How much does commercial auto insurance cost?

Posted on June 29, 2026June 29, 2026 by Matt McColm

Young woman delivering pizza from her car with commercial auto — Young woman delivering pizza from her car

Let’s talk about the million-dollar question: how much does commercial auto insurance cost? Well, not a million dollars, thank goodness. But it can vary, like choosing between a fancy coffee from Little Red’s Espresso or a cup from your coffee maker at home.

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The cost depends on several factors. First, there’s the number of vehicles. If you’ve got a fleet of FedEx delivery trucks, like the ones you see hustling from Leavenworth to Omak, you’re going to pay more than if you’re just insuring a single delivery van.

Then there’s the type of vehicle. A slick sports car used for pizza delivery is going to cost more to insure than a modest pickup truck for auto parts. Plus, if your employees are as careful as a herd of buffaloes in a China shop, your claims history might push those premiums up.

The driving records of your employees also play a big part. If your star driver has a clean record, you’re in great shape. But if Bob from accounting keeps getting tickets for speeding through the roundabout near Central Washington University, that’s going to hurt the bottom line.

And don’t forget coverage limits and deductibles. The higher the limit and the lower the deductible, the more you’re going to pay. It’s like deciding between getting an extra scoop of ice cream with sprinkles or sticking with the single – more coverage costs more.

So, on average, you might pay around $147 to $188 per month per vehicle. But just like with everything in life, we shop around and compare.

It’s like finding the best apple at the market – you’ve got to look around to get the best deal. As an independent insurance agency, we work with multiple companies to find our clients good rates in Washington state.

Just think of Wenatchee Insurance as your trusty sidekick, ready to jump in and save the day when things go awry.

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Topics: Progressive, Commercial Auto, company car, collision coverage, collision coverage, delivery, Wenatchee Insurance, Chelan County, Grant County, Douglas County, Okanogan,

Is it an E-Bike or Motorcycle in Washington State?

Posted on June 4, 2026June 4, 2026 by Matt McColm

Beginning June 11, Washington state has made a major change around your E-Bike. Washington state recently updated its laws through Enhanced Substitute Senate Bill (ESSB) 6110 to better define the difference between electric-assisted bicycles (e-bikes) and electric motorcycles. With new technology, we see an update of laws.

In 2013, Washington state allowed for Electronic Proof of insurance. In 2019, we saw Washington State require motorcycles to be insured. As the laws change in Washington state, Wenatchee Insurance will be ready.

If your E-Bike has:

Fully operational Pedals
Has an electric motor rated at 750 watts or less.
Can not exceed 20 mph on electric motor alone.

then your E-Bike is still considered an E-Bike.

If it does not meet those standards then it is considered a motorcycle and you may have additional requirements like:

A valid driver’s license
Vehicle Registration
Insurance
Helmet Requirements
Compliance with traffic laws.

The old laws for a motor driven scooter had them not to exceed Five Horsepower. There are E-Bikes out there that can exceed 50 mph. E-Bikes with more than 1000 watt motors.

Motorcycle Helmet means means a protective covering for the head consisting of a hard outer shell, padding adjacent to and inside the outer shell, and a neck or chin strap type retention system, with the manufacturer’s certification for the Department of Transportation. Be aware of unsafe or novelty helmets.

To be insured in Washington state you must carry a minimum liability of:

$25,000 for injuries or death to another person
$50,000 for injuries or death to all other people
$10,000 for damage to another person’s property.

Wenatchee Insurance is an independent insurance agency that has multiple companies to insure E-bikes or Motorcycles. If you would like assistance then let us know.

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2027 Proposed Individual Health Insurance Rates

Posted on May 26, 2026May 28, 2026 by Matt McColm

The Office of the Insurance Commissioner has released the proposed individual rates for 2027. A consumer can even comment about the proposals on the OIC’s Webpage. It’s a very good idea to give feedback. Last year we saw a massive jump in rates and we are seeing a repeat with the lack of positive legislation.

If you want to make a comment then head to the OIC’s page and you can make comments on each company.

The factors are pretty important.

The loss of the Enhanced Tax credits has drove the uninsured number higher which costs to providers who pass on the cost to the consumer. These impact rural families, small businesses and early retirees the most. It directly impacts millions of Americans.
The Medical Loss Ratio. A individual insurance company must spend at least 80% of premiums on healthcare or they rebate the owner of the policy. There isn’t a single insurance company that was under 80%. For a successful change to occur then Provider and Pharmaceutical prices have got to be addressed.
The massive loss of enrollments. A record number have disenrolled compared to last year.

These are not the final rates. The average requested rate is 22.4% and individual plans could shift very differently that the overall picture. They have to be approved by the Office of Insurance then approved by the Healthplanfinder.

There are plans that are choosing to de-commission so consumers will have fewer options for customer service. The more plans that offer fewer commissions, it makes it a challenge to keep lights on for community resources. Some agents may drop out or start charging fees. We do our best to offer additional types of insurance to fill in the gaps and allow our health agents to continue despite an Insurance company failing to compensate.

Select your appointment early.

Medicare Annual Enrollment is October 15th through December 7th

Healthcare Open Enrollment is November 1sth through December 15th.

June is Gay Pride Month in Wenatchee!

Posted on May 21, 2026June 1, 2026 by Matt McColm

At Wenatchee Insurance, we do celebrate Gay Pride Month.

A little book keeping:

1. If you want to continue Military Appreciation Month into June then throw a party for Friedrich von Steuben, he was the Inspector General at Valley Forge and we wouldn’t have a country with out him. Yes, the LGBTQ community has been a part of the country since the beginning.

2. Gay Pride started in 1969 at the first Anniversary of the Stonewall Rights that were sparked by Police Brutality. The organizers decided against Gay Power because if they take everything away a person can still have their pride.

3. The original Rainbow Flag was designed in 1978 by Gilbert Baker with 8 colors and due to a fabric shortage went to 6 colors. In 2018 there was a Progress Flag and 2021 an Intersex-Inclusive Design. There are also core identity flags. It is a traditional non verbal method to signal friendly intent or identification. Here is a good list if you want more understanding: https://www.hrc.org/resources/lgbtq-pride-flags .

4. We have been directly working with protecting people’s rights since 2010’s passage of the ACA and Section 1557. It specifically protects individuals against sex discrimination. Prior we had people like Tyra Hunter or Robert Eads died after doctors refused to treat them because of their gender. https://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/for-individuals/section-1557/fs-sex-discrimination/index.html

5. Yes, we are a member of GSBA. It is the state’s LGBTQ+ and allied chamber of commerce. The moto is Equality is good business. We have received more referrals from them than local Chambers.

6. We will be tabling at a few events across the state. The Big Night that we are able to sponsor this year is June 10th Pride Night at the Wenatchee Apple Sox. It is a historic event as the first Pride Night from a professional team in the area. There are multiple groups presenting so it should be an amazing time. Get you tickets here: https://www.applesox.com/2026-schedule?

We don’t Rainbow Wash our logo. Our year round logo has a wide spectrum of colors representing our inclusive business model. We do not shy away from supporting our community.

There are over 100 events to celebrate across the Pacific Northwest.

Stonewall News Northwest has a great list: https://stonewallnews.net/articles/pnw-pride-guide-2026/24889/

While Gay Pride came from some serious roots, it is a celebration. Pride Events in Washington State bring in $37 million a year. It can be a younger crowd as 28% of Gen Z identify as LGBTQ+ which is nearly double than the Millennials. So have fun and celebrate before it get’s serious again.

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First Pride Night with Apple Sox

Posted on May 12, 2026May 12, 2026 by Matt McColm

Pride Night with Wenatchee Apple Sox presented by Wenatchee Insurance

There has never been a Pride Night with the Wenatchee Apple Sox. There has been a Pride Festival thanks to the hard work of Wenatchee Pride for nine years. There was a Inclusive Banner Program run by North Central Washington Equity Alliance for the last six years. This will be the third year that Out NCW will have done an Equity Leadership Summit. There hasn’t been a Pride Night with a local sports team until now.

Why a Pride Night?

At Wenatchee Insurance we are an inclusive business. If you want to see our history I blogged about it in 2023 or you can catch one of the Suzilla Podcasts on Spotify. If you are a business owner in Washington state we will always recommend joining the GSBA as they have been the most supportive Chamber that we have found.

It is not always easy living together in North Central Washington. We have a firm commitment to be supportive of our community members. We grew up and when we said the Pledge of Alliance, we meant “Justice for All.” It’s our differences that make us grow stronger as a community.

There are businesses that are afraid to do the right thing for fear of cancel culture. However, defending our people has always been our business model. There are times that we have to go in front of large companies and have them correct bad behavior. We don’t have the privilege of standing by silent for bad behavior. Standing up to bullies is part of our culture even if it means costing a policy or two.

At the end of the day, we want everyone to be able to gather June 10th at 6:35 pm to see history being made in Wenatchee.

The first pitch with be thrown by President Kelsey Riggs of Wenatchee Pride!

Resources will also be provided by Out NCW, Cafe, and Wenatchee Pride!

As a special treat we will also be giving away a unique Applesox jersey with a Rainbow logo to one lucky ticket holder.

Join us for this amazing and historic night!

Tickets for June 10

Don’t let Chat GPT confuse you about Life Insurance

Posted on March 26, 2026March 26, 2026 by Matt McColm

OK, here is your quick lesson that Chat GPT won’t tell you about Life Insurance.

I had a client Message me the other day saying that they they, “wanted Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance” because they are not going to get conventional life insurance. They they included a screenshot with some telltale signs they were reading from a script that AI had produced for them.

AI was queuing up on a marketing terms and not providing the necessary details that had limitations and how a policy worked. We are still in the early stages of AI. It can provide you great driving directions to get to the baseball field but it won’t play the game for you. That is where an agent comes into play to provide the coaching necessary for a good selection.

What the client’s AI was failing to mention was they will still reference your medical records and do a questionnaires for policies that don’t have a physical examination. All Life Insurance goes through some sort of underwriting. Some are a lot less than others.

To solve the problems, I went looking at the No Physical Exams Policies underwriting guidelines and they all contained looking at Medical Records. Yes, the Medical Information Bureau (or MIB) is a real thing for Life Insurance. You would have to know what was in your file if you wanted to work with one of those policies.

You can request your consumer file at: https://mib.com/

The one with the fewest questions and the fewest review for Medical Records that we have access to is called Final Expense. You must be 45 or older to start a policy. They won’t start them earlier.

You can play on my quoter and look to see if I missed one with easy underwriting. Or give our office a call and we will walk you through options that you might not know existed.

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Bundling Sage to drive away inflation insurance

Where to get a 1095 form to file taxes?

Posted on January 12, 2026January 12, 2026 by Matt McColm

1095 form as important for healthcare and we do print them at Wenatchee Insurance

Tax season is almost here and people start looking for their 1095 form. It runs from January 16^th through April 15^th of 2026. If you are receiving your healthcare from the Washington Healthplanfinder, you must file your taxes. It is how the Federal Government double checks if you are receiving all of the help that you are qualified for in the form of Advanced Premium Tax Credits that lower the monthly cost of insurance.

If you receive too much APTC then you will have to repay some or all the excess amount when you file your taxes.

If you receive too little APTC then it will increase your tax refund or lower the amount of taxes that you owe.

There are 3 types of 1095 form

1095-A form is made available usually in the last week of January on the Healthplanfinder and a copy is mailed out. This is for the people who were receiving tax credits that the reduce of the cost of healthcare. In our immediate area in Central Washington if you have Ambetter, Community Health (paid plan) or Lifewise then you will have one of these forms.

If you don’t have a printer and need a copy if you are a client and stop at Wenatchee Insurance on Mission Street, then we can print an additional copy for you.

1095-B form is for the people using Apple Health. It is provided by the Healthcare Authority. It is not mailed out. You can request a form directly from the Healthcare Authority’s page. Form 1095-B is not required when filing taxes.

1095-C form is from employer sponsored health insurance. It is not required for filing taxes.

The 1095-A Form is needed to fill out Form 8962 to reconcile. We saw clients in 2025 that failed to properly file this have problems with their tax credits and recommend filling on time with all forms to prevent the loss of tax credits.

Remember you can adjust your income through the year to better reflect your income so that you don’t have to pay back excess tax credits.

Suzie and Matt have been lending a hand for 13 years in better understanding Health Insurance and if you have questions or just want someone to double check your account it is easy to add a broker of record.

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Home Health Medicare Car Dental Prescription insurance corndog

Making your payment during Open Enrollment

Posted on November 25, 2025November 25, 2025 by Matt McColm

We help a lot of people in Washington State with their enrollment and education about health insurance. If you are using the Washington Healthplanfinder during Open Enrollment then you have a pay now button feature to get the initial payment completed. We are brokers and don’t charge fees for our work.

When you log into the desktop version. You will see a row of buttons across the top. You want the one labeled Payments.

Healthplanfinder screenshot of tool bar.

During most of the year, the payment tab will list payment options. However during Open Enrollment, the Washington Healthplanfinder will list a pay now button for most companies. When you click on the pay now button for it will create a pop up which goes to a secure payment site for the company.

This first payment is important as it secures the insurance policy. Most companies wil then send the policy’s insurance cards and information booklet after this payment has been made. A few of the companies will allow you to schedule monthly payments using the popup while others you will have to set up with them at a later time. The booklets and cards usually arrive about two weeks after the payment.

At Wenatchee Insurance Agency, Matt and Suzie have been lending a hand to our community for over 13 years with Health Insurance. While our agency does a whole lot more, we get asked a lot of questions regarding Health because it is complicated.

Enrollment Center

Healthplanfinder first look at 2026 Rates

Posted on October 21, 2025October 21, 2025 by Matt McColm

The 2026 rates have been approved and are visible for the first time on the Washington Healthplanfinder. As I write this post the Silver plans were not loaded and you can not compare them side by side with your 2025 plans. All of the 2026 plans are listed on the Office of the Insurance Commissioner.

2026 rates first look

This is off the main screen from the Washington Healthplanfinder. It is only an estimate. It can change depending on what Congress does regarding the enhanced tax credits and the Healthplanfinder. When the enhanced tax credits were introduced, the first month that they went into effect was June of 2021. It made quite a difference in keeping money in the pocket’s of American households.

Our household is no longer eligible for tax credits with the current plan from Congress. So we have to make the jump from a couple hundred dollars to approaching $1687 per month. As small business owners, we don’t have the luxury of a large group plan. It will be about 1/4 of our income for 2026 before we get into use.

The Health Open Enrollment Period is important to talk about. The plans have made some big shifts and if you are eligible for tax credits will be more manageable. It is important to talk with someone who has a greater understanding of insurance than “that Uncle” eight into a case at Thanksgiving.

November 1st through December 15 for health plans starting January 1st
December 16 through January 15th for health plans starting February 1st.

Medicare has it’s own enrollment periods and there are special enrollments. We run applications year round just in case we find a Special Enrollment that works or to prepare for the next open enrollment.

Every year it is important to look at your plan because of changes. There are times that plans do not automatically renew or need to be updated. If a plan leaves the area then you may have been moved over to a plan that doesn’t work as well.

At Wenatchee Insurance Agency, we like to review plans every year during the Open Enrollment Period. This is Matt’s 13th Open Enrollment. We walk through all the plans available. We do not charge broker fees and if any commission is available it comes from the insurance company.

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Privacy is important to Matt and Suzie at Wenatchee Insurance

Washington State and the new Prior Authorizations for Medicare

Posted on September 30, 2025September 30, 2025 by Matt McColm

Prior authorizations in Washington state for original medicare

Beginning January 1st, 2026 some medical procedures under traditional Medicare will require Prior Authorization in six states before performing the service. Yes, Washington state has been selected. Arizona, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Texas.

This updates individuals with Medigap plans such as Plan G or Plan N, if they are using traditional Medicare coverages. While common in health plans and Medicare Advantage Plans these are new for original Medicare.

This change is part of a trial program called WISeR (Wasteful and Inappropriate Services Reduction). It is designed to curb medical overuse and detect potential fraud.

What Procedures will require a Prior Authorization?

There were 17 types of procedures that were flagged to now need approval. Here is what made the list.

Facet joint procedures for back pain
Nerve and muscle tests (electrodiagnostic testing)
TENS units and similar electrical stimulation devices
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy
Spinal cord stimulators
Deep brain stimulation (commonly for Parkinson’s)
Sacral neuromodulation (for urinary conditions)
Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR)
Arthroscopic knee cleaning or debridement
Vertebroplasty/kyphoplasty for spine fractures
Epidural steroid injections
Non-emergency ambulance transport
Botox injections for medical issues
Negative pressure wound therapy pumps
Hernia repairs
Lumbar spinal fusion
Skin graft substitutes for chronic wounds

Physicians will be required to submit documentation before the service is performed. If approval is not granted, coverage can be denied requiring the patient to pay out of pocket.

Who made this decision for Prior Authorization?

This was a rules change with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Department of Health and Huma Services. Every administration picks there team to implement programs that they feel will have the biggest impact for consumers. They did a press release in June regarding this matter and it is estimating that they spent 25% of healthcare on services that had little to no clinical benefit. HHS Secretary Kennedy, CMS Administrator OZ pledge to fix Prior Authorization system.

At Wenatchee Insurance we do our best to lend a hand in understanding and enrolling in Medicare and insurance Programs. We are an independent insurance agency. If you are looking at supplemental policies then let us know and there are enrollment periods.

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Author: Matt McColm