Home Insurance Agent Bremerton, WA

Home or Lifestyle Changes During COVID-19 & How It Could Impact Your Insurance Policy

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Home Insurance Agent Bremerton, WAMany people have used the COVID-19 pandemic to assess their current living situation. Whether it is finally getting to those home improvement projects, getting out in your yard or garden. Others felt inspired to make some major renovations to their homes. If you fall into this category, clearly you are not the only one making changes as you stood in line outside The Home Depot, Lowes or your local home & garden department store.

If you have made some significant updates to your home this year, it’s important to relay this information to your insurance agent.

Review the scenarios below and reach out to us if you have made any of the following changes:

  • Updated your kitchen or bathroom
  • Added square footage to your home
  • Built a detached structure such as a shop, garage or office
  • Made energy efficient improvements such as solar panels on your roof

Why Do I Need to Share This Information With My Agent?

Any major update you make to your home can impact the current value of your home. If you ever have to experience a home insurance claim, your insurance carrier has an idea how much it will cost to replace what has been damaged. As your agent, we want to make sure your home has an accurate value for your home insurance policy so you can be reimbursed at the appropriate value.

Has COVID-19 caused long term changes to your lifestyle?

With some major companies extending a work from home approach into the fall season or even the remainder of the year, some people may consider finding a way to work from home permanently. If this applies to you, you may want to create a designated home office to work from. Learn how to work from home effectively here.

If you are a small business owner who now is looking to work permanently from home, be sure to let your agent know. Some changes to your home insurance policy may be necessary.

If You Plan To Drive Less, Reach Out To Your Agent

Some people who mainly used their car to commute to and from work, may be finding they are barely using their vehicle. Reach out to your insurance agent to see if can qualify for any auto insurance discounts. Some insurance carriers can provide a discount to individuals who drive less than 10,000 miles a year.

Classic Car Insurance Bremerton, WA

What You Need To Know About Classic Car Insurance

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Classic Car Insurance Bremerton, WAIf you are the lucky owner of a classic car, you can appreciate the uniqueness of the vehicle as well as cherish the nostalgia of owning it.

Classic car owners invest in classics for countless reasons. Some, purely because they like older cars versus new ones, others because they want it as an investment.  Regardless of why you choose to have a classic or antique vehicle, we’ll take you through what you need to know and understand about your insurance.

Classic Car Insurance – The basics.

Classic Car Insurance is different from a typical auto insurance policy because its premium is derived from being driven primarily on occasion, not as a daily driver. Some insurance companies specialize in insuring just classic cars and will ask you how often you drive the vehicle and how many miles per year you plan to put on it.

If you plan to use your vehicle for daily driving, you’re probably better off getting a normal auto insurance policy. In fact, many carriers will require that this be a secondary or occasional use vehicle in order to get a policy.

Classic Car Insurance – The Coverage

The biggest difference between a classic car policy and a standard car insurance policy is Agreed Value. Many carriers offer Agreed Value meaning you both “agree” on a value for the vehicle. For instance, if you have a 1965 Mustang, you can choose to insure it for $25,000. The insurance company then produces a price based off of your value. This Agreed Value is typically based off of the cars condition, improvements and other modifications or restorations. Not all 1965 Mustangs are worth $25,000 so your values can vary.

What Cars Qualify as “Classics?”

The definition of a Classic is constantly changing. In fact, some more modern vehicles may be considered classics because they’re “Day One Editions” or other limited production runs. The typical “20 years” doesn’t really apply anymore because not many model year 2000 vehicles are really classics. Your agent can help assist you in finding a policy that’s the right fit.

How Much Is Classic Car Insurance?

Classic Car Insurance is typically less expensive than the standard auto insurance policy. Because the vehicle isn’t driven every day and often time requires that the vehicle be stored inside of a garage – protected.

To find out what coverage might be right for your vehicle or to see if you qualify for a Classic Car Insurance Policy, contact our insurance agency. Our agents can help you identify savings as well as ensure you get the right coverage for your classic auto.

Insurance Agency Bremerton, WA

How to Lower Your Risk for Summer Insurance Claims

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Insurance Agency Bremerton, WAWith summer in full swing and some modified socially distant outdoor fun happening, we thought it would be a great time to discuss some common insurance claims that can occur during the summer months and how to protect yourself.

Home Break In

While many families are choosing to stay home this summer versus traveling, some individuals may still travel. If you plan to travel this summer, it is important to know a few things when it comes to keeping your home safe from burglary and theft while you are gone.

Technology – many people have invested in home security devices. This can be great to alert you of any motion detected at your home. These devices are inexpensive and easy for do-it-yourselfers to install themselves. From wireless security cameras to video recording doorbells, you have many choices in the home video surveillance category that did not exist a few years ago.

If you do not have a home security device, you could look to setup some lights on timers. This very inexpensive tool can act like you are home by leaving a light on in a specific room in your home. You can set a timer so the light is on during normal hours in the evening where you normally would be up. Use LED bulbs in your lamps to be efficient.

Friends/Family/Neighbors – If you have a good relationship with your neighbors, consider asking them to keep a watch on your home while you are away. It is always good to notify your close neighbors you know and trust that you’ll be gone so they can keep an eye out for strange activity around your property.  You can also ask a family member or friend to swing by your place for extended trips.

Avoid Posting Social Media While Away – We know many people want to post their vacation photos each day on their social media accounts. However, posting while you are gone does allow people to know you are not home giving potential burglars an easy opportunity to get to your stuff.

BBQ

With COVID-19 motivating more people to stay home this summer, you may find yourself doing a lot more barbecuing. Review these tips below to ensure you are not putting yourself at risk.

  • Keep your grill at least 10 feet from your home.
  • Keep your grill clean to avoid a grease fire. It’s best to clean it before or after every use.
  • Smell for gas when you are barbecuing. The smell of gas could indicate a leak in your hose or connections.

Boating or Other Vehicle Accidents

The best advice we can give to avoid accidents to keep yourself distraction free while driving your boat, ATV or other vehicle. As a matter of fact, be a defensive driver. Not only should you be alert of your driving but the vehicles near you.

Chipped/Broken Windshields

More people may be on the road during the summer months and that can increase rock chips on your vehicle. Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do to avoid a rock chip, but there are some things to keep in mind to lower your risk of getting one. Keep your distance between the vehicles in front of you is our best advice. Tailgating increases your chances of a rock flying up and cracking your windshield. Also, be aware of the semi-trucks on the road as these large vehicles tend to kick up more road debris than the average vehicle.

Regardless of your plans this summer we hope you enjoy the summer season! If you have questions about your property insurance or would like more information about having an extra layer of insurance protection with an umbrella insurance policy, reach out to our agents. We are here to help.