You know how it is: Washington folks will ignore just about anything while staring at those gorgeous mountains off in the distance. But you’re gonna be smarter than that, because neglecting your auto policy is one of the gravest insurance mistakes Washington folks up here in the PNW make regularly.
It’s really just one of those things that you ought to keep an eye on. Want the short version? Don’t ignore it. Here are the worst things that can happen to you if you ignore your policy (and a few insurance policy review tips to keep you going along the way). At Vern Fonk, we can help you get Washington car insurance quotes today – at an affordable price and with some humor thrown in!
Suppose you’ve ever left a burrito in the microwave overnight and opened the door to a small weather system. In that case, you understand what it means to ignore something important, like making insurance mistakes that Washingtonians smack their heads over. Your coverage doesn’t just sit there politely. It ferments. It grows quirks. The kind of quirks that cost money and ruin Saturdays (and other days of the week that end in “y”). Here’s precisely what happens with your finances and sanity when you ignore coverage gaps.
Silence is a powerful force … it can bring peace. But it can also let your policy quietly lapse while you’re in Spokane visiting Aunt Marge and her haunted birdbath. No renewal check. No autopay alert. Boom. The coverage gap opens like a sinkhole in Yakima. Then a fender bender happens, and you learn the ancient language of Out-Of-Pocket … it’s not, let’s say, melodic.
Auto carriers do not accept “but I thought it renewed” as a valid excuse. Mortgage lenders do not laugh when homeowners’ insurance in Washington vanishes for a month. Landlords will not serenade you when renters’ insurance evaporates the day before the upstairs aquarium becomes the downstairs waterfall. The lapse is a cost, a headache, a premium spike later.
Not paying attention to your policy over time isn’t just a matter of sorting out whether you’re protected from the local Sasquatch (a common problem up here in the great white north, as any true PNWer knows). You’re also leaving money on the table when it comes to discounts.
An example: You’ve recently completed a safe driving course (beneficial after an accident or DUI situation), or you recently purchased a vehicle that has a fancy safety system. Several factors may qualify you for new discounts, so it’s essential to review this information at least annually to ensure you’re taking advantage of the latest offers. For premiums on the typical policy — at least where auto insurance in Washington is concerned — discounts can stack up.
Some of the more common insurance mistakes in Washington that can affect drivers like you include outdated coverage, insufficient liability coverage to protect your personal finances in the event of an accident, and inadequate property damage protection. Here’s what to know.
Suppose you upgrade your car from a 12-year-old beater that has a rusted chassis to something fancy like an EV with all of the driver assist gizmos. In that case, your auto insurance Washington policy won’t automatically upgrade itself — and now you might have a mismatch between your coverage and deductibles.
In the same way, if you’ve remodeled your home, upgraded appliances, or finished a basement, then you might have more to replace than the policy will actually cover. Of course, only if something “happens” — but why take the chance? It doesn’t take a home insurance decoder ring to know that a policy that insures up to $100k in value won’t cover your fancy shmancy, remodeled $200k property.
Maybe “liability” sounds a bit boring, but it’s actually pretty important. Basically, if you get into an accident and someone gets hurt, that person might try to claim against your liability coverage. And it’s one of those things you regularly want to have a look at. In no uncertain terms: Let it stagnate, and you can be wildly underinsured. Coverage gaps also sneak in through exclusions and sub-limits, such as when you’ve just bought an expensive new bicycle or something else, and now you actually need a rider or a separate policy. Don’t let this happen to you!
The one-two punch to keeping your policy fresh and compelling involves reviewing it at least annually, as well as after significant life changes. Consider working with a good agent on this to avoid making one of the more common insurance mistakes Washington drivers and homeowners tend to make.
The seasons change every fiscal quarter in Washington, and while reviewing your policy four times a year would be ideal, at least annually is the bare minimum to stay safe. Once a year (pick the month you pay property taxes, renew your tabs, or buy Girl Scout cookies; whatever sticks), sit down for 20 minutes with your agent or your coffee and a highlighter. Use this checklist:
Again, a good agent can ask other questions that might help to suss out precisely what you need, especially when it comes to homeowners’ insurance. Washington property owners need to maintain transparency.
Life changes all the time, and yours probably isn’t an exception to the rule. The problem is that your insurer doesn’t know about it because they don’t read your mind. Maybe you moved from Spokane to Tacoma, or got a new apartment in Seattle. Perhaps you’ve started a new business (don’t forget to consider commercial insurance in Washington if so) or renovated your kitchen. Whichever the case, you need to upgrade your policy to keep up with your new pace in life. Be sure to discuss significant changes with your agent.
Hopefully, these Washington insurance tips have helped you to avoid catastrophe! At Vern Fonk Insurance, we’re only fans of the surprises that make you smile (in a good way, no grimaces here). That’s why we work closely with our clients (auto, homeowners, and others) to avoid bad surprises. If you’re ready to get a new policy or just want to see if you’re well-covered for future Sasquatch encounters, give us a call at (800) 455-8276, visit one of our office locations in Washington, or get your customized quote online.
Among all the insurance mistakes Washingtonians make, not reviewing your policy is the easiest to fix. Again, once a year, at the minimum, is the best approach. But ideally, quarterly (every three months!).
The address mismatch can delay claims or mess with rates. Renovations can leave you underinsured on the dwelling limit and materials. Update first; move second.
Yes. Missed discounts, rating errors (such as outdated commute miles), and small claims resulting from preventable issues can all drive premiums up, and this applies to any type of policy, including renters insurance in Washington.
Auto-renew is convenient but not innovative on its own. Your life changes; your policy doesn’t know unless you tell it. Auto-renew + annual review = the winning combo.
Scan for: incorrect garaging address, wrong drivers/vehicles, old deductibles, low liability limits, missing endorsements — and when in doubt, ask (perhaps the most important of these insurance policy review tips).
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