Homeowners Coverage Protects You from Liability in Lynnwood WA

Imagine you’re mowing the lawn on a beautiful day in Lynnwood, WA. One moment you’re smiling up at the sunshine, and the next, a rock flies out from the mower and hits your neighbor’s window. After a moment of panic, what do you do? Chances are your homeowner’s insurance covers you in this case. However, before it does happen, be sure to check in with your friends at Sound Choice Insurance Agency, Inc. to see if you need a new or updated policy.

What Does Homeowner’s Insurance Cover?

Homeowner’s insurance covers your home and its contents. Family liability insurance is standard on most policies in Lynnwood, WA. It also covers lawsuits resulting from an injury on your property. Remember, injuries don’t only apply to the mailman getting bit by your dog. If the neighborhood kids sneak into your pool and get hurt, you can be held liable. 

Legal Protection

Luckily, homeowner’s insurance also covers accidents in Lynnwood, WA, and a sound policy extends to incidents away from home. Legal and medical bills, even lost paychecks are covered if an injured party is forced out of work due to an accident on your property.

Home insurance protects you against judgments when a judge finds you negligent. It features medical payments for those hurt on your property. Additionally, liability home insurance covers people you hurt, and the same goes for any household member or pets when they’re away from home. For example, no-fault insurance pays for an injury no matter who’s at fault.

Ask your representative at Sound Choice Insurance Agency, Inc. about home insurance and any other coverage options that may benefit you. Protect yourself from frivolous lawsuits that threaten the financial well-being of your family.

 

Summer Home Cleaning Tips

Keeping your home safe from intruders and making sure you have the proper amount of insurance is the best way to keep your home protected. In Lynnwood, WA, Sound Choice Insurance Agency, Inc. can get you started on a home insurance policy.

Every season there are always tasks that need to get done so your home looks and feels brand new. With these quick and easy home-cleaning tips for this summer, you’ll never spend too much time scrubbing again.

Start with the Bathroom

The bathroom seems to be the most difficult and well-avoided area to clean. Remove any dust from corners or tight spaces with a vacuum, then wash the bathroom mat or rug. Depending on the type of tub you have, you may want to use a cleaning material that is safe for all types of tubs. With deep stains and a porous surface, you should use Borax and water to clean the stains. The sink and toilet can be cleaned with bleach and water, but don’t mix bleach with any other chemicals.

Mopping and Dusting the Floors

For people with hardwood flooring, it may seem easy to clean, but there is a lot to think about. You cannot just use any floor cleaning material, or you will risk stripping the wood. The first step would be to get a Swiffer dust mop to remove any dust. If you decide to vacuum, the wheels may scratch the flooring. You could do a test before going that route. Once you’ve removed all of the dust bunnies, then you can mop the floor with a cleaner specifically designed to clean wood floors. If part of your home is tile, you should get a multipurpose floor cleaner that can be used on wood and tile.

Sound Choice Insurance Agency, Inc. in Lynnwood, WA have representatives available to help you secure your home’s insurance policy today. Reach out to our offices to get a quote and get started on a policy.

Why An Annual Review Is Necessary For Home Insurance Policies

A lot of home insurance policyholders in Lynnwood, WA do not see the importance of reviewing their policies annually. Unfortunately, this does more harm than good. In Lynnwood, WA, a lot of policyholders believe that reviewing their policies will lead to increases in their premium. They often ignore the benefits therein.

Sound Choice Insurance Agency, Inc. will always notify you if there is an increase in your premium. Based on the terms of service in Sound Choice Insurance Agency, Inc. and other reputable insurance companies in the state, here are the reasons you should review your home insurance annually.

In case of an upgrade in your home

It is possible to renovate or retrofit your home. You could also build an additional structure on your property.These upgrades to your home raise its value tremendously. Yes, reviewing your home after the upgrade may lead to an increase in your premium and deductible, but it also means you will be paid more in case of loss or damage.

In case of a disaster, you don’t want to be compensated based on the old value of your home after upgrading it. So, it is essential to review your home insurance policy after an upgrade.

Increase in premium

The premium on your home insurance policy can increase without your knowledge. Although reputable insurance companies will not increase your premium without a legitimate reason, premiums do seldom increase. You will be informed why during the review.

Possible discounts

If you decide to install security gadgets or alarm systems in your home to prevent intrusion and burglary, you should review your insurance as you may be entitled to certain discounts. An insurance review is not only about an increase in the premiums, but it is also about possible discounts as well.

Home rental

It has become a common occurrence to rent out homes to tourists. If you decide to rent out your home to guests, you should also review your home insurance policy. You don’t want to pay for the carelessness of your tenants.

In conclusion, whether there is a change in your home or not, it is important to review your home insurance policy annually because the laws guiding home insurance often change. You may lose money for years if you are not aware of specific changes. An annual review is a great way to keep yourself updated.

 

Who is Responsible for Damages Caused to a Fence When It’s Shared?

In Lynnwood, WA, the agents of Sound Choice Insurance Agency, Inc are well-versed in property law and how to handle disputes when it comes to fence repair between neighbors. Everyone wants privacy, but it comes at a cost when you put up a fence along a property line that divides two neighboring lots. Both sides share a portion of the responsibility. It’s important to know each party’s portion of the liability to avoid legal disputes if the fence is damaged in any way.

Putting Up the Fence

If you plan on putting up a boundary or privacy fence between you and your neighbor, you will have to ensure that it complies with any local and state fencing laws. Permits may be required in your location, while they may not be in others. In Washington, if you put up a fence that only serves your purpose and it runs along your side of the property line, you have sole responsibility for its maintenance and any repairs that may be needed.

Sharing Responsibility

If you and your neighbor both "share" the fence, it means you both benefit from its presence. In this case, any repairs and maintenance would be shared equally between the two of you. Most neighbors mutually agree that when the fence benefits both parties, each should contribute equally to its upkeep. However, if your neighbor moves and new neighbors take possession of the property, the agreement is null and void. You will have to establish a new deal with the new owners.

The agents of Sound Choice Insurance Agency, Inc can answer your questions when it comes to fencing disputes and how to resolve them effectively. If you live in the Lynnwood, WA area and need answers about your liability when it comes to a damaged fence you share with your neighbors, call an agent to discuss your options and evaluate your existing insurance policy.

Protecting Specific Valuables at Home

Most home insurance plans are designed for the general protection of a Lynnwood, WA home. That means the policy is primarily focused on the structure of the house. These types of policies will include terms that help provide some level of recovery and restoration of personal belongings in the home, but it tends to be limited to a set dollar amount for everything. That approach doesn’t quite work when a customer has a specific type of valuable in the home, such as artwork or a jewelry.

Instead, what a customer needs, in terms of specific protection, is known as a rider in the insurance industry. This is an added on coverage tied to the homeowners’ insurance plan that is specific to the high-value item that needs to be covered. It is based on a certified appraisal of the item and then provides specific financial coverage for the item itself versus any other belongings in the home. The rider does come with an added cost, but this is to offset the specific high-value item risk added to the general home protection. Every rider is specific and unique, the crafting of the language and policy has to usually be handled case by case.

To find out more about how a Washington home can benefit from a rider on its coverage, the folks at Sound Choice Insurance Agency, Inc in Lynnwood, WA can help with questions and provide more information. We are experts in crafting unique policy packages for customers from a variety of insurance provider sources and can match the right policy with the right need every time. Give us a call today to get the protection you need or stop by our office.

Ways to Prep Your Home for Summer

The winter is over in Lynnwood, WA but that just means there are a few things you should do around the house. Spring is a time when everything comes back to life in the area but if you took the time to prep your home for winter, then there are a few things you need to do to get ready for summer. Use these tips from Sound Choice Insurance Agency, Inc. to get your home ready for Summer.

  • Get your HVAC checked– Now is the time to make sure that it is in working condition. You do not want to find out in the heat of summer that your air conditioning unit needs to be replaced or repaired. Go ahead and have a professional look at it now. 
  • De-winterize your home– If you winterized anything before the cold weather hit, be sure to take the time to get it de-winterized so that it works properly. 
  • Plant some flowers– if you have the space to plant things, now is the time to do it. In just a few weeks, your yard will be blooming and you will be amazed.
  • Do some spring cleaning– It is popular to do this kind of thing in the spring so take full advantage of the warmer weather and clean up a little bit inside your home. Consider donating clothes or cleaning out the garage. This can make room for new goodies you find over the Summer months.

If you do not already have a great home insurance policy set up, be sure to reach out to us at Sound Choice Insurance Agency, Inc., serving Lynnwood, WA, to get a quote. We also offer an online rating tool for those looking for quotes on their home insurance policies. There are many different policies available and we can work with you to find one within your budget.

3 Reasons to Switch Your Home Insurance Company Today

Your home insurance may be mandatory, but your home insurance company certainly is not. Although you may believe you have found the perfect company to suit your home insurance needs, you may be patronizing the wrong company. That said, the following is a closer look at three reasons for residents of Lynnwood, WA to switch your home insurance policy to a company like Sound Choice Insurance Agency Inc. today. 

New on the Block

With the massive influx of new insurance agencies, it can be difficult to tell if a company is reputable or an all-out scam. By switching to a tried and tested company such as Sound Choice, you will have the peace of mind of knowing that your insurance company has been in existence since 1982. Whereas many companies have come and gone by the end of the year, Sound Choice will be here for many years to come. 

Bad Customer Service

In addition to that, customer service is also a major component of one’s insurance coverage. Although it may seem minuscule, having a collection of highly qualified professionals with outstanding customer service to depend on can mean the difference between quickly moving on after an incident or watching your life fall to pieces. By switching to a company such as Sound Choice, quality customer service is guaranteed. 

Excess of Negative Reviews 

Lastly, reviews often hold a lot of truth. If your present insurance company has an abundance of negative reviews online, it may be time to switch to a company that doesn’t. 

Overall, purchasing quality home insurance in Lynnwood, WA can be a cinch! Simply call, visit, or email Sound Choice Insurance Agency Inc. today and find out how to begin your policy and save! 

What Factors to Consider when Purchasing Home Insurance

Most people understand that they need to purchase home insurance. A home is most people’s most valuable financial possession that they will invest in over the course of their lives. Home insurance is a necessity because it will help to cover the financial damages that occur if the structure of a home is damaged. On the other hand, there are many considerations that people must take into account when purchasing home insurance. Do not neglect the following factors when investing in home insurance.

First, make sure that the home insurance policy covers personal belongings. The structure of the home is not the only valuable item that makes up a home. Most people have expensive jewelry, electronics, and clothing that are stored inside the home. If the home goes up in flames, these belongings will be lost in the ensuing damage. These are worth a substantial amount of money and people should make sure that their home insurance policy covers these items.

Next, make sure that the home insurance policy covers living expenses. If the damage to a home is so bad that the home is no longer able to be lived in, people can rack up a significant amount of expenses by eating out at restaurants and staying in hotels while looking for a more permanent place to live. These are expensive bills that can place a significant amount of financial stress on the family. Therefore, make sure that the home insurance policy covers living expenses. They should not be neglected.

Residents living in Lynnwood, WA should make sure that they have the necessary amount of coverage when it comes to home insurance. Contact an experienced insurance agent at Sound Choice Insurance Agency, Inc serving the area of Lynnwood, WA for more information on a  home insurance policy today.