06/18/25

Summer Vacations; How your Homeowners insurance safeguards you while you are away.

Summer is the season of road trips, family getaways, and long-awaited vacations—but while you’re relaxing poolside or hiking in the mountains, it’s important to know your home back in Oregon is protected. At Elliott, Powell, Baden & Baker, we want you to enjoy your time away with peace of mind. Here are key steps you can take to protect your home before you leave—and how your homeowners insurance policy helps safeguard you from the unexpected.

Secure Before You Go

A few simple precautions can significantly reduce the risk of damage or theft while your home is unoccupied:

  • Lock all doors and windows. Don’t forget garage access points or basement windows.
  • Set timers on lights. A few strategic lights on a schedule can give the appearance that someone is home.
  • Pause mail and deliveries. An overflowing mailbox is a signal to burglars that a house is empty.
  • Let a trusted neighbor know. Ask them to keep an eye on your home and collect any unexpected packages that may arrive.
  • Unplug electronics. This helps avoid fire risk and protects your devices from power surges.
  • Turn off the main water supply. Water damage from leaks or appliance malfunctions is one of the most common—and costly—types of vacation-related claims.

What Does Your Oregon Homeowners Policy Cover?

If you have a standard homeowners policy through EPB&B, you can rest assured that your property is generally covered while you’re away, but it’s good to understand the details:

  • Theft or vandalism: Most policies cover stolen belongings or property damage resulting from break-ins, provided there is evidence of forced entry.
  • Fire and smoke damage: Fires that occur while you are absent are typically covered, subject to policy limits.
  • Water damage (with caveats): Damage from sudden, accidental leaks (e.g., a burst pipe) is typically covered; however, ongoing leaks or damage resulting from neglect may not be. Check with an EPB&B agent to see if you have a seepage/leakage endorsement on your policy. Shutting off the water helps avoid this gray area.
  • Liability: If someone is injured on your property while you’re gone ( i.e, a landscaper or neighbor checking on your home), your personal liability coverage would likely apply.

 What May Not Be Covered?

Understanding exclusions is just as important as knowing what’s covered. Here are a few scenarios where coverage could be limited or denied:

  • Neglect or deferred maintenance: Losses resulting from preventable issues, such as unrepaired roof damage or faulty locks, may be excluded.
  • Extended vacancies: If your home is vacant for more than 30 to 60 days, your policy’s vacancy clause may reduce or void certain coverages. It’s crucial to notify your insurer in advance.

 Before You Leave, Review Your Policy

Every homeowner’s policy is different. Before you head out on your trip, we recommend scheduling a quick review with your EPB&B agent. We can help:

  • Confirm your current coverage
  • Identify any gaps or exclusions
  • Recommend optional protections (e.g., service line coverage or discounts for smart home monitoring)
vacation insurance

Wherever your summer adventures take you, Elliott, Powell, Baden & Baker is here to help protect what matters most—your home and your peace of mind.

06/12/25

Wildfire Season in Oregon: Is Your Homeowners Insurance Ready?

Summer in Oregon means sunshine, outdoor adventures, and, unfortunately, the start of wildfire season. With record-breaking heat and increasingly dry conditions becoming more common across the state, wildfire risk is on the rise. Over the past five years, Oregon has experienced several destructive wildfires, including the 2020 Labor Day fires that burned more than 1 million acres, destroyed over 4,000 homes and structures, and became some of the most devastating in state history.

As we prepare for another dry summer in 2025, now is the time to ask: Is your homeowners’ insurance ready to protect your home and belongings in the event of a wildfire?

At Elliott, Powell, Baden & Baker Insurance, our experienced Personal Lines team is here to help Oregonians like you understand exactly what your policy covers—and just as importantly, what it doesn’t. We’ll review your current coverage, identify any gaps or limitations, and ensure you have the proper protection in place for the season ahead.

What Does Homeowners Insurance Typically Cover in the Event of a Wildfire?

Most standard homeowners insurance policies in Oregon include wildfire protection, but it’s essential to understand each component of your policy:

Dwelling Coverage
Covers the cost to repair or rebuild your home if it’s damaged or destroyed by wildfire. This includes the main structure and any attached features, such as garages, decks, or porches.

Personal Property Coverage
Helps replace personal belongings lost in a wildfire, such as furniture, electronics, clothing, and household appliances. Be sure to keep an updated inventory of your items.

Additional Living Expenses (ALE)
If your home becomes uninhabitable due to wildfire damage, ALE coverage helps pay for temporary housing, meals, and other living costs while your home is being repaired or rebuilt.

 Other Structures Coverage
Protects structures on your property that are separate from your home—like sheds, fences, or detached garages, if a wildfire damages them.

 Liability Coverage
Protects you financially if someone is injured on your property during a wildfire or if you’re found responsible for damage to someone else’s property. It can help cover medical bills and legal fees.

Be Proactive. Be Protected.

Wildfire season

With wildfires becoming more frequent and intense in Oregon, being proactive about your insurance coverage is one of the smartest steps you can take. The team at EPB&B Insurance is here to provide personalized, expert guidance to ensure your coverage keeps pace with changing risks. Contact us today for a free policy review and stay fire-ready this summer.

06/05/25

Surety Bonding For Oregon Businesses

Operating a business in Oregon often requires more than insurance and licensing. For many industries—especially construction, contracting, and public service—surety bonding is a key component of regulatory compliance and risk management.

At Elliott, Powell, Baden & Baker Insurance, we have a dedicated surety bonding team with the expertise to navigate your business’s bonding process. From understanding financials and contracts to placing the right bond with the right market, we’ll work closely with you to ensure your bonding needs are met efficiently and professionally.

What Is a Surety Bond?

A surety bond is a three-party agreement that ensures a business or individual (the principal) fulfills an obligation to another party (the obligee), backed by a third party (the surety).

  • Principal: The business or individual required to obtain the bond, for example, a contractor bidding on a public project.
  • Obligee: The party requiring the bond—often a government agency, client, or regulatory body.
  • Surety: The company (like one of EPB&B’s surety partners) that guarantees the obligation will be fulfilled. If not, the surety will compensate the obligee and seek reimbursement from the principal.

How Surety Bonds Work

Once approved and the premium is paid, the surety issues a bond guaranteeing that the principal will fulfill specific obligations outlined in a contract or regulation. If the principal defaults:

  • The obligee can file a claim.
  • The surety may allow the principal time to correct the issue.
  • If unresolved, the surety may:
    • Pay the obligee up to the bond amount.
    • Hire another contractor to complete the work.
    • Provide resources to help complete the project.

In all cases, the principal is financially responsible for repaying the surety.

Types of Surety Bonds Common in Oregon

At EPB&B, we help Oregon businesses secure the correct type of bond based on their industry and regulatory requirements:

Construction Bonds

  • Bid Bonds – Ensure contractors are serious and will honor awarded bids.
  • Performance Bonds – Guarantee contract fulfillment.
  • Payment Bonds – Protect subcontractors and suppliers from non-payment.

Commercial and Regulatory Bonds

  • License & Permit Bonds – Required to operate legally in various trades and professions.
  • Fidelity Bonds – Protect businesses from employee dishonesty.
  • Public Official Bonds – Ensure ethical conduct from elected and appointed officials.
  • Court & Judicial Bonds – Required in legal actions to guarantee compliance with court orders.
  • Fiduciary Bonds – Protect beneficiaries in estates, trusts, or guardianships.

Why Surety Bonds Matter for Oregon Businesses

Compliance: Many Oregon agencies require bonding to issue licenses, award public contracts, or allow operations.

Protection: Bonds safeguard public funds, private investments, and project stakeholders.

Credibility: Bonding signals financial responsibility and integrity to clients and regulators.✔ Risk Management: Surety bonds help manage various industries’ legal, financial, and contractual risks.

epbb bonds

Contact the surety team at Elliott, Powell Baden and Baker Insurance. We can create a customized bonding program that lets you take on bigger and more complex jobs.