Resources
Straight answers for Washington homeowners and drivers
Each guide answers one real question in its first paragraph, explains it plainly, and links to the sources. And every one ends the same way: if you'd like a person to look at your actual policy, we will.
Rates & renewals
- Why did my home insurance go up?Home insurance renewals in Washington usually rise for one of five reasons: higher rebuild costs raising your dwelling limit, regional claims trends, a change to your home, a claim on your record, or a discount that ended. Since June 1, 2024, Washington requires insurers to tell you that you can ask why — and to answer within 20 days.Read the answer
- Why did my auto insurance go up in Washington?Car insurance renewals rise mostly because accidents cost more to fix: modern vehicles are full of sensors and cameras, and medical costs keep climbing. Your own changes — a ticket, a claim, a new driver or vehicle — and lost discounts are the other usual causes. Washington's rate-transparency rule lets you ask your insurer which factors applied.Read the answer
- What to review before your Washington auto policy renewsReview seven things before every auto renewal: liability limits, underinsured motorist limits, PIP, deductibles, listed drivers, listed vehicles and their use, and discounts. Ten minutes with the declarations page catches most expensive surprises.Read the answer
- How to lower your home insurance premiumThe safe ways to lower a homeowners premium are a higher deductible, bundling, documenting roof and system updates, protective devices, and an annual review. The unsafe way is cutting the dwelling limit below what it costs to rebuild.Read the answer
Home insurance basics
- Homeowners insurance coverage, explainedA homeowners policy is six coverages in one: Coverage A (dwelling), B (other structures), C (personal property), D (loss of use), E (personal liability) and F (medical payments to others). Each has its own limit on your declarations page.Read the answer
- How much homeowners insurance do I need?You need enough dwelling coverage to rebuild your home at today's prices, enough personal property coverage to replace what you own, and enough liability coverage to protect your assets. Market value and your mortgage balance are the wrong yardsticks for all three.Read the answer
- Home insurance deductibles, explainedA deductible is the amount you pay toward a covered claim before the insurer pays. Most homeowners policies use a flat all-perils deductible such as $1,000 or $2,500; earthquake coverage uses a percentage of the dwelling limit, which can mean tens of thousands of dollars.Read the answer
- Home replacement cost, explainedReplacement cost is what it would take to rebuild your home with materials of like kind and quality at today's prices. It has nothing to do with the land, so in the Puget Sound market it can be well above or well below what the home would sell for.Read the answer
- Earthquake insurance in WashingtonStandard homeowners, condo and renters policies in Washington exclude earthquake damage. Earthquake coverage is added by endorsement or a separate policy, usually with a deductible of 10% or more of the dwelling limit — so the decision is about protecting against a catastrophic loss, not small cracks.Read the answer
Claims questions
- Does homeowners insurance cover water damage?Homeowners insurance generally covers sudden and accidental water damage, such as a burst pipe or a failed water-heater line. It generally does not cover slow leaks, wear and tear, groundwater seepage or flood. Sewer and drain backup needs a separate endorsement.Read the answer
- Does homeowners insurance cover roof damage?Homeowners insurance covers roof damage from sudden events such as windstorms and falling trees. It doesn't cover wear and tear, age or poor maintenance. How much it pays also depends on whether your roof is settled at replacement cost or actual cash value.Read the answer
- Does homeowners insurance cover theft?Yes. Homeowners and renters policies cover theft of your personal property at home and, generally, away from home — including belongings stolen from your car. Special limits apply to items like jewelry, cash and firearms unless you schedule them.Read the answer
Bundling & umbrella
- Should I bundle my home and auto insurance?Bundle when the combined price at equal coverage is lower than two separate policies — which is true for most households. Don't bundle when splitting is cheaper for the same limits, or when bundling would force you to give up coverage you need.Read the answer
- Do I need umbrella insurance?You likely need umbrella insurance if a serious lawsuit could reach more than your home and auto liability limits — which is true for most homeowners with equity, savings or a teenage driver. The umbrella adds $1 million or more above those limits.Read the answer
Auto
- What does underinsured motorist coverage do in Washington?Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage pays for your injuries — and, depending on the policy, damage to your car — when the at-fault driver has no insurance or not enough. Washington law requires insurers to offer it; you can only reject it in writing.Read the answer
- How much car insurance do I need in Washington?Legally, Washington requires 25/50/10 liability. Practically, if you own a home or have savings, carry liability limits high enough to protect them — commonly $250,000 per person and $500,000 per accident — match your underinsured motorist limits to it, and consider an umbrella above it.Read the answer
- Adding a teen driver in WashingtonAdd your teen to your auto policy when they get their license — not later. A newly licensed teen typically raises a household premium substantially, which is why it's the moment to review liability limits, discounts and an umbrella together.Read the answer
Property owners
- Homeowners vs. landlord insuranceHomeowners insurance is designed for a home you live in; landlord insurance is designed for a home tenants live in. When you move out and rent the house, the policy should change before the tenant moves in.Read the answer
- The HO-6 condo insurance guideAn HO-6 policy insures what the HOA master policy leaves to you. Read the master policy first, then set three limits: interior dwelling coverage, personal property, and loss assessment.Read the answer
Buying a home
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