Welcome to Growing Up Covered.

Growing Up Covered: Why I Started This Blog

Four generations. One family. A century of coverage. Here is why I finally started writing about it — and why it might matter to you too.

What to do in the first 48 hours after a property loss

I've walked clients through hundreds of claims over 50 years. The first 48 hours determine everything — who you call, what you document, and what you never say to the adjuster. Here's the playbook.

Flood insurance in California: what your homeowners policy doesn't cover

Most homeowners assume water damage is covered. It's not — and in the Bay Area, with rising flood zone reclassifications, this blind spot can cost you everything. Here's how flood insurance actually works.

Umbrella + Teen Drivers + New Assets: When to Revisit Limits

A practical guide to the life moments that should trigger a quick review of liability limits and umbrella coverage.

Home Inventory Without the Overwhelm: A 30-Minute Method

A simple approach to documenting what you own so claims are easier and coverage decisions get clearer over time.

Jewelry and Valuables: When “It’s Covered” Isn’t Actually Covered

How valuables are treated under typical policies, when scheduling matters, and how to avoid surprises.

The tech startup's first insurance conversation

You just raised a round or signed your first big client. Now someone's asking for proof of insurance. Here's what to buy first, what to skip, and what to revisit at each stage.

Why every Peninsula restaurant needs more than a BOP

I insured a gentleman who had five restaurant locations in San Francisco. In the middle of the night, his West Portal location caught fire — but it started next door. What happened next involved backdraft, five businesses in a lawsuit, and a rebuild that turned our insured into a building owner.

The “3 Buckets” Framework: What to Insure, What to Prevent, What to Absorb

A simple decision framework to reduce insurance overwhelm and make better coverage choices over time.

EPLI: the coverage most Bay Area employers skip

A business owner with 40–50 employees had a big national broker handling their insurance — general liability, property, business auto, workers' comp. But zero employment practices coverage. When they fired an underperforming employee, she sued. They did nothing wrong. They still paid $80,000 out of pocket.

What happens when your small business outgrows its BOP

A BOP is a great starting point. But at some point your business needs standalone GL, property, umbrella, or specialty coverage. Here's how to know when.

Auto Insurance Limits: How to Pick Them Without Guessing

A simple way to choose liability limits using real-world scenarios, not random numbers.

From State Farm to Chubb: What a $300 Difference Looks Like

I insured Mrs. Wong's commercial properties for years before she let me look at her home policy. She'd had State Farm for 30–40 years. Then a water leak destroyed her $200,000 Italian brick kitchen floor — and State Farm offered $60,000. Here's what happened next.

The contractor's guide to certificate of insurance requests

COIs, additional insureds, waiver of subrogation — if those terms make your eyes glaze over, this is for you. A calm walkthrough of what your clients are actually asking for.

The landlord's insurance blind spot: what your standard coverage misses

In 50 years of insuring landlords on the Peninsula, I see the same three mistakes over and over: no business personal property coverage for appliances, not enough loss of rents, and no personal injury protection for wrongful eviction claims. Here's what to fix.

The Name-Your-Price Trap: What Buying Insurance Online Can Cost You

A software engineer making over $150,000 called me because he needed an umbrella — after an at-fault accident with minimum liability he bought through Progressive's name-your-price tool. Then I found out about his Lemonade renters policy. Here's the full story.

Business Owner Basics: General Liability in Plain English

A simple overview of what general liability covers, what it typically excludes, and why it matters for small businesses.

Renters Insurance: The Cheapest Policy with the Biggest Misconceptions

What renters insurance actually covers (and what it doesn’t), plus a simple way to choose limits.

Professional liability vs general liability: what consultants get wrong

GL covers bodily injury and property damage. Professional liability covers your advice and your work product. Most consultants blur the two — here's how to think about it clearly.

Workers comp in California: what small business owners actually need to know

I watched from my office on a Saturday as three roofers worked a flat roof across the street — no safety straps, no equipment. One fell off the edge, landed on his head. No workers' comp. Here's what every California business owner needs to know.

Cyber liability: it's not just for tech companies

If your business stores client emails, runs credit cards, or has a website, you have cyber exposure. Here's what cyber liability actually covers and why it matters for Main Street businesses.

Replacement Cost vs. Actual Cash Value: The 2-Minute Guide

This is my number one pet peeve in the insurance business. After the Oakland Hills fire, homes insured for $400,000 cost over $1 million to rebuild. The Pacific Palisades fires exposed the same problem 35 years later. Here's what replacement cost actually means — and why your endorsement percentage matters more than your premium.

Home Insurance in California: A Calm Explanation of What’s Changed

A no-panic overview of what’s happening in California home insurance and what homeowners can do right now.

Earthquake Insurance in California: The Math Nobody Shows You

The premium is real. The deductible is really real. Here's how to actually think through whether earthquake insurance makes sense for your household.

Umbrella Insurance: The One Policy Most People Misunderstand

Umbrella coverage in plain English: what it is, what it isn’t, who it’s for, and how to size it.

Why Your California Auto Insurance Rates Keep Climbing (Even With a Clean Record)

California auto rates are rising even for clean drivers because the cost of claims has exploded, especially from litigation and “social inflation.” Here’s what’s driving the increases and the smart ways to cut premiums without gutting liability protection.

Deductibles: The Most Confusing Word in Insurance (Made Simple)

What a deductible actually is, how it works in real claims, and how to choose one without guessing.

Growing Up Covered: The Very First Video

The first Growing Up Covered video is here. A short intro to who we are, where we come from, and what this series is all about.

What Does "Independent Brokerage" Actually Mean?

Everyone says "go independent" — but what does that actually mean for your coverage? A plain-language explainer from someone who grew up in the business.

How to Use the Safeco Mobile App

A step-by-step walkthrough of the Safeco mobile app, including ID cards, payments, policy info, and starting a claim.

5 Tips for California Property Insurance Owners

Five practical tips for California property insurance owners to help avoid gaps, surprises at renewal, and underinsurance.

Coverage Explanation: Commercial Auto Insurance

A plain-English overview of commercial auto insurance: when personal auto is not enough, key coverages, and what to review with your agent.

Coverage Explanation: Umbrella Insurance

A plain-English guide to umbrella insurance: how it extends liability protection, common requirements, and when it is worth it.

Coverage Explanation: Renters Insurance

A plain-English guide to renters insurance: personal property, liability, loss of use, and how to pick limits that make sense.

Coverage Explanation: Homeowners Insurance

A plain-English walkthrough of homeowners insurance: what it covers, how claims typically work, and common gaps to plan for.

Coverage Explanation: Auto Insurance

A plain-English overview of auto insurance: what each coverage does, how deductibles work, and what to consider when choosing limits.

Coverage Explanation: Jewelry Insurance

A plain-English guide to jewelry insurance: scheduling items, appraisals, coverage details, and common gaps to watch for.

Coverage Explanation: General Liability (Overview)

A quick, plain-English overview of what general liability insurance covers and when it matters.

What’s Cooking: Homemade Pasta (2 Ways)

A homemade pasta episode with a simple dough and two approaches for shaping or serving.

What’s Cooking: Overnight Oats

A simple overnight oats workflow with an easy base recipe and quick mix-in ideas.

What’s Cooking with Nadler Insurance: TACO TUESDAY

Taco Tuesday from scratch: salsa, guac, and tortillas, plus tips for building the perfect taco.

What’s Cooking: Breakfast Sandwiches

A breakfast sandwich episode with an easy, repeatable build and quick prep tips for busy mornings.

What’s Cookin’ with Nadler Insurance: Summer Salad

A fresh summer salad episode with simple prep, easy add-ins, and serving ideas.

What’s Cooking: Maple Glazed Cedar Plank Salmon

What’s Cooking: BBQ Rotisserie Turkey

A BBQ rotisserie turkey episode with a simple workflow for prep, seasoning, rotisserie timing, and carving.

What’s Cookin’ with Nadler Insurance: Desserts Part 2

Desserts Part 2: more sweet ideas with approachable steps, timing tips, and serving notes.

What’s Cookin’ with Nadler Insurance: Desserts PART 1

Desserts Part 1: a sweet episode with approachable dessert ideas and practical tips.

What’s Cookin’ with Nadler Insurance: Beef Brisket

A simple, step-by-step beef brisket recipe with tips for big flavor and easy prep.