How Can You Get Renters Insurance to Cover All Your Belongings?

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Often when people are renting an apartment or space, they don’t consider the need for renter’s insurance. If your possessions and belongings are lost, stolen, or get damaged while renting, they will need to be insured to receive compensation on their loss. The landlord may have a policy in place, but this only covers the actual property. You can get personal renters insurance to know that your possessions are protected. 

If someone is injured in the apartment or dwelling, a liability claim that might happen can be covered by this type of insurance up to limits set in the policy. Western Insurance Associates has agents in Spokane, WA that can work with you and help you understand insurance matters.

Are Belongings Covered?

Renters insurance will cover loss of possessions from fire, vandalism, theft, and other incidents. Discussing how much coverage you need for what you own with an agent will help you determine the best policy and limit for your situation. A comprehensive policy will cover more than a basic renters insurance policy.

Other Types of Coverage

Personal liability and incidents where medical bills happen, like someone being injured in your apartment, are where renters insurance can help. If your dwelling is made uninhabitable, renters insurance covers expenses like temporary housing and food. The benefits of having this type of insurance are abundant.

If you are a renter and are interested in coverage, Western Insurance Associates agents can talk with you about your options for renter’s insurance. The agents at Wester Insurance Associates in Spokane, WA have experience with this type of coverage and will be happy to find you a reliable policy. Give us a call today to schedule an appointment to speak with one of our agents.

 

What Boat Insurance Covers

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In the Spokane, WA area, boating is a favorite pastime with families and friends.  To protect their investment and everyone on it, it’s important to ensure that it is adequately protected in a variety of situations.  While most people are familiar with auto and home insurance policies, boat policies differ and are specific to maritime hazards.  The team of agents at Western Insurance Associates are the pros in boating insurance policies.  They are ready to answer your questions.

When someone acquires a new boat, they may mistakenly believe that it will be covered by their home insurance policy.  In some cases, particularly with smaller vessels, this may be true but the general rule is that it is not.  That’s why its important to talk with your agent before you set out on the water.  For yachts and larger vessels, particularly where it will head into international waters, the right coverage makes a big difference. 

In general terms, boat policies will provide liability coverage, as well as, physical damage.  Liability protection covers the owner in the event anyone is injured while on the boat or there is an accident.  Physical damage addresses any damage to the boat or its mechanical equipment.  It can also address such events as weather/wind damage or vandalism.  Even if the boat is only used seasonally, it’s recommended that coverage be maintained throughout the year.  Your agent will offer two policy options:  agreed value or actual cash value.  With agreed value, the policy will reimburse based on an amount defined in the policy.  Actual cash value is defined as the boat’s true value including depreciation.  Additional coverage is available for uninsured boaters and any personal possession on the boat. 

In the Spokane, WA area, the team at Western Insurance Associates is ready to help you get the coverage you need for your boat.  Call and visit them today!

How Much Auto Insurance Do I Really Need?

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Living in Spokane, WA, you really do need a car. Whether you’re actively looking for a new car or just dreaming, it never hurts to have a good plan to manage your auto insurance as well. One of the most common questions asked at Western Insurance Associates is, “How much coverage do I really need?” Here’s the definitive answer.

State Minimums

Washington, like other states, has rules for how little insurance you’re allowed to carry. It comes in five categories. The first is bodily injury liability, and you need to have $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. Next is property damage which has to total $10,000 in coverage. Underinsured motorist injury coverage will look familiar: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. Underinsured property damage has the same limit as the other property damage liability ($10,000), but it is a different category. Lastly, basic personal injury protection has to meet a minimum of $10,000.

If your policy has these minimums, you’re good. The most common time people end up being underinsured is when they move to a new state, so always be mindful of that.

Sufficient Coverage

Still, there’s a difference between legal compliance and sufficient coverage. A lot of people have answers to this old question, but it’s ultimately pretty simple. You need an insurance policy that covers enough for you to still be driving after a collision. If you’re a billionaire who can just replace any vehicle, state minimums are fine. If you’re not quite so affluent, you need to consider how much you can really afford to spend on a replacement vehicle. Make sure the insurance covers the rest.

Once you know how much insurance you need, the rest is a matter of finding ways to get the pricing right. There are plenty of tricks and tips to help you do that, and a chat with your Western Insurance Associates agent will get you started down that road. They’ve been serving the Spokane area long enough. They know how to help.

3 Tips for Buying Umbrella Insurance in Spokane, WA

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Umbrella insurance is extra coverage you can add to your existing insurance policies. For example, you can add umbrella insurance to your homeowners insurance to cover any events that your policy may not cover. If you have a dog, for example, and it bites a neighborhood kid, the parents may decide to sue. Rather than dip into your savings or 401k for funds to cover litigation, you can use your umbrella insurance to help cover costs. This is just one of many scenarios that could happen unexpectedly and for which you will be grateful to have umbrella insurance. To learn more about acquiring this all-important policy and save money in the process, keep reading. 

1. Compare Quotes

When shopping for an insurance policy, it’s vital to compare several quotes. This way, you can find the best coverage for your particular needs. The team at Western Insurance Associates will help you comb over each quote and find the right one at the right price.

2. Bundle Your Policies

An easy way to save money on a new umbrella insurance policy is to bundle it with your other policies. You probably have auto insurance, life insurance, and homeowners insurance. When you bundle all your policies under one insurance company they will reward you with lower premiums.

3. Work with a Reputable Agent

Agents know the insurance business. They are able to point out differences in policies and help you find the best price for your needs. Working with a reputable agent will guarantee you get the best umbrella insurance policy.

To learn more about umbrella insurance, contact the team at Western Insurance Associates, serving the Spokane, WA area.

 

What You Need Documented for a Claim

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If you need to file a claim with Western Insurance Associates, then documentation is going to be very important. You will want to document everything. If your home has been burglarized or damaged, then you need photographs or videotapes to show the aftermath. This documentation is also important if you are given a lower payout than expected and need to appeal.

If there is an injury, include everything in the documentation. This includes the date, time, and as much detail from the incident as you can.

Having documentation before something happens to your personal belongings can be helpful. If your home is destroyed, it can be difficult for you to remember every little item that was in your home. If you want to get the most out of your payout, then the more documentation you can provide, the better. First, document what you own. Take pictures and videos of your stuff and walk through your home to get images of bigger ticket items, such as appliances or electronics. If things cost more than average, be sure to document these items. Examples can include an expensive kitchen mixer or a fancy vacuum. These items can usually be bought for much cheaper, but if you have nicer ones, you want that documented. Be sure to document the make and model number for electronics.

This isn’t overkill, even if you have pictures, because you need to prove that you own these items. Model numbers can also help track down your items if theft is involved. In addition to documenting the items, you need to document the value. Keep receipts, but if your house burns down, these receipts won’t be much help. For big-ticket items, take photos of the receipts and keep these photos in the cloud or any area away from your home in Fairfield or Spokane, WA.

Contact Western Insurance Associates, serving Spokane, WA and those around the state, to get a quote on home insurance.