January, 2024 - Blog | Wenatchee Insurance Agency

Boat Modifications & Insurance Coverage

Posted on January 24, 2024April 16, 2024 by admin

Here at Wenatchee Insurance Agency, serving North Central Washington, protecting your boat with comprehensive insurance coverage is a top priority. Understanding how modifications can affect your boat insurance is essential for safeguarding your investment effectively.

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Assessing Boat Modifications

Before undertaking any upgrades or modifications to your boat, it’s crucial to comprehend how these alterations might impact your insurance coverage. Significant modifications such as engine enhancements, additional equipment installations, or structural modifications can influence the risks and value of your vessel.

Informing Your Insurance Provider

Transparency is key. Notify your insurance provider about any changes made to your boat. Failing to disclose modifications can lead to coverage gaps or claim denials. It’s essential to understand that certain modifications may increase your insurance premiums. This could be due to higher replacement costs or increased risks associated with enhanced features. Assess how modifications might affect your premium rates.

Coverage Adequacy for Modifications

Ensure that your insurance policy adequately covers the added value of modifications. Custom equipment or enhancements should be accounted for in your coverage to ensure it is fully protected in the event of damage or loss.

Compliance and Safety Standards

Consider the impact of modifications on your boat’s compliance with safety regulations. Some enhancements might affect the boat’s safety or adherence to maritime regulations. Confirm that your modifications comply with safety standards to maintain full coverage.

Contact Us Today!

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To safeguard your boat with tailored coverage, connect with Wenatchee Insurance Agency, serving Wenatchee, WA and surrounding areas. To discuss, your boat insurance needs modifications and enhancements by our experts. We’ll ensure your policy effectively protects the true value of your modified boat. Contact us to secure comprehensive protection for your vessel today.

What is the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period?

Posted on January 23, 2024April 16, 2024 by Matt McColm

Not the Annual Enrollment Period!

The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) takes place every year from October 15th through December 7th. Every year Medicare Eligible people can enroll or change plans that start January 1st.

This runs January 1st through March 31st

If you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan and want to change for whatever reason. Maybe you changed during the enrollment period and the new plan isn’t working. Maybe you missed changing your Medicare Advantage Plan during the AEP.

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Imagine Medicare as a big, bustling supermarket of health care plans. Now, the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period is like this special three-month-long festival in the supermarket, starting January 1st and ending on March 31st, where you can swap your shopping cart (your current Medicare Advantage plan) for a different one.

Switching Carts (Plans): Let’s say you’re wheeling around a cart (your current Medicare Advantage plan) and you spot another cart that looks sleeker, has better wheels (better benefits), or maybe even a built-in cup holder (extra perks). You can ditch your old cart and grab the new one! Just make sure it’s still in the Medicare Advantage aisle.
Back to Basics with a Handbasket (Original Medicare): Maybe you’re tired of pushing around these fancy carts. You miss the good old days of a simple handbasket (Original Medicare). Well, you can swap your cart for a handbasket during this festival. And if you miss having a place to put your soda (prescription drugs), you can always grab one of those trendy little clip-on cup holders (Medicare Prescription Drug Plan).
Adding a Cup Holder (Prescription Drug Plan): If you switch to your handbasket and suddenly realize, “Oh no, where will I put my soda?” (prescription drugs), you can pick up one of those nifty cup holders (join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan) to clip onto your basket.

Remember, this festival is only for folks who already have a shopping cart (are already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan). If you’re still contemplating the merits of a basket or a cart (if you’re on Original Medicare), this isn’t your festival, but don’t worry, your time will come during the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 to December 7)!

So, during this special festival, feel free to peruse the aisles, compare the carts, and make sure you’re wheeling around the one that fits your shopping list (healthcare needs) the best! Just don’t try to check out with more than one cart, or you might set off the security alarms (confuse the system)! 🛒😄

Medicare has a bunch of Enrollment Periods, from Initial Enrollment Period, General Enrollment Period, Special Enrollment Period, in addition to the Annual Enrollment Period and the Open Enrollment Period. If you have questions then let us know as we are always glad to lend a hand at Wenatchee Insurance.

Topics: Medicare Advantage, Original Medicare, Prescription Drug Plan, Open Enrollment Period, Local Insurance Broker, Wenatchee Insurance

Local insurance agents helps out in Central Washington

Posted on January 9, 2024January 9, 2024 by Matt McColm

We have a lot of fun around Wenatchee insurance. Let’s add a humorous twist to the importance of a local independent insurance agent from Chelan County:

Knows Your Neighbors Better Than You Do: Your Wenatchee insurance agent is like the neighborhood gossip guru but for insurance. They know everyone’s business – in a good way! Need to know if Mrs. Johnson’s cat really did cause that tree to fall? They’re on it.
Weather Wizard: They have an uncanny ability to predict local weather risks. It’s like they have a sixth sense for when the next big hailstorm will hit Wenatchee, saving you from the dreaded ‘hail-dented car’ look.
Apple Insurance Expert: In Wenatchee, the apple capital of the world, they’re not just insurance experts; they’re apple insurance connoisseurs. They’ll insure your apples, apple trees, and even your apple pies!

4. Mountain Man/Woman Vibes: Living in the gateway to the Cascades, they know all about insuring your hiking gear, bear-proofing your camping insurance, and making sure your mountain bike is covered, even if you’re just riding it to the local coffee shop.

5. Coffee-Spilling Coverages: They understand the local habit of sipping coffee non-stop. Spilled coffee on your laptop? They’ve got a policy for that.

6. Personalized Service with a Smile (and Maybe a Pie): They’re so friendly that every policy discussion could end with a smile and a shared recipe for the best apple pie in Wenatchee.

7. Bigfoot Coverage?: Only in Wenatchee would your insurance agent seriously discuss coverage options for a Bigfoot sighting on your property. Just in case, right?

In short, a local independent insurance agent from Wenatchee isn’t just an expert in policies; they’re an integral, quirky part of the community fabric, blending local charm with professional expertise – and possibly holding the secret recipe to the perfect apple pie! 🍎🥧

Topic: Wenatchee Insurance, Lake Wenatchee, Entiat, Chelan, local agent,

Can Renters Insurance cover a wild senior party in NCW?

Posted on January 5, 2024April 16, 2024 by Matt McColm

Renters insurance typically provides coverage for certain risks or perils like theft, fire, or water damage. It is affordable and handy coverage to have when you rent an apartment or home. However, the coverage for incidents arising from a Senior’s party blowout can vary depending on the specific terms of the policy and the nature of the damage or liability involved.

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Example:

If you do not have event insurance, here’s how renters’ insurance might (or might not) cover a the shenanigans of a party that has gone overboard:

Property Damage: If your crazy party turns a bit too wild and results in accidental damage to your rented property, renters insurance might come to the rescue. Imagine a scenario where someone enthusiastically demonstrates their dance moves and accidentally crashes into a wall, creating a cartoon-like human-shaped hole. Your renters insurance may cover the cost of repairing the wall after the deductible.
Liability Coverage: Suppose a guest at your wild party decides to reenact a scene from a superhero movie and ends up injuring another guest. If you’re held liable for the guest’s medical expenses, your liability coverage in your renters insurance could help cover the costs. Just don’t expect it to cover any attempts at actual superhero landings.
Personal Property: If during the chaos of the party, your expensive sound system is accidentally damaged or stolen, renters insurance could help replace or repair it. However, it won’t cover the emotional trauma of not being able to play the party’s theme song on repeat.
Additional Living Expenses: In a very extreme scenario, if your party results in damages making your rental uninhabitable (like an impromptu indoor fireworks show gone wrong), your policy might cover temporary living expenses. But it won’t cover the cost of continuing the party at a five-star hotel.

Not all things are covered:

Remember, insurance policies have exclusions. Damage caused by intentional acts or gross negligence (like deciding it’s a good idea to indoor-ski down the staircase) typically isn’t covered. Also, the insurer might not see the humor in the situation like we do! Always walk through your insurance plan with your independent agent.

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Topics: Renters Insurance, Party Insurance, Event Insurance, Wenatchee Insurance, Liability, Property Damage,

Is your Homeowners Insurance Deductible a percentage?

Posted on January 2, 2024April 16, 2024 by Matt McColm

In tough times, not everyone has a pile of cash lying about to cover an unexpected loss. How much do you want to pay before the insurance company starts paying?

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Example: You are doing good and own a lovely $400,000 home. One day, to your surprise, you find that water has decided to throw a pool party in your basement without your permission. Oh no, it’s a water backup loss! But fear not, you have water backup insurance coverage with a 1% deductible.

Here’s how this plays out in a simple way:

The 1% Rule: Your insurance says, “We’ll help, but remember the 1% rule!” This means you’re responsible for 1% of your home’s value before the insurance kicks in. In your case, 1% of $400,000 is $4,000. So, you’re like a bank for the first $4,000.

The Water Backup Bill: Let’s say repairing all the water damage and evicting the unwanted pool costs $10,000. You might gasp, but hold on!

Your Share vs. Insurance Share: You pay the first $4,000 (because of the 1% rule). The insurance company, wearing a superhero cape, swoops in to pay the remaining $6,000.

Note if you have a $1000 deductible then you would only pay $1000 and the insurance company would pay the remaining $9,000!

The End Result:

Your basement is saved, and your wallet is lighter. You’ve learned a valuable lesson about water backups and probably consider buying a lifejacket for your basement.

In short, with a 1% deductible on a $400,000 home, you cover the first $4,000 of any damage, and then your insurance covers the rest, up to the policy limit. It’s like going to a fancy restaurant and paying for the appetizer, while insurance pays for the main course and dessert.

For many people in Central Washington, it is easier to find $1000 to pay for a deductible rather than 1%. At Wenatchee Insurance, focus on usable and affordable.

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Topics: Water Damage, Home Insurance, Wenatchee Insurance, Deductible, NCW, Central Washington, Chelan County, Sewer backup, Allstate, travelers, Hartford,

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Month: January 2024

Boat Modifications & Insurance Coverage

Assessing Boat Modifications

Informing Your Insurance Provider

Coverage Adequacy for Modifications

Compliance and Safety Standards

Contact Us Today!

What is the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period?

Not the Annual Enrollment Period!

This runs January 1st through March 31st

Talk with Suzie Today

Local insurance agents helps out in Central Washington

Can Renters Insurance cover a wild senior party in NCW?

Example:

Not all things are covered:

Is your Homeowners Insurance Deductible a percentage?

Here’s how this plays out in a simple way:

The End Result:

WE return calls & are here for appointments..OR you can start your free online quote now!

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