{"id":5553,"date":"2026-03-04T06:04:57","date_gmt":"2026-03-04T14:04:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vernfonk.com\/blog\/?p=5553"},"modified":"2026-03-04T07:37:56","modified_gmt":"2026-03-04T15:37:56","slug":"after-winter-insurance-checkup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vernfonk.com\/blog\/tips\/after-winter-insurance-checkup\/","title":{"rendered":"You Made It Through Winter \u2014 Is Your Insurance Still Alive?\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Who&nbsp;doesn\u2019t&nbsp;enjoy everything being dark at 4 p.m. in Seattle? Wait, you&nbsp;don\u2019t? Why not? What about wet socks, potholes, and moisture everywhere?&nbsp;Alright,&nbsp;maybe&nbsp;you\u2019re&nbsp;not into that.&nbsp;That\u2019s&nbsp;OK, because winter has finally let go of Washington. But there\u2019s unfinished business: Is your insurance still alive, or has it ended up in a corner, wheezing like a houseplant long forgotten in November?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&nbsp;haven\u2019t&nbsp;done a review of your insurance policy in the past few months,&nbsp;it\u2019s&nbsp;time for an after-winter insurance review. Not because you did something wrong, but because winter is excellent at exposing coverage&nbsp;gaps&nbsp;you&nbsp;didn\u2019t&nbsp;know you had.&nbsp;Here\u2019s&nbsp;what to look for in your policy, and if you decide&nbsp;it\u2019s&nbsp;time to go shopping, Vern Fonk has you covered with affordable&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.vernfonk.com\/auto-insurance\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">auto insurance quotes<\/a>,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.vernfonk.com\/homeowners-insurance\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">homeowners<\/a>, and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.vernfonk.com\/business-insurance\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Washington business insurance<\/a>!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Winter Took Its Toll (Even If You&nbsp;Don\u2019t&nbsp;Realize It)<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Winter damage comes in many forms, and not all of it is dramatic. Roof leaks can start as a tiny spot, or a fence can start \u201ccasually\u201d leaning. Or&nbsp;maybe your&nbsp;car now makes unusual noises or&nbsp;doesn\u2019t&nbsp;start as easily.&nbsp;That\u2019s&nbsp;why a seasonal insurance review in early spring is so useful. The&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nwinsurance.org\/hot-topics\/spring-home-maintenance\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">NW Insurance Council<\/a>&nbsp;recommends reviewing your&nbsp;homeowners&nbsp;policy before severe weather strikes \u2014 and up here in the PNW, spring can bring some of the most unpredictable conditions of the year.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Common Winter-Related Insurance Issues<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Winter messes up roads in the PNW (and everywhere else in the country where it snows). More specifically, salting the roads messes them up, as do extreme temperatures, especially with bridges. Wear and tear also&nbsp;increases. These are the most common issues you might&nbsp;encounter&nbsp;in the PNW.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Pothole and Suspension Damage<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Potholes&nbsp;aren\u2019t&nbsp;\u201clittle bumps.\u201d&nbsp;They\u2019re&nbsp;road craters with a side hustle in wrecking your suspension. These gremlins form when moisture seeps into road cracks and then&nbsp;expands&nbsp;and contracts as freeze-thaw cycles happen, which destroys the pavement over time. If you have collision coverage, that usually applies to pothole damage (you\u2019ve&nbsp;\u201chit\u201d something after all), while comprehensive coverage is more for general weather events not covered by collision. But all of this depends on your&nbsp;deductible, too. And it may not be worth filing if the repair cost is lower than your deductible.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Weather-Related Claims<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Up here in the leafy green PNW, common weather-related claims can include things like wind damage, water damage, and frozen pipes. For cars, winter can mean falling branches, storm debris, and the occasional \u201cwhy is there water here?\u201d moment. Comprehensive coverage is usually the bucket for many non-collision weather incidents, but the exact trigger matters. If&nbsp;you\u2019re&nbsp;confused about the difference,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.vernfonk.com\/blog\/tips\/insurance-jargon-translation\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">translate the language of \u201cinsurancese.\u201d<\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Wear and Tear vs. Covered Damage<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s&nbsp;the classic confusion: \u201cWinter broke it\u201d vs. \u201cWinter revealed it.\u201d The difference matters because things that are&nbsp;<strong>sudden&nbsp;<\/strong>and&nbsp;<strong>accidental&nbsp;<\/strong>(like ramming into a Sasquatch on the highway down to Spokane) usually get covered by your policy. But replacing or repairing aging systems falls more into wear and tear, not&nbsp;covered&nbsp;loss categories. Spring offers&nbsp;a good time&nbsp;to see&nbsp;what\u2019s&nbsp;getting long in the&nbsp;tooth&nbsp;so you can patch things up.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"856\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vernfonk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/03\/VF-you-made-it-through-winter-is-your-insurance-still-alive-1.jpg\" alt=\"Man looks shocked while holding an umbrella indoors under a ceiling leak, with buckets and pots catching dripping water, reminding renters to review insurance policy after water damage.\" class=\"wp-image-5554\" style=\"width:700px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.vernfonk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/03\/VF-you-made-it-through-winter-is-your-insurance-still-alive-1.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.vernfonk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/03\/VF-you-made-it-through-winter-is-your-insurance-still-alive-1-300x257.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.vernfonk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/03\/VF-you-made-it-through-winter-is-your-insurance-still-alive-1-768x657.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.vernfonk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/03\/VF-you-made-it-through-winter-is-your-insurance-still-alive-1-800x685.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Why Spring Is the Right Time for an Insurance Checkup<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A spring insurance review helps you see&nbsp;what\u2019s&nbsp;going on between seasons, because you can see if the winter months did any damage to your home or car. And&nbsp;you\u2019ll&nbsp;have the time you need to make policy updates before the spring brings those May showers along. Also, memories do fade, and when May rolls around, you might have forgotten about how that one pothole nearly&nbsp;eliminated&nbsp;your alignment.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How to Tell If Your Insurance Needs a Refresh<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vernfonk.com\/blog\/tips\/ignoring-your-policy-consequences\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Weird things can happen if you ignore your insurance<\/a>. And a basic coverage checkup is just what your friendly Seattle agent ordered. Start with your declarations page, because it&nbsp;contains&nbsp;everything you need to know about&nbsp;coverages, limits, deductibles, etc. You should consider updating if your life situation has changed meaningfully.&nbsp;Maybe you&nbsp;have a new car, or you&nbsp;remodeled&nbsp;your home. Or you&nbsp;acquired&nbsp;new valuables that are pricey to replace. Also consider how the premium\/deductible balance is working for your personal finances. A low premium feels great until you realize your deductible is sky-high&nbsp;or your liability limits are skinny. (Your future self would like fewer surprises.)&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What Reviewing Your Policy Now Can Help You Avoid Later<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A quick insurance coverage review now can prevent the springtime classics of thinking you have coverage that you actually don\u2019t, finding&nbsp;out your deductible is too high after a loss, or realizing your home limits don\u2019t actually match rebuild costs. And yes, claims do affect premiums. Especially at-fault ones \u2014 these will increase premiums in most cases. The goal is to avoid these situations entirely if possible.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Let Vern Fonk Help You Shake off Winter for Good<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You&nbsp;don\u2019t&nbsp;need a 3-hour policy summit. You need a quick review, a couple of \u201cdid anything change?\u201d&nbsp;questions, and a plan that fits real life. If you want assistance with your after-winter insurance review, we at Vern Fonk can help you shop and compare coverage for auto insurance,&nbsp;homeowners&nbsp;insurance, and business insurance. If you need more help,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.vernfonk.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">get a&nbsp;quote online<\/a>, give us a call at&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/tel1-800-455-8276\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">(800) 455-8276<\/a>, or visit one of our&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.vernfonk.com\/locations\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">local Washington offices<\/a>&nbsp;today!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>FAQs<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Should I Review My Insurance Every Spring?<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A spring insurance review&nbsp;isn\u2019t&nbsp;a bad idea! Especially if something has changed \u2014&nbsp;maybe you&nbsp;had a personal financial issue, for example. But at minimum, annually or&nbsp;biannually&nbsp;is a good bet.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Can Winter Claims Affect My Rates Even If I&nbsp;Didn\u2019t&nbsp;Cause Damage?<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Sometimes, yes. At-fault claims are more likely to raise premiums, but comprehensive claims can also affect rates in some cases. Unfortunately, although&nbsp;it\u2019s&nbsp;not most people\u2019s favorite answer: It depends.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Is Spring a Better Time to Switch Insurance Than Winter?<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You can switch anytime. Spring is often easier because&nbsp;you\u2019re&nbsp;not trying to change coverage in the middle of an emergency.&nbsp;It\u2019s&nbsp;also&nbsp;a good time&nbsp;to compare options calmly and avoid gaps.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-1 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color has-vivid-red-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vernfonk.com\/\">Get a Quote<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-2 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color has-vivid-red-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-element-button\" href=\"tel:1-800-455-8276\">Call Us<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-3 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color has-vivid-red-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vernfonk.com\/locations\/\">Find Your Office<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Who&nbsp;doesn\u2019t&nbsp;enjoy everything being dark at 4 p.m. in Seattle? Wait, you&nbsp;don\u2019t? Why not? What about wet socks, potholes, and moisture everywhere?&nbsp;Alright,&nbsp;maybe&nbsp;you\u2019re&nbsp;not into that.&nbsp;That\u2019s&nbsp;OK, because winter has finally let go of Washington. But there\u2019s unfinished business: Is your insurance still alive, or has it ended up in a corner, wheezing like a houseplant long forgotten in [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5555,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[25],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5553","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tips"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vernfonk.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5553","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vernfonk.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vernfonk.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vernfonk.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vernfonk.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5553"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.vernfonk.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5553\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5557,"href":"https:\/\/www.vernfonk.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5553\/revisions\/5557"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vernfonk.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5555"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vernfonk.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5553"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vernfonk.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5553"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vernfonk.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5553"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}