Seattle Auto Insurance Myths | Secord Insurance Agency in Seattle, Washington

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Let’s face it; auto insurance can be confusing, especially when it comes to insuring new vehicles. When trying to look up information surrounding auto insurance in Seattle, WA, the internet can be full of myths and misinformation. If you are trying to disseminate fact from fiction the experts at Secord Insurance Agency can help. We have compiled some common insurance myths and facts; we like to think of it as our own insurance version of Mythbusters.

Five auto insurance myths:

    • Color:
      Have you always wanted a red car, but never did because you thought it might drive up your auto insurance premium in Seattle, WA? Not true. Insurance premiums factor in the make/model, age and power of the vehicle. Premiums are also based on the person being insured.The cost of the vehicle can also influence the
      price of the premium, as more expensive the car usually the more expensive it is to repair if it is damaged in an accident.
    • Mature Drivers:
      Heard that once you enter your ‘golden years’ your auto insurance premiums will increase? Not necessarily. Your local, independent insurance agent can
      assist you with senior discounts or get you resources for defensive driving courses which can also lead to a discount.
    • Optional Coverages:
      Basic auto insurance will cover theft or weather-related damage. Claims such as these are only covered under comprehensive coverage. Most car loans
      require that you carry both comprehensive and collision as these protect the vehicle fully. If your car is getting older and worth less than $1000, you
      may want to opt-out of these coverages, but you will want to talk this over with your agent before dropping these coverages completely.
    • Loaning your vehicle:
      Does your best friend need to borrow your car for the day or leaving your mom the car to pick up the kids from school? If they get in an accident,
      their insurance will cover it, right? Wrong. Typically insurance follows the vehicle, not the driver. However, that is not always the case. Rules and
      regulations for this specific instance vary by state, so you will need to clarify with your insurance agent before you loan out your vehicle.
      Additionally someone who has regular access to your vehicle, like a roommate or spouse, should be added to your auto insurance policy to prevent a
      messy claims process should they be involved in an accident while driving your vehicle.
    • Personal v. Business: 
      Your vehicle is covered under your personal auto insurance policy in Seattle, WA whether you are using it for pleasure or business. Not entirely
      accurate. If you are using your vehicle often for business, purposes, a business auto policy may help protect your vehicle more thoroughly. If you are
      not self-employed but use your personal vehicle for work, make sure you covered by your employer’s commercial auto policy.

While these are the most common myths associated with auto insurance, others are out there. Your licensed insurance agent in Seattle, Washington can assist
you with any questions or concerns you may have about your auto insurance policy. The local, independent agents at Secord Insurance Agency can assist you
with adding or amending an existing policy or setting you up with a new policy. Their years of insurance experience can save you a bundle. You can also
visit their insurance website 24/7 to learn more about auto insurance or the other insurance products they offer like classic car or home insurance.

Flood Insurance in Seattle, WA – An Insurance Agent Weighs In

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Typically when we think of things like wildfires or snowstorms, we confine them to seasons. Not all natural disasters are season specific and events like massive rainstorms can occur with the right conditions any time of year. Keeping a flood insurance policy, even if you are not in a high-risk area may be a good idea.

The definition of a flood can be tricky as most people associate a flood with a large body of water overflowing wreaking havoc throughout an area, but floods come in many different shapes and sizes. In terms of flood insurance, any water that comes into your home from an outside source (not a burst pipe, sewer back-up, etc.) may be considered a flood. There are easy ways to find out if you are in a high-risk area for floods and what is covered under a flood insurance policy in Seattle, WA.

The ins-and-outs of flood insurance in Washington:

  • What is a flood: As previously stated, in terms of insurance, a flood is typically water from an outside source coming into your home or business that is not a result of a burst pipe, sewer back-up or other excluded events.  Localized flooding in your home can occur when outside drains become clogged with leaves or debris, when a water main breaks or a storm surge comes ashore from a tropical storm or hurricane. High-risk areas include those living at or below sea-level, those living within the flood plain of a river or those who live in areas that get monsoon-like storm conditions. These areas may be high-risk, but flooding can occur in any neighborhood.
  • Flood Insurance: Purchasing flood insurance can be done through your local independent insurance agency, but it is all federally insured by FEMA. Based on historical trends and flood maps, high-risk areas are determined as those that “have a 1 in 4 chance of flooding during a 30-year mortgage,” according to Floodsmart.gov. A flood insurance premium is based on several factors, like flood risk area, age of the home, number of floors and the amount of coverage you decide upon. The typical policy in a lower-risk can be as low as $129 per year and will go up from there depending on the risk. It should be noted that after purchasing a flood insurance policy, there is a 30-day waiting period, so if you are considering purchasing flood insurance, the sooner the process is started the better.
  • What is covered: Flood damage to a home is costly. Depending on the area of the home taking on water, the costs can be hundreds of thousands of dollars. Carpets may need to be replaced or cleaned, dry wall replaced, appliances, furniture and the list goes on. If the flood is severe enough the home may need to be assessed for structural or electrical damage.

If you think you may need flood insurance, talk to your licensed insurance agent in Seattle, WA. Secord Insurance Agency in Seattle, WA can guide you through purchasing a flood insurance policy and offers additional lines of insurance like home insurance and earthquake insurance. Their years of insurance experience can save you a bundle, and they live right in your area, so know first-hand what your insurance needs might be.  You can also visit their insurance website 24/7 to learn more about the other insurance products they offer.

Home Disaster Preparedness Kit Basics in Seattle, WA

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No one wants to think that they may be stuck in their home during a natural disaster, but the reality is natural disasters happen in every state in our country. During a natural disaster, keeping your family safe and comfortable is a top priority and having a disaster preparedness kit will help you.

A disaster preparedness kit for your home in Washington should include these basics:

Food and Water:

  • Two week supply of bottled water
  • Two week supply of non-perishable food like crackers, protein bars, dried fruit, etc.
  • Infant food and formula
  • Pet food
  • Utensils and plates for each person

Shelter and Comfort:

  • Plastic sheeting
  • Duct tape
  • Sleeping bags for each person
  • Emergency blankets
  • Battery operated or hand crank radio
  • Emergency locator beacon
  • Multipurpose tool, such as a Leatherman
  • Flashlight (and extra batteries)
  • Hand warmers
  • Battery-operated cell phone charger
  • List of emergency numbers (including emergency contacts, insurance agent)
  • Copies of important documents such as insurance cards, IDs, home inventory lists, etc.
  • Books, toys or other entertainment items for children
  • Extra clothing/shoes for inclement weather
  • A first aid kit (make sure this kit has antiseptic, bandages, small scissors, aspirin or ibuprofen, hot and cold compresses)
  • “Help” or “Assistance Needed” sign
  • Feminine hygiene products
  • Diapers
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Personal sanitizing wipes
  • Surgical masks and gloves
  • Air horn or whistle
  • Necessary medications

Safety and Hygiene:

Of course you can add additional items to your disaster preparedness kit depending on the needs of your family. Store your disaster preparedness kit in an easily accessible area, make sure you check your kit often and update it as things expire. For more information about disaster preparedness kits, please visit Ready.gov.

We hope that you never need to use your disaster preparedness kit, but we hope that it will help get you and your family through the stress of a natural disaster. If a natural disaster does occur in our area, once your family is safe, call your insurance agent at Secord Insurance Agency in Seattle, Washington as soon as possible. They can help you get the claims process started. Whatever your insurance needs, the experts at Secord Insurance Agency can help. Their years of insurance experience can save you a bundle!  You can also visit their insurance website 24/7 to learn more about the other valuable insurance products they offer like earthquake or flood insurance.