Why Every Boater Needs Boat Insurance

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Every state has laws about which insurance policies are required, including boat insurance. In Washington, there is no state requirement that you must have boat insurance, but it’s often necessary for taking your boat onto certain bodies of water. It’s also best to have it in case of accidents and to protect yourself against liability. If you have a boat and need insurance for it, call Western Insurance Associates in Spokane, WA to get started.

Insurance Coverage for Accidents

It’s not uncommon for collision accidents to happen when boats are on the water. If you have an accident with another boat or another watercraft, and you are at fault for the accident, you will owe all of the due expenses. This can be highly expensive if you don’t have boat insurance, and it can mean a lot of financial hardship. Without boat insurance, you are open to lawsuits and having judgments made against you. When you have boat insurance, you will also have peace of mind that you are covered in case of an accident. 

Comprehensive Boat Insurance

There are different types of coverage for boats, one of which is comprehensive coverage. This insurance covers your boat against other risks to it outside of accidents that happen on the water. This may be a wide range of risks that can cause damage to your boat. There is also property damage coverage, a type of coverage that pays for items that are lost during an accident. 

Get Boat Insurance

When you own a boat, it’s important to cover yourself with boat insurance. Your boat is a significant investment, and it needs to be covered. If you’re in Washington, call us at Western Insurance Associates in Spokane, WA to get started with a boat policy of your own. 

Who should get an auto insurance plan in Spokane?

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Owning a car in the Spokane, WA area is always a good idea as it will allow you to get around the community more efficiently. If you are in the market for a new vehicle here, getting a proper insurance plan would be wise. There are various situations when someone in this part of the state should get a full auto insurance plan.

Those that Want to Drive Legally

A situation when someone will want to get this coverage in Washington is when they want to drive legally. There are various laws surrounding the need to carry insurance in this state. All drivers must maintain a liability insurance plan that meets the state minimum insurance requirements. Without this coverage, you could be penalized and will not have proper support. 

Those with a Loan Outstanding

You will also want an auto insurance plan in this area if you have taken out a loan. Taking out a loan today can be a good idea as it will allow you to finance the purchase of the car over time. As long as the loan is outstanding, you will have to abide by the loan agreement. This will typically require you to carry a full collision and comprehensive plan.

Ensuring that your vehicle is adequately insured in the Spokane, WA area is very important. Once you are ready to start looking for coverage in this region, you will want to call the team with Western Insurance Associates. The insurance team with Western Insurance Associates can offer you any support needed to understand your options and build a plan. This can help ensure you comply with any requirements and that your car is adequately covered. 

Is Umbrella Insurance for the Super-rich Only?

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Your typical liability coverage covers you when accused of causing bodily injury or property damage to someone else. For instance, if your dog bites someone or you crash into someone else’s gate, your conventional liability coverage should cover this. Unfortunately, your car or home liability insurance can only cover you up to a certain limit. Beyond there, you have to go back to your pocket.

Luckily, if you have invested in umbrella insurance from Western Insurance Associates, it covers you when the limit of your underlying liability coverage is exhausted. But is umbrella insurance for those who have amassed wealth only? If you are curious to find out the answer, keep reading.

Is umbrella insurance for the rich and famous only?

The truth is that if you are super-wealthy, you need umbrella insurance to protect your assets. For instance, if you cause an accident, and someone notices you are famous, they may be motivated to sue to get financial compensation.

While high-net-worth individuals need umbrella insurance, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t purchase this coverage. America is a highly litigious country, and everyone is at risk of a lawsuit. You may not be super-rich, but because you are a board member of a charity organization, you can be sued. In the US, you can be sued even for the flimsiest reasons, and that is why you need umbrella insurance on your side.

Who needs umbrella insurance the most?

The rule of thumb is that if you earn a livelihood, invest in umbrella insurance. But since some people are at more risk of being sued, umbrella insurance becomes a must-have policy ASAP. You need umbrella insurance today if you:

  • Own a business
  • Own a dangerous pet
  • Participate in high-risk activities like arching
  • Own a rental property, home, or vehicle

Need umbrella insurance in Spokane, WA? Please contact Western Insurance Associates for a policy that meets your needs.

 

Auto Insurance FAQ

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Your car insurance is one of your most important expenses each month. You want to make sure you are making the best choice when it comes to an insurance provider. At Western Insurance Associates serving Spokane, WA, and the surrounding areas, we can help you better understand this insurance product so that you can make the best insurance choices. Here we will provide answers to our auto insurance FAQ. 

Is Auto Insurance A Big Deal?

Auto insurance is required by law to operate your vehicle legally. You can face serious legal consequences if you do not carry at least the legally required minimum of coverage. 

In addition to legal considerations, there are also financial factors that you should consider. If you do not carry adequate insurance, you could find yourself financially responsible for repairing or replacing your car in an accident. This could pose a financial challenge. 

Which Type of Coverage Do I Need?

Auto insurance provides the following two types of coverage:

  • Full Coverage– This type of coverage will pay for damage and medical bills that could result from a car accident or other claim event. This will pay for expenses for your vehicle and other vehicles or drivers involved. 
  • Liability Coverage– Liability coverage will only pay for expenses for another vehicle you caused damage to.

It is recommended to carry full coverage on your vehicles. This will protect you in any situation in which expenses occur. 

If you would like to learn more about auto insurance or any of our other insurance products, don’t hesitate to contact us at Western Insurance Associates serving Spokane, WA, and the surrounding areas.

Commercial Umbrella Insurance vs. Excess Liability Insurance

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You may have heard the terms commercial umbrella insurance and excess liability insurance used synonymously. However, they do not refer to the same type of policy.

Understanding the Differences

While they may sound like similar products, it is important to understand the difference between excess liability insurance and commercial umbrella insurance. Excess liability insurance is designed to activate when a general liability insurance policy has reached its limit and only provides additional coverage for that particular policy. Commercial umbrella insurance activates when one of several liability insurance policies reaches its limit.

You may get a broader range of liability coverage with a commercial umbrella insurance policy for incidents that are not covered by your underlying insurance policies. It is crucial to take the time to read over your policy. The agents at Western Insurance Associates of Spokane, WA will work with you to make sure you understand what is covered and what is not covered by the policy that you choose.

When Do You Need Commercial Umbrella Insurance?

You can apply commercial umbrella insurance to general liability, employer’s liability, or commercial auto insurance policies. These are some of the most important policies that you can purchase to protect your business from unexpected financial loss. When you include additional coverage that kicks in once these policies have reached their limit, you reduce the risk of your business going bankrupt.

Excess liability insurance and commercial umbrella insurance are both created to offer an additional layer of protection that goes further than a primary insurance policy. If you are interested in an umbrella insurance policy or think an excess liability insurance policy is right for your small business, contact Western Insurance Associates of Spokane, WA for more information.

The differences between commercial umbrella insurance and excess liability insurance are not always clear. Give us a call today and we will review the details with you.

Why You Need Insurance on Your Recreational Vehicles

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Purchasing an RV can be extremely exciting, as it opens up the possibility of traveling in the comfort of a home. However, prior to taking your RV on the road, you will need to properly insure your recreational vehicle. As a Spokane, WA resident, you may wonder why RV insurance from a professional insurer like Western Insurance Associates is so important. Keep reading to find out why.

Why Does RV Insurance Matter?

RV insurance will protect your recreational vehicle from damage at any given time. When your RV is stored in the yard, it may be protected by your home insurance policy. However, when it is being used, you will require a separate policy to ensure you are properly protected from various incidents.

In some states, an RV insurance policy is required. Further, some campgrounds may require that you show proof of insurance before being allowed to stay. Otherwise, you will be unable to stay on their property.

How Are Coverage Amounts Determined?

The type and amount of RV coverage that you invest in will primarily be affected by the type of recreational vehicle you have. For instance, if you purchase a bus or motorhome, you want to ensure you have sufficient coverage to protect the engine, vehicle components, and living quarters. If you have a towable camper, protection for the living quarters may suffice.

Regardless of the type of recreational vehicle you buy and insure, you want to ensure that your insurance coverage is enough to protect the RV’s full value, any personal belongings, furniture, equipment, etc.

If you have questions about RV insurance in Spokane, WA, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Western Insurance Associates.

What Should You Know About Auto Insurance?

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Driving without auto insurance is illegal – it is considered a crime in most states of the US, including the state of Washington. If you have never owned a car before and never purchased auto insurance, it may be hard for you to choose the right policy. In order to help you, Western Insurance Associates serving clients in Spokane, WA and other surrounding towns prepared brief information about car insurance that everyone should know: 

What Should You Know About Auto Insurance?

Here is what you should know about car insurance:

  • There are certain factors that determine the price of your insurance. They are your age, marital status, driving record, location, and credit score. 
  • It is important to understand the difference between collision and comprehensive coverage. Thus, comprehensive coverage provides protection against theft and damage that are caused by an incident rather than a car accident. It can be vandalism, fire, falling trees or rocks, etc. Collision reimburses for damages caused by a car accident. 
  • You can always find ways to pay less for your insurance, You can raise your deductible, drop comprehensive coverage on an old car, and do some other things. 
  • If you use your personal car for commercial purposes, you will have to get separate commercial auto insurance. 

Getting auto insurance is important, but finding the right coverage may be complicated. If you are currently shopping for car insurance in Spokane, WA or any other nearby town in the state of Washington, do not hesitate to contact Western Insurance Associates. We will help you find the right insurance for your vehicle and answer your questions if there are any. 

Does Washington Require Umbrella Insurance?

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The world of insurance is complicated, and many policy types can feel ominous. Umbrella insurance is one of the most overlooked forms of insurance coverage, but it may be one of the most helpful if you are involved in a legal battle.

Umbrella insurance is one of those policy types you may not completely understand. If you live in Spokane, WA, Western Insurance Associates may be able to help you through the challenges of learning about umbrella policies.

Umbrella Insurance Provides Liability Protection

Many people choose umbrella insurance policies because they provide more liability protection. If you have assets that could be at risk if you were held responsible for causing injury or damage, you might consider one of these policies. If you are exposed to a potential lawsuit, this policy provides protection for your assets.

Washington Does Not Require Umbrella Insurance

In the state of Washington, you are not required to carry this extra liability insurance. While it may not be a requirement, you should consider getting a policy if you own a home, have guests over at your home often, or live in a multi-family building. You might consider this coverage if you have a new or young driver on your auto insurance policy or if you own a pet.

You might also consider adding this coverage to your policy if you partake in risky activities or hobbies, including skiing or snowboarding.

Choose a Policy That Protects You

Umbrella insurance protects your assets, including the property you own and the money you have worked hard to save. Western Insurance Associates, which serves Spokane, WA, can help you choose a policy to meet your needs.

Is Recreational Insurance Necessary?

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Whether you own an RV, motorhome, or campervan, you are always eagerly waiting for the warm season to get started with vacations and camping trips. Besides, if you own a boat, ATV, or an off-road vehicle, you can’t wait to have fun in the wild. But one thing that you might not be keen about is recreational insurance. In fact, even now, you are asking whether you really need recreational insurance. 

Recreational insurance from Western Insurance Associates in Spokane, WA, comes at a cost, but it’s a must-have investment if you want to enjoy your recreational toy optimally. Still not convinced why you need recreational insurance? Here are the reasons why it’s a necessity.

It may be required

If you own a motorized recreational vehicle in Washington, the law requires you to purchase recreational insurance. You see, your RV is just like a vehicle. And as such, the same insurance laws applicable to cars apply to your recreational vehicle. 

While recreational toys like boats, ATVs, and personal watercraft are not legally required to have insurance, there exist other reasons you should invest in recreational insurance.

To protect your asset against physical damage

Your recreational vehicle gives you fun, and you wouldn’t want that to stop. But one mishap can change your boating, off-road, or road trip experience into a nightmare. Accidents can damage your recreational vehicle, spoiling the fun. While insurance doesn’t prevent accidents, it ensures you don’t start from scratch when perils strike. 

Liability protection

Accidents can happen while operating your RV. And if you are deemed liable, you could face property damage and bodily injury claims from third parties. Worse yet, you could be hit with litigations for negligence, missed wages, and so on. Thankfully, if you have liability coverage, such costs become the headache of your insurer.

If you own a recreational toy in Spokane, WA, you should have recreational insurance at the back of your mind. And the good thing is that getting coverage is easy when you partner with Western Insurance Associates. Contact us today, and our team shall give you the protection you deserve. 

Does Renters Insurance Cover Broken Windows?

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Accidents can happen anytime, and sometimes when renting, the dwelling you live in gets damaged. Broken windows are common among renters, and many renters’ insurance policies do cover the damage. However, there are some limitations, and you must ensure you have the proper renters insurance coverage to fully protect you when renting in Spokane, WA.

If you still have questions about renters insurance and if broken windows are covered, call us at Western Insurance Associates today.

What If Someone Else Breaks the Window? 

The liability section of a basic renters insurance policy covers the damage to a broken window if someone else breaks it. Then, the insurance company would go after the person responsible for the damage to recoup their costs, including covering all expenses and legal fees associated with seeking damages from the responsible party.

What If I Break the Window? 

If you break the window in your rental, your insurance will not cover the damages or costs to repair the window. Even if you accidentally break the window by knocking into it, your insurance policy will not cover it.

What If I Break Someone Else’s Window? 

In the event you are found responsible for breaking someone else’s window. For example, if you are playing football in the yard outside someone else’s home and the football flies into the window, breaking it, your insurance will cover repair and replacement costs. However, you may have some out-of-pocket costs based on your policy’s deductible and maximum payout limits.

What If Something Else Causes the Window to Break? 

Renters insurance policies have covered perils listed out, stating if they are covered or not. For example, common perils where a broken window is covered include fire, burglary, or high winds. Also, check with your insurance policy and landlord because some perils might be covered under the landlord’s insurance.

Do you have more questions about broken windows and insurance coverage in Spokane, WA? Call the agents at Western Insurance Associates for more information.