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National Parks Close to Orange County to Visit

Looking for a nice weekend getaway? Here are a few national parks close to Orange County that we recommend visiting.

National Park #1: Sequoia National Park

Have you ever wanted to see some of the biggest trees in the world? They’re bigger than you can possibly imagine. They’re so big that tunnels have been built through them, allowing you to drive a car through. These trees are truly humbling.

Sequoia has a lot to offer. For one thing, you can start by just walking through the park and seeing the sights. Several lodges are available including Wuksachi Lodge, John Muir Lodge, Cedar Grove Lodge, and Grant Grove Cabins. You can also go camping if you are looking to get closer to nature.

Just make sure you plan your trip in advance. You’re more likely to enjoy yourself and get the most out of our time in the forest of giants. For more information, check out their website at https://www.nps.gov/seki/index.htm. 

National Park #2: Joshua Tree

What do you think of the Mojave desert? How about the Colorado desert? How would you like to visit a place that incorporates the beauty of both ecosystems at the same time?  

“What do you do in the desert?” Good question. There are actually a lot of things to do, just check out their website at https://www.nps.gov/jotr/index.htm for a few ideas. Take a look at the hiking trails, or you can plan on climbing and bouldering. More of a cyclist? No problem – they have bike trails too. Or you can hop on the back of a horse and enjoy the landscape that way. 

Plan on having a few picnics in the park. They have eight picnic areas, so you will always have one close by and convenient. There aren’t exactly restaurants inside the park, but you have a lot of options in nearby towns. 

National Park Close to Orange County #3: Los Padres National Forest

Have you ever been over to Los Padres? This park is huge and has a lot to offer. Horseback riding, hiking, camping, kayaking, and backpacking are just a few things you can do in this diverse park. 

One of the most interesting things about Los Padres is its biodiversity. You have forests, the sea coastline, grasslands, semi-desert, and more ecosystems all within a relatively small area. 

Check out their website at https://lpfw.org/our-region/los-padres-national-forest/ to help you plan your trip.

These are just a few of our favorite spots, but we recommend doing a quick Google search to find other places nearby to visit. Do you have favorite local spots for a weekend getaway? We would love to hear about them! 

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Fun Summertime Activities to Enjoy

Looking for some fun summertime activities to enjoy with your friends or family? While keeping in mind we should still continue to practice social distancing due to COVID-19, here are a few of our favorite things to do this time of year.

Fun Summer Activity #1: Play with Water

While we generally have nice weather in Southern California year round, there’s something different about playing in the water in summertime. It looks different for everyone, but the key element linking the activities is the water that keeps us cool and refreshed in the summer heat.

Do you have a local beach that isn’t usually too crowded? Head over there to catch some rays, play in the sand and run into the water.

Is there a community pool that tends to be mostly empty every time you see it? Throw on your bathing suit and go for a swim. While many apartment and community pools are still closed, we see some starting to re-open!

Want to stay in the backyard? Hook up the sprinkler or slip-n-slide to your hose and have a blast with your family. 

This is always a great time for the whole family to enjoy!

Fun Summertime Activity #2: Have a Cookout with Family

Nothing like a summertime backyard barbecue with your neighbors, friends, or family! Now that certain restrictions are lifted, consider having a few people over for the ultimate summer cookout. Grab your favorite foods and play your favorite games, like cornhole. 

Fun Summer Things to Do #3: Head Up to the Mountains

Luckily, in Southern California, we are just a couple hours from several mountains! Take a weekend trip and enjoy a hike or swimming in a lake. Usually the mountain air is a bit cooler, giving you relief from the heat. 

While there are many mountain resorts you can stay in, camping is always a great time! If you’re feeling adventurous grab your camping supplies and stay in the great outdoors.

Fun Summertime Activity #4: Eat More Fresh Fruit

Let’s face it- fruit in the wintertime just isn’t as good. It’s usually coming from hundreds, if not thousands of miles away. That means it isn’t as fresh. But in the summer, we’re able to get the best fruit our local farmer’s markets have to offer.

#5: Make Freshly Squeezed Lemonade

You can’t go wrong with lemonade in the summertime! This is a fun activity for your kids to enjoy too.

#6: Have a Picnic in a Park

We have so many beautiful parks in and around Orange County. Pack a picnic basket with your favorite foods and go enjoy lunch in a new park! 

#7: Make Tie-Dye Clothing

Tie-dying clothing is a fun activity for all ages! We recommend doing this outside because it can get messy so summertime is the perfect time of year.

While we have experienced an extremely unconventional year, it’s okay to take time to enjoy your summer! What are some of your favorite summer activities? We would love to hear about them! 

Please feel free to reach out to us with any questions!

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Reopening California – Phase 2

Wondering how California entering Phase 2 of reopening will affect you? Here are a few things to know and expect during this time. 

California Reopening = More Businesses Reopen

At a high level, the main thing to know is that more and more businesses are opening back up. There are three main types of businesses in the beginning part of Phase 2:

  • Manufacturers
  • Retailers
  • Warehouses

Why just these types of companies? Because 70% of the state’s economy relies on them! Think about it – manufacturers in California provide goods for the entire world, retailers sell those goods to the millions and millions of Californians and warehouses are needed to store the goods produced here. 

As time goes on, more types of businesses will open up. We’ll see office environments open back up. Restaurants will be able to have seated patrons again, not just takeout orders. Shopping malls will reopen. 

This is great news for millions and millions of Californians. Not only will they be able to go back to work and provide for their families again, but they’ll also get back to some kind of normalcy. 

However, things won’t be exactly as they were 3 months ago. 

California Phase 2: Changes to Expect

Even though all of these businesses are opening back up, you can still expect to see some new behaviors:

Social Distancing – Every business, from retailers to restaurants, are going to encourage social distancing. For example, retailers are enforcing this by marking spots on the ground so customers stand 6 feet apart at the checkout counter. Restaurants will either space out tables to be at least 6 feet apart, or only have a portion of the tables available for seating. 

Personal Protection – Employees will be required to wear protection. Masks will be the most common, followed by gloves. Some employers will go an extra step or two, such as having their employees wear safety glasses. 

Temperatures – Some employers are going to ask employees to have their temperature taken when they get to work. A fever is one of the most consistent symptoms of the coronavirus, so employers are trying to catch anyone infected before it spreads to other employees or customers. 

Sanitization – Grocery stores have been doing this for a while now, and the practices are going to spread to other businesses. Employees will be required to regularly wipe down surfaces with things like Lysol spray or disinfecting wipes. Everything from doorknobs to Keurig coffee machines will be on the to-do list.

Limited Store Capacity – This is another one some retailers have been doing for a while. They’ll track how many customers are in the store at a time, and stop allowing more customers once a limit is reached. 

California Reopening Phase 2: Do Your Part

As businesses start to reopen, do what you can to be a good citizen yourself. Some people are going to stores and restaurants without masks on. Even though some stores may allow it, that will be looked down upon for a while. Wear a mask to help prevent the spread of this virus. 

Try to be a patron to small businesses in your community. That doesn’t mean you should entirely ignore your favorite chain restaurant, but a meal or two at a mom-and-pop restaurant that’s been closed for 2 months will help your community more than going to a big chain. 

Starting to see the beginnings of California reopening is exciting but we will face many challenges. If one challenge you face is the need for better insurance, please reach out! We’d love to help. 

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How to Flatten the COVID-19 Curve

How do we “flatten the curve” of COVID-19? That is the most important thing any American can focus on right now. As this virus ravages the world, we need to work together to help the healthcare system fight it. 

First, let’s start with what it means to “flatten the curve.”

What Does it Mean to Flatten the Curve of COVID-19

When government and healthcare officials talk about “flattening the curve,” they are essentially saying we need to slow down the spread of the coronavirus. Think about it like this- assume there are two scenarios.

  • Scenario 1 is where 10,000 people get the Coronavirus within 2 weeks
  • Scenario 2 is where 10,000 people get the Coronavirus over 2 months

In the first scenario, the healthcare system will be overwhelmed. They just don’t have enough beds in the hospitals to take care of all those people, plus people experiencing “usual” healthcare issues such as heart attacks, car accidents, etc. 

This leads to many people not getting the care they need and finding it more difficult to recover.

Scenario 2 doesn’t overwhelm the hospitals. People can be treated and sent home without running out of beds. Everyone is able to get the care they need, so more people are able to live. 

Scenario 2 is the one with a “flatter curve” because there wasn’t as large of a spike in cases, and is what health experts are trying to get our help with. 

How to Flatten the Curve

The number one thing we can do to flatten the curve is practice “social distancing.” This refers to intentionally staying home and avoiding interactions with people. The fewer people we interact with, the slower the virus spreads. Here are some actions you can take to flatten the curve even further:

1. Workout from home rather than going to public places such as a park. It is okay to go on walks around your neighborhood, but just be sure to practice social distancing and do not touch anything. If you have to touch something, (crosswalk light etc.) don’t touch your face until you can return home to wash your hands thoroughly.

2. Only go to the grocery store when it is absolutely necessary. While we may be accustomed to going to the store for just a few items, make sure to use most or all of your current groceries before venturing out. Limit your trips by making a list or meal plan before you go and getting all necessary ingredients. 

Note: As you know, it is difficult during this time to find everything we need at the grocery store. Keep a few alternatives in mind that you can get if you can’t find exactly what you were looking for.

As an alternative, there are many meal delivery services that deliver groceries right to your doorstep. While these options may be a little more expensive, it can be worth saving a trip right now.

3. If you are experiencing any symptoms, do not leave your home at all. It is best to quarantine yourself for at least 7-14 days and 72 hours past when your symptoms have subsided. 

4. Do not visit your friends at their homes. Many people are still visiting friends and family and think it is safe to do so because they are at home as well. Limit this as much as possible because this still facilitates the spread of germs.

5. Above all, stay home. This too will pass and we will eventually be able to get back to normal life. The more we stay home, the faster this will be over with. Together we can flatten the curve.

Courtesy of Cuselleration

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Coronavirus 101 – What it is and How to Prevent it

Now that Orange County has declared a local state of emergency, the coronavirus is on everyone’s mind. What is the coronavirus? Are there tips to help prevent contraction?

What is the Coronavirus?

Coronavirus disease 2019 (often referred to as COVID-19) is a respiratory illness. It’s highly contagious and spreads from person to person. It’s caused by a virus that was first identified in Wuhan, China where the outbreak began. 

As of today, there are over 100,000 confirmed cases of the coronavirus and over 3,400 deaths. That said, over 55,000 people have recovered from the virus, proving that it can be beaten. 

How does the Coronavirus spread?

According to the Center of Disease Control (CDC), the main way this virus spreads is from close contact with an infected person. If someone who is infected coughs or sneezes, they produce respiratory droplets that contain the virus. 

The virus also spreads through physical contact. If the virus gets onto a surface that is then touched, it can spread. For example, if someone with the coronavirus sneezes into their hands and then touches a door handle to open it, the virus is now likely on that door handle. Anyone who touches that door handle has a risk of contracting the virus. 

What are the Coronavirus Symptoms?

There are three main symptoms of someone with the coronavirus:

  • Fever
  • Shortness of breath
  • Cough

How do You Prevent Getting the Coronavirus?

There are a few things you can do to help keep yourself healthy:

  1. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. This can be difficult because you don’t always know if someone has the virus. However, if they are showing symptoms, it’s best to keep your distance. 
  2. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands. Even if you get the virus on your hands, it may not make you sick. It’s when you touch your face or eat with hands that have the virus on them that makes you more likely to get sick. 
  3. Wash your hands often with soap and water. Keep soap on your hands for at least 20 seconds, though longer is better. You need to give the soap time to kill the virus, which is why you can’t wash it off too quickly. 

What Else Should I Know About the Coronavirus?

There is currently no vaccine for the virus, even though companies are working around the clock to develop one. Many areas of the world have declared a state of emergency, and some companies are even having people work from home to prevent the spread of the virus. 

Even if your area doesn’t have any confirmed cases, start taking action now. Considering how fast the virus is spreading, there is a good chance it will be in your area soon. Start washing your hands often and avoid people who are sick if possible. If you or your loved ones start showing symptoms of the virus, seek medical attention quickly. 

This is also an ideal time to review your health insurance. If you think a new policy is in order, give us a call at (877) 600-7347. We look forward to helping you keep your family healthy and safe.

Courtesy of Cuselleration

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6 Fun Things to Do in Orange County this December

Looking for a few fun things to do in and around Orange County this December? Here are a few recommendations. 

111th Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade and Ring of Lights

Join the OC community at one of the most beloved events of the holiday season – The 111th Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade and Ring of Lights. Extravagantly decorated boats and yachts circle Newport Harbor nightly from December 18th through December 22nd at 6:30 p.m. Make sure to arrive early to find the best viewing spot and parking!

For more information click here.

Winter Fest OC 2019

Have you ever been to Winter Fest OC? It’s an annual tradition for thousands of people. From December 19th  through January 5th, 2020, Winter Fest attracts a huge crowd due to the great variety it offers. Music lovers can go to see tributes to popular artists including an 80’s cover band, Bruno Mars, Queen, and Fleetwood Mac. Young families can bring their kids to see their favorite heroes – Paw Patrol, PJ Masks, Peppa Pig and Thomas the Train. 

Highlights of this event include ice skating, tree lighting, fireworks, the world’s biggest rocking horse and Candy Cane Carnival rides. 

There are different activities every day so plan your visit ahead of time! Check out the website to learn more about the schedule and scope out the best day for you to go. 

Enjoy The Holiday Season at Disneyland

Disneyland is a magical place. Whether you’ve never been or you’re a regular, it’s a great place to go this time of year. The park is beautifully decorated for the holidays. Christmas trees, lights, wreaths and more are all over the park. You don’t even need to ride any rides – just take a stroll through the park at night and be in awe. 

Don’t miss out on the holiday magic! Click here for more information.

Sawdust Art Festival

This is the place to be if you love festivals, great food or shopping. Open every weekend until December 22nd, the Sawdust Art Festival in Laguna Beach features over 180 artists selling their wares. Here are just a few things you can find here:

  • Clothing
  • Sculptures
  • Paintings
  • Textiles
  • Ceramics
  • Jewelry
  • Blown glass

Already done with your holiday shopping? No problem. There are live shows, art classes, food vendors, a petting zoo, Santa and more. You can spend hours just exploring the festival. 

Click here for more information. 

Find a Local Tree Lighting

There are literally dozens of tree lightings in the area this time of year. Shopping centers, malls, city halls, and marinas are a few facilities that often do a big Christmas tree lighting. These usually happen on the weekends when crowds can be the biggest, so plan your Friday or Saturday night accordingly. 

Ring in the New Year in Style

Looking for big ways to celebrate the beginning of the new decade? Orange County has countless grand parties and ways to celebrate. From a New Year’s Eve Yacht Party in Newport Beach to a grand New Year’s Eve party at Hotel Irvine, you’ll be ready to ring in the New Year in style. Click here for more New Year’s Eve parties in Orange County. 

Looking for a family-friendly way to celebrate the New Year? Check out LA Zoo Lights 2019/20 at the Los Angeles Zoo!

Have a wonderful holiday season and a Happy New Year! Feel free to reach out to us with any questions.

Courtesy of Cuselleration

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Come Sail Away: Why You Need Boat Insurance

There is an old sailor’s adage: “The two best days of your life are the day when you buy a boat, and the day when you sell it!”

 

For sailors, and people who love to get out on the water, whether it be in a sailboat or motorboat, you understand that saying well, and also know the need for boat insurance in order to protect you. Partners Direct Insurance mines the insurance field to find the right solution for you to get you out on the water!

 

We have a lot of clients in the areas of Newport Beach and Corona Del Mar, who own a variety of sailboats and powerboats.  They look to us to find the best solutions to keep them covered while on the water, or covered while transporting their boats from one place to the other.

 

Why Do I Need Boat Insurance?

 

If you are financing the purchase of your boat, your bank will require you to provide proof of insurance for your vessel. The policy will need to cover the full value of your boat. You will need to list the bank as a lienholder on the policy, so it will be included as a co-payee on any compensation resulting from a claim.

 

Also, if you are a member of a boat club, many require liability insurance, which means being covered for anything that could cause damage to your boat or to others. It may be a torrential thunderstorm and hail storm, where your roller furling on your sailboat is damaged and the boat’s mast is cracked in two. You may be in a situation where another uninsured boat owner runs into your vessel, causing damage that is expensive to repair. Unfortunately, sometimes theft (both of the vessel and its contents) can occur, or you might hit unforeseen objects in the water. You may have a traffic accident transporting your boat from one place to the other, damaging your boat and/or your boat’s trailer. Perhaps you run aground, causing significant damage to the hull. Maybe you have a group on your boat and someone slips and falls and is injured.  The worst case scenario is someone drowns while on your boat.

 

Do we have your attention? While only two states in the nation (Arkansas and Utah) require you to have boaters insurance, at Partners Direct, our experience has shown that If you are not covered with boaters insurance, you are opening yourself up to problems on down the road.

 

Won’t it Be Covered Under My Homeowner’s Policy?

In most cases, the simple answer is ‘No.’ Under a typical homeowners policy, there are limitations on the size and value of boats that are covered under the policy. In most cases, the value of the boat cannot exceed $2000. This may work if you own a canoe or kayak, but that’s pretty much it. Also, many homeowners’ policies will only cover a boat if it is physically damaged on your property, not on the water.

 

So with a boatowners policy, just like a homeowner’s policy, you can choose between the actual cash value or replacement cost if your boat is a total loss. You will also be covered by the policy if someone is hurt on your boat. Like an automobile policy, you can buy comprehensive and collision coverage, which is commonly called ‘hull insurance’ along with bodily injury and property damage.

 

You can get add ons to your boat insurance, which can include:

 

  • Roadside assistance and on-water towing
  • Mechanical breakdown coverage
  • Trailer trip interruption
  • Coverage for personal property, including fishing equipment and skis

How Can Partners Direct Insurance Help?

At Partners Direct Insurance, we know that heading out on the water is intended to be a relaxing, enjoyable experience. Let us take your mind off the worry of liability. We have tremendous partners with whom we connect who will help us tailor-make a policy perfect for you. Contact us and we’ll get you out on the water today!

 

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No Auto Insurance: California Dreaming Turns Into a Nightmare

 

You are probably like millions of Californians who depend on their cars to get to work, run errands, pick up the kids, go to the grocery store: in other words just live life. Then, one day while you’re on the interstate, someone abruptly cuts in front of you and the two of you collide, totalling your car. If you don’t have auto insurance, you are looking at a huge financial uphill climb. You will have to find another vehicle, and find a lot of money to buy it. It can be a life game-changer, and it all happened in a split second.

 

Let’s Look at Auto Insurance Numbers

  • 1 in every eight Americans chooses to have no automobile insurance
  • Here in the Golden State, there are about 32 million registered motor vehicles. Think about that: 32 million is far more than most states have in population!  Each owner is required by California state law to have auto insurance, but unfortunately, many do not.
  • One interesting note is that there are more registered motor vehicles than there are licensed drivers.
  • We have roughly 22 million licensed drivers in the state, so that is 10 motor vehicles for every eight drivers.
  • Even if we cut out the five-and-a-half million extra automobiles, Californians drive 300 billion miles a year.
  • To do this, in California we use 15 billion gallons of gasoline.
  • In terms of Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) California drivers average 13,636 each year. Compare that to the national average VMT of 9,363, according to recent data.
  • In its 2012 Urban Mobility Report, the Texas Transportation Institute declared that drivers in two regions: Los Angeles Long Beach Santa Ana (LA-LB-SA) and San Francisco Oakland (SF-O) experience a yearly average of 61 hours of delay in traffic.

 

So in other words, here in the Golden State, we are dependent on our automobiles and we drive a lot.

 

  • The State of California requires insurance companies to take the number of miles you drive each year into account when figuring out auto insurance premiums. It just makes sense: the more miles you drive, the more likely you would be to get into an accident.
  • Also, the type of vehicle you drive impacts your rates. California car insurance premiums are largely based on how old, how expensive, how safe, or how prone your car is to be stolen by thieves.
  • It is imperative that you have insurance, so if you are in a wreck, you can be covered, and get in a new vehicle without it impacting your financial life. Also, if the wreck is deemed to be your fault, you need liability insurance in order to take care of the other driver as well.

 

At Partners Direct Insurance, we take your individual driving needs into consideration in order to find you the best premium to keep you covered. For example, if you were driving a large number of miles, say 15,000 but your job change has cut that down significantly, that could mean a reduction in your premium.

 

That’s why it is important to work with an insurance company who will find the best deal…for you, in order to protect your savings and your assets in case of an accident.  Contact us at Partners Direct Insurance: just fill out your contact information and one of our team members will be in touch to provide a quote on our comprehensive Auto Insurance policies. We want you to have the best option so you can have peace of mind while stuck in traffic!

 

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Fire Away: Wildfires in SoCal and the Need for Fire Insurance

It is an all too familiar story on the nightly news: a fast-moving, wind-driven brush fire is threatening lives and property in Southern California. On June 12th, 2018 it was in Irvine, and the brush fire shut down the northbound lanes of the 241 toll road. Helicopters were in the area dropping water on the fire. Initial reports from the air estimated it had already burned 155 acres, but firefighters say the fire had the potential to burn up to 500 acres of property. From a long distance away drivers could see a large plume of smoke.

 

Familiar Story

Just last December, Southern California residents were on guard or fleeing as wildfires spread through Ventura and Los Angeles Counties. The record-setting wildfires were devastating residential communities, as developers have expanded further into land prone to natural disaster by fire. Thousands of people had to evacuate and freeways like the 405 were closed for a time. This fire event reached from just south of Santa Barbara to the Mexico border.

 

California wildfires are unusual in that they come late in the year. The annual wildfire activity is largely due to extremely dry conditions in the region and state’s Santa Ana winds. Between October and March, warm air blows in from the desert, leading to blustery days. The wind dries out vegetation, making it a tinderbox. The strong winds can also knock down trees and power lines. A strong wind can easily send a wildfire into your neighborhood, and with very little notice.

 

Hot Angeles

According to the National Weather Service, 2017 was the second hottest year on record for Los Angeles when measured halfway through the year. If you live in Los Angeles, you know you didn’t need an umbrella in 2017: LA received just 0.11 inches of rainfall from the beginning of October, which is typically LA’s wet season. That means a lot of tree, shrubs and bushes that are easily burned.

 

So I Want to Be Protected: What Do I Do?

Most homeowners’ insurance policies cover fire damage, but if you are considered to live in a high-risk area, for example near a canyon, you may need to pay extra for additional coverage. When entire communities are devastated, like we saw in late 2017, your home replacement dollars might not go far enough, because costs will soar for everything from materials to labor. After the 2017 wildfires, many insurers racked up billions of dollars in fire-related claims. Some stopped writing new policies…period.

 

Why Partners Direct

That’s why it is important to get expert advice to find the right homeowners insurance policy. It can cover both damage to your property and liability. We can seal the gaps in your insurance coverage. What makes Partners Direct unique is that we are a broker for the major insurance companies, including:

 

  • Liberty Mutual
  • Nationwide
  • Hartford
  • CHUBB
  • Mercury

 

Contact us to see how we can be of service to you!

 

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Guatemala: the Forgotten Tragedy

This day, we are going to get our minds off of insurance for a moment to call attention to, and help insure the well-being of the people of the country of Guatemala. They are in the midst of experiencing a traumatic volcanic eruption and their story has not had much media attention but deserves it.

Guatemala is a Central American country south of Mexico, and is home to beautiful rainforests, ancient Mayan sites, and volcanoes. . The capital, Guatemala City, features the stately National Palace of Culture and the National Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology. Antigua is west of the capital and it contains preserved Spanish colonial buildings. Lake Atitlán, formed in a massive volcanic crater, is surrounded by coffee fields and villages.

Recently, Guatemala’s Volcan de Fuego, “Volcano of Fire” erupted. At last count, at least 99 people have died, but there are more than 200 people unaccounted for so the number is certain to increase. Firefighters in the nearby town of San Miguel Los Lotes are not hopeful, saying the possibility of finding survivors is unlikely. The weather is creating an additional burden for first responders, as rain has hardened the thick ash, making rescue efforts extremely difficult. Ash, mud and debris are now more likely due to the rain.

Efrain Suarez walks through a barren terrain near the Volcan de Fuego, or “Volcano of Fire,” in San Miguel Los Lotes, Guatemala on Wednesday.  (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)

Just like the volcanic eruption on the Big Island of Hawaii, there are warnings of new flows of lava descending down throughout the canyons on the volcano’s western slope, toward the Pantaleon River. As you can imagine, people in Guatemala are panicked, uncertain and need assistance now.

 

Rescue workers remove piles of ash spewed by the Volcan de Fuego, or “Volcano of Fire,” eruption, in El Rodeo, Guatemala on Wednesday.  (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

Volcanic eruptions in Guatemala are not uncommon. But people in the area were used to small spits and spurts. Not this, when a huge cloud of ash shot out of the volcano, with lava pouring down the sides of the mountain.  Residents say their entire village disappeared within a matter of three to four minutes, becoming smothered in lava. Entire families were lost.

Now, at least 3,500 people are living in shelters. They are the fortunate ones, who left before the lava and ash rendered them helpless. But what now? Some families have a local support system, and many do not. They were scurrying to leave and could take very few possessions with them.

At Partner’s Direct Insurance, taking care of people is embedded in our DNA. We have a heart for the region, and want to help the people of Guatemala who are suffering. They are not getting the world’s attention and resources that they need. Here is a list of organizations that are actively involved in trying to alleviate the suffering. This should not be a forgotten tragedy, and we want to work to make sure it is not.

All our best,

Partner’s Direct Insurance

 

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