Why did my rates go up?
This is a question we are hearing more often than usual right now. If you haven’t had any tickets or accidents, rate increases can seem unfair.
There are many reasons for price increases such as supply chain disruptions, staffing shortages, inflation, more claims being turned in and courts awarding higher payouts on liability claims.
Why am I being canceled?
In addition to raising rates, insurance companies are canceling more customers than usual. A single ticket or claim can trigger a cancellation—especially if you have only one or two years tenure with them or your policy has canceled in the past.
Here are some things you can do for your own risk management.
Keep your home maintained to prevent water leaks and other losses.
Consider installing a burglar and fire alarm.
Drive defensively and follow the laws. Ask us about telematics that reward you for good driving.
Encourage young drivers in your household to take driver’s education and maintain a 3.0 or higher GPA.
Ask about higher auto liability. Companies may give a better rate if you have higher limits.
Checking your credit yearly may help you identify any discrepancies in your report.
Do not let your insurance cancel. Companies are increasingly declining to reinstate. If they do agree to reinstate, they may require payment in full.
How can we help?
In response to these challenges, we are making diligent efforts to check for credits you qualify for and making sure you understand the coverages you have selected. Just like the tides ebb and flow, this too shall pass. In the meantime, please reach out anytime with any questions or concerns.
Category: Insurance
Do I Need Boat Insurance?
Boat insurance is not required by law in Washington. However, boat insurance is often a good idea, even if it’s not required by law. At Hart Insurance in Federal Way, WA, we offer boat insurance.
When Boat Insurance is Required
Boat insurance is only required by law in two states, Utah and Arkansas, so it’s not legally required in Washington. However, if you have a lien on your boat, your lender will likely require you to have boat insurance. Lenders often require full coverage insurance, which protects their investment.
Marinas will sometimes require boat insurance as well, particularly liability insurance. This protects the marina and other boaters.
Considering Risk Tolerance
Assuming that you aren’t required to have boat insurance by a lender or marina, do you still need it? Is it worth the cost?
To decide the answer, you’ll need to think about your risk tolerance. Can you afford to replace your boat if it’s damaged in an accident? Can you afford salvage or tow costs if your boat is damaged? Can you afford to repair someone else’s boat if it’s damaged in an accident with your boat?
If you answered no to these questions, you need boat insurance because you have a low-risk tolerance.
What Type of Boat Insurance Do I Need?
Liability coverage will protect your finances if your boat damages another boat or property, like a marina or dock. The general recommendation is $1,000,000 in liability coverage. However, you may need more coverage if you have a fast, powerful boat.
Lenders often require collision and comprehensive coverage. Collison coverage will cover the costs of repairing or replacing your boat if it’s damaged in an accident. Comprehensive coverage covers damage that occurs when you aren’t on the water.
Boat Insurance from Hart Insurance
If you want boat insurance in Federal Way, WA, contact us at Hart Insurance. We offer various insurance options, including boat insurance, to meet your insurance needs.
Who needs umbrella insurance in Washington?
All people living in the Federal Way, WA area must take their personal liability risks seriously. Even those who are careful and cautious could potentially cause an accident that results in damages. As this is an ongoing risk, having insurance is always a good idea. A way that this risk can be mitigated is by getting an umbrella insurance plan. There are various situations when someone here will need to get a proper umbrella insurance policy.
When Trying to Cover More Situations
One situation when someone will need to have umbrella insurance is when they are trying to protect against as many risks as possible. A big advantage of an umbrella insurance plan is that it offers very broad coverage. This can include coverage against liability risks that are not protected by home or auto plans. When you get an umbrella insurance policy, you will have support for many additional risks, which can offer peace of mind.
Additional Liability Coverage
An advantage of umbrella insurance is that it can provide you with additional liability coverage. While you will have liability coverage through home or auto insurance, it will always have a limit. When you have a full umbrella insurance plan in place, you will get additional coverage that will be on top of any existing plans that you have.
Having an umbrella insurance plan is very important for anyone who is in the Federal Way, WA area. When you are looking for a new plan in this region, it would be a great idea to call our team with Hart Insurance. When you do call our professionals with Hart Insurance, you can be assured that you build a proper plan that will offer you liability coverage in a wide range of situations.
Four problems you can avoid with pet insurance
Buying pet insurance is important. As a pet owner, you need to be able to pay for veterinary care when your pet needs it. Hart Insurance offers pet insurance to consumers in Washington.
The following are four problems you can avoid with pet insurance.
Being unable to pay for veterinary care for your pet
It’s heartbreaking not to have enough money to get your pet’s veterinary care. With pet insurance, veterinary care can be made more affordable for you. This allows you to save your pet’s life with veterinary care in many situations.
Facing financial hardship when your pet gets sick
Even if you have the money for the veterinary care that you need, paying for vet care could lead to financial hardship. Veterinary procedures involving surgery or certain medications can be very costly and challenging for many pet owners to afford.
Stressing out over pet health
Pet insurance gives pet owners more peace of mind. If you don’t have pet insurance covering veterinary expenses, you may experience stress as you worry about your pet’s health.
Losing savings when your pet gets sick
If your pet gets sick, you might have to dig into your hard-earned savings to pay for veterinary care. With pet insurance, you can protect your savings and pay for the vet care you need without losing the funds you’ve worked so hard to save up.
Are you a pet owner in Washington who is looking for a pet insurance policy? At Hart Insurance, we can provide you with a quote on a pet insurance policy. Get in touch with us today to learn more.
What Does RV Insurance Cover?
If you recently purchased an RV (recreational Vehicle), you will need to ensure that you have the appropriate amount of RV insurance in place to protect your investment.
According to the experienced RV insurance agents at Hart Insurance serving the Federal Way, WA area, you must have at least liability insurance on your RV before legally having it on the road in Washington. This applies to your RV if it has its own engine, such as a motorhome. If you have a pull-behind trailer or other types of RV, you are not required to have liability insurance, but it is a good idea. If it comes loose from your vehicle, it can cause an accident, so liability insurance will still come in handy to pay for any property damage or injuries caused by the accident.
Uninsured and Underinsured RV Insurance
In addition to liability insurance, you can also obtain uninsured or underinsured coverage. This will help you if you become involved in an accident with someone who does not have the appropriate amount of insurance to cover damages to your RV.
Comprehensive and Collision Insurance Coverage
Comprehensive insurance coverage will assist you in paying for repairs or the replacement of your RV if it is damaged or destroyed by a fire, an act of vandalism, or a natural disaster. This type of coverage can also assist you in replacing your RV if it is stolen.
Collision insurance will help you pay for repairs to your RV if you collide with another vehicle or even a stationary object.
A lender may require both collision and comprehensive coverage if you still owe money for the purchase of your RV.
Call For a Quote!
To obtain adequate insurance for your RV, contact the experienced and knowledgeable RV insurance agents at Hart Insurance serving the Federal Way, WA area today to get your policy started!
Three Signs You Should Upgrade Your Boat Insurance
If you’re a boating enthusiast in or around Federal Way, WA, you already know from experience how important the right boat insurance is. But you should never assume that just because a particular policy was a perfect fit for you years ago that it still is.
Many circumstances could call for a boat insurance upgrade, and we at Hart Insurance can help you figure them out. The following are just a few examples.
1. You’ve recently moved
Laws and other factors that could affect the appropriateness of your policy vary from state to state. So if you’ve recently relocated to Washington from out of state, it’s time to reevaluate your boat insurance situation. However, in-state moves resulting in changing needs or lifestyle circumstances should also trigger a policy review.
2. You’ve upgraded your boat
Whether or not a particular boat insurance policy is a good fit for someone has much to do with the boat itself. Factors like the age, estimated value, and motor type associated with the boat will naturally affect coverage. Upgrades can also be, so any updates to your boat should inspire you to revisit your insurance policy.
3. You’re not protected from uninsured boaters
Don’t simply assume that all states require boaters to carry insurance on their boats because many – Washington included – do not. And even if they do, there’s no guarantee you will never have a collision with an uninsured boater. So if your existing policy doesn’t protect you from uninsured boaters, you should upgrade as soon as possible.
Adequately insuring your boat is as important as ensuring your home, health, or auto insurance policies are thorough enough. So if it’s been a while since your last upgrade, contact us at Hart Insurance to ensure you’re adequately covered.
Exploring The Different Types of Risks Covered by An Umbrella Insurance Policy
Hart Insurance in Federal Way, WA offers umbrella insurance policies to help protect you and your family from potential risks. Our umbrella insurance policies cover certain liabilities that may exceed other coverage limits and can provide additional financial support during times of need. This guide will give you an overview of the risks umbrella insurance covers while giving a more detailed overview of the most common risks, helping you make an informed decision about your insurance needs.
What Risks Do Umbrella Insurance Policies Cover?
Umbrella insurance policies cover the following:
- Bodily injury liabilities stemming from accidents
- Personal injury liabilities due to slander or libel
- Property damage resulting from an accident
- Legal fees associated with defending against a lawsuit
- Coverage for incidents that are not covered under your primary home and auto insurance policies
- Liability protection for rental properties and boats owned by the policyholder
Property Damage Liability
Property damage liability coverage is one of the most critical coverages provided by umbrella insurance policies. This coverage helps protect policyholders if they are found legally responsible for any damage to another person’s property. The coverage can help pay for repairs, replacement costs, and associated legal fees.
Bodily Injury Liability
Bodily Injury Liability is coverage for costs that arise from injuries caused to other people in an accident. This type of insurance kicks in when the limits of a homeowner’s or auto insurance policy have been exhausted. It can help protect individuals and businesses from costly lawsuits.
Contact Us Today
Hart Insurance serving Federal Way, WA can provide you with the coverage and peace of mind that you deserve with umbrella insurance policy options. Contact us today to learn more.
What is classic car insurance
Classic car insurance is a type of auto insurance intended for cars considered to be vintage or antique, but may also include exotic or collector vehicles and even boats. This kind of policy is sometimes less expensive with better coverage.
There are several reasons someone may purchase classic car insurance over regular auto insurance. For example, some people are collectors or restorers of vintage cars and want to ensure they have sufficient coverage in case anything happens to the vehicle. There are a few requirements to qualify for a collector vehicle policy.
Here are some of the requirements. Your vehicle must be in good condition and well-maintained to qualify for a policy. The vehicle can’t be your daily driver and is mostly intended to be for exhibitions, orgainzed meets and occasional pleasure driving. The vehicle should be stored in an enclosed, secure structure. If you are unsure whether your vehicle qualifies under classic car insurance, the best thing to do is talk with Hart Insurance Agency.
Call Hart Insurance today if you want to insure your classic car. We proudly serve the Federal Way, WA and all other cities in Washington state.
Three things to remember when you choose RV insurance
If you own an RV, you need to insure it adequately to make sure that your finances are protected. We can provide you with RV insurance coverage at Hart Insurance.
You need to make sure you remember the following three things when you choose RV insurance in Federal Way, WA.
The frequency with which you use your RV impacts your insurance policy.
It would be best if you let your RV insurance provider know whether you live in your RV full-time or only use your RV on vacation. The more frequently you use your RV, the more coverage you want and the higher your premiums will be.
You may be able to save on your RV insurance by bundling policies.
Many insurance providers offer bundling discounts. Purchase your auto, home, and RV insurance from the same auto insurance provider. You, therefore, could get significantly lower premiums than if you purchased your various insurance policies from different providers.
Check with your insurance company to see if you can take advantage of bundling discounts when you buy RV insurance.
You should consider total loss replacement vs. actual cash value coverage.
One primary option you’ll have when you buy RV insurance is whether to purchase total loss replacement or actual cash value coverage.
While total loss replacement coverage will provide more coverage than actual cash value coverage in the event of a total loss, it may also cost more. You need to weigh the pros and cons of each of these two types of coverage to decide which is best for your situation.
Hart Insurance is an insurance provider offering RV coverage in Federal Way, WA. We can answer your questions about RV insurance and provide you with the coverage you’re looking for. Send us a message to learn about our RV insurance policy offerings.
Should You Drop Boat Insurance in the Winter Months When the Boat is Not Being Used?
If you are a new boat owner, you likely know that carrying boat insurance when you are out boating is a must. However, one of the questions we at Hart Insurance, serving the greater Federal Way, WA area, are often asked is whether you should drop boat insurance in the winter months or continue carrying it. The decision is personal, but we strongly recommend you continue carrying boat insurance. Read on to learn why.
The Benefits of Dropping Boat Insurance in the Winter Months When the Boat is Not Being Used
The only benefit to dropping boat insurance in the winter months when the boat is not being used is that you may save some money. However, if you start insurance, cancel it, and start it again, you may incur cancelation fees or have higher premiums, which may eat up your savings.
The Disadvantages of Dropping Boat Insurance in the Winter Months When the Boat is Not Being Used
Boat insurance does not only cover your boat when you are out on the water. Depending on the type of policy you have, boat insurance may also cover your boat from things such as theft or fire. When your boat is being stored, it can be stolen or incur damage, and boat insurance helps to protect against this.
While boat insurance is critical when you are out and operating the boat, it is also important when the boat is being stored or not used during the winter months. If you want to change your boat insurance during the winter months or are looking for a new policy, Hart Insurance, serving the Federal Way, WA region, can help you. Reach out to us today to start the process of buying boat insurance.
