We had a first-time client approach us the other week without coverage for a quote. They had not driven their car for a couple of weeks and had let their insurance lapse. It was an eye-opening experience for them.
Continuous coverage is important for auto insurance for several reasons:
Gaps cost money: If you let your auto insurance coverage lapse, even for a short period, it can result in a coverage gap. A coverage gap means that there is no insurance in place during that time. Insurance companies may view coverage gaps unfavorably, resulting in higher premiums when you reinstate your policy or even difficulty in obtaining coverage in the future. With the hard market, insurance companies are less likely to accept a driver with a gap in coverage.
Legal Requirement: In Washington State, having auto insurance liability is mandatory by law. Continuous coverage ensures that you meet this legal requirement and avoid any penalties or fines that may be imposed for driving without insurance.
Personal Protection: Auto insurance provides liability coverage for injuries or damage caused to others in an accident. Continuous coverage ensures that you have this protection in place consistently, minimizing the risk of facing a significant financial burden due to an unforeseen event.
Independent broker with multiple insurance companies
Financial Protection: An important question to ask is how much you want to pay out of pocket before the insurance company starts to pay. When you move beyond liability coverage, auto insurance provides financial protection against potential losses and damage resulting from accidents, theft, vandalism, or other covered events. It is why we recommend talking with an agent so that you understand the coverage in an insurance policy prior to purchasing.
Uninterrupted Benefits: Some auto insurance companies offer additional benefits or discounts based on continuous coverage. These benefits can include lower premiums, loyalty rewards, accident forgiveness, or coverage extensions. By maintaining continuous coverage, you can take advantage of these benefits over time.
It’s important to note that the specific requirements and benefits of continuous coverage may vary depending on your insurance provider, local regulations, and the terms of your policy. It’s always recommended to review your insurance policy and consult with your insurance agent to understand the details of continuous coverage in your specific situation.
As an independent insurance agency in Central Washington when policies come up for renewal, we like to review and shop for lower rates. Time is your friend in this case as we are able to find new carriers as you have established continuous liability with your auto insurance
We received our first harassing calls by an unlisted number for the first time. We have been running an insurance office in the Wenatchee Valley for years. As we saw the increase in outrage against the LGBTQIA+ community by extremists, we were waiting for the terrorism to start.
As a Veteran, Matt grew up defending American Values. While there may be debates and differences of opinion on specific human rights issues within the United States, the general commitment to human rights as a core value remains a significant aspect of American society and its national identity. The recognition and protection of individual freedoms and human dignity are considered essential components of American values.
Matt supported Gay marriage because of the difference that was occurring with annuities. Without marriage, gay couples were being discriminated against by being forced to cash out annuities instead of married couples that were allowed to transfer to another partner if one died early. It wasn’t until the Washington State voters passed Referendum 74 in November of 2012 that discrimination end in Washington State. Suzie & Matt even have the pleasure of meeting the first Wenatchee Couple that was married under that update a few years later thanks to Rotary.
Enter the ACA.
I have been a part of the ACA rollout since the beginning in Washington state. First as a producer then supporting the Enrollment Center in Washington. The ACA contains Section 1557 which granted protection nationwide for the first time for the LGBTQIA+ community for the first time.
Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) aimed to protect the LGBTQ community, among other groups, from discrimination in healthcare. The section prohibited discrimination based on various factors, including sex, in any health program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a rule in 2016 interpreting Section 1557 to include protections for transgender individuals and other LGBTQ individuals. The rule explicitly prohibited discrimination based on gender identity and sex stereotyping, which provided important protections for transgender and gender non-conforming individuals.
The rule required healthcare providers and insurers to treat individuals consistent with their gender identity and prohibited the denial of healthcare services or coverage based on a person’s transgender status. It also protected individuals from being subjected to discriminatory practices, such as the denial of care or coverage, harassment, or being treated less favorably due to their gender identity or transgender status.
This was the moment that we realized that we were not doing enough in the community. By being quiet, hate was festering in North Central Washington.
We became the first in-person assisters within 50 miles to train with Out2Enroll for specialized training with the LBBTQIA+ community.
We set down money to be a vendor at the 2021 Pride Festival which was moved to 2022. In 2022, we added our voice by contributing our outreach marketing to let everyone know that we were going to be at Wenatchee Pride. We handed out 800 bags and got in some great conversations about insurance.
We participated in the Inclusive Banners for 2022 and 2023 for the Elvis Foundation.
We saw that we could do more. When we did outreach for the American Rescue Plan Act, it was identified that LGBTQIA households were twice as likely to be uninsured than CIS households.
We saw that more work needed to be done locally across insurance lines. Our vision for Wenatchee Insurance is to create a safe space so that everyone can understand and select needed coverage free from judgment. Shayla, Suzie, and Matt have spent years building an Insurance Agency from the ground up. Shayla had been doing account management with a crop insurance company, working with Progressive Devilry to update the region with human rights concerns, and was a member of the Wenatchee Pride board.
We became the first business in Wenatchee to join the GSBA. GSBA is Washington State’s LGBTQ+ and allied chamber of commerce, and the largest in North America. As we saw a means to recruit additional resources into Eastern Washington.
June and July of 2022, we began our Pride Tour. We are working with Pride Festivals in Washington State. We wanted to make sure that they had funds while we did our outreach to drive down the uninsured rates. Sometimes we tabled and sometimes we were able to do a sponsorship as funds allowed.
It shows us that we are needed and that our support of LGBTQIA+ and allies is more important than ever. If you want insurance then let us know and if you want to take potshots from unlisted numbers well, we are still standing tall after 30+ years of supporting the Great Melting Pot that is America.
Wenatchee Insurance was set up to get cheap insurance for teen drivers . We recognized that it can be a challenge because teens are considered high-risk drivers due to their lack of experience. Suzie and Matt have a teen driver in their household, so we understand how tough it is to get good coverage that is affordable.
Here are several strategies you can consider to potentially lower the cost of insurance for a teen driver:
Compare Multiple Insurance Quotes: We use and internal exchange to shop for and obtain quotes for our clients. Prices can vary significantly, and as an independent insurance agency, we do the work of multiple applications and present you with options. We are your personal shopper.
Add the Teen Driver to an Existing Policy: Instead of purchasing a separate policy for the teen driver, consider adding them to an existing family policy. This can often be cheaper than getting an individual policy. As long as everyone is in the same household or all garage addresses are listed, a family policy is often the cheapest approach.
Take Advantage of Good Student Discounts: Many insurance providers offer discounts for teen drivers who maintain good grades. Encourage your teen to work hard in school and provide the required documentation to the insurance company to access this discount.
Opt for a Safe Vehicle: The type of car your teen drives can affect insurance rates. Choose a safe and reliable vehicle with good safety features, as insurance premiums tend to be lower for such cars. There are cars that insurance companies refuse to cover or have higher rates do to their theft potential.
Increase Deductibles: Increasing the deductible—the amount you pay out of pocket in the event of a claim—can lower insurance premiums. The question to ask yourself is how much you want to pay out of pocket before the insurance company takes over.
Limit Coverage: Evaluate the coverage options you need and consider excluding certain coverage types that may not be necessary for your teen driver. Be cautious, though, as it’s important to maintain adequate coverage for protection.
Telemetrics: Some companies will use an application on a smartphone. Depending on when a person drives, how a person brakes and starts, and how fast they go is tracked and this can lead to some significant savings.
Remember that insurance rates vary based on factors such as location, driving record, and the insurance company’s policies. It’s essential to discuss your specific situation with insurance providers to get accurate quotes and determine the best options for your teen driver.
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.
