Insurance for holiday gifts Bremerton, WA

What Holiday Gifts Should I Insure?

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Insurance for holiday gifts Bremerton, WAThe season of giving (and receiving!) is such a joyous time. Not only do families typically make the most effort to get together, but it is a time to enjoy some holiday cheer with some gift exchanges and great food and drinks.

If you’re lucky enough to be the recipient of an expensive gift this holiday season, you may wonder if you need to insure that product. While your existing home or renters insurance policy already includes a certain amount of coverage for personal property, some items like jewelry and collectibles should have their own line of coverage called an endorsement or floater. Home insurance isn’t designed to cover special items, but is instead designed to provide coverage for day to day items that are easily replaced like clothes, appliances and furniture. If you have special jewelry or collectibles, consider a special policy or endorsement for these items.

Jewelry that you may want to have a floater or endorsement for can include:

  • Expensive watches, rings, necklaces, bracelets, earrings
  • Rare or vintage pieces

Collectibles that you should consider insuring can include:

  • Comic books
  • Rare toys
  • Furs
  • Stamp collections
  • Firearms
  • Sports cards

Other things to consider when insuring your jewelry or collectibles:

Keep an up-to-date appraisal.

Collectibles and fine jewelry can increase or decrease in value dramatically. The last time the economy turned down, collectibles took a big hit because people didn’t have the money to buy them and the market was flushed with people trying to sell them to make some extra money. Like the collectible market, fine metals like Gold, Silver and Platinum fluctuate daily so if you’ve gone years without getting a jewelry appraisal, you may want to revisit that.

What does insurance pay on the items you have when it comes to a claim settlement?

If you purchase a collectibles or jewelry endorsement it would be good to understand the differences in policy coverages. For instance, by selecting something called agreed value, you can ensure you get that amount of coverage. If you insure your rare Spider Man comic book for $4,500, if something happens to it and it is stolen or destroyed, you’ll get that $4,500 not the current value should it depreciate.

Most of the companies we represent allow these items to be scheduled right on your home or renters insurance policy. Call an agent today to see if you should add an endorsement for your special item. Enjoy the holidays and if we can answer anything for you about your home or auto insurance during this holiday season, please give us a call.

Local Insurance Agency in Bremerton, WA

Benefits of Bundling Your Insurance Policies

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Local Insurance Agency in Bremerton, WA“Bundle your home and auto & save!” “Save by bundling your insurance policies together!”

We seem to be inundated with commercials and advertisements telling us to bundle our insurance policies together. What is the reason behind this and is this really a better option for your insurance?

Benefits of Bundling

Discounts

Some of the benefits associated with bundling your insurance policies together are discounts. The more you bundle, typically, the more you save. While the most common bundled policy is the home and auto policy, some insurance companies discount other product bundles such as auto and motorcycle. It depends on each carrier.

Consolidated Billings

Bundling your policies together can help eliminate confusion over your billing. While home insurance may go to your escrow company, it is easier to understand when your bill comes from a single source.

Access to more products

Many companies will require the auto policy to write an umbrella policy. While typically the umbrella policy is written under the property portion of your insurance. Do note, there are some companies who will just write an umbrella policy.

Why would you not bundle?

Sometimes bundling your insurance policies just doesn’t make sense. Some circumstances in which you may not be able to bundle your insurance can be:

  • Young drivers
  • SR22 Insurance
  • High Risk Drivers
  • Dangerous dog in household
  • Earthquake or Flood Insurance

Every once in a while auto insurance premium may seem too high, but you’re happy with your home insurance carrier. In this instance, you can use the full benefit of an independent insurance agent by writing the home with one carrier and the auto insurance with another carrier.  Just because you’re splitting the policies doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll pay more. An agent in our office can show you all the prices between several carriers and help guide you as to what makes the most sense for your specific situation.

If you’re in the market for a new or replacement insurance policy, you’ve come to the right place. Independent insurance agents are the only agents who have access to multiple top-rated insurance companies. By shopping with an independent agent, you can compare coverage, pricing, payment plans and look at bundling your insurance policies. The benefits of having an independent insurance agent don’t stop there. As your life changes, your agent can adapt to your needs finding you the right new company for your new situation such as getting married, having a teen driver and more. Thank you for the opportunity to help you with your insurance.

SR22 Insurance Agent Bremerton, WA

What is Sr22 Insurance and Who Needs It?

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SR22 Insurance Agent Bremerton, WAAt some point, it is possible that you may need to have SR22 Insurance. SR22 Insurance is actually not insurance at all, but a certificate that proves you carry insurance and meet your states liability requirements. The reasons why you may have to carry a SR22 vary and can include:

  • Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs
  • Too Many Tickets
  • Too Many At-Fault Accidents
  • Reckless Driving
  • Driving Without Insurance
  • Driving While Suspended

Who writes SR22 Insurance?

There are several top-rated insurance companies that will write SR22 Insurance. Because we’re an independent agent, we can compare rates between them to find you the best price and coverage for your situation.

Is SR22 Insurance expensive?

Generally speaking, yes you will pay quite a bit more for SR22 Insurance. Because you’re higher risk and insurance companies base their premiums on risk, your insurance coverage will likely be higher than before you needed the SR22.

What do I do with my SR22 certificate?

You actually don’t have to do anything. Your insurance company will notify the correct departments on your behalf. As long as you pay your premiums. If your coverage lapses, they will notify the state that your coverage has lapsed and you will then no longer be able to drive until you get it reinstated.

How long do I need to have an SR22?

It depends, but often times you will be required to carry SR22 Insurance for a three year period. Check with your local agencies for your specific situation.

Can I add an SR22 to my existing policy or do I need new insurance?

Some insurance companies will not accept a driver who needs SR22 Insurance, so check with your agent. We will be able to tell you whether or not you need a new policy or can simply add one to your existing insurance policy.

We can help you identify a company who can write your SR22 insurance. While many dread having to carry one, we can make it quick and easy and even issue the policy over the phone for you so you can get back on the road. Call our office or request a quote online.

I don’t even own a car! Why do I need SR22 insurance?

This is referred to as non-owners SR22 insurance. The coverage covers the individual with a driver’s license, not a vehicle. Each state varies with different laws so be sure to talk to one of our agents to see exactly what you need.

If you need a SR22 Insurance policy, contact our office and ask to speak with a licensed auto insurance agent. We will make the process quick and easy for you, offering you many choices between companies as well as payment options to help you along the way. Contact us today.