Can An Insurance Company Require You to Carry Recreational Insurance on a Financed Vehicle?

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When you’re financing a recreational vehicle, whether it’s an RV, ATV, snowmobile, or personal watercraft, you might be surprised to learn that insurance isn’t always optional. At Western Insurance Associates in Spokane, WA, we often receive questions from new buyers wondering if their lender or insurance provider can require them to carry recreational insurance. The short answer is yes, and here’s why.

Why Lenders Require Insurance

If you’re financing a recreational vehicle, the bank or lending company technically owns the vehicle until you’ve paid off the loan. This means they have a vested interest in ensuring it’s protected. If the vehicle is damaged or totaled, insurance helps cover the loss. Without coverage, the lender is left with significant financial risk, which is why they often require comprehensive and collision insurance as a condition of the loan.

What Type of Coverage Do You Need?

The specific coverage required depends on both the lender and the type of vehicle. Some lenders may mandate full coverage, while others might only require basic protection. Regardless of the requirements, having insurance in place is essential. Recreational vehicles are a significant investment, and the last thing you want is to be responsible for costly repairs or damages out of pocket.

Pay Attention to the Fine Print

Before signing any agreements, make sure you fully understand the requirements set by your lender and insurance policy. Overlooking this step could lead to coverage gaps or, worse, a default on your loan.

If you’re searching for the right recreational vehicle insurance, Western Insurance Associates in Spokane, WA, is here to help. Contact us today to ensure you’re covered properly and confidently.

Does Renter’s Insurance Cover Damage From My Animals?

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If you live in a rental unit in Spokane, WA, you may wonder if your renters’ insurance policy will protect you from damage caused by your pet. Most renters’ insurance policies provide some protection if your pet causes damage, but you may not have full coverage for all risks. Western Insurance Associates can help you understand how to protect yourself from risks caused by your pet entirely.

Pet Damage Liability

Most carriers include liability coverage for damage or acts, such as bites or scratches, that your pet may cause while living in the rental property. The same liability coverage that protects you also extends to your pets. This protection typically has two parts: bodily injury and property damage. Your policy will cover the cost of the damage as long as it falls within your policy limits. Some rental facilities may require you to obtain separate pet insurance before moving into a unit.

What About Dog Bites?

According to the Insurance Information Institute, more than 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs every year in the United States, resulting in an average claim payout of nearly $45,000. Dog bites are one of the most common bodily injury liability claims. However, some insurance companies exclude specific breeds from renters’ insurance coverage. You can often add an endorsement to your policy to cover a dog breed deemed dangerous.

What Doesn’t Renters Insurance Cover?

A renters’ insurance policy will not cover injuries to yourself, family members, or roommates caused by your pets. It also won’t cover damage to your personal belongings caused by pets. Keep in mind that a pet endorsement on your policy is not the same as pet insurance, which pays for veterinary bills.

Discover how your renters’ insurance can protect your unit from pet damage by contacting Western Insurance Associates, serving residents of Spokane, WA.

Using Your Personal Vehicle for Work? Why It Complicates Things and What to do

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Do you frequently use your personal vehicle for work purposes? Many jobs require employees to travel, meet with customers, or perform other business-related activities using their own cars. This raises important questions: Who is responsible for insurance costs? How does this affect your personal auto insurance? Should you inform your insurance provider? Using your personal vehicle for work can complicate things, but understanding the implications can help you move forward with confidence. If you need a more comprehensive auto insurance policy, Western Insurance Associates in Spokane, WA, is here to assist!

What You Need to Know About Using Your Personal Vehicle for Work

Using your personal vehicle for work introduces unique challenges. Here’s what you should know to navigate this situation effectively:

  • Your employer is not obligated to insure your vehicle. While your employer may reimburse you for mileage and gas, they are not legally required to provide insurance coverage for your car. Ensure you’re being fairly compensated for your work, and consider renegotiating your contract to explore whether they can assist with auto insurance costs.
  • Inform your insurance provider about your vehicle’s work-related use. Failing to disclose this information could result in higher risk classification or denied claims. Update your insurance provider promptly to ensure your policy reflects your vehicle’s usage.
  • Maintain your vehicle regularly. Routine maintenance is crucial to prevent costly repairs and premature car replacement.

Get the Coverage You Deserve with Western Insurance Associates

Are you searching for reliable auto insurance in Spokane, WA? Western Insurance Associates can help! Our team simplifies the insurance process by helping you compare quotes and find the best policy for your needs. Contact us today to secure the right coverage for your vehicle.

Using Your Personal Vehicle for Work? Why It Complicates Things and What to do

Posted on by admin

Do you frequently use your personal vehicle for work purposes? Many jobs require employees to travel, meet with customers, or perform other business-related activities using their own cars. This raises important questions: Who is responsible for insurance costs? How does this affect your personal auto insurance? Should you inform your insurance provider? Using your personal vehicle for work can complicate things, but understanding the implications can help you move forward with confidence. If you need a more comprehensive auto insurance policy, Western Insurance Associates in Spokane, WA, is here to assist!

What You Need to Know About Using Your Personal Vehicle for Work

Using your personal vehicle for work introduces unique challenges. Here’s what you should know to navigate this situation effectively:

  • Your employer is not obligated to insure your vehicle. While your employer may reimburse you for mileage and gas, they are not legally required to provide insurance coverage for your car. Ensure you’re being fairly compensated for your work, and consider renegotiating your contract to explore whether they can assist with auto insurance costs.
  • Inform your insurance provider about your vehicle’s work-related use. Failing to disclose this information could result in higher risk classification or denied claims. Update your insurance provider promptly to ensure your policy reflects your vehicle’s usage.
  • Maintain your vehicle regularly. Routine maintenance is crucial to prevent costly repairs and premature car replacement.

Get the Coverage You Deserve with Western Insurance Associates

Are you searching for reliable auto insurance in Spokane, WA? Western Insurance Associates can help! Our team simplifies the insurance process by helping you compare quotes and find the best policy for your needs. Contact us today to secure the right coverage for your vehicle.

Why Small Business Owners Should Consider Umbrella Insurance

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Operating a small business entails significant responsibilities. You strive to build something meaningful, and safeguarding it should be as crucial as nurturing it. At Western Insurance Associates in Spokane, WA, we often engage with business owners who believe their existing insurance is sufficient—until we explain the real benefits of umbrella insurance.

More Than Just Additional Coverage

Umbrella insurance isn’t merely a luxury add-on. It’s an extra layer of protection that activates when your primary policies, such as general liability or commercial auto, reach their limits. If an accident results in a lawsuit and the damages exceed your standard coverage, umbrella insurance can cover the remainder. Without it, you could be paying out of pocket—a situation that can be devastating for a small business.

Lawsuits Can Occur to Anyone

Even with the best intentions, accidents and misunderstandings occur. A customer might slip on your property. A product could cause unforeseen harm. Or perhaps an employee is involved in a serious car accident while on duty. If a claim results in a large settlement or legal fees, your regular insurance might not stretch far enough. That’s where umbrella insurance steps in to help protect your business and personal assets.

Affordable Assurance

One of the best aspects of umbrella insurance is its relative affordability, especially considering the protection it offers. For a minimal additional cost, you gain a safety net that can make a significant difference when the unexpected strikes.

Let’s Discuss Your Umbrella Insurance Options in Washington

If you’re a small business owner seeking comprehensive preparedness, Western Insurance Associates in Spokane, WA, is ready to help you explore your options. Contact us today and let’s ensure your business is protected from all angles.

How to Choose a Family Health Insurance Policy in Spokane

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Selecting an appropriate health insurance policy to cover yourself and your family members can seem overwhelming if you don’t know where to start. Get tips on how to choose a family health insurance policy from the insurance experts at Western Insurance Associates in Spokane, WA.

Having the right health insurance policy ensures that your family always has access to top-notch local on-demand care without having to pay high costs for out-of-pocket expenses.

Spokane is home to a robust healthcare network where local providers like Kaiser Permanente, Providence Sacred Heart, and Multicare Deaconess Hospital help keep families safe and healthy with well-checkups, urgent care services, preventative care, and emergency care.

Evaluate your family’s medical history and determine their current need for care before deciding to change or upgrade your current family health insurance policy.

  • Are there children in the family who need access to pediatric care?
  • Does anyone in the family have a chronic illness like asthma, diabetes, or high blood pressure?
  • Are there any elderly family members who need access to full-time geriatric care?
  • Does anyone in your family need specialized care like prenatal care or mental health care?
  • Do you or anyone in the family need access to an insurance plan with prescription drug coverage?

Considering all of these factors will help you make a better decision when choosing a comprehensive health insurance plan to meet your family’s needs. Once you have determined your primary healthcare needs, the next step is to contact a trusted local health insurance provider to review available plans and premiums.

Contact the professionals at Western Insurance Associates in Spokane, WA, for guidance on choosing your next family healthcare plan and get a health insurance quote today!

Why You Need to Update Your Auto Insurance When You Get a Divorce

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So many blogs and articles cover how a married couple should combine their auto coverage to save money. In today’s blog, Western Insurance Associates explains what to do about car insurance when you get a divorce. While many couples’ top concern probably centers around dividing their Spokane home and assets, consider auto insurance before signing the final decree.

Divorce Nullifies Auto Coverage if You Share a Policy

When a couple divorces, both spouses must purchase new auto insurance policies if they share one. As soon as the couple signs their divorce decree, their shared auto coverage ends. Before signing the decree, each spouse must purchase standalone auto coverage to remain a legal driver on Washington’s roads.

Beware of Sticker Shock

Divorce can also affect insurance rates. While getting married makes a person more stable in the eyes of actuaries, divorcing does the opposite. Ending a marriage can increase the premiums for both former spouses.

Why It’s Important to Buy Your New Policy Before Signing

For some couples, an amicable divorce results in embarking on a new life. Don’t begin that new chance at happiness with a ticket from a police officer for driving without insurance. Avoid those costly tickets by taking care of your new auto policy before you sign the divorce papers.

Schedule an Auto Insurance Review Today

Call or email Western Insurance Associates today to schedule an auto insurance review. Use this as an opportunity to check your auto coverage and update it. Let us help you remain legally insured on Spokane, WA streets and the roads of the U.S.

For Everything You Can’t Predict – The Umbrella has You Covered

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Don’t let a lack of insurance leave you wishing you were covered. We can shortchange many things without much worry, like using off-brand toilet paper or second-tier trash bags, but insurance isn’t one of those things. If your less-than-toiletries or knock-off trash bags fail, sure, it will leave a little mess to clean up. However, if your insurance isn’t adequate, a little issue can quickly become a big problem. That is also why it is important to work with reputable and proven agents like the Western Insurance Associates Insurance team, who are here to help Spokane, WA residents with all their umbrella insurance needs.

For Everything You Can’t Predict – The Umbrella Has You Covered

Insurance is important, and people use it to protect all the things that matter and that they care about. Unfortunately, and too often, however, people find out the hard way that their coverage wasn’t enough, that there were gaps in their plan, or that the damages, costs, or bills exceeded their policy limits. That is also why people from all around the Spokane, WA area rely on umbrella insurance solutions to protect them from what they can and can’t predict. At Western Insurance Associates, we are here for all your umbrella insurance needs, and we have helped many Spokane area residents with the right umbrella insurance solutions.

Umbrella Insurance Solutions for Spokane, WA Area Residents

If you live in or around the Spokane area and have questions about umbrella insurance, we can help. At Western Insurance Associates, our friendly and knowledgeable team can help you get the protection you need and deserve. We will take the time to understand what that means for you. Contact us to find out more and schedule an appointment for the protection you deserve today.

Recreational Insurance – Liability, Theft, and Damage Protection for Your Investments

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Recreational equipment used or stored outdoors is susceptible to damage or theft. Recreational insurance can protect your equipment, enabling you to repair or replace it.

Recreational Equipment and Liability Concerns

Assess your recreational equipment and consider the risks associated with its use. You might be concerned about potential accidents if you own a relatively new piece of equipment. Navigating recreational equipment can be challenging for new owners and operators.

Liability protection covers you if you harm another person or damage their property. Identify the risks associated with using each piece of equipment and decide how much coverage you need.

Theft and Vandalism Concerns

Consider the possibility of your equipment being tampered with. If you use your recreational equipment in a populated area, there may be a risk of theft or damage.

Every recreational equipment owner should be concerned about theft and vandalism. Insurance against criminal activity will reimburse the out-of-pocket costs necessary to repair or replace tampered equipment.

Weather Variables to Consider

Consider the weather conditions when using your equipment. Recreational equipment used during stormy weather could be at risk of severe damage. Protection that covers your equipment against natural disasters may provide the relief you need.

Western Insurance Associates: Serving Spokane, WA

Contact one of our insurance agents at Western Insurance Associates. An agent will gather key information from you and recommend recreational insurance coverage that provides protection when your equipment is being used or stored outdoors.

Placing Other Watercraft on Your Boat Policy

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Boat owners in Spokane, WA, did you know you can include all your watercraft on a single boat policy from Western Insurance Associates? Your boat policy can also cover Seadoos, jet skis, and smaller boats, such as kayaks, canoes, and skiffs. There’s no need to purchase separate policies for every watercraft, and bundling offers numerous benefits.

Understanding Boat Insurance as Watercraft Insurance

Although commonly referred to as boat insurance, boat policies essentially function as watercraft policies. Any water transportation can be covered under such an insurance policy. This ensures that each item receives liability coverage and protection against damage or loss. By listing every watercraft in a policy and adding the water equivalent of roadside assistance, you’ll have a reliable source of help when you need it on the water.

A boat policy covers motor-propelled boats, such as power boats, speed boats, trawlers, and other fishing boats. It can also include a single-person watercraft with a motor.

A boat policy can include even watercraft without a motor, from canoes to kayaks. Human-propelled boats can also be covered. Typically, you purchase the policy with the most expensive boat as the primary covered item and schedule all the other items. Scheduling an item provides its specific coverage at an agreed-upon value.

Contact Western Insurance Associates Today

Reach out to Western Insurance Associates today via phone or email to discuss adding other watercraft to your boat policy. Before you venture onto the waters off of Spokane, WA, ensure all your water-bound vessels are covered under one policy. Bundling insurance can reduce premium costs and ensure that all valuable items are insured.