Every year there is a risk of a Medicare or Health Insurance Plan leaving the area. We review and update plans every year. It is one of the reasons that Suzie and Matt go through training every year with Insurance Companies and the Healthplanfinder. Wenatchee Insurance is an independent insurance agency and we contract with different companies to be able to offer options.
Medicare Advantage is my Insurance Plan
You have options to make a change. The first week of October, you will receive the Medicare Annual Notification of Change (ANOC) Letter. Read the letter as it will inform you of price increases and policy changes. If you do not receive a letter then call during those first two weeks of October. Yes, we had a bunch of people ignore their letters one year only to have their Medicare Drug plan drastically increase cost have to wait until the following Annual Enrollment Period to make a change.
The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period is October 15th through December 7th. This is the time period to make changes to Medicare Advantage and Medicare Drug Plans. Yes, we have had people move from a Medigap to an Advantage Plan and this is the time of year to do that.
When your plan is leaving then you get a Special Enrollment Period. (Keep a copy of your ANOC Letter)
You can get a new Medicare Advantage Plan from December 8th to the last Day of February.
You can join a new Medicare Part D Stand Alone plan and you may enroll in a Medigap (Medicare Supplement) within 63 days after your Medicare Advantage Plan ends!
When ever we see a large policy shift, we recommend setting your appointment as early as possible. If you don’t see an appointment then call. We do return calls plus we do our best to expand calendars. Be sure to bring your Red, White and Blue Medicare drug and any prescriptions or Medical information that you want to be checked against your plan.
If you have a PEBB plan or another employer plan then you need to go to them for a review.
Health Insurance is my need.
You have a plan for under 65 then you are probably using the Washington Healthplanfinder. There are some of the lowest cost options available in the area. Matt has been working on these plans so long, he got to test the Healthplanfinder before it went live. A renewal with a connected account and no major changes can take less than 15 minutes. If you have worked with Suzie or Matt over the last two years then you probably have an account connected to them. If you don’t know then give us a call and we can double check prior to the appointment.
Matt got to assist when Premera and Molina left our area and some counties getting down to a single insurance company.
The Open Enrollment for Healthcare is November 1st to January 15th.
When you enroll November 1st to December 15th then your plan starts January 1st.
When you enroll December 16th through January 15th then you plan starts February 1st.
You will want to confirm you plan this year as there are a lot of changes occurring. If you have someone in the Household on Apple Health then you definitely want to understand the updates. If do not see a space available then call the main number. We do our best to find room.
Yes, losing your Health or Medicare plan suddenly can be a shock. Suzie and Matt have seen this hundreds of times and are well prepared for changes. If you have questions then we want to hear them including the middle of the year. We are a full service agency so if you have additional insurance needs then let us know.
As the population of Eastern Washington has continued to grow over the last few years, the availability of work for contractors has steadily grown as well. It has presented a major opportunity for the hustlers and workers who are great at their craft. Whether you have a gift for painting or are excellent at keeping bugs away, the opportunity to get jobs has grown with each new transplant to this state.
Jesse is an expert painter who owns a Moses Lake business and has worked on a lot of remodel projects as a subcontractor while the fixer upper economy has boomed. Despite the fact that Jesse has been working as a painter since he was 18, he had an accident occur at one of his jobs recently. While he was painting on the porch of a flip for a friend of his, he accidentally did substantial damage to the window frame where he was working.
The good news for Jesse is that he had secured General Liability Insurance via Wenatchee Insurance. Many of his fellow painters only carry commercial auto insurance for their trucks. But Jorge realized that even though it wasn’t necessary since his jobs didn’t explicitly require it, having a general liability policy was a way for him to protect both his reputation and his future business. This incident reinforced the potential financial and legal consequences of being uninsured. It highlighted the variety of risks contractors face while working and why having the right types of coverage is important. So what made Jesse decide to buy this additional coverage?
Definition & Importance of General Liability Coverage
General liability is essential liability coverage for Washington contractors. It provides a safety net against third-party claims of injury or property damage. These claims can come from either bodily injury or property damage to people, places, or things that are not part of your business. If your damage is extensive enough, a third-party lawsuit could bankrupt your future. Given that contractors in Washington require a license, insurance and registering with Labor and Industries, it is good to have a plan in place with agents you can work with. Having this relatively affordable coverage ensures that your businesses can operate without the constant fear of potentially crippling legal challenges and financial losses.
If you are working a job, whether it is big or small, you always run the risk of a potential lawsuit if you create accidental property damage. It not only helps in managing the expenses associated with repair but also secures the contractor’s financial stability and reputation in the long run making sure that defense costs are covered and any judgements are taken care of. Every contractor benefits from this coverage, particularly those involved in high-risk trades like electrical, plumbing, or construction.
We’ve established that General Liability Insurance will cover risks such as bodily injury, property damage, copyright infringement, reputational harm, and advertising injury. For contractor insurance coverage, the focus is placed directly on the property damage and bodily injury. Your general liability insurance coverage will address the common claims that contractors face. While it does provide coverage for claims of bodily injury of people who are not employed by your business in some capacity, it’s important to realize that it does not cover you or your employees. That requires workers compensation insurance rather than general liability.
Workers Compensation in Washington state is purchased through the state managed program at the Department of Labor & Industries. Labeling your employees as 1099 independent contractors is not enough and they must past a 7-part test.
For contractors, this insurance offers several benefits. While you are working on or bidding for construction projects it provides protection against lawsuits, enhances credibility, and offers peace of mind. With appropriate policy limits in place similar to what Jesse had for his painting business, it becomes easier to bid on jobs and work knowing that any liability claims that might arise will be covered by the insurance company rather than your bank account.
No Requirement, Big Risk: Why General Liability Insurance is a Must for Washington Contractors
General Liability Coverage Types
In Washington, contractors can choose from various types of business insurance coverage. These can include professional liability insurance to protect your work, inland marine insurance to protect tools, and commercial auto policies. Each of these coverage types are tailored to address specific risks associated with small business operations specifically targeted at the work that you do. It’s important for contractors to understand what each coverage entails to ensure they are adequately protected against potential risks and liabilities inherent in their specific field of work. The three main areas that General Liability addresses for contractors are listed below.
Protection Against Bodily Injury Claims
General liability insurance plays a critical role in protecting against bodily injury claims that are brought by people not associated with or affiliated with your construction business. This coverage is essential for contractors as it mitigates the financial impact of accidents that may occur on the job site causing a bystander to become injured. It benefits you by ensuring the contractor is not held personally liable for these incidents. It covers medical expenses and legal fees, which are vital in maintaining the business’s operations during such events.
Protection Against Property Damage Claims
This type of insurance covers potential liabilities that could arise from damage caused during construction activities. Given that damaging the location where you are working is the most likely potential claim, this physical damage coverage is the most important piece of this insurance policy. While it only protects you for accidental damage, mistakes can be expensive and hard to fund. For contractors, understanding how this coverage works is crucial as it protects against claims that could otherwise severely impact their financial stability.
Legal Defense Coverage
Legal Defense Coverage is a key component of general liability insurance for contractors. It offers significant benefits by covering legal expenses and providing relief during stressful legal claims. This coverage is essential in protecting contractors from the high costs and reputational damage that can result from legal disputes. Why would you want to pay these out of pocket when a small premium cost shifts the burden to the insurance company? Our friend Jesse understood this part.
Legal Requirements for Contractors in Washington
Contractors in Washington are required to carry a contractors insurance policy. To register as a Contractor in Washington state, you must have general liability of at least $200,000 in public liability and $50,000 in property or $250,000 in combined single limit. In addition, you need a surety bond of $30,000 for general contractors or $15,000 for specialty.
But remember, many job sites and general contractors demand proof of insurance before allowing your work to commence. Complying with these requirements not only fulfills legal obligations, but carrying a general liability insurance policy can also give contractors a competitive edge in the marketplace since you can immediately produce a certificate of insurance.
Wenatchee Insurance specializes in helping contractors like Jesse protect themselves and their futures with customized insurance plans. Working with an experienced commercial insurance agent ensures that contractors receive the necessary coverage that matches the scope of their work, providing an essential safeguard for their businesses. That customized commercial insurance plan is provided through Wenatchee Insurance Agency.
Apple Health is going through a massive change because of the Big Beautiful Bill that was passed in 2025. Suzie and Matt have been lending a hand with free or low cost health insurance for years in Washington state.
Yes, we will be looking at enhanced verifications in 2027, if you have an Apple Health plan as it comes up for renewal the changes will come into effect. Yes, the Healthcare Authority has shown that it will be thousands of people in our area impacted by the changes.
Starting January 1st, 2027 adults who qualify for Apple Health must meet work requirements. The exemptions are:
Pregnant or in 12-month postpartum period
Under 19
Foster youth or former foster youth under 26
American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) and certain Tribal Populations
Parent, caretaker, or guardian of a child under 14
Household member of SNAP (food assistance) or TANF (cash assistance)
Parent, caretaker, or guardian of an individual with a disablity
Entitled to Medicare Part A or B
Incarcerated or within 90 days post release period
Medically Frail
Alcohol or substance use disorder treatment (AUD/SUD)
Disabled veteran with 100% total disablity
In a short term hardship
To meet the work requirement you must:
Have at least $580 in monthly income (or average $580 per month over a 6 month period)
Enrolls in an Educational program at least half time
Participates in at least 80 hours per month in a work program
Participates in at least 80 hours per month in community service.
or has a combination of 80 hours of work, community service or educational program per month average.
Yes, the verification is moving to twice a year in 2027. At Wenatchee Insurance, we assist in uploading documentation and lend a hand in understanding the enrollment. There will be at times that the client will have to call the Healthcare Authority directly for an eligibility determination or an activation of a WA Pathways policy.
At Wenatchee Insurance we have supported Apple Health without compensation since our beginning. If you have questions or need assistance then let us know and we will lend a hand.
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.
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.
Topics: Progressive, Commercial Auto, company car, collision coverage, collision coverage, delivery, Wenatchee Insurance, Chelan County, Grant County, Douglas County, Okanogan,
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
Tax season is almost here and people start looking for their 1095 form. It runs from January 16th through April 15th 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.
For nearly a decade we have assisted with Health & Medicare Solutions. We are proud to be selected by the Washington Healthplanfinder to be one of ten Enrollment Centers located in Washington State.
