invaluable, and together, we can make a difference in the lives of those who need it most. To learn more about the Boys and Girls Club of Vista visit their website here.

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Giving Thanks and Giving Back: Our Annual Solutions for Change Thanksgiving Drive

As we reflect on the recent holiday season, we’re thrilled to share the heartwarming success of our annual participation in the Solutions for Change Thanksgiving Drive. This initiative holds a special place in our hearts, allowing us to spread warmth and joy to families in need right here in Vista, CA.

This year, we extended a heartfelt invitation to each and every one of you to join us in making a difference. The Solutions for Change Thanksgiving Drive provided us with the opportunity to unite and support local families facing challenges during the holiday season. Our goal was clear: to create a memorable Thanksgiving feast for these families, ensuring they had all the essentials for a warm and comforting celebration.

So, what did we do to be part of this meaningful cause? We collected a list of items that would contribute to the perfect Thanksgiving meal. Think stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, vegetables, mac n’ cheese, cornbread, and of course, pie! To top it all off, we provided a gift card to ensure each family could enjoy the centerpiece of a traditional Thanksgiving meal – a turkey!

Our dedicated agency owners, Morgan and Seth, took it upon themselves to personally deliver the food baskets to Solutions for Change last week. Their commitment to community involvement and giving back was truly inspiring. Seth, reflecting on the experience, shared his thoughts,

“Giving back to our local community is not just a responsibility; it’s a privilege. It’s about creating a positive impact and fostering a sense of togetherness that goes beyond business.”

Let’s take a moment to acknowledge the incredible work done by Solutions for Change. This non-profit organization is on a mission to break the cycle of homelessness and poverty through a comprehensive program addressing the root causes of these issues. If you’re curious to learn more about their impactful programs and services, you can check out their website here.

By participating in the Solutions for Change Thanksgiving Drive, we contributed to a larger movement that seeks to build a stronger, more compassionate community. Your support, whether through donations or spreading the word, undoubtedly made a difference in the lives of those who needed it most.

As we reflect on the past Thanksgiving, we’re filled with gratitude for the opportunity to be part of such a meaningful initiative. Thank you for being part of our journey and for your continued support. Happy Thanksgiving!

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State Farm Shuts Down Property In California: Navigating the Changing Landscape of California’s Insurance Marketplace

If you have your finger on the pulse of the insurance marketplace in California it would be flat lining. On Friday the industry received another heavy blow sending it into cardiac arrest.

Effective May 27, 2023, State Farm General Insurance Company®, the provider of homeowners insurance in California, announced that it will no longer accept new applications for property and casualty insurance. This will have an impact on a significant number of pending and future real estate transactions.

This decision was driven by a multitude of factors, including skyrocketing construction costs and inflation, growing catastrophic exposure, and a challenging regulatory and reinsurance market.

However, there is a glimmer of hope and a solution to help individuals and real estate professionals navigate this challenging market, myIQuotes powered by Alta Vista Insurance!

The Importance of Taking Action

The sudden halt in State Farm’s offerings requires immediate action for any real estate professional. To avoid any potential complications, it is crucial to take proactive steps. Here are a few essential tips to keep in mind:

  • Contact Buyers in Escrow: Reach out to all buyers currently in escrow and ensure that they have selected their hazard or homeowners insurance. It’s important to confirm that they are aware of the changes and ready to explore alternative insurance options.
  • Seek Alternative Coverage: If any buyer intended to use State Farm for their hazard or homeowners coverage, they will now need to select another insurance company promptly. Time is of the essence, and ensuring seamless insurance coverage is vital to keep the real estate purchase on track.
  • Act Swiftly on Insurance Contingency: If the insurance contingency has been lifted, the sudden absence of State Farm as an option can significantly impact the closing process. Moving quickly to secure replacement coverage is crucial. However, be aware that it may take longer and cost more than anticipated, so acting promptly is essential.

To help minimize the disruption that this is causing, we recommend myIQuotes, powered by Alta Vista
Insurance. Unlike direct insurance providers, they have access to a wide range of insurance carriers
currently offering property insurance throughout California.

myIQuotes has a deep understanding of property insurance in high fire areas and can efficiently navigate
through the challenges to secure coverage for your clients’ new homes. They have extensive experience
working with real estate agents, and we understand the time-sensitive nature of closing escrow. The
MYIQuotes team is well-versed in the insurance requirements for new home purchases, ensuring a
simple and efficient experience.

If you’re currently facing the dilemma of finding alternative insurance coverage due to State Farm’s exit from the California market, it’s time to take action. Reach out to myIQuotes and let their experienced team guide you through this insurance market. By partnering with myIQuotes, you can mitigate the disruption caused by State Farm’s departure, ensuring smooth and timely closings for your real estate transactions.

Contact the myIQuotes team!

Phone 800-741-1500

Seth Arruda seth@myiquotes.com P 858-522-0476

Jimmi Lewis jimmi@myiquotes.com P 805-559-7133

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State Farm Shuts Down Property In California: Navigating the Changing Landscape of California’s Insurance Marketplace

If you have your finger on the pulse of the insurance marketplace in California it would be flat lining. On Friday the industry received another heavy blow sending it into cardiac arrest.

Effective May 27, 2023, State Farm General Insurance Company®, the provider of homeowners insurance in California, announced that it will no longer accept new applications for property and casualty insurance. This will have an impact on a significant number of pending and future real estate transactions.

This decision was driven by a multitude of factors, including skyrocketing construction costs and inflation, growing catastrophic exposure, and a challenging regulatory and reinsurance market.

However, there is a glimmer of hope and a solution to help individuals and real estate professionals navigate this challenging market. A great way to prevent any difficulty finding your client’s insurance for their real estate purchase is to partner with an independent agency.

The Importance of Taking Action

The sudden halt in State Farm’s offerings requires immediate action for any real estate professional. To avoid any potential complications, it is crucial to take proactive steps. Here are a few essential tips to keep in mind:

  • Contact Buyers in Escrow: Reach out to all buyers currently in escrow and ensure that they have selected their hazard or homeowners insurance. It’s important to confirm that they are aware of the changes and ready to explore alternative insurance options.
  • Seek Alternative Coverage: If any buyer intended to use State Farm for their hazard or homeowners coverage, they will now need to select another insurance company promptly. Time is of the essence, and ensuring seamless insurance coverage is vital to keep the real estate purchase on track.
  • Act Swiftly on Insurance Contingency: If the insurance contingency has been lifted, the sudden absence of State Farm as an option can significantly impact the closing process. Moving quickly to secure replacement coverage is crucial. However, be aware that it may take longer and cost more than anticipated, so acting promptly is essential.

Amidst the current disruptions in the insurance marketplace, there is a reliable partner that can help both individuals and real estate professionals overcome these challenges. Alta Vista Insurance is dedicated to assisting clients in finding the proper protection for their real estate purchases. Unlike direct insurance providers, Alta Vista Insurance has access to a wide range of insurance carriers currently offering property insurance throughout California. This breadth of options ensures that clients can obtain coverage tailored to their specific needs, even in the wake of State Farm’s withdrawal.

If you’re currently facing the dilemma of finding alternative insurance coverage due to State Farm’s exit from the California market, it’s time to take action. Reach out to Alta Vista Insurance and let their experienced professionals guide you through this insurance market. By partnering with Alta Vista Insurance, you can mitigate the disruption caused by State Farm’s departure, ensuring smooth and timely closings for your real estate transactions.

Contact one of our agents at 888-724-2124 or email quotes@aviains.com

The insurance marketplace in California is undergoing significant changes, and State Farm’s recent decision to cease accepting new applications has sent shockwaves throughout the industry. However, by staying proactive and seeking reliable alternatives, such as working with Alta Vista Insurance, you can successfully navigate these challenging circumstances. Don’t let disruptions hinder your real estate transactions. Take action today and secure the proper protection you need with the help of Alta Vista Insurance.

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Happy Holidays To The Boys and Girls Club of Vista

All the gifts provided by our wonderful staff before we pack them in Santa’s sleigh. (Santa drives a Subaru Outback in this story)

The holidays are here! As Christmas approaches and the hustle and bustle of the year comes to a close, we reflect on the many things we’re thankful for and take some time to be with our family and friends. For some of us the true meaning of the holidays is not the gifts we “receive” but the gift of “giving” that leaves us with a warm feeling in our hearts like a batch of cookies right from the oven.

Every year at this time our agency participates in the “Adopt a Family” program with the Boys and Girls Club of Vista, a local charity right in our community that we’ve been working with since 2017. Each year we are assigned a family that are members of the Boys and Girls Club who are in need of support around the holidays. We get a wish list of presents for each child and some items and gift certificates for the parents to make their holiday season a little brighter.

This year we have a large family that we were paired up with and all of our staff stepped up and went above and beyond! Clothes, toys, games, puzzles, gift cards, are just of the few items the kids requested on their lists and our team at Alta Vista Insurance went out and picked up all the items and much more. The presents, gifts, and gift cards were stacked in Santa’s sack tightly, we almost needed to take two trips in our sleigh.

When we arrived at the Boys and Girls Club of Vista, California, the staff were overwhelmed by the amount of presents we brought. They were so excited to make this family’s holiday season one to remember. Knowing that we can make a positive impact right here in our own community around the holidays is one of the ways we like to give back and support our local Vista, California community. As a local small business, we work with our clients and customers here in San Diego, California helping them protect their assets as their trusted insurance advisor and there are so many people that need help and support you don’t have to look very far. There are people right in our own community that are in need and we are very thankful to work with such a great cause. Working with the Boys and Girls Club of Vista is such a wonderful organization to work with and this program is just one way we help to ensure that the youth who attend the club have the resources they need to prepare for great futures.

I’m so proud to work with a staff that values the importance of community service and takes time out of their busy schedules to support the local charities we work with and give back through our service projects and charitable donations. We always make an effort to take time each year to give back to our local Vista, California community. As we spend time with our family and friends around the holidays, it’s nice to know we were able to make a small impact to make another family’s holiday season a little brighter.

The Boys and Girls Club of Vista meets the needs of over 2,800 kids a year, many from families who are of lower/moderate income households that rely exclusively on the broad range of services the Club provides. our mission is to empower every Club member, though safe and impactful experiences to graduate high school with a plan for college and career, contribute to their community, and live a healthy life. We rely on community members who fill the gas so the Club can provide these services to Vista’s kids. Member pay $50 a year to join, but the actual cost is $702/child.

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New Requirements For California Commercial Property Investors

As a commercial property owner, you want to make sure that your most valuable real estate assets in your portfolio are properly protected. But you also want to make sure that you’re complying with all of your insurance companies guidelines and maintaining your buildings so you can prevent future losses.


The California insurance marketplace has been experiencing unprecedent turmoil over the past few years. California insurance companies have suffered major losses over the last 5 years resulting in billions of dollars in damage due to the catastrophic wildfires and major water losses.


It’s caused many insurance companies to change their underwriting guidelines, increase their rates, no longer accept business in certain locations in the state, and go out of business. We call this a hard market in the insurance industry, and it could last for several years.


One of the best ways to prevent future losses and stay in compliance with your insurance company is to follow specific guidelines when maintaining your property which also mitigates future losses.
We’ve gathered research with our top insurance companies to find out what the mandatory requirements are for commercial buildings in California and we’re going to share these tips with you so you can stay out of harm’s way and help prevent any future losses.


As a commercial real estate investor, the last thing you want is an insurance company to decide they no longer want to insure your building due to failing to meet the mandatory requirements, not providing proof of updates to your building, or being out of compliance with certain maintenance issues. If you receive documentation or a renewal questionnaire from your insurance company, return the information to them immediately. You can also give us a call or schedule an appointment with us, and we can review the possible exposures to your building.
Here are some of the new mandatory requirements for commercial buildings in California.

  • Older buildings, built before 1990, may require data and documentation of upgrades to the electrical, plumbing, roofs, and heating.
  • If your building has Zinsco or Federal Pacific electrical panels and breakers, they need to be replaced. They are old and outdated and have been found to have a defective design that is prone to over-current and arcing, and do not meet underwriting standards anymore. Zinsco panels and breakers are no longer in production and replacement parts have been proven to be unreliable. The panels present an unacceptable life safety and fire hazard. Unfortunately, replacement of these panels is required with most insurance companies.
  • Installation of GFCI (ground gault circuit interrupter) receptacles must be installed in kitchens, bathrooms, basements, laundry rooms, garages, and on outdoor receptacles. As an alternative GFCI breakers can be installed in the electrical panels to provide protection for these circuits. Remember to consult an electrician to inspection the system and perform repairs that meet the local electrical codes.
  • Swimming pools need to be fenced and gated with self-locking gates. Gates should automatically close, latch and lock when released. Also, the handle and hardware must be ADA compliant. It must be of a proper height and have a handle on both sides of the gate. No round knobs should be installed.
  • Fire extinguishers in the building must be fully charged and in good condition. A fire extinguisher maintenance company must service and inspect all fire extinguishers on the property on an annual basis and the service tag should be attached to each unit. Also, there should be no cracked, broken, or missing glass in the fire extinguisher cases.
  • Railings need to be no less than 42” which is the minimum standard or the current building codes in CA. In the past five inch spacing was allowed, but no longer. Call us if you have questions about this. Make sure that all vertical railings on balconies and stairways are a minimum of 42”.
  • It’s recommended but not required to prevent water damage the pressure relief valves on the hot water heaters need to be plumbed so they water can exit the building. You can also install drain pains and pressure relief valves plumbed into the pans.

These are some of the new mandatory requirements insurance companies have implemented in California for placing new insurance business and at renewal of a commercial property insurance policy. Many insurers of commercial property in California are sending out renewal questionnaires and reinspecting buildings to make sure commercial property owners are complying with these new requirements. If they identify the building needs repairs, updates, or maintenance they will require the property owner to make the necessary changes to the building to continue coverage or place new business.

As a commercial property specialist, we want to make you are educated on these changes and you have the proper protection for your commercial real estate portfolio. If you have questions or need additional information, click the link below to schedule an appointment with one of our commercial agents.

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ServPro of North Vista/San Marcos To The Rescue!

We wanted to give a big shout out to Servpro of North Vista/San Marcos for helping out one of our local elementary schools right here in Vista, CA.

Over the weekend there was a shed that was broken into and vandalized at T.H.E Leadership Academy, AKA Temple Heights Elementary. Luckily nothing was stolen but there was damage to the shed. The school was having a hard time trying to get the repairs completed so, we called up one of our clients, Servpro of North Vista/San Marcos to help out! They sent a team over to Temple Heights Elementary School and they repaired the shed at no cost to the school.

We love these types of success stories especially when our clients make a large impact in our community right here in Vista, CA. The students, teachers, and staff are so grateful for lending a hand. Thank you ServPro!

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Community Service Day At San Diego Food Bank With Liberty Mutual

Fun serving our local community with San Diego Food Bank volunteers from left to right: Kahtija Popovic (Liberty Mutual) Seth Arruda, Beth Walls, Morgan Hege, Mark Lamb (Alta Vista) and Nancy Trejo (Safeco)

Giving Back Overview | LMG (libertymutualgroup.com) We had fun serving with our friends from Liberty Mutual and Safeco Insurance for their annual Giving Back to the local community event!

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No Worries Podcast #4 Home Appliance Repair With Pacific Coast Appliance

Homeowners you don’t want to miss this episode. I sat down with Ryan DeHart, owner of Pacific Coast Appliance to talk the basics of home appliance repair. Ryan shares his story about how he started in the appliance repair business and the challenges of starting a business during the pandemic. When one door closes another door opens and Pacific Coast Appliance flourished since most homeowners were, well…home.

I also learned some great tips homeowners can learn to help them properly maintain their appliances and things to look for if appliances need repair. Ryan is very knowledgeable about appliance repair. He takes the time to explain things in detail so you understand what goes wrong and how it can be fixed properly. This was a great conversation with a business owner that is passionate about his craft and helping people solve problems.

If you live in the San Diego area I highly recommend call Pacific Coast Appliance.

For service visit their website. Go to: https://www.pcarepair.com/

Ryan DeHart 619-333-0946 Email info@pcarepair.com

Looking for better homeowners insurance? Contact Alta Vista Insurance.

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No Worries Podcast #3 Solar For Homebuyers and Real Estate

In this episode I talk with my good friend Alec about the basics of solar when it comes to homeownership. We talk about some important things to know when thinking about adding solar to a home and what to look for when purchasing a home with solar installed.

Alec also shares some great information about other home improvements that can reduce your power usage and out of pocket expenses.

We had a great conversation and I learned a lot about the benefits of solar and ways to be more efficient with our power usage when it comes to residential real estate.

Learn how to properly insure your solar! Setup an appointment and we can review your insurance and help you be financially protected. Looking for a better solution to insure your real estate property? Save money and get a quote today!

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