Why do I need home insurance?

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Those that live in the Lynnwood, WA area should consider purchasing a home. When you own a home here, there are a lot of long-term benefits that come along with it. While you can benefit in the long run by having home insurance, you do need to make sure that your property protected with insurance. There are several reasons why insurance could be needed. 

Needed to Protect Home

A primary reason that you will need to get home insurance is that it can protect your valuable asset. A home is a very big investment that you need to protect as well as possible. With a home insurance policy, you are going have support if your home is damaged or you are a victim of theft or vandalism. Additionally, you can receive a liability protection policy that will protect you in the event you are found liable for an accident. 

Needed to Ensure Document Compliance

You will also need to get home insurance to stay in compliance with a variety of different obligations. A full home insurance policy is going to be required if you take out a mortgage to finance the purchase of the home or if you live in a condo association. It is important that you understand the home insurance rules that you have when selecting a new policy.

Those that are shopping for a home insurance policy in the Lynnwood, WA area need to carefully consider their personal needs and options. If you are going to get a new home, it would be a good idea for you to call Sound Choice Insurance Agency Inc. The team at Sound Choice Insurance Agency Inc can give you all of the guidance and support that you need to pick a policy that offers you the right protection. 

Three mistakes to avoid when you buy commercial insurance in Washington

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You need to invest in commercial insurance to protect your livelihood. Unfortunately, many business owners experience devastating consequences because they failed to invest in commercial insurance and unexpected expenses came up.

At Sound Choice Insurance Agency Inc, we provide commercial insurance in Lynnwood, WA. The following are three mistakes you need to avoid when you buy commercial insurance in Washington. 

Failing to read the fine print on your policy

You should definitely set time aside to read through your policy details. This way, you’ll understand what you’re eligible to file a claim for. Unfortunately, some business owners aren’t aware of everything their policy covers and therefore don’t file a claim when they are eligible to do so. 

Not purchasing coverage for possible revenue losses

One type of commercial insurance available covers revenue loss from various events. This is a very important type of insurance to invest in.

You never know when an accident or setback can come up that significantly reduces your income under the expected level. That’s why it’s so important to invest in the business interruption or business income coverage. 

Keeping the exact same policy despite significant changes at your company

Business owners should periodically reevaluate their business insurance needs. As your company grows, you need to reconsider what your financial risks are. You’re probably going to face more risks and need more commercial coverage as your business expands. 

Every time your policy terms comes to an end, set some time aside to reevaluate insurance needs. Invest in more coverage as necessary to ensure continued success. 

Get started finding the right commercial insurance solution with our help at Sound Choice Insurance Agency Inc. Contact us today to insure your Lynnwood, WA business. 

Why should you maintain your car battery?

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If you have a dead battery, you have a dead car. Nearly everyone has had the inconvenience of turning on the ignition only to hear the sickening sound of the engine not turning over. A dead battery means a jump or a tow truck and a trip to the dealer to get a replacement, not to speak of a check to see if you have a fault in the charging system that is draining the battery.

Clearly, as Sound Choice Insurance Agency Inc serving Lynnwood, WA is pleased to explain, maintaining your battery and your car’s charging system is important to prevent you from getting stranded.

Keep the terminals clean by checking them about once a month and, if you find dirt or rust, disconnecting the battery and applying a wire brush.

Make sure that accessories such as the car radio are turned off when you first start the car.

If you are not driving for a lengthy period, for instance, because you are going on vacation, disconnect the battery. Some accessories such as the clock use a little bit of charge even when the car is not in use. Also, you should drive your car at least twice a week for about 30 minutes to keep the battery charged.

Make sure that the battery and charging system is checked when you take your vehicle in for scheduled maintenance.

Usually, a battery comes with a predetermined life, such as three years or five years. Consider getting a replacement even if your old battery seems to be working well when it nears the end.

For questions on car insurance contact Sound Choice Insurance Agency Inc serving Lynnwood, WA.

Is it Time for a Home Insurance Review?

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If you’ve had your home insurance policy for a long time and haven’t made any changes to it, it may be time for a review. At Sound Choice Insurance Agency Inc, we can help customers in the Lynnwood, WA area get the insurance coverage they need to protect their homes. We will take a careful look at the coverage you already have, and make sure it’s right for your current needs. If it isn’t, we can help you make adjustments to coverage options or levels in order to get adequate protection. Then you can enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing your insurance is right and you have what you need to care for your home the proper way.

When you come to us for a home insurance review we’ll cover all the areas where you already have insurance, and also ask you about any changes that might have been made to the home or the property. If you’ve made significant changes, your current insurance policy may not reflect that. In order to be sure you have the best possible coverage, updating your policy may be necessary. You can have updates made to your insurance policy as often as you need to, in order to be sure you’re keeping your coverage up to date in a way that works for you. If you’re not sure whether changes are needed, your agent can help you make that decision, too.

When you’re ready for an insurance review, reach out to us at Sound Choice Insurance Agency Inc today, so we can protect your Lynnwood, WA area home. We’ll take a good look at the policy you have, ask questions and answer yours, and make sure you have proper coverage for the present and the future. We’re here to help you, and make sure your home has the kind of protection it really needs.

Mistakes to Avoid When Buying an Auto Insurance

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Auto insurance is something that you, as a car owner, should have. It protects you, your family, and the vehicle in case you got involved in a car accident, or if your car is stolen or damaged. However, if you are unfamiliar with the process of choosing and buying insurance, you might be at risk of making a mistake. Sound Choice Insurance Agency Inc. in Lynnwood, WA has prepared the list of mistakes you should avoid when searching for auto insurance:

Not Shopping Around

You may think that all insurance companies offer the same type of auto insurance. However, it is not true. Each insurance company is different in terms of their offers and discounts. Therefore, it is extremely important to shop around and to call at least a few companies to choose the one you can trust. 

Not Getting Enough Coverage

We understand that you want to save some money and do not want to spend a lot on your car insurance. It might be tempting to get a minimum level of coverage. However, you might regret your decision later if you have a really expensive accident or repair.  When buying insurance, make sure you have at least minimum coverage recommended by your insurance agent.

Not Knowing Your Policy

One of the most common mistakes people do is signing the papers before reading them carefully. It is extremely important to know and understand what exactly is covered and what is not before getting insurance. It will give you peace of mind and allow you to focus on other more important areas of your life. 

Sound Choice Insurance Agency Inc. in Lynnwood, WA is a company with almost 40 years of experience that is here for you and is ready to help to find the best coverage for your vehicle. Contact us today to find out more about insurance options and policies we offer. 

Does Your Home Insurer Need To Know About Your Above-Ground Pool?

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As a general rule, any time you are wondering if your home insurance provider needs to know about something or other, they need to know about it.

Now, if you follow the instructions on your above ground pool, if you set it up properly and situate it at least sixteen feet from the nearest building, you should be fine. It’s not that big an insurance liability as long as you practice a little common sense. If it collapses with nobody in it, and it is a safe distance from your home, you shouldn’t see any damages that the next warm day in Lynnwood, WA won’t fix.

The real concern is a liability. If you have a bunch of the neighbors’ kids in the pool and something happens, you could be looking at a lot of doctor bills to cover, and that’s when you’re going to be glad that you let your insurance provider know about your above-ground pool.

Generally speaking, your insurer is going to cover you for things like this as long as they don’t think that you were trying to keep a secret from them. If you host a house party and someone is injured, that’s not a big deal, unless you didn’t tell them you’d be having fifteen, twenty people over. The same goes for an above-ground pool. It’s not a major liability concern, but honesty is always the best policy in matters of insurance.

There’s no reason not to set up an above-ground pool at your Lynnwood, WA home, just make sure that you have the proper coverage. Give Sound Choice Insurance Agency Inc a call. Sound Choice Insurance Agency Inc. can get you set up with a policy that will keep you covered.

3 Reasons To Review Your Commercial Insurance In Spring

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We don’t need to emphasize the importance of commercial to every business. Most business owners are aware of that. Rather, we will give you a few reasons to review your commercial insurance. The best time to review your commercial insurance is in spring. 

At Sound Choice Insurance Agency Inc in Lynnwood, WA, we see a spike in business insurance claims during the spring season. We know how disheartening it can be for you to file a claim only to find out that the situation for which you are filing a claim is not even covered in your existing commercial insurance policy. 

This is why we encourage our clients to review their existing policy regularly, starting from this spring. Here are a few reasons why the review is a must.

Business expansion

It is every business owner’s dream for their business to expand. How does a business expand? It is by offering more products or services, by hiring more people, by purchasing more tools and equipment, and by extending your coverage areas.

When you undergo any of these expansions, your business may be under-insured if you don’t review your policy. For instance, if you run a construction company and you recently purchased heavy machinery, chances are good that your existing commercial insurance policy does not cover your latest acquisition. If the equipment gets damaged or burnt, you’ll be on your own. So, you should review your policy.

New location

Insurance laws vary from state to state. If you open a branch office in another state, it is necessary to review your policy to cover your offshore business properties. That’s one leg of the review. For the other leg, your policy has to be in line with the laws in the other state in terms of business insurance.

Better cost 

You need to review your insurance policy to get better deals. You may be entitled to certain discounts. Also, the cost of your existing policy may have gone down slightly. You may not be able to take advantage of the discounts or new deals without a review. 

For more information on commercial insurance, you can hit us up at Sound Choice Insurance Agency Inc in Lynnwood, WA. 

Is Washington a No-Fault State for Auto Insurance?

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The state of Washington is an “at-fault” state. This means that the court determines who is the person at-fault, for causing an accident, and makes that party responsible. There is a legal requirement in the state of Washington for anyone operating a vehicle within the state to have auto insurance that is at least a bare minimum.

Shared Fault

Sometimes an accident is caused by the fault of more than one person. In such a case, the court will decide of what percentage is each party’s fault and divide the fault up between all the parties that the court decides had some part in causing an accident.

These types of accidents are the ones that typically are heavily disputed. Assigning fault is somewhat of an arbitrary decision. Some facts and decisions about them can be rule-based; however, much of the final determination may come down to a matter of a judge’s opinion.

The Advantages of No-Fault Insurance

No-fault insurance does not require a determination to be made by the court regarding who caused the accident. The insurance provides coverage for the insured party, up to the limits of the policy, regardless of who is at fault. If there is other insurance available to help pay for the claim, then the insurance company will seek reimbursement from the other insurance company.

Ask your agent at Sound Choice Insurance Agency Inc, serving Lynnwood, WA and the surrounding area, to give you good advice about no-fault coverage.

Even though there is no legal requirement to carry no-fault insurance in the state of Washington it may still be a wise decision to have it for protection if the driver causing the accident is operating the vehicle illegally without insurance or is underinsured.

Contact your agent at Sound Choice Insurance Agency Inc in Lynnwood, WA to get an auto insurance review and a quote for no-fault auto insurance.

Renovating Your Home in 2020? Don’t Forget to Update Your Insurance

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The New Year often brings changes to people’s lives. If upgrading your home is one of those changes, make sure to update your insurance accordingly. Home renovations can alter your current home insurance coverage. By updating your home insurance policy from Sound Choice Insurance Agency Inc in Lynnwood, WA, you can continue to receive the protection you need.

How do home renovations affect your home insurance?

Increase Home Value

Major home renovations like a kitchen remodel or a new patio can increase your home’s value. A substantial increase in home value could make your current dwelling coverage insufficient to protect your property. Your dwelling insurance should be enough to cover the cost of replacing your home in the event it’s totally destroyed in a catastrophe. By assessing the value of your home after the renovations are done, you’ll know if you need to increase your dwelling coverage to fully protect your property.

Alter Coverage

Home renovations will need to be added to your home insurance in order to be protected against unforeseen perils. Home renovations will alter your current dwelling coverage, making it necessary to update your policy.

Reduce Insurance Costs

Some home renovations such as upgrading your plumbing or electrical systems, installing energy-efficient windows or installing a new security system can help reduce your home insurance costs. A new plumbing and electrical system will reduce your risk of water and fire damage. A new security system can protect your home against theft, vandalism, and intrusion. By enhancing your home’s safety and security, you could qualify for a discount on your home insurance.

If home renovations are on your agenda for 2020, contact Sound Choice Insurance Agency Inc in Lynnwood, WA about updating your home insurance to maintain optimal coverage. We look forward to meeting your home insurance needs.

Does My Home Insurance Cover Storm Damage?

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Sound Choice Insurance Agency Inc offers homeowners insurance to residents of Lynnwood, WA. The coverage they provide covers a wide range of damages that are caused by storms. There are certain natural events that are not covered by your traditional home insurance policy. These events must be covered by a specific type of policy that is written for that unique form of damage.

Know What Your Home Insurance Covers

When you purchase your home and sign up for new homeowner insurance, it’s essential that you talk to your insurance agent to determine what type of insurance policies you need to be fully protected from financial disaster caused by a storm or other weather event. By working with your insurance agent, you can find the information you need so you can purchase the right types of insurance.

Hurricane and Flood Insurance

Homes that are in hurricane zones or floodplains will require specific policies that are written for those particular events. If you live in a floodplain but have not purchased flood insurance, your home will not be fully protected against water damage from storms or large amounts of precipitation. The same is true if you live in a hurricane zone. If your home receives damage caused by a hurricane-related storm, your home won’t be covered if you don’t have the right policy in place.

Homeowners who live in or near Lynnwood, WA are encouraged to call the agents of Sound Choice Insurance Agency Inc. when they decide to upgrade their existing homeowners’ insurance or purchase a new policy altogether. By calling their office, you can find out what types of home insurance are needed to cover weather-related events in your area.