Are Solar Panels Covered On My Homeowner’s Insurance?

It depends…Here’s how it works with Allstate in the state of Washington.

If you are looking at getting Solar Panels for your home, there are a few things that you need to think about first.

How you attach them to your home makes a big difference!

Attached

If the panels will be permanently attached to your home, then they would be covered under your dwelling coverage. If you are adding the solar panels after your policy has been written, make sure that you talk to your agent to increase the dwelling coverage.

Detached

If they are going to be standalone panels, such as set up in the yard, then they would be covered under the “other structures” coverage, such as your detached garage. Most policies include an automatic 10% of what the dwelling amount is for other structures. It’s a good idea to verify that you have enough coverage.

Portable

If you are going to have portable panels, those would be covered under your contents coverage, like your furniture and belongings.

If you are considering solar panels and want to make sure that you are covered correctly, please give us a call at Matt Elwood’s Allstate Agency at 360-452-9200. 

Insurance For Your Wedding Rings

Did you know that June is the most popular month for weddings?  

I’ve seen many of my clients planning weddings over the next few weeks.  So I thought I’d share an insurance tip this week just for engaged couples and newlyweds.

You’re spending a lot of money on your wedding and those new rings.  Make sure they’re covered!  

Jewelry is covered under your Homeowners or Renters insurance.  But the coverage amount can be limited.   If you don’t cover the individual piece of jewelry specifically, you might not have enough insurance if it were to be lost or stolen.

Here’s what I recommend.  Get an appraisal of your rings from a local jeweler. A lot of our customers like to go to Cole’s Jeweler’s in Sequim. Then bring in a copy and we’ll add the rings to your policy.  (We can also discuss deductibles or special coverage.)  Depending on the value of the ring, you might spend only a few dollars a year to know that your valuable jewelry is insured.

If you are renting or getting ready to purchase a home and don’t have a policy, now is a great time to schedule a consultation to discuss what coverage you’ll need and give you a ballpark figure for what it will cost.  Renters Insurance is very inexpensive and can give you a lot of peace of mind as you combine your two households.

But the best tip I can give?  Get a local insurance agent you can trust!  We’ll look out for you and help you get the right coverage at an affordable rate.  Call us today at 360-452-9200 or visit our Allstate Website to get a quote.

Important Things to Remember Before You Leave for Vacation…

The end of the school year is coming and everyone is ready for summer break. The weather is getting nicer and trips to the lake or coast are being planned. There are a few things that you should remember before you leave for that family vacation.

Don’t Advertise That You Will Be Out Of Town

Here are some ways to protect your home while you are away on vacation.

1. Contact the Post Office and the Peninsula Daily News, and put your services on hold. Having a full mailbox or a lot of papers on the porch is a sign to others that you’re an easy target!
2. Putting your household lamps on a timer is a great way to make it seem like you are home. Also, having motion sensitive lights on the porch and/or driveway is a great idea too.
3. If you trust a neighbor, let them know that you are going out of town and leave them your contact information and/or spare key, just in case. If there were to be a storm while you were away, your neighbor could check on the house and make sure everything was still in working order.

When You’re On The Road

The #1 thing that is important to remember while you are driving is to not leave valuables in the car.

Many people believe that their belongings are covered by car insurance, but that is not the case. The only coverage for your luggage or computer would be on your Homeowner’s Insurance, and that is still subject to your deductible.

Most policies offer coverage for road side assistance and towing. This can be priceless when you are stranded, or accidentally lock your keys in the car. This coverage is inexpensive and quick to add to your policy.

If you have any questions before your next trip, please give us a call anytime to discuss your policy or to get a quote! 

Create A Winter Weather Prep Kit

It’s the time of year for icy winter weather. And as your Port Angeles insurance agent, I have to share a few things to get you prepared before the winter storms hit!

First things first, you want to have the right supplies on hand. Create a basic
emergency kit that includes a battery powered radio and at least one week’s worth of
food and safety supplies. Also include:

Drinking Water
Canned/No-Cook Food
Non-Electric Can Opener
First Aid Kit
Prescription Medicine As Needed
Bag of Cat Litter or Sand to add traction on walkways
Battery Powered Lamps
Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Alarm in working order

And what about when bad weather hits? Here are a few things to put on your winter
storm checklist:

• Leave water taps slightly open so they drip to prevent frozen pipes.
• Open kitchen cabinet doors under the sink to keep the pipes warm.
• Have an alternate heat source in case the power goes out. If you have a fireplace, make sure
you have plenty of dry firewood.

The most important thing you can do? Be prepared! A benefit to winter storms is that
you generally have plenty of warning that one is on the way. Don’t wait until the roads
are icy and dangerous. Get your supplies packed, your pipes protected, and a backup
plan in case of a power outage. And make sure that you have great Homeowners
Insurance! We can help with that. Call us for a free quote today at 360-452-9200.