Insurance Basics When You’re Buying A Home In Port Angeles

/ Matt Elwood - Allstate Insurance/

Many of my clients begin house hunting during the spring and summer months.  And while you may know all the basics to getting a mortgage and finding the perfect house, many people have no clue where to begin in looking for homeowners insurance.

That’s where we come in!  

Home buying is a long and sometimes stressful process, but the insurance doesn’t have to be. Here’s how to make it incredibly simple.

When you find the right home and have an accepted offer, let your lender know that we’ll be handling your insurance.  

They’ll typically send us the loan information, but you can speed up the process by calling us and letting one of our agents get all of the important details.  We’ll need to know things like what year the home was built, how many square feet, what construction materials, and other items like that.

Then we’ll contact your lender to determine the closing date and the mortgagee clause.  (You don’t need to worry about this!  Just let us know who is taking care of your loan and we’ll handle the details.)

We’ll fax all of the insurance documents to your lender before the closing date and you’ll be ready to go!  

To save a little extra on your home policy, let us know about any security systems or if you’d like to quote your auto insurance at the same time.

Home buying can be stressful, the insurance side is really simple with the right communication and team.  Call us at 360-452-9200 today to discuss your new home.

Want more information? Please visit Matt Elwood - Allstate Insurance to get more information on the Allstate products and services I can offer in Port Angeles, Sequim or anywhere Washington State. 

/ Matt Elwood - Allstate Insurance/ / Comment

Matt Elwood

Matt Elwood grew up in Port Angeles, graduating from the high school before moving south to attend Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA. While earning his B.S.in Business Administration he secured an internship at Northwestern Mutual and started his financial career. After graduating from Pepperdine, Matt built a successful Insurance practice in Los Angeles while earning his investment licenses. After a decade of being away from family, Matt decided to move back to Port Angeles and purchase his mother’s Agency. The Helen Elwood Insurance Agency has been an established Allstate agency in Port Angeles for many years. Matt purchased the business in January 2011 and renamed it Elwood Benefits. Matt is focused on growing the business which leaves him little time for anything else. When he does take a break you’ll find him enjoying his family or out on the golf course.

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Car Insurance Port Angeles

/ Matt Elwood - Allstate Insurance/

Looking for a great car insurance policy that can be tailored to fit your needs in Port Angeles, Sequim or anywhere in Washington State? Give the Matt Elwood Allstate Agency a call 360-452-9200. We offer Allstate’s Your Choice Auto with great features such as Safe Driving Bonus, Accident Forgiveness and Deductible Rewards.

Safe Driving Bonus

How would you like to get a check back from Allstate for being a safe driver? With our Platinum Protection Package, this gives you the opportunity to earn up to a 5% credit that can be applied to your next renewal premium. This is in addition to any other discounts you may already qualify for.

Accident Forgiveness

Accidents happen, but with Accident Forgiveness by Allstate, your car insurance rates won’t go up just because of it. Some policies make you earn this feature over time, but with Your Choice Auto, this feature is available on day one. In our Gold program, this feature can be applied to one accident every three years. In our Platinum program, multiple accidents are forgiven.

Deductible Rewards

The longer you are with an insurance company, the better your rates should be. With Allstate’s Deductible Rewards, you receive an immediate $100 off your collision deductible. Each year you go without a collision accident, another $100 will be subtracted with a maximum $500 reward off your collision deductible. It pays to be with Allstate.

Allstate Value Plan

Are you on a budget, but still want quality car insurance at an affordable rate? The Allstate Value Plan is just that with strait forward coverage and the convenience of Allstate’s Easy Pay Plan. Bundle the Allstate Value Plan with your homeowners insurance and save even more.

Want more information? Please visit Matt Elwood - Allstate Insurance to get more information on the Allstate products and services I can offer in Port Angeles, Sequim or anywhere Washington State. 

/ Matt Elwood - Allstate Insurance/ / 1 Comment

Matt Elwood

Matt Elwood grew up in Port Angeles, graduating from the high school before moving south to attend Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA. While earning his B.S.in Business Administration he secured an internship at Northwestern Mutual and started his financial career. After graduating from Pepperdine, Matt built a successful Insurance practice in Los Angeles while earning his investment licenses. After a decade of being away from family, Matt decided to move back to Port Angeles and purchase his mother’s Agency. The Helen Elwood Insurance Agency has been an established Allstate agency in Port Angeles for many years. Matt purchased the business in January 2011 and renamed it Elwood Benefits. Matt is focused on growing the business which leaves him little time for anything else. When he does take a break you’ll find him enjoying his family or out on the golf course.

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Boat Insurance in Port Angeles

/ Matt Elwood - Allstate Insurance/

It won’t be long now before you’re back out on the water.  Are you counting down the days?  

While everyone loves to hit the lake on the boat, there are a few things you need to take care of first.

Are you properly covered? 

Since boat insurance isn’t required in Washington State, a lot of people skip it in order to save money.  But that’s a very risky idea!  

First, without coverage, you’re risking all the money you spent on your boat.  Would you drive your expensive car without insurance?  Probably not!  

Second, boats are a liability exposure.  That means that they open you up to lawsuits.  If you were to have an accident and damage someone’s boat or personal property, then you could be held responsible.

With the proper insurance coverage, this wouldn’t be a problem.  You’d be protected!  In fact, we typically recommend that clients with a high level of assets purchase extra liability coverage if they own a boat.  

All in all, purchasing boat owners insurance is a simple way to give yourself a lot of peace of mind.  Who wants to worry about insurance when they’re out on the water? Take care of it before your next outing.  Call Matt Elwood at 360-452-9200 for a free quote on your boat or watercraft.

Want more information? Please visit my official Allstate Agency Website to get more information on the Allstate products and services I can offer in Port Angeles, Sequim or anywhere Washington State. 

/ Matt Elwood - Allstate Insurance/ / Comment

Matt Elwood

Matt Elwood grew up in Port Angeles, graduating from the high school before moving south to attend Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA. While earning his B.S.in Business Administration he secured an internship at Northwestern Mutual and started his financial career. After graduating from Pepperdine, Matt built a successful Insurance practice in Los Angeles while earning his investment licenses. After a decade of being away from family, Matt decided to move back to Port Angeles and purchase his mother’s Agency. The Helen Elwood Insurance Agency has been an established Allstate agency in Port Angeles for many years. Matt purchased the business in January 2011 and renamed it Elwood Benefits. Matt is focused on growing the business which leaves him little time for anything else. When he does take a break you’ll find him enjoying his family or out on the golf course.

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Port Angeles Flood Insurance Basics

/ Matt Elwood - Allstate Insurance/


This is the time of year when we frequently get a lot of questions about flood insurance.  Many people believe that they are automatically covered for flood by their homeowners insurance, but that isn’t the case.  

Flood insurance is completely separate from your homeowners policy.  If you have a mortgage, then your lender may require that you carry flood, but that only applies if you live in a flood zone.

But you can still get flood coverage, even if you’re not in a flood zone.  If you’ve seen water rise in your area in the past, then it’s a good idea to look into it.  

Here’s what you need to know. Typically, there's a 30-day waiting period from date of purchase before your policy goes into effect. Here are the only exceptions: If flood insurance is being purchased in connection with the making, increasing, extending or renewing of your loan.

That means that once the storm hits, and the water is rising, it’s too late to get covered!  

If your mortgage is paid off, it’s even more important to look into flood coverage.  You see, many people don’t realize they are at risk until a flood hits!  Without required coverage on your mortgage, you might be unaware too.

Give us a call today at 360-452-9200 to get a free, no obligation quote and review your risk with one of our agents. 

Want more information? Please visit my official Allstate Agency Website to get more information on the Allstate products and services I can offer in Port Angeles, Sequim or anywhere Washington State. 

/ Matt Elwood - Allstate Insurance/ / 1 Comment

Matt Elwood

Matt Elwood grew up in Port Angeles, graduating from the high school before moving south to attend Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA. While earning his B.S.in Business Administration he secured an internship at Northwestern Mutual and started his financial career. After graduating from Pepperdine, Matt built a successful Insurance practice in Los Angeles while earning his investment licenses. After a decade of being away from family, Matt decided to move back to Port Angeles and purchase his mother’s Agency. The Helen Elwood Insurance Agency has been an established Allstate agency in Port Angeles for many years. Matt purchased the business in January 2011 and renamed it Elwood Benefits. Matt is focused on growing the business which leaves him little time for anything else. When he does take a break you’ll find him enjoying his family or out on the golf course.

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Could a Lawsuit Jeopardize Your Home Investment?

/ Matt Elwood - Allstate Insurance/

You don’t have to be a millionaire to be sued like one. Building your dream home or even owning vacant land can expose you to financial risk. That’s why it’s important to have the proper protection in the form of liability insurance.

In addition to Homeowners insurance, consider adding an Umbrella policy. A Personal Umbrella Policy (PUP) works with your existing liability coverage to give you additional protection. If you’re sued over a covered incident, the insurance company will retain and pay for an attorney to represent you and most importantly, protect your assets.

Make sure you have the proper protection before something happens. For more information on Allstate Insurance or for a personal review call 360-452-9200 or email mattelwood@allstate.com

Want more information? Please visit my official Allstate Agency Website to get more information on the Allstate products and services I can offer in Port Angeles, Sequim or anywhere Washington State. 

/ Matt Elwood - Allstate Insurance/ / Comment

Matt Elwood

Matt Elwood grew up in Port Angeles, graduating from the high school before moving south to attend Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA. While earning his B.S.in Business Administration he secured an internship at Northwestern Mutual and started his financial career. After graduating from Pepperdine, Matt built a successful Insurance practice in Los Angeles while earning his investment licenses. After a decade of being away from family, Matt decided to move back to Port Angeles and purchase his mother’s Agency. The Helen Elwood Insurance Agency has been an established Allstate agency in Port Angeles for many years. Matt purchased the business in January 2011 and renamed it Elwood Benefits. Matt is focused on growing the business which leaves him little time for anything else. When he does take a break you’ll find him enjoying his family or out on the golf course.

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April Home Maintenance Tasks

/ Matt Elwood - Allstate Insurance/


April has arrived and brought spring with it!  There is no better time than now to get focused on home maintenance and spring cleaning.  Here are a few things you can do in April to protect (and organize) your home.  

Check For Damage

Winter can be really hard on your home.  A quick inspection around your property can reveal a lot of home improvement projects!  Look for any damage to your roof or outdoor window screens and doors.  Make note of chipped paint or areas that are in need of general maintenance.  Decide what you can do yourself and what will require a professional.  

Spring Clean

Now it’s time to tackle the inside of your home.  Start working on clearing out and donating unused items (think tax deduction next year!)  This could be the perfect time to take inventory of any high value items that need to be documented for your insurance, like guns, musical instruments and jewelry.  Take photos or make a quick video of those items and store it in a secure (and fire-proof) location.  

Organize Your Tax Documents 

You probably just finished your taxes in the past few weeks.  Were all of your documents easy to locate?  What could make the process even easier next year?  Update your filing system or schedule a meeting with your accountant and get prepared now.

Car Maintenance 

April is Car Care Month.  If you’ve been putting off an oil change or a tune-up, get it scheduled now.  Your car will run better and maintain it’s value longer! I get mine done at Ruddell Auto Mall in Port Angeles.

Spruce Up Your Porch 

How does your front porch look these days?  Could it use a little extra care?  Buy a new welcome mat, plant a pot of flowers, and make sure you can easily read your house numbers.  

Get Great Homeowners Insurance

The best way to protect your home?  Having the right amount of insurance!  Let us give you a no-obligation review of your current policy.  Call Matt Elwood at 360-452-9200 to schedule your appointment today.

Want more information? Please visit my official Allstate Agency Website to get more information on the Allstate products and services I can offer in Port Angeles, Sequim or anywhere Washington State. 

/ Matt Elwood - Allstate Insurance/ / Comment

Matt Elwood

Matt Elwood grew up in Port Angeles, graduating from the high school before moving south to attend Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA. While earning his B.S.in Business Administration he secured an internship at Northwestern Mutual and started his financial career. After graduating from Pepperdine, Matt built a successful Insurance practice in Los Angeles while earning his investment licenses. After a decade of being away from family, Matt decided to move back to Port Angeles and purchase his mother’s Agency. The Helen Elwood Insurance Agency has been an established Allstate agency in Port Angeles for many years. Matt purchased the business in January 2011 and renamed it Elwood Benefits. Matt is focused on growing the business which leaves him little time for anything else. When he does take a break you’ll find him enjoying his family or out on the golf course.

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