By Lorie Ham
Insurance Agent Dalia Jimenez will have been with Mennonite Insurance for 28 years as of May 1, 2024, so we decided it would be fun to chat with her about her many years of experience. She has unique insight into how things have changed over the years, and she shares some of the joys and challenges of her job!
Q: What type of insurance do you like to work with the best, and what do you feel you are the best at?
Dalia: I like Home Insurance. It protects your home from fire, water, wind, etc. Anyone who owns a home needs this type of insurance.
Q: Why do homeowners need home insurance?
Dalia: If you are a homeowner and you would like to protect your investment, and also protect yourself from a lawsuit if someone gets hurt on your property and it’s your fault. The latter would fall under the Liability portion of your homeowners, policy.
Q: What is something that customers need to be aware of regarding home insurance that they might not think about?
Dalia: Customers need to be aware that if water enters your home from the outside, your home insurance doesn’t cover it. That is considered a flood, and you need a separate flood policy. If water happens inside like a toilet or dishwasher, or a sink overflows, that’s covered because it’s inside water. If your home is in a Flood Zone you are required to have Flood insurance by your mortgage company. If you don’t have a loan then it’s not required.
Q: How has this particular type of insurance changed over the years?
Dalia: The insurance industry has changed a lot in the 28 years I’ve been here. As the property values go up so does your insurance premium since we have to protect your home for a higher value.
Q: Anything you would like to add?
Dalia: It’s very important that our insureds review their homeowners policy to make sure there is enough coverage to protect their home. We insure the homes at replacement value (what it would cost to rebuild your home if it burned down to the ground) and not market value. It’s important to notify us if you have made any upgrades to the home, added solar, or added square footage, to make sure the home is insured at the correct value in case of a loss.
Q: What is the hardest thing about working in the insurance industry?
Dalia: What I like the least about my job is how the insurance market is changing and rates are increasing which is beyond our control. Nobody likes to see the rates increase.
The hardest thing about insurance right now is a lot of companies are leaving California and no longer want to write in our state so our markets are getting very limited. Due to a lot of
claims due to fire losses and flood losses, the companies don’t want to do business in California. That goes for the auto companies also. The rates are going higher and customers are complaining—it’s not just the companies we use, but that goes for everyone. We can’t control the rates other companies use; they are approved by the state.
Q: What do you like best about your job?
Dalia: I love helping our insureds and making sure they have the coverage they need—not just their homes, but auto, umbrella liability, earthquake coverage, flood, and collectibles.
What I like the best about my job are the people I work with. A lot of us have been there
15+, 20+ years so we’ve worked together a long time. We’re like a family and we all get along well. We have seen our kids grow up, and for me my grandkids also.
If you have questions about your home insurance coverage or any other insurance coverage, be sure to reach out to Dalia and the rest of the team at Mennonite Insurance Services, they would be happy to help! (559) 638-2327.
