Will my home insurance protect me from theft?

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Owning a home is likely the largest investment that you will make in your lifetime. It only makes sense to ensure that this investment is protected from damage and destruction. While your basic homeowners’ policy will provide protection from many events such as wind, water, and fire, you may wonder if your current policy also gives you relief in the event of theft or burglary. The team of helpful agents at Sound Choice Insurance Agency Inc are proud to answer this question and more for their clients in the greater Lynnwood, WA area.

The Short Answer: Yes

Most home insurance policies will protect you from theft, both inside and away from your home. However, if this is a situation that concerns you, it is always a great idea to have your current policy reviewed for completeness. One of the easiest ways to look at how your home insurance policy functions is to think of your coverage taking care of your home and your belongings. 

For example, if your bicycle is stolen from your local park, the loss will likely be covered by your home policy. Bear in mind, that most base policies do have value limits that define coverage as up to a certain point of coverage per article. If you have a lot of expensive sports or electronic equipment, or a collection of art or jewelry, you may want to consider a personal articles rider for your policy. All of these questions and more can be addressed at your annual policy review.

Ready for a comprehensive review of your homeowners’ policy? Call or stop by today and let the team at Sound Choice Insurance Agency Inc review your policy with you. We look forward to serving you and the entire Lynnwood, WA community!

Does Commercial Insurance Cover Inventory Losses?

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If you have a business, then you probably already know that you need commercial insurance. Many people, however, do not realize the terms and conditions may vary from policy to policy. Knowing what is covered is one of the keys to protecting your business from losses. For example, do you know if your commercial insurance covers inventory losses?

Inventory Losses

There can be a number of situations in which you may lose inventory and not all insurance will cover inventory losses, especially if it is perishable goods. This should be taken into consideration when purchasing your insurance. If you have a considerable amount of inventory, or you have products which may be damaged or even spoil, then you may need special coverage or a rider on a policy which helps you customize coverage to prevent gaps. Speak with your insurance agent about the ways you can protect your valuable inventory and create a better policy for your needs. 

Finding A Good Policy

Finding a policy that works for you is easy if you have the right agent and insurance provider backing you. Make sure to do business with a reputable insurance company with knowledgeable agents who will work with you closely to make sure you are protected. Residents of the areas around Lynnwood, WA know that they can rely on Sound Choice Insurance Agency Inc to give them the information they need to make a wise decision when it comes to coverage. 

Always keep adequate coverage for your inventory, especially if you are a growing company. Loss of inventory can cripple a business and lead to disaster. Work with the agents at Sound Choice Insurance Agency Inc in Lynnwood, WA  to ensure you are protected from losses. Call or stop by today to get more information about insurance products to fit your needs. 

Insuring a Home during Purchase or Sale

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If you are considering buying or selling a home, home insurance is part of the process. When selling a home and buying another one, it is important to make sure adequate home insurance stays in place for the home that is sold until such time as the title is officially transferred to the new owner. It is just as important to have the insurance for the new home being purchased to go into effect, at the right moment, upon accepting the title for it.

Work with your agent at Sound Choice Insurance Agency Inc, serving Lynnwood, WA and the nearby areas, to get good advice about how to manage the process of insuring a home that is being sold and one that is being bought

The Timing of Home Insurance Coverage

It is not necessary to get the date and time exactly down to an accurate moment of title transfer from one owner to another. In fact, it is better to have a bit of overlap. Overlap means that the insurance for a home being sold extends a few days after the title transfer. For a home being purchased, the insurance should start up a few days before the title is transferred. By using this method, there is no moment where your home will not be insured. Using a few days after and before the title transfer also avoids any problems with interpretation of the time zones.

A Smooth Transition is a Goal

The goal is to make sure your home insurance stays in place until 1) the title is transferred; 2) all of your things are removed from a home that is sold, and; 3) the keys have been turned over to the new owners. Likewise, when buying a home, you want to make sure your new home insurance is in place before any of your things are moved in.

Contact your agent your agent at Sound Choice Insurance Agency Inc in Lynnwood, WA to discuss any special needs.

Why Is Auto Insurance Mandatory?

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Washington is one of the most beautiful states in the US. Nicknamed ‘The Evergreen State,’ it’s also one of the most visited states in the country. But before you hit the road for a scenic drive in Washington, make sure that your auto insurance is in order. Here, like in many other states in the country, auto insurance is required. In other words, you can’t drive legally without car insurance in the Evergreen State.

Mandatory Coverage

Whether you’ve bought a new car or you just moved to Lynnwood, WA, Sound Choice Insurance Agency Inc can help you get auto insurance that meets the state’s auto insurance requirements as well as your driving needs. But why is auto insurance mandatory in the vast majority of US state? Well, there are several reasons. But before we delve into that, let’s take a look at the minimum car insurance requirements in Washington State.

Basic Requirements

As a driver in the state, you are required to have Property Damage Liability, Bodily Injury Liability, Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury Coverage, as well as Basic Personal Injury Protection and Underinsured Motorist Property Damage Coverage. You need to have these coverages on your policy to drive in the state. The state’s insurance department has put these laws in place to ensure that roads in the state are safe and fair for all drivers.

That way, if you cause an accident, your coverage will cover the cost of damages and medical bills and the other driver will not suffer financial loss as a result of your actions. That’s what auto insurance requirements are for. Get full auto insurance coverage from Sound Choice Insurance Agency Inc in Lynnwood, WA and make the road safer for other users. Call us if you need more information on auto insurance in the state.

Flaws That Can Derail Your Commercial Insurance Coverage

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If you own a Lynnwood, WA area business, you need to make sure that you avoid common business insurance flaws. We at Sound Choice Insurance Agency Inc have seen these flaws happen far too often, particularly in those who attempt to write their own unique business insurance policies.

Blanket Language Can Be Vague

Insurance language can be confusing to many people and may feel vague to you. For example, you may find a policy or write one that states that your coverage won’t go into effect due to “errors caused by the policyholder” without discussing those errors. As a result, you and your company could have some conflicts if a problem does occur and they think you caused it.

Policy May Not Be Suited for Your Business

While commercial insurance policies are designed to be adaptable to many business needs, they won’t be appropriate for all types of companies. Even if you buy a policy that other companies in your field have purchased, it still might not be quite right for your needs. Make sure you go over all the coverage with your policy provider to ensure you don’t make any serious mistakes.

Cost Assessment May Be Difficult

One flaw that you may find is that you can’t assess your business costs accurately enough for your insurance company. This flaw is huge because it may cause you to overestimate damage and trigger a defensive mechanism from your provider. It may also cause you to underestimate and cost you a lot of money. In some instances, it could even cause insurance policy cancellation.

Getting the Best Commercial Insurance For Your Needs

Protecting your Lynnwood, WA from these insurance errors requires contacting us at Sound Choice Insurance Agency Inc. We will assess your commercial insurance needs and make sure that your policy covers all of the common issues and problems that can derail your coverage.

Is Auto Insurance Ever Optional

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Auto insurance is something that all drivers can not only benefit from but that all drivers are required to hold. There are no circumstances in which auto insurance is ever optional for a car that is going to be driven on public roads with other drivers. For those in the Lynnwood, WA area, the agents with Sound Choice Insurance Agency, Inc. can help you get the perfect auto policy quickly and easily.

Auto insurance is something that is never optional for a car that is going to share a public road with other drivers for one simple reason, should there be an accident, there needs to be a policy in place for both drivers so that neither is forced to take the full burden of the cost of repairs and medical costs. Auto insurance is required by law in almost all 50 states to help protect all drivers, both the insured and the other drivers on the road.

Auto insurance is something that all drivers also need to help pay back auto loans should their car become totaled, and if the car needs to be fully replaced. It also helps cover the cost of repairs, medical costs, rental cars, and more to get you back on the road again safely. Each state has different requirements for the amount of auto insurance you have to have on your car, and it is necessary to speak with an agent to find out just how much auto insurance you need to have in place to legally drive your car on the road. For those that live in the Lynnwood, WA area, the agents with Sound Choice Insurance Agency, Inc. can help you to find the right policy for your needs based on the individual requirements of your particular state or locality.  

Reach out to our offices to get a quote or try out our online rating tool.

Homeowners Coverage Protects You from Liability in Lynnwood WA

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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.

 

Do I need Commercial Insurance before I Open for Business

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Own a business in Lynnwood, WA?

Then you absolutely must have commercial insurance before you open for business. Why? Because, first of all, the law requires it and secondly, your business is an asset that needs to be protected. But that’s not all. Read on to discover why having commercial insurance is so vitally important before you start doing business.  

Protect your Asset

In the event that something devastating happens while you are doing business in Lynnwood, WA, you need to be protected. For example, your business could burn to the ground and if you’re not covered, you’ve just lost everything. You also need to think about lawsuits. Depending on what kind of business you run, the door for a potential lawsuit to be filed will be different. For example, if you own a taxi service and one of your vehicles strikes and kills a person, your company is liable. If you own a retail store and a customer slips and falls on the floor, breaking their leg, they could sue you.  

Protect your Employees

If your business has employees, you need to protect them as well. This typically includes having worker’s compensation insurance and unemployment insurance for your employees.  

What does Business Insurance Cost?

This will depend on what type of business you own and how many employees you have, if any. Other factors include the location and size of your business as well as your annual revenue.  

To find out more about purchasing commercial insurance for your business, contact the team at Sound Choice Insurance Agency, Inc. Our agents are reputable, knowledgeable, and available to answer all your questions. Call Sound Insurance Agency, Inc today to find out more.  

Must Have Auto Insurance Coverage for Long Distance Drivers

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If you drive long distances to or from work or when traveling on vacation, you should make sure you have adequate car insurance to protect you against accidents. With good car insurance protection, you can be prepared for any mishaps that may occur during your travels. At Sound Choice Insurance Agency, Inc. in Lynnwood, WA, we can help you choose an insurance package suited to your budget and lifestyle. For long-distance driving, you’ll do well with the following coverage:

Liability

All states require that drivers have minimum liability coverage and Washington is no exception. If you drive long distances, however, you may want to get more than the bare minimum. Extra liability coverage will give you greater protection in the event you cause an accident where serious injuries or damage occur to others.   

Collision

Long distance driving poses a greater risk of accidents due to drivers getting careless, going too fast, or falling asleep at the wheel. Collision coverage will help pay for damages to your car if you accidentally crash into another vehicle or drive off the highway. If you own a fairly new vehicle, collision coverage can help protect your investment.

Comprehensive

When you travel extensively, chances are you’ll run into inclement weather on the road. Your car may suffer wind, hail, or storm damage during your travels. Comprehensive insurance helps pay for these damages. If your vehicle is stolen or vandalized on a road trip, you’re protected under this same coverage.

Roadside Assistance/Towing

You may also want roadside assistance or towing in your car insurance package for help with unforeseen car problems that can leave you stuck on the side of the road.

For quality auto insurance coverage, contact Sound Choice Insurance Agency, Inc. in Lynnwood, WA. We can help you get started with a quote and a policy.

Summer Home Cleaning Tips

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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.