Insurance Blog

As with many disasters, windstorms can wreak havoc across a region, severely damaging homes, businesses and vehicles.Fortunately, wind damage is covered under standard homeowners and business owners insurance policies. Vehicle owners with optional Comprehensive Coverage in their Auto Insurance are also insured."Insurance companies really show their...

The hustle and bustle of holiday shopping is in full swing around the Northwest. While rushing from store to store, remember you are not the only one looking for a hot deal.Parking lot thieves are on the prowl, aggressively preying on inattentive shoppers hoping to cash in at your expense.If you have optional Comprehensive Coverage on your Auto Insurance...

Space heaters and wood stoves are good sources of heat during the cold, winter months. But carelessness and improper use can ruin a festive holiday if safety isn't a priority.According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, space heaters and wood stoves are associated with 25,000 fires and 300 deaths annually.Nearly half of the reported fires...

In a difficult economy, it may be tempting to save a few dollars by reducing your Homeowners or commercial building insurance coverage to match decreased market values.However, studies show that rebuilding costs have climbed during the recession and lowering coverage may be a risky move.“In past decades, market values were always ahead of rebuilding...

High winds in the Puget Sound region have toppled trees and cut power to some, putting homes, businesses and vehicles at risk of wind damage.While high-wind warnings remain in effect through today, it's important for homeowners, renters and business owners to be prepared and understand what is and what is not protected against damage caused by wind."Homeowners...

NEW YORK, November 15, 2010 — With the housing market in a slump, foreclosures rising and a glut of investor-owned homes hitting the rental market, more people are choosing to rent than to buy. Renters, however, just like homeowners, need to make sure they are properly insured, according to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.).The U.S. Census...

By Tanya Mohn/NY TimesDriving while drowsy and falling asleep at the wheel are responsible for more deadly crashes than previously thought, according to a new study released on Monday.An estimated one in six fatal crashes — nearly 17 percent — involves a drowsy driver, which is about four to five times higher than previous studies have found. And drowsy...

Insurance provides financial security for millions of Washington residents and makes a major contribution to the economy across the Northwest. At the most fundamental level, insurance is the foundation for economic interaction and nearly all commerce. "Insurance makes it possible to buy a car or a home, start a small business and build communities,...

Freezing temperatures, ice, snow and wind can devastate homes and businesses if they are not properly winterized. Don’t wait for temperatures to dip below freezing before you take action. Now is the time to protect your home from Old Man Winter.Winter storms are the third-largest cause of property loss in America, resulting in about $1.2 billion in...

Halloween festivities are sure to bring plenty of chills and thrills. However, it could quickly turn into a nightmare if you do not take time to carefully plan for the evening’s activities.Candles, frightened pets and wet or poorly maintained walkways all can prove dangerous to your family and trick-or-treaters.“Protecting yourself, your family and...

While sunshine continues to fill the Autumn skies, believe it or not, now is the time to consider purchasing Flood Insurance if you live in or near a flood plain.Standard Homeowners and Business Insurance policies do not cover losses caused by flooding. However, everyone at risk for flooding should investigate Flood Insurance made available through...

Vehicles and deer can be a lethal combination on Northwest roads. As the weather gets colder, deer and other wildlife migrate from the mountains and you face greater risk of collisions when they dart across roads and highways.More deer-vehicle accidents occur between October and December than any other time of the year.The Washington Department of...

President Obama late Thursday signed into law legislation extending the National Flood Insurance Program until Sept. 30—averting what would have been another shutdown of the program.Without the President’s signature, the program would have expired at midnight Thursday. The NFIP has lapsed three times this year. It has become a political football because...

Life on your own can be an arduous experience for college-aged adults. Signing up for classes, finding a job and looking for a place to live are just a few of the tough challenges that come with life after high school.If things go wrong, you need to be ready. That’s why it’s smart to consider purchasing Renters Insurance so you can protect your personal...

Creation of an optional federal charter for insurers will be on Congress’ 2011 agenda because it has strong bipartisan support, Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, has told state insurance legislators.Coincidentally, the National Association of Professional Insurance Agents this week said that it is asking...

As insurers report increases in 2010 catastrophe losses, many times due to storms with hail, an analysis by the National Crime Insurance Bureau (NICB) reveals a 107 percent increase in questionable claims referrals for hail damage claims.The NICB has worked with law enforcement “in pursuing suspected unscrupulous roofing companies that take advantage...

Sitting poolside at a vacation hotspot is not the place where you want to worry about the protection of your home because you didn't take the time to appropriately secure and insure your property.Most burglaries occur in July and August. Homeowners Insurance claims for theft total about $1 billion annually, with the average claim around $2,500.In 2008,...

Despite increasing natural disasters around the globe, P/C insurers have remained fiscally strong. Here's an interesting article from National Underwriter that demonstrates how insurers' conservative and strong underwriting has helped the industry withstand some of the world's greatest natural disasters.The number of meteorological catastrophe-driven...

WASHINGTON-The Senate, last night, extended the long delayed National Flood Insurance Program, an action that one agent group declared unacceptable due to political wrangling.The reauthorization, which extends the program until Sept. 30, is retroactive, according to officials of the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America, whose president...

The Fourth of July is a day of celebration for millions of Americans. Picnics, barbecues and, of course, noisy and spectacular fireworks are all part of the festivities. Independence Day, however, can be dangerous if safety is not a priority.Fireworks caused 22,000 fires in 2008, which resulted in 7,000 injuries and $42 million in property damage,...

Who doesn't enjoy a nice barbecue? Outdoor grilling is a terrific way to enjoy the summer with friends and family. An improperly handled grill, however, can cause fires. Propane tanks can be explosive. You can prevent a tragedy from happening by making common sense a key ingredient of your outdoor fun.From 2003 to 2006, U.S. fire departments responded...

Young adults are more likely to text and talk on the phone while driving after watching videos showing the dangers of doing so, according to a recent study co-published by a professor at the University of South Florida in Sarasota-Manatee.For the study, about 840 students from Florida universities were shown graphic public service announcements depicting...

Thousands of high school seniors and parents are preparing for graduation this week.Graduation can be both exciting and scary as high-school seniors and parents move to a new stage of their lives. Preparing for college, finding a job and a place to live are just a few of the tasks teens will face this summer as they ready themselves for life after...

Tomorrow is shaping up to be sunny and warm - ideal conditions for an outdoor barbecue with friends and family. An improperly handled grill, however, can cause fires and propane tanks can be explosive. Common sense is the key ingredient to prevent your holiday from becoming tragic and costly.From 2003 to 2006, U.S. fire departments responded to an...

By Darrin SangerMay 28, 2010Thousands of RV owners across the state are gearing up for Memorial Day weekend and a summer of traveling and camping trips.If you own an RV or you're looking to buy one, make sure it's properly insured before you hit the road. This simple step could save you from a summer's worth of headaches and financial burdens."The...

Top 10 Most Stolen VehiclesThe Northwest continues to be a hotbed for auto thieves as several cities rank high in the nation despite an overall 14.9-percent drop in theft rates last year.Oregon saw the largest dip as car thefts dropped 14 percent from 2008.According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau's annual Hot Spots Report, Yakima, WA, topped...

SEATTLE - The home-buying season is just around the corner and many people are eagerly viewing potential new homes. Home insurers, however, urge buyers to take a cautious approach when evaluating houses. Without knowing a home's claims history, buyers could get stuck living in money pits instead of dream homes.If you're in the market for a new home,...

NEW YORK, May 10, 2010 — Thanks to National Bike Month and Bike to Work Week (May 17-21), many cyclists are getting their bicycles out of storage and onto the roads. Whether they ride commuter, hybrid, mountain or racing bikes, cyclists should understand the rules of the road and protect their financial investment with the proper insurance, according...