Auto Insurance Options Bremerton, WA

Should I Have Collision & Comprehensive Insurance on My Auto Policy?

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Whether you are searching for car insurance, shopping for a lower car insurance rate or just need a new plan, you’ve come to the right insurance agency. 

Our agents will shop to find the best insurance rate & coverage for your specific needs. Plus, we can search for many discounts, particularly if you are bundling multiple policies like an auto & home or renters insurance together.

When it comes to shopping for car insurance, there are many options for coverage. You could get the bare minimum for car insurance or you could have full coverage for your policy. Each state varies with what is required for minimum car insurance coverage but the minimum will include bodily injury liability & property damage coverage, it is up to you to decide how much of it.

What about collision & comprehensive coverage for your auto insurance policy?

Collision insurance coverage will cover your vehicle if it is damaged when it collides with something. Examples: colliding into another vehicle, a tree or a guard rail. Your insurance coverage will pay for repairs or even replacement of your vehicle in the event of a total loss.

Comprehensive insurance coverage covers most other damages besides collision that could happen to your vehicle. Example: your car catches on fire, something falls on your car like a tree, collisions with an animal, your car gets vandalized or you experience car theft. There are a few exclusions, so be sure to discuss with your agent what those might be.

When it comes to deciding if this coverage is worth it, a few things to ask yourself:

  1. If I didn’t have this coverage, do I have the finances to pay out of pocket for the repairs or replacement of my vehicle?
  2. Do I have a loan? If so, comprehensive and collision coverage will be required by your finance company.
  3. How valuable is my car? Would it be possible to replace your car if you didn’t have the insurance to pay for it?
  4. Do I live in an area where car theft is common?

It is important to understand that all coverage and policy questions are specific to the policy that you purchase.  This article has been provided to help you understand how insurance works and does not imply every policy is the same or that coverage will exist. If you have more questions about your auto insurance policy talk to one of the licensed agents at H&K Insurance. We understand that insurance can be confusing, so we always want to make sure you fully understand what you are or are not covered for.

How to lower your risk for identity theft in Bremerton, WA

Protecting Yourself Against Identity Theft – Tips When Shopping Online

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How to lower your risk for identity theft in Bremerton, WA

Check if the website it secure.

A simple way to check is to look for the lock symbol in the left corner of the search browser. Any website where you are putting in your credit card information or personal information should have this.

If shopping online, are you using websites you are familiar with?

While Googling something like “Best DSLR camera” is fine, when it comes to making a purchase, it should be from a reputable company. Watch out for paid advertisements from unknown sellers.  If you’re unfamiliar with the company, you could even Google the company to see what comes up. You may learn they have poor reviews. This could save you a headache. It could also be the opposite where it’s a new company & have helped hundreds of people. Regardless, buy from a reputable company or do your research first. Shopping local is always a good bet.

Never click on links in your email from an unknown person.

Many times your email will sift through the “junk mail” and place it directly in your junk folder. Other times, scammers will try to be tricky by sending email from familiar names of either a person you know or a known institution. Always look at the email address from the sender. Most likely it’s a fake email address. If a link is included in the email, never click on it.

Other tips:

Check your bank statements every month.

Your bank can do a great job monitoring and may even catch fraudulent charges before they happen. However, it’s important to check your bank statements every month to ensure every charge is correct.

Reach out to your insurance agent.

While your banking institutions and credit card issuers do offer some protection against fraudulent charges to your accounts, did you know that your homeowner’s insurance or renter’s insurance plan may offer additional protection if your identity is stolen? In addition to your own diligence, your homeowners, condo or renters insurance policies can offer some extra protection. For a small yearly fee (typically less than $40 per year) your insurance policy may cover expenses related to court fees, loan reapplication fees (if denied due to identity theft), notary fees and more. Some insurance plans may also include access to an identity theft counselor, someone to assist with reporting fraudulent activity and to act as a liaison to the major credit report bureaus on your behalf. Identity theft plans will vary by carrier and state, so be sure to ask your agent about plans available.

If you have questions about your home, condo or renters insurance, contact H&K Insurance Agency. Our agents can review your current coverage or provide a quote on a new insurance policy. Contact us today!

Car Insurance Bremerton, WA

Steps to Take For Lower Auto Insurance Premiums

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When it comes to insurance, most people think of how they can save money first. We get it, insurance can be expensive! You want good coverage, but at an affordable cost. Being a local insurance agency, we provide many choices since we represent many top insurance carriers. Here are some tips when it comes to saving money on your car insurance.

Car Insurance Bremerton, WA

Shopping for a new car? Consider shopping insurance first.

If you have a few cars in mind when shopping for a new vehicle, consider reaching out to your insurance agent to compare possible insurance cost between the vehicles. The rough estimate of insurance cost every year could sway which car you decide on.

Save when you bundle.

Insurance carriers tend to give great discounts when you bundle your auto insurance with your home/renters/other lines of insurance. Need to insure several vehicles? Multi-policy discounts could earn you some substantial savings. Ask your agent!

Don’t drive much? Seek a low mileage discount.

If you drive less than 10,000 miles a year, ask your agent if you qualify for a discount.

Choose a higher deductible.

If your finances allow you to pay a higher deductible in the event you have a claim, you could save money by making this switch.

Ask your agent about other discounts. Do you qualify for any?

  • Paying your insurance coverage in full
  • Paperless option
  • Safe driver (accident free)
  • Electric or hybrid vehicle owner
  • Great credit score
  • Good student
  • Higher education
  • Advance quote

Did you experience a higher premium at renewal?

Reach out to your agent and ask to get re-quoted on your policy. Since we can quote many top-rated insurance carriers, you can likely get same or similar coverage with a new carrier to save money. Life changes, so can your insurance company – but you don’t need to change your agent.

We do like to note that sometimes loyalty to the same company for 3+ years can be beneficial too. Over time, you could earn yourself a discount for every loyalty milestone you hit. Typically these rewards not only include a discount on the cost of your policy, they can sometimes include accident forgiveness!

If you have questions about your auto insurance, reach out to H&K Insurance Agency. Our goal is to ensure you have the proper coverage.