Skip to content
Click to Call Click to Text
Hart Insurance Agency

33301 1st Way S, Suite C130,
Federal Way, WA 98003

Get Directions

Why would a normal person need an umbrella policy?

Certainly, everyone has different needs when it comes to insurance. But you don’t want to find out when it’s too late that a certain kind of policy could have prevented a disaster in your life. 

Insurance is about protecting yourself based on the individual risks you face. If you live in Federal Way, WA, you probably have basic insurance for where you live and for your automobile through Hart Insurance. Most people don’t think twice about the limits on their policies, because even the minimum sounds like a lot.

A $1 Million Umbrella Policy Could Actually Benefit Almost Anyone

You might be thinking that you don’t own $1 million worth of assets, even if you pooled everything together and auctioned it off to the highest bidders. But if you end up on the wrong end of a lawsuit, whoever wins against you can get more than that.

As long as you still have the potential to earn money, you may end up being required to pay a very large judgment until it is paid off. You may be able to file bankruptcy at some point or discharge the judgment through another means, but that would mean destroying your own credit in order to get ours from under the judgment. A judgment can get large quickly, especially when there are not just damages but legal fees attached.

An Umbrella Policy Is Surprisingly Affordable

Your umbrella policy will not kick in until your other policies are exhausted. Because of that, umbrella policies are surprisingly inexpensive. You can get a large amount of coverage for a comparatively small amount of money.

If you are in Federal Way, WA and are considering whether you have enough protection, don’t hesitate to call Hart Insurance for a free quote.

Tips to Keep Pets Healthy During the Winter

Whether your pet enjoys the winter or they would rather curl up under a cozy blanket, the cold Federal Way, WA winters can be as rough on pets as it is on humans. When it comes to your pets, winter can be a dangerous time of the year. Here are three tips to keep your pet safe and healthy this winter.

Visit the Vet

It is especially important to take your pet to the vet for a checkup before the cold sets in. Having an exam before the temperatures drop will ensure your pet is healthy as well as give you an opportunity to talk with the vet about health and safety precautions for your pet during the winter, especially senior pets. At the same time, you schedule the vet appointment, be sure to contact Hart Insurance to update your pet insurance.

Avoid Long Exposure to the Cold

You’ll have to take your dog out for daily exercise and to use the bathroom, but it is important to not leave them exposed to the cold for long periods of time. Just like humans, exposure to freezing temperatures can lead to hyperthermia in pets as well. Be sure to cover your pet’s pads with socks to protect them from the ice and salt and if possible consider putting a sweater on your pet before going outside.

Protect Against Harmful Chemicals

With winter comes a higher risk of coming in contact with harmful toxins, including antifreeze. Be sure to keep pets off the driveway and out of the garage where there may be spots of antifreeze and/or other chemicals that may be fatal for your pet. A good tip to protect their paws from salt and ice melt products on the sidewalks is to apply petroleum jelly on their paws before going out. If you suspect your pet may have ingested harmful toxins, such as antifreeze, it is important to seek emergency treatment for the vet.

Pets need protection from extreme temperatures, which includes providing them with a warm, dry and draft-free shelter, plenty of food and a lot of clean water. Be sure to take precautions any time the temperature drops below freezing and keep in mind that if it’s too cold for you to go out, it’s probably too cold for your pet as well.

Residents of Federal Way, WA interested in learning more information about pet insurance should contact Hart Insurance.

How Much Coverage Should Home Insurance Include?

Buying home insurance is never easy. You want to make sure that you have enough coverage for your home in Federal Way, WA so that you aren’t left spending a significant amount of money out-of-pocket if there is a catastrophe. At Hart Insurance, we can help to build a customized policy for you to earn sure that you have sufficient coverage.

A standard policy will provide coverage in for specific areas. This includes for the structure of your home, personal belongings, liability protection, as well as additional living expenses.

You want to make sure that you have enough coverage in all of these areas. You can increase the amount based on the value of your home, whether you have expensive items in your home or you want additional liability protection, such as if you have young kids in the house.

Essentially, you want to look at building a policy so that you don’t have holes within your coverage. These holes are what could end up costing you a significant amount of money if you have to file a claim. If you don’t have the coverage in an area, insurance will not cover it. This could leave you repairing various parts of your home or replacing personal belongings out of your own money – and that could get extremely expensive.

The goal of an independent insurance agent is to find the amount of coverage that will protect your home. This includes looking at the value of your home, any other structures on your property, as well as the value of a home inventory. From there, it’s easier to determine how much coverage your home insurance should include for your home in Federal Way, WA.

Reach out to one of the Independent insurance agents at Hart Insurance so that we can work with you to build the right policy for you and your home.

 

When is an Older Car Considered a Classic Car?

If you have a classic car, it is important that you insure it as a classic car, rather than purchasing regular auto insurance for the car. But there are no hard and fast rules to what makes one car an old car and what makes another a classic car. Here at Hart Insurance, serving the greater Federal Way, WA area, we want to help you select the correct type of insurance for your car. Here are a few of the factors you should consider when deciding if your older car is a classic car. 

Age

One of the factors that should be looked at when determining whether or not you have a classic car is the age of the vehicle. Most experts agree that a classic car is about 25 to 50 years old. After 50 years old, your car is considered an antique, rather than an expert. If it is less than 25 years old, most experts believe it is simply an older car. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. 

Rarity 

Another factor that is looked at is the rarity of the car. If the car is no longer being produced and it is rare, it may be deemed a classic car. As such, you could have a car that is 10 years old, but due to the fact that it is no longer being produced and it is rare, an expert may deem it a classic. 

Value

Lastly, the value of the car comes into play. If Blue Book lists your car as one value, but you know you can sell it for more due to its age and rarity, it may be a classic car. Ensuring it as a classic car helps you to get the value someone will pay for it, rather than Blue Book value. 

Are you ready to purchase a classic car auto insurance policy? Then let Hart Insurance, serving the greater Federal Way, WA area help you. Give us a call today for an estimate or to schedule an appointment to sit down and talk about your new policy. 

Get the best value for your insurance without changing companies.

Changing companies is time-consuming and may not be your best option. Here are some reasons why.

Customers who stay with the same company have a statistically lower chance of turning in a claim. Therefore your insurance score will be lower after you change companies. A lower insurance score means a higher price.

You will lose any accident forgiveness credits if you change to a new company. Many companies offer accident forgiveness after three to five years. If you have an accident that is your fault, you won’t be charged the usual surcharge.

Companies value customer loyalty. Staying with a company for many years may cause the company to keep your insurance instead of canceling you if you have a couple of claims.

So how do you get the best value for your insurance? A better solution to save costs without switching companies is to review your policies yearly or whenever you experience a lifestyle change. Here at Hart Insurance, we have a comprehensive checklist that we will review with you.

Deductibles—A higher deductible means a lower price because you share more of the cost of a claim with the insurance company. If you haven’t had a claim for many years, your odds of having a claim are lower than average. Maybe you are handy and can fix small things. Why spend the extra money for a low deductible if you are unlikely to use it?

Credits— Each company offers different credits, so ask your agent to make sure you are getting all of the credits you deserve. Consider installing a telematics device in your car. It will track your driving habits for a period of time for up to 30% discount! Some companies give a discount just for you agreeing to install it.

Home value—Your home value will usually have a built-in inflation guard to be sure that your home value keeps up with inflation. With your policy review, be sure to have your agent recalculate your home value to be sure it isn’t too high or too low.

Top 5 Car Buying Pro Tips

Car buying, especially for first-time buyers can be a tedious process. Planning ahead and observing these 5 car buying tips will go a long way in ensuring you get an excellent ride. 

Do your research
Doing your research prior to walking into a car dealership prevents you from impulse buying. Luckily, the internet has all the information you would need about the car you would want to purchase. If you are looking for a new car, find out what the dealer paid the manufacturer as this will help you negotiate a suitable deal. If you are buying a used car, research on the resale prices for the model you aspire to buy. 
Evaluate different financing options
Car dealership financing mostly comes with higher interest rates compared to credit unions or banks. Besides, your bank could offer you a relationship discount that a car dealership will not. 
Negotiate the terms and ask for any discounts
Buying a car is one of the biggest investments one can make. The purchase price is usually not fixed. Knock it down and ask for any discounts that you might be eligible for. Such could include military, student, or credit union discounts. 
Consider the car’s insurance costs
Your vehicle’s insurance cost is influenced by factors such as its price and its model. You could get a ballpark figure of your insurance costs by submitting its make and model along with your age, driving record and other details to various insurance providers online. 

Ready to purchase your car in Federal Way, WA? Contact Hart Insurance today for a free estimate of your auto insurance coverage. We work with experienced agents who will guide you on the ideal coverage options for your car. Also, our coverage options are tailored to meet a wide array of auto insurance needs. 

How Often Should You Review Your Commercial Insurance Policy?

Business owners in Federal Way, WA should review their commercial insurance coverage once every few years or if major changes occur in the size of their business or if equipment has recently been upgraded. The agents at Hart Insurance understand that businesses change over time and that reviewing a commercial policy is necessary to prevent financial loss. 

Unexpected Growth

Unexpected growth in terms of increased inventory and production can indicate that a review of your current commercial policy is needed to maintain financial security. A review may show areas where too much coverage is costly, while not enough coverage could lead to heavy financial losses if an event were to occur that made it impossible to maintain normal operations. An increase in orders due to new equipment or the introduction of a new product is also a sign of growth that should be evaluated.

Equipment and Assets

Replacing old equipment that is outdated or no longer works properly means an insurance review is necessary. New equipment is an investment in the business that needs to be protected. An increase in inventory or the materials that are needed for production are assets that can be extremely expensive to replace. Protecting them with the right type of insurance is essential.

Reviewing your commercial insurance policy should be considered if you have recently updated your equipment or experienced any type of growth. The agents at Hart Insurance are available to help business owners in the Federal Way, WA area go over their existing policies to determine if they are sufficient to protect their business from financial loss. Call and schedule your commercial insurance evaluation today!

 

4 reasons why you need umbrella insurance

Umbrella insurance offers you coverage over and above your existing insurance policy. It affords you that extra protection if a lawsuit is filed against you. Sometimes, expensive legal suits could exhaust your current coverage option leaving you exposed to financial uncertainties. That’s where your umbrella insurance coverage comes in handy. At Hart insurance, we write umbrella insurance for Federal Way, WA and surrounding areas.  Our coverage options across all our policies are tailored to afford you the ideal coverage that meets all your insurance needs.

Here are 4 reasons why you need umbrella insurance,

Extra auto liability insurance protection

If you are sued after a motor accident, and the court finds you culpable, it will order that you pay damages to the aggrieved party. In some instances, your auto liability insurance may be exhausted in a bid to cover the litigation fees plus the damages. Devoid of an umbrella insurance coverage, you might be compelled to set the difference from your personal funds. However, with an umbrella insurance coverage, you can easily top up the difference.

Extra home liability insurance coverage

A standard home insurance policy will include a liability insurance coverage that will protect you against legal suits leveled against you. However, if it is exhausted, the umbrella insurance coverage option steps in to cover the difference.

Peace of mind

With an umbrella insurance coverage in place, you can always rest assured knowing that there is an extra help if you exhaust your primary limits.

Saves you money

The extra out of pocket costs accrued after an initial limit is exhausted will dent your financial stability. With an umbrella insurance cover, you can save on such costs and keep your liquidity intact.

At Hart Insurance, we would like to get you covered today. Contact us and speak to one of our agents about an umbrella insurance coverage. You can use our online estimation tool for a free estimate of your coverage options.

Tips for Saving Money on RV Insurance

No one likes paying full price for anything and that even includes how much you are paying for your RV insurance. Even though it is something that you need to have, that does not mean that you need to pay a lot of money in order to have it. In fact, there are a lot of ways that you can actually save money on RV insurance. Here at Hart Insurance, serving Federal Way, WA, we want to help you get the most out of your money when it comes to your insurance needs so we recommend these tips for saving money.

  • Stick with the minimum coverage you need. You do not need to have more coverage than is necessary unless you have a very expensive RV. Start with a policy that meets the minimum requirements then go from there with saving.
  • Ask for discounts. There are a lot of discounts available in the world today and you are not doing yourself any favors by not asking for them. Explore every possible discount and sign up for those that you qualify for.
  • Look at higher deductibles. Higher deductibles mean lower premiums. Just make sure you can afford the deductible you sign up for.

These are just a few of the tips that we have up our sleeve but there are even more ways to save that we can help you with. we can also get you started on the right foot with saving by starting you out with a lower policy premium and then working on lowering it more. Be sure to reach out to us here at Hart Insurance, serving Federal Way, WA, today so we can run a free quote for you and then help you save even more on your RV insurance.

Three Tips to Prep Your Boat for Summer

One of the great joys of living Federal Way, WA, is having access to water. If you’re among the plethora of boat owners in the area, you’re probably chomping at the bit for warmer weather and the aquatic fun that comes with it. While you’re still waiting, there’s plenty to do to get the boat ready. That’s why Hart Insurance has this simple checklist to help you get started.

Clean

This is a big chore. You want to clean the hull, deck, and topside. A healthy coat of wax is essential. Engines and motors also need a good maintenance run. Scrubbing every inch of the boat is pretty much the only way to ensure you have defeated any mold, mildew or corrosive buildups during the offseason.

Inspect

The obvious starting point is with the hull. Especially if your boat stays dry during the winter, you want to be sure it’s leak-free before taking it to water. Anything essential needs a proper check. Sails, safety equipment, drains, windows and hatches are all on the list. Since every boat is different, you should spend the time to make an exhaustive inspection checklist. Every effort you spend in preparation will save you great pains once you’re on the water.

Replace

For starters, you want to replace any supplies and tools that have gone missing or suffered damage since the last time your boat saw action. First on the list is safety equipment. Resupply your first aid kit, and make sure you have adequate life preservers and other safety devices. From there, get to replacing anything that didn’t pass your inspection. Lastly, make sure you’re properly stocked for the scope of your voyages. Joy trips around the bay obviously require fewer supplies than extended journeys.

Last but not least, you want to double check your insurance. Federal Way, WA, is home to plenty of insurers, so make sure the folks at Hart Insurance have taken the time to optimize your coverage.

 

Servicing States

  • Washington

Testimonials


More Testimonials

Partner Companies

  • Cbic
  • Encompass
  • Foremost
  • Geovera
  • Hagerty
  • Mutual Of Enumclaw
  • Palomar
  • Progressive
  • Red Shield
  • Safeco
  • Travelers