Client of the Month: AJQ Transportation Services

In Newsletter Content by Brandon St. Clair

Jesse Quiroz, the owner of AJQ Transportation Services, is a vehicle hauler who travels from California to Nevada.  He has been insured with our agency for over 15 years. Initially, we insured Jesse as a trucker hauling dirt, sand, and gravel, but today he is the owner of a current auto hauling business. Jesse first started out in the industry …

Why Do Truck Drivers Need Workers Compensation Insurance?

In Newsletter Content by Brandon St. Clair

With the passage of California Assembly Bill 5 (AB5), many workers in California can no longer be classified as independent contractors.  The bill contains a test known as the “ABC” test.  To be considered an independent contractor, a worker must satisfy all three parts of this test.  The test briefly describes the following criteria: the person is free from control …

Who is ICSA?

In Newsletter Content by Brandon St. Clair

ICSA stands for Independent Carrier Safety Association. ICSA is a non-profit membership association that was formed to help independent motor carriers improve highway safety. They do this by providing access to tools for these small fleets and several resources at the costs that are reserved usually for large fleets, all while offering access to reduced rates for insurance coverage. ICSA’s …

Staff Spotlight: Omar Aguirre

In Newsletter Content by Brandon St. Clair

The American dream is what embodies the Aguirre family. Omar was a recipient of the pursuit of this dream with parents who had the drive to create a better life for their family. Being the youngest of eight children, Omar was taught valuable lessons on what sacrifice and hard work look like. Omar’s parents were originally from Guerrero, Mexico. They …

Olga’s Gift Fudge

In Newsletter Content by Brandon St. Clair

This is Grandpa Burns “gift fudge” recipe. This has been a part of the holidays for the O’Brien Family since before the Depression. By the time I married into the O’Brien clan, my mother-in-law Betty had become the designated cook and this recipe is her updated version of the now-century old original. I can still see Betty in her apron …

Tijen’s Turkish Taboulleh Salad

In Newsletter Content by Brandon St. Clair

Being Turkish, I grew up eating this traditional salad regularly. It is a refreshing and healthy meal that is perfect for any day of the week! Ingredients 2 cups water 1 cup uncooked bulgur (cracked wheat) 1 teaspoon salt Pinch of black pepper (or to taste) 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice 1-2 large garlic cloves, peeled and minced 4 green …

Rockscapes in Paradise, Inc.

In Newsletter Content by Brandon St. Clair

Best friends since high school, Evan and Jacob worked in construction until they decided to start a business of their own in 2005. Rockscapes in Paradise, Inc. (R.I.P.) started as a partnership, then changed to a corporation in 2011. RIP specializes in artificial rockscaping, creating uniquely personal outdoor living spaces. Their creations include rock waterfalls, grottos, and caves, custom pool …

Guide to Understanding Motorcycle Insurance

In Newsletter Content by Brandon St. Clair

Did you know that there is proper etiquette in the motorcycle world with waving? Well, if you didn’t, we would like to share with you our top 5 motorcycle waves. These waves are used by all different types of bikes to interact with other riders. Left-Handed Low Aimed down towards street with the extension of one, two, three, or five …

Staff Spotlight: Jenny Ramirez

In Newsletter Content by Brandon St. Clair

To become an aficionado of unique and distinct coffee takes serious dedication and commitment. Exploring, via Yelp, every hidden coffee shop while traveling to new cities creates an appreciation of rare varieties and flavors. To this day, Jenny’s coffee passion has established that her favorite place is Press Espresso in Murrieta, CA where she enjoys a latte. Jenny was born …

Chocolate Truffles

In Newsletter Content by Brandon St. Clair

These yummy treats are a family favorite of The Insurance Store’s Permits Manager, Shalyn Nelson.  She makes them every year at Christmas time much to her family’s delight.  Occasionally, she makes them also for Valentine’s Day…an added bonus and welcome treat for her family. Ingredients two 4-ounce quality chocolate bars (226g), very finely chopped* 2/3 cup (160ml) heavy cream* optional: 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter, softened to room …

Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

In Newsletter Content by Brandon St. Clair

“This recipe has been a family favorite for years, I grew up in a catering family and this dish was my Aunt Deanne’s specialty. My favorite memory as a teenager was time spent with family surrounded by lots of delicious food!” – Jennifer Nelson Ingredients 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts (2-ish lbs.) cut into strips 1 large yellow onion, sliced …

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Staff Spotlight: Kim Winborg

In Featured, Newsletter Content by Brandon St. Clair

Growing up on a dairy farm does not necessarily make you a farm girl. Ironically, growing up on a dairy farm does not even ensure that you will like cows or milk. Our very own Kim Winborg recalls what growing up in Millville, UT on a dairy farm feels like. She remembers her dad milking 40 cows both morning and …

Benefits or No Benefits? That is the Question.

In Newsletter Content by Brandon St. Clair

Challenge Employer and employee relationships are becoming more complex all the time. In our current marketplace, it is not as easy as saying let’s offer all possible benefits to our employees to attract quality workers, or let’s not offer any benefits and just pay a higher wage to attract quality workers. Business owners are constantly bombarded with workforce requirements and …

Client of the Month: The Rehab Group

In Newsletter Content by Brandon St. Clair

The Rehab Group was formed in 2006 by therapists with a desire to provide the best care possible to their patients. They achieve excellent results by providing one on one, personalized treatment. They chose to call their company The Rehab Group because they believe it takes more than one approach to appropriately treat the unique problems people are dealing with. …

Lebanese Baba Ghanoush

In Newsletter Content by Brandon St. Clair

This is a recipe given to us by Bobby Sabeh in our Personal Lines department. This is a recipe his grandmother would make when he was a child. After his grandmother passed away, his mom continued on the tradition of cooking her Lebanese recipes for him to enjoy. This one in particular is his favorite. Ingredients 1 Large Eggplant ¼ …

Italian Sausage Soup By Gloria Platts

In Newsletter Content by Brandon St. Clair

This recipe was provided by Lisa Thunstrom in our Personal Lines department. It is a comfort food recipe her mom makes, and she was given it from her twin sister. *Great for stove top or crockpot Ingredients 1 pound Albertson’s Italian sausage, mile & sweet (not spicy) 1 chopped onion 1 minced garlic clove 4 carrots medium, chopped 4 stalks …